Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-11-16


As | spoke the door was suddenl,
thrown open, and three or four swarthv
heavily bearded men presented them
selves TO my view.
'-Quick, Senorita, for the love of God =
l cried, grasping at her arm.
Hold y she exclaimed, Instantly pre-
senting one of my own revolvers TO my
head Resistance is useless-you are
our prisoner.
"Good God = exclaimed l, perfectly
astounded; ''OuR prisoner, did you say
II is not possible that one so fair and love-
/ ly as yourself IS in any manner connected
with these handful @
1t is even so, Senor," she replied with
one of her mest bewitching smiles, still
keeping one OF any own weapons turned
against myself, and Significantly pointing
the other 10 the door. You will oblige
us by stepping forth and giving yourself
into the care Of these good gentlemen,
who viii see that you are treated as a
brave man shouts be, but who VIII trouble
you, meantime, for any little change and
vaIuabIes you might have to spare
There seemed TO be no help for 1.-THE
beautiful Senorlta Paula Valerde, was a
spy and accomplice to the :" adrones -
She had entered the diIigencia at Perote
for no ether purpose than TO ascertain the
exact condition of things inside, and be
able to signalize her associates as she
passed along, SO that they might know
exactly IN what manner 10 conduct them
selves and make their work sure without
risk. BY single slratagem she had Oh
tanned my arrus, gust at the point where
she knew the attack would be made and
her discharge of the pistol, as if by acci-
dent, was the sign TO show them that all
was secure.
4 acknowledge myself conquered by
being outwnted = said |, bowIng to la
Senorita.
Then turning to The robbers, who had
now collected III a body in front of the
door of the dlhgeneia, | continued:
Gentlemen, will you permit me to
alight and make you some valuable pres
ents ! Ia the language OF your country,
all have IS yoHrs."
The leader of the party bowed politely
in return, and said with a grim smile:
81, Senor, we shall be Iaost happy to
receive anything which so Distinguished
traveller may have TO bestow.'
With this quietly stepped from the
vehicle, and one quick, searching glance
pat me in possession of the whole state of
affairs. The dlligencia had been stopped
in wild, gloomy place, and the driver
was sitting carelessly on his box, taking
everything as a matter Of course. He
might also be an accompice of the rob-
bers Or he might not, but In either case
there was little hope Of resistance from
him; for any attempt Of the kind would
certainly bring upon him severe punish
ment, sooner or later. | glanced up a~d
down the road, where 1t wound between
dark, overshadowing trees, but discovered
nothing to give me any hope. The rob-
bers, some eight or ten in number, and
all we'll armed, were collected around
me, part of them mounted and the others
standing on their feet, holding their mus
tangs by the bride. Looking at my case
as a desperate one, so far as being plum
dered is conct rned, l still retained my
presence OF mind, and did not wholly
despair. True, | had been outwitted and
disarmed, and now stood singly between
numbers, but the idea of Welding tamely
TO this outrage was repugnant to my very
nature, and / resolved to put the least ia
vorabIe opportunity for defense and re-
taliauon to the strongest test.
VIII you accept this purse g said L,
producing one that held several gold
coins, aud handing it to the chief of the
. ladrones."
"Thank you, Senior! you are very
kind = he said as be took it into his
hand, with a polite bow, and chinked the
money.
This diamond pin may prove accep-
table to you, friend g added, as quiet
/ ly removed it from the bosom of my
shirt, and handed It to the " gentleman !"
on his left, WHO received 1t IN the same
polite manner. This diamond ring,
trust you will retain as keepsake!' = |
continued, drawing the jewel from my fin
ger, and presenting ITO third. :" beg
your pardon. oenores," | pursued, clan
cIng at the SeuorIta Paula, with my pis-
tolls sull III her possession, was quietly
standing within the dllligencer, regarding
the whole proceedings with one OF her
sweetest smiles. II must not forget this
beautiful lady !" went on, al the same
t4HiC ~ lObutiI4- tlS dLt4C4Cs u NCA bte't-
uful gold snuff-box set, as you perceive,
with diamonds; will your ladyshIp hon
or me by accepting this as a slight token
of my regard for the pleasure afforded
me by your company
You are a very gallant gentleman,
Senor :" she laughed, taking The two re-
voivers in one fair hand, and presenting
the other
| reached the box towards her, but my
hand uembled a htde, and just as the
present was about to touch her fingers, II
slipped and fell between US
A thousand pardons, Senorita. for
awkwardness - l said, as 0ent down to
pick It up.
Now was the all-importan; moment
the moment of life and death, All were in
a measure off their guard, and one quick
furuve glance showed me that the girl still
held my weapons carelessly in one hand,
,1-ith the Cf her rpTnalnIt,Fr extended for the