The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-11-23

"
"Onoe, Seoor, an American and an En-
glishmsn, who were il the same diIigencia
with me, fired upon the robbers killing
one and wounding two."
"And did the robbers fire back r.
"Yes, but fed immediately, and fortu.
nately injured none Of our party"
"As should have expected" returned
I-You were not robbed on that occasion
supposer'
1--WE were not senior, but the two for
eigners subs, quently paid dearly for the
resistance; for in josrneying back and
forth, both were killed, seperste, and a.
different times, near the same spot. You
see these crosses by the side Of the road
Senorf"
~ have observed them frequently, but
here they seem to be much more numer-
ous," ! replied, looking forth from the veh
Gle.
each stands on the spot where some
one has met violent DEATH" she replied,
and as we 90 along, / will call your atten-
tion TO those which mark the places where
the foreigners met theis."
"Do yoa know" said !, srhat am re-
solved 10 emanate their example, let the
consequences be what they maya"
"Holy saints defend usp she exclaimed
"you arc not in earnest, SenorT
"Senously SO, I assure"
"You would only bring certain death
upon US both"
"Say, rather, should tighten the journey
for your knights of the road understand
retreat as we'll as advance-and you your
self acknowledged that firm resistance put
them to fight once"
"But there were numbers opposed tc
them, Senor, and you are only one."
"But fortunately have couple of re-
volvera, which, in two good hands, amount
to some ten or a dozen shots, and my
friends have repeatedly told me that / ar
not bad marksman."
"Ahi Santa Maria! you will think bet,
ter of this, Senor--the very idea Of resist.
ance tcrri6es mel"
"But the idea of robberyi"
"Because ! have never met with vic.
lence."
We continued to converse in similar
strain for some time longer, my fair com
panion gradually changing the subject, and
seeming much interested in myself.
learned that her family name was Valerde
that she was unmarried, that her father
and brother were officers in tho army, and
SO forth, and so on; and in return l gave
her my own name, stated something about
my history, business and prospects, AMI al
together became more communicative than
/ would advise any friend to be with any
stranger Of any sex in strange country
As we continued our journeyed, the con.
versation gradually changing from one
thing 10 another, Senorits Paula suddenly
brought it back to the point where it fret
opened.
ave are coming upon dangerous part
of the road," she said, "are you still resolv-
cd to defend yourself # assailedi"
with your permission, Senorita"
~ don't thiuk it advisable" she replied,
"but still if such be your intention, think
it no moro than right that you should
give me chance to take part in my de-
fence, since my risk of danger will be as
great as yours.'
"And have you really the nerve, after all
to defend yoursefp enquired.
"If had means, S"nor."
"l have two pistols" said L; "If you
will accept of one Of them, it is at your
servlcew
you are very kind, senor.-but can
fire iti'
"With ease Senoria;" and producing
one of my revolvers, 1 explained to her
the manner in which it was to be used.
"And this, you say, will shoot some
half dozen times"
II think it safe to calculate that five
charges out of the six will explode Senori-
ta."
"a very formidable weapon, indeed ~
sho replied; "and with such I can almost
fancy we are safe. You have another you
say, like thisl"
produced it.
"What beautiful inventioni" She OBJ
served, reaching over and taking it from
my hand. Then extending both her
hands, one of the revolvers in each, she
continued: "Armed like this, one might
almost count himself safe against a host
You say this is fred in this manner7" she
proceeded, cooking one of the weapons as
she spoke, and pointing it towards the
road.
"Have care Scnorita or you will dis
charge it2"
The words were scarcely uttered, when
her finger pressed the trigger, and one of
the barrels was exploded with sharp re-.
port. A minute after aud while l was
chldihg her, we heard loud, quick tramp
Of horses, and several sharp, rapid excla.
nations, The next moment our convey
ance was suddenly stopped, and we saw
ourselves surrounded by some eight or ten
mounted men, one of whom in loud voice
exclaimed -
"Yield you prisoners or dep
"Quick, Senoritap said /, extending
my hand; "quick in Heavens name
give me one Of those weaponsl for now is
our time for decisive actionp
"Nay." she replied, putting the weap-
ons behind her; "you will be too hasty =
Let them suppose We yiold--lct them open
the doori"
"Oh, mol It will then be too latei"
As ! spoke, the door was suddenly