Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-12-08


ss1 think 1 have paid my share to the la
drones for my transit through their country ~
she laughed.
..And you expect to continue repitition of
the same for the rest of your life ?''
"Who knows ?'' she replied. ssAt least
hope to be always prepared"
'sAnd your fellow travellers" said L sshave
you never seen any disposed to resist these
unlawful acts ?''
ssOnce, Senor, an American and an Engl glish-
man, who were in the same dlligencia with me,
fired upon the robbers, killing one and wound--
ing two.''
sAnd did the robbers fire back 20
"Yes, but fled Immediately, and fortunately
injured none of our party"
LAS should have expected returned l.
"You were not robbed on that occasion, sup
pose ?''
"We were not, Senior; but the two foreign
ers subsequently paid dearly for their resis-
tance; for in journeying back and forth, both
were killed, separate and at different times,
near the same spot. You see these crosses by
the side of the road, Senor 2"
81 have observed them frequently, but here
they seem to be much more numerous" re-
piled, looking forth from the vehicle.
Each stands on the spot where some one
has met violent DEATH" she rejoined; ssand
as we go along, l will call your attention to
those which mark the places where the foreign
ers met theirs.'
ado you know" said L, ssthat / am resolved
to emulate their example, let the consequences
be what they may ?''
..Holy saints defend u.s. she exclaimed !;
s:you are not in earnest, Senor 20
s'Seriously SO, assure YOU"
ssYou would only bring certain death upon
US both.-'
..Say, rather, should Tighten the expenses
of the jOurney-for your knights OF the road
understand retreat as we'll as advance-and
you yourself have acknowledged that firm re-
sistance put them to flight at Onee.''
ssBut there were numbers opposed to them,
Senior, and you are only one"
ssBut fortunately L have couple of revol-
vers, which, in two good hands. amount to
some ten or dozen shots, and my friends
have repeatedly told me l am not bad marks
man.
sAh, Santa Maria, you will think better
of this, Senor-the very idea of resistance ter
rifles meI''
ssBut not the idea of robbers?''
ssBecause | have never met with violence"
We continued to converse in a similar strain
for some time longer-my fair companion
gradually changing the subject, and seeming
much interested in myself. L learned that
her family name was Valerde, that she was
unmarried. that her father and brother were
officers in the army, and so forth, and so on ;
and in return | gave her my own name, stated
something of my history, business and pros
poets, and altogether became more communi-
cative than would advise any friend to be
with any stranger of either sex in strange
country.
AS we continued our journey, the converse
tion gradually changing from one thing to an
other, Seuorita Paula suddenly brought it back
to the point where it first opened.
awe are coming upon dangerous part of
the road, ," she said ssare you still resolved
to defend yourself if assailed ?''
s'With your permission, Senorita ?''
ssI don't think 1t advisable,'' she replied,
ssbut still if such is your intention, | think it
no more than right that you should give me
chance to take part in my defence, since
my risk of danger will be great yours" /"
sand have you really the nerve, after all, to
defend yourself 70 l inquired.
ssIf L had the means, Senor.''
81 have two PISTOLS" said [; ssif you will
accept one of them, it is at your service"
.sYou are very kind Senor-but can fire it3,
ssWith ease, Senorita 20 and producing one
of my rcvolvers, explained to her the manner
in which it was TO be used.
'sAnd this you say, will shoot some half a
dozen times %
81 think it safe to calculate that five charges
out of six will explode, Senorita."
ga very formidable weapon, indeed =" she
replied ssand with such | almost fancy
we are safe. You have another, you say, like
this ?''
produced it.
s.What beautiful invention - she observed
| reaching over and taking it from my hand
Then extending her hands, one of the revol-
vers in each she continued EARNED like this
one might almost count himself safe against a
host! You say this is fired in this manner ~
she proceeded, cooking one of the weapons as
she spoke, and pointing it toward the road.
ssHave care, Senorita; or you will dis
| charge it,"
The words were scarcely uttered, when her
fingers pressed the trigger, and one of the
barrels exploded with sharp report A min
ute after, and while was gently chiding her,
we heard a loud, quick tramp of horses, and
several sharp, rapid ordinations. The next
moment our conveyance was stopped suddenly
and we saw ourselves surrounded by some
eight or ten mounted men, one of whom, in g
loud voice exclaimed
ssYield, you prisoners, or die! !"
ssQuick, Senorita 20 said l., extending my
hand ssquick in Heavens name! give me
one of those weapons, for now is the time fol
decisive action 20
s:Nay,'' she replied, putting the weapons be
hind her, s'you will be too hasty. Let then
suppose we yield-let them open the door.
40, no, it will then be too late 20
AS spoke, the door was suddenly thrown
open, and three or four swarthy, heavily,
bearded men presented themselves to my
| view.
| t.Ouick, Senorita, for the love of God 20
cried, grasping at her arm.
| aHold!" she exclaimed, presenting one o
nv own revolvers at my head. s'ResiStanct
| is useless-you are our prisoner !"
| sGood God 20 exclaimed, perfectly as
| founded; our prisoner, did you saya 1t ii
| not possible that one so fair and lovely as you
self, is in any manner connected with thes'
! bauditti 20
| cit is even so, Senor,'' she replied will
one of her most bewitching smiles, still keep