The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-11-13
THE BEAUTIFUL DEcOY.
FRox TIE UNPUBLISHED CHRONICLES OF A
TRAVELLER. rss


section of that miserably governed country;
and that through want Of interference Of
the authorities, this has grown up into such
a regular and formidable shape, that every
traveller must be prepared to put his life at
hazard at every stage, or be provided with o
suitable contribution for los cabelleros del
can,ino (the knights of the road, who, in
the event of finding you prepared and will
ing, will make their levy with q politeness
only equaled by the smiling landlord, when
he receives your overcharged fare for your
last nights entertainment. Why such sys-
tematic boldness of robbery is allowed-if
not with tho conniyance at least with rarely
any interference of the government or State
authorities-is one of those mystical matters
which among many others, so puzzles and
perplexes the intelligent foreigners, but
that such is the disagreeable truth every
traveller throughout that wretched country
can bear ample testimony.
Some years ago, having business which
first called me to the capitol of Mexico, and
thence through the interior of the country
to the rorthward, met with several thrill
ing adventures, which have recorded Tor
the benefit Of whomsoever may take IN In
terest therein, omitting only the dates, they
being nonessential to the interests OF the
nations themselves.
The first series occurred on the route be-
tween Vera Cruz and the City of Mezico.-
In the regular diligencia, running between
the places just mentioned. had taken
passage and had passed through the beauti-
full city of Jalaps, and entered the gloomy
town Of Perote, without meeting with any
unusual incident, though being continually
warned to be on my guard against the dan
gers of the road. At Perote, where halted
for a relay and refreshments, all my fellow
passengers took leave Of me, very solemnly
assuring me that, if assailed by the ladrones
or robbers, it would be much better for me
to take matters quietly, and suffer myself to
be genteelly plundered, than to run the risk
of having my throat cut for resistance, as l
had somewhat boldly proclaimed twas my
intention of doing. 1 thank them for their
advices, and replied that wonld take the
matter into serious consideration.
At Perote, repeat, all who had been my
companions from Vera Cruz, took leave Of
me, this being the end of their journey in
that direction, but there was one new pas
senger here to 60 forward, whom to my
agreeable surprise, found to be a beautiful
young lady, some twenty years of age.
Senorita Paula, as subsequently ascer-
tanned her name to be, was indeed one Of
those rare beauties seldom met with except
in works of fction-tall, graceful, with u
profusion of long, black hair-soft, clear,
melting dark eye-features as perfect as
ever came from the hands of the sculptor,
and with an animation the most fascinating,
varying in expression with every changing
mood of the intelligent possessor. Aglance
ut her bewitching dark eyes showed me that
she was one who was naturally of social dis
position; and as we ratified away from the
gloomy town, took the liberty of opening
q conversation.
They tell me- said |, 'that the route be-
tween here and Mexico is very dangerous
one to travel
There is no little fear,' she replied, with
sweet smile and melodious tone, except
from the professional robbers, and they
seldom harm any one who makes no resist
ance.'
'It seems strange to me,' rejoined, that
you Mexicans should take such things as a
matter of course, and deem resistance a
very impolite way Of treating the knights
of the road, instead of boldly asserting
your rights, and abating the evil by u man
" spirit of resistance. For myself, mus,
consider it the most cowardly of proceedings
for any respectable party to set out prepared
to quietly crafty the cupidity of the ladrones
and uuprepared to treat them to their just
deserts
Every traveller, Senor,' she replied SHOULD
before setting out, count the cost of his
journey, and of course it is natural be should
value his life highly, it seems to me natural
that he should pay certain sum for positive
safety, rather than put his life in jeopardy
For instance, in travelling from Vera Cruz
to Mexico, if he will first reckon that so
much will be required for entertainment on
the way, and so mnch for tho contingency
you speak Of, he will then have the exact
cost between the two points, and if he will
take the whole as the sum intended for his
journey, he will not seem to be robbed by
one party more than another
'That,' replied, may be, believe it is
the Mexican mode of doing business, but it
does not tally with the preconceived ideas of
us Foreigners
But every one,' replied the fair speaker,
Should conform to the customs of the coun-
try he visits
Sand do you then 90 prepared for this
highway robbery? and have you no fear in
thus journeyins by yoursef?'
well, Senior, what can do? am, as you
perceive an unprotected lady; who, for GER
tain reasons, am required to make the jour-
ney between Perote and the Capitol some
twice or thrice year, and you certainly
could not expect me to 20 prepared to resist
an armed band As to fear, will not deny
have nv share of that; but, so far, have
never met with any rough treatment, and of
will ever be as propitious.'
'And have you really been robbed on your
journey back and forth?' Inquired.
Il think have paid my share to the Ia
drones for my transi,tthrough the country
she laughed.
And you expect to continue repetition
of the same for the rest of your life?
'Who knows?' she replied. AT leas.
hope to be always prepared
'And your fellow Travellers said l, 'have
you never seen any disposed to resist these
unlawful acts?'
'Once Senior, an American and an English
man, who were in the same dligencia with
me, fred upon the robbers, killing one and
wounding two.'
'And did the robbers FIRE back?'
yes, but fed Immediately, and Fortunate
ly injured none Of our party
'As should have expected returned l,
you were not robbed on that occasion, l
suppose?'
sWe were not, Senior; but the two foreign
ers subsequently paid dearly for their resist
ance; for in journeying back and forth, both
were killed, separately and at different
times, near the same spot. You see those
crosses by the side Of the road?'
Il have noticed them frequently, but here
they seem to be more numerous replied,
looking forth from the vehicle.
Each stands on the spots where some one
has met violent DEATH she rejoined; 'and
as we 60 along, will call your attention to
those which mark the places where the for
eigners met theirs.'
'Do you know said l, 'that I am resolved
to emulate their example, let the consequent
ces be what they may?' .s>.
Holy saints defend usn she exclaimed; !;
you are not in earnest, Senor?'