Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-05-12

LII Is well known to all in any degree fami-
liar with the history of Mexico that a regular
system OF highway robbery exists in every
secton OF that miserably governed country ;
anu tlat through want of Interference OF the
authorities, this has grown up into such a req
ular and formidable shape, that every traveller
must be prepared to put his life at hazard at
every stage, or be provided with suitable
contribution for los cabeitoroRS ceiodgliao fine
knights of the road who, in the event of
finding you prepared and willing, will make
their levy with politenesS only equaled bv
the smiling landlord, when he receives your
overcharged fare for last nights entertainment
Why such systematic bOldness Of robbery is
allowed-lf not with the conniyance at least
with little lnterierances Of the government or
state authoritles-is one of those mystical mat
tiers, which, among many others, SO puzzles
and perpleXes the intelligent foreigners but
that such is the disagreeable truth every tray
elier through that wretched country can bear
ample testimony.
Some years ago. having business which first
called me to the capital Of Mexico, and thence
through the interior of the country to the
northward, met with several thrilling adven.
lures, which have recorded for the benefit of
whomsoever may take an interest therein.
emitting only being non-essential to the inte
rest OF the variations themselves
The first of the series occurred ON the route
between Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico.
In the regular diligencia running between the
places just mentioned, | had taken PASSAGE
ana had passed through the beautiful city Of
Jalapa, and entered the gloomy town OF Pc.
rote, without meeting with any unusual inci
dent, though being continually warned to be
on guard against the dangers of the road. At
Perote, where we halted for relay and re-
treshments, all my fellow passengers took
ieaVe OF me, very soemnly assuring me that
If assaied by the tadroaeS or robbers, it would
be much better for me to take matters quietly
and suffer myself to be generally plundered
than to run the risk of having my throat emf
for resistance, as | had somewhat boldly pro-
claimed it was my intention of doing thank
ed them Tor their advice and replied that |
would take the matter into serious considera
ton.
at Perote, repeat all who had been NV
companions from Vera Cruz took leave of me
this being the end of their journey in that d.
rechon, but there was one new passenger to
60 forward, whom, to my agreeable surprise. |
found to be beautiful young lady, some TWEEN
ty years Of age.
Senorta Paula, as L subsequently ascertain
ed her name to be, was indeed one of those
rare beauties seldom met with exceptin works
OF hcton-tall, graceful, with a proflsion of
long, black hair-soft, clear, melting dark ewes
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 intellectual |
possessor A glance at her bewitching dark
eyes showed me that she was one who ,yae |
naturally OF social disposition and as we I
ratified away from the gloomy town, l took /
the liberty OF opening conversation.
They tell me, said /, that the route be-
fNua hove. i T.
tween mere ana Mexico Is very dangerous
one to travel"
"There is little to fear" she replied, with .
sweet smile and in melodious tone sexcent
from the professional robbers, and they seldom
harn any one who makes no resistance"
II seems strange to me" l rejoined, chat
you MeXlcans should take such things as
matter OF course, and deem resistance a .yaru
lmPoiite way of treating the knights OF the
road instead Of boldly asserting your rights, |
and abating the evil by manly spirit of resist
ance For myself, must consider it the most |
cowardly of proceedings, for any respectable |
party to set out prepared to quietly crafty the |
cupidity of the iadrones, and unprepared TO
treat them so their Just deserts"
every traveller, Senior, she replied, "should |
before setting out, count the cost of his jour |
ney and as of course it is natural he should |
value his life highly, it seems to me natural |
that he should pay certain sum for positive
safety rather than put that life in jeopardy.
For instance, in travelling from Vera Cruz to
Mexico, if he will first reckon that so much is
the fare by the diligence, that so much will be |
required for entertainment on the way, and so
much for the contingency you speak of, he
will then have the exact cost between the two
points and if he will look at the whole as the
sum total of his journey, he will not seem to
be robbed by any one party more than another"
chat" l replied, ''may be- believe is, the
Mexican mode of doing business, but does not
tally with the preconceved ideas of us foreign
eTs."
"But every one" replied the fair speaker,
should conform to the customs Of the country
he visits"
"And do you then go prepared for this high
way robbery and have you no fear in thus
journeying by yourselfF"
"Well, Senior, what can | do! l am, as
you perceive an unprotected lady, who, for
certain reasons, am required to make the jour
ney between Perote and the Capital some
twice or thrice year, and you would not eX-
pect me to go prepared to resist an armed
band AS to fear, will not deny have my
share of that but, SO far, have never met
with any rough treatment and of course |
trust to the saints that my fortune will ever be
as propitious"
"And have you really been robbed on your
Journey back and forth 2" inquired.
81 think have paid my share to the Ia
drones for my transit through their country"
she laughed.
"And you expect to continue repetition of
the same tor the rest of your lilel"
"Who knowsl" she replied. "At least |
hope to be always prepared"
'And your fellow travellers 2" said | /; "haye
you ever seen any disposed to resist these I'M
lawful acts g.
"Once, Senior, an American and an English
man. who were in the same diligencia with
me- fired upon the robbers, killing one and
woundng two"
"And did the robbers fire back 2"
eyes, but fled Immediately, and fortunately
injured none of our party"
.'As should have expected returned l.
"You were not robbed on that occasion, sup
pose 2"
owe were not, Senor but the two foreign
ers subsequently paid dearly for their resist
ance 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, Senort
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 a violent DEATH" she rejoined; and as
we go along will call your attention to those
which mark the places where the foreigners
met theirs"
"Do you know" said |, "that am resolved
to emulate their example, let the consequences
be what they may :"
"Holy saints, defend u.s." she exclaimed ;
you are not in earnest, Senior ?"
Seriously, so, ! assure YOU
"You would only bring certain death upon
us both"
"Say rather should tighten the expense: