The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-01-26
''You would only bring certain death upon

J :
understand retreat as well as adyance-and you
yourse!fhave acknowledged that firm resistance
put them to fight for once
"But there were numbers opposed to them,
Senior, and you are only one"
"But fortunately | have couple Of re-
volyers, which in two good hands, amount to
some ten or dozen shots, and my friends
have repeatedly told me that | am not bad
marksman."
.'Ah! Santa Maria! you will think better of
this, Senor-the very idea of resistance terri
fes me!''
'But not the idea of robbery?"
4 Because | never met violence"
\ We continued to converse in similar strain
for some time longer-my fair companion grad
ually 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 the
army, and so forth, and so on; and in return |
gave her my own name, stated something of
my history, business and prospects, and alto
gether became more communicative than L
would advise any friend to be with any stranger
of either sex in a strange country.
4 As we continued our journey the conversation
gradually changing from one thing to another,
L
point where it first opened.
ave are coming upon dangerous part of
the road" she said; ''are you still resolved to
defend yourself if assailed?"
.sWth your permission, Senorita."
Il don't think it advisable she replied,
7 "but still if such be your intention, think it
no more than right that you should give me a
chance to take part in my defense since my
2 risk of danger will be as great as yours!'
And have you really the nerve, after ALL
: to defend yourself2' | inquired.
.tIf had the means, Senor"
& have two pistols" said ]; ''if you will
t accept one of them, it is at your service!'
: you are very kind Senor, but can | tire it!'
i with ease, Senorita,' and producing one
4 of my revolvers, | explained to her the manner
in which it was to be used.
V "And this, you say, will shoot some half a
!, dozen times?"
t 4 think it safe to calculate that FIVE charges
+ out of six will explode, Senorita.'
e "a very formidable weapon, indeed!' she
replied; land with such | can almost fancy we
are safe You have another, you say. like
d this'
e produced it.
# ..What beautiful inyention!" she observed
o reaching over and taking it from my hand
: Then extending her hands, one Of the revolvcrs
e in each she continued, armed like this, one
n might almost count himself safe against host
h You say this is fred in this manner?'' she pro
;, eeeded, cooking one of the weapons as she
IS spoke, and pointing it toward the road.
V "Have care, Senorta, or you will discharge
V itr'
3fI The words were scarcely uttered when hel
fingers pressed the trigger, and one of The
,, barrels was exploded with a sharp report.
IS minute after, and while | was chidng her, W,
heard loud, quick tramp of horses, and seve
raj sharp, rapid exclamajions. The next mo
Dt ment our conveyance was stopped suddenly
m and we saw ourselves surrounded by som
eight or ten mounted men, one of whom, IN
at loud voice, exclaimed:
a "YeId you prisoners or die!'
Y sQuck, Senorita?" said I, extending M
,e hand; "quick! in heavens name give me on
5, of those weapons! for now is our time for deci
$ sive actonF'
5, NAY she replied, putting the weapon
lie behind her; ''you will be too hasty! Let then
le suppose we yield-let them open the door!''
to- "Ob, no! it will be too late!"
AS l spoke, the door was suddenly throws
ID open, and three or four swarthy, heavily beard
v ed men presented themselves to my view.
,e Quick, Senorta, for the love OF God!'
lc cried, grasping at her arm.
" sHodn' she exclaimed instantly presenting
e, one my own revovers to my head. 'Reslst
,e ance is useless-you are our prsonerF'
d Good Godr' exclaimed perfectly astound
Or ed. "Our prisoner, did you say? Il is no
,e possible that one SO fair and lovely yoursel
"a is n anv manner connected with these ban
is ditti!"
" ..It is even so, senor," she replied, with on
of her most bewitchng smiles, still keep1n
s one of my own weapons turned against myself
es and Significantly pointing the other to the door
r s.You will oblige me by stepping forth an
giving Yourself into the care of these goo
= gentlemen, who will see that you are treated a
v a brave man should be, but who will houbl
YOU in the meantime for any little change an
h. yaluables you might have to sPare?
ls There seemed to be no help for 1.-THE beau
tful Senorta Paula VaIerde was spy and ac
N compIice of the ladrones. She had entere
in the diligencia at Perote for no other purpos
p than to ascertain tie exact state of things IN
,r side, and be able to sgnallze her associates a
< she passed along, so that they might kno'
ID exactly in what manner to conduct themSelye
" and make their work sure without risk. by
ct simple stratagem she had obtained my arms
I just at the point where she knew tie attac
DC would be made; and her discharge of the .pi'
tol. as if by accident, was the signal to sho'
1r them that al was secure.
q acknowledge myself conquered by bein
es outwtted!,' said |, bowing to la Senorita.
he Then turning to the robbers, who bad no
collected in body, in front of the door Of th
Of diligenca, l continued:
Gentlemen, will you permit me 10 allgi
| and make you some valuable presents? In tn
language Of your country, all have is yours.
We The leader Of the party bowed politely
n return, aud said with grim smile:
..sir, Senior, we shall be most happy to rt
h. ceire anything which SO distinguished a trav'
ne ler may have to bestow.'
d. With this quietly stepped from the vehicle
and one quick, searching glance put me in po
session of the whole state of affairs The dill
ly genca had been stopped in wild gloomy plat
and the driver was sitting carelessly on his DO.
l. taking everything as a matter Of course. i
p might also be an accompice of the robbers,C
IL. t1zoro