Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-01-15


"That," | replied, "may be, believe is, the
Mexican mode OF doing business, but does not
tally with the preconceivcd ideas of us foreign
ers."
"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 robberyP and have you no fear in thus
journeying by yourselfP"
"Well, Senior, what can dop / am, as you
perceive, an unprotected lady; who, for certain
reasons, am rcquired>to make the journey be-
tween Perote and the Capital some twice or
thrice year, and you could not expect 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 forthP" l inquired.
~ think have paid my share to the ladrones
for my transit through their country" she
laughed.
"And you expect to continue repetition of
the same for the rest of your lifep"
"Who knowsP ?" she replied. "At least I
hope to be always prepared"
"And your fellow w-travellers," said | /; "have
you never seen any disposed to resist these un-
lawful acts ?"
"Once, Senor, an American and an English
man, who were in the same diligencia with me,
fred upon the robbers, killing one and wound
ing two"
"And did the robbers fire back ?"
"Yes, but fled Immediately, and fortunately
injured none of our party"
"As should have expected" returned l.
"You were not robbed on that occasion, / sup
poseP"
1--WE were not, Senor but the two foreigners
subsequently paid dearly for their resistance !;
for in journcying back and forth, both were kill
ed, separate and at different times, near the
same spot. You see these crosses by the side
of the road, Senor ?"
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 with violent DEATH" she rejoined "and
as we go along, | will call your attention to
those which mark the places where the foreign
crs met theirs"
ado you know" said l, "that am resolved
to emulate their example, let the consequences
be what they mayP"
"Holy saints defend u.s." she exclaimed ;
'you are not in earnest, Senor ?"
"Seriously so, assure you."
"Iou would only bring certain death upon
us BOTH
Say rather, should tighten the expenses Of
the journey-for your knights of the road un-
derstand retreat as well as advance-and YOU
yourself have acknowledged that firm resistance
put them to flight at once
"But there were numbers opposed to them
| Senior, and you are only one"
"But fortunately have couple of revolyers
which, in two good hands, amount to some ten
or dozen shots, and my friends have repeated
| ly told me am not bad marksman."
"Ah Santa Maria! you will think better Of
this, Senor-the very idea of resistance terrifes
me,'
"But not the idea of robbersP"
"Because have never met with violence"
We continued to converse in a similar strair
for some time longer-my fair companion grad
aaiiy changing tho subjeot, and seeming much
interested in myself. l learned that her famil,
name was Nalerde, that she was unmarried thai
her father and brother were officers in the army
and so forth, and on and in return | CAV,
her my own name, stated something of my his
tory, business and prospects, and altogether be
came more communicative than | would advis,
any friend to be with any stranger of either sex
| In strange country.
As we continued our journey, the CONVERSE
uon gradually changing from one thing to an
other, Senorita Paula suddenly brought il bacl
"We are coming upon dangerous part o
the road,' she said "are you still resolved tc
defend yourself il assailedp"
with your permission, Senorita? ?"
81 don't think it advisable" she replied, "bu
still if such is your intention, think it no NOR,
than right that you should give me a chance tc
take part in my Defence since my risk O
danger will be as great as yours"
And have you really the nerve, after all, t,
defend yourself?" inquired.
"lf had the means, Senor."
81 have two PISTOLS" said l 'if you will ac
cept of one of them, it is at your service"
'You are very kind, Senor-but can fir,
it?"
with ease, Senorita y and producing one o
my reyolvers, explained to her the manner il
which it was to be used.
"And this, you say, will shoot some half
dozen times?"
81 think It safe to calculate that five Charge
out of six will explode, Senorita."
"a very formidable weapon indeed !" sh,
replied "and with such | can almost fame,
this P"
/ produced it.
"What a beautiful invention!" she observed
reaching over and taking it from my hand
Then extending her hands, one of the revolver
|
might almost count himself safe against host
You say this is fred in this manner ?" she pro
ceeded, cooking one of the weapons as sh
spoke, and pointing it toward the road.
Have care, Senorita or you will discharg,
it."
The words were scarcely uttered, when he
fingers pressed the trigger, and one of the bar
rels was exploded with sharp report. A min
ute after, and while was gently chding her
we heard loud, quick tramp of horses, ant
several sharp rapid exclamations. The mex
moment our conveyance was stopped suddenly
and we saw ourselves surrounded by some eigh
or ten mounted men, one of whom, in lou,
voice. exclaimed:
yield, you prisoners, or die"
"Quick, Senorita !" said |, extending m,
handi "quck in Heavens name! give m
one of those weapons, for now is the time 70
decisive action !"
may" she replied putting the weapons be
hind her, 'you will be too hasty Let then
suppose we yield-let them open the door"
80, no! it will then be too late!"
AS | spoke, the door was suddenly throw
open, and three or four swarthy, heavily beard