Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1859-01-29
WAR1E1 1J y,
A BEAUTIFUL DECoY.
BY a TRAVELLER

BY \ TRAVELLER.
1t is well known to all in any degree ia
milliar with the history of Mexico, that n
regular system of highway robbery exists
in every section OF that miscrably governed
country; and that through want of in
tcrfcrencc of the authorities, this has grown
up into such a regular and formidable shane
that every traveller must be prepared to
put his life at hazard at every stage, or be
provided with a suitable contribution for
los cadaIeroS dctoan,mo (the knights of
the road,) who, in the event of finding you
prepared and willing, will make their levy
with politcncss only oquallcd by the smi-
ling landlord, when he receives your over
charged fare for last nights entertainments
Why such systematic boldncss of robbery
Is allowed-if not with the connivancc at
least with rarely any interference of the
government or state authoritcs-s one of
those mystical matters which among many
Others 50 puzzles and perplcxcs the intelli-
gent foreigner, but that such is the disa
Sreoable truth, every traveller through that
wrctchcd country can bear ample testimony.
Some years ago, having business which
first called inc to the capitol of Mexico, and
thence through the interior of the country
to the northward | met with several thrill
ling adventures, which | have recorded for
the benefit of whomsoevcr may take an in
tcrest therein, emitting only the dates, they
being non-csscntal to the interest of the
narrations 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, and had passed through the
beautiful city of Jalapa, and entered the
gloomy town of Pcrotc, without meeting
with any unusual incident, though being
continually warned to be on my guard
against the dangers of the road. At Pc
rote, where we halted for a relay and re-
frcshmcnts, all my fellow passengers took
leave ofmc, very solemnly assuring me that
If assailcd by the ladroncS, or robbers, it
would be much better for me to take mat
tcrs quietly, and suffer myself to be gener-
ally plundered, than to run the risk of hav-
ing my throat cut for resistance as [ had
somewhat boldly proclaimed it was my in
tention of doing. thanked them for their
advice, and replied that I would take the
matter into serious consideration.
AT Perotc, | 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
passenger to go forward, whom, to my a
grccable surprise, [ found to be beautiful
young lady, some twenty years of age
Sonorita Paula, as | subsequently ascer-
tanned her name to be, was indeed one ofthose
rare beauties seldom met with except in works
of tiction-tall; graceful. with profusion
long, black hair-soft, clear, melting dark
cycS-features as perfect rs 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 posscssor. 4 glance at
her bewitching dark eyes showed me that
she was one who was naturally of social
disposition and as we ratified away from
the gloomy town, took the liberty to open
a conversation.
They tell me-" said I, f" that the route
between here and Mexico is a very dan
gerous one to travel"
"Therc is little 20 fear," she replied,
with sweet smile and in amclodous tone,
except from the professional robbcr and
they seldom harm any one who makes no
rcSStalCc.
1t seems strange to me-" rcjoined,
Hthatyou Nlexicans 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 manly
spirit of resistance. For myself, [ must
consider it the most cowardly of proceed
ings, for any respectable party to set OUT
prepared to quietly crafty the cupidity of
the lodrones, and unprepared to treat them
to their just deserts"
Every traveller, Sonor," she replied,
should, before o.cting out, count the cost
Of his journey, and as of course it is natu-
raj he should value his life highly, it seems
to me natural that he should pay,a certain
ssm for positive safety rather than put
that life in jeopardy. For instance, In
travelling from Vera Cruz tc Mexico. if he
will first reckon that SO much is the fare
by the diligencia, and that so much will be
required for entertainment on the way, and
so much for the contingency you speak Of,