Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-03-29
hope to be always prepared"

nope 10 De aiWayS prepared.
"And your fellow travellers ?" said l
have you never seen any disposition to re
sist these unlawful acts Y
"Once, Senior, an American and an En-
glishinan, who were in the same diligenci,
with me, fired upon the robbers killing on,
and wounding two"
And did the robbers fire back ?'
" Yes, but fled Immediately, and fortunate
ly injured none of our party"
AS should have expected" I replied
you were not robbed on that occasion,
suppose?'
We were not, Senior; but the two foreign.
ers subsequently paid dearly for their resis
tancc; for in journeying back and forth, both
were killed separate, and at different times
near the same spot. You see these crosses
by the road side, Senor?"
" have observed them frequently but
here they seem to be much more numerous,
| replied, looking forth from the vehicle.
Each stands on the spot where some one
has met a violent DEATH" she rejoined; and
as We 60 along will call your attention to
those which mark the places where the
foreigners met theirs"
DO you know" said I, !" that am resolv-
ed to emulate their example, let the conse-
quences be what they may Z"
Holy saints defend us! !" she exclaimed
you are not in earnest, Senorp'
Seriously so, assure you"
"You would only bring certain death up
on us both"
Say, rather, should tighten the expenses
OF the journey, for your knights Of the road
understood 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,
Senor, and you are only one"
But fortunately | have couple of revol-
vers which, in two COOL hands, amount to
some ten or dozen shots, and my friends
have repeatedly told me am not bad
marksman."
"Ah! Santa Maria! you will think better
o! this, Senor; the very idea of resistance
terrifies mer'
g But not the idea of robbery?"
" Because have never met with violence"
We continued to converse in similar
strain fol some time longer, my fair compan.
ion gradually changing the subject, and
seeming much interested in myself. learned
that her family name was Valcrado, that she
was unmarried, that her father and brother
were officers in the army, etc, etc and in
return, | gave her my own name, stated
something Of my history, business and pros
poets, and altogether became more commu-
nicatve than would advise any friend to
be with any stranger of either sex in a
strange country.
As we continued our Journey, the conver-
sation gradually changing from one thing to
another, Senorita Paula suddenly brought it
back to the point where it first opened.
We are coming upon a dangerous part
of the road" she said; "are you still resol-
we'd to defend yourself if assailed?"
with your permission, Senorita."
81 don't think it advisable" she replied ;
" but still, ifsuch is your intention, | think
it no more than right you should give me
chance to take part in my defence, since my
risk of danger will be as great as yours"
And have you really the nerve, after all,
to defend yourselfy" Inquired.
If had the means, Senior"
81 have two pistols" said I; "if you will
accept of one of them, it is at your service"
You are very kind, Senior; but can ! fire
it ?"
"With ease Scnorita;" and produced one
of my revolvers, explained to her the man
ner in which it was to be used
And this, you say, will shoot some half
a dozen times?'
81 think it safe to calculate that five
charges out of six will explode, Senorta'
"A very formidable weapon indeed" she
replied :" and with such, almost fancy we
are safe You have another, you say, like
this ?"
produced it.
What a beautiful invention" she OBJ
served, reaching over, and taking it from my
hand. Then extending her hands, one of
the revolyers in each, she continued: EARNED
like this, one might almost count himself
against host You say this is fired in this
manner?' she proceeded, cooking one of the
weapons as she spoke, and pointing it toward
the road.
Have a care, Senorita, or you will dis
charge it!'
The words were scarcely uttered when her
finger pressed the trigger, and one Of the
barrels was exploded with sharp report
A minute after, and when was gently Chi
ding her, we heard loud, quick tramp, of
horses, and several sharp, rapid exclamations.
The next moment our conveyance was stop
ped suddenly, and we saw ourselves surroun-
ded by some eight or ten mounted men, one
of whom, in loud voice, exclaimed:
Yield you prisoners, or dicv'
"Quick, Senorita r. said +, extending my
hand; "quick in heavens name give me
one Of those weapons, for now is the time
for decisive action p
Nay" she replied, putting the weapons
behind her, you will be too hasty. Let
them suppose we yield let them open the
door,
"Oh, no! it will then be too late ~
As spoke, the door was suddenly thrown
open, and three or four swarthy, heavy beard
ed men presented themselves to my view.
Quick, Senorita. for the love of God! /
cried. grasping at her arms
:" Hold r she exclaimed, instantly presen-
ting one ofmy own revolvers at my head,
Resistance is useless, you are my prisoner p
Good God y exclaimed, perfectly as
-ounded orr prisoner, did you say? It
s not possible that one so fair and lovely as
voarself is in any matter connected with
.hesc banditti!"
" It is even SO, Scnor," she replied with
'ne Of her most bewitching smiles, still keep
ng one Of my own weapons turned against
myself. and significantly pointing the other
o the door You will obligc us by step
ping forth and giving yourself into the care
If these good gentlemen, who will see that