, 1863-04-09
The Robber Chief Of san Juan.

village OF San Juan de Dl0e, whose gardens arc
watered by the crystal current Of The Regla soon
after It precptates itself In leaping cascades down
the mountain side. had heard 50, mucn Of the
beauty Of this valley, and the faramed cascade Of
the Rcgla, that, having the leisure, / determined
to pay II o visit. For this purpose engaged the
services Of my old guide, Jose Maria, and started
| from my quarters in Jalapa. 10000.
Jose had married his pretty wife in San Juan,
and, Of course was familiar with the history and
gossip Of the place; and being withal very in
telligent fellow, bis anecdotes and stories served
materially to shorten ths long mule path that led
over the mountains to the valley to which we were
bound. Among Joses narratives was one which
made deep impression on me, on account OF the
eold-blOOded and unnatural tragedy connected
with it. 4.osg 7tgaslg Us f5dg rai.rfei1
The great, National Road, Is It Is now called,
leading from Vera Cruz to the capital, has long
been Fesofted to by ladrones, who, having their
hidingplaces among the sieFTas, command the
passes and levy contributions on all unfortunate
travellers who chance to fall into their merciless
hands and so numerous have they sometimes be-
come that, being more than match for the patrols,
they have had entire and undisputed possession Of
the roads for months at q time, thus cutting of
communication between the Gulf shore and the
capital, 50 that hot even the mail was permitted
to pass without paying largely for the privilege
Nowadays, any common plekp0cket or broken
down gambler, who has snllieient courage, may
become brigand. But there was time when
these knights Of the road were more select in their
comrades; and none would be adfhitted TO their
ranks but such as could boast at least Of murder,
and the greater the criminal the more sure would
he be Of promotion, aq y y. : eoigs..s,
Some twenty-five years ago the most notorious
OF these robbers was one Lazaro Hibera, native
Of San juan de Dios, who rose 10 the position Of
If h.,o n the fartiI1a fhaf
caff Be imagined sa.li rgs.9 isssn;,ss hat ,gt|
Pauehita Diaz, the daughter Of the alcalde
(mayorl Of san Juan, was the pride Of the valley
and IN the village dances she always led on Among
all the maidens she was the acknowledged belle,
and there were nonew whose smiles were so much
eOuFted as hers. Among the young met were
many who had sought TO win her hearth but Laz-
aro Ribera, then a prosperous horse dealer, was
the only successful one. His claims being once
admitted, his rivals 10 the affections Of the young
girl Withdrew from the eld and turned their atteI-
don to her fair companions s.li eall .-ss5'
One day, during q temporary absence Of RiberA
at Jalapa; whittier he had gone 70 dispose Of some
df his stock, there arrived At San Juan young
cAplalAol cavalry, Who had been detailed By bis
colonel to purchase some choice horses Of the val
ley for the officers Vf bis regiment This business
would require several daysf for II was necessary
To- examine tho ahimals, and give each thorough
trial, previous to making bis purchases. TohonOr
the arrival among themOf so distinguished aguest,
the villagers, as was customary, gave dance |; dt
which, as was usual, the pretty Panchita shone as
the bright particular star, and won the especial
admiration Of the. dashing officer, who made her
bis partner IN oil the amuSemeBts Of the evening.
Panchta, who, like most village bellies, was some
ding Of . coqaette was pleased with the marked
preference Of the captain, and admitted him 10 /
terms,ot intimacy which her brief acquaintance
with him, and especially her understanding with
her atseht lover, would scarcely warrant and
when the fun and jollity Of the dance wns ct It's
height he took her hand and led her from the house
10 retired seat, amid the clustering vines Of the
garden. Here, with an arm around her waist, be
was pouring into her not uneillng ears bis Hat |
teries, when o step was heard approaching them,
and before tle girl could dsengage herself RON
the embrace Of The handsome officer, Lazaro, who 4
had Just returned, stood before them. q ,.. E..,.
For moment be stood with folded arms and an
angry scowf regaFdiBg them; and then, without
1ttering a word, turned upon bis heel and walked
away. Alarmed BY bis manner, Panchita, throw
ing the arm oi the captain rom her, spfang to
her feet and following her loveE, would have ALLEN
upon his neck and confessed her folly. The youth.
however, with an impatient motion threw her from
him, and muttering threats Of vengeance against
the intrudng stranger, would have hurried away.
But at this moment the object Of his anger came
Up and took the girls hand, begging her 70 return
with him TO the dance. - al, ,,a,.i ) I. l
This added insult, for such Ribera regarded i,
was more than the passionate youth could endure,
and snatching his knife from his belt, be turned
upon the officer, and before the latter could draw
his weapon to defend himself, the blade was buried
deep in his heart, and almost without gFoalI be
fell to the ground, expiring, A scream from the
terrified Panchta, which reached the ears OF the
dancers, soon drew crowd to the spot, and the
/ lileless body Of their guest was removed TO the
house Of the Mayor, who Immediately dispatched
one of the attendants Of the murdered man y the
post, where was stationed bis regiment, with the
unhappy news -.
dreading the vengeance Of the companions Of the
| y0nng officer, made his escape to the mountains,
but not before he had an interview with her be so
deeply loved, and who had innOc nlly been the
cause Of this his first crime. All had been ex-
| plaiHed and forgiven between them; and proniis-
ing fidelity to each other, they parted.
| Nov il so happened that wandering in the
mountains, EazarO Ribera chauced " cone sud-
denly, one day, upon 90 eneampment Of robbers.
Taking him for a spy Of the police, they were
about to put him 10 death when he related TO them
the cause Of his appearance among them. They
had heard OF the death Of the cavalry oniceF, and
| the manner Of II and, sparing the young man,
offered 10 receive him into their band. He had
become an Ontlaw by his unpremedita'ed homicide,
and as il would be imprudent for him 10 return 10
the valley till the excitement had subsidized, and
the friends Of the murdered man had given dp TIE
search for him, he accepted their offer. aud, pre-
tending to be delighted with The proposition, vas
| duly initiated among them.
FOrseyeral months The young man Was employed
: in meniAl acts. and never permitted 10 take part
| in their rObberies, where be might have had N
| -.
Al iivst mis- kind Of life was extremely repugnant
10 Linn, but By dggEess he came TO look ePoa 10
as q matter of eOurse, and. before the bali year
Kns nassed in the soeiety Of the bandlta. be bad