The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-05-03

cut the traces, to set free two of the horses
and then to ride forward on two of the re-
naming horses, and join the escort of the
| other vehicle. This measure had several eff,
fects first, there would be fresh delay oc-
casioned, and each delay increased the dis.
tance which was now growing between the
pursuers and the treasure secondly, the
cort and, if requisite, the locomotive power
Immediately attached to the gold, would be
increased /; thirdly, the vehicle containing the
chest needed six, or at least four, of those
small horses, to be drawn with anything like
the speed indispensable to tho safety of the
plunderers, none of whom, until they had de
liberated, would be likely to part with their
own steeds, considering the chance of pursuit,
or the chance that their accomplices might
leave them behind, and divide the treasure
without them But far more important eff
feet than any of these was contemplated by
Paulus in the whole operation of separating
his two vehicles, and this effect soon appeared.
When Cb:erias, Longinus, and Thellus, with
the six legionaries, came up, they found the
robbers in great disorder and uproar, endeav-
oring to turn the wagon, nearly half of them
having dismounted, and working with their
own hands Paulus, his tall steed, was
conspicuous little beyond the further verge
of the crowd, and was holding an angry dis
pute with the chief who had addressed him.
"You looked SO Formidable" said he, in
| low voice and with naughty smile, Gas you
came laundering after me along the road
that do not at all wonder the two soldiers
should have sought their safety in fight, and
| in order that they might H. etfectually, should
have taken the two horses with them"
'That one, at all events" said the other,
(which you are riding, must be instantly har-
messed"
eve must mend these traces as best we
can"
"Here's another set of traces in the cart it.
self" shouted one of the robbers.
"Good ." said the leader" Some two or
| three of us must harness our own horses to the
vehicle, besides yonder chestnut steed. We
can ride all the same. No man need walk,
for that. Now, my MASTER" added he, turn
ing once more to Paulus, ''dismount, and give
US the key of this chest"
"The key is not in my Possession" replied
Paulus; -" but can tell you where it is"
"Where, then and quickly!
"Please to remember" said PAulus, " that
you have obtained possession of that chest by
convention, by agreement. We might have
made you pay dear price for it. Therefore,
before tell you where the key is, let my men
pass. 1t was to spare them that gave up the
chest"
"By all the gods ~ cried the leader furiously,
they shall never pass till we know where the
key is! 1t would take many strong men hours
| of hard work to break open this box with
crowbars, or cut it with steel saws"
Paulus perceived that Chnrias and the two
decurions, followed by the six soldiers, had
| iatI,,
which still lined the road, and were working
their way round to where he stood.
He said, "a good locksmth in Romo would
soon m Ike you key"
Are You counting needless death I" roared
the other. 81 am very likely to let o Roman
locksmith see this Once and for all, where is
the key Z"
By this time some of the freebooters, who
had ridden after and caught the two stray
horses, and harnessed these and two of their
| own to the wagon, and the two men who had
parted with their own had now mounted the
leaders. One of them here called out Cut
him down, if he don't tell where to find the
key. We may have troops upon us before we
can take this money to safe place and divide
it."
Paulus made his horse bound a few PAGES
away. Ch@rias and his companions spraDg
into the road, and passing Paulus, who had
faced round again toward the robbers, resumed
at his comamnd their vigorous singing run
along the high-road in tie original direction
of the march.
Listen to me-" cried Paulus to the robbers.
" Time is more precious to you than you are
aware. My men are now safe, and I'll tell you
where the key is. But, first, let me advise
those of. you who drive the wagon to move on
with it fast; and, if they can leave some of
their comrades behind, they will evidently
have more of what is in the box to divide among
themselves. On the other hand, any one of
you WHO may wish to abandon his share in the
box has only to come out here after me, and so
lose the brief time of security. If more