Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-04-25

4
have acknowledged that firm resistance
put them TO light for once"
But there were numbers opposed
to them. senior, and you are only one"
" But. fortunately, l have couple
OF revolvers, which, in two good hands,
amount TO some ten or dozen shots.
and my friends have repeatedly told
me am not n bad marksman."
All, Santa Maria! you will think
better Of this, senor?- the very idea of
resistance terrifies mei'
But not the idea of robberyP''
" Because have never met with
violence"
! We continued to converse In n SINH
lar strain for some me longer my
fair companion gradually changing the
subject, and seeming much interested
in myself. learned that her family
name was Valerde, that she was I'M
married. that her father and brother
were officers I'm the army, and so forth,
and so on; and in return l gave her my
own name. stated something. of my
history. bus ness and prospects, and.
altogether. became more communion
tive than would advise any friend TO
be with any stranger OF either sex in a
| sNanLc country.
As we continued our journey, the
convcr'atiOn gradually changing from
one thing TO another. Senorita Paula
suddenly brought Il back to the point
where II first opened.
1--WE are coming upon n dangerous
part Of the road. she said ARE you
still resolved to defend yourself il as
sailedP'
"With your permission, senoritai"
Il do not think il advisable" she re-
piled; "but STILL if such Is your inten-
ton, | think IL no more than right that
you should give me n chance to take n
part in my defense, since my risk of
danger will be as great as yours"
"Add have you really the nerve, aft
er all. to defend yourself?' I inquired.
"lf had the means. senior"
Il have two pistols, said |; eff you
will accept Of one OF them. it is at your
service"
"You are very kind. senor-but can
fire it?''
with ease. senorita;' and producing
one OF my revolvers, explained 10 her
the manner in which it was TO be used.
And this, you say, will shoot some
half dozen times?'
II think il safe to calculate that five
charges out OF the six will explode,
senOr.ta."
"a very formidable weapon, indeed"
she replied; land with such can al
most fancy we are safe. You have an
other. you say. like this?"
produced il.
"What n beautiful invention she
observed, reaching over AMI taking it
rom my hand. Then extending her
hanis, one Of the revolvers i'm each, she
continued: ARMED like this, one
m ght almost count n fnself safe again Il
a host! You say this is fired in this
manner3' she proceeded. cooking one
OF the weapons as she spoke, and point
ing it toward the road.
"Have u care, scnorita, or you will
dis barge it,
The words were scarcely uttered,
when her finger pressed the trigger. and
one OF the barrels was exploded with a
sharp report. A minute after, and
while j was gently Gliding her, we
heard lOId, LuicK tramp OF horses,
and several sharp, rapid exclamations.
The next moment our conveyance WAS
stopped suddenly. and we saw ourselves
surrounded by some eight or ten mount
ed men, one of whom, in a loud voice,
exclaimed:
"Iield you prison ers, or der
Quick senorita" said |, extend
ing my hand; "quick! in Heaven
name give me one of those weapons,
for now is the time for decisive iction +"
Nay" she replied. putting the weap-
ons behind her, "yOu will be too hasty!
Let them suppose we yield them
open the door "
"Oh. no! il will then be too later
As l spoke the door was suddenly
thrown open and three or four swarthy,
heavily bearded men presented them
selves to my view.
"Quick, senorita. for the love Of Cod"
/ cried. grasping at her arm.
HOldH 3 g exclaimed instantly pre-
senting one Of my own revovers to nv
head. Resistance is useless-you are
our prisonerr'
GRACIOUS Heaven exclaimed l..
perfectly asiounded - Our prisoner.
did you sayp Ii is not possible that one
so fair aud lovely as yourself is in any
manner connected with these ban
dittiw
"It l. even so. senor." she replied.
with one OF her most bewitching smiles:
still Keeping one Of my own weapons
turned against myself and Significantly
pointing the other to the door. You
will obhge US by stepping forth and
giving Yourself into the care OF these
good gentlemen. who will see that you
arc treated ~ brave man should be,
but who will trouble you meantime for
any little change aud valuables you
may have to spare!"
There seemed to be no help for it
the beautiful Scnorita Paula Valerde
was n spy and accomplish of the Ia
droHcs. She hal entered tho dilige ncia
at Perote for no other purpose than 10
ascertain the exact condition of things
INSIDE and be able to Signaliko her asso.
ciates as she passed along. so that they
might know exactly in what manner 10
conduct themselves and make their
work sure without risk. By a simple
stratagem she had obtained nv arms
Just at the point where she knew the
attack would be made; and her dis
charge OF the pistol, rs il by accident.
was the sign to show them that all was
secure.
II acknowledge myself conquered BY
being outwitted!' said I, bowling to la
senorita.
Then turning to the robbers, who had
now collected in a hody in front of the
door OF the diligencia, continued:
."Gentlemen, will you permit me to
alight aud make you some valuable
presentsP In the language of your
country, all have Is yours"
The leader of the Marty bowed M
litely in return and said, with a grim
smile:
Isl. senior, we shall be most happy
to receive anything which so dis
tingulshed traveller may have to be-
stow"
With this l quietly stepped from the
vehicle. and one quick. searching glance
put me In possession of the whole state
OF affairs.
The diligencia had been stopped in a
| wild nlnnUnNs rNla..a III