Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-04-09

numerous" 1 replied, looking forth
from the vehicle.
"Each stands on the spot where some
one has met a violent DEATH" she re-
joined; land as We 90 along L will call
your attention to those which mark the
places where the foreigners met
theirs"
''Do you know" said /, 'that l am
resolved to emulate their example,
let the consequences be what they
may?"
"Holy saints defend usI" she ex-
claimed; ''you are not in earnest, SEN
or?n
Ser ously so, / assure you"
You would only bring certain death
upon US both"
"Say, rather, 1 should tighten the ex-
penses of the iourney-for your knights
of the road understand retreat as well
as advance-and you yourself have ac-
knowledged that firm resistance put
them TO flight for-once."
But there were numbers opposed to
them, senior, and you are only one."
But fortunately have a couple of
revolyers, which, i'll two good hands,
amount TO ten or dozen shots, and my
friends have repeatedly told me am
not a bad marksman."
"Ah, Santa MariaI you will think
better of this, senor?-the very idea of
resistance terriies mer'
But not the idea of robbery?"
because | have never met with vio-
lence."
We continued to converse in a simi-
Lar strain tor some time longer-my
companion gradually changing the SUBJ
ject, and seeming much interested in
myself. learned that her family name
was Valerde, that she was unmarried,
that her father and brother We're officers
in the army, and so forth, and so on;
and in return l gave her my name,
stated something of my history, busi-
ness and prospects, and altogether be-
came more communicative than would
advise any friend to be with any stran-
ger of either sex in strange country.
As We continued our journey, the
conversation gradually changing from
one thing to another, Senorita Paula
suddenly brought it back TO the point
where it first opened.
I'VE are coming upon a dangerous
part of the road" she said; ''are you
still resolved 10 defend yourself if as
Sailed?n
with your permission, senoritar'
81 do not think it advisable" she re-
piled; ''but still, if such is your inten-
ton, think it no more than right that
you should give me chance TO take a
part in my defence, since my risk of
danger will be as great as yOursl'
And have you really the nerve,
after all, TO defend yeurself?" in
quIred.
''If had the means. senor."
81 have two pistols, " said L; 'if you
will accept OF one of them, it Is at Your
service.'
you are very kind, senor-but can
l fire it?''
''With ease, senorita;" and produc-
ing enc of my reyolyers, explained to
her the manner in which it was to be
used
And this, you say, will shoot some
half dozen timeS?"
81 think it safe to calculate that five
charges out of the six will explode. SEN
orita."
"A very formidable weapon, indeedl"
she replied; 'and with such l can al
most fancy We are safe. You have
another, you say, like this?"
L 1produced it.
''What beautiful inventionl" she
observed, reaching over and taking il
from my hand. Then extending her
hands, one of the revolvers in each she
continued:
Armed like this, one might almost
count himself safe against hostl 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
discharge 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 L was gently chlding her, We
heard loud, quick tramp of horses,
and several sharp, rapid eXclamatlons.
The next moment our conveyance
was stopped suddenly, and we saw our
selves surrounded by eight or ten
mounted men. one of whom, in loud
voice, exclaimed:
''Y ield you prisoners, or dep
''Qulck, sen0rita!' sald |, extending
my hand; ''quick! in heavens namel
give me one of those weapons! for now
Is our time for decisive actIOnr'
Nay" she replied, putting the wea-
pons behind her, ''you will be too hasty!
Let them suppose we yleld-let them
open the doorl''
''Oh, no! it will then be too latel"
As l spoke the door was suddenly
thrown open and three or four swarUhy,
heavily y-bearded men presented them
selves to my view.
Quick, Senorita. for the love OF
Godl' cried, grasplng at her arm.
''Holdp' she exclaimed, instantly
presenting one of my own revolvers to
my head; resistance is useIess-you are
our prisOnerl'
''Gracious heavenl" exclaimed l,
perfectly astounded. "O1T prisoner,
did you say? 1t is not possible that
one so fair and lovely as yourself Is in
any manner connected with this ban
ditti,'
lit is even so, senior, she replied,
with one of her most bewitehing smiles;
still keeping one Of my own weapons
turned upon myself, and significantly
pointing the other to the door. You
will oblige us by stepping forth and
giving yourselves into the care of these
good gentlemen, who will see that you
are treated as brave man should be,
but who will trouble you meantime for
any little change and valuables yJu have
to sparel"
There seemed to be no help for it
the beautiful Senorita Paula Valerde
was a spy and accomplice of the "a
drones. She had entered the dlllgencla
at Perote for no other purpose than TO
ascertain the exact condition OF things