West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-04-25

Tho diligencia had been stopped In .
wild, gloomy place, and the driver WAS
sitting carelcssly on his box, taking
every thing as a matter OF course. lie
might also be an accomplish of the rob-
bcrs, or Inc might not but, i'm either
case, there was little hope of assistance
from him any attempt of the kind
would certainly bring upon him a
severe punishment, sooner or later. |
glanced up ard down the road. where
1t wound between dark, ovcrshadowinp
trees, but discovered nothing TO give
me any hope. The robbers, some eight
or ten in number. and all well armed,
were collected around me. part Ct them
mounted, and the others standing on
their feet, holding their mustangs by
the bride. Looking upon my case as n
desperate one. so far as being plundered
was concerned, still retained my pres
ence of mind, and did not wholly
| despair True, had been outwitted
and diSarmed, and now stood singly be-
tween numbers. but the idea of Welding
/ tamcly to this outrage was repuVnant
I to my very nature, and | resolved to
| put any favorable opportunity for de-
Tense and retaliation to the strongest
test.
e" VIII you accept this purse?' said l.
producing one that held several cold
coins, and handing it TO the chief OF the
| iuorOHCs.
d" Thank you, scnorl you are very
kind. he said, as he took 1t i'm his
hand, with polite bow. and chinked
T the money.
This diamond pin may prove ac.
ceplable to your friendP" | added. as |
T quietly removed il from the bosom of
my shirt, and handed IL TO the qenAe-
I Htda on the left, who received il i'm the
same polite manner. This diamondIrino
trust YOU will retain us a kecpsake,"
continued, drawing the Jewel from my
hnger and presenting it to a third. II
beg your pardon, scnorcs!n | pursued.
/ CHANGING at the Senorita Paula. who.
/ with my pistols still i'm her possession.
was quietly standing within the dill
/ genoa, regarding the whole proceed
lngS with one of her sweetest smiles:
- must not forget this beautiful ladyl
/ have here, w mt on, at the same time
/ producing the article, "a very bcauti-
lul gold snuil-boN set, rs you perceive,
with diamonds-will your ladyship hon
/ or me by accepting this as Il slight token
: OF my regard Tor the pleasure afforded
me ny your company and converse.
tion?"
You are very gallant gentleman.
scnorm she laughed, taking the two re.
volvcrs in enc fair hand and present
ing the other.
reached the box toward her. but
my hand trembled little-aud. lust rs
the present was about to touch her
fingers, 1t slipped and fell between us.
"A thousand pardonS. Senorita, for
my awkwardncss" | said, as | bent
down TO pick it up.
Now was the all-mportant moment
OF life and death! All were in a meas
ure OH their guard; and one quick. fur
1--WE glance showed me that the Girl still
hrIu my weapons carelessly i'm one hand.
WIN the other remaining extended for
the prize. | lifted the box carefully:
but, as | raised myself, | gave a wild,
startling yell; and as the senorjtn
started back. /, with the quckness o
/ lightning, seized both weapons and
wrenched them from her.
/ 10 wheel and commence firing upon
the party, was now only the work OF n
moment. The first shot, fortunately.
stretched out the chief: the second took
eject on the one nearest to him; and
by the time the third hal been sent on
It's mission, there arose one simultane-
Gus yell of dismay, and the astounded
robbers began to scatter in every direc
ton. had no disposition To- follow
them, however; another minute they
might rally and turn upon me; and.
sprInging forward, | graspcd the rens
oil freed mustang, and vaulted into
the saddle. One more glance around
me- showed me the Scnorita Paula upon
tne body of the chief her laughter
changed to grief, and some of the scat
tered towards bringing their weapons
to bear upon me.
Ad!"s, senOrita and senoresn said
l. bitterly; ''he laughs pest who laughs
last
The next moment was dashinr away
down the road, the half-rallied robbers
pouring after me q volley, but fortu
hateiy not to ching their mark. They
would doubtless have followed me i'm
hot pursuit, but for the wholesome dread
they had OF my still und.scharged
weapon.
As it was, escaped and entered the
town OF Puebla in triumph: where. il X
almost needless to add. n narration Of
my exploit made me hero and a lion
for the time.
Here ! sold my captured mustano,
and trappings for enough to indemnity
me for what had disposed of in the
way OF presents; and the next dav saw
me an ms dc passenger of the same dill
gencla en- route for Mexico where ar
rived IN safety. without any further
event worthy Of note.
what became of the robber, and their
beautiful accomplicc ! never learned
out the lesson taught me on that our
my nave never forgotten; and durino
ihe remainder of my stay i'm that coun-
Try no pretty woman ever had the hon
or OF being my business conlidante. or
OF getting possession OF my tru-ty and
nn'ailing rcvolvcrs. - GureHcc Boirbro,j
Brutal Soldiers in Tong lin.