Dodge City times., 1884-04-24
The ail;gencia had been stopped in =


| The ailigencia had been stopped in =
Wild, gloomy place, and the driver was:
slit ng carelsssly on his box. taking
everything IS matter OF course. He
might also he an accomplice of the rob
5ers, or he might not; but, in eithes
case, there was little hope of assistance
from hlm-for any attempt of the kind
would certainly bring upon him a
! severe punishment, sooner or later.
glanced up and down the road, where
it wound between dark, cvershadowing
trees, but discovered nothing to give
me any hope. The robbers, some eight
or ten in number, and all well armed.
We're 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 a
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 yie.ding
tamely to this outrage was repugnant
to my very nature, and | resolved to
put any favorable opportunity for de-
fense and retaliation to the strongest
| test.
"Will you accept this.purse?'' said |,
producing one that held several gold
coins, and handing it to the chief of the
| iddrOneS.
THANK you, senior! you are very
kindr' he said, as he took it in his
hand, with polite bow, and chinked
/ the money.
This diamond pin may prove ac.
ceptabIe to your frIend?' | added, as
quietly removed it from the bosom OF
my shirt, and handed it to the gentle
nla91 on the left. who received it in the
same polite manner. This diamOndjring
l trust you Will retain as keepsake.'
continued, drawing the jewel from my
finger and presenting it to a third. Il
beg your pardon, senores!' pursued.
with my pistols still in her possession,
was quietly standing within the dill
gen ia, regarding the whole proceed
ings with one of her sweetest smiles;
u must not forget this beautiful lady!
! have here" W. Mt on, at the same time
producing the article, "a very beaut-
full gold snuff boN-s set, as you perceive,
with diamonds-will your ladvship hon
or me by accepting this as slight token
of my regard for the pleasure afforded
me by your company and converse
tion?"
''lOu are a very gallant gentleman,
senor." she laughed, taking the two re-
volyers in one fair hand and present
inc the other.
reached the box toward her, but
my hand trembled a ittle-and. just as
the present was about to touch her
fingers, it slipped and fell between us
"a thousand pardons. senorita, for
my awkwardnessn | sail, as | bent
down to pick it up.
Now was the all-important moment
of life and death! All were in a meas
ure Of their guard; and one quick. fur
tive glance, showed me that the girl still
held my weapons care.essly in one hand,
with the other remaining extended :Or
the prize. lifted the box carefully;
but. rs raised myself, | gave 4 wild,
startling yell: and rs the senorita
started back, |, with the quickness OF
lightning, seized both weapons and
WTcEcneti tnon from Der.
To wheel and commence firing upon
the party. was now only the work of q
moment The first shot, fortunately.
stretched out the chief; the second took
effect on the one nearest to HIM; and
by the time the third ha been sent on
its 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, | gra ped the reins
of freed mustang, and vaulted into
the saddle. One more glance around
me, showed me the Senorita Paula upon
the body of the chief, her laughter
changed to grief, and some of the scat
tered towards bringing their weapons
to bear upon me.
.'Adins, senorita and senoresm said
|. bitterly; 'he laughs best who laughs
last
The next laomant was dashing away !
down the road, the half-ralied robbers
pour NO after me q vOiey, bnt fOrtu,
nately not to 'ching their mark. They |
WOulU uOtUtICSS nave lollOWtu NE II. |
hot pursuit. ssbut for the wholesome dread
they had OF my still pnd sciarged
weapon.
As it was, escaped and entered the
town OF Puebla in triumph; where. it Is
almost needless to add, {: narration OF
my exp oft made me . hero and lion
for the time.
Here | sold my captured mustang
and trappings for enough to indemnisy
RE for what | had disposed of in the
way of presents; and the next day saw
me an inside passenger of the same dill |
gencia en- route for Mexico, whera | al,
rived i'm safety, without any further
event worthy OF note.
What became of the robbers and theil
beautiful accomplice never learned,
but the lessou taught me on that orr
ney l have never forgotten; and during
the remainder of my stay in that coun-
try TO pretty woman ever had the hon.
or of being my business contidante. OF
of getting possession of my trusty and
untailing revolvers. - Clarence Nowbray.