, 1886-06-09

hand; you will then have done for Inc all
that you can do
81 admit that l shook his hands with ali
my heart, and he departed"
Il have seen him several times since, but
he had already become famous by his ca
ploits. even lent him on one occasion
some money. and not only did he repay IL
promptly, but showed himself very CRATE
full for the favor. | will say more, that !
have n great deal of sympathy for Sauna
rilla. and that | owe to him the privilege
Of going into the mountains in the course
Of my business without running the
slightes risk
After having taken n glass, NJ. c. con
tinued:
zone evening. as | was taking the fresh
air at the door OF my hacienda, Samarillu
unexpectedly appeared, shook my hand
cordially, took n chair, rolled n cigarette,
and told me what he was doing and how
he was now the chief of the brigands. Let
US allow the famous captain to speak for
himself.
"'When | left the mine he told lac, 4
was badly afflicted, both physically and
mentally, mt at one time | thought |
must soon render an account of my life
and my crime to my Maker. But my com
p~anions were as kind and devoted TO me as
my relatives and friends had been hard
and pitiless. AT first they took me into a
part of the mountains unknown even to
the inhabitants of the region, where |
might be sure OF a shelter from justice.
There they confided me to the care of one
Of their wives who bestowed upon me all
the attention and solicitude of a sister.
Every day at their return from work my
companions, one and all, came to see me,
and to keep me company a few moments,
some bringing me fruit, others n book, all
remembering me with some trifle. These
worthy fellows, indeed, displayed an affec-
ton for me that ! could not repay with my
life. After three months OF intelligent
and assiduous care | got well enough to 90
out, and ven for short walks INTO the
mountains now and then. 1t was danger
Gus, for | knew | was always hunted, but
my companions kept so close n watch over
me that no harm bcfell me, and at last |
thought of resuming my work. Strength
and health were restored, | was happy in
the affection and devotion of the worthy
fellows who surrounded me, and with for
getfulness and contempt for the infidelities
OF the past my calmness OF mind and heart
returned. | was going to return to the
mine. when one evening an unusu num-
Der of my companions invaded my hut and
asked me to listen to n spokesman, who
had n communication to make to me in the
name OF all. One Of them advanced and
said:
"'"Iisten, comrade: We have done for
you all that n brother might do, and we
know that You are grateful and ready to
do rs much for us; but what we ask of
you to-day Is II service of another kind
You are wrong in thinking to return to
work. You would fall i'll again, and this
time our care might be unavailing. Your
hands were never made to dig in the
mines, they are better made to hold n
weapon and guide n horse. Society pur-
sues you for n crime of which you We're
not wilfully guilty; II price is set upon
your head; you are hunted like a wild
beast; You nave no fnmily but ours; be
then our brother, our chief; to morrow we
will bring you arms and the horse that
brought you into the mountains. BE our
chief, and when we need you we shall
count on your strong arm and courage, as
you may count on our blind devotion and
obedience
"'Could | refusc' | accepted. | accepted
even with pride and gratitude this way of
acquitting myself toward these kind
hearted fellows. From that moment | was
treated like n lord, and provided luxuri-
ously and a%bundantly with all that could
augment the pleasure of life and flatter
self-love.
"'Not long afterN ard the same com
panion who had offered me the command,
and who was to be my lieutenant, told me
that the time had come to pnt myself Mt
the head of my men and make u strike, on
which depended the future of the band.
1t was to assist the landing of n ship loaded
with Struggled goods which had arrived
oil the coast of Marabello the night before.
The royal troops had been warned, and
were TO oppose the landing OF the goods
by force. Our plan was to surprise the
latter by n sudden and bold attack, while
a~certain number OF us got the goods ashore
and hurried them into the mountain. 1t
was IN Audacious scheme, the resistance
was likely to be terrible, but we numbered
nearly 100 men, and the custom-house
officers could not be more numerous. and
We were certain Of the neutrality of the
people on the shore.
"'On the day appointed we employed the
time in fixing our weapons. distributing
ammunition, and %instructing Zach man in
his duty. At dusk | took the head of my
troops, and we soon arrived mt n short dis
from the landing where, thanks to the
formation of the ground, we could easily
hide ourselves and scatter in little groups
so as not to raise an alarm. At mignight
a cnnnon fired from the brig announced
that the boats had quit the ships, and
soon, indeed, black masses which adj
vanced in the shadow could be seen on the
horizon. At the same time we APP
preached the shore, and then, all Mt once,
when the soldiers in ambush were on the
point OF throwing themselves upon the
boats, which almost gained the shore, we
rttghal unnu than xyffh n fnr.nflnh1a v-n-
cry, and after a short hut desperate battle
we were masters OF the field. In Il twink.
ling the goods were landed and loaded on
mules and men, and the boats regained
the ship, which at once raised its anchor
and disappeared in the night.
"'Only Il few men failed to respond to
the morning roll call; we had brought off
our wounded, and the affair, ~cleverly di-
rectcd and bravcly executed, brought us
nearly 10000 francs.
"'For my companions from that time |
was Capt. Samarilla, the chief, whom they
loved and would have followed to the end
OF the world; the famous bandit on whose
head is n price, but who, IL heaven pleases,
will never fall alive into the hands OF the
law, for he will never be sold by his com
p%anions-'
Such was the history OF Samarilla AS re-
lated by himself.
Some days later, | learned that tho
king was going to Granada. | deter
mined TO again see the wonder Of the
Alhambra under the Nominations OF a
fete.
The mountains had been infested with
hrieands, but at this moment It was re-
ported that Samarilla with all his band
had departed for n distant province.
Nevertheless | went to see my new friend.
NJ. C.. informed him Of my project, and
admitted that | thought OF asking the gov
ernment for an escort.
enn nnihinr SO fnnlish y he snId III nncn