Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-06-04

And only hall q mans.
H. Savile Clarke.
The R0bber Chief Of the Sierra
Madre.
In one Of the fertile wales at the base
Of the Sierra Madre mountains, the
famous Alcade de Mendana controlled
the affairs of the region. Among the
inhabitants OF the hills, the bandits
and their lawless friends, this same
man was known as Don Carlos, the
'obber chief, but so we'll was his So
:ret kept, by those acquainted with
1t, that no whisper OF his unholy con-
nection ever polluted the air OF the
valley over which he held sway.
As Don Carlos, he conducted his
outrages with all the courtesy of a
tobber OF romance, being liberal to the
poor with what he gained from the
rich, and, while often cruel, he would
sometimes exhibit such seeming gen.
srosity towards his victims, or those
in his power, that his virtues were
loudly sung by the easy-going multi
tude, while his wrong-doing was only
whispered, and most charitably gloss.
ed over.
From Sonora, on q chilly evening in
January, 18-, the coach which trav-
SLED the old road to Chihuahua was
SLED with passengers, all OF whom by
display of arms, as we'll as by person
al appearance, seemed to be possess
I'D OF property worth defending; and
weapons were necessary, for the road
60 be traversed was notoriously in.
Tested by robbers.
In the party were agentle, timid old
lady, and her black-eyed, vivacious,
beautiful neice, Marie de Navarro, sole
,hild and orphan of the noble Count
de Navarro, who dying, left his moth.
srless child to the care of her dead
mothers sister; and with this aunt
the charming girl had passed her early
life in the Sonora.
Good as beautiful, and with all the
trankness Of innocence, Marie entered
INTO unrestrained conversation with
her fslfow-travellers. Naturally the
Halk settled into experiences Of each.
Or their friends, in connection with
robbers and robberies, and this con-
slnued long. dread inducing wakeful-
ness. But at last fatigue and slumber
conquered, and all were sound asleep,
despite tho terrible joiting OF tie
clumsy vehicle.
A very sudden pull up of the horses
and halt OF the coach beto kened that
''something had happened" and in an
instant every one was wide awake
awake to see, surrounding and peering
in on every side, fierce, dark, wild and
wicked faces, made more hideous by
the dim flicker of the rude torches the
men carried.
AMOUNT and stand in row, while the
brigands hastily pillaged them OF their
valuables.
Somewhat apart from the Others
were Marie and her aunt; they were
the last to be searched, and the COOL
headed girl occupied the time in keen
observations. Through the darkness
she could discern the figure OF q man
on horseback, evidently in command,
though he took no part in the active
plundering.
When q rude Desperate approached
Marie and her aunt, and the light of
the torch fell full upon her beautiful,
pale and determined face, she placed
herself before her aged relative. II
have no wealth worth your taking.
We do not carry our treasures with
US. My aunt neither has anything of
value; and the first Of you who lays q
hand ON her OR me-" The rounded
arm flew out fercely, and in the little
hand was firmly grasped a keen, long
stilleto. Staggered for moment by
this most unexpected opposition, the
ruf1ian started back, with half oath
and half laugh, and was about to
grasp the girl, when from the gloom
was heard voice:
"The senoras are not to be modest.
ed. We harm no children or women"
With the laugh turned to angry NAL
ediction the robber moved away; then
under cover Of guns the despoiled tray
elers were allowed to resume their
places in the coach and the driver
was ordered to proceed ON the jour-
ney.
The immunity granted Marie and
her aunt evidently ,displeased their
plundered companions, and this dis
satisfaction was openly vented upon
the two ladies. -. =.
II should certainly have begged the
senorita to act as my treasurer" said
one. of the men, chad known that
she VIC uld be exempt" 4.
$50 would l." groaned and growled
each OF the others. @s "
Marie's eyes flashed: "Had you
the spirit of a girl of 10, senore, she
said, fyou would not have given up
your arms, but would have used them
to save your property and prevent
two women from insult" Silence
reimed IN the coach after that, and at
tbs next station two passengers left
the vehicle, but were replaced by two
other men, one with 8 coarse, bad
lace IL strong contrast with his hand
some companion, q man somewhat
past his prime. and showing marks Of