St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-09-16
ATTACKED BY ROBBERS.

/ LOuCly 10 GilC lOdu UCbWCCu
| the cities of Vera Cruz and Mexico, and
it has been from time immemorial in
tested with robbers, who have lived by
plundering travellers, whether native or
foreign, mounted or on foot, in COM
| panieS of their own forming or in the
regular diligencia for passengers, and so
much of matter of course had this be-
come that, up to within score of years,
the natives generally prepared them
selves with purses to be given away at
the first demand. and counted these
/ forced contributions among their Incl
dental expenses
AS general thing the highwaymen
were not bloodthirsty, If met in spirit
| of peace and submission. They wanted
| money rather than life, and seldom
| took life except in cases of resistance,
or in revenge for some former defeat.
1t was their custom, when attacking a
diligencia, to order the driver to halt,
and the passengers to throw themselves
on their faces; and whenever this order
was promptly complied with, they took
their booty with a few merry jestS or
witticisms. wished the plundered party
safe and pleasant journey, and rode
off in the best of humor.
Whenever the highWaymen had only
natives to deal with, such was gener-
ally the reSult-fOr the MeXicanS, more
disposed to pay than to fight, were sell
dom withOut.a purse, prepared before
hand, for los caballerOS del canine, the
gentlemen of the road; but when they
encountered foreigners it was quite an
other affair, for the latter often pre-
ferred parting with the lead in their
pistols to the more precious metals in
their pockets. The difference was that
whereas one bandit might rob nine
? MeXicanS with impunlty. it as often re-
quired nine robbers to make sure OF one
American or Englishman.
In the year 1915, Capt. Jacob Williams
and Lieut.. Henry SimcOe, both Ameri-
cans. who had been spending some
weeks in the City os Mexico, took pas
sage In the regular diligencia for Vera
Cruz.
I As they had gone over the national
road on their visit to the capital, and
had learned a good deal of the Mexican
manners and customs during their So
jOurn in the country, they knew eX-
actly what they had to be prepared for,
and, being strong, courageous men,
they resolved. if attacked, to defend
themselves to the death.
|. In the same diligencia four others took
passage, two men and two women: and
Scarcely were the horses well on the
road ere the subject of robbery and the
robbers was started by one of the fe-
males, rather pretty woman. who, adj
dressing herself to Capt. Williams, in
quired if he thought there was any dam
ger of the party being molested by the
bad knights of the road. gs,--a -,-,Esa-
al can't foil QllGnf that than
you can," somewhat gruffiy answered
the captain. who was rather noted fol
his honesty than his polish; but know
one thing, senorita; it will be IA
blessed sight better for them if they
don't"
At this the Mexicans looked Mortified,
and one of the men exclaimed, in
tremulOuS voice:
cave Maria Purissima. God be
merciful! You don't think of resisting,
Senor?"
The captain with an angry frown, sur
veyed the other from head 10 foot. and
then, with an expression of contempt,
turned to his own companion, and re-
marked I'D English:
"Why shouldn't highway robbery
flourish in this cursed country, filled as
it is with such miserable towards?
Yes" he continued in Spanish. address
ing the whole party, rather than the
timid questioner, Il do think OF resist
ing if Attacked should count myself
worse than jackass if l didn't, and if
you miserable poltrOOnS would only
learn to do the same, there would soon
be an end of this deteStable business"
"AhI" exclaimed the other male pas
senger. "there would seen be an end of
US, rather, senior. The knights of the
road don't now kill those who don't re-
sist; but then they would kill every
bOdy-SaintS protect uS!'
"Well, in this case in particular. you
might as we'll fight as sit STILL" growled
the captain. ''fOr as both my friend and
| are sworn to resist, the scoundrelS
won't be able to tell who're for them or
who against them, and so you'll come
in for the same treatment as ourselves"
Here the captain produced two brace
of pistols, said his companion was
equally armed, and remarked that there
were eight good shots ready, and if the
Mexicans would pluck up courage. and
swear to do their duty like men, he
would lend each of them weapon.
The wretches held up their hands in
horror, and shrank from the acceptance
OF the proposition; whereupon the
Youngest female audibly declared them
towards, and said if she only knew how
to handle the weapons herself she would
take them and put the others to shame.
THANK heaven for some redeeming
qualities in the race. even If in the sex
where it least belongs" said the cap
tain.
"For which, ladies'" put in the lieu
tenant, 1--WE will protect you with our
lives.'
3 One of the two men now wanted to
get on to speak with the driver, he said,
but Capt. Williams, suspecting his pur-
pose, told him he must remain inside;
and that, should he attempt to commun-
nicate with anyone except the party
present before the danger should be
past or show any sign OF threacbery
whatever, he would blow his brains ont
first.
whether you choose to fight or not"
lie added, ''yOu have got to remain here
and take the consequences.
1t is not pleasant thing to be pas
senger in a coach through wild, lonely
region that you know is infested with
robbers, and be in constant expectation
Of an assault that may result IN the loss
of all your personal possessions, IL not
YOUR life, and to brave, determined
man the suspense, the uncertainty, the
constant dread of attack, is really more
trying upon the nervous system tnan
the moment of action itself.
So it was with our two friends, as
they watched the gradual decline OF
day, till the night had set in, and then,
minute after minute and hour after
hour, waited still more anxiously for
the crisis of their journey, if not their
fate.
1t can not last. The diligencia was
slowly working its tOrtuOuS way up
steep and dangerous hill, with high,
wall-like bank on the right and dam
gerous precipice on the left, when a
hoarse voice suddenly called out:
"Halt, and surrender your purses to
the knights of the road"
The diligencia stopped, and the two
cowardly Mexicans inside groaned audi
bly,.
In an instant our American friends
were ready, pistol in each hand.
make the slightest noise, you cow
ards" Kissed the captain through his
shut teeth, addressing the trembling
WretcheS inside land YOU shall have