Evening journal., 1910-11-04
Punishment
By HELoIsE BRAYToN
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

sent with fifty men Of the Mexican
army up into the mountains to get rid
OF a band Of robbers who were a ter
ror to the gold miners. What was his
surprise to hear when he reached the
locality in question that the llndits
were led by a girl twenty-five or twen-
ty-two years old
Gonsalez cornered them and called
on them to surrender The reply that
came from the little mountain pocket
in which they were ensconced was a
hurst OF girlish laughter that was
sweet and musical.
In the fight that ensued a number
were killed on both sides. but the ban
dts were practically annihilated. A
few were made prisoners. including
the girl leader. who was addressed by
the single name OF Concia.
"Senorita." said her captor. II dis
like to shoot a woman. Promise mo
that you will abandon the life you are
leading and l win spare your life"
"I prefer to die with these men
whom you have not yet killed"
The lieutenant WINGED. He would
rather die himself than kill a woman,
especially this one.
Suppose" he said presently, you
all give me your pledge to go to your
homes and lead honest lives"
As for homes" the girl replied. I'VE
have none. but we are willing to break
up and Join no other band, living as
honest lives as we can without starv-
ing"
There were but half a dozen men
left. Gonsalez would have shot them.
but to save the girl he made good his
proposition. Each one OF the band
gave the required promise and went
his way. Concia did not seem by any
means pleased with the arrangement
on her own account. She acted as II
she would rather have died and had
only assented to It to save the lives Of
the remnant Of her band. She turned
away from the lieutenant without a
word OF thanks and, taking a trail
leading up the mountain. was soon
lost to view.
A year passed. during which no rob
berries by a regularly organized band
were committed. Then the trouble
broke out afresh II was supposed
that the remnant OF the old band had
broken their pledge and become the
nucleus Of a new one. Whether they
had the same leader as before was q
matter Of conjecture. Gonsalez was
considered the man above all others TO
60 to the mountains and destroy the
robbers.
Friends warned the bandits Of the
approach OF the soldiers. and they de
termined to retreat TO a spot where
they could defend themselves against
a greatly superior force. Gonsalez fol
lowed them. but when he came ul
with them saw that they were not onl,
in an impregnable position. but tina
they outnumbered his own force. New
ertheless he attacked them. Receiv
ing murderous FIRE. he lost a larg'
number of his men. while none OF thu
robbers was killed. Not only this
sallying from behind their improvisec
fort. they drove the soldiers before
them till they in turn were obliged tc
take refuge in a gorge where they had
q chance TO defend themselves. Night
came on. and Gonsalez. who knew no
way out Of the trap he was in. looked
TO the morrow for a slaughter OF his
force.
He had rolled himself in his blanket
and was sinking into a troubled slum-
Der when be felt touch. BY the light
Of smoldering FIRE he saw bending
over him a woman, and In that woman
he recognized Concia.
''what-you herer he exclaimed. Il
supposed you were in command Of the
robbers"
mo. senior lieutenant. though / am
the only one Of my band who is not
there. I told them that II they broke
their promise to you / would punish
them. and am here 10 give them
that punishment. Let your fires 60
out and then get your men under
arms. will lead you TO a place where
you can come down on them, taking
them unawares."
Gonsalez determined 10 trust hel
and acted accordingly About mid
night. when the fires were all out and
the robbers could not see them move
the soldiers. led by Concia, who seem
ed to have the eyes of a cat. passed
through a defile and just before th'
break of day emerged from a thickei
OF low trees. rushed down upon th'
sleeping robbers and after killing two
thirds Of them overpowered the rest.
This is your victory" said Gonsale;
to Concia. 1T is for you to say whai
shall be done with the prisoners"
Concia peered into the faces OF thu
captives and picked out three men.
These" she said to Gonsalez, 'wer'
Of my band. and saved them. They
have broken their pledge. Indeed
they organized the new band. Shoe
them. Spare the rest under a new
pledge"
Her orders were carried out to th'
letter. When the troops were ready L
depart Lieutenant Gonsalez promised
Concia that II she would go with then
he would see that the government re
warded her for saving the troops ant
being instrumental in the annihilaioI
of the bandits.
Il win not CO." she replied. II dil
not save you and guide you to wher