Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-04-09
The last to descend was a
widow but a widow no LONGER

Quentin penitentiary. Through an ar
rangement with the express company.
which had been the heaviest sufferer
at his hands. he agreed 20 disgorge
some OF his ill-gotten gains and was
pardoned after serving a year OF his
sentence. According 70 the terms of
his release he was obliged 10 leave the
United States and reside across the
border. reporting himself every thirty
days to the company's agent at Aqua
calientic, Mexico.
During the fall of 1892 the United
States government found IL necessary
10 keep a close watch on the Mexican
border with a view 20 enforcing the
! Chinese Exclusion Act. and my duties
as deputy marshal took me across into
the country of the Greasers for the
purpose OF obtaining certain informa-
tion regarding spectators who were
interested Ina the smuggling OF the al
mond-eyed Celestials into the domain
OF Uncle Sam. Ny business having
been concluded. I obtained leave of alb
sence for a couple Of weeks. and paid
visit 20 the City OF Mexico. a trip
which / had long been contemplating
one night / dropped into casino
where gambling was running ir mu
blast The Mexicans are a born set of
gamblers. young and old, and estab-
llshments OF this kind do rushing
business. Believing that when in Rome
one should do as Rome does. / took a
hand at bucking the national game of
monte. and found that the goddess of
hnA Oh
usual ravor. won steadily. and nv
pile mounted up 10 a very comfortable
figure. Among those who We're watch
ing my play was a tall. sinewy man OF
about thirty eight years OF age. with
hair and mustache OF raven blackness
There was something about him that
proclaimed his nationality as straight
American; and once on looking Up as
l raked in big stake my eye caught
his and he smiled good-humoredly
But some of the other faces in the
room were not so pleasant 10 see.
There were dark. jealous eyes thG;
gazed at me. as though the owners
were deeply resentful OF the luck that
had befallen the intrusive Americana
decided that it would be good policy
10 quit while still ahead OF the game.
and pockeung my winnings / left the
room. AS went down the stairs lead
ing 70 the street / glanced back and
noticed three Mexicans following me.
AS turned the corner Of a dark street
the footsteps behind me quickened.
and swung suddenly around just in
time to see the trio closing IN upon
me. Something bright cleaned In the
hand OF the foremost man. and I
ducked my head swiftly under the
murderous sweep of knife that would
probably have put an end to all the
joys and sorrows of this life as far as
was concerned if the blade had
reached the intended mark.
The next instant / whipped out my
six-shooter and grasping Il by the bar
rel / brought the butt down heavily on
the head Of my assailant, knocking
him into the gutter. did not wish to
nre a shot unless actually compelled
TO 60 so. as Mexican law is a bad thing
TO fool with where an American is con-
cerned, and even the killing Of thug
might have brought unpleasant conse-
Quences IN its train. Just then a tall
FORM Ioomed up behind the other two
Mexicans, there was a muttered oath
IN the Yankee tongue, and one OF the
Greasers fell headlong under the per-
suasive influence of a powerful blow
on the jaw. His companion uttered a
shrek OF dismay and fed swiftly down
the dimly lighted thoroughfare, leav-
Ing my unknown rescuer and myself
masters OF the situation. The fellow
had knocked down now began to show
signs OF regaining his senses. Until
then he had lain where he had fallen,
but at last groaned. rolled over and
staggered TO his feet He limped
slowly away. followed by his remain
Ing companion. We stood on our guard
lest fresh attach should be made. but
there was no fear OF anything OF the
kind. The Mexican bandits had had
all they wanted in the way of rough
house"