The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-05-01
Punishment
BY HELoIsE BRAYToN
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association


ror to the gold miners. What was his
surprise to hear when he reached the
locality In question that the bandits
were led by a girl twenty.one 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
burst of girlish laughter that was
sweet and musical.
In the fight that ensued 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, u dis
like to shoot a woman Promise me
that you will abandon the life you are
leading and l win spare your life"
81 prefer to die with these men
whom you have not yet killed"
The lieutenant WINGED. He would
rather die himself than kill woman,
especially this one.
Suppose" he said presently. Iyou
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 dozen men
left Gonsalez would have shot them.
but to save the girl be 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 1t to save the lives Of
the remnant OF her band. She turned
away from the lieutenant without
word Of thanks and, taking a trail
leading up the mountain, was soon
lost to view.
A year passed. dE5-ing which no rob-
berries by regularly organized band
were committed. Then the trouble
broke out afresh 1t was supposed
that the remnant OF the old band had
broken their pledge and become the
nucleus Of new one Whether they
had the same leader as before was
matter OF conjecture Gonsalez was
considered the man above all others to
20 to the mountains and destroy the
robbers.
Friends warned the bandits of the
approach Of the soldiers and they de-
termined to retreat to spot where
they could defend themselves against
a greatly superior force. Gonsalez fol
lowed them. but when he came up
with them saw that they were not only
in an impregnable position. but that
they outnumbered his own force. New
ertheless he attacked them. Receiv-
ing a murderous Gre, be lost a large
number OF his men. while none Of the
robbers was killed Not only this;
sallying from behind their improyised
fort, they drove the soldiers before
them till they in turn were obliged to
take refuge In gorge where they had
a 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 he felt a touch. BY the light
of smoldering FIRE he saw bending
over him a woman, and in that woman
he recognized Concia. a
''What-you herem he exclaimed az
supposed you were in command of the
robbers"
mo, senior lieutenant, though am
the only one of my band who Is not |
there. ! told them that IL they broke
their promise to you I would punish !
them, and I am here to give them
that punishment. Let your ffirss go
out and then get your men under
arms will lead you to a place where
you can come down on them, taxing |
them unawares." F
Gonsalez determined to trust her
and acted accordingly. About mid
night, when the 6ses were all out and
the robbers could not see them move,
the soldiers, led by E9ncia, who seem
al 20 bax,a. tba. ..vAl kf 80 10000 l.
through defile and Just before the
break Of day emerged from thicket
Of low trees, rushed down upon tho
sleeping robbers and after killing two
thirds of them overpowered the rest.
This is your victory" said Gonsale:i
to Concia. 1T is for you to say what
shall be done with the prisoners"
Concia peered into the faces of the
,aptives and picked out three men.
These" she said to Gonsalez, were
# my band, and saved them. They
have broken their pledge. Indeed,
hey organized the new band Shoot
hem. Spare the rest under new
pledge"
Her orders We're carried out to the
etter. When the troops were ready to
lepart Lieutenant Gonsalez promised
Joncia that II she would go with them
lie would see that the government re-
yarded her for saving the troops and
icing instrumental in the humiliation
4 the bandits.
Il viii not CO." she replied. 81 did
lot save you and guide you TO where
.ou could attack them for nav. / did