od padre and an
officer, was the prison. This prison contained as choice a collection
of murderers as ever drew a knife across a helpless traveler's throat.
The news of my coming had preceded me and these free knights of
the mountains stood in rows along the corridors to receive me, backed up
by several well armed carbineros. The worthy padre would point out
the most distinguished of these gentlemen. 'That one,' he'd say, 'is in
for killing two travelers at such or such a pass. This one abducted
a wealthy man and demanded ransom from his family, to whom he sent the
ears of the unfortunate, and the ransom not coming, his throat was
slit. The one over there, killed four men before he was caught,' and so
on down the line, such cheerful histories were told. I politely saluted
each artist of the knife and carbine as I passed, and on leaving, one of
them stepped up and addressed me in a patois which the padre
translated. The request he made, struck me as being so ridiculous, that
I could scarcely refrain from laughing. It was to the effect that they
all had heard of my voyage down the river and all of them were anxious
to witness my departure on the morrow and knew if I would kindly
intercede with the Governor, they would have that happiness.

"The request was so absurd, that I had no thought of saying anything to
the Governor about it. In going out, the Governor invited us into his
private apartments, and while being entertained there, I jokingly told
him of the queer request the brigands had made. I was more than ever
astonished at his replying:

"Como no? Senor" "Why not, sir?"

"When starting, next morning, I was frequently warned that the river was
very bad; but could get no information of any consequence, except that
it wound through many canyons. The whole town turned out to see me off
and as I was feeling very much refreshed, I was soon ready. Going to the
bank, what was my astonishment to see all those gentle murderers
standing in a row with carbineros on either side, guarding them. One of
the brigands, the spokesman of the day before, stepped forward and
addressed me thus.

"'Illustrious Captain. We would like much to form your escort down the
river as a protection against the lawless characters which we are aware
infest the mountains below; but being detained here against our will, we
are unable to offer you that homage. But as a mark of our pure regard,
on behalf of myself and