l to beating the mayoral upon the head with it. The unhappy man sent
forth the most piteous cries for _misericordia_ and _piedad_.
He might as well have asked pity of that stone that smote him, as of the
wretch who wielded it. In his agony he invoked _Jesu Christo, Santiago
Apostol y Martir, La Virgin del Pilar_, and all those sacred names
held in awful reverence by the people, and the most likely to arrest the
rage of his assassin. All in vain: the murderer redoubled his blows,
until, growing furious in the task, he laid his musket beside him, and
worked with both hands upon his victim. The cries for pity which blows
at first excited, blows at length quelled. They had gradually increased
with the suffering to the most terrible shrieks; then declined into low
and inarticulate moans; until a deep-drawn and agonized gasp for breath,
and an occasional convulsion, alone remained to show that the vital
principle had not yet departed.

It fared even worse with Pepe, though, instead of the cries for pity,
which had availed the mayoral so little, he uttered nothing but low
moans, that died away in the dust beneath him. One might have thought
that the extreme youth of the lad would have ensured him compassion; but
no such thing. The robbers were doubtless of Amposta; and, being known
to him, dreaded discovery. When both the victims had been rendered
insensible, there was a short pause, and a consultation in a low tone
between the ruffians, who then proceeded to execute their plans. The
first went round to the left side of the diligence, and, having unhooked
the iron shoe and placed it under the wheel, as an additional security
against escape, opened the door of the interior, and mounted on the
steps. I could hear him distinctly utter a terrible threat in Spanish,
and demand an ounce of gold from each of the passengers. This was
answered by an expostulation from the Valencian shopkeeper, who said
that they had not so much money, but what they had would be given
willingly. There was then a jingling of purses, some pieces dropping on
the floor in the hurry and agitation of the moment. Having remained
a short time at the door of the interior, he did not come to the
cabriolet, but passed at once to the rotunda. Here he used greater
caution, doubtless from having seen the evening before, at Amposta,
that it contained no women, but six young students, who were all stout
fellows. They were made to come down, one by one, from their strong