hold, deliver their money and watches, and then lie flat upon their
faces in the road.

Meanwhile the second robber, after consulting with his companion,
returned to the spot where the zagal Pepe lay rolling from side to side.
As he went towards him, he drew a knife from the folds of his sash, and
having opened it, placed one of his naked legs on either side of his
victim. Pushing aside the jacket of the youth, he bent forward and dealt
him repeated blows in every part of the body. The young priest, my
companion, shrunk back shuddering into his corner, and hid his face
within his trembling fingers; but my own eyes seemed spell-bound, for
I could not withdraw them from the cruel spectacle, and my ears were
more sensible than ever. Though the windows at the front and sides were
still closed, I could distinctly hear each stroke of the murderous
knife, as it entered its victim. It was not a blunt sound as of
a weapon that meets with positive resistance, but a hissing noise, as
if the household implement, made to part the bread of peace, performed
unwillingly its task of treachery. This moment was the unhappiest of my
life; and it struck me at the time, that if any situation could be more
worthy of pity, than to die the dog's death of poor Pepe, it was to be
compelled to witness his fate, without the power to aid him.

Having completed the deed to his satisfaction, this cold-blooded
murderer came to the door of the cabriolet, and endeavoured to open it.
He shook it violently, calling to us to assist him; but it had chanced
hitherto, that we had always got out on the other side, and the young
priest, who had never before been in a diligence, thought, from the
circumstance, that there was but one door, and therefore answered the
fellow that he must go to the other side. On the first arrival of these
unwelcome visitors, I had taken a valuable watch which I wore from my
waistcoat pocket, and slipped it into my boot; but when they fell to
beating in the heads of our guides, I bethought me that the few dollars
I carried in my purse might not satisfy them, and replaced it again in
readiness to be delivered at the shortest notice. These precautions
were, however, unnecessary. The third ruffian, who had continued to
make the circuit of the diligence with his musket in his hand, paused
a moment in the road a-head of us, and having placed his head to the
ground, as if to listen, presently came and spoke in an under tone to
his compa