Any attempt to get away from such multifarious fastenings would have been worse than idle, and could only result in my being plucked off my feet again, and perhaps treated with greater rudeness than before.
Knowing this, I surrendered without making the least movement or resistance.
It was a motley group in whose midst I stood: in this respect equalling a party of Guy Fawkes mimers. No two were dressed exactly alike, though there was a general similitude of costume among them, especially in the particular articles of broad-brimmed hats, and wide-legged trowsers of velveteen.
Some of them had serapés hanging scarf-like over their shoulders; but all were armed with long knives (machetés ), and lances; I could also see short guns (escopetas ) strapped along the sides of their saddles.
A guerilla , I muttered to myself, thinking I had fallen among a hand of guerilleros.
I was soon undeceived, and found I had not been so fortunate. The ruffian countenances of my captors as soon as I had time to scrutinise them more closely the coarse jests and ribald language passing between them, along with some other professional peculiarities told me that, instead of a band of partisans, I was in the clutches of a cuadrilla of salteadores true robbers of the road!
My observation of the fact was not calculated to tranquillise my spirits, but the contrary. As a general rule, the bandits of Mexico are not bloodthirsty. If the purse be freely delivered up to them, they have no object in ill-treating the person of their captives. It is only when the latter show ill-humour, or attempt resistance, that their lives are in danger.
At that time, however, with the country in a state of active war with a hated enemy marching victorious along its roads some of the outlawed chiefs had become inspired with a sort of sham patriotism in most instances for the purpose of being left free to plunder, or else with the design of obtaining pardon for past offences. Though occasionally acting as guerilleros, and attacking the wagon trains of the American army, their patriotism was of a very ambiguous order; and not unfrequently were their own countrymen the victims of their despoiling propensities.
In one respect only did this patriotism display itself with partiality, and that was in the ferocity with which they treated such American prisoners as had the misfortune to fall into their hands. Horrible mutilations were
common with all the vindictive modes of punishment known to the lex talionis .
I could easily believe, while regarding the ferocious faces around me, that I was in great danger of some fearful fate: perhaps to be drawn and quartered; perhaps burnt alive; perhaps I knew not what I could only conjecture something terrible.
After I had been pulled about for some minutes, and rudely abused by several of the band, a man made his appearance in their midst, who seemed to exert over the others some species of authority. The word capitan, pronounced by several as he came forward, told me that he was the chief of the robbers; and his appearance entitled him to the distinction.
He was a man of large frame, and swarthy complexion heavily bearded and moustached. His dress was splendid in the extreme being a full suit of ranchero costume, with all its ornamental trimming of gold lace, bell-buttons, and needlework embroidery.
The countenance of this man might have been handsome, but for an expression of ferocity that pervaded it; and this was so marked as at once to impress the beholder with the belief that it was the face of a fiend rather than of a human being.
A row of white teeth glistened under his coal-black moustache; and these, as he came near the spot where I was held captive, were displayed, in what was intended for a smile of gratification, but which had all the characteristics of a grin.
I supposed at first that this gratification simply proceeded from his having made prisoner one of the enemies of his country. I had no idea that it could by any possibility have especial reference to myself.
One thing, however, struck me as peculiar. When the brigand spoke addressing some words of direction to his subordinates I fancied I had heard his voice before!
It fell on my ears without producing an agreeable impression. Rather the contrary; but where I could have heard it, or why it should jar upon my ear, were questions I could not answer.
I had been a good deal among Mexicans of all classes not only since the capture of Vera Cruz, but long before the commencement of the campaign. My knowledge of their language had naturally inducted me into a more extensive acquaintance with our enemies than was the lot of most of my comrades. For this reason it did not follow that the sound of a familiar voice should lead to the instant recognition of the man who uttered it more especially as he from whom it proceeded was before my eyes in propria persona the chief of a band of salteadores.
I scanned the robbers face with as much minuteness as circumstances would permit. I could not perceive in it a single feature that I remembered ever to have seen before.