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 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.