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Show THE ESPINOSAS. 291 Men were found dead at one point to-day, at another to-morrow, and the day following at another, forty or fifty miles or more apart: being invariably shot through the head, and left to lie as they fell, without being robbed of their valuables. Mystery shrouded it all, for, from their secure hiding places by the roadside, they shot the lone, unsuspecting traveler, and their shot was always certain death; no maimed or wounded ever escaped to inform as to their appearance or whereabouts. So it continued for a while, and the greatest excitement prevailed, when a company of miners organized to rid the region of this mysterious, unseen terror. Their rendezvous was at length discovered. Like all cowardly murderers, they fled; the pursuers gained upon them, and finally succeeded in shooting one from his horse, but the leader of the two made his escape. For a time nothing was heard of him. At last the outlaw addressed a letter in Spanish to Gov. Evans, stating, that in revenge for mistreatment he had received from the Government, he had killed no less than fifteen Americans. He demanded full pardon for these murders, which being granted, he would return to his home and be a good citizen; but if the demand was not complied with by the 15th of the coming September the killing would be resumed. This strange proposition drewmo response, and Espi-nosa resumed hostilities. Soon afterward a man and woman were traveling through the mountains in a wagon, and when within a short distance of Fort Garland, a military post, they were attacked by this monstrous highwayman. The man es- |
