Close to Villa Rica, during the night of the 22d of January, the gang suddenly attacked the diamond escort, who defended themselves bravely, but were all massacred, with the exception of one man, who, seriously wounded, managed to escape and bring the news of the horrible deed.

The workman was not spared any more than the soldiers.

He fell beneath he blows of the thieves, and was doubtless dragged away and thrown over some precipice, for his body was never found." "And this Dacosta ?" asked Joam Garral.
"Well, his crime did not do him much good, for suspicion soon pointed toward him.

He was accused of having got up the affair.

In vain he protested that he was innocent.