If the victim resisted there was always sufficient force at hand to conquer him, and not seldom his life paid the penalty of his contumacy.

I have known as many as three of these to be killed in a night, and their bodies--with throats cut, or skulls crushed in--be found in the morning among the dead at the gates.
All men having money or valuables were under continual espionage, and when found in places convenient for attack, a rush was made for them.
They were knocked down and their persons rifled with such swift dexterity that it was done before they realized what had happened.
At first these depredations were only perpetrated at night.

The quarry was selected during the day, and arrangements made for a descent.

After the victim was asleep the band dashed down upon him, and sheared him of his goods with incredible swiftness.

Those near would raise the cry of "Raiders!" and attack the robbers.