As there were at least a dozen of them and resistance was useless, even if our companions could have found the courage to fight, we obeyed, and were placed before the brigands in a line, our backs being set to the edge of the gulf.

I was last but one in the line, and beyond me stood Emma Becker, whose hand I held.
Then the tragedy began.

Several of the villains seized the first merchant, and, stopping his cries and protestations with a blow in the mouth, stripped him to the shirt, abstracting notes and gold and everything else of value that they could find in various portions of his attire where he had hidden them, and principally, I remember, from the lining of his vest.

When they had done with him, they dragged him away and bundled him roughly into the diligence.
Next to this merchant stood the two priests.

Of the first of these the brigands asked a question, to which, with some hesitation, the priest--that man who had shown so much terror--replied in the affirmative, whereon his companion looked at him contemptuously and muttered a Spanish phrase which means "Man without shame." Of him also the same question was asked, in answer to which he shook his head, whereon he was conducted, though without violence or being searched, to the coach, and shut into it with the plundered merchant.