All in vain: the murderer redoubled his blows,
until, growing furious 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.
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