Show THE OF MEXICO The Travel Magazine Set a thief to catch a thief has been remodeled in Mexico to Set a brigand a brigand and the catching has been bean be n well done Prior to 1876 s when Diaz first became president Mexico was the stamp stamping stampIng stamping ing ground of ot as relentless bloodthirsty cut throats throat as ever cursed a land Neith Neither Neither er er life lire nor property were safe sate anywhere im where Houses Houa s were ere surrounded by high stone stonewalls stonewalls walls while haciendas mines and factor factories factorIes ies las were turned Into fortresses Money and valuables waited for transportation until sufficient had bad accumulated to pay for a large armed guard Little wooden crosses by the roadside marked the spots where adventurous travelers had been stabbed or shot Dius plan was soon soo formed lIe He sum summoned summoned summoned the tie heads of at f the robber bands to meet him in the capital granting to each safe conduct to go and aid return Men Mc said aid he I know you ou all and the names of the members of all your our bands b and your every haunt I offer oCter you your choice of ot two things The first is 15 Join my army I will furnish you jou ou and your followers with the best horses the country affords hand handsomely handsomely handsomely caparisoned equip you wIth the best arms and ammunition that can be bought pay you a regular salary equal to your present resent P incomes and you immunity for past crimes all on condi condition Condition tion that you ou obey my m orders Implicitly The alternative is refuse my offer and andI 1 I will wilt hunt you to the death for tor Mexico must be rid of robbers The robbers were wert not long in reaching a decision but signed the contract that made them members of the army of the republic and so the were born Of alt all the robber chiefs who that day signed the agreement not one proved re recreant recreant recreant to the trust placed In him Their orders were simple Reduce your dis districts districts districts to order and safety There Thero are to tobe tobe tobe be no trials no reports criminals are to tobe tobo tobe be bo buried burled where found but a small wood wooden en cross may mark the spot Now low Mexico is as safe safo for tor the lonely traveler as a highway in tho th United States Sta es |