The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-02-10
THE FIEND'S FISuPOND.


1
About tho middle oi the month ot june,
1886, the city Of Bilboa, in northern spa.n'
then hold by strong garrison OF the s,hrls-
tino troops, was invested by The Cariist
force under the immediate command oil the
celebrated Thomas Zhmalacarrsgui. The
0ueen's troops were all supplied with pre-
visions, arms, and all tho munitions ot war,
and enjoyed, besides, an uninterrupted
communication with tho sea, which was III
tie more than four miles distant, by tho rir-
or Nervion, on the banks Ot which B'boa
is situa.ed; whilst tho appointments oi the
besieging army were SD utterly wrctchcd
in every particular, that nothing but the
strongly.urged personal request OF Don
Carlos himself induced Znmn!acarrcsui,
much against the dictates Of his own better
Judgment, to enter on the task at all.
The feeble operations Of the bcsiegng
forco had proceeded for about ten days
Zumalacarregui having been removed 10
distance, in consequence OF wound re-
ceived on the second day oflhe siege, which
ultimately caused his dcalh--wllcn, an
hour after nigh,ial, IL young man, cnvclop-
cd in largo cloak, underneath which he
wore the uniform Of Carist officer, en-
tered the grounds adjoining I'm elegant
mansion situated close To the sea-shore, on
the opposite bank Of the river to that occu-
piod BY the forces of Don Carlos. The Of
ficer was tho only son, indeed tho only
child, Of Don Ricardo Silva, the proprietor
Of the house and grounds. Al tho break.
ing out Of the civil war, he had taken up
arms % . volunteer in the Carist cause.
and at IN early period had been rewarded
for his galIantry and zeal with commits
sion. From that time circumstances had
not permitted him to revisit his parental
homo until now, when, the regiment 10
which he was attached forming n part Of
the force investing Bilboa, he gladly avail
ed himself Of what he deemed favorable
opportunity for that purpose. Before lcav-
ing the Carlist camp, he made inquiry Of a
soldier named Muriio, serving in the ranks
OF his own battalion-who had deserted
from the Christine garrison at tho com.
mencemeut Of the siege, and who might lie
supposed to be tolcrably well acquainted
with tho habiss Of the queens troops in the
!ocaIity-as to the danger he WINS likely to
incur Of FILLING in with any Of them on ,hai
sldc OF tho river, which was occupied BY
them exclusively. The man assured him
that. even previous to the Investment Of the
place, the troops were not allowed 10 re-
main without the gates after sunse, on nny
Pretext; and that he might proceed after
that hour 10 his fathers residence, aud re-
turn in perfect safety, provided his stay
was not prolonged beyond sunrise on the
following morning. Rely ing on this ASST
rance. therefore. Lieutenant Silva had pro-
ceedcd on foot along the river on that side
occupied By tho Carlisis, until he had nr.
rived opposite his fathers mansion, when.
hsiling fisherman, he was icrricd across.
and IN few minutes more was sheltered
beneath tho parental rool.
On tho warmth of the greeting which |
welcomed him, after I'M absence Of years,
during which, he had been exposed IN MI
the vicissit,,dcs oil n cruel and cNierminn-
ting warfare, we need not dwell. Under
such circumstances, il will hc readily con
ceivcd that by the little party, composed Of
the young man and his parents, the lapse
Of time WINS UNDECIDED; minutes and hours
flew swiftly b.. Midnight had long been
past; bul M the lieutenant proposed start
ing on his return by dayhreak beyond
which time il would DO impr,dcnt for him
10 remain on tho Christine side Of the river,
mono thought III retiring 10 rest. |, want
ed still somc hours oi dawn, when, during
. momcntnrv pause in the conversation, a
distant tinkling sound, borne on the nigh,
wind, caused the youth 10 start from his
seat and throw open the easement, which
looked upon tho lawn in front u the man.
sion. A moment Of GREATNESS suspense
followed, then trcsheping Of the breeze,
and with il renewal Of tho sound, which,
his practiscd ear now readily distinguished
% the ringing Of hoofs and the clank Of cav
airy equipments. Such sounds heard on
this side Of the river plainly told him that
the enemy was at hsnd, mud needed not
the additional evidence 10 TINT effect which |
vas furnished in another minute by the |
sight Of tho lance-iiags aud shakos, the
shape Of which, sharply defined and rclicy-
ed against tho bright moonit sky, bespoke
the appearance Of Christine squadron.
AT the same time they left tie high roads,
and entering the grounds of Don Ricardo,
advanced at fapid pace towards the house:
thus rendering their intention, however
mysterious the source Of their information,
but too obyious-lhe arrest Of the Curtis,
officer.
Lieutenant Silva and his parents were
too well acquainted with the atrocious aud
unrclcnting system of determination which
characterized the proceedings Of tho hcliig-
esess parties in tho Carlist war, not 10
know that arrest under such circumsta
was synonymous with death; that should a
Christine prison once close upon him, il |