The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-02-19

post, and scarcely had the distant chime
OF bells of some cathedral in the city
struck the hour of nine. when. Mercc-
dita, in her gauzy bridal robes. her
arms, neck, and person cleaning in
diamonds stood before me. A long.
flowing mantle of lace had been thrown
over her shoulders. and in her agitation
and excitement the poor child had made
no further preparation
For moment she lay almost mo-
tionless i'll my arms, while =. Well.
Jack, If ever you get so far You will
know just what l did, so | will not
trouble you with any soft nonsense that
might have been INDUCED ill.,
81 was rather rudely aroused from my
dream of bliss by low. hoarse sup
pressed growl of rage and astonishment
In an instant was on the defensive.
none too soon, for before mo, directly in
my. path. stood Captain Gomez. and
with stiletto in his hand.
HE sprang upon me like an angry
panther, and the fellow was bv no
means devoid of courage.
with quick movement. l eluded
his thrust, and in turn dealt him blow
with the butt of my revolver, which
sent him reeling to the earth, whore he
lay motionless and silent enough in his
wedding finery.
"But the melee, slight ms it was. had
attracted attention; some promenaler
had caught q glimpse Of what had oc-
CURED, for the trees were hung with in
Vulnerable Chinese lanterns, An alarm
was given, dozen of voices were heard,
the rush OF excited guests struck on nv
ear. rs in desperation | caught Merce-
dita in my arms and run. She was al
most fainting. but l begged her for
Gods sake not to give up, and, fortll-
nately for me, before | reached the
horses, the brave girl had recovered her
presence of mind.
She was an accomplished equestrian.
and selling the reins of her steed. we
started for Havana ut the rate OF ten
Knots. My spirits rose in proportion MS
we galloped along. but Mercedita, with
quick, nervous movement, jerked the
reins from my hands, Mt the same time
throwing her horse back on to his
launches.
"'For heavens sake. what is it?
asked, rs | reined up beside her.
Hark! Henrico, do you hear that 2
"1 hear nothing but the barking of
n dog or two
"'And these two are noted. They are
of Cuba, md my uncle has
let them loose on our trail
If that is all we will soon be rid of |
Them I'rcplied. well gallon on until |
the dogs break from cover, thon leave
the rest to me-
"Mercedita could scarcely rcRresa'e.,;;
alarm. but my calm tone re'''";;' ..''e"
along the rough uneven road, but my |
Cling for her loved.
"The hounds were keen mt tho scent,
and CHANGING over my shoulders could
see their dark bodies in the clear moon |
light rs they came bounding after us.
resolved to be rid of them at once,
and drew the horses up in the shade OF
% clump of trees.
81 had scarcely drawn my revolver
when the first dog made spring at me,
his teeth clicking like II pair of castanots,
but it was his last effort. a ball from
my Remington closed his career, us well
us his companions, the sharp reports
finding an answering echo i'll n wild,
frantic shout, which | recognized at
once rs the Spanish Captain.
"Bidding Mercedita to gallop on,
awaited in silence tho conflict which l
knew mus. be fatal to one or the other
OF us.
"rhc officer was mounted on II large
powerful gray, the jaunty staff cap had
fallen off, the long black hair strcancd
over his shoulders, while his lace,
dcathly pale, was streakcd with blood.
He held the rcins of his horse III his
teeth. and the moon betrayed the Fact
that in each hand he held Il weapon.
81 could have shot him at once from
my ambush, but my very soul revoltcd
at the bare thought. | took II nasty
Glance at Tie sheen Of MorrcGit..'s d. -
in the distance, then spurrcd forward
toward the Spaniard with Il shout.
Ills horse reared furiously rs he
urged him toward me, and the shots
from his revolver whistlcd in close proN-
! unity to my head. Three times he fired
at me. then | took my turn ut the game.
"lle fell from the saddle, his horse
dashed away, and /, squirting over his
body, rejoincd Mcrcedita in safety.
"Well. Jack, we got aboard the Fire
Fly in safety, and Immediately dis
patched the executive for II priest, who
was found in Il noighboring chapel. lie
was induced to come ON board by the
promise Of Poodly sum in gold, and
there. in the cabin Of the schooner. in
the pr snncc Of the officers Of the Fire
Flv. Mercedita and ! were made one.
''The parson was landed, his cassocl
WEIGHED down with doubloons; then
babe adieu to the island, and, in com
pany with my bride watched the twink