The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-05-09

can 20 no 1urt1er, captaln,' ue s'lu W Ai@'
"pardon our suspicious. Some wise peo-
pie have discovered dangerous conspiracy
in your doings. Tell me the truth. What
is your object here%
awe are buying mules"
"That know, but for what purpose"
"To send them to the East"
"For the British government"
"If you must know, yes"
ave heard you were drilling and rails
ing a force of insurgents, and that you
meant to seize the citadel tor-Prlm.
Forgive me. Will you take cigar?"
He was decorated with the Moorish war
medal, and perhaps was not violently op-
posed to Marshal Prim. ,
NV interview with the authorities ended
thus. But we were not yet out OF the wood.
| saw from the face of the chief Of the po-
lice that he was not satisfied, and I meant
to put Enrique on his guard directly he re-
turned to his post. But he never returned,
for obvious reasons. Two civil guards
mounted sentry night and day at the gates
of the bull ring, and made it their business
to examine everybody who went in and out:
Clayton was now quite convinced OF
Enrique's guilt. We must have nothing
more to do with the man, that was plain.
wassorry for my mysterious .muleteer.
I had seen enough of him to gather that ne
was person of superior station, and | had
no desire to help him to exile at the Philip
pines, or perhaps to be shot with only a
form of trfal-and then his daughter, the
Spanish beauty? I had seen or heard moth
;no swh ateyer of her since the day at AL
mama junction.
A few days passed. Then the first steam
shin arrived to load up with mules, and we
proceeded to embark our first batch. While
I was "telling off" the muleteers and the
animals, and preparing to send them-miss-
ing Enrique's services at every lnstant-a
note,was put into my hands.
"When can I speak to you? Your uni
form courtesy and kindness lead me to
throw myself at your feet. Will you add
the other favor to the many am in your
debt. The bearer will bring you to me at
the hour named tonight. ENRIQUE"
Twas punctual, and was led by a ragged
lad down several back streets, and at length
below low archway down into sort of
vault. There, shrouded in his big cloak,
was Enrique, and with him was his daugh-
ter.
He did the honors of his cellar as if it
had been palace. I was presented to his
daughter. She might have been princess.
II will not waste your time, Capt. Gay
thorne," he said, speaking in Spanish.
" What l ask is that you should send me in
your steamer to Alexandria tomorrow"
"You are anxious to leave the country"
"I am"
"Compromised?"
"There is price upon my head"
"It might involve me, and, worse than
that, nv government" ! really hesitated.
"Oh, sir, for the love of God, have pity -
His daug ghter had seized my arm. Tears
filled her large eyes. How eloquent they
we're!
"Concha !" said her father, "you must
restrain yourself. 1 respect. your scruples, "
he said to me. "But, believe me, I am not
very hardened offender. am more
sinned against than SHINING. was led to
pronounce ~
"You are an officer"
"Of course" He drew himself up, as if
he wondered how I could have doubted it.
"My father is"-
I interrupted her.
"I had rather not know, senorita. But
he can command me to the utmost of my
power. 1t may not be easy to get him on
board; the police are on the alert, and We
must be very circumspect."
lett them as soon as possible, although
it was sweet to hear Concha's voluble
thanks, and to look into her grateful eyes.
4 watch, unobtrusive but close, was kept
upon the ship. Civil guards patrolled the
wharf; the chief of the police came on
board several times, and | was obliged to
show him every attention. He made sew
eral visits to the mule deck, and inspected
our muleteers every day. To the very mo-
ment of starting he hovered about, his myr-
midons within call, as if he suspected to
the last.
But the good ship Sophonisba at length
cleared for sea. Warp after warp was
cast adrift, and she forged slowly ahead
past the mole; then her bows swung round,
she gained the open sea and went fairly Oft
under full steam, pausing only to pick up
one of her boats which appeared to be wait
ing for her outside.
Enrique was in this boat.
Years passed, and heard nothing more
OF the mysterious muleteer--years of tur-
moil and dissension in Spain. First, Isa-
bella fled before the insurrection of Mont
pensier and Prim; then came the Republi-
can risings, quenched in torrents Of blood ;
next, Amadeo and the assassination of the
king maker last of all the Carlist inva-
sion and the bitter civil war;
Concha | had never quite forgotten.
Often l had wished to revisit Spain. In
all the changes and chances of these very
years perchance her father might have
found himself at the top Of the tree; per-
haps, also
Then rowing spirit took me to the
northern provinces. San Sebastian was be-
sieged; | must needs push forward and see
all could, when suddenly found myself
surrounded and prisoner in the hands OF
the Alphonsist troops.
Ispoke in Spanish, and said I was an
Englishman.
There were Englishmen among the Car
lists; my knowledge of Spanish did not
befriend me. was evidently a suspicious
person. The subaltern officer in command
was for disposing of me at once. My fate
would have been sealed but for the oppor'
tune arrival of a colonel in staff uniform
who hearing my explanation decided that
| must 60 before the general-in-chief. Ac'
cordingly, bound with thin cord in that
ingenious Spanish fashion, which is more
efficient than handouts or shackles, l was
after long delay, ushered into the presence
of the great man.
"Your name" saidhe, without looking up
"Gaythorne."
"Gracios al cielom cried the general
springing to his feet. "At last We meet
generous friend. Release him instantly
This gentleman is most dear to me-dearel
than son."
"Enrique !" | cried.
Enrique Gueyarra y Camposillos, cap
tain general and commander-in-chief of the
armies OF CASTLE, and your firm friend til
DEATH"
spent the following winter at Madrid
and, renewingm my acquaintance with Conch;
Guevarra, think it is rot unlikely that
may become the generals son in more thar
in name.
Not Valued Highly.