The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-08-18
NUMBER %.

structions as to certain movements taken by
Lopez. Then l found another document
from the royal general Offering 1000 doub-
looms for the head Of Lopez, and finally
worst treachery Of all, letter written by
Pedro. to be dropped on the road over which
we were making our flight, showing how and
where Inez and our little band could best be
captured. l soon made up my mind. call
ed together half a dozen Of my companions,
rapidly related to them what had discover
ed and then we quietly approached toIwhere
Don Pedro was sti!l sitting with IneZ, threw
him on his back and bound his hands and feet
with cord.
"'What does that mean o exclaimed Inez
looking at US with indignant astonishment
81 replied by placing the letter written by
Pedro In her hand. She read 1t and fell into
swoon to the ground. In a few minutes
she had recovered, but she was a changed
woman. Seating herself on the trunk of a
tree she exclaimed Form a circle, gentle
men, with the prisoner in the CENTRE and
then she calmly began the perusal of the
contents of Don PedrO's pOcketbook. He
lay writhing on the ground the very picture
Of abiect terror. He did not speak single
word, but the wretch well knew what his
fate would be. Having read the letters the
sonora turned to us and asked US whether
we considered Pedro guilty or not guilty
Guilty we all shouted, casting revengeful
glances at the prisoner. Then let him be
executed at once. Hang him-no shoot him.
Give him five minutes to prepare The
traitor did not appear to be anxious to make
his peace with heaven; his last moments
were passed in series Of execrations upon
all of US. We did not reply, however but
when the five minutes were passed we bound
his eyes and placed him on his knees. Four
Of US stepped forward with Ieveled carbiues.
Stay suddenly exclaimed Sonora Inez;
stay, 1 will give the word. Now, ready,
fire 7 Our volley was delivered and Pedro
fell. He still showed signs Of life. and one
Of US was about to complete despatchinE
him with machete, but Inez motioned him
back. Walking slowly up to the dying
wretch, she drew her own pistol and calmly
placing it to his forehead, gave him the
coup de grace by blowing out his brains
She then turned to us, and for a moment a
smile OF tender yearning appeared on her
face. Gentlemen, justice has been DONE
After death, forgiveness STOPPING, she
kissed the lips of the dead traitor, and then,
before one Of US could realize her action she
drew a second pistol from her belt, turned
the muzzle to her heart and fired, falling
dead across the body Of her lover.
I'VE buried her beside the little stream
where she had sat listening to the lying
words of the man she had believed in so
thoroughly. As for him, we fastened rope
round his neck and suspended his carrion
from the branch of tree, On his breast we
placed a card with the words: Here is
breakfast for the crows
"The remainder of our little band man
a. ged to escape and to remain in hiding until
an opportunity enabled US TO gain the coast
and obtain passage in a vessel to America
1 returned to Cuba in 1868, when the stan
1 dard of revolution was again raised at Yara
and was present at the reading of the De-
/ claratiOn of Independence at Menzanillo. /
only remained a few months, however, for L
saw there was no chance for successful re-
/ bellion without arms, money OF efficient
/ leaders. Before leaving the island bought
a few cases OF wine, which were sold at auc-
/ ton in Havana. In the invoices which
proved my possession, 1 found the wine l
had bought had belonged to Don Carlos
d'Aguas, Marquis de los Claras, brother to
! the traitor Don Pedro whom l had helped
to execute in 1851. brought the wine along
with me to Philadelphia, and for some reason
or other have never cared to sell it. l am
drinking it myself by degrees. do not
care to taste it often. 1t brings up too many
memories. Fill your glasses, gentlemen,
and drink to the freedom Of Cuba