The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-27

vine gave him the means of climbing to the
roof. from which he made his way to the
window where Marie had appeared mo-
pouring into the room; the flames would
soon follow. He s,prang inside and called:
Cropping about blindly with outstretched
arms, he touched her, clasped her, AZ she
reeled. almost insensible from sutfocation.
Just then there came volleyof musketry;
the window to the veranda roof, Louis
leaped with his precious burden; but how
could he descend with it? He tottered back
and forth. almost delirious with the excite
ment of the awful moment.
Down below, in the glare Of the firelight,
he saw. but did not realize, that compact
body of white men we're dealing out death
to the blacks, who were scattering in a
frenzy Of fright.
The flames flashed through the windows
darted around the man and caught the
drapery Of the faintlng girl. Madly he
called for help, fercely he fought the dead
" element. No aid came. and he could not
extinguish the flames that were consuming
Marie's floating garments. Unable to bear
longer the torture Of the trial, he reeled
down to the verge of the roof and leaped off
with the girl in his arms. II was like a
miracle that he was not killed, for the force
Of the shock was great, and he lay on the
ground moment as II crushed; then with
ing up, with one leg broken. but still bear
ing Marie, he tottered down to the river
and plunged into the water.
Don Manuel Cortinas came to that side
of the building just in time to see Louis
Capdau leap from the burning veranda:
He thought It was Qhevelier Dc Beret, and
hurriedly ran after him Just in time to drag
both man and girl from the water.
Marie was quite dead, but Louis Capdau
was alive and recognized his rival who now
held the poor little form in his arms. The
crippled man was too much exhausted to
on the sand, but he strove hard, half lift
ing himself, falling back, reaching forth
his arms and exclaiming with fierce energy.
''sooundrel! villain! Coward! Do not
touch her-put her DOWN.
Some soldiers came near; Don Manuel
called to them:
Secure that negro; but do not hurt him
more. will make an example of him. He
is the ringleader of these slaves"
Thew took Capdau and bound him, while
the Spaniard bore the body of Marie to a
safe place.
The fire roared and leaped; the broad,
red flame slanting before the breeze, crisp
off the long, gloomy festoons of vines and
moss.
Chevalier de Beret was rescued in an in
sensible condition, but Madame do Beret
was lost. All around, the reports of Span
ish muskats told how the insurgents were
faring. MANY of them were killed, among
them some of Capdau's faithful followers,
for the soldiers knew nothing of their 10y
atty.
The mansion was a smoldering ruin.
Daylight came gray and foggy in the east,
and spread slowly over the sky. Don Man
uel, finding that Marie was indeed dead.
turned all the Inalignancy of his thwarted
and constituencies nature upon Louis Cap
dau. who lay suffering and helpless at his
feet.
Dog Of mnlatto!' he ragged, "why did
you do all this3''
Capdau answered him with one word:
"Poltroon!''
The Spanierd made motion az if tc
plunge his sword through him, but fore.
bore.
"Box him up and saw him into quarters >
he ordered, turning to some of his subal-
terms.
In was done. Louis Capdau was nailed in
long box (made of four planks) which,
while he was still living, was sawed through
at three places, thus dividing his body into
quarters, afterward hung up in four public
places, as terrible warning to insurgents.
Chevalier de Beret survived, and long af-
terward took another vito. It was by one