The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-10-22

sides q number OF small boats Their
large craft could not approach closely, it
is true, for the same reason that prevent
ed Walters progress, but no such limita-
ton hindered the light proas and cha
lupas; these darted hither and thither at
will.
Corcovedo disembarked on the chin
ampa large force, in charge of exper-
fenced guides. His men avoided the
weaker spots, screened themselves in the
tall rushes, and, when they had come
within range, even crawled on their
hands and knees. Don Walters fore
most boat, making a desperate push
under dread of impending capture, final
ly broke through her embarrassmentsa and
escaped into the open lake. He signa1ed
her not to attempt to render him assist
ance, but to look out for her own safety.
The combat could have only one pos
sible issue. Adversaries swarmed on
nearly all sides in the light boats, and
those on the land presently sprang up
and charged with fierce yells. They en-
tered at the bow, the stern and amid
ships, all at the same moment. If thrown
back, they were driven on again by the
swords of their leaders, whom taste
of the treasure had made like ravening
wolves. So this strange combat ragged in
the marshes, and many men fell in death
among the fragrant flowers through
which they had crawled in their energy
Of pursuit. Don Walter recognized
some Of the very men Of the Third bat
talon of the line who had made the in
solent foray into the garden the day he
was with Amy. Pablo drew himself
stealthily to his feet among the bodies
on the deck and attempted to stab him,
but was cut down in the act, and thus
that revengeful servitor finally met his
end.
When the young commander saw that
no further shred of hope remained, he
caused white flag to be raised on an
oar from behind portion Of the cabin
which he had kept clear as last refuge
Having taken this step in the hope of
preventing the effusion Of more blood,
he himself las in supreme despair, plunged
overheard.
The victors waited for him to come
up, with pieces at their shoulders ready
toflre. But he did not reappear at all,
and they made up their minds that in
the disappointment Of his utter over
th1}ow he had put an end to himself.
Don Walter, however, "a powerful swim
mer, having dived beneath the surface.
had remained there so long time that
he was all but bursting, and then came
up among the Cedges Oh the border of a
piece of the terra i1lfirma many rods
away. He presented but the nerest frac-
ton of his visage to the upper air, and
even then shots were being fired in his
direction in an experimental way.
When his lungs were full once more,
he dived again, this time with an origi-
nal, almost incredible, plan. 1t was his
purpose to swim directly beneath the
chinampa, as legend related that bandits
had sometimes done when pursued after
their attacks on commerce in similar
lakes.
1t was naturally an undertaking full
of great peril. He propelled himself
swiftly through the dark and murky
waters; vine like tendrils and roots
reaching nearly to the bottom caught
him and impeded his progress; above
could be dimly made out convoluted
masses like the Gorgeous snaky locks.
On first rising he had miscalculated his
distance, his head touched something
viscid and tTammeling Consciousness