Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-06-15
Meanwhlle pe Soto found himself an

Meanwhile De Soto found himself op-
posed by cacique, who remained inn
placably hostile. and he was about to
send captain with troop to conquer
him when the honor was claimed by
Don Vasco. Mastering his band, he Sc
lected a picked detachment, and at the
earnest entreaty Of his page the youth
was of the party. They left in great
pomp, with trumpets sounding and the
cherished banner waving in the breeze,
while Don Vasco vauntingly declared
that he would "bring Hirihiqua back
either as friend or as captive. Che
sara, sarar =
AS the Spaniards advanced messenger
after messenger came from Hirihiqua,
warning him not to proceed, but the hot
headed Don Vasco judged that this was
evidence of the cowardice of his foe.
Squirting on he at last came to tangled
hammock, in which was dismal look
ing morass shaded by expresses. This
his men knew it would be impossible to
cross, laden as they were with heavy ar
NOR, but Don Vasco was not SO easily
daunted. Putting spurs to his horse he
entered the morass, but his steed soon
foundered and fell. 1t was impossible
for him to cxtricate himself, and he was
in danger of sinking into the quagmire.
But his page managed to 60 to the res
cue by throwing pieces Of bark before
him that supported his light weight and
thus enabled him to carry rope to Don
Vasco. Pulled out, all besmeared with
mud, the crestfallen cavalier felt that
the martial fire SO suddenly rekindled
was as suddenly extinct, and be ordered
retreat to the camp, humbled by the
potent Hirihidua, who had encountered
him with friendly warnings and had inn
prisoned him in mudhole to be rescued
by page.
just as the troop was preparing to
retire, vicious horse reared, and strik-
ing out with his fore feet kicked the
page with such force that he fell from
the saddle. Then it was that Pedro dis
closed his secret, and Don Vasco dis
covered that the page was his devoted
ward, Donna Inez. Clasping her to his
bosom, he vowed that henceforth no
earthly power should separate them.
Not even Hirihiqua" inquired the
senorita. with a smile despite her suffer-
ing.
Hang Hirihiqua and all the other
quasi If you will be mine, I will leave
all this soldering to younger hands, and
we will return to Cuba What say you,
my ward?'
Must not follow my guardians ad-
vice? Nay, if 1 had not loved you as a
civilian, what would have made me fol-
low you here when you put on your ar
mor?" A kiss sealed the contract.
The next day as De Soto sat before his
tent chatting with his confessor, a caval-
cade approached. It was Don Vasco,
with soiled attire, walking by the side
of litter, upon which lay his page,
while his troop followed in picturesque
disorder.
81 have boon to ask" said the knight.
''Let my lieutenant, Gomez, take COM
mand of my troops and retain all my
munitions Of war, but only ask the
blessing of this holy father upon my fair
ward here in masquerade and leave to
go home"
"You shall have all you, ask" !" replied
De Soto, although I regret to lose you.
But as love made you enlist love shall
procure your discharge"
Theirs was a long and happy life, and
among the ornaments Of their palatial
residence, yet standing in Havana, is a
painting procured by a Spaniard, who,
more fortunate than Don Vasco, was
not enticed into swamp.-Ben: Perley
Poore.