Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-10-17


the Cuban had thrown caution to the
winds; his only thought, his only
purpose was to convey his precious
charge to a place Of safety. Alas
that his haste was to prove so fatal.
"Arto! Who goes there ~
The sharp rattle of a carbine rang
out on the still night air, and the
camp was awake.
Courage, senorita, we will pass
them yet. Pedro. 10, Pedro r
"Here, senior. Hasten; the horses
are in the hollow just beyond the
hill.n
1t was q race for life and the pa
triots won. Hardly we're they mount
ed and off before dozen or more
carabineros rushed into the hollow.
"Caballol Cabsllo ~ they cried,
and discharged their weapons.
"Can you hold your seat, senior
ita ?" the captain asked, as he rode
up beside her.
"With ease" she answered, brave
ly, smiling family through the
gloom.
"They are on horses and in pur-
suit, senior. / fear we are lost T.
interrupted Pedro.
"Why so, comrade y
Because I-I-Valentino, the
girls horse is dying"
The captain lurched in his saddle
as though struck by blow. For
the first time he noticed the spas
modic leaps of the maiden's steed,
and the gradual tagging of its pace.
Still on they sped-five-ten-fif-
teen minutes-and they began to
enter the hills. The wounded horse
was fast losing strength, but still the
noble animal plunged on till it's
heart burst, and, with an agonizing
groan, it stumbled and fell dead.
In moment Valentino had the
girl on his own mount, and was
dashing away in pursuit of Pedro.
Courage, senorita, . he murmured,
softly, and pressed her closer to his
breast, nesting his face among her
beautiful waving curls.
P-i-n-gggl
That fatal bullet whizzed close to
the captains head, and was Instant
ly followed by heavy fall.
Great God in Heaven, comrade,
are you hurt Z"
No answer.
"Dead ~
That one solemn word was utter.
ed with a pathos that BODIED i'll for
the perpetrators of the deed.
"Oh, ye hellish dastards, ye tramp
lers of human rights, may your flesh
rot and your bones decay in every
hidden swamp and recess of Cuba,
and may the power of despotic Spain
sink beneath the pillows of the sea,
carrying with it every vestige of the
accursed nation. Dios Oh, Pedro,
| my comrade-my friend"
The carabineros were close upon
the fugitives now and with a last look
at his beloved comrade the captain
struck his spurs deep in his horses
flank and sped eastward.
Courage, senorita, courage" he
whispered over end over again.
"There yet remains one final resort
if all others fail. I will save YOU
have you faith in ME 7"
And in answer the girl would lift
her sweet face and say
"Unbounded faith. You are q
Cuban patriot"
Never before had the young Gu
ban been placed in such critical po-
sition. IF it had not been for bis
beautiful charge be would have turn
ed back and died brayely, fighting
over the body of his slain comrsde.
But this girl, with the lovely wav.
ing hair and the glorious eyes, had
cast spell over him which was not
easily thrown off; she was more
than life to him now.
ooh, my God, they are gaining on
US, senior See; they level their
| pieces-they fire r.
| "Inferno the horse is struck-he
is down Cling to me, senorita."
The quarry was run to earth I; Val
entino's last resolve was shattered !;
he could not now forfeit bis own life
for that of his companion. But blood
should flow as free as water in that
dark, gloomy pass before be would
allow himself to be taken captive.
| What was that2
| A terrific explosion, stream OF
| quivering flame shooting out from
that impenetrable mass of darkness,
and the foremost dragon tumbles
from his horse, as lifeless as the
weather beaten rocks about him.
/ Cr-r-a-ack
aViya Cuba Libre y
| And they were saved.
The next day the insuruent hand