The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-20
FART II.

IN a moment she turned her face to me
again. ''Generall Gen. Maduro!" She
thrust her arm.against my chest, nearly
forcing herself from my grasp by the
suddenness and fury of the effort. !
understood the hatred Of the man who
had sent her husbands head as apresent
TO the king.
"Not Gen. Maduro, my child. / am
Arroya." For though she was an enc
my she was also a woman. and pitied
the little creature. At the name her
whole expression changed and she
looked at me with wonder and qucs-
'tioning. "Arroya? Arroyo who was
at the Chico?" she cried.
"Yes, am that Arroya.'
"Save meas you are brave and mer-
ciful, save me-" she faltered. She
looked at the soldiers as though she
would have them further away. Un-
terstanding that she might have some
thing for my ear alone, l ordered tho
mcn 10 retire little way, and when
they had done SO she spoke quickly.
though with evident pain.
"Do you remember Col. Poey, who
was with you at the Chico?"
"Poey, my dearest companion in
arms; he died long since. 1 owed my
life TO him once on the battlefield.
Why do you speak of him?"
because I am Col. Poey's daughter"
The news stunned me. i could find
no words to express my astonishment.
AS though in dream i heard her say:
Il am mortally hurt. But would not
die without the consolation of the
church of my religion. o, if you arc
really that Arroyo that my father loved,
get me Padre that may confess and
receive absolution before l die"
II would not be difficult, / thought,
to do as she wished if had but place
to leave her; for IL was very evident that
ian attempt to move her TO our camp
would be fatal before we could reach
At.
us there no house or cabin near?"
asked.
"There is hunters cabin about half
a mile from here" she gasped. 1T is IN
the footpath that turns TO the left as
you go towards the river
So we lifted her carefully and carried
her slowly to the hut she had indicated,
and in that rude and inhospitable shell
ter we laid our burden, who had tainted
from the loss of blood and the pain Of
her journey.
Quick directed Sapportez go To
the camp; take dozen men with you
for safety, carry this Ga note 1 scribbled
TO the genera) and bring back your
Pat. e."
But Sapportez said: General, we have
no Padre in the camp. We had two, but
one died of the fever and the other ac-
companicd his body back to the city to
celebrate mass for him."
Here was a dilemma which had not
been anticipated. Just then Antonio
came up to me.
Antonio" asked, "do you know FL
LibertadT
"As we'll rs know your house, senior.
j was born and raised there"
"Stay, Sapportez. You will not go 70
the camp, but will leave you in COM
mand her to guard the prisoner. Dis
pose your men well, recollecting that
YOU arc in an enemy's country. Place
your piclets carefully; guard the lady
in the hovel yonder with your life, ia
necessary, against any harm, but DO
not on any account permit rescue,
and rather than have her taken from
you alive kill her with your own hand
first. DO you understand"
"yes, senior. Perfectly. i az, to kill
the witch"
mo, mol" / exclaimed. THAT is
onry as the last alternative; when you
find that your life will no longer serve
TO keep her from being rescued. She
IS 20 be cared for until return. Now,
do you comprehend?"
Il understand, senor."
"fhen come, Antonio" We reached
the main path, and had turned toward
El Libertad before Antonio, who was
a well-drilled servant, ventured to ask
q question.
"May be pardoned, senor-but where
are we going?"
"To I'll Libertad. You are to show
me some way by which we may enten
the city undetected."
''But, senor To attack the gaIri-
son? Only two of us?"
mo, no. Bnt only to steal the
Padre, Antonio"
We had gone another mile before
the man again addressed me. par
don, my general, but here are three
dead 10y the path"
swell, what of it?"
''Their clothes might be convenient
~ disguise"
We approached them, and some night
creature fled snarling away into the
dark. i exchanged my coat and hat
@.xgs g g asSM "A