The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-19

10 the kingY"
"The same. They insist that his
widow Is a witch who protects her fol-
lowers with charms and spells, and
that she is followed with blind devo-
ton by the rebels, who idolize her."
Truly that is an entertaining story"
said !, thinking what n good corre-
spondent some journal lost when Ma
duro adopted the profession of arms.
Besides that" he continued, "the
Agua Alta seems TO he bewitched."
The Aqua Alta is swift stream
that is fed by tributaries from number
less mountain ravines. When there is
rain il becomes swollen, raging
torrent. This river was the boundary
of the territory OF the rebels, whose
capital, El Libertad, is perched upon
a precipitous hill crest that is almost
inaccessible. The city lies only six
miles beyond the Aqua Alta, but Gen.
Maduro had not been oble to cross
the stream with his artillery. Three
times he had essayed TO tnild bridges,
and each time the river had swept the
structure away. The only permanent
crossing was an old Indian bridge that
swung like a hammock from cliff to
cliff. Over that no large bodies Of men
could be moved, nor the guns, without
which an attack upon the stronghold
would be useless.
1t was here that the father of the
king had been killed IS years before,
and knew the ground well.
AS the general and l conversed, n
rattle of muslSetry started us both to
our feet. "They are at it again." he
cried, running out as he spoke.
Several men had fallen; others were
scattered, seeking such shelter as they
could find. A wounded man crawled
toward baggage wagon, behind which
a group of soldiers had taken refuge.
but second ball killed him before
he reached it. On the right of the
camp the officers succeeded in form
ing the men, who were for the most
part old soldiers, and returned an in
effectual fires that only provoked q
mocking yell from our assalants.
The confusion, however, did not last
beyond the first few moments of attack.
A degree of order was restored and then
n simultaneous, sweeping charge from
the sides Of the camp drove Hire gucriffus
from their positions; but none of them
were killed, while we counted dozen of
our force lifeless and more than double
that pumber who were wounded. After
this n stronger picket lire was pushed
out and partial quiet succeeded.
With the sound of firing the old habit
of my military youth reasserted itself.
and l seemed to understand things
without seeing them; to reason without
thinking.
General, let me have thirty men
with fifty rounds each" requested.
Maduro waved his hand towards the
already quicting camp.
Take as many men us you like, senor.
1t is said that you know every veteran
in the army by name. There arc many
who have served under you; choose for
yourself"
Then I quickly chose thirty good
stanch volunteers out Of the host that
pressed their service upon me. 1t was
an embarrassment of riches.
"Next time," ! called TO the disap-
pointed ones that ] was obliged TO re-
iect and so we made haste, on foot, to
reach the bridge. / felt assured that
with speed we might anticipate the
rebels, as they wosld not hurry after
the attack, having as they thought,
finished their night work. Well, l in
tended to cut out some more OF seri.
GUS nature for them before the moon
rose.
At ten o'clock was at the river. We
were early for our appointment Sap
porter, an old sergeant, whose mettle
] knew well, whispered that we nigh,
allow them to get upon the bridge and
then, by cutting away the end, dash
them all into the stream. The plan had
it's merits, but for many reasons / did
not like IT.. thought il disadvantage
TO destroy all communication between
the two sides of the river. and besides
i have prejudice against that way OF
fighting.
We lay hid behind the powders that
were strewn by the side OF the streams
prccipitous banks. We were to fire as
the foremost of the enemy reached the
bridge, charging them from the flanh
and rear and chasing them across into
their own country if our fire left any OF
them TO chase.
We had not waited very long wher
about hundred and fifty men mp
preached, with no apparent anticipation
Of danger. Not sound. hardly
breath, from behind the rocks. till tn,
bridge was almost reached, when some
fellow of my party, too impatient &C
wait the word of command, pulled thu
trigger and then the volley blazed out
and 'he veterans rose with n yell and
charged. The moon was now up and we
could see very distinctly by the bridge
huddled mass of men who forgot there
recent pleasant excursion when con-
fronted with rctribution. Pell-mell
they ran for life, and our bullets did
much damage among them.
No doubt the rebels fears mngnified
our numbers. and think that one OF my
hardened old soldiers would have been