Smyrna times., 1896-09-02

eyes; ''do you want to help Senior
Julio?"
The two servants answered eagerly
in the affirmative.
"Then bring his horse from the
stable, and you, Manuel, help him.
Not word to the Sonora, my mother.
Quick! for Gods sake, be quick!'
They would have demonstrated, but
he hurried them forth upon their
several missions. Then, fastening to
the lookout room he persuaded his
mother to descend.
"All will be well, he said. Julio
will escape"
'YOu are sure, my sOn?"
Yes, mother, quite sure. You
must not be found in the lookout.
What would the Spaniards say if they
found you on the watch?"
''That is true. Which way has Julio
gomez"
"He will go by the cane brake to the
sea. Our little boat is in Andres Cove.
He can coast out of harms way"
The SenOro d'ArrOyO seated herself
in the cool reception-roOm, behind the
jalousies, ready to receive the expected
Spaniards. Then Jose stole out to the
rear veranda. Juan was there with
Julio's black horse, ready saddled, and
old Manuel with great, staring eyes
standing breathlessly near.
''Now, JUAN" he said, still with
that masterful tone, so astonishing
from the lips OF boy, ego down to the
old sugar house, near the gates. Tell
the Senior Julio that all is safe, and
tell him to fly through the cane brake
to the cove at Andres, where our boat
is waiting"
"And where do you go, senor?"
'I?" said Jose, vaulting into the
black horses saddle and urging him
onward ere the servants could grasp
the bride; 81 go to fight for Cubas
liberty.
In an instant he was gone, and they
heard the quick ''thud, thud" of the
black steed's hoOfs on the sun-baked
turf
What was the daring project which
had occurred to Jose? Simply this:
He hoped, by persOnating another, to
attract the Spaniards in pursuit him
self, and thus give Julio chance to
escape and strike another stroke for
the patriots. Well he knew the risk
he incurred, but the blood of heroes
ran in his veins, and not for moment
was he daunted Straight across the
sugar field he went-the black horse,
rested and well fed, racing gallantly.
Into the belt of palms beyond the
plantation they plunged, and, then, for
the first time, Jose drew rein and con-
tinued on more slowly. His object
was not to pierce through the Spanish
lines, for that would be impossible,
but rather to draw away from the side
toward the sea the soldiers posted in
that direction. If he could induce
them to pursue him, the coast would
be clear for Julio to the cove of An
dros.
''Halt! Who goes there?" sent
lnels voice rang out from among the
palms on the hillslope toward the sea.
Without answering the challenge
Jose tugged at the black horses rein
and sent him careering madly to the
right. There was sharp report and a
bullet whizzed past among the trees.
Then behind him he heard the sound
of horses galloping. Hurrahl The
outpOsts on the side toward the ses
were cavalrymen. They would natur.
ally pursue him, and there would be a
gap in the ring for Julio.
"Halt!'
Again the warning shout; again the
rapid turn to the right, and again the
ring of rife bullet. Jose threw himself
sideways in the saddle as he had seer
Julio do at exercise. Shouts rose be
hind. He heard the sentries calling tC
one another:
''To the right To the right! H,
has gone to the right"
Then a loud, commanding voice rose
over the tumult:
cit is he! IknOw the horse! 1t is
surely he! Pursue the rebel! To the
right"
Louder grew the sound of horses
hOOfs. JOse's heart bounded, for h,
knew that all the outposts on the sea
board were in hot chase, fondly believ
ing that the black horse carried julio
d'ArrOyO. And now the rifle and re
vOlver shots came faster and faster
Once the black horse swerved anC
bOunded-a shot had grazed his flank
Once something went whistling through
the boys white sombrerO. Still for.
ward went steed and rider-ever to tn,
right, riding in a mad circle around
the plantation of the Sonora d'Arroyo
: 'Halt!"
This time the call came from in front
and Jose looked up to see q foo
soldier, rifle at shoulder, barring hi
progress. He wrenched the reins
pulling the horse back almost on hi
launches. Up came the soldier on tn,
run, thinking that the boy meant t,
surrender. But Jose dexterousl,
slipped off his horses back and leapet
into the palms.
''Bang" went the rifle, and a grea
pain tingled the nerves i'll jose
shoulder. He stumbled, recovered
himself and sped on-the Spaniard il
hot pursuit. 1t could not be u serious
wound, he thought, since he still coult
run, and at running few Spanish in
fantry men could beat the heetest foo
for many league. There was tenn
porary lull in the sound of hoof be
hind. They had found his horse ant
were consulting, no doubt. Soon aftel
he heard them crashing through the
underground.
''It's the horse, sure enoughl Re
member the reward To right To thu
right"
: Jose, good runner as he was, fel
} himself gasping for breath. He could
not hold out much longer, buiian effor
I - j. r.. 80