The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-07-31
SENIOR VALENTINO.
Twelve o'clock midnight.

From far across the country comes
dull. hollow, reverberating boom-the
signal gun of the Spanish forces. Slowly,
almost painfully, the Cuban patriot flung
back his light blanket, gazed upward
for moment at the burning mass of
stars in the heavens, then fell back
again to dream of bloody charges made
by the gray dragons of Spain, and of
their repulse by the sturdy Cuban
macheteers.
Surely not again, Senior Captain?
One must indeed be cool to think so
lightly of task like ours"
Viva Cuba Libre! You are right,
Pedro-we must be up and away"
This time the Young Cuban sprang to
his feet and shook himself as though
that was a punishment for his moment
airy forgetfulness. AS the two young
men stand side by side in the soft mel
low light of the moon, it is easy to see
that they are not of the lower caste or
guajros, d party that comprises large
division of the patriot army, but of the
Cuban planter, a gentleman of the high
est degree
Both are armed with small arms
alone, though their appearance lndi-
Gates that they have seen military serv-
ice.
Now is the time to read our generals
Instructions, Pedro; the senior lays
great stress upon our actions to-
night and knows at this very hour we
are moving toward the forces of the
enemy to accomplish purpose the pen
atty of which, if we are caught, is in
slant DEATH
As the speaker ceased, he drew a
sealed package from beneath the folds
OF his sash.
"Inferno!" he continued a moment
later; "the general is terse and sends us
out to do much against great oodds.
The spy, he says, is guarded prisoner
in the Spanish camp, but his where
abouts he knows not; and yet we are
to liberate him at the risk of our lives,
and when we have accomplished this,
receive any reward we may ask for"
"Carramba Valentino, the terms
are good. Two or three hundred
douboons will satisfy me; let us
hasten"
in sooth, you speak right, the job is
profitable one, but the night is ill
omened. What care we for gold when
the liberty of Cuba is at stake?"
DO you forget, senior, that Spanish
metal will purchase American steel
with which the Cuban patriots will win
their freedom?"
No, Pedro; but does not the general
turn over all his spare gold to the fill
clustering expeditions?"
"Ah, one forgets in his eagerness to
aid his country. Greater though will
be the fever scourge, Valentino, than
all the steel and forces of Cuba. Gloria
Who can defeat us when God is on our
side?"
But this spy, Pedro-why should our
leader take more than commonplace
interest in him? When first he preached
the subject to me he wept like a child,
and implored me in the name of Heaven
to save him. Pedro, there is mystery
here"
81 doubt it not, senior; and did. he
not mention a name?"
"Ah, not once; nor did I question
him, he was so wrought with grief"
"See! The lights of the Spanish
camp, Valentino; we will halt here; the
moon is disappearing, the stars are
falling, and it will soon be dark"
"A fortune for hundred brave
macheteers now! Yon camp would not
look so quiet and peaceful, Pedro. were
my wish gratifed."
There. at last Palo hill has hidden
the telltale orb! Take one more look.
Valentino, before we leave on our des-
perate game of chance"
The two men gazed for a moment
eastward toward the insurgent coun-
try, and then to the westward at the
twinkling lights mile or so OFF on the
plains.
"Will they be there-the horses?"
whispered the one who had likened
their task to game of chance.
~ He is a. true Cuban and will not
Iali us in the hour of need; if he does,
Ood pity the spy-and u.s."
Pardon me. senior, small need to
worry now; it all hangs by thread
anyway, even the rebellion. The death
u Marti weakened our end somewhat.
out the dreaded fever combined with
.ae patriots should yet more than match
'ne home tyrant."
If one of us should fall tonight,
Fedro, and be left behind with piece
VI lead in his heart, remember the duty
VI comrade and friend and send the
"ulngs to the fallen ones home.
Condanacionl Senior, do not talk 50
uespondently, for Gods sake. 1t is
growing dark and the chills creep up
my back like Shiny reptiles. If anyone
ues tonight it will be me, mark IT,
Valentino"
Ugh!" shuddered the other. 1--WE
are both growing superstitious."
Aye, superstitious, but not coward
~ Never, as far back as the Cespedes
san trace their pedigree, has there been
lound coward, and now"
Hist, Pedro!'
valentino had suddenly thrown HIM
sell upon ore knee and raised his hand
~ a sign of warming. He listened at
'entlyely for a fun minute, then eau
NOuSlv a1arss.r,s, 1.1.1 HE NOM IA n Inn