The morning times., 1896-08-30
A whistle brought to his side from the

"A whistle Drought 10 nlB sac lrOm tn(
negro servants quarter two sturdy black
boys-his particular attendants and play
mates since infancy; and with these two
grinning and, ,chaitering at his heels he
tretted across the grass before the house,
md into the shade OF the expresses which
fringed the river. They sought out spot
well known to all three--a quiet glade, In
which they had been. accustomed from
carly days 10 sit and gossip through the
noontide. Here, when seated on fallen
] tree trunk, Gil finally enlightened his com.
rades as to the cause of their summons
Diego and Coco" ne said, ave got
something for you boys to do-somethng
that will greatly help both the old mas
! ter aud myself; Something that may help
| to keep-,a root oyer our heads for the
rest OF our lives. The something is dan
gerous, however, very dangerous 1 will
| share. the danger with you. Will you join
me, and run the risk?''
The faithful negroes did not stop TO con.
| slider. In one breath, as 1t seemed, they
answered that they would follow Gil to
death itself;if necessary,
Then it was that Gil Gonzales the young
or unbosomed himself OF the great plan
which he had conceived, of outwitting the
| British and saving the plantation of his
fathers. 'f'' "a
- .e.-na..
Just thr., rs later British gunboat
of the Guiana colony Steamed slowly up
the Macaribo River, stopping at all the vii
lagos and plantations along the vene-
zuelan bank and formally annexing them
as possessions of Queen Victoria.
plantation shortly before Sunset, and fired
a warning shot, by,way of sho W ing the aged
proprietor what he might expect. Then
the officers of the party, escorted by n
bakers dozen OF marines, and three new
Owners" Ut the estate. went ashore in
state. On the veranda OF the mansion they
found Gil, Gonzales the elder, with his
grandson and servants around him. For
mally, but with little or no effort TO spare
his feelings they told him that he was ON
British soil. and deman ded to see the title
by which he held his lands. or course. no
title was prQcHKahle, and straightway the
three spectators from Guiana offered their
new ones in eedeHoex
I'VE cannpS turn Mr.. Gonzales out to-
night" he said. wen wait till morning.
Meanwhile, sir, perhaps you will let us have
some refreshments"
Dinner was Over and the wine fiagon in
circulation. whenethe black boy Coco came
rushing headlong into the room and fell on
his knees before the Old sgnor.
''Master.' he .shrieked. They're COM
ing! They're coming!''
who are coning.' quered Gil the elder,
while the British, somewhat surprised,
stopped their drinking to listen.
The Venezuelan army, signor," cried
Coca. u met them five miles off, just be-
fore sunset They stopped me and told me
to 20 ahead and warn-you."
The Venezuelan army!' echoed the
British, rising hurriedly in their places.
What are they'eoming here for?"
. Coco turned with a grin. They said
they were coming to fight the British"
The lieutenant in command sprang for
ward and seized Coco by the ragged shirt
collar. "'
rs that the TRUTH he demanded.
Just then there rang out frcn the dis
lance an unmistakable scund-a sound
which, plucky >as. these Englshmen un-
doubleday Were, echoed oininously in their
ears. 1t was the call of bugle; and
there followed it the equally familiar roll
Of drums.
Don't you hear them, signOr?" asked
Coco. That's the advance guard of the
army now. In half an hour the main body
Will eome up
by joven' calculated the lieutenant
IT'S Gospel truths Pretty mess we're
in, s4-oI course, we must stay and fight on
your account. gentlemen"
Here he bowed 10 the Owners Of the
plautatiop.> But these. worthless had al
ready started for the door.
Not on our account,' they exclaimed.
You must not stay 10 fight on any &C
count. Your duty is to protect your lives
as British SUBJECTS. We must get aboard
the gunboat and retreat. at once
But your new plantation began
thesiieutenantsSsiAs fresh roll Of drums.
and the sound Of a nfle shot interrupted
him
Never mind the plantation shrieked
the throughly-frightened owners of title
deeds. "Those demons are coming. They
will shoot as. ~ Letsis~ily while time re-
mains"
Half an hour later the entire Venezuelan
army sat in the gdest parlor OF the planta.
ton and related, while the tears of mer-
riment rulieftio wn tffe fhrrowed cheeks II
Gil Gonzales, the elder, how they had rou;-
ed the British.
"Ie-was Just Diego and Coco and myself
joyously explained Gil the younger, with
a few negro girls to beat the drums. We 80.
into your ar:nory last night, grandpapa, ami
borrowed the revolutionary relics-the old
bugle, the drums and the muskets. Then,
with the help Of Coco. an by making big
row in the cypress wood, we scared the
invaders out of rneff senses.''