The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-10-01
Twelve O'Clock midnight.

gazcd 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 repulsc
by the sturdy Cuban machetecrs.
Surely not again, Senior Captain ?
One must indeed be cool to think 50
lightly Of Il task like ours"
"Niva Cuba Librc You are right,
pcdro-we must be up and away
This time the young Cuban sprang
to his feet and shook himself as though
that WAS Il punishment for his momcn-
tary forgctfu!ncss. AS the two young
men stand side by side in the soft mel
low light Of the moon, it is easy to sec
that they arc not Of the lower caste or
qua jiros, Il party that comprises IL large
division OF the patriot army, but OF the
Cuban planter, gentleman OF the
highest degree.
Both are armed with small arms
alone, though their appearance indl-
Gates that they have seen military
service.
"Now is the time to read our gen
erals instructions, Pedro; the Scnor
lays great stress upon our actions to-
night and knows at this very hour we
uIc lilOSlNS Uo" u viz VIZ ctS VI oiiS
enemy to accomplish a purpose the
penalty Of which, if we arc caught, is
instant DEATH"
as the speaker ceased, he drew a
sealed package from b, meath the folds
OF his sash.
"lnfcrnO ~ he continued II moment
later the general is tcrse and sends
US out to do much against great odds.
The spy, be says, is Il guarded prisoner
in the Spanish camp, but his whcrc-
abOuts he knows not: and yet we are
to libcratc him at the risk Of orr own
lives, and when VIC have accomplish
cd this, receive any reward we may
ask for"
Carranba Valentino. the terms
are good. Two or three hundred
douJioons will satisfy me: let us hasten
In snoth you speak right. the JOB
is profitable one, bat the night Is Ill.
omcntcd. What care we for gold VIXEN
the liberty OF Cuba is 1T stake ~
DO You forget, Scnor, that Spanish
metal will purchase the American
steel with which the Cuban patriots |
will win their freedom :"
no, Pedro: but does not the general |
turn over all OF his spare gold to the
tIlDustcrin@ expeditions
- Ah. one iOrGcls in his cagGrncSs to |
aid his country. Grcntcr though will |
ne the fever Scourgc. Valentino, than |
ali the steel and forces Of Cuba. Gloria,
Who can dci,HL lis when Goa is on our |
side :"
But this *py, pcdro-why should |
our leader take mo.c than common
place interest il him: When first he
brOuchcd the subject TO me he wcpt
like child, and lmplurcd me in the
name OF Heaven to save him. Pedro,
there is mystery here
" doubt il not, Scnor aud did he
not mention Il name :"
" All, not once nor did / question
him, he WAS so wrought up with grief"
See The lights Of the Spanish
camp, Valentino we will halt here
;he moon is disappearing, the stars
are falling, and it viii soon be durk"
~ fortune for hundred brave
machctccrs now Ion camp would
hoi look 50 quiet ami peaceful, Pedro,
were my wilt gra,tiicd.'
- There, at last l'alO hill has hidden
the tell -tatc o"b Take one more look,
Valentine. before wc leave on a dos
peratc game Of cnancc.'
Inc two men gaXcd for Il moment
eastward toward the insurgcnt cOun-
"s' an" tt''n 10 'hc "esI"afu at Inc
twlnkling lights mile or so of on the
piainS.
Will they be thcrc-thc horscs?'
whispered the one who had likencd
Vhelr TASK 10 game OF chance.
re Is true Cuban and will not fail
US In Inc hour o! need If he does, God
pity the spy-and us"
Pardon me, Scnor, small need to
worry now { All haDUs nv :, thrnnb
anyway. even the rrhnjIion Thc
death OF Marti weakened GU, end
somewhat, but the dreaded fever
combined with the patriots should yet
IF one OF us should fall to night,
Icdro and be left bcnind with Il piece OF
nt 't',o ~ lL.s' ~ MS hrart, remember the duty
OF II comradc and friend and send the
l!uin@s to the fallen ones home"
N"nianacion Synor, do not talk
SO ucspohdcntly. IT is growing dark
ana the chills creep up my back like
slimy rcptilrs. If anvnnn i;,. tn.,;rht
it wi!l be me, mark it, Valentino"
oeh - shuddcrcd The other. 1--WE
are both growing supcrstitious."
Aye superstitious, but not coward
ly Never, as far back as the Cespcdcs
been found a ,ow,rd .,,5
Hist Pedro"