The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-08-14
SENIOR VALENTINO.


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 Librel 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 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
guajiros, a party that comprises large
division of the patriot army, but of the
Cuban planter, gentleman of the high
est degree.
Both are armed with small arms
alone, though their appearance midi
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 a 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
doubloons will satisfy me; let, us
hasten"
in sooth, you speak right, the job is
q profitable one, but the night is i'll
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 t.
aid his country. Greater though vii
be the fever scourge, Valentino, thar
all the steel and forces of Cuba. Gloria!
Who can defeat US when God is on oul
side?"
But this spy, Pedro-why should oul
leader take more than commonplace
interest in him? When first he broachet
the subject to me he wept like child
and implored me in the name of HEAVIER
to save him. Pedro. there is myster,
here
u doubt it not, senior; and did h
not mention a name?"
"Ah. not once; nor did I question
him, he was so wrought with grief"
''See! The lights of the Spanisl
camp, Valentino; we will halt here; tn
moon is disappearing, the stars ar
falling, and it will soon be dark"
"A fortune for a hundred brav
macheteers nowi .Yon camp would no
look so quiet and peaceful, Pedro. wer
my wish gratified."
There, at last Palo hill has hidde,
the telltale orb! Take one more lool
Valentino, before we leave on our des
perate game of chance"
The two men gazed for momen
eastward toward the insurgent cour
try, and then to the westward at tn
twinkling lights mile or so of on th
plains.
Twill they be there-the horses?
whispered the one who had Hkene
their task to a game of chance.
He is a, true Cuban and will nc
fail US in the hour of need; if he doe
God pity the spy-and us"
Pardon me, senior. small need
worry now; it all hangs by thres
anyway, even the rebellion. The deaf
of Marti weakened our end somewha
but the dreaded fever combined wit
the patriots should yet more than mate
the home tyrant-"
IF one Of Us should fall to-nigh
Pedro, and be left behind with pie
of lead in his heart, remember the dut
of a comrade and friend and send Il
tidings to the fallen ones home"
''Condanacion! Senior. do not talk 1
despondently, for Gods sake. 1t
growing dark and the chills creep 1