The morning times., 1896-08-30
Venezuela's
Phantom
Army.
BY GERALD Brennan.
Downright, 1867
sEssssssaSYsgsssSaa3sH

Copyright, 1881
Gu Gonzales the ei,ier, had lived on
his little clearing by the Macanbo RIVER
for seventy years and more His father
dwelt there before him, and his fathers
father. Long before Venezuela had be-
come a free state the Gonzales family
buiIt their long, rambling log house by
tho cod. tree. shaded MacaTibo, and settled
down Ia a pastoral life among those forest
solitudes.
Now all of them were gone save only
Gil Gonzales. the elder, snowy-ha1red
patriarch, and his small grandson, an
other Gil Gonzales styled for his distinc-
ton "Gii, the younger quiet, uh-
eventful life was theirs; and they were
happy in their own peaceful way, unui
the serpent in the form OF a BRUSH goio
prospector, came into their forest girdleu
Eden.
After the establishment of Venezuelan
independence the frontiers OF the new
republic We're fixed along the cypress
clad banks of the Macarib". The Con
yales, from sire to son, had always rested
happy in the belief that their farm was in
Venezuelan territory. Across the river was
British Guiana, and John Bull might rule
there as he pleased. But on the nearer
hank the land belonged to Venezuela and
the house to Gonzales. That was their
creed and in that creed had Gil the younger
been reared by his grandfather.
The British gold prospector was vel
coined as all strangers were welcomed in
the log mansion. Negro servants took
his horse, and the two Oils, elder and
Younger. made haste to place wine and
fruit before him. Then they asked for
the news.
Have you heard about the boundary
dispute?" asked the prospector.
Little Gil only stared. His grandfather
admitted that some murmurings OF
boundary dispute had reached bis soil
tude, but that his knowledge on the sub
ject was vague Wbereupon the pros
pector enlightened them.
old Gil Gonzales rose unsteadily from
his chair.
DO you mean 10 tell me, signor," he
exclaimed. that the English may seize
NV land-the land OF my forefatbers?'
I'm afraid So" assented the prospector.
ruefally. The fact is I've been sent
here TO look for gold and make report.
/ am bound to say that l find distinct
traces of the precious metal on your es-
doubtless claim it with the rest of the
province"
We have lived here for generations,
signor''
Il fear it will not matter. YOU
will have 20 get a new title from the
British, or else"
or else what. signor?" faltered old
Gonzales.
Or else leave the farm
Gil the younger leaped up, with the
fire in his dark eyes.
We will never leave the farm. 1t is
ours-ours -ours!'' he cried. gripping his
grandrather's arm with both hands. Tell
the signor that we cannot he made TO
leave, grandpapa."
Old Gil sank back into his chair and
buried his face in his hands. The boy
gaZed at him for moment, his eyes, so
lately blazing, now eclipsed by tears.
lis there no hope, grandpa he asked.
Very little, fear. You see, we have
no written title to the lands. In case the
British seize the province they will expel
us interlopers. There is no hope, fear;
At least none now. Were my
sons alive my big, brave sons-things might
be different. But now
How would it be different were my
father and my uncles alive. grandpapa?''
The Old man abandoned his position of
collapse for moment, and his eyes flash
ed like those of little Gil.
"Caraja." ne exclaimed. They would
never allow the English to take possession.
Oh. they were great men, those sons of
mine. But they are gone,
all gone: and now there are only q feeble
old man and n little boy to keep the farm
against British rifles. a de mi, Sorrow
indeed is mne.''
The light died out OF his eyes: his head
seemed to sink between .hs shoulders,
and he looked as one sitting for picture
OF despairing old age. But upon Gil the
younger his grandfather's words had quite
an opposite effect. The boy listened in
tently throughout his grandfather's speech,
and as he listened his face cleared. Then,
without another word, he slipped quietly
forth to the broad, cool veranda.