The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-11-17
SELECTED STORY.
A Girl In Command,

qua? No? Then I'll relate 1t now.
was living in the republic at the
time of the last rebellion-I don't
think there has been spill up in that
part since, but l may be wrong; revo-
iutions are pretty frequent in those eli
mates. Business suddenly made it
necessary for me to undertake a jour
ney TO New York, and l knew that If
intended to make that journey l had
got to be sharp about it, for things
were in bubble, and if did not get
to the coast and catch steamer before
the beginning of the squabole might
as well stay where 1 was. 1t did not
take me long to fix up my arrange
ments, and | was off in double quick
time.
But was doomed to disappointment.
had nearly finished my journey to the
coast-a matter of two hundred miles
or so-and had put up for the night at
a village only three hours ride from
where ] hoped to find steamer when
l heard that the trouble had begun and
that full blown revolution was in
progress.
This was exceedingly aggravating.
1t meant the loss of lot of money to
me if l could not reach my destination
within a reasonable time, but if had
to wait until things quoted down again
that money was as good as lost. l was
in decidedly bad temper, and when L
get into that state it takes lot to per-
suade me to give up any plan l may
make. got my back up at the idea of
being baked and resolved that l would
finish nv Journey, come what might.
Nothing could be done that evening, so
| turned in with the determination to
see what could be arranged in the
morning. / had not been on foot long
on the following morning before l
heard something that made me prick
up my ears and start without delay for
q quiet spot on the coast. Within an
hour after / had reached the place l
had struck bargain with the owner of
a small craft secreted there.
/ began to brighten up bit. Things
looked more promising, and L unused on
the advantages of a determined will
and on the truth of the saying about
the will and the way.
very soon had everything in order.
Sufficient stores for the voyage had
been got on board, the crew were ready
and steam was nearly up. l was walk
ing up and down, whistling lively air
and in good spirits at the thought that
my difficulties were now over, when
there appeared over the side of the ves-
sci the head and shoulders of young
ster who was dressed in the uniform of
a lieutenant of the regular army OF the
twopence halfpenny republic in which
l had the honor, or misfortune, to be
resident.
81 am very sorry to put you to any
trouble" he said as he jumped lightly
on deck, " but 1 require this vessel for
special purpose" He spoke in Span
ish, very politely and with soft voice:
"I'm very much grieved to be forced
to do anything to disappoint gentle
man who is 30 polite" replied in the
most flowery Spanish could command,
"but l want the boat for very special
purpose"
He smiled rather sarcastically. 1 be-
gan to get cross, and my fingers wan
dered to my revolver, but was quickly
convinced that resistance was useless.
Over the side scrambled about thirty
men dressed in the same uniform and
armed to the teeth. My crew had bolted
somewhere. What could I do alone?
So put as good face on it as / could
and intimated that surrendered.
81 will not put you to more inconven-
fence than can help" said the young
lieutenant, with another bow and a
smile, "but l must have this vessel,
and you know that personal matters
must give way to urgent state affairs.
If you like to accompany us on our lit
tie pleasure trip, l may be able to as
sist you to continue your journey after
ward"
was considerably astonished to find
that boy at the head of party of full
grown men and talking and acting with
all the confidence Imaginable. He was
quite youth, certainly not more than
seventeen. His eyes were as soft as
those of doe, yet there was occasion
ally a fash in them which told of
boundless courage and determination.
He carried his head haughtily and was
a true child of Spain in every respect.
That the men were devoted to him was
clear at a glance.
l was at first disposed to decline his
offer, but on second thought decided
to accept. / am an old soldier and
nave uOut d Wv Vi odllOliuS. Wds
not averse to little adventure, and il
might be that / should be able to finish
my journey in good time after all if
went with him.
The youthful commander was pleased
at my decision. soon found out why
Not one of them understood how tC
manage the tug, and my going witt
them saved them the trouble and los'
of time consequent upon finding some
one else. And ii was app aren't to mt
that the youngster was anxious to ge
off. Under my directions the soldiers
did the work of the crew, and we wer,
soon out in the open.
l was just little puzzled about thi
young fellow, whose name appeared L
be Sanchez. In spite OF the military
dress and the fash of the eye there wa
often something 30 gentle, 80 girlisl
even, about him that couldn't under
stand at all why he had taken up will
soldering as profession. He seemed
far more suited to the drawing room
than the battlefield. / was thinkin!
about this when he came up to me.
"Now that we are clear away, l wan
you to take the vessel TO Gorilla" h
IN -.