The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-11-17

thickening. There was more in this
piece of business than appeared on the
surface.
But there was another surprise in
store for me. | was, of course, under
the impression that these men were in
the service of the government, and our
destination strengthened my idea, for
Gorilla was in the hands of the govern
ment troops. Judge of my astonish-
ment when discovered that they were
rebels. The fortress to which we were
steering was the strongest on the coast.
1t was provided with modern ordnance
and could easily sink warship. to say
nothing of our little craft. l felt
bound to expostulate.
"You never intend to make an at
tempt on Corilla!" exclaimed, incred-
ulously. "Why, it's"-
"My plans are all made" replied the
girl, for the lieutenant really was a girl
and made no further effort to conceal
the fact. She spoke politely, but IN
tone that indicated that had better not
discuss the matter.
One look at the girl and her men was
sufficient to convince any one that they
ocy to me, but had no voice in the af-
fair. Things were getting serious, but
there was no help for it. l couldn't
run away and must see the business
through, yet could not help admiring
the audacity of the girl, who evidently
knew the immensely of the task she
was undertaking.
"There's something more than pat
riotism in it," said l to myself. "It's
love or revenge; perhaps both"
1t was daybreak when we reached
the fortress and ran the tug alongside
the little landing place. The girl told
me what to do. She seemed to be ia
miliar with the locality. l must con-
fess that l did not feel at all comfort
able after we got within firing distance
of the stronghold. We could have
been blown out of the water in a
couple of minutes.
The girl sprang out before l had
fairly got the boat against the wharf.
The men followed, and / concluded
them. If the fort opened fire, should
stand more chance OF going TO Davy
jones' locker than to New York.
The only man visible was a sentry,
who was looking at US sleepily and was
almost too lazy to challenge us in the
usual form.
l did not catch the girls reply to him
but the man was satisfied. He saluted
and let US pass, and we all marched up
the steep and winding path leading to
the fort.
We could see the big gates right
ahead. AS we approached they were
opened, and an officer came toward us,
the guard being drawn up inside the
gateway. Fortune favors the brave
they say, and it certainly was 30 or
this occasion. l suppose the officer
thought that we were re-enforcements
He came up TO US quite ususpectingly
Where are you from?" he asked.
Our leader mumbled something and
the officer leaned forward to catch the
words. The next instant there was 6
CLEAN of steel and a low cry as the
girls sword flashed from its sheath ant
was plunged through the heart of thu
unfortunate man.
Like wildcat Sanchez leaped ovel
the body and rushed through the gate
way, followed by her men. They feel
upon the guard before they could re
cover from their amazement. Their
was was no opportunity to give al
alarm. They were butchered befor,
they could utter sound.
No firearms had been used. TIL
men had received their quietus b,
means of cold steel. Suddenly pisto
shot rang out and one OF our mel
dropped dead by my side. This wa
followed by loud cry of alarm. /
came from man, half dressed, on tn
balcony Of one of the windows. II
disappeared just in time to avoid tw,
or three shots fired at him by the rebels
, The alarm brought forth men in two
and threes from all sides, but the
hadn't chance against the girl and he
men. Not one of them had firearn
Those weapons were stored in the mag
azine Of the fort, which was now Gu
off by the rebels. Several of ther
made gallant charge on their foe
with their sword bayOnets, but most G
them were shot down without mere
before they were half way across tn
, courtyard. Sanchez was in the thick c
it all. 1t was just like slaughte
house. The loyalists soon recognize
the uselessness of continuing such a