The Opelousas courier., 1898-12-24
CHAPTER IL.

l1C SoLIlA duCo, W iID, III Ii AiluoI Va
their w misery, tried to cheer and
fortify the boy, exhorting him to meet
m%anfully a doom which they felt was
: even mora terrible for him than fol
them. He had been one of the most
enthusiastic volunteers; had fought
well, but nov the nea prospect of
7 death seemed to make a coward OF
} him.
A soldier who spoke a little Eng
lish entered the cell at this moment
and roughly babe him rise and follow
to the captains room. Roberto rose
tremblingly.
Courage, my boy" said a middle
aged man, perhaps it is good news
for you. If not. beware lest he wiring
from you a word about Lopez's plans"
Never fear" he replied, making an
effort to control his agitation. II hate
to dia'-here he gulped down a sob
this way, but I'll not be a traitor.
Good-by."
The guard interrupted further
speech by pushing him into the cor
ridor with his musket.
Here is the prisoner, captain"
"Very we'll; you may retire, SER
geant."
Antonio locked the door after him,
and in a low tone briefly related to
Roberto the plan he had formulted for
the latter's escape.
Each prisoner will receive three
shots. By dint of extensive bribery,
and the cooperation of a surgeon,
a secret friend of the Cuban cause,
l have arranged that three blank cart
ridges shall be fired at you. You must
be careful to simulate death as much
as possible until the word 'Amalia'
is whispered in your ear. Then you
may breathe freely and open your
eyes, for you will be temporarily safe.
Further detils will then have been ar
ranged and told you. The least indis-
cretion on your part, the least bung-
ling on that of those 1 have employed,
though only two are in the secret,
will ruin me as we'll as seal your
fate"
Roberto thanked him fervently, and
promised him implicit obedience.
you must not return to your COM
rades."
Poor fellows" muttered Roberto.
"The light of hope is shining in
your eyes, and might betray us. Look
as downcast as when you entered, if
possible. Enter sergeant" he said, as
he entered the door, 'and conduct
this prisoner to a solitary cell. He
must have no communication with the
other flibusters."
They passed out, and Antonio,
grooming deeply, murmured,-
"Oh, my love, what a sacrifice"
y = +
Tbs courtyard Of the castle was
thronged with soldtery as Crittenden
and his unfortunate band were
marched to the death-place just as
day was breaking over the beautiful
bay. Surrounded by hostile soldiers
they still maintained a defiant air,
even when the glittering line of bay
onets faced them, and they knew all
hope was over.
"Kneel, filibusteros!"
The command was not obeyed. Crit
tenden proudly refused in the words
that have passed into history
"a Kentuckian kneels to none but
God"
a struggle ensued, in which some
were forced to their knees; perhaps
all might have been, had not the Of
ficer in charge, with a touch of hui
mainly, begun giving the orders.
At the word "Fire!" so deadly was
the volley that few survived it, and
they but a few moments. Roberto,
happily, had no need to stimulate
death. The shock and strain of the
suspense had caused him to faint, and
the surgeon, who FASTENED to his side,
gave a deep sigh of relief as he per-
ceived Roberto's rigid unconscious
ness.
Garry this body, and this, and
this pointing to several-'to the
hospital" FL.
IF they are not dead now, they will
0 be under his knife" laughed one
Of his assistants.
When Roberto revived he found
himself in a carefully darkened room.
With joy he heard the word "Amalia"
in a friendly voice. In a day or two
according to Antonio's
concerted arrangements.
he was smuggled, in the disguise of a
waterman, to an American ship in |
the harbor and concealed in the hold I
all night. The next day he thanked {
his devoted cousin as he inhaled with =.
glad sense of freedom, the soft +
winds Of the Mexico sea. He never F;
returned to Cuba, though his future i
life was replete with striking adven- ,
lures.
The gay capital of Cuba was quite
a month later to learn of 6
he resignation from the army of Cap 9
ain Antonio, and his marriage imme. p
after, in spite of opposition on r
he part of her family, to the supreme :.
y beautiful Senorita Amalia de VAL a
lez.-Waverley Magazine.
In all Spanish-America the Indians !;
snf.rn tho Oroof mass of %lo ->A-r.- .