The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-24

NJ 9e10co W100ofe0 % u 0e1Ieet0. t0o
perpendicular shining hsads of which
looked Ike fhe crest Of . gsittertnG. dan
gerous serpent. whsss body was hidden
IA ths leaves. ghe had seated herself -
close to the weapon Al possible. and now.
on one pretexf or another. edged nearer
and nearer TO - AZ last the young man
Iughed aloud. and sweeping hss fooe
round knocked down the weapon. then in
doaenfly stretching cut his arm. ~
took Il.
''signorino.' he said, examining its keen
edge. viii you give me this dagger - .
memento Of our meet.ngf''
II u uniueky." shs murmure6, TO
make presents Of so[le1toa."
think" said the young man, gianc-
Ing up at her with . smile on his lips. it
win be more lucky for me II place II here
In my belt than II I allow II 70 reach the
possession OF another"
DO you intend TO steal II. signorr'
oh. no. II you refuse to let nae have
II. win give 1t back to you when our
interview ends: but I should b glad 70
possess x. u you will allow me 70 keep t."
III Is unlucky, m have said. to make
. present or IL, but I viii exchange. II
you win give me one Of your loaded pistols
yoa may have the stiietto."
"A fair exchange" be laughed: but he
made no motion TO fuintl his part to the
knowing your name. agnorinas p he asked.
Il am called Donna Rafaala Mora" an
swered the girl simply. II am daughter
OF the commandans OF Fort San Carlos.
! am no Nicarnguan. but = Spaniard. And.
signor. what h your name?'
Horatio Nelson. an humble captain In
his majesty's naval forces, to be heard
from later. hops. unless Donna Rafaesa
cuts short my thread Of life with her
stilettos'
And does a captain N his majessy's
forces condescend TO play the part Of
spyf" asked the girl proudly.
He 10 delighted 10 do 50 when Il brings
him the acquaintance Of another spy 30
charming as Donna Rafaels. My spying.
and 1 imagine yours also. IS but amateur
ish, and VII probably be OF little value
to our respective forces. Our real spies
are now gathered round your fort, and
VIII bring to Us all the Information We
need. Thus. I can reciine at your feet.
Donna Rafaeia. with an easy conscience,
well aware that my failure as a spy will
In no way retard our expedition"
How many men do you command.
signor captain!'' asked the girl. with III
concealed eagerneoA
''Oh. sometimes twenty-five. sometimes
fifty. or ono hundred or two hundred, or
more. as the case may be-" answered the
young man careless1y.
But how many are there in your ex-
petition now?'
Didn't you count them. Donna! To
answer truly. ! must not: to answer
falsely. win not, Donna"
Why" asked the girl, impetuously.
There IL no such secrecy about our
fofces: we do not care who knows the
number In our garrison
Nor Then how man are there.
Donna?'
Three hundred and forty" answered
the girl.
Men. or young ladies' like yourself.
Donna? Be careful how you answer. for
II the latter. warn you that nothing
win keep the British out OF Fort San
Carlos. We shall be with you, even II We
have to so as prisoners In saying this,
! feel that ] arm speaking for our entire
company"
The girl tossed her head scornfui.y.
There are 80 msn." she said, 'as you
shall md to your cost. il you dare attack
the FORT"
I'm that case" replied Nelson. you are
nearly two to one. and venture TO think
that We have not come up the river for
nothing"
What braggarts you English are..
'Is It Dragging to welcome a stirring
non?"
You win learn that for yourself when
you come within sight of the fort Have
you any more questions to ask. signar
saiiorY'
Yes. one. The number I'm the fort,
which you give, corresponds with what I
have already heard. / have heard also
that you were well supplied with cannon.
but have been told that you have no
cannon balls In Fort San Carlos"
That Is not true: we have plenty"
Incredible as II may seem. ] was told
that the cannon balls We're made Of clay.
When l said you had none. I meant tina;
you had none Of IRON
THAT IL also quite true" answered the
girl.
DO you mean to say that you are going