The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-02

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who had appeared to be more worthy
of credit than was Julia as she ara
mat+cally called upon Ramirez 10 re-
tract W hat he had testified
But Ramirez did not seer3 10 Re ike
lv II recover. Most of the time he
dreams, from which he would starr
with loud screams. Then he would
lie trembling with terror, but never
te4lnC any one concerning the phan-
tom which had arisen at the call OF
.TIf;a to make terrible his waking ana
murrnUrs indicated that the Cuban SOL
dier@ we're displedsed at The :lemercy
rraf,ift sted toward Binnie and Julia by
General Garcia. Were not this boy
and girl traitors to the Cuban cause?
Then why were they not executed, even
as the court of officers had directed.
The murmurs reached General Garcia
and he finally fixed the day for the eX-
ecutiOn.
So 1t was that upon the morning al
luded to in the opening of this chapter,
Binnie and Julia were going forth to
be executed-to be shot down like
dogs. AT the head Of the line were
the trumpeters. Then came the two
prisoners, with their hands tied be
hind them and closely guarded by SOL
diers who had orders to fire If either
prisoner made an attempt to escape.
Behind them walked a priest, reciting
prayers and speaking words of faith
and consolation, to fit them for their
end The rear was brought up by
full company of Cuban soldiers
Behind the soldiers there were, omi-
nously, carried two collins. Julia saw
these and shuddered. but Binnie spoke
bravely to her and she controlled her
self The hilltop had been selected for
the place of execution at the request
of Binnie.
81 want to see the Stars and Stripes
floating over Santiago de Cuba at the
last" he said
General Garcia. aware that Binnie
was an American who had powerful
friends, and wishing to show all the
mercy he could, had granted this re-
quest.
And now the hilltop was reached and
the preparations were speedily made.
Binnie and Julia were made to-kneeI
side by side. They were facing the
ocean view and Binnie could not help
signing as he thought of all his old-tlme
free life when he was on the cruise OF
the California to far-Off Guinea. He
Saw-vesseis slowly moving tezand fro
at distance. Did the peril he was
in quicken and strengthen his vision?
He cried out aloud: The California.
I see the California;"
Poor boy answered Julia GU
do but dream, and this is not the time
for dreams"
Have you anything that you would
like 10 say, Americana" asked the Of
fer in command of the soldiers. Il
was instructed by General Garcia to
grant you every privilege possible"
"Unbind my arms moment that L
may give my comrade a final embrace.
1t will be for only an instant.
The officer looked at the priest. who
nodded encouragingly.
1T is not regular" he said, but my
orders seem to permit you to have your
final wish-anything except freedom
And life" Interrupted Binnie.
And life" responded the officer
gravely.
Freed for the time from their bonds
the two prisoners forgot everything
except each other. Their arms were
f0ndly entWined. Their voices were
blended fondly in words of loving fare
well. The tears coursed adoE~n their
faces freely, and there were Cuban SOL
diers who were quite unnamed by the
sight.
Warned by this the officer brought
the scene abruptly to close. once
more they are kneeling and now. the
death-dealing rifles of the Cubans are
brought to the dreadful level position
which indicates the fatal VOlley to be
fired. One instant and all is over.
Il believe in the resurrection and the
life" Ilurmered Binnie and somewhat
rifles, for both he and Julia had re-
quested that they might not be blinded.
One instant more of earth and then
What is this din that breaks in upon
the solemn silence of that deadly in
slant? Not the sound Of the Cuban
rifles No, the officer has heard the
trampling of a horse driven furiously
up the trail and he has paused. The
trampling comes nearer Now a rider,
urging on his horse recklessly, comes
into sight. What does this rider want?
He has ridden down the Cuban soldiers
in his haste to place himself between
them and the kneeling Binnie and
Julia.
THANK God" calculates the rider, II
am here just in time!''
Back, young man, thunders the Of
ffcer. who are you who dares to
break through our lines and place your
self in front of our rifles?"
Ned; it is Ned, dear old Ned" says
Binnie- to Julia.
Il have the honor" goes on Ned. for
If is he, ito present this document for
your consideration, captain"
advance, stranger, and present the
document
Ned leisurely comes forward and
hands to the officer a paper, at the
bottom of which is the signature Of
General Garcia. 1t is reprieve, issued
that some newly discovered evidence
NAV be considered. So the execution
does not come off.
AT the word of command the deadly
rifles are lowered and the prisoners are.
ordered to arise, which order they glad
" obey. Ned goes to them and they
are allowed to grasp his outstretched
hands. Ned advises the officer in