Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-08-23
CHAPTER XIV-CoNTINUED.

At daybreak the trumpets were
blown, and the companies assembled
under their respective leaders. Break
fast was hastily eaten, no delays being
made for cookery. but all taken cold,
and shortly the word was given to
march. \ little before this we had
learned that Morgan's plan was to pro-
coed first to the governors castle,
making a stern show of warlike force
on the way. and there Morgan himself
would remain, keeping with him so
men, and the rest were to scatter and
plumber and ravage at will. Certain
rules. however. were to be observed,
one being that all must deposit their
spoil in the hall of the castle, where
it should remain till the final decision;
another was that prisoners-that is,
slaves-were to remain the property
of those who seized them. If, never
theless. it was added, any desired to
bring their slaves to the castle, having
a mind to sell them there, they could
do so. and such slaves should be guard
ed and cared for till their disposal.
The sun was creeping up and the
breeze had fallen when at last we
caught step and set forward down the
chief street of The city. The drums
were beating splritedly and the trum-
pets sounded thrilling blasts and with
our soldierly array, the headpieces,
cuirasses and musket barrels flashing
in the sun. thought we presented a
fine and altogether awning spectacle.
The place was deathly quiet. Every
house was closed, and as far as we
could see down the street not person
was in sight. Still we travelled along,
and ut last. just as was wondering at
the extent of this part of the city, the
street ended. and we broke out into n
considerable square. or plaza. Here
the buildings were large and of more
pretentious sort than any we had yet
seen. All were of stone, some of a
brown or reddish color, and some of
common stone well set in red cement,
but few were above three stories In
height. The roofs of all were fiat. and
most had low parapets, on which stood
pots of bright flowers or handsome
shrubs. and the walls of some were
nearly covered with climbing green
cry. Like the street we had left, the
plaza was completely deserted, the
shutters of every building around be-
ing up.
"Hoots!" said Mac Ivrach. in low
tone, "but they haze seereted ilka dog
and cat as we'll as theirsels. wad be
wishing for bit stir o. some sort. Sic
stiffness no seems canny."
This conceive pretty well expressed
the feelings of us all. who felt kind
tof oppression in the continued silence
Morgan had halted moment, but
presently had us forward again, and
without any interruption or change in
the appearance of things we continued
on till we reached the castle. This was
q considerable stone structure, stand
ing on the top of little plateau, and
was defended by high walls and one
strong tower.
1t looked as though this were an ex-
eellent place for mine or other de-
vice. but I was speedily told that this
Hear was unfounded. for the place had
tbeen entered and the chief rooms ex
Iplored, but nothing in the nature of Q
trap had been found. The keys had
been given to Morgan. and the guns
lspiked.
We were but moment in entering
and while one OF the captains. at Nor.
lgan's command, went up to haul down
the Spanish flag and put our own in its
place. the different companies were
formed up in their order, and the last
words of advice and command given
Among other things. all were bidder
to be sparing of the wine till it wa.
proven that it was not poisoned. to re
turn to the castle at nightfall, and t.
hasten thither at once if two success
sive cannon shots were fred Thes,
were to mean some sudden or immi
nent danger.
AL this being attended to, the com
spanies. save the picked detail to re