The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-09-07

she captain general so much annoyance.
Both the captain general and himself
were soon to know.
One afternoon the captain general sat
alone in his office. He was in COM
placent mood, for certain documents be-
fore him related to the disposition of
the surrendered insurgent bands who
had been barassing his chosen province
for the last two years Suddenly, with
out any warning, The door ope,'ed be-
hind him and man stepped quickly
into the room, at the same time slip
ping the bolt again into its place. He
was dressed like priest, in a long
black gown and had a hood over his
head.
peace upon you" he said coldly,
and Don Xavier Marcia turned in his
chair.
"Who are you, and what do you
WANT"
do not talk too loud, said the Wis
itor, pushing back the cowl from his
face. "Who am 1? See for yourself
The captain general gave start of
terror, and his face blanched 1t was
Berceo, the insurgent chief, who stood
before him.
''Listen to me, senior, and I'll tell
you what l want. You have offered
$40, 200 for my head. See, have
brought it myself and claim the money.
Berceo stepped nearer and drew from
under his cloak long native knife.
Il can't very well carry Mexican
dollars. will take Spanish bank notes.
Hurry !"
General Marcia ground his teeth in
rage, but dared do nothing except obey
He knew we'll the character of the man
he was dealing with. From desk near
by he counted out the equivalent of
$40, 900 in Bank of Spain notes and
began to back toward the door, GOOD
day, senior, " he said politely and sprang
out. A guard at the end of the hall
tried to restrain him, but Berceo cut
him down with the knife, and then,
throwing off his monks garb, he reach
ed the street and made good his escape.
That same night grandfather sat
smoking on his wide veranda, which
looked out upon the bay. One or two
acquaiiftances from the neighboring
compounds had dropped in for chat,
but by 10 O'Clock he was alone again.
AS he sat dreamingly gazing out at the
twinkling lights on the ships at anchor
he heard step on the stairway behind
him He thought it was his Chinese
servant. Soon, however, familiar
voice spoke:
Senior, excuse the intrusion.
He turned around. and there stood
his former clerk, Juan Aguado
why, Juan, what pleasure But
how you startled mel Come, sit down
and tell me all about yourself "
Aguado smiled. Are we quite alone,
senor?" he asked, glanoing around fur
lively.
YES entirely so; the servants have
gone to bed -
well, then, you want to know all
about myself. | can tell you in a word
i am Berceo -
My grandfather was cool man.
"Come inside, It's damp here, " he said
and led the way to a room back of the
veranda.
Briefly Aguado told him what had
taken place in the last two years. The
man that had called upon him the day
he left brought evil news His homo
village had been destroyed, and his ia
Their, petty official up country, had been
imprisoned on some trumped up charge,
and his two brothers had been killed in
a fight with their Spanish guards. He
had long known what Spanish rule was
in the out provinces; but, alas, his revo-
luton did not succeed.
Next he told how he had just braved
the captain general in his very palace
and wrung from him the price set upon
his own head
"By the grace of God escaped, but
it will not be for long unless, senior,
you help me. y
Not knowing what ! should have
done in your place, Juan" said grand
father slowly, I'm not the man to see
you handed over to General Don Xavier
Marcia anyway Let me think. "
After awhile grandfather said. II
think have it. A captain friend of
mine sails for Hongkong on the morn
ing breeze. If | can get you on board
his ship, you are safe Come put on
some of my clothes. | don't think the
authorities will be looking for you here.
They don't know that Luiz Beroeo is
such dear friend of mine, and think
we can get ont tn the shin all RIGHT -
Talking English, they made their
way quietly to the harbor front and
called sampan. They looked like two
belated English captains going out to
their ships.
A half mile ont in the bay lay the
John Dorset, ready to weigh anchor
My grandfather hailed and when the
captain appeared he climbed on board,
leaving Aguado below in the boat.
Grandfather drew the captain below
and told him who the man was in the
sampan and what he wanted
Captain Higgins of the John Dorset
was an old sea dog of the genuine
Yankee type. He liked man who had
what be called "sand for ballast, " as
Luiz Berceo evidently had
"Shiver my mainmast but I'll take
himl' said Captain Higgins He can
have my cabin till we are well past
Corregidor and out to sea.
This is about the end of the story
Aguado escaped safely to Hongkong. A
year or two afterward, just before
grandfather sold out his b1O;nopg md