The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-08-10
NO. 40

SAQcuAuVA " tue luteflOr, CONCLUDING
his story with the adventure with the
boar and the forcible exchange of cloth
ing. But the narrative was received
incredulously, with anger and derision,
and Quin's heart sank.
You are cunning liar, but you are
Francisco Perez" said Captain Villar.
"You must die. Those are our orders"
Just then voices were heard at little
distance, and moment later four
Spanish soldiers appeared from one
side of the camp, leading between them
a prisoner, and Quin, as he saw his
own coat and helmet, uttered cry Of
Joy.
"That is the man." he cried excitedly,
"who compelled me to change clothing
at the point Of pistol. He is Francis
co Perez, not L.
The prisoner when brought forward
and confronted with Quin fatty denied
the latters assertion.
II never saw the fellow before" he
said calmly. "He lies, senior captain.
1t is I who am an Englishman, return
Ing alone from disastrous expedition
to the interior Of the island. / was on
my way to Manila when your soldiers
arrested me. demand my liberty"
Captain Villar shrugged his shoulders
and looked puzzled.
"One Of you," he replied, sis undoubt.
edly Perez"
There he stands, wearing my cloth.
ing" Quin cried in a ringing voice.
"Liar! replied the impostor. "You
are the rebel leader. am the English
man, Matthew Quin."
'sThat is my name, you scoundrelY
Quin roared.
Captain Villar exchanged a meaning
glance with his lieutenant.
''It Is the first time the name has
been mentioned" he said eagerly. 81
now know how to act. Several months
ago. owing to report from Spanish
spy in London. was instructed to
watch for an Englishman, Matthew
Quin, who ostensibly left Manila on a
hunting expedition, but whose real
purpose was to convey arms to the in
surgents."
"Then you were wrongly informed"
cried Quin. my expedition had moth.
ing to do with the rebels, and can
prove it If you send me to Manila"
"That Is quite unnecessary" said
Captain villar. zone of you is certain
ly Francisco Perez. and the other is an
English filibuster. It makes no differ
ence which is which. My orders are
plain. and you will die together.
give you ten minutes grace"
Both prisoners began to protest, but
they were silenced by brutal blows on
the face. Then their wrists were tied
behind them, and they were led apart
under strong guard. Perez-there was
no doubt Of his identity-accepted the
situation with apparent fortitude. Quin
also realized that there was no hope.
and he bore up as well as he could un-
der this terrible stroke of fate. He felt
less resentment toward his fellow cap
tive since he now knew that the false
denunciation from the Spanish spy in
London would by itself have doomed
him to death. He could understand
the temper of the Spaniards with the
American feet lying Off Manila.
The ten minutes of grace sped quick
ly by. Captain yillar, who had been
comforting quietly with his officers,
suddenly lifted his hand and gave an
order. Quin and Perez were placed
side by side against one of the huts
facing firing squad Of ten men.
"You are brave fellows" said the
captain. ''and viii spare you the In
dignity Of being blindfolded. regret
that cannot offer you the services Of
a priest"
Quin tried to speak, but his lips
seemed glued together He saw the
soldiers examining their muskets. He
looked at the green foliage Of the jun
gle. splashed with the rays of the aft
ernoon sun. He tried to realize that he
was about to die; that in minute more
he would be bleeding corpse.
~ am innocentw he cried hoarsely.
"Silence" rang the stern voice Of
Captain Villar. "Attention. menl Make
ready
The words Of command were never
finished. for just then came q great
shouting. and from the edge of the for
est to one side was poured a rafting
volley. Captain villar clutched ut his
breast and fell. AS quickly three Of