La Junta tribune., 1901-09-14
CHAPTER III.
The Castle Falls

er OF Senorita Jacinta. and the confid-
ant and agent OF Ferdinand Gomez.
Francisco was man about thirty
years OF age. and had inherited from
his father. Spaniard OF the type of Don
Juan CARA. not only the broad lands
that made him wealthy. but the fierce
and naughty spirit of the true Span
lard. and the love of the pomp and dis
play OF royalty that Don Juan possess
ed
The hatred OF the republican govern
ment was as strong an emotion in the
heart OF Francisco as his love for ia
cinta Salvarez. He had thrown himself
into the conspiracy with fervor. The
success Of Philip of Aragon would
doubly reward him. With Salvarez in
power. he could not hope to win Jacin-
ia. II the republican power was crush
ed. he would not only see his beloved
court and courtiers. royal glory and
military pomp. but he would have Sal
varez in his power and Jacinta should
be his.
The plan of Gomez to begin the
war in the valley OF the Coroni, and
his selection of Francisco as his chief
organizer there. was but another proof
OF the boundless genius of the man.
All the cupidity of the Zambos had
been well worked upon by Gomez and
Francisco, and they were organized.
ready for the revolt against the gov
ernment having been promised rich
bounty for their services.
These creatures were under the i'm
oh tat nd nf nna Nattpzudn
half-breed. but not a Zambo. Malta
Judo was half white. that is. Spanish.
and half Indian. He was shrewd. un-
scrupulous and cruel as Gomez could
have wished him to be. Moreover. he
had unlimited sway over the Zambos.
Francisco was wonderfully well in
formed OF events of which General Sal
vnrez was entirely ignorant
), He had received full instructions
from Gomez and knew just when and
where to meet the Turtle.
Ten miles down the Orinoco from the
mouth of the Coroni, the southern
bank of the river had peculiar forma-
eion.
In the midst OF miles of swamp and
lagoon. one high and dry ridge rose like
a great hogs back from the river to
the dry lands beyond the lagoons.
Gomez, who knew the geography and
topography OF the country perfectly.
had selected from the very first that
hogs back as the point on which to
land his arms.
His orders. therefore. to Pedro Fran
cisco were to assemble large force
a. many OF their adherents as could
be gathered without arousing the sus-
picion OF General Salvarez-on the
hog-back to meet him and his fellow
conspirators from the Turtle.
It was therefore a strangely wild
and animated scene that was spread
out before Lola Cara when the Turtle
anchored OF the hog-back. and the un-
z loading OF firearms began.
4 Preparations did not lag. Every man
was armed. and, having given orders
to the captain Of the Turtle to take
the ship out farther into the stream
and await message from him. Gomez
ave the order to march.
Where shall We go frst?" asked
Philip of Gomez.
ITO the Castle OF Salvarez." said
Gomez THE army OF the Republic
that portion of 1t south OF the Orinoco
lis commanded by Salvarez. who has
most Of the men at his castle. They are
now at Bolivar watching the unloading
Of the Agostura, and his castle will
bs an easy prey"
At the castle of Salvarez two women
were growing anxious. The prolonged
absence OF Salvarez filled his wife and
daughter with alarm. Rumors had
reached the castle that the errand OF
Salvarez to Bolivar would be worse
than useless. for the enemies that were
expected had already landed in an un-
expected way. and the Coroni flowed
between the friends and the enemies OF
the republic
Dona Maria and Jacinta heard these
rumors with alarm, for II the insur-
eAnts should cross the Coronf and at
tack the castle. the pitiful handful of
thirty men left by Salvarez would not
be suficient to protect It.
General Salvarez had an invention
of his own in use on two nat boats
kused to convey cattle or produce across
she river. These boats could be pulled
Across the river from either side. Fran
cisco understood them well. and al
Hr4ady the strained eyes OF Jacinta and
her mother saw q boat load OF the en-
emy crossing the river.
The few men in the garrison began
firing, but frightened by the seemingly
endless throng that was coming to con-
odbr them, threw down their arms
and fled.
I'VE are LOST" cried Dona Maria.
deserted by the few we had. what
/ can we do! Even the servants have left
uR We cannot escaped!
.The secret PASSAGE" exclaimed
Jacinta. There IL not man unfaith-
fut to NV father who knows It. Come: