The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-02-19
and go and examine the barrack.,, cried

idISe iOOlu III WHICH we COulu uOlQ tnP
prisoners safe in the meantime. We
jailed them all, therefore, with the ex-
ception of the commandant, in their
own, quarters and, after setting guards
at the door, cast about what was to be
done next.
Alec questioned the commandant.
"How many men have you here?"
Some $50. senior, and had l known
how small your handful was l would
never have surrendered to you. How
ever, in the town.
II have no time for parleying, Senior
Commandant," said Alec shortly, ..and
IL your townsfolk annoy us I'll batter
the place down about their ears. But
give me what want and I promise
that my advantage shall not be pressed
further. l must have powder and
pearls your whole stock of EACH
.'Your request is modest one, Senior
Englishman. You ask for all we have
got"
"And, asking, intend to have Recog-
nize, senior, that might is right just
now, and so save further bloodshed.
The Spaniard shrugged his shoulders.
"The powder cannot prevent you
from taking" said he. 'You will find
1t, or, at any rate, the greater part Of
it, in the magazine underneath the
penthouse there. But the pearls, for
tunately, are out of my keeping. They
are stored In the treasury, and that lies
in the very heart of the town"
every well, senior; to the heart of the
my guide
"Senor Captain" said the comman-
dant Indignantly, consider my rankr'
'That is precisely what am doing"
replied Alec dryly enough. "You enjoy
at present the rank Of prisoner to Alex
ander Ireland, who will hold your body
responsible for any ambush your
tongue may lead him into.
"And now, lads" he continued, turn
ing away from the Spaniard, there's
dawn beginning to show over the hill,
and SO the less time we waste the bet
ter. Garry the powder down to the
boats, and when it's safely slowed tell
the boatkeepers to shove off a couple
Of oars length from the shore Ar
morer, spike all those culverins but
one, break the pans and stocks from
the arquebuses and cut the crossbow
strings. Willie Trehalion, leave you
here with four men to guard the bar
rack door. Slew that culverin round
and fire mumchance into the crowd Of
them if they get FESTIVE, and if that
does not silence them post your men on
either side of the door and baptize with
your axes all those who try to come
out. You understand"
grimly.
"The rest of you form tours and
follow me as hard as you can run.
Senior Commandant, after you! And,
senior, no attempts at escape, if you
value your life. I'm fleet of foot, and
my sword blade will split you in the
back at the least sign of treachery."
Out we Went at good smart trot,
the don, in his shirt, leading, and,
speeding along a muddy, well used
path, bore toward the town. 1t was
not very large place, so far as we
could see, and there were no defenses,
as the fort above could from it's posi-
ton, have sunk any vessel that at
tempted to enter the upper harbor. But
the inhabitants had been thoroughly
aroused by the firing and now doclsed
out of every alley, armed and resolute
fp 6nfa,,6 thnirs A
fire greeted our approach, but it touch.
ed no one and only changed the more
orderly advance into a mere race for
precedence.
Alec was among the first knot, while
l was putting and blowing full 20 faith.
oms astern, and his rashness very near.
ly led him into trouble, for one big fel-
low leaped on him from behind and
had him on the ground before he could
shake off the embrace. However, JOB
Trehalion's lean, long legs brought him
on to the scene in time, and Alec's cap.
tor rolled over with head split to the
chin.
By. the time our captain had got or
his legs again the rest of us had come
up, and together we drove the towns
folk down their street in body, shout
ing that we'd fire the houses if they
made us halt. The Spanish comman
dant had contrived to bolt when Alec's
hands were full during the first melee
and so we pushed on without a guide
trusting that instinct would lead us tt
where the jewels were stored, for il
truth some Of us had keen noses fol
plumber.
AS it turned out we made two false
searches, taking the trouble to overhau
couple of stone buildings which were
only food stores and dwelling places
Indeed, we were very nearly done GU
of the booty altogether, for the Span
iards made clever and desperate at
tempt to carry off the pearls to safe
spot.
In the event, however, this effort O.
theirs gave us the very information w,
needed. We spied knot Of fellow.
laden with leather pouches trying t,
stink away in the confusion, and
knowing that at critical moment n,
man troubles himself with burdens III
less they are OF unusual value, WI
made after them.
!