Hutchinson gazette., 1901-08-01
CHAPTER v,
Mattazudo the Half-Breed,


thin finger tracing the boundaries OF
the states, and his eye measuring the
distance from Bolivar to Caracas
On one side of him stood Ferdinand
Gomez on the other stood Don Juan
Cara.
"Your Majesty secs that we hold a
most important position" said Gomez
In the presence Of Others Gomez
called the pretender by the royal titles
What he called him when they were
alone vas the more familiar name OF
Philip.
The stranger raised his dark, burn
Ing eyes rested them on the face OF
Gomez,
~ see that VIC occupy central posi-
tion," he said, but on the wrong side
of the orlnoco, We command here,
perhaps; but all the strength OF the
Republic and all her wealth are separ-
ated from US by the great river
"You are mistaken" replied Gomez
at is true that the army of Crespo Is
in the north, But the wealth of Vene-
zuela.-the true wealth, not the build
ings and customs port and towns, but
the vast stores of gold and silver In
the mountains--is on this side"
Don Juan shrugged his shoulders.
"Of what use Is 1t to talk of gold
and silver in the mountainsY" he de-
manded. "Did we come here as pros
pectors? Did we buy twenty thousand
rifles and rouse the half-breeds here
simply to enable us to work a claim?
Our work lies In the north"
"True," responded Gomez. II do not
wish to imply that we must not look
across the great river. We do not own
Venezuela till we occupy the capital
But / do not desire the value of this
part of the country to be underrated,
as II has always been heretofore"
"Time enough for that" said Philip
of Aragon, Where do we strike neXtY'
Before making any attempt at
crossing the orinoco," said Gomez, ut
will be necessary to annihilate the
force under salvarez, 1t is, admit,
smaller than our own; but 1t Is still
large enough to give us considerable
trouble, Moreover, Salvarez Is a man
of resources, and as long as he has a
company at his back will be danger
GUS"
"Where is salvarez now?" asked
Philip.
about a half-mile below the CASTLE"
"Will he attack?"
"He certainly will. Salvare2 Is not
the man to accept defeat without a
struggle"
"Yet, with the guns left in the bat
Elements and our well-armed infantry
we should be able to defeat him"
"That is without question. There Ia
no cause to fear the result Of battle"
LET them come" said Gomez u
will be ready for them. will visit the
men again and reassure your Majesty.
1T has occurred to me, your majes-
ty,' said Don Juan, as soon as the
door had closed behind Gomez, that
instead of waiting until you reach
Caracas to declare yourself king, you
should do so at once, and become
crowned before the people who are
now with u.s."
Philip spent a moment, with barred
head deep in thought, Raising his
head, he said
Cara, wisest and best Of counsel
ors, think you are right | see 1t now
with your eyes. We must guard against
detection from our ranks. AS you say,
It will be best for me to take the crown
at once"
Just outside the door Gomez stood
listening. There was most ugly look
on the face Of the leader of the royal
lists.
He walked quickly away when he
heard the resolve Of Philip, and hur-
ried to a small outbuilding that had
been designated as the headquarters Of
Mattazudo, the leader Of the zambos,
Mattazudo was there. He looked up
when Gomez entered.
II want to see you alone" said
Gomez.
Mattazudo was smoking a huge,
black cheroot. He puffed some pungent
smoke toward Gomez. Humility, respect
toward superiors, were not parts Of the
character OF MattaEltrdo. His dark face
was villainous in its expression. He
was the man for dark deeds; he
was the man Gomez wanted.
"Well," he said, "am not aloneY
II did not know" answered Gomez.
''I saw only you, but there may be 9TH
ers near"
None" said Mattazudo.
Gomez took seat near him.
"Mattazudo," he said, you have
known me long time"
Mattazudo laughed.
Longer than would want 1t known
at Caracas II this affair fails" he said
I'VE have been friends" said Gomez
ignoring the words.
Mattazudo darted a quick look to-
ward Gomez.
WELL" he said questioningly, "you
have a game. Out with It,"
'"Do you want to earn some mon
eyT' asked Gomez.
"If 1t is enough"
zone thousand Boliyars."