Hutchinson gazette., 1901-07-25

Here they halted, and II they spoke
at all, spoke only In whispers, while
they rsered here and there to see II
there were any human beings near
them.
Suddenly Mdworth was startled at
seeing the thick vines on the side of
the bank move, A hand appeared--a
small, jewelled hand-and then n wom-
ans face.
Medworth clutched Tempest, and
they remained hidden, wondering what
sort OF hiding place that was
Two women-one young and presty,
the other mature, but still handsome
emerged cautiously from some secret
place, looked this way and that, and
moved slowly away up the river.
They had not gone beyond the sight
of the young Americans, when, with
q loud shout, man rushed upon them
and seized the younger
The Americans heard her scream
and knew that she needed protection,
All thoughts of their own safety fed
and as they saw two others come to
the assistance of the frst, they rushed
out.
Are you not the wife and daughter
Of General salvarez?" asked Medworth.
Jaclpta looked up into the handsome
face OF the young American, and said
1--WE are, senior, and this man Is our
enomy,"
II Is, of course, apparent to the read
or that Jacinta's assailant was Pedro
Francisco. He mas gesture as II to
draw his knife, but before he could
use It, the sledge-hammer fist of Tenn
pest caught him square, and he went
curslng and bowling to earth.
His two companlor1 attempted to
help him, but Medworth, who was a
strong man himself, though not equal
to Tempest In strength, knocked one
of them down, and Tempest nearly
killed the other,
The Americans then, to end the af-
fair before others came, drew their re-
volyers, and Francisco and his COM
panions sneaked away, crestfallen
and swearing vengeance.
The Americans were overwhelmed
with thanks, and Jaclntas black eyes
were devouring Medworth's face and
figure, while her tongue was utterine
soft words Of gratitude for his timely
assistance.
what handsome mani" she was
saying to herself. 81 wonder who he Is
| hope I shall meet him aSlin"
"senors," said Dona Maria, who had
no thought Of the romance in the sit
uation, but hungered for news of hei
husband, "do you know where Genera
Salvarez is now?"
"He Is about mile below with hi
soldiers" replied Medworth, wht
spoke Spanish better than Tempest
I'VE left him to hurry forward ant
gain some knowledge Of the situation
We will escort you to him"
So they started back down the river
Medworth helping Jacinta, and Tenn
pest having Dona Maria under hi
care.
Jaclnta smiled fascinatingly upoI
Medworth, and asked him where III
came from,
"I came from New York with m!
friend" he answered. "a beautiful CIR
is in the hands of the men who have
captured your castle, and we hav'
come to rescue her"
Then Jacinta did not look so pleased
rs there any secret approach to thu
CASTER" asked Medworth.
NO" replied Jacinta, boldly there
Is none"
When they had escorted the two Ia
dies to that point where they could SCI
the faces Of the approaching army, theJ
bade them adieu, and again receiving
thanks, turned back toward the castle
quite an adventure" said Tempest
by Jove, though, that girls stun
ner! What eyes, But what are we go
ing to do now?"
"Those women escaped from the cas-
tie by some secret way" said Med
worth" and we saw them emerge ap
parently from the very ground. It's my
belief that there is cave or some
thing there, perhaps with communl
cation with the castle" "
| (Tn he Cnntinmnd \