Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-10-11
CHAPTER ".
Mattazudo the Half Breed.


OF the Castle OF Salvarez a tall. SOM
Der looking man, clad in a gorgeous
uniform, stood near table. looking
down at map OF Venezuela, his long
r1hin 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 sees 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
zalone vas the more familiar name OF
Philip.
The stranger raised his dark. burn
1ng eyes rested them on the face OF
Gomez.
"I see that we occupy central posi-
r4fon," he said, but on the wrong side
-of the Orinoco. We command here,
perhaps: but all the strength of the
Republic and all her wealth are separ-
ated from us by the great river
s.You are mistaken" replied Gomez.
SIT is true that the army of Crespo is
On the north. But the wealth Of Vene-
xuela-the true wealth. not the Guild
angs and customs port and fowls, but
the vast stores of gold and silver In
che mountains-is on this side"
Don Juan shrugged his shoulders.
COZ what use is it to talk of gold
and silver in the mountains?" he de-
manded Did we come here as pros
spectors? Did we buy twenty thousand
rifles and rouse the half-breeds here
simply to enable us to work claim?
Our work lies in the north
True" responded Gomez. II DO not
wish to imply that we must not look
alcross 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 moderated,
as it has always been heretofore"
thine enough for that" said Philip
aof Aragon, Where do we strike next ?"
Before making any attempt at
crossing the Orinoco." said Gomez, it
will be necessary to annihilate the
force under Salvarez. 1t is, I admit.
smaller than our own: but it is still
large enough to give us considerable
trouble Moreover. Salvarez is 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 half-mile below the castle .
<eWill he attack %
Gle certainly will. Salvarez is not
Che 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.
aThat is without question. There is
no cause to fear the result of battle"
LET them come" said Gomez. Il
will be ready for them. will visit the
men again and reassure your Majesty =
1t has occurred to me, your majes-
-dy," 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
fastening. There was most ugly look
on the face Of the leader of the royal
y5sts.
He walked quickly away when he
Aeard the resolve of Philip, and hur-
ried to 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.
~ want to see you alone,' said
Gomez.
black cheroot. He pulled some pungent
smoke toward Gomez Humility. respect
toward superiors, were not parts of the
character Of Mattazurdo. His dark face
was villainous In its expression. He
was the man for dark deeds; he
was the man Gomez wanted.
Well he said. lam not alone?"
81 did not know" answered Gomez.
RI saw only you. but there may be 9TH
ars near"
None said Mattazudo.
Gomez took seat near him.
s.MatAazudo, he said, you have
csnown me a long time =
Mattazudo laughed.
Longer than would want It known
1T Caracas IL this affair fails" he said.
4 1--WE have been friends" said Gomez,
ignoring the words.
Mattazudo darted quick look to-
ward Gomez.
Well" he said Questioningly, you
have game. Out with it,
t<T1p Won RI earn Coma ynnn-