La Junta tribune., 1901-09-07
CHAPTER I.
The Presidents Nsssage.

zueIa than the valley of Coroni. and
there is no brighter luxuriance In the
valley of the Coroni than that OF the
great plantation of General Jose Sal
varez, which lies on the left bank OF
the Coroni about twenty miles from
the point OF confluence of that river
with the great orinoco. Here are raised
coffee, second to none. not even the
famous product OF Maraeaibo; sugar
cane. bananas. cotton. indigo. cocos-
nuts. corn and wheat.
Along the>riyer was thick growth.
where. among many other things,
could be found caoutchouc. the tonka-
bean and gntta-percha.
Besides being the proud owner OF
twelve thousand acres of this magnih-
cent and wealth producing territory
General Salvxrez was the commanding
general Of all the troops OF the Rspub-
lie of Venezuela south OF the Or!noco.
There were. In all. not more than a
thousand. and were scattered over
miles OF territory; but under the Inn
mediate command OF General Salyerez.
Quartered in the comfortable fortress
which formed part OF Castle Salyarez,
WIS u regiment consisting OF two hun
dred men. with battery amounting
To six guns: and at the city of Bolivar.
above tho Coroni. on the orinoco. was
a small company In the tumbledown
barracks that formed a poor shelter
even when they needed shelter least.
Some OF these soldiers of the Republic
were OF Spanish blood without mixture;
some were negroes, and some were In
dlans. but the majority were half
breeds. the descendants OF whites and
negroes or whites ard Indians. There
was another type OF half-breeds. too
utterly worthless FOR use as soldiers.
and thoroughly untrustworthy. the re-
suit OF a mixture OF negro and Indian
blood. There we're many of these in
the Coronl val ey. and hey frequently
made trouble. Their patriotism was
nothing. They were ready FOR Eny rp-
rising or deed OF violence for which
they were well paid. These were the
Zambos. the distinctive name OF their
type.
The forces of General Saivnrez were
fairly we'll armed aud disciplined
brave. and thoroughly devoted to the
Republic. Thev adored their brave
commander. ard were ever ready to
follow him, ever. faithful. uufiinching.
uncomplaining
General Salvarez was very wealthy
man. In fact. IL had been said that he
could not count his wealth. Taking
this to mean that the value OF his crops
depended on favo-iug weather and tho
worth of his great herds OF cattle out
on the lianos, or plains. rose and fell
Increased or diminished by fayoring or
untoward circumstances, then the say
ing was true. Be that as 1t may. Don
general OF the Republic and a personal
friend OF President Cresro.
But of all the valuable possessions
os Don Jose Salvarez. none compared
in his estimation, with his lovely wife,
Dona Maria, or hts daughter, Senor-
ita Jacinta.
Senorita Jacinta was the brightest
jewel OF the Coronl valley. and no one
knew this or appreciated It better than
Senorita Jacinta. She YVES the toast and
often the sweetheart OF the officers OF
the garrison. and with whom She would
frequently promenade under the frown-
ing guns, with he. mantilia thrown
loosely about her weil-rounded FORM
and her black eyes swapping with the
passions of her southern blood.
Senorita Jacinta, at the time our
story opens. was about Is years of age;
but maturity comes early to the girls
OF tho warm countries. and Jacinta's
physical development compared well
with that OF an American young wom-
an OF % or "a.
| have spoken of Jacinta as some
times being the sweetheart Of an officer
in her fathers garrison.
But II was not only the officers Of the
garrison that loved Jacinta. Pedro
Francisco. the wealthicst land and cat
tie owner south OF the Orinoco save
General Salyarez. had wooei her
persistently; but Jacinta was a repub-
lican, and Francisco leaned toward
Spain, and she would have none OF
him.
Though Jaclnta had had many low
ers at her feet. her own heart had
never yet been touched. Yet so
quick was her nature. SO warm
her blood. that 1t needed but a
spark to kindle the flame. Love at FIRST
sight is more than possibility with
girls OF Jacinta's temperament. 1t is
the rule. And when once that fathom-
less depth Of fire and passion should
spring into volcanic action. who can
tell tho consequences OF herself-and
others!
The castle OF General Salvarez was,
like all other houses of wealthy men
in the orinoco valley. situated on high
ground, to keep It up out OF the foods
that sometimes cover the land. It was
great square building. partly OF stcos.
partly Of iron. and partly OF cement.
But there was TO come a time whea
this repose was to be rudely Interrupt
I'D; when the soul Of JAcinta was to b
torn By grief and anxiety; whom TOR Q