Hutchinson gazette., 1901-09-05
CHAPTER XIII.

mldnight--is beyond my comprehen-
sion, Is there any game in it9"
II was Gomez who spoke, He and
Francisco were In the Council Room
Philip was away in another part of the
castle with Don Juan,
"Game?" replied Francisco. What
game could there be? What do you
mean, Gomez? Explain your inslnua-
tions!"
1T Is strange that true lover OF
the king and hater OF the Republic
should seek to delay the execution Of
one Of Crespos most dangerous gen
erals. Rather, TO my mind, should he
hasten the death OF the entire horde"
Francisco smiled.
General Gomez" he said, there
are other hearts than yours. You are
not the only friend the king has in
Venezuela. Have l not led my sol
diers"
Your soldiers? Oh, yes, your sol
dlers, OF course, my dear Pedro, your
yalor is beyond dispute. But in this
case of Salvarez-the delay OF his eX-
ecution as demanded by you and yield
ed by Phillips, TO say the least, in
eXplicable. There must be a motive
In It."
Yes" replied Francisco, after
pause there Is a motive In 1t. There
is reason why have asked TO have
the execution OF Salvarez postponed.
] have explained this reason to the
king. II satisfied him. 1t must satisfy
YOU"
Gomez laughed.
which is your way of informing
me that 1t Is none of my business" he
said.
Not so. You are general of the
army, YOU
"oh, well, let 1t drop. II Philip is
satisfied, | am sure | ought to be.
There are matters to be thought of that
are more important than this rebel
general. 1t is time We moved toward
the Orinoco."
Il thought 1t had been decided that
our safest plan was to wait here for
Crespo's army to attack us. He will,
undoubtedly, send only small detach-
ments at time. We can destroy them
as they come"
Nonsense" said Gomez, struggling
his shoulders. Are we to sit here in
active while Crespo fires the enthusi-
asm Of the mobs north Of the Orinoco?
What would Godoy Hernandez and the
others say to that? Remember we
have thousands of supporters there
who are ready to join us as soon as
we begin our triumphant march to-
ward Caracas. II we remain here, they
will think we are afraid, and will de-
sert the Crespo. understand our peo-
pie well enough to know that their
loyalty to our cause can be depended
upon only as long as we show them
we are succeeding Our best move is
to cross the 0rlnoco as soon as pos
sible, picking up reinforcements on the
way. We shall have easily twice as
many followers as Crespo by the time
we meet him"
But will the king leave the castle
as long as Garza's daughter is ill?"
"He must. Is the cause to be lost
through his infatuation?"
When Francisco had gone, Gomez
sent for certain captain upon whom
he felt that he could rely.
General, you sent for me-" said the
captain, as he entered.
Eyes, sent for you, because trust
you more than do any other officer
of the king, and have something for
you to do"
THANK you, general will en-
deavor to deserve your high regard"
Captain, what do you think of
Francisco?"
francisco? What do | think Of
him? That is strange question, gen.
eral"
II know 1t is, but strange circum-
stances cause 1t. You were probably
surprised when you learned that the
execution of Salvarez was postponed
till midnight"
"Yes, was surprised at that"
you would no doubt be more sur
prised II you knew that this was done
at the solicitation of Francisco him
SELF"
Francisco! He was to give the
command to fire."
Just so, Now, captain, you have
lived near enough to Francisco to
know something about him. What
have been the relations existing be-
tween Francisco and the family of Sal
varez? Is there anything there?"
"Oh, Francisco has long wanted to
marry the daughter of Salvarez. Ev-
erybody knew that"
DO you think his love for the girl is
sincere?"
sincere? 1t Is strong enough"
"You don't like the word sincere
ut hardly applies to ordinary cases
,f love on the 0rinoco think Fran
cisco wants her for his own happiness.
don't think he considers hers"
still, his passion for her is such
chat he would resort to any means to
compel her to marry him"
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