Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-08-17

clear that the guerrilla chieftain did not
believe greatly in the project.
Il do not understand all this" he said.
1T is not my way. What have we to do
with taking women and children prisoners?
Let us have no truck, barter or exchange
with the government at Madrid except at
the point Of the bayonet. That is my way
Of it, and II my advice had been taken be-
fore my master would at this moment
have been in the royal palace of his an
cestors But these secret embassies in
the hands of foreigners-what good can
come of them?"
Rollo explained such things as the abbot
of Montblanch had made clear to him.
namely, that the regent and her daughter
were by no means adverse to holy church
nor yet eager to keep the true king out of
his own. But they were in the power of
INSCRIPTIONS men-MendiaZabal, Linares
and others. who for their own ends publish
ed edicts and compelled the ladies to sign
them. If they We're captured and seques-
tered for their own good the ministry
would break down and Don Carlos would
reign undisturbed.
Rollo thought the exposition a marvel
of clearness and point. 1t was somewhat
disappointing, therefore, when he had fin
ished to hear from Cabrera the unmcv ed
declaration: "A Christine is a Christine
whether in the palace Of Madrid or on the
mountains Of Morella. And the quickest
way is the best way with such a one
wherever met with
But you do not mean to say that you
would shoot the girl queen or the mother
regent If they fell into your hands?' cried
Rollo, aghast at the horror.
The deep, underlying anger leaped up
fiery red into the eyes Of the guerrilla
chief
AYE. that would l." he cried, las quick
~ as they slew my own old mother III this
barrack yard Of Tortosa!'
Cabrera was silent for awhile after MAX
Ing this speech, and then abruptly de-
manded Of Rollo how many men ne would
require for the undertaking.
II am hidden to place my entire COM
mand at your service! he said with OBJ
vious reluctance, glancfng out Of his little
oblique eyes at the young colonel.
Rollo considered awhile before answer
Ing.
'It is my opinion that the fewer men
concerned in such a venture the greater
the chances Of success he said at last
furnish me with one petty officer init
mately acquainted with the country be-
tween Zarazoza and San lldefonso and 1
will ask no more"
Cabrera drew a long breath and looked
at the young man with infinitely more
approval than he had before manifested
He was indeed immensely relieved to
find the desires of our hero SO moderate.
He had been directed to supply him with
whatever force he required, and he ex-
pected to be deprived of a regiment at
least at a most critical time in tho affairs
Of the absolute king.
Young man. he said, "you will GER
tainly be shot or hanged before you are a
month older. Nevertheless. In the mean
time. would desire to have the honor Of
shaking you by the hand. II you were not
to die so soon. undoubtedly you would go
far! 1t is pity. And the Christmas are
bad shots They will not do the Job half
as creditably as my follows would have
done this morning!
The man who was chosen by Cabrera to
accompany them on their mission was Of
most remarkable appearance. Tall, al
most as tall as Ell Serria, he was yet dis
tinguished from his fellows by q most
notable gauntness and angularity Of figure.
The iron gravity Of his countenance.
scanned on the right-hand side by a deep
scar, took no new expression when he was