The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-10-17

of1cers, he left his wife and Jacinta
with the army, and stealthily made his
way toward the castle.
General" said one of his compan-
ions, you have plan"
Yes" he said, desperate one. One
that grieves me, but which seems
necessary. / am convinced that we
cannot recapture the CASTLE
Then what do you propose?"
To blow it up. Under the castle is
powder magazine. No one but my
self. my wife and daughter know of
lts existence. There is way to reach
1t that alone know. There is secret
passage to my castle from the river.
We will enter here and lay a powder
train, and blow the enemies of the
republic off the earth"
Silently they worked their way
along, keeping sharp lookout for the
sentinels of the enemy.
They carried lanterns, but these
were not lighted. They were for use
in the secret passage.
Salvarez succeeded in guiding his
men to the entrance. They entered.
Look" said Medworth, clutching
Tempest's arm. "a light"
What he saw was the cleaning.
dancing reflections of lantern on the
walls near him.
Some one is coming" said Tenn
pest; keep quiet"
They heard the sound of footsteps.
then of voices
Come" said Medworth, in whis-
per, "let us see if they are enemies or
friends"
Following the light, it was not diff
cult for them to find Salvarez and his
companions.
DO not get too near" said Med
worth.
1T is Salyarez," said Tempest.
Never mind if it is" replied Med
worth, whose mind was acute and alert
again.
by keeping in the shadow we can
easily watch them, and we may learn
something that will prove to be an adj
vantage"
Tempest knew what was in his COM
panion's mind, and subsidized They
stealthily followed Salvarez and his
officers, keeping always in the darkest
shadow. AS there was no light ex-
cept from the lanterns the officers car
ried, they could not, of course, see
anything beyond the range of their
rays, while the Americans, standing
out of reach of the dull flame, could
easily discern every move the Vene-
zuelans made.
Salvarez led the way direct to where
a wall of masonry seemed to effectu-
ally obstruct the passage
But the general, after feeling around
moment, found loose stone and re-
moved it. 1t was then easy to make
an opening large enough for man to
enter.
Salyarez led the way. The others
followed close after him.
Medworth and Tempest remained at
the wall, peering through the opening
to see what the others were doing.
Salvarez led the way straight to a
round powder magazine made of ce-
ment.
The Americans did not know what
this was, and the Venezuelans spoke
in so low tone that nothing could be
gained from their conversation.
But Medworth and his companion
were not left long in ignorance of the
errand that had brought Salvarez I'M
der the walls of his castle.
"They are going to fire the maya
Zine," said Medworth. That's pow
der"
The officers worked a while at the
magazine, making connection. Then
they carefully laid train of powder
from it toward the hole they had made
in the foundation wall.
Medworth and Tempest kept back in
the shadows and let them complete
their arrangements.
1T is ready" said Salyarez at last.
much as I love my home, love nv
country more. | sacrifice my castle
that the enemies of the republic shall
be destroyed. Tonic and AIDA, when
we are safely away, touch match to
the powder and flee for your lives out.
of the passage Come, you others, let
us hurry, SO that the work of ven
geance may not long be delayed"
He, with four of his companions.
started away, leaving the other two to
obey his orders.
Now" said one, of these, after
few minutes spent in waiting.
Nov" said Medworth, aloud.
The Americans made rush. The
two officers found themselves seized in
the iron grasp of men more powerful
than they.
Take the lantern! Take the
matches!" said Medworth.
One Of the officers had taken a
metallic match box from his pocket
Medworth seized this Tempest grasped
one Of their lanterns, leaving them one
to light their way out Of the passage.
Now co. said Medworth to the