Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-01-22
CHATTER XVIII.


Night followed day, and day came
again, until Clarence had made seventeen
marks for the days that had dawned in
March. On the morning of the eighteenth
he arose as usual, and when the soldier
came with the breakfast he noticed that
he was more tremulous than usual At
length there came a strange stiffness over
the city. 1t seemed an oppressive, DEATH
" silence. But it lasted not long. Soon
there came a thunder crash, and the old
castle trenlbled to its very foundations.
Anon the laundering commenced in the
city, and ere long the air of the dun
geon held the odor of exploding powder
The bombardment has commenced"
shouted Clarence. ''Ho, my noble boy,
our people have opened the ball. As sure
as fate this place must fall"
Il hope So" returned Peter.
But | know it. If the Mexicans are
stubborn they may hold out some time,
but they must come to it after a while"
And now the booming of the heavy ar
tillery was incessant. One continuous
roar filed the air, and the old castle
shook like a reed hut in a gale. And
there came the sound of that sharper,
harsher crashing, as the huge shells burst
about the place SO passed the long day
away, and even into the night the earth
shook with the bursting of the shells and
rockets.
Thus passed six days, during which the
70 r of cannon and mortars was almost
incessant On the morning of the sew
enth day Father Rondo made his APP
pearauce. He was pale and wan, and
his step was tremulous. He extended his
hand, but the salutation was performed
in silence.
''Good father" said our hero, Il am
glad you have come, for now l can know
what is going on. How goes the siege?"
ALIAS, my son, it is a fearful work
that is being done." the priest replied,
with a shudder. Il have read of wars.
and knew they were dreadful, but |
never dreamed of such scenes of horror
as have presented themselves to my gaze
during the past few days"
Then the execution in the city is con
siderable?"
20. dreadful-dreadfulr
But how goes it now?" asked Clar-
ence, who had more interest in the prob
able result than in the mere work that
was going on.
Our city is one vast slaughter house!'
uttered Rondo, with his hands clasped
upon his bosom. Houses are torn in
pieces; the ground plowed up by bursting
shells, and the whole city running with
the blood of its people. In every street
the dead and dying are lying helpless and
hopeless, and the agonizing groans sound
above the roar of the cannon. One mo-
ment l beheld 4 family-a father and
mother, whose heads were white with
years, and some half dozen of children
who clung to them for safety. On the
next moment | saw huge shell fall di-
rectly in their midst, and in u second of
time the poor creatures were torn in
pieces as if by the fangs and claws of
some ravenous monster! o, it is too
dreadful, even for thought"
But viii not the city surrender?" ask
ed Clarence.
They must-they must" the priest re-
piled DAY before yesterday, many Of
the most wealthy citizens waited upon
Landero, and begged of him to capitu-
late; but he refused And again last
night the general was waited upon by
many people; but he would not listen.
Yet he must come to it. ., he is much
to blame nov, for if he has sense he must
see that he cannot hold out many days
more. Some have told me that they can
hold out four days; but this morning one
who ought to know told me that two days
after this would be the longest. Our peo-
pie are not only falling fast, but our
means are failing; while the besiegerS
seem as fresh and strong as ever"
Night and day came again-and Clar-
ence placed another mark upon his calen-
dar. 1t was the twenty-sixth one for
March. He had hardly fixed his mark
when the firing ceased, and ere long Il
death-like stiffness reigned over the place.
'Hark." whispered Peter.
"Ay-hark"' shouted Howard, spring
ing back and clasping his hands. Isn't
that a glorious SOund?"
1t was a shout-a prolonged, laundering
shout Of victory, that saluted the ears of
the prisoners; and il came from the dis
tant army, where the Americans were.
Now the youthful captain was nervous
and anxious. Each hour seemed an age,
and be longed to greet his brave compan-
ions, But time was not moved aside at
his prayer, nor could his lodgings eNpe-
dire the transactions that were going on
without But the time came at length
When the dungeoa had become dark and
drear once more, and just as the prison
erS had made up their minds that they
were 10 spent; another night in the prison,
the tramp of heavy feet was heard in the
long, arched corridor, and shortly after
wards the heavy door was opened.
Number one hundred and seven. 'pris-
oner of war, read an officer. who held
an open book in his hand. Vow, whom
have we here?'
Great heaven. thank thee.' eiaculat-
ed Clarence. raising his clasped hands.
"Charley--don't you know me-"
Eth? What? Whose voice is thaty'
Clarence Howard owned it once"
"Clar-wbat? Clarence Howard
| Heaven bless you, my dear fellow
Half a dozen American officers crowd
| Ell about the spot. and when they knew
that the prisoner was in reality the noble
commander Of the Lore Star, their Joy
knew no bounds.
The sun was Just sinking when How
ard emerged into the wide court of The
castle, and for moment a sensation Of
/ horror pervaded his soul. for the ghasily
: evidence OF the death work that had been
/ going on We're TO be seen upon all sides.
/ On the following morning Clarence re-
4 ceived visit from one Of the generals
Z orderlies. who babe him wait upon the
/ commander-in-chief at once. Our hero
F.! had eaten his breakfast. SO he was ready
10 set out, and he accompanied the mes
sanger back. He found the stout old
/ general with numbers Of his staff about
him. He arose as the young captain was
introduced, and extended his hand.
Am right. sir. in looking upon you
/ rs the commander OF the Texan schooner
( OF war which has done 50 much execution
against the enemy" asked Scott. gazing
admiringly into the handsome face Of The
visitor.