The Jennings daily record., 1902-10-04
CHAPTER XIII.

EA1S |AAAAe
''Salvares Must BE Saved!"
This plan OF yours-to have the ex-
s'c,iticn OF Salvarex postponed until
midnight-is beyond my comprehen-
sion. Is there any gamein it,"
Il was Gomez who spoke. He and
Francisco were IN the Council Room.
Philip was away In another part OF the
sastle with Don Juan.
Gamer" replied Francisco. What
game could there be? What do you
mean. Gomez? Explain your insfnua-
ti0ns!'
1T Is strange that a true lover Of
The king and hater Of the Republic
should seek to delay the execution Of
one Of Crespo's most dangerous gem
erals. Rather, to my mind. should he
aasten the death OF the entire horde"
Francisco smiled.
General Gomez he said, there
sre other hearts than yours. You are
aot the only friend the king has in
Venezuela. Have l not led my SOL
iiers?'
Your soldiers! Oh. yes. your SOL
,iers. Or course, my dear Pedro. your
tailor is beyond dispute. But in this
:ase Of Salvarez-the delay OF his ex-
fcution as demanded by you and yield
ID by Phillips. to say the least, in
applicable. There must be a motive
u it,"
Yes" replied Francisco, after
'ause, there is motive in it. There
Is reason why have asked to have
the execution OF Salvarez postponed.
have explained this reason to the
king. It 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. we'll. let it drop. II Philip is
satisfied. am sure l ought to be.
Fhere are matters to be thought OF that
are more important than this rebel
general. It is time We moved toward
the Orinoco."
Il thought it 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
Sho are ready to join us as soon as
We begin our triumphant march to-
ward Caracas. If we remain here, they
will think we are afraid, and will de-
sert the Crespo. I understand our peo-
pie we'll 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 Orinoco as soon as pos
sib,e, 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
RS 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
be felt that he could rely.
General. you sent for me-" said the
captain, as he entered.
Yes I sent for you, because trust
you more than l do any other officer
H. X =
you to do"
Thank you. general. will en-
deayor to deserve your high regard"
Captain. what do you think of
Francisco"
Francisco? What do | think of
him? That is strange question, geu-
eral."
Il know it is. but strange circum-
stances cause it. 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
st 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
,arez? Is there anything there?"
oh. Francisco has long wanted 10
marry the daughter of salvarez. Ey-
.rybody knew that"
do you think his love for the girl is
sIncere?"
Sincere? 1t is strong enough"
You don't like the word sincere 4"
1t hardly applies to ordinary cases
of love on the Orinoco. / think Fran
cisco wants her for his own happiness.
! don't think he considers hers"