The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-01

taken prisoner and swept off the parade
ground by Mendoza's cavalry. they had first
attempted to follow in pursuit and recap
ture him, but the men on horseback had at
once shaken off the men on foot and left
them. painting and GREATNESS. in the dust
behind them. So they halted uncertainty In
the road, and their young officers held c0un-
sci together. They first considered the adj
visibility of attacking the military prison.
but decided against doing so, as 1t would
lead. they feared. whether it proved sue
cessful or not. to the murder of Rojas. 1t
F.! was impossible to return to the city. where
Mendoza's First and Second Regiments
greatly them. Having no lead
er and no headquarters. the officers marched
the men to the hills above the city and
went into camp to await further develop
nents.
Throughout the night they watched the
Illumination of the city and of the boats
in the harbor below them; they saw the
flames bursting from the homes of the
members of A1vareZ's Cabinet, and when
the morning broke they beheld the grounds
OF the palace swarming with Mendoza's
troops. and the red and white barred flag
OF the revolution floating over 1t. The news
of the assassination of Alvarez and the
fact that Rojas had been spared for fear of
the people mad been carried to them early
In the evening. and with this knowledge of
their Generals safety hope returned and
iIeSH pidIS were u1ScNSSfQ. BY midnight
they had definitely decided that should Men,
doza attempt to dislodge them the next
morning they would make a stand but that
Ii the fight went against them they would
fall back along the mountain roads to the
Valencia mines. where they hoped to per-
suade the 100 soldiers there installed to
Join forces with them against the new Die
tato;.
In order to assure themselves of this help
a messenger was dispatched by a circuitous
route to the Palms to ask the aid of the
resident director. and another was sent to
the mines to work upon the feelings of the
soldiers themselves. The officer who had
been sent to the Palms to petition Clay for
the loan of his oidier-wOrkmen had de-
cided to remain until Clay returned. and
another messenger had been sent after him
from the camp on the same errand.
These two l,eutenants greeted Clay with
enthusiasm. but he at once interrupted
them and began plying them with Ques-
tons as to where their camp was situated
and what roads led from it to the Palms.
Bring your men at once to this end Of
our railroad,' he said. 1T is sti!l early, and
the revolutionists will sleep late. They are
drugged with liquor and worn out with ex-
m and whatever may have been their
intention. toward you last night they viii
be late in putting them into practice this
morning. l will te'egraph Kirkland to come
up at once with all of his soldiers anu
with his three nulluTeu lTiSuIitu. iHS
him a half hour to collect them and
to get his fat cars together, and another
half hour in which to make the rum. ne
should be here by half-past sand that's
quick mobilization. You ride back now and
march your men here at a double-quick.
With your 1000 we shall have in all $500
men. 1 must have absolute control over my
own troops. Otherwise. l shall act indie
pendently of you and go into the city alone
with my workmen."
That is unnecessary" said one of the
Lieutenants. 1--WE have no officers. If you |
do not command US. there is no one else to
do it. We promise that our men will follow
you and give you every obedience. They
have been led by foreigners before. by
young Captain Stuart and Major Ferguson
and Colonel Shrevington. They know how
highly General Rojas thinks Of you. and
they know that you have led Continental
armies in Europe"
well don't tell them I haven't until this
is over" said Clay. Nov. ride hard, gen. |
tlemen. and bring your men here as quick |
ly as possible"
= The Lieutenants thanked him enusivcly |
and galloped away radiant at the success |
of their mission. and Clay entered the Of
flee where MacWilliams was telegraphing |
his orders to Kirkland. He seated himself
beside the instrument, and from time to
time answered the questions Kirkland sent
back to him over the wire. and in the in
tervals of silence thought of Hope. 1t was
the first time he had gone into action feel
ing the touch of a woman's hand upon his
sleeve. and he was fearful lest she might J
think he had considered her too lightly.
He took a piece of paper from the table
and wrote a few lines upon 1t, and then
them several times. The message
he finally sent to her was this: II am sure
you understand, and that you would not
have me give up beaten now. when wha !
do to-day may set us right again. I
r. Hatta~ than ory ono o1Co a. l. -.z.,1 l
can know what I run the risk of losing.
but you would not have that fear stop me
from going on with what we nave been
struggling for so long. 1 cannot come back
to see you before we start. but / know your
Is with me. With great love, Robert
Clay"
He gave the note to his servant. and the