The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-28

posed TO talk
! On the whole they maintained a sui
len indifference regarding what was
/ going on about them. I learned that
/ they were military prisoners, or rebels,
| as their captOrs called them, and had
/ been captured under arms They were
to be transferred TO the Prison NiIitar.
the same prison IN which I was 90 be
confined.
Watching his opportunity. when the
attention OF the guard was directed an
other way. Fray Ignominious made his
way~to my elbow.
How Ike you Don Isuis?" he asked.
I do not claim him as a friend" 1
replied.
He threatens your
7 care nothing for his threats"
You had made his acquaintance be-
fore today?" ~
Il had met him."
Don't trust him. He may promise.
| but he will not keep his promises. You
VIII do better to listen to mo-"
Possibly" j replied. yet not without
recalling the character OF the wretch
who was addressing me.
on rejected my proposal when I
would have secured your liberty. You
escaped. but how soon was u before
( you were rearrestod? You despise me
You would change masters. would YOU?
instead Of liberty. you will find q dun
geon waiting for youl"
As l said. l do not fear Don Luis
Neither do I fear you. You came
cringing witness against me before the
court this morning. Do YOU think that
did not notice with what contempt
you We're treated-how utterly insignia
| can't you We're? Why. l too. though
! prisoner, have nothing but contempt for
YOU" P' LUZ
They shall feel my power. as shall
s,,u ,Aiso' senior Harvey" he muttered.
'itncillng MS fists and frowning.
from him. away
Wait" he cried. taking me nv -.
sieeve Of my coat. Those who co.
themselves against such as I set tbAr,-
selves against the HOLY CatboIIo
church This IS something thew should
have considered
They doubtless know their own busi-
ness" I replied.
And l know my power" he said.
Your poweri"
Hes' my power. which is the power
OF the church. Ny enemies are its ono
mics. and they shall know it's strength
Inc army moves in a few DAYS. and the
constitutional government must fall. In
months time the church will be SUI
preme-its property secure-its author
ity unquesuoned! And then, its enc
mics"
said.
Because 1 know Of what I am speak
ing' he replied. You shall see that
speak the truth" he continued forget
ting that an hour before he wouId have
had me garroted. Il warn Won against
Don Luis Believe not what he NAV ga .
20 you, neither have faith in his prom
ises, for he is not to be trusted. There
are others who have greater power than
he possesses"
Without waiting for a reply, he moved
away, shutting along the pavement Il
would seem that I was being played be-
tween two Of them. each afraid Of the
other, and OF me. From which l had
the most 10 fear. it was hard Tor me 10
tell-probably from the monk. as he was
most obnoxious 20 me. being a Iow-iived
fellow, seemingly without honor or prin-
ciple. Don Luis was a gentleman in
outward demeanor at least 1t was per-
haps fortunate for me that they had
come into conflict. as one would try to
prevent the success of the other.
As / stood there in the court l no.
ticed that officers and soldiers were con-
stantly coming and going. Some Of the
soldiers had taken the liberty 70 talk
with the prisoners, and had been per-
mitted 10 mingle more or less with them.
The guard was careless. and disposed to
relax their vigilance. There appeared
70 be a lack OF discipline everywh ere
either a want of authority in the off,
GERS. or a disregard Of Il in tho men.
Watching my opportunity. when the
attention OF the soldiers was directed
another way. I worked along to one
side and slipped past them, mingIing
with the soldiers who were OF duty
Had 1 not been conspicuous on account
OF my clothes. or. rather, from the lack
OF a uniform. ! should have attempted
to pass out. following a company which
was about 70 leave. AS II was, I was as
much prisoner after I had got past the
guard as 1 was before; and, being I'M
familiar with the place, l was at loss
which way 10 turn.
One thing was OF assistance TO me.
and that was the duapidated condition
OF the fortress; it not having been re-
paired or rebuilt since the attack made
upon II by our troops IN the Mexican
war, when IL was carried by assault
Parts Of II were In ruins, and 90 offered
places of concealment.
Leading from the court was q short,
paved alley. and quickly passing along
this 1 came TO a part OF tho building
which was used as a stable. I could
find no door which led out Of the in
closure, and I doubt II there was one.
But there was a door which I thought
might lead TO another passage; this I |
forced. only TO find myself in a large
room which was used as a store or sup
ply room. All about were boxes and
bales OF goods, supplies Of different
kinds. Hearing some one coming Il
Clambered over the stores and hid be !
hind some sacks of beans.
l had not more than reached my place
OF cOncealment, CrouChing down among
the sacks, when there were soldiers at |
the door. They made a hurried search |
OF the place. yet pried into every cor
ner and behind every bale OF goods One
Of them climbed up on the sacks and |
stood directly above me, but I esca ped /
being discovered on account OF the
darkness Of the place. II was a relief |
20 me when I heard them 60 away. I
Ha wing SO far escaped them l was now
encouraged TO believe that ! would in |
co ma .Ts