The Indianapolis journal., 1904-02-21

there while he subdued the frightened horse
ana then lea IL at a walk I'll the fast deep
Then he mounted, and with one arm about
her still struggling figure. slowly found his
till he lit on the road TO the Hacienda
Morro, which he had marked carefully
Then at the sound of hoofbeats from the
camp he urged his horse intosa gallop for
a couple of miles. He pulled up 10 listen,
and hearing sound of pursuit. removed
the mantiln and rode on in silence. while
she implored, threatened, and scorned him
till exhausted by the fury or her anger. In
the morning he the white walls, out
buildings and defenses of a large hacienda,
where an officer of the Presidents staff
known to him, met them. OF the two the
sinewy Scot was the most exhausted, for
when she found that her abductor would
listen to nothing she had leant her whole
w weignt t;n on on his arm in determined Re enort t
foot on the ground. She turned upon him in
another outburst of scorn, and saw who II
was.
''Sanctissimi Maria-youi'' she exclaimed
AT your service. senorita, always" he
replied with difficulty.
Her eyes flashed. "Then l have been be-
trayed, and L thought Zelaga-"
The Sencra Zelaga knew nothing, senor-
ita. L carried this out myself"
You took me alone, from among my own
For your own good, senorita, believe
me-"
She turned away with heaving breast.
ident's officer, went with erect head into
the house, where she was received by the
wife of the haciendado.
You have accomplished it. then,' said
the officer, turning on McCallum. And
you have signed your death warrant"
Il have set my hand 10 that pretty fire.
quently of late, but what is wrong now?'
Every man in both camps will turn
against you. and all the women.
Il am more interested TO learn what ar
rangements you have made to keep the lady
hax-e hnrf
''I, senior? took no part in this abduc
ton; l leave at once with my men TO join
the President"
Then give my respects TO your Presi-
dent, and tell him that my part in this
play is over. Either L have men to defend
the place if it is attacked or l quit. Savez!
That is my decision
There are poems on the place-and
gauchos"
How many?"
"a hundred senior, and well armed
''All right. Collect them and give them
orders that they must obey me-"
The officer hesitated, but finally consent
ed, and the weary master. pulling himself
together, took his company of servants ana
horsethieves in hand. He had look at the
defenses sent out pickets, and then went
in to snatch little sleep. For three days
he remained on duty about the hacienda
without having seen the senorita. On the
fourth he found that the poems had de-
serted. The news was given him on the
veranda, and the senorita, hearing, came
out to greet him with mocking laugh. AS
they stood a horseman brought the news
that a large body of men was advancing
from the Ago del Inferno. The senorita
laughed again.
THE road to the north is yet open." she
said, Sweetly. You had better run While
there is time"
There were fifty gauchos in the yard
standing by their horses They were the
men the haciendado had said could be trust
ed The master strobe out to them, mount
ed fresh horse, and with half the number,
he rode out, leaving orders with the
haciendado to guard the senorita.
MY friends will be here soon, she cried,
'and ii is / who will then give orders.
She saw the little troop with the tall
leader disappear to the right, and an hour
later she clasped her hands as she saw her
own banner at the head of large force of
mounted men. They came round the hill
on the plain, and advanced in good order.
She looked at the set face of the hacien-
dado.
.'Your brave friend, the flibustero. has
abandoned you. Surrender to me and be
wise"
The owner of the haciendado looked
gloomily at the advancing force, and then
his somber eyes blazed.
Look looki"
She looked, and saw a dark body, a little
band of mounted men led by one gigantic
figure. sweeping on the main force and
opening out IKE ran lana, as IL Went Inen III
fired from the saddle. Then she saw the
whirling of the bolas and heard the crash
of the collision. She saw her friendly force
wither away before that thunderbot.
She was standing pale and trembling
when the master returned at the head of his
little band, who were shouting and laugh
ing in the flush of their triumph.
What has happened?? She said, wildly.
Where are my friends?"
They still run. senorita.
1.-The cowardSi'
Not at all, senorita. merely the victims
of a surprise. They will come again."
"You think SOP" and she looked at him
with reviving confidence.
Certain; They Will come In greater
strength. / am afraid l have bungled."
She opened her fan, and shot an inquir-
ing look over the top.
at was that fan" he said with smile.
She raised her beautiful eyebrows and
lowered the fan to show the smile on her
red lips.
'''The romance of it," he went on. 81 said
to myself Here is beautiful senorita who,
with romantic ideas of chivalry, is enter
ing into conspiracy wherein there can be
now see, senorita, | must either expose you
to great danger by keeping you here, or
to equal danger if L set you free to return
to your friends.
81 was working in just cause against in
justice and tyranny she answered,
proudly.
me, senorita. that is all romance: Others
are working for their own interest"
mo senior. You do not understand my
countrymen. They place honor first.
Your cousin for instance"
She laughed scornfuily.
"Your cousin" he said, "hopes to succeed
to your estate. That was the prize he was
working for
at is false"
He is with the President now. 1 heard
it from one of the wounded"
do you mock me, senor? she whis-
pered.
must L do?''
'If il is true l care nothing" she said
passionately. Rodriguez, who was my
brother-he a traitor, and still my heart
believes him guilty"
Now what must l do?"
Let them come" she said; they will
find me here"
Now senorita, you will see how men can
fight" He turned to the gauchos. jubillant
yet Comrades" he said, in Spanish, you
see here lady in distress-betrayed by her
friends. Her safety is in my keeping. and
| will hold this place against all till she is
sure of her own. | led you well, you fol-
lowed me like heroes, and you will stand
by her to DEATH.
ITO the DEATH they shouted, in hot ex-
element all their gallantry on fire
Isabella went forward and held out heI
hands. My friends she said her rich
voice ringing, from my heart I thank
YOU"
Now / will get the place into a state
he worked increasingly, strengthening the
walls, getting in provender for the horses
and food for the garrison. Then they
waited. and two days later the outposts
brought in word that another force was an
preaching. IL arrived in the evening. about
1000 strong, and camped around the hacien-
da The next moring a flag of truce ap-
L f1@r.r