The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-03

III.
afford an additional support for those
who came after.
The men who reached the summit IN
the foremost file were Immediately to let
down ropes by which they would haul
Thus in the course OF their climb 81
would not be necessary to carry their
arms and they could advance more rap
idly.
BY this means the greatest possible
number of men would reach the sum
nit by daybreak. the hour planned for
the attack
AS TO the attack itself. Mertrez. being
thoroughly familiar with the ground.
had arranged II with view TO making
the most OF the natural advantages
which st Afforded The first detachment
to form in line should rush the signal
station at daybreak. while the others,
remaining behind. would protect the as
sent of such of their companions as had
not reached the summit of the path by
that time.
1t would be a difficult matter to seize
the signal station and the entrench-.
ments surrounding It, No doubt the
main body OF the British would at once
advance 20 the attack
Mertrez computed, however. that by
the time the enemy could form In line
and reach the higher ground on which
the Spaniards would take their stand.
between two and three hundred Of the
latter would be upon the top OF the
cliff. They would then have the advan-
tage OF position. for the English would
be compelled to advance I'D the fflI In
the face OF their opponents fire. IN
der sach circumstances. the lieutenant
felt confident that the spaniards could
not only hold their own but that they
could actually drive back their assail-
ants
The one thing necessary was 70 gain
as much time as possible. Every mo-
ment Of the fieeting darkness was
precious. Therefore. as soon as the first
few boats had discharged their human
cargo upon the shore. file OF men was
formed and set out along the precipitous
ascent
At the head OF the line marched Mer-
trez. Whatever hidden dangers might
Turk along the unknown path. he had
insisted that he sssould be the first 70
encounter them.
About his waist was tied The rome
which was to be fastened along the side
OF the path as soon as he should reach
the summit. In one hand he carried a
short iron bar with which to remove any
OF the lighter obstructions that he was
likely to encounter.
The soldier who marched immediately
behind him carried a shaded lantern so
arranged that its rays should fall upon
the path ell illumine it for the distance
OF few feet ahead OF the men. Aside
from this no light was permitted.
There was moon. but its face was
ooscured by clouds. so that it gave lit
tie assistance In deserving the trail.
For the most part the men were com
PEELED TO feel their way along.
Under these circumstances. the long
climb was as terrible to the men As il
had been 10 Anita, especially when the
sleeper and rougher portion OF the vav
was reached. Had any one of the men
been alone he would have given up the
attempt in despair. but each one. know
Ing that the eyes of his companions were
upon him, resolved not to be the first 10
yield
More than once some poor fellow miss
ed his footing on a particularly difficult
portion OF the path. and with death
cry that sent a shudder through his
mates. Vent whiriing over the precipice
mere indistinct. black shadow fioatinr
OF into space
Inc silence that followed each of these
catastrophes was more awful to the men
than would have been the SOUND of the
victims body striking the rocks below
Inc position OF Mertrez himself was
OF course. the most dangerous. More
than once he slipped and fell. saving
cafE l.
iiiinseh only by Selling some projecting
point of rock.
lime and again It seemed that the
pain ended abruptly and he had 10
pause and search carefully to find It's
continuation But he kept on doggedlv
setting his teeth when the sharp rocks
tore his flesh. prying off loose boulders
with his iron bar, striking the ledge be-
Tore him to make certain that II was
solid, making secure each foot of tks
way until at length he emerged. ex-
hausted but triumphant among the
bushes at the upper end of the path.
II was the work OF few moments to
secure the~fope around the base OF a
huge boulder and for the men who fol-
lowed 10 make 1t fast at convenient
points along the pathway. In this man
ner fairly secure means of ascent was
~ NANCN anu the advance became more
rapid.
One by one the shadowy forms of
the men appeared over the brow of the
cliff and silently fell into lire with their
companions. AS soon as a score had
reached the top the lieutenant directed
half a dozen of them TO take up sta
lions at some distance away in order
TO give timely warning of any approach
ing foe.
AS fast as others arrived they were
set at the task OF hauling up guns, and
ammunition at point a little further
along the cliff.
In this manner the work went stead
lily on throughout the night The men
moved about their tasks like automa-
tons or uttered whispered orders and
directions TO one another
There was no noise; even the mus
kets were hauled up and deposited up
on the ground without the usual clat-
ter
By the time the first gray streaks of
dawn began TO appear, full 200 men
were upon the height ready TO be mar
shaled in battle array, while others
we're constantly appearing from below
The silence OF the Rock remained UNI
disturbed. Apparently their coming
had not been noticed by the British.
Mertrez became more and more con-
fident OF the success Of his plan. The