The Washington times., 1904-07-10
CHAPTER XXI.
A Quick Change of Sentiment.


The first volley fred by the Spaniards
in their early morning attack had reused
Anita from her slumbers in the witch's
cavern
She sat up suddenly. looking about
her in a bewildered way. but listening
intently. The witch herself was al
ready stirring about the fire she had
kindled near the mouth Of the cave.
In a moment a second discharge
echoed across the Rock.
What is IL. Zanosa?" called the girl
excitedly. Did II not seem TO you Ike
the sound of firing guns?'
The witch woman continued her opera
lions about the fire. She was watching
the girl shrewdly beneath her bushy
brows.
Apparently. she paid TO heed to the
sound Of the shots, which now CAME
in rapid succession from the direction
Of the signal station.
What can It mean?'' continued Anita,
in feigned surprise. after waiting a mo-
ment for the response which her COM
panion failed to give. at is, indeed, the
noise Of firing" she went on, as the
sounds became more distinct.
AYE. it may be- muttered the witch
above her pot of broth; ''but If so, 1t
can be nought that concerns thee or
me"
Anita was already we'll advanced with
a hasty toilet. Her hands trembled
with excitement and her heart beat
painfully as she thought that the sue
cess or failure Of Carlos plan for the
recapture of the Rock was being de-
cided at that moment only a short dis
tance away.
at 80 ero forth nd coo xrbaF oil 10
noise and the firing is about" she said,
eagerly.
She did not wish to arouse Zanosa's
suspicious, as TO her share in the pres
ent undertaking. and yet she could not
stay her anxiety 10 be on the scene Of
the conflict.
1T is not well to interfere with az
fairs that are not our concerns" OBJ
tected the old woman 'If the Eng
lish or the Spanish. oP both, wish to
shoot each other, IL should be 20 us
only as the lighting OF dogs IN the road
WaY."
In spite Of her assumed indifference.
the witch was as eager as Anita herself
10 see the exact nature Of the strife
that disturbed the usual tranquility Of
Gibraltar, and TO learn whether her
surmise Of the night before had been
correct.
Accordingly. after some further grum-
bling, she hitched up the pot above the
fire, so that its contents would not burn
during her absence. and accompanied
Anita outside the cavern.
The firing which they had previously
heard. and which had been occasioned
by the capture OF the signal station. lad
now subsidized. When the two reached the
point where the path from the witch's
cavern led out upon the plateau the
place had regained It's accustomed quiet.
The first place that Anita's eyes
sought was the portion OF the height
about the upper end Of the secret path,
which now was secret no longer Her
heart bounded as she observed the sol
diers IN Spanish uniform grouped about
the spot.
The ascent OF the path at least had
been successful. It remained TO be seen
whether the invaders could hold what
they had taken.
The girls eyes roamed about the ,,roup
OF men, seeking out one form that she
ght recognize. But the distance was
too great 10 distinguish her lover from
the others. even had he been among
them instead Of within the captured sig
nal station.
Zanosa had likewise been gazing at
the group OF men.
LAS live" she exclaimed, with an air
Of the greatest establishment. these be
the mongreI Spanish ours come back to
bite at their masters. They must have
found the secret way"
As she said this she turned her pierre
ing black eyes fun upon the girl. Anita
remained steadfastly gazing at the scene
upon the edge OF the plateau.
Her back was half-turned toward