The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-08-04

men before the latter could be per-
suaded that Alvarado was right. Each
moment, however, added to the num-
bcr Of the party. There was no great
distance between the first and last,
and after wait of perhaps ten or
fifteen minutes some $50 horsemen
were assembled. The viceroy had not
come up with the rest, but they were
sure he would be along presently, and
Alvarado would wait no longer.
Bidding the men dismount lest they
should he observed on horseback and
stationing one to acquuint the viccroy
with his plans, he divided his troop
into three companies. lie and Dc ToDar
taking command of one and choosing
tho nearest fort as their objective
point. Captain AGramontc, Il veteran
soldier. was directed to Scour the town.
and Lieutenant NuneZ, another trusted
officer, was ordered to master the east
crn fort OH the other side. They were
directed to kill every man whom they
saw at large in the city, shooting or
cutting down every man abroad with
out hesitation, for Alvarado rightly
OWNED that all the inhabitants would
be pcnned up in some prison or other
and that none would be on the streets
except the buccaneers. There were
still enough pirates in the city greatly
to outnumber his force. but many of
them were drunk. and all Of them, the
Spaniard counted, would be unpre-
pnred. The advantage Of the surprise
would be with his own men. If he
could hold them in play for twenty
minutes the viceroy, with another de-
tachment, would arrive, and thereafter
the end would be certain. They could
take prisoners then and reserve them
for some meet punishment for their
crimes.
Those necessary preparations were
made with the greatest speed, the men
were told Off in their respective COM
panies, and then. keeping close under
the shadow Of the cliff for fear Of a
possible watcher, they started for
ward.
Since 10 old Ben Hornigold had been
hidden in an arnI,nd- -~~.~-- xir rau
thought as the slow minutes dragged
by that Alvarad0 had failed, and he
began to contrlve some way by which
he could account for his escape to
Morgan in the morning, when the cap
tain would ask to have him produced.
but the arrival Of the Spaniards re-
lieved his growing anxiety.
"Donna Mercedes?" asked Alvarauo
Of the old boatswain as he entered the
gate.
"Safe when I left her in the guard
| room with Morgan and armed. III you
would see her alive
"This way!" cried Alvarado. dashine
| madly along the street toward the fort
Every man had his weapons In mana
and the little party had scarcely gone
ten steps before they met buccaneer
He had been asleep when. he shouit
lhaye watched and had just been awak
ened by the sound Of their approach
He opened his mouth to cry out, bu
Alyarado thrust his sword through hin
before he could utter sound. III
moonlight made the street as light
day. and before they had gone twent
steps farther, turning the corner, the
came upon little party Of the pirates
An immediate alarm was given b
, them. The Spaniards brushed theI
aside by the impetuosity Of their onse
but on this occasion pistols wei
drought in play. Screams and cries 70
flowed the shots, and calls to arms ran
through the town.
But by this time the other compani'
u were in the city, and they were ma
v ing terrible havoc as they ran to the
e appointed, stations. The buccanee
came pouring FROM the houses, most
e them arms in hand. But the three
'e tacks simultaneously delivered bew
I, dered them. The streets In oil dire
le tions seemed full Of foes. The adva
lie taes of the surprise was with the Spa
e. ish. The pirates were without lead'
III ship for the moment and ran aimless
RS to and fro, not knowing where to raj
II, yet little bands did gather together
lie stinctively, and these began to ma
ep some headway against the Spanish
en- diery. Even the towards fought d
u perately, for around every neck ,
e already the feel OF halter.
u" Alvarado and De Tobar soon fo'
he themselves detached from their c.
III pany. Indeed, as the time progress
eh and the buccaneers began to perct
R ns the situation they put up more
en more stubborn and successful OPP
a.. au ton. They rallied in larger parties
offered q stout resistance to the 81
o ish charges. Disregarding their is
ton, the two young officers ran to
fort. Fortunately the way In that
iae rection was not barred. The SOIL
ouu sentry Mt the gateway attempted
De check them, but they cut him dow
ept an instant. AS they mounted the
'he' they heard above the shrieks and
SUI and shots Of the tumult that
'e'n blowing in the easement with the
iere wind the sound Of woman's screa
no' "Mercedesw cried De Tobar. "