The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-07-28

died and not even taking time to re-
clothe himself he mounted and gal
loped after. An hour later he burst
through the ranks Of the little army
md refined In his horse before the as
tonished viceroy, who did not recognize
IN this sorry cavalier his favorite Of
ncer. and stern words Of reproof for
the unceremonious interruption of the
horseman broke from his lips until
they were checked by the first word
from the young captain.
Morgan and his buccaneers have
taken La Guayra and sacked it," gasp
ed Alvarado hoarsely.
Morgan! That accursed scourpe
again In arms? And my daughter
"A prisoner! For Gods love, turn
back the men!'
instantly" cried the viceroy.
lie was burning with anxiety to
hear more. but he was too good n SOL
dier to hesitate as to the FIRST thing to
be done : Raising himself In his stir
rups, he gave few sharp commands.
and the little army, which had halted
when he had. faced about and began
tue return march to Caracas ut full
speed. AS soon as their mancuvera
had been completed and they moved
OH, the viceroy, who rode ut the head
WIN Aiyarado and the gentlemen Of
MS suit, Broke into anxious question
ing. X
"Nowss captain, but that thou art a
skilled; Soldier 1 could not believe thy
tale" ;
s
MY ldrtl, I"Swear 1t is trucw
And you left Donna Mercedes a
prisoner" interrupted De Tobar, who
had been consumed with anxiety even
greater than that Of the viccroy.
"Alas, 'ts so!'
How can that be when you are free,
eenor?"
Let me question my own officer, Dc
Tobar,' resumed the viceroy peremp-
torily, 'and silence, all, else we learn
nothing. Now, Alvarado, what is this
strange tale of thine?'
In his eagerness the viceroy rened
In his horse, and the officers and men,
even the soldiers, stopped also and
crowded around the narrator while he
told the tale Of the sack of La Guayra
and the capture of Mercedes and him
self.
::Apd how came you here, after leuv-
Ing my daughter OH the word of the
buccancerN asked De Lara when
Alvarado had finished.
straight over the mountain, sir"
What! The Indian trail? The Eng
lish wayf"
The same"
"What next"
''At 10 tonight the sailor who re-
leased Inc will open the city gate, the
west gate, beneath the shadow Of the
cliffs. We must be there!"
But how? Gan we take the pass?
1t is strongly held, you say"
"My lord, give me fifty brave men
who will volunteer to follow me.
will lead them back over the trail, and
we Will get to the rear Of the men
holding the pass. Do you make a
feint at engaging them in force in
front, and when their attention is dis
tracted elsewhere we will fall OH and
drive them into your arms. BY this
means we open the way. Then we
will post down the mountains with
speed and may arrive in timc-nay,
we must arrive in time! Hornigold,
the sailor, would guarantee nothing
beyond tonight. The buccaneers are
drunk with liquor. tired out with
slaughter They will suspect nothing.
We can master the whole $50 of them
with fivescore men,"
"Alvarado," cried the viceroy, thou
hast done well. l thank thee. Let us
| but rescue my daughter and defeat
these buccaneers and thou mayst ask
| anything at my Misunderstanding one
thing. Gentlemen and soldiers, you
have heard the plan of the young cap
tain. Who will volunteer to go over
| the mountains with himT
Brandishing their swords and shout
ing with loud acclaim, the great body
| of troopers pressed forward to the
service. Alvarado, who knew them
oil, rapidly selected the requisite num-
Der, and they fell in advance Of the
others. Over them the young captain
placed his friend De Tobar as his sec
ond In command.
""Tls bravely donew cried the vice
roy. Now prick forward to the city,
all. Well refresh ourselves I'm view
| Of the arduous work before us and
then make our further dispositions"
The streets of Caracas were soon full
Of armed men preparing for their ven
ture. As soon as the plight of La
Guayra and the viceroy's daughter be-
came known there was scarcely q civil
ian even who did not, offer hlmself