The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-04-27
CHAPTER XIII.

OdlVareZ MuSC be saved.
This plan of yours-to have the ex-
.scution Of Salvarez postponed until
,snidnight-is beyond my comprehen-
sion. Is there any game in it,"
It was Gomez who spoke. He and
iErancisco were in the Council Room.
Phillip was away in another part of the
castle with Don Juan.
"Game?" replied Francisco. what
game could there be? What do you
mean. Gomez? Explain your insinua-
'ttons!"
1T is strange that true lover of
the king and a hater of the Republic
should seek to delay the execution of
one Of Crespo's most dangerous gen.
erals. Rather, to my mind, should he
Aasten the death Of the entire horde. :"
Francisco smiled.
General Gomez" he said, "there
ere other hearts than yours. You are
act the only friend the king has in
Venezuela. Have l not led my SOL
,dfers?"
Your soldiers? Oh, yes, your SOL
.dters. Or course, my dear Pedro, your
vaior is beyond dispute. But in this
case Of Salvarez-the delay Of his ex-
ecution as demanded by you and yield
cd by Philips, to say the least, in
applicable. There must be a motive
In it,
yes" replied Francisco, after a
pause, there is motive in it. There
IS a reason why have asked to have
the execution of Salvarez postponed.
i have explained this reason to the
king. 1t satisfied him. 1t must satisfy
you"
Gomez laughed.
(which is your way of informing
me that it is none of my business" he
said.
Not so. You are general of the
army. YOU"
ooh, well, let it drop. If Philip is
satisfied. l am sure 1 ought to be.
There are matters to be thought of that
are more important than this rebel
general. 1t is time We moved toward
the Orinoco."
II thought it had been decided that
our safest plan was to wait here for
Crespo,s army to attack us. He will,
undoubtedly, send only small detach-
nents at time. We can destroy them
as they come"
Nonsense" said Gomez, struggling
his shoulders. Are we to sit here in
active while Crespo fires the enthusi-
,asm of the mobs north of the Orinoco?
a NrIo IL,
others say to that? Remember, we
aave thousands of supporters there
who are ready to join us as soon as
We begin our triumphant march to-
ward Caracas. If we remain here, they
Will think we are afraid, and will de-
sert the Crespo. I understand our peo-
Ole we'll enough to know that their
loyalty to our cause can be depended
upon only as long as we show them
we are succeeding. Our best move is
GO cross the Orinoco as soon as pos
sible, picking up reinforcements on the
way. We shall have easily twice as
many followers as Crespo by the time
we meet him.
But will the king leave the castle
sas' long as Garza's daughter is ill?"
Gle must. Is the cause to be lost
through his infatuation?"
When Francisco had gone, Gomez
gent for certain captain upon whom
he felt that he could rely.
General. you sent for me-" said the
captain, as he entered.
Eyes. sent for you, because trust
you more than do any other officer
OF the king, and have something for
you to do.''
Thank you, general. I will en-
deavor to deserve your high regard"
Captain, what do you think of
Erancisco?"
francisco? What do I think of
aim? That is strange question, gen.
9ral"
II know it is, but strange circum-
stances cause it. You were probably
surprised when you learned that the
execution Of Salvarez was postponed
till midnight"
Yes, was surprised at that
you would no doubt be more sur
0rfsed II you knew that this was done
ct the solicitation Of Francisco him
self"
francisco! He was to give the
command to IRE"
"Just so. Now. captain. you have
Hved near enough to Francisco to
&now something about him. What
have been the relations existing be-
tween Francisco and the family of Sal
Sarez7 Is there anything there?"
'''oh. Francisco has long wanted to
marry the daughter of Salvarez. Ey-
srybody knew that"
"Do. you think his love for the girl is
.sincere?"
"Sfncere? It is strong enough"
~You don't like the word sincere
ut hardly applies to ordinary cases
sof love on the Orinoco. think Fran
cisco wants her for his own happiness.
! don't think he considers hers"
Still, his passion for her is such
ehat he would resort to any means to