The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1906-03-02
CHAPTER I.
The Presidents Message.


xuela than the valley OF Coroni. and
there is no brighter luxuriance In the
valley OF the Coroni than that Of the
great plantation of General Jose Sal
vArez, which lies on the left bank OF
tho Coroni about twenty miles from
the point OF confluence of that river
with the great Orinoco. Here are raised
coffee, second to none, not even the
famous product Of Maracaibo; sugar
cane. bananas, cotton. indigo, cocoa
nuts, corn and wheat.
Along the river was thick growth,
where, am0ng many other things,
could be found caoutchouc, the tonka-
bean and gutta-percha
Besides being the proud owner of
twelve thousand acres of this magnif-
cent and wealth producing territory.
General Salvarez was the commanding
general of all the troops of the Repub-
lie of Venezuela south of the Orinoco.
There were, In all, not more than a
thousand, and were scattered over
miles Of territory; but under the i'm
mediate command Of General Salverez,
Quartered In the comfortable fortress
which formed part Of Castle Salvarez,
was regiment consisting Of two hum
dred men, with q battery amounting
to six guns: aad at the city of Bolivar,
above the C0rOni. ON the Orinoco, was
= small company In the tumbledown
barracks that formed poor shelter
eyen when they. needed shelter least
Some Of these soldiers Of the Republic
were Of Spanish blood without mixture;
some were negroes, and some were In
1ians; hut the majority were half
breeds, the descendants of whites and
negroes or whites and Indians. There
was another type Of half-breeds, too
utterly worthless Tor use as soldiers,
and thoroughly untrustworthy, the re-
suit Of q mixture Of negro and Indian
blood. There were many of these in
the Cor0ni valley, and they frequently
made trouble. Their patriotism was
00thing. They were ready for any up
rising or deeds OF violence for which
they were well paid. These were the
Zambos. the distinctive name Of their
type.
The forces Of General Salvarez were
fairly well armed and disciplined
brave, and thoroughly devoted to the
Republic. They adored their brave
commander. and were ever ready to
follow him, ever faithful, unflinching,
accomplishing.
General Salvarez was very wealthy
man. In fact, 1t had been said that he
could not count his wealth. Taking
this to mean that the value of his crops
depended on favoring weather and the
worth Of his great herds Of cattle out
on the llanOs. or plains rose and fell
Increased or diminished by favoring or
untoward circumstances, then the say
ing was true. Be that as 1t may, Don
Jose Salyarez was wealthy man. a
general Of the Republic and 2 personal
friend Of President Crespo.
But Of all the valuable possessions
o. Don Jose Salvarez, none compared.
In his estimation, with his lovely wife,
Dona Maria, or his daughter. Senor-
ita Jacinta.
Senorita Jacinta was the brightest
Jewel Of the Coroni valley, and no one
knew this or appreciated it better than
Eenorita Jacinta. She was the toast and
often the sweetheart of the officers of
the garrison, and with whom she would
frequently promenade under the frown-
ing gums, with her mantilla thrown
loosely about her well-rOunded form,
and her black eyes swapping with the
passions OF her southern blood.
Senorita Jacinta, at the time our
story opens, was about Is years Of age;
but maturity comes early to the girls
.of the warm countries, and Jacinta's
physical deyelOpement compared well
With that Of an American young WON.
a Of s2S or ~.
have spoken Of Jacinta as some
timeUDeing the sweetheart Of an Officer
a her fathers garrison.
hut It was not only the officers Of tn,
xarrison that loved Jacinta. Pedro
Trancisce, tho wealthiest land and cat
tIe owner south Of the Orinoco saw
General 1alvares. had wooei her
neraistently: but Jacinta was repub
iican. and Francisco leaned towart
opain. and she would have none Q
MIN.
Though Jacinta had had many lov
~ e her fest, her own heart haa
never yet been touched Yet 81
quick Wa her nature, % warn
her bleed, that e needed but
spark 70 kindle the fame. Love at mrs
sixht u mere than : possibility Will
eirls of Jacinta's temperament. Il Il
the rule. And when once that fathom
LEES depth OF nre and passion shouls
spring into volcanic action, who cal
toll the consequences of hersslf-ant
other1!
The castle Of General Salvares was
like all ether houses Of wealthy meI
"a the Orinoco valley, situated on higl
ground. 70 keep It up out OF the floodl
that sometimes cover the land. It was
great square building. partly Of stone
partly of iron. and partly Of cement.
but there was to come time when
this repose Vas to be rudely interrup.
1 i'd: when the soul Of Jacinta was to bt
torn ~ grief and anxiety; when for .
snnnnAnf ehA Waa u know the cOnsum.