The Ladysmith news and Ingram news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1905-1906, 1906-04-28
CHAPTER XIII.
salvarez Must Be Saved"

tAton. is Jnere any game III II
1t was Gomez who spoke. He and
francisco were in the Council Room.
Philip was away in another part OF the
castle with Don Juan.
Gamer" replied Francisco. What
game could there be? What do you
mean, Gomez? Explain your insinua-
<ions.'
cit is strange that a true lover of
che king and hater of the Republic
ghould seek to delay the execution of
one Of Crespo's most dangerous gen
erals. Rather, to- my mind, should he
hasten the death of the entire horde"
Francisco smiled.
General Gomez" he said, 'there
are other hearts than yours. You are
not the only friend the king has in
.diers?''
Your soldiers? Oh, yes, your sol
aiers. Oh course, my dear Pedro, your
valor is beyond dispute. But in this
case OF Salvarez-the delay of his ex-
ecution as demanded by you and yield
ed by Philips, to say the least, in
applicable There must be a motive
IN it."
eyes" replied Francisco, after a
pause there is motive in it. There
IS a reason why l 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.
mot so. You are general of the
army You"
satisfied, 1 am sure l ought to be.
There are matters to be thought of that
are more important than this rebel
general It is time we moved toward
che Orinoco."
Il thought it had been decided that
our safest plan was to wait here for
CresDO's army to attack us. He will,
undoubtedly, send only small detach-
ments at a time. We can destroy them
as they come"
Nonsense" said Gomez, struggling
mis- shoulders. Are we to sit here in
active while Crespo fires the enthusi-
.asm Of the mobs north of the OrinocO?
What would GOdOy, Hernandez and the
others say to that? Remember, we
nave 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-
Gert the Crespo. I understand our peo-
ole well 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
60 cross the Orinoco as soon as pos
afble, picking UP reinforcements on the
way. We shall have easily twice as
Enany followers as Crespo by the time
we meet him.
"But will the king leave the castle
sas long as Garza's daughter is il1?"
Gle must. is the cause to be lost
through his infatuation?"
When Francisco had gone, Gomez
sent for a certain captain upon whom
no felt that he could rely.
General, you sent for me" said the
captain, as he entered.
Yes, I sent for you, because trust
you more than l do any other officer
OF the king, and l have something for
you to do"
Thank you, general. / will en-
deavor to deserve your high regard"
Captain, what do you think of
Erancisco?'
francisco? What do l think of
aim? That is strange question, gen.
.eraI."
'f know it is, but strange circum-
stances cause it. You were probably
surprised when you learned that the
execution of Salvarez was postponed
EfII midnight"
eyes, was surprised at that"
"You would no doubt be more sur
prised If you knew that this was done
at the solicitation of Francisco him
self"
francisco! He was to give the
.xommand to fire"
"Just so. Now. captain, you have
lived near enough to Francisco to
know something about him. What
faave been the relations existing be-
tween Francisco and the family of Sal
garez? Is there anything there?"
ooh, Francisco has long wanted to
enarry the daughter of Sa1varez. Ev-
erybody knew that
"Do you think his love for the girl is
afncere?"
Sincere? It is strong enough"
"You don't like the word sincere
cit hardly applies to ordinary cases
Of love On the Orinoco. I think Fran
eisco wants her for his own happiness.
don't think he considers hers.
Still, his passion for her is such
chat he would resort to any means to
compel her to marry him"
''T think So
$50 do I. Now I will tell you why I
sent for you. I believe Francisco is a