The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-03-23
I Eau iiI said Mattazudo. a. he
CHAPTER VI.
.Syye..., Z. AsAx.SAt

The Attack.
f.! General sa1vafss was deep h the
council Of war with his ofncers. when
his wits and daughter reached him.
They rushed into lii arms with excla-
nations OF mingled Joy and WOO.
How did you escape!" said Sal
varex. Tell me about me attack on
the castle. Our men say they fought
bravely, and killed . hundred Of the,
enemy"
Fought bravely" replied Dona Ma
ria. There was no lighting 1T Ill! A
few shots were fired, it is true. But Of
what use would 1t be for . few to
stand against hundreds?"
who arc the two Americans. faAh-
er?'' asked Jacinta, who had head
enough about the war.
ooh, the Americans! Where a1s
they? have not missed them till nov.
Where did you see them?"
Near the castle. Pedro Francisco ID
with. the enemies of the republic, and
was looking for us in the castle
grounds. When we left the secret pas,
sage he came upon us, with two others.
and the Americans beat them OF and
brought us within short distance Of
you. They are here, so they said, to
rescue young girl from the hands Of
the conspirators against our liberty
Salvarez dismissed the Americans
from his mind, and began preparations
for attacking the castle.
Having reached the most advanta-
geous point within his grasp, salvarez
planted his two guns, ready to begin
the attack.
1t was at this point that the sentinel
on the tower had passed the word for
Gomez and had interrupted his talk
with Mattazudo.
Salvarez first took the precaution to,
send his wife and daughter some dis
tahce away from the scene in the care
of score of soldiers under a ieuten-
ant. Freed from their loving but en-
barrassing presence. he now dis
played himself fearlessly, and directed
the movements in person.
The soldiers under Salvarez were OF
the same classes as those under Fran
cisco and Mattazudo; but as no class Ia
altogether good, neither is any class
altogether bad, and the half-breeds,
even to the Zambos. who were among
the supporters Of the Government,
fought bravely.
At the command Of Salvarez the two
guns doomed their wrath against the
offending foe, and an answering charge
Of cannon and rifles awoke the echoes.
Again and again the booming guns
poured out their wrath, but the walls
iof the castle crumbled not.
Meanwhile, Salvarez was restlessly
pacing UP and down. He recognized
the impossibility Of driving the enemy
from his castle with the force at his
command. A problem had presented
itself to his mind. The secret passagel
He resolved to hold the secret. intend
ing, il necessary, to utilize 1t in some
way at night.
His meditations were interrupted by
loud shouts from his men. In the castle
| the preparations for the attack had
been watched eagerly by Gomez, Don
Juan and Philip of Aragon.
| THAT General is cool fellow" said
Philip. HE should be one of u.s."
"Salvarez is brave man." said
Gomez, "and as stubbornly loyal to the
/! republic aa he is brave"
''Salvarez seems to have confidence
! that his attack will be successful"
Gomez smiled
IF he knew it would be failure he
would be as calm"
els there any danger that he will be
SUCCESSFUL" asked Don Juan.
mot the least
"Js it, then, SO strong CASTER" ask
ed Philip.
"rhe strongest in Venezuela"
els it so? Then this spot was indeed
well chosen as the spot to begin our
operations"
Gomez smiled-his quiet, superior
smile.
81 knew what was doing" he said.
II generally do"
| ITO ho continued \