The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1906-03-23
CHAPTER v.
ttaxudO the Half-Breed,

Mattaxudo the Half-Breed.
N ono OF the most luxurious rooms
n tho Castle Of Salvarez = tall, SOM
Werlooking man, clad in q gorgeous
WnifOrm, stood near table, looking
down at map Of Venezuela, his long,
thin dn9er tracing the boundaries OF
ahe states. and his eye measuring the
distance from Bolivar to Caracas.
On ono side Of him stood Ferdinand
i7omez. on tho other stood Don Juan
Aarza.
Your Majesty sees that we hold q
most important position" said Gomez.
In the presence of others Gomez
Mlled the pretender by the royal titles.
What he called him when they were
alone vas the more familiar namo of
Philip.
The stranger raised his dark, burn
ing eyes rested them on the face OF
Gomez.
II sec that we occupy 4 central posi-
don." he said. "but on the wrong side
Vt the Orinoco. We command here.
perhaps: but all the strength of the
Republic and all her wealth are separ-
kted from us by the great river
"You are mistaken" replied Gomez.
1T is true that the army OF Crespo IL
In the north. But the wealth OF Vene-
xuela-the true wealth. not the build
Pgs and customs port and towns. but
she vast stores OF gold and silver in
The mountains-is on this side"
Don Juan shrugged his shoulders.
.Of what use is It. to talk OF gold
and silver In tho mountains?" he de-
manded. ibid we come here as pros
pectors? Did we buy twenty thousand
rifles and rouse the half-breeds here
simply to enable us to work q claim7
Our work lies in the north"
True" responded Comes. II do not
wish to imply that we must not look
across the great river. We do not I wn
Venezuela till we occupy the capital.
But do not desire the value of this
part of the country to be underrated.
~ it has always been heretofore"
Time enough for that" said Philip
DS Aragon. Where do we strike next?"
Before making any attempt at
crossing tho Orinoco," said Gomez, "it
will be necessary to annihilate the
force under Salvares. It Is, I admit,
Smaller than our own: but It Is still
large enough to give us considerable
trouble. Moreover. Salvarsx II = man
1T resources. and az long - he has q
company at his back will be danger
Dus''
"Whers Ii salvares nowf~ asked
Philip.
About half-mile below the castle"
-'Will he attack"
HE certainly will. Salvarez Is not
khs man to accept defeat without
struggle"
yet, with the gums left In tho bat
clements and our well-armed infantry.
We should be able to defeat him."
"That II without question. There is
no cause to fear the result Of battle. :"
Let them come" said Gomez. Il
Will be ready for them. will visit the
snen again and reassure your Majesty" :"
TT has occurred 70 me. your majes-
"" said Don Juan, a. soon as tho
door had closed behind Gomez. that
INSTEAD OF waiting until you reach
Caracas to declare yourself king. you
should do so st once. and become
crowned before the people who are
now with U.s."
Philip spent q moment, with barred
head, deep in thought. Raising his
head. he said:
Cara. wisest and best of COUNSEL
orr. 1 think you are right I see it now
with your eyes. We must guard against
detection from our ranks. As you say.
e will 30 hest Tor mo to take the crown
At once
Just outside tho door Gomez stood
listening. There was q most ugly look
on the face Of the leader of the royal
tsts.
He walked quickly away when he
heard the resolve Of Philip. and hur-
ried 20 4 small outbuilding that had
been designated a. the headquarters Of
a6attaxudo. the leader Of the Zambos
Mattaxudo was there. He looked up
when Comes entered.
II want 70 see you alone" said
Comes.
NAt6Axu00 WAS emoklnE = huge.
black cheroot. He puffed some pungent
smoke toward Gomez. Humility, respect
toward superiors. were not parts Of the
character Of Mattaxurdo. His dark face
vas villainous In Its expression. He
vs. the man for dark deeds: he
,vas the man Comes wanted.
.sWell." !" he said. "am not aione?"
II did not know" answered Gomez.
II saw only you. but there may be 9TH
erS near
.'None," said Mattazudo.
0omax took seat near him.
.sNattaxudO," No said. you have
known me- long time"
Alattasudo laughed.
~f6A9or than I would want It known
e Caracas II this affair fails" he said.
AVge have been friends" said Gomez,
lgnoring tho words
lfSStsxtdo darted quick look to-
ward Gomez.
ss11EoYI ~ Ma anfd 0u0StiOningly. ''yOu