The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-27


 slender bony hand to take Lalors, and I recognize in you one whom the saints sent to lonely man to record. perhaps l his last exploit, which would have been | lest to humanity had none lived who | could add it to the page of Spanish his- | tory.'
 l Labor went down the mountains. ..leaving 1 Bon Q. with a priest the chief had caused :, to be fetched from the little chapel of l San Pedro. For Don o. in view of his pos I sible death. desired to confess and to re- l ceive absolution from the hands of the | trembling father.
 | The young Englishman took up his abode in a posada on the outskirts of Castelleno, where he waited for nearly | q week, listening to the townspeople dis cussing news from the sierra, which was sensational and contradictory, and also the diversion they expected from staring
 at Don Q. when he should be exhibited to the public gaze in a cage on the Plaza! Labor heard in silence, knowing well that if ever they gazed upon the fierce chief, 1t would be upon his dead body. One afternoon young woman touched him on the arm and raising her hand some eyes to his-"You have heard of Isabelilla?" she said, laying an indicative finger on her own breast and pausing a moment for his acknowledgment. Labor bowed and made a suitable re- ply.
 She went on to say that the hospitality Of the poor dwelling of her mother, who was a laundress, was open to him if he would follow her. for there was one come from the mountains who desired to speak with the senor.
 She moved off at once, and Lalor fol- lowed. At the house he found Robledo The young brigand was very pale under his sunburn
 Isabelilla waited on them. Labor has since said she was the handsomest woman he had ever seen As up to the date of that memorable supper three men had been stabbed for her sake, bis opinion probably only did ler justice. During the meal, which was made up of an excellent puchero beans and fruit, Labor asked no questions. After It, he lit a cigarette and inquired how Don Q. fared.
 Robledo shook his head. 1T will tell the senor the story" And he told it, backing his words with look and gesture till Labor felt he saw the scenes described.
 Robledo told of the final look at the deserted valley of the Boca de Lobo, of the march to the last fastness of the bri- gands on an isolated peak surrounded by preelpees on every side, and joined only to the mass of the sierra by a narrow bridge of living rock. Here was situated one of the dwelling caves of Don O., and the spot was fortified by sangars craftily constructed to dominate the approach of the long isthmus.
 My lord and I walked last, for those others were not willing to go to the Punta de Lanza said Robledo. But why?" Labor asked in surprise. 'It could never be taken.' True, senor. But also one could not
 run away from 1t. Therefore, those 15
 moved slowly"
 He spoke of a man who tried to de- sert. and whom he and a companion had
 hurled from the cliff. and of shepherd
 ing the remainder across the rocky
 bridge. Having completed the prepara- tions, a characteristic fit of gloom fell upon Don Q. The last scout had been withdrawn, the bridge strewn with stones
 and bowlers to make the footing treacher- ous. All was ready. Two days of walt
 ing followed. while they lay cut off from all the world. Two blue golden days, that showed the glories of the sierra above,
 and far beneath the peaceful smoke ris- ing from scattered chozas. and the haze that clung around distant towns on the
 warm and drowsy plain.
 Thus we waited watching. my lord and
 I and those IA for the coming of 300'' The
 young Spaniard stopped and sat musng with drowning brows. until 1sabelilla, growing inpatient lald ner arm across
 his shoulder He started slightly and re- stunned his tale.
 "Once or twice." he said. ''the echo of
 a shot rang from gorge to gorge. And at last came a dawn which showed the.
 enemy advancing. Don Q. had supplied
 each man with three loaded magazine
 rifles, bidding them reserve their fire un-
 til he gave the signal.
 My lord lay beside me in the trench" | Dol, 1a toll rifh prfda nd au
 that none of our foes were quick to step fire upon the bridge, till a tall captain thrust out of the crowd. He had a white
 face under big black eyebrows. and he
 drove a man before him with his naked
 sword, 1t was Pablo. My lord laid his
 cheek to the rife and it yelped in my
 ear. Pablo twirled round. screaming, and eseized the captain about the middle. They twisted on the bridge as strong men twist