The Ladysmith news and Ingram news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1905-1906, 1906-03-24
CHAPTER V.

Aer-looking man, clad in gorgeous
zniform, stood near table, looking
Gown at a map of Venezuela, his long.
thin finger tracing the boundaries Of
The states, and his eye measuring the
distance from Bolivar to Caracas.
On one side of him stood Ferdinand
Gomez on the other stood Don Juan
Cara
Your Majesty sees that we hold a
most important position" said Gomez.
In the presence of others Gomez
called the pretender by the royal titles.
What he called him when they were
alone vas the more familiar name OF
Philip.
The stranger raised his dark, burn
ing eyes rested them on the face Of
Gomez.
''I see that we occupy a central posi-
Eon," he said, but on the wrong side
of the Orinoco. We command here.
perhaps; but all the strength Of the
Republic and all her wealth are separ-
ated from us by the great river"
you are mistaken" replied Gomez.
"It is true that the army Of Crespo is
in the north But the wealth of Vene-
Euela-the true wealth, not the build
7ngs and customs port and towns, but
the 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 the mountains?" he de-
manded. Did we come here as pros
pectors? Did we buy twenty thousand
rifes and rou-4 the half-breeds here
simply to enablr us to work claim?
Our work lies IN the north"
True" responded Gomez. II do not
wish to imply that we must not look
across the great river We do not own
Venezuela till we occupy the capital.
But l do not desire the value of this
part of the country TO be moderated,
as it has always been heretofore"
Time enough for that" said Philip
OF Aragon, Where do We strike next?"
Before making any attempt at
crossing the Orinoco," said Gomez, 1t
will be necessary to annihilate the
force under Salvarez 1t is, l admit,
smaller than our own; but it is still
large enough to give us considerable
trouble. Moreover, Salvarez is a man
of resources, and as long as he has
company at his back will be danger
GUS"
Where is Salvarez now?" asked
Philip.
About half-mile below the castle"
sCWiII he attack %
He certainly will Salvarez is not
che man to accept defeat without a
struggle"
yet. with the guns left in the bat
clements and our well-armed infantry,
we should be able to defeat him
That Is without question. There is
no cause to fear the result of battle"
Let them come said Gomez. Il
will be ready for them. l will visit the
men again and reassure your Majesty"
1T has occurred to me, your males
~" said Don Juan, as soon as the
door had closed behind Gomez, that
Snstead of waiting until you reach
Caracas to declare yourself king, you
should do so at once, and become
crowned befc-e the people whc are
NOW with US"
Philip spent moment, with barred
mead. deep in thought. Raising his
head, he said:
Cara. wisest and best OF counsel
F0rs, think you are right. l see it now
with your eyes. We must guard against
detection from our ranks. AS you say,
It will be best for me to take the crown
at once"
Just outside the door Gomez stood
listening There was a most ugly look
on the face of the leader of the royal
fists
He walked quickly away when he
heard the resolve of Philip, and hur-
ried to a small outbuilding that had
been designated as the headquarters Of
Mattazudo, the leader Of the Zambos.
Mattazudo was there. He looked up
when Gomez entered.
"I want to see you alone" said
Gomez.
MatLazudo was smoking huge,
BLACK cheroot. He pulled some pungent
smoke toward Gomez. Humility, respec.
toward superiors, were not parts Of the
character of Mattazurdo. His dark face
was villainous In it's expression. He
was the man for dark deeds; he
was the man Gomez wanted
Well" he said, ''am not alone?"
"I did not know" answered Gomez.
OF saw only you, but there may be 9TH
srs near"
None" said Mattazudo.
Gomez took a seat near him.
''Mattazudo," he said, you havs
known me long time"
Mattazudo laughed.
Longer than I would want it known
at Caracas If this affair fails" he said.
I'VE have been friends" said Gomez,
ignoring the words.
Mattazudo darted a quick look to-
ward Gomez.
We'll" he said questioningly, you
have a game. Out with it,
do you want to earn some mon
NJ" asked Gomez.