The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1906-03-23
1.-The Filibusters of Venezuela.
Or the Trials of Spanish Girl
SEWARD HOPKINS.
by Bonner'. Sons.
CHAPTER V.
Mattazudo the Half Breed.

IN one OF the most luxurious rooms
Of the Castle OF Salvarez tall SOM
5er-looking man, clad in a gorgeous
Uniform. stood near table. looking
down at map OF Venezuela his long,
shin finger tracing the boundaries OF
she 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
sarza.
Your Majesty sees that we hold a
most important position" said Gomez.
In the presence OF others Gomez
sailed the pretender by the royal titles.
What he called him when they were
Nlone vas the moro familiar name of
Philip
The stranger raised his dark. burn
ing eyes rested them on the face OF
Gomez.
Il see that we occupy a central posi-
aon." 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.
1T Is true that the army of Crespo Is
in the north. But the wealth OF Vene-
suela-the true wealth. not the build
ings and customs port and towns. but
tho vast stores of gold and silver in
ahe mountains-is on this side"
Don Juan shrugged his shoulders.
"Of what use is 1t to talk of gold
and silver in the mountains?" he de-
nanded. "Did we come here as pros
pectors? Did we buy twenty thousand
rides and rouse the half-breeds here
simply to enable us to work claim7
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 wn
Venezuela tn we occupy the capital.
Out 1 do not desire the value of this
part of the country to be moderated.
hs 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, cit
will be necessary to annihilate the
Corce under Salvarez. 1t is. I admit,
smaller than our own; but 1t is still
large enough to give us considerable
trouble. Moreover. Salvarez is a man
OF resources. and as long as ne has
company at his back will be danger
aus"
Where Is Salvares nowf" asked
Philip.
About half mile below the castle"
viii he attack?"
'He certainly will. Salvarez is not
:hs man to accept defeat without
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
40 cause to fear the result of BATTLE"
Let them come" said Gomez. II
will be ready for them. l will visit the
.nen again and reassure your Majesty"
1T has occurred to me. your majes-
4y." said Don Juan. as soon as the
door had closed behind Gomez. that
instead OF waiting until you reach
Caracas to declare yourself king, you
should do SO at once. and become
crowned before the people who are
now with us"
Philip spent a moment. with barred
bead. deep in thought. Raising his
head. he said:
Cara. wisest and best OF counsel
ors. think you are right see it now
with your eyes. We must guard against
detection from our ranks. AS you say.
1t will be best for me to take the crown
at once"
Just outside the door Gomez stood
listening. There was most ugly look
on the face of the leader of the royal
ists
He walked quickly away when he
heard the resolve of Philip, and hur-
rted to small outbuilding that had
been designated as the headquarters Of
Aattazud0. the leader of the Zambos.
Mattaxudo was there He looked up
when Gomez entered.
Gomez.
Mattazudo was smoking q hugo.
black cheroot. He pulled some pungent
smoke toward Gomez. Humility, respect
toward superiors. we're not parts of tho
character Of Mattazurdo. His dark face
was ylllainous in its expression. He
was the man for dark deeds; he
was the man Gomez wanted.
WELL" he said. 'am not alone?"
II did not know" answered Gomez.
Fl saw only you. but there may be 9TH
srs near"
None" said Mattazudo.
Gomez took a seat near him.
''Mattazudo." he said. you have
known mo long time"
Mattazudo laughed
Longer than would want 1t known
at Caracas II this. affair falls" he said
I'VE have been friends" said Gomez,
ignoring the words
Mattazudo darted quick look to-
ward Gomez.
Well" he said Questioningly, "you
have game. Out with It."
'sDo you want to earn some mon
byf' asked Gomez.
III It Is enough
A. n. ~