The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1906-03-22
CHAPTER Y.

osr-looking man. clad in a gorgeous
antform. stood lear a table, looking
down at a map Of Venezuela, his long,
hin finger tracing the boundaries OF
shs 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
:alled the pretender by the royal titles.
What he called him when they were
alone va the more 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-
Hon." he said. "but on the wrong side
9r the Orinoco. We command here,
perhaps: but all the strength Of the
Republic and all her wealth are separ-
yted from us by the great river"
"Y,u are mistaken" replied Gomez.
1t is ,"ue that the army Of Crespo Is
In the ,s,n.'But the wealth OF Vene-
euela-the true wealth, not the build
tnss and customs port and towns, but
che vast stores of gold and silver l.
che mountaius-is on this SIDE"
Don Juan shrugged his shoulders.
OF what use is 1t to talk Of gold
49,, ,;1,nr ~ fha ,orntaipo ~ he do
Snanded, Did we come here as pros
,3ectors? Did we buy twenty thousand
cihes and rouse the half-breeds here
simply to enable us to work a claim?
Dur 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 TIL we occupy the capital.
But I 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
81 Aragon. Where do We strike next?"
Before making any attempt at
crOssing the Orinoco," said Gomez, "it
Will be necessary to annihilate the
.orcs under Salvares. 1t is, | admit.
amailer than our own; but it is still
large enough to give us considerable
trouble, Moreover. Salyarez is a nan
Of resources. and as long as he has a
.s,mpany at his back will be danger
'ous."
Where Is Salyares now!" asked
Philip.
About a half-mile below the CASTLE"
will he attack"
He certainly will. Salvarez Is not
the man to accept defeat without a
struggle"
Yet. with the guns left in the bat
clements and our well-armed infantry,
va should be able to defeat him."
That Is without question. There is
40 cause to fear the result of a battle"
Let them come" said Gomez. Il
will be ready for them. | will visit the
snen again and reassure your Majesty
1T has occurred to me. your majes-
~" said Don Juan, as soon as the
door had closed behind Gomez, that
qastead Of waiting until o reach
Caracas to declare yourself king, you
should do so at once. and become
crowned before the people who are
now with u.s."
Philip spent a moment. with barred
head, deep in thought, Raising his
head, he said:
Cara, wisest and best of counsel
tors, ( think you are right. l see it now
with your eyes. We must guard against
detection from ranks. AS you say,
1t will be best for me to take the crown
at once"
Just outside the door Gomez stood
listening. There wal a most ugly look
on the face OF the leader of the royal
lists.
He walked quickly away when he
heard the resolve of Philip, and hur-
rled to o small outbuilding that had
been designated as the headquarters of
Nattazudo. the leader of the zambos.
MattaHudo was there. He looked up
when Gomez entered.
II want to see you alone" said
Gomez.
Mattazudo was smoking a huge.
black cberoot. He puffed some pungent
smoke toward Gomez. Humility, respect
toward superiors, were not parts of the
character of Mattazurdo. His dark face
was yillainous In it's expression. He
was the man for dark deeds: he
was the man Gomez wanted.
WELL" ne said, IAN I not alone?"
81 did not know" answered Gomez.
II saw only you. but there may be 9TH
ers near"
None" said Mattazudo.
Gomez took a seat neal him.
"Mattazudo." he said, you have
known me a hong time"
Mattazudo laughed.
Longer than 1 would want 1t 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.
WELL" he said q~uestioningly, "you
have a game. Out with it."
do you want to ear some mon.
eyf" asked Gomez.