Gilpin observer., 1906-11-15
"Fitzgerald," prompted tie Amer


violent plunge at the word. 81 have
to inform you, senior, that you ure to
be shot tomorrow morning, by my or
ders." He paused. "As for the plan
tation." with profound impressiveness.
II have ordered 1t condemned-accord
Ing to the laws of war"
Faith I'm sorry!" said Fitzgerald.
81 suppose the case isn't bailable.
mean, fine wouldn't do?"
The general looked at him with an
absolutely expressionless face.
Il mean," Fitzgerald continued un-
abashed, "that-you see it's all in real
United States gold, and it would do
the revolution, or you, great deal
more good than my death. And it's
hidden up at my house where nobody
could ever find 1t but me-
'Ah!" said Casal. How much have
you got?"
Half an hour later the general and
his captive, with a couple of negro
troopers behind them rode up to the
rambling stone buildings of the ha-
cienda. The soldiers remained in the
outer courtyard with the horses; Fitz-
gerald sent out a jar of aguardiente
for their delectation and then led the
general into the great unfurnished
house and through a multiplicity of
corridors and doors. Meanwhile the
wary guerrilla took care to walk al
ways in the rear, and to keep his hand
within six inches of his revolver butt.
Fitzgerald at last crossed a small
courtyard, went down narrow, roof
less corridor and stopped before
heavy door in a high white wall. He
unlocked this with difficulty, swung it
ponderously open, and stepped aside
for the general to precede him. Casal
saw sunlight beyond, and, taken by
surprise. walked through. The door
instantly changed shut at his back
1t was four inches thick, and was or
namented with several hundredweight
of wrought-iron trimmings.
The startled general found himself
in a rectangular courtyard. about 20
and walls of plastered stone ten feet
high. There was no outlet but the
great door. 1t was the old corral, fire.
proof and Indian proof, where in ear
lier days the Spanish colonists had
been accustomed to gather their most
valuable live stock safe from every
thing but lightning
Casal beat furiously at the door and
called to Fitzgerald. There was no
sort of response. He examined the
walls. but their tops were beyond his
reach. He felt himself trapped.
He spent good deal of the night
t,, ,lo,- -i,,., xxr1xy I, ,;, II.
rescue him from this accursed gringo.
But with the sunrise his torment re-
commenced. Rather than endure an
other such IL hours he would have sold
his country to the devil.
That morning Fitzgerald hailed him
from over the wall.
General. I want to talk to you.
Please throw your revolver over.
The pistol came Gathering over the
wall.
Now your sword"
There was a little hesitation about
this. but the sword followed the re-
volver. Then ladder appeared, and
Fitzgerald sat down on top of the wall.
I'm going to let you out on parole,
general, if you'll swear not to leave
this house or to attempt any communi-
cation with your army until l give
permission"
"My army is still here?" the revolu-
ZIONIST inquired, eagerly.
. "Oh, yes. / can see some of it from
this WALL said Fitzgerald. grinning
do you give me your word?"
The general had no choice; he gave
it, and Fitzgerald let him out His
first demand was for something cool
to drink. and Ire got it. Fitzgerald
then took him to a balcony on the
western side Of the house. from which
great part of the plantation was Wis
ible. and it was a busy scene. Men
were swarming through the rows OF
coffee shrubs. carrying great baskets
and trays of the crimson fruit.
"That's your army" said Fitzgerald,
placidly.
Casal viewed this scene of pacific
industry, and sat down Imply in a
long cane chair with a choking gasp.
But the oficers-where are they?"
the general demanded.
"Why, some of them are here. acting
as supervisors over the hands, you
know" Fitzgerald explained. "And
some of them went to Panama. OF
course" he hastened to add, II don't
want your army. AS soon as they get
all the coffee picked I'll give it back
to you again. and you can go on with
your revolution"
The general took II very we'll He
displayed such resignation. in fact.
that the American wondered II he had
not been already thinking of desert
ing the revolutionary cause. He spent
his days in the great cool rooms. con-
suming Fitzgerald's red rum and
black cipars with q neon child tn fan