The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1907-01-12


tat1on,' with profound impress1veness,
Il nave ordered it observation-disclosures
Ing to the laws of war;"
Faith, I'm sorry!" said Fitzgerald.
i suppose the case isn't bailable. I
mean' tine would dQ?"
The. general looked at him with an
absolutely expressionless face.
L mean," Fitzgerald continued, un-
aoashed, "that-you see it's all in real
United States gold, and it would do
the revolution, or you, a great deal
more good than my death. And it's
hidden up at my house where nobody
could ever find it but me-
All" said Casal. "How much have
you got?"
Half an hour later the general and
MS captive, with a couple of negro
troopers behind them. rode up to the
rambling stone buildings of the ha-
cle44da. 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 unfinished
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 a. narrow, roof
less corridor and stopped before
heavy door in high Write wall. He
unlocked this with difficulty, swung it
generously open, and stepped aside
Tor the general to precede him. Casal
saw sunlight beyond, and, taken by
surprise, walked through. The door
instantly changed shut at his back.
The startled general found himself
In a rectangular courtyard, about 20
yards square, with beaten clay floor,
and walls Of plastered stone ten feet
high. There was no outlet but. the
great door.
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
IN wondering why his army did not
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.
Nov 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 commune
cation with your army until give
permission"
my army is still here?" the revolu-
zionist inquired. eagerly.
ooh, yes. I 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 he 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
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 choking gasp.
"But the officers-w11ere 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 fastened 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 it very well. He
displayed such resignation, in fact,
that>the American wondered if he had
not been already thinking of desert
ing the revolutionary cause. He spent
his days in the great cool rooms, con-
Stunning Fitzgerald's red rum and
black cigars, with a peon child. to fan
him, and every evening he was ready
to swear incoherently that Fitzgerald
was the pearl of Central America. He
even offered to start another revolu-
ton and make him president.
WAN so large force at work. the
coffee picking made immense progress:
but before the shrubs were stripped a.
disheyeled rider came over the western
trail with news of the revolution.
Montije's force 4 had been, cut to
pieces by the president, and the revo.'
luton was broken beyond hope,
Casal listened to the. courier and
cross questioned. him.. Then he fell
upon ,F1tzgerald's neck in an .outburst