New-York tribune., 1907-06-02

We're lucky If we get thcrc!" so could have
shouted Hurrahi' at sight OF the first houses
though they brought my last moment of hap
pines
Another instant and the population OF
Manzanares was answering 10 the yhrum of our
motor As soldiers to the call OF the drum.
From somewhere, their saints alone knew
where, an army ri children poured into the
long, straight street, and slowed to avoid
wholesale murder they took advantage OF our
consideration t. swarm up the car like ants
They ran shouting beside US, climbed on the
steps, hung on behind, fighting so ruthlcssv
for choice positions that they all but fell under
the wheels. One would not have supposed
there could be other children left in Spain
The shril cries OF this legion, drowning the
sound OF the motor, and increasing as the
contingent was swellcd from each side street
reused the town. Families left their tables
and rushed % the door, their supper in their
hands. Bakers with white arms left to-nor-
rows bread IN the troughs group OF farricrs
shoeing horse stopped work, until the glow
ing iron paled. Shopkcepers who had lighted
their windows with blaze of electricity ran
into the street. Mules and doukcvs tied to
doorposts shared the general excitement,
plunged and reared before the advance OF the
human breaker with the car on its crest,
snapped their cords, and dashed into their
masters houses.
Never, among all our successes, had we made
such an entry "a this; but then, never before
had we had a car in tow. Half our triumph
belonged to the Lccomtc; yet either of us
would gladly have dispensed with all; and
had it not been for q small but determined
policeman who struggled to preserve the credit
Of the town, we might have been half the night
fighting our way To an hotel. He dealt blows
and cxhortatIOuS IndsCrIminatcy pllOtcd US
through side streets which it would never have
occurred to our imagination 70 enter, and
helped us make a lane for the ladies to dart
into the door Of the little inn. 1t was an iron
door Of elaborate opcnwork Moorish fashion,
through a shallow ve5tibule into a patIO,-thc
first we had seen on our way southland, If 1t
had not been slammed shut with 4 loud click
bv some person inside, half ManZanaTcs would
have poured after the fugltivcs.
Assured Of the ladies safety, the men of the
two (outwardly) united parties remained to
help the chauteurs and 4 bcwildcrcd landlord
to take down luggage. Overwhelmed by a
wave Of half grown children and a thick spray
OF babies Carmona's man lost presence of
mind. The two cars had hardly stopped before
the creatures were in them, and on them, and
under them, TRYING to pinch the tires, blowing
the horn, squalling, laughing, crying. As fast
as the thronging goblins were beaten off, they |
were up again in rcdOublcd force but 50 merry
were they, and handsome was each bold, |
brown face, with its dazzling eyes, that 1t was
impossible to be angry. Somehow, We rescued
the luggage and with the aid Of the landlord, |
pitched, or slid, rolled it through the door,
momcntarily opened.
For Heavens sake, sir, me through
this!" implored Ropes, noticing that the men
luggage. Hate TO trouble YOU but | don't
think my Spanish will run to it"
In pity climbed into the car TO 60 with him
to the stable which the landlord indicated as
our garage. 1t experience to be re-
1nembcrcd in nightmares; yet there was in it |
a sort Of school boy pleasure. We seemed to
have done battle against the whole force of the |
army out against Us; nevertheless, when we
returned to the inn, swept along by large
body guard, we found regiment assembled
round the door. How we got through was
food for another wild dream; but we did get |
through, to stand painting on the other side |
of the grating in the patio.
Everyone was in the patio where electric |
lights hanging from the balconies mingled with |
rich yellow lamplight and ruddy freight
streaming from the kitchen. All the luggage |
was piled anyhow, in a chaotic heap surging
with suit cases, boiling with dressing bags;
while nearby stood the Duchess Lady Vale
Avon Carmona, Dick, and the Cherub. Monica |
and Pillar had been talking together at a dis
tance; but seeing me graWtate IN Their dl- |
rection, Lady Vale Avon called her daughter
THE ladies are saying they can't stay here,
announced Dick his voice in sympathy with
twinkle in his eyes
Pm not saying So" cut in Monica Il
think it will be fun; a real adventure The