Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-06-13

where CurumilIa was already awaiting
CHAPTER XXI.

d
holiday nothing extraordinary, in a coun-
try where the year is perpetual holt
day. This time the affair was serious,
for the inhabitants wished to celebrate
in a proper manner the anniversary of
the Proclamation of Independence, of
which the day to which we allude was the
eve
At sunrise a formidable bando issued
from the government palace, and went
through all the streets and squares OF
the city, announcing with a mighty clam
our of bugles and drums, that on the
next day there would be bull fight with
Jamaica" and Monte Parnasso" for
the leperos, high mass celebrated in all
the churches, theaters thrown open gratis,
a review of the garrison, and of all the
troops quartered sixty miles round, and
fireworks and Examinations at night, with
open air balls and feria.
Don Martial, in order to throw out
the spies doubtless posted round Valen-
tines house, had left his friend in the
middle Of the night, and gone to his lodg-
ings, and a few minutes before day pro-
ceeded to the house of NJ. Rallier.
You are welcome" the Frenchman
said cordially, on perceiving Don Mar
tial; Il was busy with our affair. My
brother Edward is just off to our quin-
ia, whittier my mother and my brother
Auguste proceeded two days ago. so that
we might find all in order on our ar
rival"
Although the Tigrero did not entirely
understand what the banker said to him,
he considered it unnecessary to show it,
and hence bowed without answering.
"All is settled, then" NJ Ralier con-
tinued, addressing his brother; ''get
everything ready, for we shall probably
arrive before mid-day-that is to say,
in time for lunch.'
Your country house Is not far from
the city," the Tigrero asked, for the
sake of saying something
Hardly five miles it is at st. Angel
but in an excellent position for defense,
in event of attack You are aware that
st. Angel is built on the side of an ex-
tinct volcano and surrounded by lava and
spongy scoria, which renders an ap-
proach very difficult"
II must confess my ignorance of the
fact"
In a country like this, where the
government is bound to think of it's own
defense before troubling itself about in
dividuals, it is well to take ones PIE
caution, and be always perfectly on
guard. And now be off, my dear Edward,
your weapons are all right, and two res
olute poems will accompany you; besides
the sun is now rising and you will have
MI nt -hu
again"
During this conversation the poems
had put the horses in a close carriage.
Get in" said NJ. Rallier.
WHAT" Don Martial replied, "are
we going to driver"
DO you think 1 would venture to
go to the convent on horseback"
but this carriage will betray you"
81 admit it but no one will know
whom it contains when the shutters are
drawn up, which l shall be careful to
do before leaving the house. Come, get
in"
The Tigrero placed himself by the
Frenchman's side; the latter pulled up
the shutters, and started at gallop in
direction Numerically opposed to that
to reach the convent.
where are we going?" the Tigrero
asked presently.
ITO the Convent of the Bernardines."
81 fancy we are not going the right
road"
"That is possible, but, at any rate, it
is the safest"
Il humbly confess that cannot under
stand it at ALL
NJ Rallier began laughing
MY good fellow" he replied, "you will
understand at the right time, so be easy.
You need only know that in acting as l
am now doing | am carrying out to the
letter the instructions of Valentine, my
friend and yours"
Il have no repugnance to obey you,
Senior Don Antonio" the Tigrero an
swered. The confidence our common
friend places in you is a sure guarantee
to me of your intentions. Hence dispose
of me as you think proper, without fear
ing the slightest objection on my part"
That is the way to talk the banker
said, with a laugh. Now, to begin. my
dear senior, you will do me the pleasure
of changing your dress, for the one you
wear is slightly too worldly for the place
to which we are going"
Change my dress?" the Tigrero ex-
claimed You ought to have told me so
at your house.
Unnecessary, my dear sir. I have all
you require here"
"Here?"
"Well. you shall see," he said, as he
e ~ oh,
Franciscan's gown, while from the other
he drew a pair of sandals and a cord.
Have you not worn this dress before"
Il have"
Well. you are going to put it on
again, and for the following reasons:
At the convent people believe Cor pretend
to believe, which comes to the same
thingl that you are Franciscan monk.
For the sake. then, of the persons who
are net in the secret, it is necessary that
l should be accompanied by a monk, and
more. that they may be able. if required,
to take their oaths 10 the fact"
Il obey you. But will not your coach
man be surprised at seeing a Franciscan
emerge from the carriage into which he
showed a cabellero?'
My coachman? Pardon me, but 1 do
not think you looked at him."
Indeed l did not. All these Indians
are alike and equally hideous."
That is true; however, look at him."
Don Martial bent forward and slightly
lowered the shutter.
"Curumilla :" he cried, in amazement,
as he drew back. He, and so well dis
guised?"
DO you now believe that he will be
surprised"
Il was wrong"
mo, bupt you did not take the trouble
TO reflect"
well. l will put on the gown, since l
must. Still with your permission I will
keep m yweapons under it."
"Caspita My permission? On the
contrary. I order you to do so. But
what are they?'
You shall see. A machete. a knife,
and a pair of pistols
THAT is first rate. If necessary, I
shall! be able TO find you rife"
Whtla TALKING rhy,S the Tigrero had