Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
MY OST SELF.

ing still continued in front of us. it
slackened considerably. I could make out
only three or four holes in the section OF
rock. and while the guns had been at first
fired simultaneously. no more than TWO
shots were now being fired together.
I drew a breath Of relief. I knew what
this meant. The force at Beltano's dis
posal had been SO weakened. as the re-
suit OF the attempts on the door. that he
had not enough men for double attack.
jumped to the conclusion. therefore.
that he had propped couple of his
wounded behind the rock and set them
to fire in order to distract my attention
while he made the attempt at the other
side of the building.
1 would answer ruse with ruse. Pepita.
like the rest of the women on the island.
knew how to use firearms. so I told her
and Masita to keep q gun showing from
each window and to fire an occasional
shot This would give the impression that
men that way. and in the meanwhile /
ran up to the lookout to watch Beltano.
Taking care not to be seen. 1 peered
out and then laughed. The two men he
had sent in advance had just discovered
that the work 1 had done on the path
get at me had rendered 1t impossible.
Unable to believe this. he recalled the
men and climbed out to see for himself.
If I had thought to take up my gun
with me could have finished the fight
between us there and then. and I ran
down at once to fetch 1t. But on my re-
turn the chance was gone. He had gone
back and was standing giving some direc-
tions to those about him. The light was
bad and the distance considerable. SO 1
would not risk a shot. as a miss would
have revealed my whereabouts to no
purpose.
His plan was soon formed. and pres
emily his men appeared with tools and be-
gan to work to cut stepping places in the
rock
This did not alarm me. however. as 1
could easily stop them from the hole In
the wall below.
Meanwhile. the boat of which Pepita
had told me had approached near enough
there were two men In her. and 1 con-
cluded. therefore. that they were some of
Beltanos men who had been instructed to
follow him. 1t was bad news. OF course.
as they would strengthen his force.
I returned to the room below and re-
pleted such an opening as would serve my
purpose.
My first shot stopped them. They drop
ped their tools and scrambled back in a
fine scare. and as soon as they had gone
called Pepita and told her to watch
through the hole. and then went to Ma
sta
The firing in front Of us ceased almost
directly. and 1t was an open inference
that Beltano had accepted defeat for this
latest attempt.
1T is getting very dark: do you think
he will make any other attempt" asked
Masita. when told her this. somewhat
jubilantly.
1T is not too dark to see any one
against the white rock"
THE log is still by the door and he
might attempt rush for it,
Il wish he would. and wish with all my
heart that he himself would lead
"Beppo!" she cried. reading my thought.
do you think shall hesitate to shoot
him? Not for q second
There Is some one In the path" she
said. anxiously.
"Beppo! BsPpow called a voice; 1t
IL he comes here?" he asked.
NO" I replied. suspecting some such
trick as he had played before.
Hear what he has to say" she urged.
Wait" Luigi" called. He used you
before to try and fool me and won't
trust either Of you again. Wait till the
moons up and. II he comes unarmed. I'll
listen to him. II he doesn't like that, he
can send his message by you. But you
mustn't show yourself again till there's
more light. I shall fire II you do"
He may mean to offer terms" said
Masita. hopefully.
ing here while the men push on with the
work on the cliff path" and I went in to
ask Pepita II she had seen anything.
Nothing had been done, so I told her to
prepare some food for us all, but to keep
q lookout at the same time. and. wishing
to relieve something Of the strain Of Ma
sita's thoughts. I asked her to 60 and
help.
Il am too anxious" she replied. IT
would rather remain here"
It., al
Ger. but I am in command. and an OH
GERS first duty is to obey" said. with
smile.
How you can smile at such time baf-
fies me-"
I'VE are winning. Why should we not
smile?'
But it can only end in one way. If
we resist the attacks we are still pris-
oners. without the hope Of escape
when I have lost hope 1 shall cease
to smile, but not till then. And I am a
very long way from despair as yet. You
be no more trouble tonight. and as
shall need either you or Pepita to watch
later on. you must have both food and
rest as soon as possible
If you say that will CO." she said, at
once.
said? Or was the confidence I felt at
that moment only the natural elatton at
my first success? What was likely to be
the outcome Of 1t all? could hold Bel
tano at bay for some days. but what
would follow at the end? When planning
the present scheme In the first instance /
had reckoned upon Beltano having to
leave the island. But was he likely to
obey any summons. however urgent. when
meant the abandonment of his
revenge upon me and the loss OF Masita?
And If he decided to remain, what
should we be but prisoners. as Masita
had said. without the hope Of escape? I
held Molta as a hostage. but even II
were the reckless desperate Beltano be-
lieved and were to put her to death, how
would that serve us?
There could be but the one end. unless
Beltano did what I could not now per-
suade myself he would dream of doing
a boat-and I plagued myself with hun
dred disconcerting thoughts on his &C.
count-we could not make use Of IL. AS
looked forward to the terrible moment
when our provisions would be exhausted
and pictured the desperate plight we
me and ruin for Masita. We should prob
ably attempt last forlorn effort to avoid
our gaolers and reach the boat, but
There could be only one result. It was
thus a very black and gloomy hour
passed as l waited for the rising Of the
moon.
I was reused from these very despond-
voice.
Il have trusted your word, Beppo. and
am unarmed." he said.
II shall keep it. What have you to
say?"
He was too ready with this acknowledge
ment of defeat I knew him better than