Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-07-22

eral Of the late revolutionary forces,
still in possession Of considerable
sum Of money, to which no one else
possessed any better claim, the I'M
healed scar Of Chilean bullet in my
shoulder, and an exceedingly aattering
chance OF being summarily shot by
drumhead court-martial II caught. All
opportunity for retreat across the DO.
livian frontier was already effectively
blocked, but, after several weeks of
excessive hardship, skulking amid the
dark recesses of Indian huts in the
mountains, succeeded in stealing un-
observed into Valparaiso, feeling con.
fident that, as sailor, should be
able to discover in that busy seaport
some early opportunity for escape.
This confidence was doomed to bit
ter disappointment. The Chilean au-
thorities were especially DESTROYS Of
experimenting me, inspired doubtless
by visions Of the war-chest, rumored
to be Of far greater value than truth
could Justify. They were both alert
and suspicious. The American consul
was obdurate to pleading, refusing
peremptorily to become involved in
the affair, while no war vessel floating
the flag of the United States, to which
I might flee for protection. entered
the harbor. Manifestly it was impos-
sible for me to depart on any foreign
vessel as a passenger without possess
ing the necessary papers properly
vised, nor could even ship as sea-
man before the mast without running
the gauntlet of numerous suspicious
officials especially warned to appre-
bend me. In brief, though possessing
ample means, was helpless pris-
oner, my only safety the keeping out
Of sight from all in authority within
the narrow confines Of the hotel.
Sitting there in solitude that even
ing thought 1t out all over again for
the hundredth time, bitterly cursing
myself for stupid fool, yet utterly
/ unable to discover any venturesome
prospect Of ultimate escape. was
trapped as securely as though the
hand of actual arrest was about to be
placed upon my shoulder. might,
by thus continuing to skulk in the
| dark. delay the result yet the final
ending was inevitable. Beyond doubt
was cornered, and the time was ripe
for the eager acceptance Of any reck-
less opportunity. Yet, desperate as
was, could perceive none; every
where arose the same blank wall Of
Chilean power, impossible. unassail-
able, insurmountable. Saint Andrew!
mine was situation to chill the blood.
! The stars began to CLEAN in the
black void Of sky overhead, those bril-
liant, scintillating stars of the south
in their unfamiliar consultations, for
ever reminding me that was an alien
and a stranger. The city itself,
wrapped within the deepening folds of
this early night mantle, appeared I'M
usually noisy and demonstrative.
dimly wondered at it. There was a
ceaseless blare of bands, medley of
f, inarticulate cries, mingled with the
j continuous disorder Of shuffling feet
along the roughly paved streets. I
| could distinguish nothing definite as
hung curiously over the ball
cony rail, staring idly down, yet
it was plainly evident that the entire
population was astir with some In
creasing excitement. Far out toward
the distant mouth of the harbor fort
ress battery was firing salvos Of ar.
tillery, the swift flames Of discharge
cleaving the black shadows in vicious
spurts OF yellowish red, the sullen re-
verberations of sound shaking the ho-
tel easements. Some Holy Saints day,
imagined, wondering idly what spe-
cial devotion of the church could be
responsible for SO much OF uproar, so
general an outpouring Of enthusiasm.
Still, the thought held me barely for
a moment; my own personal affairs
were far too serious and tnsistent for
any wasted attention upon the saints.
I turned back from the rail and
glanced carelessly within. The great
dining hall was already brilliantly IL
Illuminated, and number Of the tables
were surrounded by guests. It formed
q cosmopolitan scene, the grouped
faces being representative. Of wide
variety of races. the scraps Of CONVEX
sation which floated to me through the
open window revealing half the Ian
guages Of Europe. Swarthy spaniards,
volatile Frenchmen, silent sons of Al
bion. laxative Yankees, bewhiskered
and bespectaoled Germans, blonde.
rosy-cheeked swedes. together with
representatives from half q dozen
South American countries, were indis-
criminately mingled In sudden broth
erhood. This motley, interesting COM
pany was composed principally of
men, exhibiting here and there the
glitter Of military uniforms, or some
peculiarly Of attirs attssting the pres
snce OF ths insviitts6is sio1e.trotter, ii.
though the majority were plainly
enough commercial gentlemen, inter
ested in various lnes Of trade, and
drawn into this vortex from the four
corners Of the globe In the wild scram-
Bile after gold. No foreign passenger
steamer had entered the harbor with
In tho past "a hours, and I had al
ready studied those faces before in the
vague. shadowy hope Of discovering q
friend. lit another cigarro, out of
sheer nervousness, and sat silently
Watching Chinese attendant lighting
the colored lanterns suspended along
the balcony roof. A sudden rocket
went swiftly and sizzling up from out
the center of the great plaza below,
and my eyes followed III swift hieht
into the black sky until It burst into
thousand miniature stars.
i When I turned oncc again. now half