Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1911-07-06

III
they all admit that at this period all
was regarded by the insurgents as lost
beyond redemption. The fugitive reb-
ell officers did not stop their motor
nothing surprised them more than
when they were told next day that the
republicans had succeeded.
Mysterious Order Obeyed.
But at this critical moment two Off
GERS rode up to the chief of the roy
alist battery and commanded him in
the name of the general staff to retire.
How such an order came to be given
is one of the many mysteries Of this
extraordinary day. But Paiva Cou-
GIRO could not disobey it, and he fell
back. His retreat, effected slowly and
in perfect order, was watched in ner-
feet silence by the shattered revol,l-
tionists in the rotunda. These gentle
men could hardly believe their eyes
Theyx unjust have felt like Cromwell
when he saw the Scotch troops desert
their impregnable positions at Dun
bar
His retreat was followed by great
confusion in the royalist infantry regi-
ment which supported him. That con-
fusion was increased by hand grenades
thrown among these faithful troops by
the Carbonarios.
On returning to Queluz Couceiro
sent his now useless battery into the
barracks and fastened to Cintfa in
order to see the king. He had a
strong personal affection for the young
monarch, and he intended to lay his
sword at Dom ManuePs feet, begging
him at the same time to place himself
at the head of the troops which still
remained faithful, to decide on a
strenuous resistance, to concentrate
a force which would he sufficient to
suffocate the revolutionary move
ment.
In Cintra Couceire was told that the
king had gone to MARIA. At MARIA he
was told that Dom Manuel had left for
Ericefra. The brave captain gallop-
ed desperately to the latter place. On
reaching it his first question was
"Onde esta Rel?" ("Where Is the
king?") By way of answer some fish
ermen pointed out to sea where a
ship was disappearing on the azure
horizon. THE king" they said, has
gone.''
For the first time that day the brave
captain lost his temper and gave vent
to his angry disappointment In one
memorable and violent word, not out
of place in the mouth of seasoned
soldier, but too strong for reproduc-
ton in these columns
Paiva Couceiro then returned to his
house, discarded his official uniform
for civil attire and sent his resigna-
ton to the minister of war. 1t was
courageous act, for he has no pri-
vate means and has been living on his
pay. 1t also meant apparently an end
to his rapid rise in the only career
for which he cared. But this act of
self-sacrifice and of moral dignity has
given Couceiro more prestige than his
victories in Mozambique and his sue
cessful governorship of Angola.
Refuses Promotion.
The republicans knew his value, so
that they not only refused to accept
his resignation, but Immediately pub
lished decree promoting him to the
artillery general staff. He was the
only royalist whom the victorious re-
publicans thus honored, but he persist
ed in his refusal to serve the new re-
gime. Private friends brought the
greatest possible pressure to bear on
him. and evidently he could by word
have procured his advancement to
places Of great Importance and OF large
emoluments. That he resisted these
almost Irresistible appeals to his van
ity, his ambition and his natural long
Ing for an assured and highly remu-
nerative position shows him to be q
more than ordinary man. But he could
not. by accepting ofice under the re-
public, condone the disEraceful murder
Ut onicers by privates which had GER
tainly stained the victory OF the revo-
lutionista. He could not excuse the