The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-11-20
CHAPTER VII.
A Grim Announcement.

The men, who proved to be three 81.
gantic ne 6roes and white man, at.
tired in the blue drill uniform of a
Spanish officer, with little cockade in
his felt hat, jerked TIolton to his feet,
cut the lashings about his ankles and
hurried him toward the trail.
Finally, as hints of dawn appeared
overhead, the party arrived at a small
clearing where We're picketed some
score of horses, with their riders, evi.
IDENTIFY contingent of Spanish cavalry.
There was short conference, and
then the gag was taken from Holton's
mouth and he was lifted upon a pony
The cavalcade took up the trail which
ran alongside the mountain. below the
camp of Garcia, In the direction of
Santiago.
AS the sun rose, halt was called in
a little valley, and preparations were
made for what Holton believed would
be a stay Of considerable duration.
It was then that for the first time
word was spoken directly to Holton.
An officer-not the one who had fig
ured In his capture. but the man in
charge Of the Standardization
the American as he sat on the ground.
and. releasing his hands, placed .
guard over him.
"You will have opportunity for two
hnNrob ~ hn cold hNxr,tv,~
we shall proceed at once to Santiago"
"But why have l been captured?"
protested Holton. Il am non.combat.
! ant"
He produced his credentials as CORE
spondent of the London Standard. The
| officer examined them carefully. Then
he placed them in his pocket.
Il am convinced YOU are lying" he
, replied simply. Our information con-
| corning you is exceedingly accurate.
For your sake | trust the papers may
be found correct. For otherwise '-he
shrugged his shoulders-"you are a
spy"
A chill passed over IIolton. He had
not thought of that before. A spy. And
in war time they he'd a summary way
of dealing with such.
After very meager breakfast, the
| men threw themselves upon the
ground. chatting and smoking, and
Ho,ton did likewise He felt In its
fullness the relief of having his hands
free, and, in large measure, despite
the guard standing over him and the
men all about, he became possessed OF
greater confidence in his ability to
meet this situation, the most danger
GUS that had ever confronted him.
Fearing. no doubt, the proximity Of
Garcia's men, the soldiers did not
move until late afternoon, and then
with great stealth. all talking in the
ranks being rigidly silenced Holton
had had opportunity for several hours
sleep. He was thereby greatly re-
freshed. and, under reaction, his fears
for himself were considerably lessened.
Dusk fell, and still the march con-
tinued On through the night went the
men, and without stop until dawn,
when camp was made in a clearing
which had been cut where two of the
mountain trails met and crossed Here.
rs the heavens grew bright, fires were
lighted, and meal prepared. after
which sentries were posted. Then the
camp settled down for sleep.
HUltOn had no idea hoN many miles
had been covered since lbs capture
but f. It II must be a great many. Stand
ing up he could now see far away over
the hills tie twink,ng lights Of S;.nti
ago. and these he Gould net help view
ing with dread
At nightfall the march was again
taken up, and at dawn the force was
within a few miles of the city. A
squad was sent on ahead to report 10
General Linares. but came flying back
ina lev hos WI messs IS TO The
S~~-a-----