The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-02-27
CHAPTER XIV.
A Sweet PARTING.

a sweet Parting.
The girl screamed and threw hei
arms about Holtons neck. There was
no mistaking the intentions Of Ces-
nola, and neither was there any pos
sibility Of misunderstanding the hold
which the spy had gained over these
men.
Holton, pale but determined, sought
to dtsengage the girls hands, while
the men dragged gently at her arms.
At this 1uncture stern voice arose
above the confusion.
Men. put up your weapons. What
is this?"
General Garcia, accompanied by sew
eral Of his staff, broke through the
group Of Cubans and stopped near the
little knot about Holton and the girl.
Garcia" A cheer arose, but the
general stilled 1t with his hand.
Men," he said, 81 have been wit
ness Of your deliberations. can as
sure you that your fusillade will be
unnecessary, because 1t will not be
needed. Your plot, l beg to assure
you, has failed, Senior Cesnola."
He beckoned two Of his staff, who
advanced and placed their hands upon
the spy's shoulders. He was trembling
now, and words failed his parched
tongue.
The general waved his hand imperi-
ously.
"You gentlemen will return to your
commands. Every one Of you. Mr..
Holton, you will go back to your
CAMP am glad to have been Of
service to you. Miss La Tossa will
return to her estate-and remain
there. AS for you"-he faced Ces-
nola-"I shall deal with you tomor-
row. Take him to my headquarters
and let him be closely confined"
Several soldiers stepped forward
and hastily bound the .~spy's arnas.'
Miss La Tossa ran up and kissed the
general on the cheek. He patted her
shoulder with paternal affection.
Then, calling two of his men, he d.
rected them to escort the girl through
the secret trail to her fathers estate.
When Holton awoke Garcia had left
the tent, but he soon returned, and
with smile asked his guest how ne
had slept. Holton thanked him, and
assured him his slumber had been
sound.
As they talked thus an officer ap
peared, and, saluting, addressed Gar
cha formally.
1.-THE prisoner has no complaint to
make of your decision, but asks your
leniency in one respect"
I'm what respect?" asked the gen
eral.
HE asks that he may be shot in
stead of hanged"
Garcia reflected a moment. Their
he made a little gesture.
Every WE'LL" he decided at length.
The officer saluted and walked hasti
ly away.
f. who was the prisoner?" asked Hol
ton.
Jose Cesnola," was the reply.
Hardly had he spoken when tn
whiplike report Of several rifles brok
the silence of this beautiful sunli
morning. Garcia lowered his heaC
Holton looked vacantly into space.
| And so, he thought, has passed tn
waiter of the New Willard.
! Holton's return to the America
trenches was signalized by an homo
that brought adequate reward, wit
interest, for all that he had gon
through. This was dispatch for hi
from the secretary Of the navy al
nouncing his advancement ten nun
bers for meritorious service at lamp
and containing also information tn;
congress had voted him the congre
sional medal Of honor for gallantry
notifying the North Atlantic squadrc
Of the intentions of Cervera's sQua
ron.
An event Of the next day was Il
return of Hobson from Santiago,
company with six sailors who b;
been captured with him. Holtt
: pressed forward and joined in t
: cheers of the regulars as this qui,
;. faced young man rode through the
q ranks on the way to Siboney after
Imprisonment of more than five weel
He had performed a deed of S
e nal gallantry, deed which will Ii
as long as the annals of the Americ
d navy live, and as the years go "
d grow only the brighter.
e The days went on. 1t now seem
/ assured that the surrender was but
8 matter of short time, and Holt
g spent the period in enjoying a VIZ
n earned rest.
It At length, on July Is, General To
It and his staff rode out to San Juan
It where General Shafter and Gene
Miles and their stats awaited him
e. der the famous tree, The meet
i. was very picturesque. and dign
le marked the demeanor of all concern
e, After long discussion General :
ri raj and his officers turned and rode
ward the city, and the American z