The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1914-01-30

some men in uniform, drlnklng and
smoking. The figures were, Of course,
and although Holton could
catch the sound Of their voices, he
could not make out what was being
said.
AS he crouched thus under the win
dow-ledge the front door opened, and
a figure PASSED out and walked to one
end of the long yeranda. Here the
man emitted a low whistle, which was
not answered. With muttered excla-
nation, the stranger retraced his
steps, and, walking directly past Hol-
ton in the other direction, leaned over
the railing and whistled again.
Holton never afterWard knew what
possessed him, but he noticed that the
man had left the front door slightly
ajar. Acting upon quick thought, he
suddenly leaned down, unlaced his
shoes, and then, with a quick glance
at the fellow still leaning over the
railing and cursing under his breath,
he stole from his position, made for
the open door, and slipped hastily and
noiselessly into the hall.
A light with a deep red shade was
burning here, and the shadows 1t cast
were heavy. The door OF the room in.
to which he had been peering was half
open, and across the hall, directly op-
posite, was a corresponding room, the
interior of which was not lighted.
Into this apartment, scarcely breath
ing, Holton stole, standing inside the
lamb and listening with strained ears.
Before he could adjust himself to the
sense of what was being said, the man
who had emerged from the door when
Holton was on the veranda returned
into the hall, closed the door and en-
tered the lighted room. He was at
tired in the uniform OF a captain IN
the navy, and his entrance seemed to
quiet somewhat the ardor OF the argu-
ment.
1T is agreed, then gentlemen, that
the city cannot long endure a siege"
The voice was deep and authoritative.
Holton, in an ecstasy of eagernass.
craned his head forward. a
q for one deny it," was the angry
response.
But aside from you, general" was
the rejoinder, I'VE seem unanimous. Do
we not?"
There was chorus of assent.
Then Hoilton heard voice that he
recognized; a voice that sent thrills
down his spine and caused him to
loosen his revolver In its holster.
Skaters army alone would not SUI.
fee. But / know that General Miles
with reinforcements will soon be here,
and l know, also, that while General
Shafter would prefer to, abandon his
present position, he will not do so. |
can inform you, too, that the lines Of
our army will not be attacked by
charge on the morrow, and that long
siege will be entered upon. The Amer
leans are in excellent health, and they
will starve US to submission"
It was the voice of the waiter Of the
New Willard.
But, Senior Cesnola," interposed the
first speaker, you have led US to be-
lieve that within week, at least, your
Cuban rebels will turn upon the Amer
leans"
They will when I give the word"
Then why not give it?"
Because the time is not ripe. They
would be wiped out of existence. Tha,
time must come when the fever has
begun it's work and the army is be
ginning to be demoralized. Two
three-five more days in the trenches
on the hillsides under this hot sun
will do our work for u.s."
Gentlemen" went on the frs
speaker, my mind is made up. TO
morrow is the End of July. We shall
make no move then. But warn you
If on the morning Of July the situa
ton Is still unchanged the feet will
leave Santiago harbor. Orders from
Blanco are getting imperative. II w
survive the attempt and reach Hayan;
we shall be safe; it cannot be taken,
believe, in years siege. Here tn
successful storming of our lines mean
the end of our navy and the unsuccess
full close of this war;"
so this is your decision?" inquire,
another voice.
Those are my orders and they ar
final"
Holton, trembling like q leaf. hi
mouth hanging open, drank In tn
words as drowning man drinks 1
his last breath of air. He could hare
ly credit his senses.
Here. after a night Of aimIes
stumbling through the blackness an
through the rain, he had CHANGED upo
the very place of all places where II
+ formation most valuable to his coul
: try's success was to be obtained,
The voices had fallen to hum an
strain his ears as he would, he coul
catch no more than fragmentary se
fences. Some one went out at Il
door. and presently the sound
horses hoofs was heard on the she
driveway. Three men departed, 81
q then Holton heard the scraping
Chaira and thu raffla o& o.laasa.