Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1916-12-21
THE GREAT IRON CROSS.

II was upon one OF those good old days
OF nearly tour hundred years ago when
that prince OF bold buccaneers, Cortez,
was grinding Mexico under his iron heels
and sending his ships back laden with
treasures, and while all Spain was ring
ing like bell 10 the tune of his deeds,
that the BEGINNING of the circumstances
happened. AS 10 whether the ending
was due to a near miracle or pure chance
each must take his choice, but the way it
all happened was like this Carlos de
Montbar, grown old and gray as a silver
fox in adventures upon land and sea and
listening with his ear to the ground the
better to hear the rumbles from afar, arose,
saying TO himself.
"Cortez Who, then, is he to be a
worker OF marvels which cannot do ?
True, he has shaken the tree OF conquest
first and many golden apples have fallen
into his helmet, but in his haste has he
not left as many more behind ? will
follow in his steps, and with much less
trouble than befell him gather those he
has left behind, also becoming rich and
famous. will take my two ships, sum-
mon my men and sail TO this land Of
gold" And thus having determined he
assembled his crews, after which he
sought out the good Padre Ferdinand.
Father" he said. al have two as
good ships as ever broke wave and
crews of whom even Satan himself is
afraid. We are TO sail TO the wonderful
land of Mexico and fill our holds with its
treasures. But there will be storms 10
overcome, dying comrades TO minister TO
and proper prayers for our success TO be
said, therefore we cannot sail without a
priest. Be one Of US as our holy advisor
and your share shall be next to mine" F"
The priest smiled up at him.
"Yes, you will need priest, and there
fore will go. But it is not the gold oi
these heathens that wish, but merely
their souls. May ! claim them as my
share ?" Montbar laughed loudly.
"As many as you can get. But how do
you plan TO snare such cunning things 2"
Listen, and | will tell. Upon some
mountain top from whence itmay be seen
from afar your men must build me great
mission. In front of this mission will
place great magic lure. so that all see
ing il shall be drawn closer. And once
have them before il shall talk 10 them
OF the true faith Until one by one they
shall embrace il that Christ may receive
them. Thus in my keeping will be their
souls. Am not crafty, also2" Montbar
slapped his thigh.
"Wondrous so, Father, and if is good
bargain for both OF us-the souls for you
and the gold for me. But what is TO be
the magic lure 2"
"That, my son, you shall know in good
time. You say you sail in fortnight.
Upon the morning OF your departure you
must send me 40 of your men to convey
il TO the ship. You promise that2"
GAS many as you WISH" Montbar
agreed.
And when the day OF sailing came and
30 straining men hauled aboard one oI
the ships great cross made OF iron,
Montbar walked about II in much awe.
by all the saints. Father" he said as he
crossed himself. "you have come prepared
to convert a universe "
"If the better the day the better the
deed, why may it not as well be that the
greater the emblem the greaterthe good?'
Whereupon they made sail and disap-
peared adown the western horizon. And
from that day nearly 400 years ago unit
twelve months since no eye OF man saw
sign or trace Of them.