Evening star., 1918-01-20
CONTINUED FROM LAST SUNDAY
CHAPTER IN.
MARACDERS.

CHAPTER IN
MARAUDERS.
The surprise was easily effected. Tor
Col Cobo's men were accomplished IN
this sort Of work. Rosa, crouching upon
her bench heard nothing. saw nothing.
until out of the shadows beside her hu-
man forms materialized. Her white
dress, like a dim phosphorescent glow in
dark waters, betrayed her presence, and
as she sprang to her feet rough hands
seized her. She screamed once. twice;
then a palm closed over her mouth and
she began to struggle like a cat
Evangelna. who had walked at the first
outcry. met the marauders as they
rushed through the door. The hush OF
the sleeping jungle was shattered now,
there were shouts and curses. loudly bel
lowed orders. a great scuff1ing and pound
ing of feet upon the dirt floor OF the hut.
the. rickety. bark-covered walls 5 buigsd sea
shrieks OF the negress battling in the
pitch black interior like an animal In its
lair. Then some one set fire TO the
thatch: the flames licked up the dead
palm leaves to the ridge-poie. and the
surroundings leaped into view.
Rosa saw a swarthy. thick-set man in
the uniform of colonel OF volunteers.
and behind him Pancho Cueto. Tearing
the hand from her lips for moment, she
cried Cueto's name. but he gave no heed.
He was straining his gaze upon the door
Of the bohio in the immediate expectation
Of seeing Esteban emerge. He clutched a
revolver In his hand. but it was plain
from the nerveless way In which he held
the weapon that he had little stomach
inclined to run than to stand his ground.
Rosa sfrieked his name again: then she
heard the officer say:
Where Is the young fellow? I hear
h.VR . 10 L. ~ hat Ian
wench.'
Evangelina's cries of rage and defiance
suddenly ceased. and with them the
sounds Of combat. From the blazing bo-
from their clothing. A third followed,
dragging Evangelina by one naked arm.
The black woman was inert; her scanty
garments were wefl-nigh ripped from her
body; she lay huddled where the soldier
Rosa felt herself swoonins. and she
knew nothing Of what Immediately fol-
lowed. After a time she felt herself
shaken. and heard the colonel addressing
her.
Come. GOMEZ he was saying. Why
don't you answer mew He draeged her
furnace. Where Is your precious BROTH
er and that black fellowe''
Rosa could only stare duly.
1T seems we missed them." said
'sMore Of your bunsiins." cobo broke
out at him. wrathfully. God! I've mind
to toss you into that fire" He turned
with jerk that shook her into fuller con-
sciousness repeated: where are they?
Speak to me-
Cone she easped. Gone She
ing him. ''Pancho. don't you know me?"
'Welf we've taught him lesson said
Cueto. grinning apprehensively at Cobo.
We've accomplished something. any
u IA ded -
all that I told you. Look at her.''
Col Cobo took time to scrutinize his
prisoner. He turned her about in the
light from the burning dwelling: then he
Yes! She's a pretty little spy-quite
a prize, truly. Now them" His thick lips
spread; he spoke to her more gently. 1T
want you to tell me about that brother
him here. Ha! still frightened. I see.
Well, l have way with women: dare
say you,n be glad to tell me everything
risked scorching in their search Of the
hut and were already quarreling over the
scanty plunder which it afforded. he
turned from Rosa to call them away.
Profting by his inattention, Rosa
wriggled out of his grasp and ran to
Evangelina. who lay face down in the
dirt her limbs sprawled loosely. She
cried the black woman's name, but she
could awaken no response.
The first pink of dawn was now deepen
Ing in the east. and as soon as 1t had
Cobo prepared to return to his horses.
The roof and walls Of the bohio had
failed away to ashes. its skeleton Of poles
and its few pieces OF crude furniture
men together and gave the word to 20,
Come. my sweetheart" He addressed
himself to the girl. Leave that carrion
Rosa looked UP to find him leer,nR at
her. She brushed the tears from her
eyes. crying:
Go away. In Gods name haven't you
done harm enough"
Oh. but you're going with me-"
The girl rose; her face was colorle,s.
she was aquiver with indignation. Leave
me. she stormed What have 1 done
"caran.ba. And you have strength
too, as ] discovered; Must I bind those
and encircled her in his powerfui arms
Rosa fought him as she had fought al
the frst moment of desperation. but he
lifted her easily and went stridine
across the field behind his men.
Esteban's party made good time owe,
the hills and Into the San Juan. 70,
Asensio knew the country well. Mid.
afternoon found them in sight of La
Joya Cueto's cane was thick and high
1t was ready for the knife or for The
torch. Making a detour, the incen.
diaries approached It from the east ir
order to have the trade winds at thei,
backs. They dismounted in the shelte,
of wood and removed the bags which
they had carried on their saddles. In.
side these bags were several snakes
the largest perhaps eight feet in length
To the tail Of each the negroes fasten.
ed leather thong, and then to eacl
thong length Of telegraph wire. this
end of which had been bent into a loor
to hold a bundle of oil-soaked waste
These preliminaries accomplished. the,
bore the reptiles into the cane-f1elds a
widely separated places and lighted tn,
waste.
Esteban. from his saddle. saw tn,
first wisps of smoke arise and grow
and unwind into long ribbons, reachtns
deep into the standing crop. sooi
tongues OF fame appeared and III,
green tops OF the cane began to shriye
and to wave as the steady east win,
took effect. From the nearest con
Migration great swapping and crack
ling Of juicy stalks arose. The thin
dry strippings with which the eartl
was carpefed formed a vast tinder bed
and once fhe fire was started there wa
no checking it. Smoke billowed up
Nard and was hurried westward befor