Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-10-10
The War Relic
Cannon Routed
Rivolla's Band
By SELMA HIGGINS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

L
20. 1924. Western Newspaper Union.)
XXIHEN Pietro Sanchez returned
w from putting down the insurrec-
ton In Modiya, he brought to his home
town of Pasta but one trophy of the
war-a large brass cannon.
PietrO was an honest, sturdy black
smith. He had fought just as he set
tires on the wagon wheels or shod a
horse-hls whole soul in the task. He
had been the leader Of the company
which drove the maFauding gang of
hivolla, the bandit, out Of the district.
1T is memento, a monument and
trade sign," said Pietro. There 1t
Shall remain as a record, reminder
and sign manual of the trade of the
anvil"
There came new disturbances as the
years passed by, but these were cen.
tered in a distant province. Pietro
looked grim and thoughtful as he
heard of new depredations of the RI
VOLTA bandittl. Airy, fairy Nlnez, full
of all the joyous hopefulness of youth,
only smiled on. She was light-hearted
and happy. Had she not Luis Guarez,
the handsomest gallant at Plasta? His
stalwart arm, his loyal heart would
spring to action In response to any
patriotic call. AS to Rlvolla, some day
the gibbet
For the family of Pletro had known
Rivolla in the past. Two years be-
fore he had lived at Plasta for a time
He had appeared as sultor for Ninez
Sternly old Sanchez had ordered him
away from the threshold And Ninez
had felt relieved when the fierce Wis
aged bandit had departed from the VIII
lage.
Then there had come a mlsslve for
the little Mexican maid. II was from
the renegade Rivolla.
Have a carel" the words of the
message ran. II have sworn to make
you mine and Rlvolla never fails in
his purpose"
1t was Of this that Ninez and Luis
were speaking one moonllt night. The
pair had seated themselves on a bench
beside the old feldpiece.
Another month, MIC Ninez," spoke
the young man fervently. "and you will
be mine. Then adIos TO all your need
less fears of this terrible RivOla."
you do not know his treacherous
nature" fluttered Nlnez, shrinking
closer to her manly escort, as though
from sense Of protection. my ia
Their tells me he has broken loose again
with his wicked horde"
"Rivolla Is a braggart and a cow
ardi' declared Luis. 1T was In the
last campaign that he threatened our
little army so direfully, only to run
and hide when we advanced upon his
stronghold"
Ninez smiled and forgot her fears as
they strolled homewards. Luis did
not tell Ninez as he babe her good
night, but he knew there was some
foundation for her words.
After leaving Nlnez, her lover re-
turned to the bluffs. 1t was his night
for patrol duty For long time he
sat by the side of the cannon.
His cloak wrapped about him to
guard himself from the usual mid
night chill sweeping down the valleys,
Luis suddenly reused, as, CHANGING to
glance across the broad stream he saw
a faint glimmer Of blue light.
Without disturbing or alarming any
other member of the family he
aroused Sanchez A grim smile crossed
the face of the smith as he listened.
His clear eye glowed with the coherent
resolve of resolute and intelligent
man as he gave his directions Luis
was to carry these out
Mount your swift horse" directed
Pietro, arouse the gunsmith and send
him to me at once. Then make for
the ford and Modiva. Tell the mayor
there to arouse the old guard and hur-
ry to surround Rivolla and his crew."
But II they cross the river before
thenT submitted Luis. quite anxiously.
"They will not cross the river" de
clarcd Pietro with grim, determined
flash of his lion eyes.
At daylight over one hundred grim
vlsaged, determined men were gath
cred on the bluff where the historic
foldplece stood The mists, slowly
hitting, showed the camp of the out
laws ON the opposite bank of the
river. They had secured the shore up
and down stream for every stray raft,
ynwl and rowboat A formidable flo
tilla. all centered in group in a little
cove, showed
Beside the cannon stood old San
chez. in his hand an unlighted fusee.
His old companion gunner was sight
ing the fieldpiece,
"Aim low" directed Pietro, and the
fusee was lighted
Grand old thundereri" commented
the patriarch of the village, as boom
and flash and destruction haunted the
face of the waters.
There was confusion ON the opposite
shore, as almost to the last vestige the
flotilla was destroyed. And then new
excitement as Luis with the Modlva
contingent, cut Off the inland retreat
Of the baffled bandits.
Routed, prisoners or destroyed, their
evil career was summarily and perma-
nently checked and the power of Ri
VOLTA broken forever.
And in the white moonlight, hover
ing near the brave old fieldplece that
had saved Pasta, Luis and Nlnez re-
newed their plighted troth.
As She Remembered Him
Eva-It took Ronald a long time to