Evening star., 1924-11-03
Continued from Yesterdays starr

1T is your fathers treachery that
has brought us into this plight and
deliberately into risk Of capture and
death aboard that ship of Spain. Just
as your father recognized his broth
er's flagship. SO will his brother have
recognized the Cinco Lagas. So far,
then, all is well. But presently the
Encarnacion will be sufficiently close
to perceive that here all is not aS It
should be. Sooner or later she must
guess or discover what is wrong.
and then she will open fire or lay US
board and board. Now. we are in no
case to fight, as your father knew
when he ran US into this trap. But
fight we will, if we are driven to it.
We make no tame surrender to the
ferocity of Spain"
He laid his hand on the breech OF
the gun that bore Don Diego.
Understand this clearly: to the
first shot from the Encarnacion this
gun will fire the answer l make my
self clear, hopec"
White-faced and trembling, young
Fsni-osa stared into the pitiless blue
eyes that so steadily regarded him.
:. ~ rs ciear?" he faltered. break
ing the utter silence in which all
were standing. But, name Of God,
how should it be clear? How should
1 understand? Can you avert the
fight? If you know way. and II I,
or these, can help you to tiff that
is what you mean-in Heavens name
let me hear it,
"A fight would be averted if Don
Diego de Espinosa were to 60 aboa I'd
his brothers ship, and by his pres
ence and assurances inform the ad-
miral that all is we'll with the Cinco
Llagas. that she is indeed still ship
Of Spain as her flag now announces.
But, of course, Don Diego cannot go
in person, because he is other
wise engaged. He has a slight touch
Of fever-shall we say?-that detains
him in his cabin. But you, his son,
may convey all this and some other
matters, together with his homage. to
your uncle. You shall go in boat
manned by six OF these Spanish
prisoners, and Ia distinguished
Spaniard delivered from captivity in
accompany you to keep you in counte-
nance. If 1 return alive. and without
accident of any kind to hinder our
free sailing hence, Don Diego shall
have his life, as shall every one Of
you. But if there is the least misad-
venture. be 1t from treachery or ILL
fortune-I care not whlch-the bat
tie, as I have had the honor to ex-
plain, will be opened on our side by
this gun, and your father will be the
first victim of the conflict"
He paused a moment. There was
a hum Of approval from his COM
rades, an anxious stirring among the
Spanish prisoners. Young Epinosa
stood before him, the color ebbing
and flowing in his cheeks. He wait
ed for some direction from his father.
But none came. Don Diego's courage,
it seemed, had sadly waned under
that rude test. He hung Imply in
his fearful bonds, and was silent.
Evidently he dared not encourage his
son to defiance, and presumably was
ashamed to urge him to yield: Thus
he left decision entirely with the
youth.
Come" said Blood. II have been
clear enough, I think. What do You
say?"
Inns. and with the back OF his hand
monned the anguish-sweat from his
brow. His eyes gazed wildly a mo-
ment upon the shoulders OF his father,
as If beseeching guidance. But his
father remained silent. Something
like sob escaped the boy.
II I accept" he answered at
last and swung to the Spaniards.
And you-you will accept too," he
insisted passionately. For Don Di-
eeo's sake and for your own-for all
our sakes. If you do not, this man
will butcher us all without mercy.
Since he yielded, and their leader
himself counseled no resistance, why
should they encompass their own de-
struction by a gesture Of futile hero
ism? They answered without much
hesitatica that they would do as was
required OF them
Blood turned, and advanced to Don
Diego. o
1T am sorrv to inconvenience you
in this fashion, but :" for a second
he checked and frowned as his eyes
intently observed the prison. Then.
after that scarcely percebtible pause.
he continued. -. But do not think
that you have anything beyond this