The Ely miner., 1931-12-11
CHAPTER VI-Continued


had seen so much of violence and
of death since landing in this unhappy
country that, already, l had become
hardened, calloused, so that seemed
to be only an onlooker in this, my own
execution; and l found myself taking
very little interest in it, | found one
principal regret: that l had come so
near to loves fulfIlment-and had
failed. Yet had taken her away from
De Fuentes and she had put
her life into my hands. / smiled at
the thought of her masquerade. Had
[ penetrated her disguise earlier how
beautiful that silver night would have
been. Well, / had won a portion of
her love; / hugged that consolation
TO my heart as the cynical colonel
gave crisp order that caused the
two Indians 70 release me and TO
stand clear so an errant bullet might
not find them.
4 am ready, Senor," said I.
81 want you to know he said slow
ly, his eyes upon the fine bay horse
that had carried me from Caracas,
lLldl uclleNe every "OIu you nave
told me. l believe you are Loren
Garde, an American. and that you
have come TO offer service TO General
Bolivar l believe Manuel sent you
here. and that he furnished the mount
for you; but your own act in per-
mitting-aye, aiding-the Spanish Off
GER to escape condemns you. 1t makes
Iiffarnnan uhn hn iS ~ no iS
Spanish officer your life is forfeit The
men of Bolivar must be made of
sterner stuff. l am sure his eXcellency
himself would never cOndone such an
act. If there is something you wish
to say
A few lOiterers had gathered to
watch the execution, and one, a tall
commanding figure that seemed fa-
miliar, disengaged itself from the
group.
Francisco" 1 cried, Francisco
Perez Aqui!" Though l had
fought the scheming patriot at every
turn. l was sure he stood my friend.
"Who is it," he asked
''It is l. Garde-San Isidro. Don't
YOU L WAS Ou lile
Santa Lucrecia, and in New Orleans
/ have dyed my hair
Francisco strobe forward. a half
smile softening the grim lines of his
face. He held up his hand. wait.
Colonel PM" he said; Il know this
man."
Colonel PM scowled. what of it.
Francisco; has he not-?"
''Yes. my colonel, he has committed
grave offense. and he should pay
with his life, but l would talk to him
first If he is from Manuel he might
have things TO tell US. He is an
Americana. who has merely followed
the lure of a lovely LADY,
Does the lady. then, bring him
here?"
NO. said 1, for I had brought the
lady.
Did the lady send the Spanish
officer with you?" Colonel PM
laughed. This Dauphin, whose
safety"
NO Colonel my companion was
the Senorita Dulce Lamartina."
Mother of Cdr Francisco gasped.
and Pini's high laughter beat out over
the hills
"A builder of fairy tales" said PM.
"COuld the Americana have entered
Caracas. and ridden away with the
lady whom Fuentes intended to marry?
Can you believe so wild story?"
/ waited.
''My colonel" said Francisco at
fast, this young Americana is not the
type of man who lies easily. though
the tale S hardly credible If he has
sent back TO safety the lady whom
he followed TO Caracas. he must have
had good reasons for so doing. Why
the crafty Manuel has directed them
TO the lines of the revolution we do
not know, nor can we question Man.
uel, who enjoys the faith and the love
of Bolivar. / think, therefore, the
safest move will be TO take him TO
the general. who, hearing his story,
will decide his fate"
Colonel PM smiled. Very well.
Francisco. but if Bolivar approres his
execution the horse is mine-remem-
ber"
Il shall not forget" Francisco said
And if the great Simon does not ap-
prove | fear for thee. my colonel he.
cause the Viking nurses a healthy
ha+-ssJ