Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 407 — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

~~ ee and that young American is a man to be ureaded.” ‘¢T know that I'll end yonder boy’s career.” ** Don’t be too sure and get reckless, Gracias, for I have heard the boy was a fine swordsman, and you remember he killed Captain Merida in ao duel?” ‘Yes, but Iam the superior of Merida,” was the confident reply, and Cardena turned away to see about the weapons. ‘* My principal will use this blade, Senor Lieu- tenant; it is one he prizes highly, as he took it from the wearer upon the field,” and Crittenden held thé Diamond Cutlass in his hand. Cardena started, for he recognized the wea- pon at once, having been on the I] Moro the day that Captain Atares had lost it on the island, ‘‘My principal’s blade is a trifle longer than this one,” said Cardena, biting his lips with vex- ation, as he saw the Diamond Cutlass as the captured property of the Boy Insurgent, ‘Tt matters not, senor, as I will waive your friend having the advantage,” Crittenden said with one of his sweetest smiles, Midshipman Gracias heard the remark and started, while he thought: ‘‘Can it be possible that this boy can be such a superb hand with a blade as to give me odds? ‘No, he cannot,” and with his confidence re- turning he smiled grimly as Cardena escorted him to his position. Isodor, sad, stern-faced and with eyes that burned in their brilliancy, walked to his stand, and grasped the Diamond Cutlass firmly. At the word of Captain Crittenden the cut- lasses clashed, and fierce and terrible at once was the combat begun, Almost instantly too the face of Midshipman ‘Gracias lost its look of confidence, for he saw that he had as an adversary one who might prove his master. Pressing him firmly from the onslaught, [so- dor drove him backward step by step, and while the lookers-on eagerly gathered near, the Span- ish sailors among them, the Cuban suddenly sent the cutlass of the Spaniard flying far over the yacht’s side into the river. At the same instant the now unnerved mid- shipman sprung backward to escape the death- blow he was confident of receiving, and his foot slipping he fell upon the deck. nstantly the foot of Isodor was upon him, the hain of his Diamond Cutlass above his heart, while the Boy Insurgent said sternly: ‘* Senor, let your commander lying dead yon- der, be sufficient sacrifice for to-day, for I spare your life, for I have vowed a life-long vendetta against Spaniards.” CHAPTER XXTI. FINAL PLANS. Never in his life before had Midshipman Gracias been brought so near to death, and he was really frightened and humbled. The dead body of his lientenant, lying a few away, showed him what had so nearly n his fate, and would have, but for the mercy shown him by Isodor Christobal. The young Spaniard had had his pride very quickly lowered, and, when Isodor removed his oot and drew back, he still remained in his prostrate position, until the youth said; ‘* Rise, Senor Gracias.” Slowly he arose to his feet, like one dazed, and then said in a husky voice: ‘‘ T thank you for my life, Senor Christobal.” Isodor bowed in response and turned away, while Crittenden’s rough voice rung out: ‘* All hands ahoy to make sail and get up anchor!” The Spanish sailors sprung to their posts with a will, feeling a holy terror of the man who had slain their lieutenant, and in a few minutes the Red Belt began to forge ahead against the cur- rent, until, under increased canvas she sped gayly along on her way back to the city. e Minera, enter the cabin with me, and have a glass of wine,” "said Crittenden, and Cardena and the surgeon readily accepted the invitation, while the midshipman would have hung sullen- ly back, had not his brother officer said some- thing in a low tone, when he bowed his accept- ance and accompanied the other to the cabin. There they found a tableset out with tempting refreshments, wines and cigars, and all joined in the repast with a relish, though none forgot the form lying dead upon the deck, who been so full of stern resolve to kill the man who had slain him. Arriving at her anchorage, the El Moro was signaled with a lantern, and soon after the cut- ter came alongside with the yacht’s crew at the oars, and the Spaniards quickly changed places with them. FS SONY Ra, et ADIOS, ae _etly talking over the affair, while the hanc Covered with the Spanish flag, Lieutenant Do Garmo was lowered into the cutter, Cardena and the surgeon bade farewell to those whom they had met under such painful circumstances, Midshipman Gracias raised his cap in silence, and the boat rowed away. ‘‘ Now, Drake, we must return to the hotel,” said Crittenden, and half an hour after the three sat in the young yachtsman’s rooms, qui- isomo facé of Isodor still bore its sad, stern look. In the morning they met their friends at breakfast, and no shadows rested upon the face of Duke Crittenden as he greeted the ladies, who had heard through Surgeon Breckenridge how the affair had terminated. “See here, Duke,” suddenly cried Doctor Breckenridge, who was glancing over a morn- ing Perc: ‘‘T hope nothing has been discovered of our little cruise yesterday, Drake?’ quickly said Crittenden. ‘‘No, that remains a secret; but there is a notice here that the El Moro, Spanish brig-of- war, got up anchor suddenly last night, and sailed down the river, which seems to be a sur- rise, as her officers anticipated 1emaining here or some time,” ‘¢* Man proposes, God disposes,’” was the re- sponse of Duke Crittenden, and soon after the party left the table for the parlors, where a note was handed to Isodor. ‘‘ Anything wrong, Isodor?” asked Captain Crittenden. ‘* No, senor; it is a request for me to come to the head-quarters this morning, and have you accompany me.” ‘“We will go at your pleasure, [sodor,” re- sponded Crittenden, and shortly after the two friends drove to the mansion, already described as the secret meeting place of the Cuban Junta. Isodor was most warmly greeted by his friend the general, to whom he presented Crittenden and then General Lopez came forward and eeted them, reminding the Cuban youth that 1e had not forgotten the time when he kept him from landing upon the coast of Cuba, ata time when it would have proven his death to have done so. All of the Junta seemed particularly pleased with Crittenden, congratulated him upon the work he had done for Isodor and the Cuban cause, and then General Lopez asked: ‘‘ Now, Senor Isodor, tell us what you did to frighten away the Spanish brig-of-war, El Moro, for it isa fact that she left port hastily about midnight last night?’ Isodor looked at Crittenden, who answered: ‘* You will be surprised, senor, to know that both Senor Isodor and I had nothing to do with the hasty departure of the El Moro,” and the words of the young American caused one and all of the Cubans to stare with surprise at him, while General Lopez said: ‘We are anxious to know the cause of her leaving, senor?” Then Crittenden told them the story of the Spanish officers entering into a quarrel with Iso- dor at the table, and of the challenges that fol- lowed. The result of the duels caused every man of the Junta to spring to his feet and break forth in bravos, while General Lopez said earnestly: ‘Senor Crittenden, you have done Cuba a great service in killing that man, De Garmo, for he was a bitter foe to our people. ‘‘ And you, Senor Isodor, deserve praise for humbling the pride of Midshipman Gonzalez, Gracias whom I know well, and a more arro- gant, and at the same time merciless fellow does not live: but I am surprised that you did not run him through.” ‘Had I not struck his sword from his hand and he have still held it, I would not have spared him, Senor General; but I never strike a man who is in my power as he was,” returned Isodor. ‘¢ A noble sentiment, young senor; but in our war we can show little mercy, and must strike at the heart of a Spaniard as we would at the head of a viper.” ‘Yes, senor, it is a vendetta war between Cubans and Spaniards, the latter having set the example, and I, for one, will never ask mercy at their hands, nor spare those whom I know to have been guilty of cruelties to Cubans,” and ' Crittenden spoke with deep earnestness, ‘‘We prize your strong arm and brave heart most highly, Captain Crittenden, and it was to have a talk with you that we asked Senor Isodor to bring you around to-day, for what we do, must be done at once.” ‘I thank you, General Lopez, for the confi- dence placed in me, and I beg to say that my yacht is at your service, as also I wish to give aint | you my check for the sum of ten thousand del- lars, for, now that I have entered the service cf Cuba, I do not intend to go in half-way, but with my whole heart, and my life in my hand.” ‘* My dear Senor Crittenden, you are indecd a treasure, and we will avail ourselves of the offer of your fleet vessel, to bear different parties of Patriots over, who are now gathering in this city, Mobile, Pensacola, and Key West. ‘You, senor, we desire to offer the rank of Colonei of Cavalry in the Patriot army of Cuba, and I will myself accompany you when you set sail for the island, while our young friend here, Isodor, having proven himself capable of doing a brave man’s work, shall have the rank of lieutenant in the sea service of our cause, for he has his own vessel, now about completed, and will be most valuable in running stores, muni- tions of war and other needed articles imto the island, but when can you have your yacht ready Senor Isodor?” ‘‘She is finished, Senor General, or was te have been two days ago, and I shall at once de- part for Pensacola and get her ready to carrv out your orders,” answered the Boy Insurgent. ‘‘Do so, Senor Isodor, and I will have a schooner, laden with arms, meet you at any lace you may name, to be transferred to your fleet craft, which, by the way, I would like to know the name of?” ‘‘T have christened her the War Cloud, Senor General, my other yacht having being named the Cloud.” ** A good name, and Heaven grant her long life, and a gallant career, which, under your captaincy, I do not doubt she will have,” said General Lopez, and after a conversation of an hour longer with the Junta, Isodor and Duke Crittenden took their leave. That night the Red Belt left the river, with her commander and Isodor on board, and after a rapid run she reached her point of destination, Pensacola, where, to his delight, the Boy Insur- gent found his yacht ready awaiting him. In Pensacola the Cubans had a Secret League and there were awaitinz them there a hundred aap volunteers for the sacred cause of Cuba bre, and these were taken on board the Red Belt and War Cloud and carried to an Island in the Gulf, which had been made a rendezvous from which to start to the Gem of the Antilles. On that island lumbersome coasters had de- posited precious cargoes of arms and munitions of war, and Jeaving his yacht there to load up, Isodor had gone in the Red Belt with Captain Crittenden to his home on Mobile Bay, where he ric that his sister anxiously awaited his re- urn. CHAPTER XXII. CONCLUSION, AFTER a few days’ stay at Cuba Cottage, and during which time Captain Crittenden had got- ten other members of the Cuban League there together, he and Isodor bade Estrella farewell, and the Red Belt set sail one dark stormy night. Isodor had with him his black crew for the War Cloud; but no one would suppose that the Red Belt carried a large cargo of arms, and stowed away beneath her decks, three-score gal- lant Cuban Patriots. Straight for the rendezvous island she headed, and transferring her freight, human and other- wise, to the beautiful War Cloud, she was head- ed for New Orleans, where Colonel Crittenden, her commander, was to be joined by General Lopez and other leaders of Cuba, ith his new yacht heavily laden, Isodor set sail for Cuba, and, in spite of the watchfulness of Spanish cruisers, succeeded in landing one night upon the coast. here he was met by Leon De Soto, who con- ducted the men to a secret hiding-place he had found, and by dawn the cargo ‘had also been taken there in safety, and the War Cloud set sail on another perilous voyage. Upon the further services rendered by the ee Boy Insurgent, Colonel Crittenden and on De Soto, I will not further dwell,'as their daring deeds in behalf of poor, struggling Cuba, are written in history, and history so full of ad- venture and romance that one would believe it fiction. Did one follow the career of Isodor, the Boy Insurgent, in his daring deeds on sea and land, in the long months of a cruel, relentless, merci- less war, that was in truth a vendetta between Cubans and Spaniards, he would indeed admit the correctness of the old adage, that ‘‘ Truth is stranger than fiction.” THE END.