Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 407 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

-—<—“ says, if the men u the field, and with some of those who fled, slightly wounded. Instantly they signaled to the brig, which be- an to fire at the timber, cutting a branch off era, and raining showers of twigs and foliage down upon the heads of the Cubans, though do- ing no damage. aking two boat-loads of men, the Spaniards began to circle the island, with a view of dis- covering a better means of attack. The crew of one boat advancing too near the timber got a heavy fire poured upon it which did some damage, and rapidly the Spaniards pulled out of range. Finding that they could not get near by wa- ter, the Spaniards, also discovering by their survey that the brig could not be gotten into a position to do any damage, determined upon an- other plan. This was to bring two twelve-pound cannon ashore, drag it upon the hill and open fire upon the little fort. Isodor went out upon a survey and discovered this intention and quickly returned with the re- ort. ‘* It will take them until dark to get the guns into position, and then they will doubtless open a heavy fire for half an hour, after which they will charge us in the darkness,” he said, ‘‘ ‘You are doubtless right, Senor Isodor,” re- sponded the general. ‘* Now, senors, my idea is, a8 the sea is com- paratively calm, to get all ready for a retreat the very moment it 1s dark, and we can launch our boats at the other end of the ‘sland, and Bueno can pilot us into open water, while, he Spaniards discover us, and attempt to follow, they will be wrecked.” ‘**’You are the commander, Captain Christo- bal, so give your orders accordingly,” said the general, with a smile. ‘*Senor General, you and the Senor De Soto have of course heard of El Capitan Atares, sur- named ‘The Butcher,’ on account of his red- handed work against the Cubans in 1844?” ** Yes, Senor lsodor, he is known but too well to all Cubans,” answered the general. ‘* Well, [ observed him among; the leaders of the Spaniards, and you know he has a habit of cruising about the coast as the guest. of the Spanish naval officers?” ‘* Yes, he is chief aide to the Captain-General and does pretty much as he pleases,” remarked De Soto. ‘**I suppose you also know, senors,” continued Isodor, ‘‘ that he was presented by the Spanish Volunteers with a diamond-hilted sword, having a gold scabbard, as an appreciation of his red work of butchery.” “True, and it is said to be worth a fortune, and he has often used it upon Cubans,” the general said, bitterly. “ Well, I saw that sword in his hand, and it ‘was its glitter that caused me to note the bearer and recognize ‘ The Butcher.’” ‘¢ Had I know it I would have been tempted to make a sortie, and endeavor to capture him.” ‘‘ No, general, that is not needed, for he lies on yonder field, as I believe, dead, for I fired at his eart. ‘ But I shall soon know,” and Isodor sprun over the breastwork and started across the field. In vain did the general and De Soto call him back, for he would not heed, and held on his way directly for the spot where lay a heap of Span- iards who had fallen under the Cuban fire. CHAPTER VI. THE DIAMOND CUTLASS. HAVING left their dead and wounded upon the field where they had fallen, the Spaniards dared not make an attempt to bear them off, so congregated, as Isodor had said, upon the shore, while the largest of the boats had been sent out to the brig to bring back a small cannon or two. Isodor therefore saw none of the enemy when he started upon his hazardous undertaking, and poved to accomplish his purpose unseen by em, _ He walked at a brisk pace toward the fallen Spaniards, while the general, seeing that he heeded not the calls to return, ordered his men to stand ready to run to his rescue, should it be necessary, Bueno in the mean time, had armed: himself with two rifles, one being slung upon his back, and foliowed his young master, keeping some fifty paces behind him. With erect mien and fearless face, Isodor walked directly toward the spot where he had seen the Spanish officer fall, whom he had recog- nized as ‘‘ Atares. The Butcher,” as the Cubans had named him, name meeeaaaaaeasaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasaaaaaaaaaaaaacaaaaaaacaaaaaaaaaaaaaadaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasaaaaaaaaaaemeaeeeee eae i The Boy Insurgent, In one group lay four Spaniards, and the one furthest off of this quartette was the man whom Isodor sought. : He was dressed in a gorgeous uniform, and lay upon the ground, his face toward the little fort, and in such a position that the two Spanish sail- ors and one marine lying in front of him, pro- tected him in a measure from any shots the Cu- bans might fire. Le man was by no means dead, but his leg had received a severe wound which had brought him down, and he was unable to retreat. He had a handsome face, but one that was ut- terly devoid of mercy, and was now marred by the pain he suffered, and the fury he felt at hav- ing had his comrades in arms run off and leave him upon the field. He had an embroidered belt about his waist, and to it hung a cutlass in a scabbard of pure rold. , The hilt of the weapon was one mass of dia- monds, and the shield to protect the hand was studded with rubies. Upon the scabbard was his name, studded in recious stones, and an inscription in his honor or having been a merciless butcher toward Cu- bans. As the officer saw Isodor approaching he start- ed, moved nervously, and reaching out his hand, dragged the two bodies near him into a better breastwork. A groan escaped from one of the men, who opened his eyes and looked into his face, while he said: ‘*Tam not dead, Senor Capitan.” ‘* It makes no difference, for I shall use you to protect my Own precious life,” was the heartless gia sodor saw the movements of the officer, and, we ee ig his pistol, quickened his pace toward im. At the same instant Captain Atares gave a ringing halloo for help. Instantly Isodor sprung into a run, and as he reached near the human breastwork a bullet whizzed by his head. But it did not check the impetuous youth, who, as a second shot cut through his arm, sprung over the barrier and leveled his pistol at the head of the Spanish officer, while he said sternly: ‘‘ 1] Capitan Atares, well named The Bu ‘. er, did I do right, I would send a bullet through your coward heart; but you are wounded and I will take from you your Diamond Cutlass, the badge of your red work against Cubans,” As Isodor spoke he unbuckled the handsome belt from the waist of the Spaniard, the buckle being of solid gold, and glittering with gems, ‘‘ Never! I will die ere | give up my sword!” shouted the Spaniard, and he made an effort to resist; but Isodor was as strong as a young Her- cules, and dashing him back upon the ground, placed his foot upon him, while he took the cov- eted weapon and buckled it around his own waist, at the same time scattering the other weapons of the Spaniard beyond his reach. ‘** You should thank me for your life, Spanish dog that you are,” hissed the youth, iust as there appeared over the rise of the hill half a dozen Spanish soldiers, Instantly there came a shot and one fell, while the others sprung back to cover. {ee shot had been fired by Bueno, who shout- ed: ‘ Fly, Senor Master, for they will return and fire a volley!” ‘“Ay, ay, Bueno, and I would not have you harmed through my reckless act; but I was de- termined to possess this sword. ‘‘ Now run for it,” and the two dashed back toward the fort at full speed, just as a score of Spanish sailors came rushing Over the hilltop, turning loose a desultory fire upon the fugitives. Instantly Isodor and Bueno wheeled and threw their rifles to their shoulders, and a Spaniard was seen to fall; but the others pressed on, passed the wounded officer and it seemed that a charge was intended,;when out sallied the Cuban general, Leon De Soto and a number of the Cuban soldiers, and hastening to ghe aid of the youth and negro a hot fire was begun with fatal results upon both sides. But, as the Cubans showed a determination to rescue their comrades, the Spaniards fell back although others were coming to the rescue, and Isodor and Bueno coming up, the little band re- treated rapidly into the fort. In their retreat the Spaniards carried off the wounded Captain Atares, and the Cubans took with them into their stronghold their one dead man and several wounded. ‘Well, Captain Isodor, you got the cutlass,” cried Leon De Soto with enthusiasm, ‘Yes, and it is worth the risk I took, though Iam sind that others than the Spaniards hed to suffer through me.” ‘*T shall christen you Captain Cutlass, Senor Isodor,” remarked the general with a smile, and he took the cutlass and carefully examined it. ‘*But you are wounded, Isodor,” anxiously said Leon De Soto, observing that his sleeve was stained with blood, ‘*It is but a slight wound, senor, and I will get Doctor Garcia to look at it, when he has finished with those others who need him more.” But the general at once called the surgeon, who was one of his staff, and an examination was made of the wound, which proved to be slight. “It is a souvenir from Captain Atares, and one which I will not forget; any more than will he, I suppose, that I took his prized cutlass from him,” and Isodor’s face flushed with tri- umph, momentarily dispelling the look of deep sadness that seemed stamping itself thereon. CHAPTER VII. UNDER THE SHADOW OF NIGHT. As soon as the excitement of the little affair, following the capture of the Diamond Cutlass had subsided, Isodor suggested to the general that preparations be made for the retreat. The ‘boats were accordingly parked in trim order, the sails gotten ready, and then all sat down to partake of a good meal, for they knew not when they would get another. As the smoke of their fire was seen by the Spaniards, they came to the conclusion that the little Cuban band were taking thing's easy. So confident were the Spaniards that the little party had no boat, that they did not think it necessary to set a guard upon them. Bueno had slipped out, right after eating his combined dinner and supper, and had made his way toa pens where he could see the move- ments of the Spaniards. He was gone about an hour, and then return- ea with the information that Captain Atares had been carried on board the brig, along with the other wounded, and that the Spaniards had buried their dead. He also stated that one twelve-pounder had been landed and boards had been laid to roll it up the hill on, while a second one was being then lowered into the large yawl. He had counted the Spaniards and had found that they numbered over eighty, including a pane of marines, which eet that El] Moro ad a larger crew than had been supposed, for Bueno said there was still quite a force left on the vessel. ‘* Well, Bueno, they will not be ready to open with their guns for fully an hour after dark, and by that time we will be a league or more away, and they will bardly reach the island for us un- til to-morrow,” said Isodor. It was now twilight, and the Cubans were all ready and most anxiously awaiting the order to depart. eeper' and deeper grew the shadows, until the distant spars of the brig faded from view, then the sea was shaded in darkness and the gen- eral said: ** Well, Captain Cutlass, what do you say?” ‘Let us start, Senor General,” was the quiet response, he boats were then raised to the shoulders of the men, the general, De Soto and Isodor carry- ing the light skiff, while Bueno led the way, as soon as he had thrown an armful of wood upon each of the fires, after the Cubans had left the fort which had served them so well. A walk of a quarter of a mile brought the party to a steep hill leading down to the shore, and down this the boats were dragged, for the load had been a heavy one for the men, Into the water then they were drawn, the crews sprung on board, and the skiff moved off in the lead, Bueno standing up in its bows, Isodor at the oars, and De Soto at the tiller. The other boats slowly followed in the skiff’s wake, and the island was left astern, the hearts of the Cubans rising with hope as they saw it fading away in the darkness, With caution and skill Bueno guided the three boats through the dangers of the waters near the island, and after a while turned and said: ‘Senor Master, it is open water now.” ‘You have done splendidly, Bueno, and now we can raise sail,” averred Isodor. ‘‘ Better stick to the oars yet awhile, Senor Master, for a sail can be seen a long way off, and the brig might yet head. the islands and cap- ture us.” ‘You are ever thoughtful, geod Bueno; but hark!” and the roar of a heavy gun was heard back on the island. ‘The Spaniards are firing upon a deserted ‘g ; ‘i ,) NOOKS.coOm a, o- ee ee ee ° ——_— C : ” =. . | !