Miss Fairfax of Virginia: A Romance of Love and Adventure Under the Palmettos

by St. George Rathborne

  CHAPTER VIII.

  "ADIOS, BELOVED!"

  The old Porto Rican dignitary quickly recovered his speech--indeed,it was seldom he could be found in a position where his vocal organssuffered a relapse, since it was almost as natural for Don Porfidio tofume and roar as it was to draw breath.

  Suspicion, which had lain dormant in his breast during the last fewminutes, on account of his surprise at discovering the identity of hisopponent in the sword duel, now once more leaped into a fierce flame.

  He remembered why he had rushed to his bungalow quarters with such hotspeed.

  "The spy, yes, the Yankee spy. _Por Dios!_ I had almost forgotten him.He entered here--Roblado swore it on his honor. I have never as yetseen the rascal and I jumped to the conclusion that you were he. Wasit all a mistake, Senor Owen--will you tell me you are not the partyRoblado saw--the party he has sworn to tear limb from limb? I awaityour answer, senor, and give you my word of honor I shall believe whatyou say," he said, anxiously, eagerly.

  Roderic smiled.

  It was not because he lacked in respect for the doughty general, whohad backed up his hot words with his sword as a brave man should.

  The reference to Roblado amused Owen.

  He pictured that fire-eater who was yearning to spill his blood,waiting outside the door of the house, where the click of the swordscame as sweet music to his ear, waiting until these sounds were heardno longer, when in a mixture of hope and fear he called out:

  "Senor de Brabant, have you slain the pig of a Yankee spy--is it safeto enter?"

  Of a truth Roblado's heart was as stout as that of the timid lambgamboling on the green, and when he roared it was as fiercely as asucking dove.

  Roderic was ever frank--it is a policy that pays best in the end.

  "I do not claim the name of a spy, senor, but it would be foolish of meto deny that I am in the secret diplomatic service of my country--thatmy presence here has been to discover why Spanish agents congregate inDublin. As to why I am under your roof, it is a purely personal matterthat drew me. I chanced to be passing and saw your niece at the window.Resolved to make my peace with her I boldly demanded admittance, andshe has been angel enough to forgive. Senor, that is all--you believeme?"

  Roderic was a man whose very face was a passport among his fellows.

  What he said usually carried weight.

  Of old he had exerted great influence over the don, who had almostloved him as his own at the time jealousy broke up the combination.

  This feeling was once more sweeping over the general--there is afascination about some men that is very hard to resist.

  Possibly he might have again thrust out his hand despite Roblado andhis hatred for Yankees in general.

  Other voices were heard outside--Roblado was endeavoring to explain tothe new arrivals who had just appeared upon the scene.

  Perhaps, not having received any answer to his frenzied calls to thegeneral, he jumped to the conclusion that the boot was on the otherleg, and the veteran had received his quietus at the hands of themiserable American "pig."

  In numbers there is courage and strength.

  Even Roblado could be valorous when backed up by half a dozen comrades.

  The cramp in his abdomen, which had necessarily prevented him fromrushing in and annihilating the Yankee, now left him as if by magic,and when the group of conspirators crushed through the doorway Robladoled the van.

  Such valor! no wonder Spain has in ages past swept like a whirlwindover the known world--it was certainly worthy of the Dark Ages.

  Roderic was taken at a disadvantage, for he had not expected suchhostile measures.

  He thought to again snatch the sword that had already served him sowell, but ere this could be done one of the new comers had hurled hisweight upon him.

  Had these two been let alone, Owen would surely have done the otherinjury in short order, for his trained muscles were aching for activeservice, and the Spaniard was really no match for him.

  This style of carrying on the affair did not seem to suit the others,however.

  What was the use of having an advantage if it were not enforced?

  Such logic carried the day, and when Roderic found the half dozenhanging upon him from all quarters he ceased struggling, knowing thefolly of such a useless endeavor to win out.

  It was a great victory.

  His captors surrounded him, every man holding on to some part of hisapparel.

  Their swarthy faces beamed with pleasure, as though this might be takenas a forerunner of the great triumph reserved for their nation when thesomnolence of many years had been thrown aside.

  Roblado was in his element.

  He had a military or naval cut about his appearance, and no doubt couldswell with importance when on the deck of his ship or at the head ofhis brigade.

  "Tis well, comrades, we have secured the beast. What can prevailagainst Spanish valor? Those who are foolish enough to get in our waymust pay the penalty, poor fools. Now that we have caught the greatAmerican eagle what shall we do with him?" he asked, still maintaininga consequential grip upon Roderic's coat tails.

  "Clip his wings!" said one in Castilian.

  Various other suggestions were offered, some amusing, others diabolicalin their cruelty.

  Roderic laughed good naturedly.

  "Ah! gentlemen all," he remarked in that calm and pleasant way thatindicates perfect control over the emotions, "you seem to forget youare not in Spain or Cuba, where such delightful little picnic partiesas you mention are of daily occurrence. You are in the dominion of HerMajesty Queen Victoria--her officers are watching every move you make,and at this moment the shadow of Portland prison hangs over you, everyman.

  "Don't imagine for a moment my presence is not known to these men fromScotland Yard, for we are working hand in glove. I am in your power,and you may do as you please, but mark me, if a hair of my head isinjured every man here will be in irons before two hours have passed.That is all!"

  It was enough.

  The Jack Spaniards were shaky at the knees.

  Their respect for grim English laws and customs was bred in thebone--since the days when the Great Armada was destroyed by Providenceand British valor, these people of the Iberian peninsula have seldomdesired to pick a quarrel with Albion.

  So, upon hearing what Owen had to say, they looked at each otherfearfully and then eyed the doors and windows as though half expectingto see the officers representing good old English law bursting upon thescene.

  Naturally a cock fights best upon his own ground, and this isparticularly true of Spaniards as a people.

  Handicapped by their presence under a flag that was known to be morefriendly toward the Americans than any other among the Powers, theyfound their claws cut.

  A hasty council of war was entered into.

  Self preservation is the first law of nature, and they were clamorousas to the means to be employed that would best insure his safety.

  No matter how wretched the cur, he has the same inherent love of lifethat nature gives to the finest created creature.

  Several times Don Porfidio attempted to take the reins and drive, buta spirit of communism was rampant, and the others would yield to nodictation.

  At other times perhaps they would give ready heed to all he had tosay, since he occupied a high position in the councils of Spain; butjust now all were on a common level and it was a case of life and deaththey had to settle.

  At length it was decided.

  Senor Owen should not be put to death, but held a prisoner until theycould hastily leave Dublin bay on board the blockade runner as pertheir previous arrangement.

  It was only hastening plans that had already been well arranged.

  The young girl stood there an anxious spectator, while her lover's fatewas being decided, and when the final ultimatum had been rendered shegave him a pleased smile of encouragement.

  Roderic, wise man, had made up his mind not to resist the decree offate, especially since it a
ppeared that he would only be put to alittle inconvenience and encounter small danger.

  He had no desire to provoke the anger of these men further than wasnecessary--there would come a time when he might meet them face to faceon equal terms, with weapons in his hands, and until that hour it waspolicy for him to laugh and let them have their sweet way.

  A long lane it is that has no turning.

  His time would come sooner or later.

  Then the blustering Roblado might be made to sing more softly, andthose who handled him so roughly be compelled to take a turn themselves.

  Surrounded by the voluble and excited group, the American was led downinto the cellar of the unique bungalow on the Rathmines road.

  Here they left him, with fervent hopes, openly expressed that the ratswould feed upon his wretched porcine carcass, and never allow him toagain see the light of day.

  Owen was not in despair.

  On the contrary it is doubtful whether in all fair Dublin that night alighter heart could have been found than his.

  There was reason for it too.

  As to the danger menacing him, he laughed that to scorn--it was only alittle adventure after all, one of many that marked his life.

  He had won back the treasure that was almost beyond his reach, and theman who found himself secure in the love of that divine girl had causefor deep and heart-felt satisfaction.

  Roderic could never tell how it ever came these fellows neglected totake what portable property he chanced to carry.

  It was really a remarkable omission and might be laid to the fact oftheir being gentlemen though he himself was rather inclined to believethe truth rested in another quarter--that they had been ashamed in thepresence of Georgia, and likewise confused by his positive statementabout the Scotland Yard officers on their trail.

  Having a deep seated aversion to English prisons, quite excusable, theyhad found their nerves unstrung.

  Hence Roderic profited by their confusion.

  He hunted up a cigar and a match.

  That was comfort enough for half an hour.

  The future could take care of itself.

  Such is the philosophy of a dare devil who, from long familiarity hasconceived a species of contempt for danger.

  He could hear some one moving about above, and understood that thegeneral must be preparing to leave the odd little furnished cottagewhich he had hired.

  More time passed.

  Owen was only waiting until they left the house, when he wouldundertake to get free from his prison.

  No ordinary cellar was constructed that could restrain a man of hisability for any great length of time.

  An occasional flash from a match kept him informed as to the flight oftime.

  These brief periods of illumination also gave him some conception as tohis surroundings, and he was thus enabled to figure as to what shapehis action should take in order to bring the most speedy results.

  At length all seemed to become quiet above.

  He had heard several doors slam.

  Doubtless the doughty general and his lovely ward had sallied forth toboard the blockade runner that was to take them across the ocean.

  Roderic sighed to think he would not see her again for, Heaven aloneknew how long.

  Never mind, he had experienced a foretaste of Paradise on this eveningwhich he would have considered cheaply purchased had he been compelledto meet ten times as many difficulties in order to win it.

  It had brightened his life and given him something blessed for which tolive.

  Filled with zeal, as though inspired to prove himself worthy of thedear girl who had so readily forgiven his cruel desertion because ofthe great love she bore him, Owen arose.

  First of all he stretched himself, as though feeling of his strength.

  He had resolved to bend his energies upon the door of the subterraneanprison, as offering the best possible opportunity for escape.

  So he groped his way to the stone steps and made his way upward.

  At length he touched the door.

  Of course it was fast.

  Those vindictive Spaniards had meant what they said, and really hopedhe might be kept down below until so weakened by hunger that he couldput up but a feeble defense against the great gaunt Dublin sewer rats.

  Which shows how little they knew a progressive Yankee, and hisinventive abilities that stop at nothing when the occasion makesdemands.

  Roderic knew how to assail such a door.

  He smiled disdainfully when he found they had actually left the key inthe lock.

  What a snap it was.

  Why these fellows were hardly out of their swaddling clothes when itcame to outwitting a twentieth century Yankee.

  He thought he would start operations upon that door immediately.

  Then his mind changed for a sound reached his ears--some one wasapproaching--he could even see a gleam of light from under the door.

  Now they stood without with only the door between.

  He heard a key turned in the lock.

  Roderic braced himself for a struggle, not knowing but what one of themost vindictive Spaniards, Roblado perhaps, had crept back, resolved tohave a dark revenge.

  Thus, half crouching on the steps, he awaited the opening of the door.

  Now it moved.

  He had a glimpse of a flaring candle held in a small hand, and thencame sudden darkness, for a draught from the cellar had snuffed out theflame.

  But Roderic had in that one glance seen enough to arouse the mostdelightful sensations within his heart.

  A voice, low and soft but sweeter than a breath from Cathay reached hisears and set the music throbbing in his heart.

  "Senor Roderic--_hola_, it is I!"

  "God bless you--I am here within reach. Hold steady and let me touchyou, lest I believe I am only dreaming, my darling."

  And he immediately held her little loyal form within the shelter of hisarms, though when he rained burning kisses on her lips she struggled tobe free.

  "This is no time for that. Holy mother, what a rude man you are, SenorRoderic. Release me, I beg, I command. Remember he must win who wears.You have a duty to perform."

  "Which shall be accomplished with Heaven's help. But I thought you weregone, sweetheart?"

  "We are just starting--the cart is at the door, and uncle is waiting."

  "Then he knows why you return?"

  "Yes. He made only one stipulation."

  "What is it?"

  "Your promise not to move a hand until dawn, to prevent our sailing onthe Sterling Castle."

  Roderic breathed easier.

  "Tell the dear old governor I give that most willingly. You know Ileave here myself in a comparatively few hours."

  "Then I must go."

  "You leave me--we may never meet again."

  "The Virgin watch over you," she faltered.

  "Will you go without one parting embrace--ah! the world is wide anddanger lurks everywhere when people are at war. One kiss sweetheart, ofyour own free will--it may be a talisman to guard me against evil."

  He pleaded not in vain.

  A pair of soft arms were thrown around his neck, and not one but adozen kisses rained upon his lips--then when he would have sought todetain her she eluded his grasp and flitted away in the dark, hergentle "adios, beloved," sounding like a benediction to his ravishedears.

  A few minutes later he heard the roll of wheels, as the jaunting cartook them to the distant quay.

  "She is gone, Heaven bless her," he muttered--"lucky man that I am,thrice blessed to be beloved by two such charming creatures; to methere is only one who can fill the longing of my heart and she has justleft me."

  And this was the reason Roderic turned up at the Shelbourne late thatnight looking like a man who had supped with adventure.