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

by St. George Rathborne

  CHAPTER XVI.

  THE INVASION OF SAN JUAN.

  Upon a stormy night, when the moon was utterly concealed by dark raggedmasses of clouds that rolled up from the south in serried columns likean army advancing to battle, Roderic viewed the prospect from the deckof the Dreadnaught with the philosophical coolness that seemed a partof his nature; and yet he knew what one of these summer storms in thetropics meant as well as any man.

  It came in an unfortunate time, just when they prayed for fair weather,since it was Roderic's design to be put ashore on the coast of PortoRico not many miles from San Juan, before the little steam yachtentered the fortified harbor.

  The situation had been carefully studied by Owen, and his plans alteredto conform to the new arrangement of affairs.

  There was a pretty good chance that the Sterling Castle would put intoSan Juan ere attempting to run the Havana blockade.

  In fact this was almost a certainty, since she carried as passengersthose who were desirous of landing on Porto Rico soil.

  This being the case it was reasonable to suppose that Jerome and hisSpanish allies would take advantage of the first opportunity to warnthe officials at the capital regarding the presence of a Yankee secretagent on board Cleo's yacht; and that the entry of the Dreadnaught intothe fortified harbor where Admiral Sampson's guns had played havocearlier in the game would open a system of annoying espionage, even ifit did not result in a bold search for the spy.

  There was one way to avoid this.

  He must go ashore secretly and enter San Juan by the backdoor.

  His acquaintance with the city and its surroundings would serve him ingood stead, as must also his knowledge of the Spanish character andlanguage.

  Roderic had his bold plans all arranged and was therefore a littleannoyed when fickle Nature threatened to interfere with their smoothsailing. If the tropical storm had only held off another hour all wouldhave been serene.

  They had had glimpses of Porto Rico's fair shores during the last fewhours, and Roderic might have landed in comfort.

  Two things restrained him--the lack of suitable transportationfacilities to the capital, and the presence of Spanish soldiersscattered along the shore, and revealed through the glasses.

  Night was absolutely necessary for the successful carrying out of hisplans, and even then there had been danger from discovery on account ofthe moon.

  The storm obviated this, while it bred new perils of its own.

  Roderic decided to risk it.

  Delay meant more danger for Cleo, since every hour spent upon thatcoast in a gale of wind, during the hurricane season of the year wastempting Providence.

  Once he was off their hands he could run away from the coast or elsemake for the shelter of San Juan harbor, which would surely not berefused any friendly craft on such a wretched night.

  So Roderic made all his preparations and transformed himself into adark visaged Spaniard.

  Cleo looked him over carefully, and tried her best to appear satisfied,though there was a haunting gleam of dread in her blue eyes, and herlips trembled, despite all attempts to show a resolute front.

  She knew what risks he was taking for his country.

  The same bold spirit that influenced Hobson and Blue and Wainwrightin their desperate ventures grew rampant in Roderic Owen's breast--astrong desire to strike a blow for his beloved flag, to cripple thepower of the proud Spaniard and hasten the day of his final departurefrom the Western Hemisphere.

  Captain Beven had anchored his craft and now came to announce the boatin readiness that was to take him ashore.

  Roderic took his cousin's hand in both his own.

  "Your pure heart will pray for me I know. It is a greater satisfactionto me than words can tell. Remember what I promised of San Juan. Wewill, God willing, soon meet again. As your cousin, your brother, dearCleo, allow me a brother's loving privilege."

  He kissed her farewell.

  Nor as he turned hastily to follow Beven to the waiting boat, did hesee the glowing flush that instantly suffused her face, to as rapidlyvanish, leaving her deathly pale and trembling like an aspen leaf.

  The ride ashore was exhilarating to say the least.

  Great waves rolled on the beach, and none but practical, experiencedseamen could have managed so light a yawl without disaster.

  But Roderic had no fear--he knew what these trained muscles could do.

  Several times they seemed threatened with dire disaster, but on eachoccasion the second officer's judgment in manipulating the boat averteddestruction.

  Thus the cockle shell craft entered the white crested breakers, wherethey surged upon the shore with a roar like unto that of thunder.

  This was the most interesting moment of all, as riding one of therollers they rushed in like a race horse on the home stretch.

  Then Roderic saw the palm trees against the sky line almost overhead,and he knew they were almost ashore.

  A grating sound under their keel announced the receding of the billow.

  Instantly every sailor leaped overboard, up to his knees in salt water,and the boat thus lightened was run ashore.

  And in this manner Roderic Owen once again found himself on Spanishsoil--two years had passed since in anger he had kicked the dust ofPorto Rico from his shoes, and registered a solemn vow never to treadits shores again while his good sense remained.

  This occurred to him now as a very grim joke, for here he was once morelanded on that same fated soil; and what was even more singular asfully bent as ever upon his chase after beauty.

  Time alters many cases, resolutions fade with age, and circumstancesgovern our actions to a remarkable degree.

  Of course it was absolutely necessary that the second officer and hismen should return to the yacht without delay.

  Roderic squeezed the bold fellows by the hand and watched them launchtheir boat through the surf.

  Twice they were driven back.

  It was a ticklish job.

  Such men could not be daunted by difficulties, even when out of thecommon, so they made a still more resolute attempt.

  The third trial was a grand success--sturdy British muscle hadconquered over the forces of Nature, and Roderic knew they were off.

  He waited and watched until he saw a light flash up three times far outon the stormy waters, which was the signal agreed upon to announce thesafe return of the yawl.

  Then with a sigh he turned away.

  His business was now to enter San Juan.

  It must prove one that would necessitate great caution and considerableendurance on his part, for since the bombardment of the ports bythe American fleet as a bluff intended to disclose the presence ofCervera's squadron in West India waters the Spanish authorities hadtaken extraordinary precautions to guard every avenue of approach tothe capital.

  Roderic did not doubt his ability to enter without discovery--he hadnot frequented the cafes, the Spanish Club, and taken many horsebackrides through the suburbs of San Juan in company with Georgia withoutgaining a thorough knowledge of the ground that promised to be of greatadvantage to him now.

  Putting his best foot forward he soon struck a military road over whichhe had spun many times behind a good horse.

  He could in an hour's time catch glimpses of the many lights thatmarked the city.

  The sight caused him considerable satisfaction, for he knew destinyhad in store for him events of considerable importance connected withSan Juan.

  And doubtless _she_ was there--that simple fact had in it the elementscalculated to thrill his very heart to its core.

  About this time there arose features connected with the case thattemporarily drove these sweet reflections out of his head.

  They were of a most disagreeable nature.

  It began to rain.

  This might signify a drizzle in a more northern clime, but such a thingis almost unknown in Porto Rico.

  When the clouds open there it means a deluge.

  The boys in blue who were in
the trenches at Santiago could tell somepretty tall stories of tropical downpours, and how in the rainy seasona cloud appearing no larger than one's hat can spread over all the skyand fairly soak the earth.

  Roderic had anticipated this--indeed, his preparations had been madewith just such a ducking in prospect.

  He took his medicine in a philosophical spirit such as only a travelerin many strange lands learns to cultivate.

  Every step brought him nearer the city, and once he was soaked throughit was impossible to become any wetter, so why complain?

  Besides, this deluge might serve to his advantage, since in allprobability the guards stationed along the military road wouldnaturally seek refuge in their shelter huts, and leave the way clear.

  This was what actually occurred.

  Spanish system lacks many sterling elements that make the German andBritish armies so thorough in their duties.

  Roderic after a miserable tramp through mud and water finally broughtup at the city gates an hour before midnight.

  There he met with an apparent obstacle, since in Moorish fashion noone was allowed to find ingress or egress during the period betweensunset and sunrise.

  This he had been aware of ere landing, and all his plans were shapedwith an utter disregard for the edict of the governor-general.

  Avoiding the gates discreetly he made his way along the dilapidatedwall that marked what had once been the land defense of the city.

  It was now in decay, like many other antiquated battlements connectedwith Spain's possessions throughout the world--relics of bygone dayswhen muzzle loading guns marked the highest epoch in the art of war.

  Of course this guarding of the gates was more or less of a big sham,since the people of San Juan could go and come in scores of otherplaces.

  And Roderic remembered this fact.

  When by turning this way and that he finally surmounted the difficulty,and found himself among the houses near the barracks of the troopsin the eastern end of the city, he felt as though he deservedcongratulations on account of his good generalship.

  Still this was but a beginning, one step in the long and difficultladder he had laid out to climb. It could only be ascended a singleround at a time, but he had really made a good start.

  He found himself in a portion of San Juan which he had really neverlooked upon under similar conditions, the quarter where the poorerelement herded, where houses were thronged with black and white,Spaniards, and reconcentradoes of Porto Rico who endeavored to remainneutral, negroes from Jamaica and Hayti and a mongrel population.

  Seldom even in the rainy season does such a downpour come atnight--they look for it in the afternoon, when it cools the sultryatmosphere and with the sea breeze renders the evening delightfullyrefreshing.

  Just then the streets were swimming in water, and almost practicallydeserted--even the dolorous cry of the "dulce" vendors had ceased toecho along the narrow thoroughfares.

  But the cafes and concert halls and shops appeared to be doing a landoffice business to judge from the crowds that had collected.

  Roderic's one desire now was to reach a little den just off thebreathing place for the poor, known as the Plaza Cristobal Colon inhonor of Columbus.

  Here he believed he would find the opportunity he craved for rest,and a chance to dry his reeking garments, under the humble roof of adevoted friend.

  Two years had passed since last he had seen this party, and two yearsis a long time--much may occur during such a period--people changetheir residence mayhap their country, and sometimes even die.

  Still he was ready to take the chances.

  No one halted him as he pushed on, and yet these narrow, illy lightedstreets could not be reckoned the safest places in the city forrespectable people to walk after a certain hour.

  One thing he noticed--San Juan was full of Spanish soldiers. He couldsee them prowling everywhere, and each crowd within the cafes and hallshad its quota of these small sized swarthy faced, boyish looking exilesfrom sunny Spain.

  "They evidently mean to give the Yankees a warm reception when thetime comes," was what he concluded upon noting this important fact.

  The point was well taken--it was one that would prove of considerableimportance to General Miles, who had already landed on the southerncoast with his army of Americans, and was beginning to advance uponPonce and the neighboring towns.

  After being compelled to retrace his steps several times, on account ofgetting off the track, confused by the narrow _calles_ that seemed tohave no beginning and ended nowhere, Roderic at length broke out uponan open place where the rain beat upon stone flagging, and trees moaneddolefully in the fierce gusts of wind.

  Despite its funereal aspect now he recognized this as the PlazaCristobal Colon, and was able to take his bearings afresh.

  "Thank Heaven, I am near the end of my night's pilgrimage," hemuttered in Spanish, for he had determined to even do his thinking inthat language while within the enemy's lines, so that the danger ofdiscovery might be reduced to a minimum, for if Jerome, Roblado _etal._ were in San Juan he was well aware of the fact that hundreds ofkeen eyes belonging to the Guardia Civil would be on the lookout forone Roderic Owen, and that discovery would be a serious matter for him.

  It was really time his wanderings ceased for this night at least--hehad covered miles of ground, he had faced a raging storm that at timesalmost brought him to his knees, he was soaked through and through, andbeginning to feel weak in his limbs.

  But relief was close at hand.

  The hardest part of his mission he believed had already been passedover.

  At least, in all probability he would be able to conduct the remainderof his work with a dry skin--he might not see another deluge in theearly night during his whole stay in San Juan.

  He fervently hoped so, at least.

  Crossing the public square he dodged into a certain dingy and crookedlane that took him to the most desolate and God forsaken localitywithin the city walls.

  There are such places in Paris, London, New York--why not in San Juan?

  All cities, whether of ancient Babylonian days or of the presentenlightened age have had their plague spots as well as their palatialquarters, and so it must be while rich and poor go hand in hand, downto the end of time.

  Only in San Juan the squalor seemed to be a little more pronounced thananything Roderic could imagine outside of Havana, where the wretchedreconcentradoes were dying of hunger by thousands.

  The war was partly to blame, he knew--that and the natural savageinstinct which prevails so strongly among Spanish speaking people, andinduces them to always go to extremes, whether in love or conflict.

  Picking his way along in this delectable neighborhood Roderic finallygave utterance to an eager exclamation--his eyes had fallen upon thelittle whitewashed cabin for which he had been on the _qui vive_.

  Another moment and his fist was beating a tattoo upon the door, asummons that was loud enough to arouse the dead--from within a movementwas heard, and then the door opened cautiously a few inches. Rodericuttered some talismanic words in Spanish that brought a delightedexclamation from the hut's occupant--a brown hand reached out and whenthe door closed it shut out the awful clamor of the storm, for theYankee had found a warm reception within the walls of old San Juan.