BEL REBIO;

New Zealand Mail, Issue 751, 23 July 1886, Page 7

BEL REBIO;

OR, THE CHILDREN of the EARTHQUAKE

BY CAPT. FREDERICK WHITTAKER

A STORY OF THE NEVILLES OF GUY’S TOWER.

CHAPTER XXI. TINDER FIRE. Up in Willis’s Lines the scene of destruction was, if possible, more distressing than in the town, for the rocks from above were falling all the time, as chance shots brought them down; the fair banks of the * traverses ’ between the guns were ruined and defaced, and there was not a soldier to be seen in the open air. They had all taken refuge in ths bombproofs below ground, from whence they peeped out in the lulls of the cannonade. to see if the face of the batteries was yet in tact. They could not return a single shot to the isthmus, and were compelled to rely on the water-batterries of the Old Mole, which keptupa spiritedreply to the batteries of the Spaniards, as well as the overmatched artillerymen could work the guns, which were not half so numerous as those of the enemy.

Every now and then a long, warning cry would come from a distant bomb-proof, as the sharp-sighted boys, who distinguished themselves during the seige, shouted their notice that a shell was coming, ready to drop into the lines. They all hugged their shelteis closely till the shell either dropped or exploded, or fell in the town below, when the agony was over, and they resumed their games of cards or story-telling in the bomb-proofs ; for a man must do something to keep up his spirits. . . It was in the midst of thyi fire that one of the soldiers who was looking from the bomb-proof descried the figure of a man, in the dress of a contrabandista, his head bound up in a white bandage, walking as calmly as if in perfect safety, with a slow step and a tranquil air. The soldier caught sight of this man close to ihe bomb-proof, and shouted to his ‘ Hi, fellers ! ’ere’s a bloomin’ moke, as crazy as a bed-bug, a-walkin the platform, as large as life, and twenty-times as nateral! Well, I never! If. he don’t get smashed into a jeily it aint his fault.’ The cry bronght the others to the mouth of the hole to stare. The Spainiard continued his quiet way through the midst of the tremendous fire as calmly as if taking an ordinary walk. Ho passed near the mouth of the bomb-proof, and one of the men shouted : ‘Where the blazes are you gom’ you bloomin’ id jit, ? D’ye want to git killed ? Come back !’ , , . , The Spainiard turned his face towards them, and they saw that it was as pale as death, while his gait, as they looked closer, was the result of weakness, for he staggered slightly as he went. . He gave a faint smile, and said, m English : ‘ I am going to the governor. Then he went on, and they saw him at the crate that led to the steps, by which they had access to the lower town, towards which he walked, with no more appearance of fear than before. He seemed to be absolutely insensible to any such feeling, and one of the men remarked • < That’s a plucky chap, fur a don. Ought to be an Englishman ; hadn’t he boys ?’ In the meantime, Martin—who had traversed the face of the rocks above, under the full fire of the enemy’s batteries, preserved, as if by a miracle, though the shot were flying all round him —when lie arrived at the top of the steps, had to sit down, for hi 3 head felt more dizzy than when he started, and he feared the descent more than he had the ascent. He had to sit down in the heat of the cannonade, but he was unconscious of that. His dizziness partly explained the marvellous coolness he had shown under the fire which had driven the soldiers to their shelters. , . , , He took refuge from the sun, which he feared, at the moment, more than the shot, under the gate-way, from which the sentry had been removed, to avoid a needless exposure. Then he Scifc till his head felt clearer, and he began to feel sensible that he was’under the fire of the enemy. He was fully recalled to himself by the voice of an officer, who was coming up the steps, from the towm below, as fast as he could, and who stopped, astounded at the coolness of the man, who could take a seat in such a place, to ask : . ‘ Who are you, and what are yon doing here ?* Martin looked up, and the officer exclaimed : , < My God, is it yon ! What are you doing out of the hospital, Martin !’ . Martin smiled faintly, as he recognised Lord Neville, and replied, as well as he ‘ I—l want to see—the governor, Senor —and they would not—let me through-the other —the other way—so I had to—to C °Thenhe' turned so pale that Lord Neville in fear that he had been hurt again, asked * What is the matter ? Are yon hit ?’ Martin tiied to smile again, but the effort was a failure, a 3 he gasped : ‘ No Senor, —but—but I want waterwater, for the love God !’ For the devouring thirst that accompanies a hurt, and the heat of the day combined, was on him ; and he felt the scene going round and round in hi 3 vision, while all was growing dark. Lord Neville hastily ran to the nearest bomb-proof, and called out to the men inside : . - , ‘ Give me a canteen here, quick, some of you.’ . .... a 1 It was handed to him immediately, ana

he ran back to the place where Martin was sitting at the top of the steps, leaning against the wall.

The moment the canteen was held to hia lips, he seized it, and drank thirstily, when he opened his eyes, and smiled gratefully,’ the color returning to his face as he did so.

• Thanks, Senor,’ he said. ‘I can go on,’ now.’

Then he rose, and was about to descend the steps, when Lord Neville started involuntarily, as a shot came humming close by them, and went over toward the bay, where they saw it plunge into the water, raising a great splash. Ere they had fairly recovered from this, another shot struck the steps below them, and knocked away the breach, that tendered the descent, if not impracticable to a vigorous man, in full health, so dangerous, that Neville exclaimed :

‘ You shall not go down there, Martin. - I forbid it. You ought to be in the hospital, and not here. Come with me.’ And with that he seized the arm of the contrabandista and hurried him, despite the faint resistance Martin was able to offer, to the nearest bomb-procf, where he deposited him, saying to the men there : « Don’t let this man out. He has come from the hospital, and is not right in his head. Keep him quiet till I come back. 5 He had a message to the commander of the lines, which he delivered, when he found that officer in another bomb-proof, and they had quite a long conversation on matters of duty; for the young officer had been at work all day, and was full of zeal in his task. By the time he was ready to return the sun had sloped so far towards the Atlantic side of the town that the fire of the enemy was getting uncertain, for the level rays shone into their eyes, and their batteries were slackening the storm of shot. Lord Neville hurried back, and looked into the bomb-proof on the way. He found all quiet. Martin, exhausted by the vain resistance to the strong soldiers who had not allowed him to stir, had leaned back in a corner of the huge cavern in a slumber that was more like a stupor. « So much the better,’ said Neville, compassionately, as he looked at him. ‘ He will wake up more reasonable ; and, when it is dark, we can give him his wish, if he is able to walk.’ The sound of his voice, though he spoke in a low tone, woke the contrabandista, and he opened his eyes and stared round him confusedly. He did not appear to know where he was till he saw Lord Neville, when he smiled ' faintly, and said, in a sort of a Wl ‘lfil be better soon, Senor, and be able to see the general. * The best thing you can do is to stay quiet where you are,’ said Neville, with affected sternness. ‘ It was a mad freak for you to leave the hospial, Martin.’ ‘ The doctor told me that I might go if I kept out of the sun,’ said the poor fellow, pleadingly. ‘lt was climbing the rocks," Senor, that made me feel so faint. lam much better now, and I want to see him so much. If your lordship would only get me a chance, I could be happy.’ Neville hesitated a moment and then said : * Well, If you must, I suppose you must. Come with me. The fire has slackened, and it will soon be night.’ _ Martin staggered up with a cry of joy. ‘ Dios con usled, Senor.’ (God be with you, sir.) . Then he stepped out into the open air, Lord Neville giving him his arm, as if he had been his brother, and the fresh breeze revived him almost instantly jfor he spoke with a much stronger voice saying : ‘ Ah, that is good. Now I feel more like Martin Diaz again.’ Lord Neville helped him to the steps. As they descended, the fire of the enemy gradually slackened away, as the sun drooped closer and closer to the horizon, till, by ths time they got to the bottom, it had ceased entirely, and stillness brooded over the beleaguered garrison. They reached the streets ; and as they got there the clatter of horses’ hoofs was heard, and the goveDor rode up with his staff, going to his quarters for the night. He pulled up as he saw the young officer, and Martin, with his head tied up in a bloody bandage. „ , , ‘ Who is this, my lord ?’ he asked sharply. . ‘Are there no ambulance men, that my staff-officers have to take care of the wounded ? What was that man doing under fire at all. He has no business in the defences* ‘ It is Martin Diaz, who wished to speak to you last night, General,’ said Neville, respectfully. ‘lf your excellency would only listen to the man for a moment. The governor frowned and twitched nis « Let him come to my quarters, then, and tell what he wants, if nothing else will do. In the meantime, my lord, don t let your feelings run away with you so much. Your duties lie in other directions. Follow me to headquarters, for I may have some orders to send round.’ _ , Then, without noticing Martin he rode off, and the contrabandista said to Neville : * You have been very good to me, Senor ; better than I deserve. Leave me to myself, and I will manage to get to the headquarters. The governor is full of business, and I have got you into trouble. God bless you for what you have done, and you had best leave me.’ But Neville had got his blood up ; for he had all the hot-headed impetuosity of hia father, the choleric Earl of W arwick. The public rebuke of the governor before the staff had nettled him sorely. * I’ll take you with me, and 111 go w r here I please,’ he said, obstinately. ‘lf Heave you alone, some of those fools of sen-nes will be stopping you again, You come with me. I’ve made up my mind you shall have that interview with the governor, if it cost? me my commission. I’m not axraid of all the generals in the service. ' The habit of his rank, and the fact that he was the only nobleman in the garrison, made him reckless, and he kept his word. As the darkness gradually ?wej2t qver the

defences of Gibraltar, he took Martin through the streets, followed by mere than one curious glance, and never rested- till he had him in front of the governor’s quarters, and had seen the contrabandists, seated in an ante-room, waiting his turn, while he himself went iD to see the governor, summoned by a sharp message, through the chief of staff. When he came out, it was to go away, with orders that would take an hour to deliver, and Martin was left alone in the ante-room. There the poor fellow had to wait for another hour, while officers passed and repassed, no one noticing him in their burry. The time wore on. Martin had recovered his full senses in the coolness of the evening, and had become ravenously hungry, but still no summons came to him to enter the

inner room, where the governor was receiving - reports from the various parts of the garrison.

At last Martin saw Colonel Green, the chief engineer of the garrison, go in, and remain a long time. The young contrabandista was weary of waiting, but he stuck to his post, and at last Green came out, and, as he passed him, cast a quick look at him. 4 Why, Martin,’ he said, 4 what are you doing here ? You are the man that gave us the idea. Stop ! We want you inside. I am glad I’ve seen you. Come with me.’ He took the contrabandista by the arm and led him into the inner room, where he introduced him by saying : 4 Here is the very man we wanted. General. He knows more about the cliffs than any one in the garrison. He can tell ns all about the best place.’ y And Martin, who had been driven from pillar to post all day in the vain effort to secure the interview which now came to him unsought, found the old governor staring at him under his heavy brows, and saying : ‘Hum! Is that the man? Why the deuce didn’t he come here before ?’

Martin held up his head a little proudly as he replied : * The sentries wouldn’t let me, Senor, or I should have been here long ago.* Then Elliott turned to Green, as if he had not heard the reply, and said : * Tell him what the trouble is, and ask him if he knows any other way.’

CHAPTER XXII.

THE SPY. Had Martin Diaz that day, when he olimbed the rocks, braving the enemy’s fire, been possessed of his full senses, which were usually keener than common, he would have known that the fire of the Spanish batteries were not the only danger he ran. The savage black eyes of no less a person than Jos6 Gomez had been watching him _irom a crevice in the face of the cliffs, one of the numerous small caverns with which the rocks of Gibraltar were honeycombed,’ and the worthy Joa6 only refrained from open hostilities for the reason that he was -afraid to venture out in the face of the fire pf his friends. Once, when the unconscious contrabandista passed under the very hole where he was crouching, Josd tried hard to gather courage enough to come out and let a rock drop on Martin’s head ; but, as he put out his own head, a round shot struck the rock just below him, and sent the spy back to his hiding-place quicker than he had ventured forth. As the shades of darkness covered the garrison, and the Spanish fire ceased, Jos6 came forth, as if well acquainted with the locality. Down the face of the rocks he stole, carrying with him a long rope coiled together, with which he had often, in days of peace, been out hunting sea-birds’ eggs. Jos<s, with all his cowardly treachery, was bold in things to which he had been trained from his boyhood, and was counted the best rock-climber among the contrabandista3, save Martin. He carefully avoided the batteries where the soldiers might see him, and felt his way from rock to rock till he arrived at the precipice above the governor’s quarters. Here he let himself down as if he had

often done it before, and arrived at last at a point in the defences where he could look into the governor’s rooms at the top of an old Moorish house under the rampart. There was no sentry at that point, because it was judged inaccessible. So it was, from iSSlow ; but when Jos6 got there he had no difficulty in attaining a place, where he hung at the end of a rope hitched over the carriage of a damaged gun that had been rendered useless in the first day’s bombardment. There he hung, within twenty feet of the open modern window which had been cut in the Moorish dead wall at the top of the house, and from his airy perch he could see into the governor’s room and hear all that was said. ' The spy had difficulty in containing his hatred and anger as he saw Martin Diaz, the man who had insulted and scorned him only the day before, stand before the governor, with Colonel Green, the chief engineer; evidently addressed as a trusted friend and confidant. Josd did not understand English perfectly, but he heard the governor say, graciously : * The information you have given was well worth the trouble you have taken, sir; and I am sorry I was so busy yesterday night that I could not see you. You have richly earned the commission for which you asked, and you shall be put on duty at once in any regiment you desire. Make the choice.’ 4 Then Jos6 ground his teeth as Martin

spoke. ‘I-thank your excellency deeply. If there is a choice given to me I should like to enter the Scottish regiment. I have a love for the Scots, Senor, for they are brave men.’ The governor appeared to be surprised at the choice, for he said : ‘ You will be rather uncomfortable there,

I fear, for the Scottish officers are very jealous of foreigners, even Englishmen ; but “if you are determined you shall have your wish. There is, as it happens, a vacancy existing now, Captain McKenzie was killed yesterday, and Lieutenant Seymour has had to take his command. * There will be only one officer in that company. Would you like to serve with Mr Seymour ?’

Martin smiled. * Is not milord Neville in the same comjpany ?’ 4 No, he is unattached. I put him there

I for a day ; but he will be wanted in the I staff, if he can keep his hot head from strayI ing. You will serve with Mr Seymour if . you go into that regiment.’ ‘Then I am satisfied, Senor,’ said Martin, quietly. 4 At least I shall be in the regiment. Is not the colonel also a general ?’ General Elliott raised his brow 3. 4 Hum ! How do you know that? Ye 3, General Ross is the titular colonel of the McClouds. Well, Mr Diaz, you can go and report to the chief of staff, who will make out the order. I don’t know if it will be best for you to serve with the regiment. You may do better elsewhere for a time. Report to Colonel Boyd, and good night to you.’ Then with another grating of teeth, saw Martin back out of the room, while Elliott turned to Green to remark :

4 Splendid fellow, Green. So they are going to try and make their floating batteries invulnerable, are they ! What are we going to do when they bring them out ?’ Green shook his head gravely. 4 1 hardly know unless it is hot shot. We have plenty of coal since Admiral Rodney brought in the convoy. They can’t keep them from catching fire if we keep up the ! red-hot business long enough. If your excellency orders, I will have the furnaces got ready at once.’ 4 The sooner the better,’ observed Elliott, thoughtfully- 4 They are resolved to give us a lively time. Green. How does the rock gallery come on?’ 4 1 hope to have it in condition to receive the guns by to-morrow night,’ answered the engineer. 4 The rock is very soft; and the caverns will be a week or more before they can be armed ; for the work will have to be done under fire, or else at night. The rockguns will be ready to open to morrow morning.’ The general clapped the engineer on the shoulder joyfully. 4 You are a trump, Green. Don’t know what I should do without you and the rest. You are all famous fellows. We can keep down their fire a little with that, I hope.’ • We can drive them from their guns for awhile, General, till they get the range ; for we command every corner of their defences.’ The spy listened intently to the words, trembling with excitement! He was hearing all the confidential conversation of the governor of the fortress, and had learned something of which he had had no idea, that the rock gallery was being cut. Now if he only understood what they meant by hot shot—for Josd did not understand English well enough to know. 4 How can they fire a red-hot cannon ball ?’ he thought to himself. 4 lt will set fire to the powder before they get it down.’ Then he heard General Elliott say : 4 There is some spy still lurking in the town or rocks above, Green. I shouldn’t wonder but the best thing we could do would be to put that Bel Rubio—isn’t that what they call him ? —on special duty to find him out. He has a great advantage in his being Spanish, and having the look of an Englishman at the same time. He can do valuable service if he is willing.’ 4 He has done it already, General; I wonder if what he told us about that Jos6 Gomez can be true ?

Josd pricked his ears and listened intently, for the matter was getting decidedly interesting to him. 4 Whether it is true or not, we can keep a sharp look out for any man of such a queer name, and if we catch him inside the lines, string him up on sight. But, after all, Bel Rubio’s story on that point is not as convincing as the rest. He says that the man shouted out when they were near the enemy, and jumped overboard; but he ad mitted that his father wanted to kill Jos6 for speaking above a whisper. Of course, if the fellow is found here, he shall be shot or hung. But I don’t believe but what Bel Rubio is a little excited and feverish with his head wound, and makes out this Jose more of a character than he is. Well, Green, much obliged to you for your hard work. Good-night to you.’ And Jos6 saw the engineer bow himself out of the room, while the general threw himself on a sofa, as if going to sleep, for he snatched repose whenever he could. Then the spy cautiously climbed up the rope from which he had been dangling, and laughed to himself at the thought of what he had seen and heard.

4 Jos6 is not much of a character, isn’t he, general ? We shall see about that when you find the enemy in your camp. But the marshal must hear all this as soon as possible. It may be worth a good deal to you yet, Jos6, if you do it properly.’ He stole off over the rocks towards the south, where the point sloped down more gradually to the water, and were there were fewer soldiers, till the batteries of Windmill Hill were reached.

In those days Gibraltar was by no means the impregnable fortress that it has since been made, and only the supineness and want of skill of the Spanish engineers made the siege as long and resultless as it was. Since the French Duke of Crillon had come to take command of the allies on the isthmus, and the bombardment had begun in earnest, the spy could see that the British were in serious danger. Jos<s had come in the night before, in a boat, from the enemy, and knew that the same boat was waiting for him at a point towards Europe, where the guard was not so vigilant. To reach this point he had to creep near the old Charles the Fifth’s wall and pass the hospital. The darkness of the night and the fact that he knew the location of the sentries enabled him to pass safely along in that direction, and it was only the innate devilishness of the man that took him near the hospital, to see what mischief he could do.

Creeping round by the rear wall he came to the sea-front, where the wash of the waves on the beach below could be plainly heard; and as he did so, caught the sound of voices in conversation.

The night was clear and still, the fog not having yet risen ; and Jos<s said to himself ; 4 The boat will wait and I may as well find what I can. Perhaps I shall get a chance to give a taste of the steel to a doctor. So much the better. Every Englishman killed is one enemy of Spain out of the way.’ So he crept nearer and nearer to the place from which the sound of voices proceeded,

and soon perceived the form of a lady seated on a scone bench not far from the sea-front of th'e hospital, while a British officer was standing by talking to her. Then Jose thrilled all through with jealous rage, as he detected the sweet tones of Concha Diaz in the lady who was speaking. She was talking English, but he understood it well enough to know what she said.

4 My lord,’ she was saying, 4 you are too impetuous. You have not known me more than three days, and yet you talk of loving me.’ Then the voice of the man came, and Jos6 ground his teeth with a muttered curse, for he recognized the tones of Lord Neville.

4 You are mistaken, Miss Diaz. In time it has been but three days ; but there are occasions when moments are years. I have seen you in trouble and danger, and you have shown that you have a soul like a heroine. You know who I am now, and what I can offer the woman I ask to be my wife. Ido not expect that you will decide at once ; but I ask you not to deny my request too hurriedly. Take time to think over it.’

The spy listened intently and heard noth ing for nearly a minute, when the tones of Concha became audible again : ‘ You have done me a great honor, my lord, but you forget that I am not of your nation.’

4 You are worthy to belong to any nation in the world, and to be its queen, You are an English subject by birth, for you were born in an English fortress. That is no ob jection. Tell me, Concha, do you dislike me from what you have seen ? Jos6 heard a low, musical laugh. 4 My lord, you are fishing for a compliment, It is not a fair question to ask.’ Then there was a clash, as the young officer knelt before the girl, in the starlight, his sword ringing on the stones, and exclaimed :

4 Then have you—Concha, dearest, have you—any feeling—as if —as if—in time you might learn to—to—to love me? Ah, don’t play with me, for I do love you very dearly.’ Jose stealthily drew the knife he always carried from his breast, and crept forward towards the unsuspicious pair, who had their backs to him, and were too much absorbed to notice anything but themselves. He saw that the girl was agitated ; for she made no answer, but had allowed the young noble to take her hand, while she kept her head averted. 4 Concha, dearest, best of women ! Angel of goodness !’ went on Neville, in low, fervent tones, 4 why won’t you speak to me ?’ Jose crept a little nearer, but paused to hear what the girl would say. 4 My Lord,’ he heard her almost whisper, 4 this is not fair to me. Consider, if one of the doctors should call for me.’ 4 Let them call,’said Neville, recklessly, 1 You have nearly killed yourself for them, and now it is only fair you should have a little time to yourself. Could you, do you think, learn to love me, after a while ?’ 4 Oh, how can I tell ?’ asked Concha, coquettishly. If I chose to take the trouble, I might—l might end in-— ’ 4 What ?’ asked Neville, eagerly. Then they were startled by the sound of a hasty step, coming towards them from the town, and she rose hastily, exclaiming : ‘My lord, some one is coming. Consider !’.

Jo3e heard the step, too, and his white teeth shone in the moonlight as he ground them viciously. He was foiled in his design, for he had not courage to advance while his foe was on his feet and armed.

The advancing step came nearer, and the voice of Hubert Seymour said, hastily : 4 George, George, the general sent after you, and wants you at once. There’s the devil to pay.’ Then, as he saw Concha, he bowed low, observing, meaningly : 4 1 am very sorry to have disturbed you.’ Jose caught the words, and muttered : 4 He is going away. Then Concha will be alone.’

He thought of the boat in waiting, and its crew of desperadoes. (To be r continued )