AWAY TO THE FRONT.
One kiss! 'tis our last one; the horses await,
And swift through the midnight I ride to my fate.
'Tis life for thy lover, or death it may be,
But living or dying, my thought is for thee.
Who knows when my arms shall enfold thee again
The future hides ever its joy and its pain.
I leave thee for battle, my dear one, my bride,
And on, through the darkness, I ride, and I ride.
Light hand on the bridle, light heart in my breast,
A bunch of your ribbons flaunt gay on my crest.
I go not in sorrow, but hasten with glee,
To fight for my country, my honour, and thee.
Soon wilt thou in triumph behold me, my sweet,
Return with my laurels to cast at thy feet.
I dream of a future with thee by my side,
As on, through the darkness, I ride, and I ride.
Jack's position was now similar to that of Tantalus. Love was within
his reach, yet he dared not to grasp it, for on the next day he was to
depart with Don Rafael for Janjalla, in the torpedera _Montezuma_.
Peter had also been invited to visit the seat of war, and although a
man of peace, decided to go, as he was anxious about Tim. That
redoubtable warrior was at Janjalla, with General Gigedo, busily
engaged in wiring sensational accounts of the siege to _The Morning
Planet_. Tim was particularly anxious that Janjalla should not fall
into the hands of Don Hypolito, as it was the spot whence started the
telegraph-wires for the south. If Xuarez captured the town, the forces
of the Junta would be driven back to Tlatonac, and as likely as not the
wires would be cut by the rebels, therefore Tim would be unable to
transmit news to England. As it was, he made good use of his time, and
took full possession of the telegraph-office in Janjalla.
As to Philip, he decided to march by land with the Regimiento de los
Caballeros, of which corps he was now an officer. Colonel Garibay,
the commander of the regiment, was already at Janjalla, having been
sent there by President Gomez on a special message to General Gigedo.
The regiment was, therefore, under the command of Captain Velez, who
was a great admirer of Philip, and made much of him. Altogether
reinforcements amounting to close on a thousand men were now on their
way south, to assist General Gigedo in holding Janjalla, and the
torpederas, in company with the armed cruiser _Iturbide_, were to
proceed there by sea, in order to destroy, if possible, the three ships
of the enemy now bombarding the town.
There was no doubt that the war had begun badly for the Junta, but this
was the fault of President Gomez. A more obstinate man never existed,
and having made up his mind that Xuarez would attack Tlatonac without
delay, he had foolishly withdrawn the garrison from Janjalla, Puebla de
los Naranjos, Chichimec, and other towns, for the protection of the
capital. It was in vain that Don Miguel, warned by his son, represented
that it was more than probable Xuarez would attack Janjalla first, in
order to concentrate his troops in the south, and so march them across
the plains to Tlatonac. The President refused to take this view of the
matter, and by the withdrawal of the garrisons, left the whole of
Southern Cholacaca in an unprotected condition.
The effect of this policy was most disastrous. Warned by his spies that
but a feeble defence could be offered by Janjalla, Don Hypolito sent
southward, without delay, transports filled with troops, and a convoy
of the three war-ships. He hoped to capture and garrison Janjalla with
his own men before the Junta became aware of his design, and thus
secure an important town as the basis of his operations. At Acauhtzin
he was hemmed in by mountains, unable to march his troops overland to
the capital; but in the south, between Janjalla and Tlatonac were vast
alluvial plains, over which he could lead his army. It was his
intention to effect a conjunction with the Forest Indians before the
walls of the Opal City, and having ordered his war-ships to bombard it
by sea, thus attack the capital on two sides at once. Between two
fires, he deemed that the city would speedily yield.
Becoming aware that the war-ships had gone south, Don Francisco
speedily saw how foolishly he had acted, and ordered five hundred men
to at once proceed to Janjalla, to defend it against the rebels. He
sent back the troops to garrison the inland towns, and thus hoped to
stretch a barrier between the rebels and the capital. The whole danger
lay in the south, for as yet the Indians were quiet, and no rising was
apprehended on their part, though Jack was doubtful as to the
advisability of trusting to appearances. He quite believed that the
campaign would be conducted by Xuarez, as had been prophesied by Don
Rafael, and could not help deploring that such an incompetent man as
Gomez was at the head of affairs.
"If he would only leave things alone, and not interfere," he said to
Philip, on the eve of departure. "His generals know more about warfare
than he does. The man's an ass."
"I'm with you there," replied Philip, heartily; "he has made a muddle
of things already. Who but an ass would send only five hundred men to
Janjalla, when it is about to be bombarded by three men-of-war, and
attacked by two thousand rebel troops? Even this reinforcement is not
strong enough. Sending his troops southward in these dribblets will end
in their being cut to pieces. I would not be surprised if even now
Xuarez was in possession of Janjalla, and, with such a basis for
operations, he will make it hot for the Republic."
"What do you think ought to have been done?"
"I was speaking to Colonel Garibay, and we both came to the same
conclusion. Don Francisco ought to have taken the warning of Rafael,
and concentrated most of the troops at Janjalla. The capital is well
defended by its forts, and can look after itself. Janjalla, on the
other hand, is in no fit state of defence to resist the heavy guns of
three ships pounding at its walls. As I take it, the great aim should
be to prevent Don Hypolito from getting a footing in the south by
capturing Janjalla. Then he would have nothing but the sea and
Acauhtzin for a field of operations. In the north, owing to the
mountains, he can do nothing, and now we have the torpederas, he cannot
have it all his own way at sea."
"Well, and supposing he captures Janjalla?"
Philip shrugged his shoulders.
"The result is plain enough. Instead of mountains between this and
Tlatonac, he has nothing but plains on which he can manoeuvre his
troops. He will either capture the intervening towns or seduce them to
his cause. Then he will arrive at Tlatonac, and while he is besieging
it from the inland, his fleet will bombard it from the sea."
"That is if the torpederas don't sink his ships."
"Of course! I am talking of the campaign from Don Hypolito's point of
view. But one thing is certain. If he captures Janjalla, this war may
be prolonged for months. Think of the ruin that will mean to the
country."
Philip spoke truly. Hitherto Cholacaca had enjoyed immunity from the
horrors of war. From the year 1840, when under the leadership of
Zuloaga, the Republic had thrown off the yoke of Spain, there had been
peace for a period of forty-five years. Those fratricidal wars which
constantly convulsed the communities of South America were not to be
found in the history of Cholacaca. The Republic kept well within her
borders, was at peace with her neighbours, and under the rule of wise
rulers, devoted herself to improving her material condition.
It was true that a greater part of the country consisted of wild
forests filled with unconquered Indians, but the Cholacacans had always
been able to keep these savages at bay. The coast-line of the north,
the immense alluvial plains of the south, were thoroughly civilised,
and covered with thriving towns. The two secondary capitals, Janjalla
in the south, Acauhtzin in the north, looked up to and respected their
powerful sister city, Tlatonac, who held her seat in the central
portion of the sea-board. Yet it must be admitted that they bore a
grudge against her, as nearly all the commerce of the country poured
into her walls, from thence to be distributed over the civilised world.
Why should Tlatonac be the capital when they were each equally suited
for the post? They had rich countries behind them, they exported goods
far and wide, they had their municipal institutions, their walls,
ramparts, palaces, and magnificent churches. Why, therefore, should
they be forced to send their ships to the port of Tlatonac, there to
pay toll and custom duties? The Junta had constituted Tlatonac the
starting-point of all vessels, and according to law, ships from the
north and south were forced, both in going and coming, to report
themselves at the capital. By this means Tlatonac dominated her sister
cities, and held them firmly under her thumb.
The reason that Tlatonac was chosen to be the capital by Zuloaga was
very plain. It was situated in the centre of the coast-line, and thus
commanded equally the north and the south. It had been the shrine of
the opal, and the traditions of that stone closely interwoven with the
history of the country. Greatest reason of all, the harbour was the
finest in Cholacaca. Moreover, roads from most of the inland towns
diverged to the capital, thus rendering communication easy; while
Janjalla, environed by swamps, and Acauhtzin girdled by forests, were
more or less shut off from the heart of the country. When inland
traders could transport their goods to Tlatonac at half the cost they
could take them to either of the other two towns, it was not likely,
from a commercial point of view, that they would ever forsake the
capital. Under the circumstances, it can well be seen that Gomez had
good reason to doubt the fidelity of Janjalla. The northern town had,
through jealousy of Tlatonac, sided with the rebels, and it was just
possible that the southern city might follow suit. The only thing in
favour of Janjalla remaining faithful was that while both towns were
jealous of the capital, they were equally jealous of one another. The
populace of Janjalla knew well that if Xuarez conquered that he would
transfer the seat of Government to Acauhtzin out of gratitude for its
help, and would certainly not assist a cause calculated to elevate a
rival city.
The Republic was very wealthy. She exported tobacco, coffee, cacao,
cotton, rice, maize, and cattle. Her plains were covered with grain,
her mountains were rich in ores, and her population extremely
industrious. With the exception of the area covered by the forests, the
whole country was cultivated, and now the formation of a railway
through the forests, up to Acauhtzin promised the opening up of the
northern lands. Already fifty miles of railway had pierced the enormous
belt of timber lying between Acauhtzin and the capital. From the main
line, branches were to extend to the different towns, so as to connect
them with the seat of Government. Unfortunately, all this promise of
prosperity was now interrupted by the war.
There was no doubt that Don Hypolito was a source of infinite trouble
to the country. This Indian coming from the sacred city of Totatzine,
was now revenging himself on the descendants of the Conquistadores, for
their treatment of his ancestors. He had no genuine cause for
dissatisfaction, as at the time when he raised the standard of revolt,
the country was thoroughly prosperous. The wealth gained by the exports
of the Republic was used by her Presidents to open up the interior of
the continent, and to supply Tlatonac with all the refinements of
civilisation. The army was well drilled, well clothed, well armed. The
walls of the city were built on the most approved system of engineering
science, the principal squares were lighted by electricity, millions
had been expended on drainage, in the formation of interior roads, in
the construction of the proposed railway to Acauhtzin. The Republic had
even formed the nucleus of a navy, and had already three war-ships in
hand, and two torpederas coming, when the war broke out.
Now the war-ships had revolted to Xuarez, the northern capital was
bound to his cause, and this ambitious Indian, assuming the name and
race of a Spaniard, had plunged the country into what promised to be a
disastrous war. The effect was ruinous. Business was at a standstill,
exports were stopped, the capital was declared in a state of siege, and
the whole country resounded with the tramp of armies, the clash of
arms, the thunder of cannon. Industry was paralysed, and many of the
country-people crowding to the capital, rendered food dear. To avoid
the horrors of famine and ruin which threatened the Republic, it was
absolutely necessary that Xuarez should be crushed at once.
President Gomez was no warrior certainly, but he was a judicious
ruler--in time of peace. He saw at once the terrible calamities likely
to ensue should the war be prolonged, and already regretted his folly
in not taking the advice of Don Miguel. So far as was possible, he
repaired his mistakes. A thousand men were sent to the relief of
Janjalla by land, and _The Iturbide_, in company with the torpederas,
left for the seat of war by sea. If the reinforcements could succour
Janjalla in time, if the torpederas could sink the rebel ships, then
there would be some hope of the war being brought to a speedy
conclusion. But as it was, the whole danger lay in the probability of
Don Hypolito capturing Janjalla, from whence he could threaten the
capital and intervening towns.
Jack was very anxious that Philip should come with him in _The
Montezuma_, but the baronet was obstinately set on going with his
regiment.
"I shall be in Janjalla before you, Jack; for between you and the town
lie the war-ships, while we have but to march across those easy plains
in safety."
"Yes, if the Indians don't stop you."
"Nonsense; there is no chance of that."
"I am not so certain, Philip. Don Hypolito has his spies, as you know;
and when he hears that reinforcements are advancing southward, he will
probably send word to Ixtlilxochitli to have them intercepted. As you
know, the plains are fringed to the west by the forests, so the Indians
could break out from thence, and perhaps exterminate the troops."
"What! exterminate a thousand soldiers, armed with rifles? Impossible!"
"Well, it does seem impossible. However, as you won't come with me, go
as you please. We shall meet at Janjalla."
"Of course. I shall see you from the walls being chased, by _The
Pizarro_ and _The Cortes_."
They were talking in the patio of the Casa Maraquando, and Philip was
tricked out in all the bravery of his uniform. He looked remarkably
handsome and Eulalia sighed as she thought he was about to leave her.
All coquetry had been laid aside, and she had confessed that she was
deeply in love with the Americano. Philip fully returned her affection,
and intended, on returning from Janjalla, to ask Don Miguel to permit
them to be married on the same day as Jack and Dolores. Turning away
from Jack, he caught sight of Eulalia's pensive face, and heard her
plaintive little sigh. In an instant he was by her side.
"Querida," he whispered tenderly, "you must not be sad. I go forth to
bring home laurels to lay at your feet."
"I would rather you were at my feet, Felipe," sobbed Eulalia. "This
horrid war! I am sure you will be killed, and then I shall die. Oh yes,
mi alma, I shall assuredly die."
They were standing in a secluded corner of the patio. Neither Don
Miguel or Serafina were in sight, so Philip, taking advantage of the
situation, kissed Eulalia once, twice, thrice. It was true Jack and
Dolores were not far off, but they were too busy with each other to
take much notice. Eulalia sobbed on Philip's breast, vowed she would
die if he left her, told him to march forth and be a hero at once,
commanded him to remain at Tlatonac, ordered him to depart for
Janjalla, and thus contradicting herself every moment, smiled and wept
in turns. Finally, she produced a little gold cross.
"This is for thee, my own one," she whispered slipping it into his
hand. "It has been blessed by Padre Ignatius. Nought can hurt thee
while the sacred thing is on thy heart."
Philip kissed the cross, kissed Eulalia, and swore he would never part
with it throughout the campaign. In the middle of their tender
leave-taking, a trumpet pealed forth in the Plaza de los Hombres
Ilustres. It was the signal for departure.
"I must go! Farewell, my dear one. Watch from the azotea, and let your
face be the last thing I behold in Tlatonac."
"Adios, mi alma," murmured Eulalia, and embraced him fondly, after
which, Philip, turning hastily away, shook hands with Jack, and kissed
the hands of Dolores and Serafina, the latter of whom had just entered
the patio.
"Adieu, dear ladies. Good-bye, Jack. Take care of yourself, and don't
be carried off to any more Indian cities. We meet at Philippi. Adios!"
With a wave of his hand he was gone, and Jack escorted the ladies to
the azotea to watch the regiments departing. The Plaza was crowded with
soldiers and women, the latter taking tearful leave of those marching
to the front. President Gomez, attended by a brilliant staff, among
whom Jack saw Don Miguel and his son, made a speech full of fire and
patriotism, which caused the utmost enthusiasm. Then the banners of the
different regiments were unfurled, the bands began to play the March of
Zuloaga, and the soldiers began to file out of the square by the Calle
Otumba.
Regiment after regiment marched past, through streets wreathed with
flowers, amid tears, cheers, and wavings of handkerchiefs. The
house-tops were crowded with ladies looking down on the troops. They
made a gallant show as they tramped along with waving plumes and
glittering arms. The cavalry soldiers came first, and those on the
azotea of the Casa Maraquando saw Sir Philip riding by the side of
Captain Velez, at the head of the Regimiento de los Caballeros. The
banners streamed in the air, the horses champed their bits, and proudly
pawed the earth, and, one vast rainbow of hues, this splendid body of
men moved majestically past. Philip was riding with his drawn sword
sloping over his shoulder, and as he passed the Casa Maraquando, looked
up, and saluted the ladies. Eulalia hastily snatching a bunch of
jasmine from her breast, let it drop when he was directly underneath.
The baronet dexterously caught it, and pressing a kiss on the blossoms,
fastened them in his jacket. In another minute or so, he disappeared
round the corner of the street on the way to the Puerta de la Culebra,
from whence the troops marched southward to Janjalla.
After the disappearance of Philip, Eulalia took no further interest in
the proceedings of the day, and retired to her room, followed by
Dolores, who strove to console her. Jack not caring for the sole
companionship of Doña Serafina, excused himself on the plea that he
wanted to ride after the troops and give Philip a message to Tim. Doña
Serafina graciously permitted him to depart, and he dashed out of the
house, flung himself on his horse, which was waiting at the door, and
was about to ride towards the Puerta de la Culebra when Don Rafael came
riding at full speed out of the Plaza! The young man seemed much
excited, and in his headlong rush knocked down two or three people, so
crowded was the street. Never heeding their cries, he raced past Jack,
waving his hand.
"To _The Montezuma_, mi amigo! News of the war-ships."
Anxious to know what fresh event had taken place, and fearful that
Janjalla had fallen, Jack spurred his horse after Rafael, and at a
break-neck speed they clattered down the street to the sea-gate
scattering the crowd in every direction.
Outside the sea-gate, Rafael headed to the left, where the torpedera
_Montezuma_ was lying, and jumping off his horse, threw the reins
to a peon, and called a boat. Jack followed his example, and in a few
moments they were pulling for the torpedo-vessel.
"Carambo mi amigo!" said Jack, breathlessly, "you ride like the devil.
What is the matter now?"
"His Excellency has just received news that two of the war-ships have
returned to Acauhtzin."
"What! Have they given up the siege?"
"No. They are acting as convoy to the transports. Xuarez is sending
more troops south, and, knowing that our torpederas are not ready,
thinks that _The Pizarro_, single-handed, is sufficient to blockade
Janjalla."
"Then he has landed his other troops?" said Jack, as they sprang on
board _The Montezuma_. "The ship guns have evidently silenced the
forts, and permitted the rebels to get on shore."
"Precisely! But what matter? Reinforcements are now on their way by
land, and we, my friend, will start to-morrow by sea to smash up _The
Pizarro_."
"Will the torpederas be ready?"
"They must be ready!" cried Rafael, stamping his foot. "We may never
get such another chance. If we can only sink _The Pizarro_, it will
dishearten the troops of Xuarez now besieging Janjalla, and they can be
easily defeated."
"If we can manage that, it will be a sad blow to Don Hypolito!"
"Dios! so I should think," replied Rafael, laughing gaily. "He will
come south with more troops, and find Janjalla occupied by us, and his
way barred by two torpederas and _The Iturbide_. Then _The Pizarro's_
loss won't please him. Carajo! no."
"Bueno! But you forget _The Pizarro_ has search-lights,
torpedo-netting----"
"Not the last, mi amigo!" interrupted Rafael quickly. "I told you
before, the netting was left behind in Tlatonac when the war-ships left
for Acauhtzin. As to the search-lights, she can keep them on _The
Iturbide_ or on the other torpedera. Then, my friend, _The Montezuma_
will make things unpleasant for her."
"It's a mere chance, Rafael!"
"Quien sabe!" retorted the young man, shrugging his shoulders; "all
warfare is mere chance. Come and look over the boat."
As the fittings of the torpederas were somewhat complicated, engineers
had been sent out from England in charge, and these, being paid heavily
by the Junta, remained to manoeuvre the boats. Among them Jack
discovered a Scotchman, from Aberdeen, with whom he struck up a
friendship. This gentleman, whose clan was Mackenzie, showed them all
over the boat, and spoke in terms of great affection of the Whitehead
torpedoes.
"Eh, mon!" he observed to Jack, as they surveyed those triumphs of
modern warfare, "jouist gie her a shove, an' she'll smash the hail
boatie to bits--into sma' bits."
"That is if the ship you propose to smash doesn't bring her heavy guns
to bear on this boat."
"Hoots! hoots! mon. _The Montyzumy_ can gang her ain gait. Nineteen
knots an hour! Ma certie, it wud tack a braw gun to catch the likes o'
her."
When they returned on deck from their inspection of the ship, a note
was brought to Rafael, from Captain Pedraza, of _The Iturbide_,
requesting his presence on board. They dropped into a boat, and were
speedily clambering up the giant sides of the cruiser. Being conducted
to the state-room, they found Captain Pedraza, surrounded by his
officers, reading a message from the President.
"Ola mis amigos!" cried the captain, gaily, "you are just in time.
Señor Juan, I am your servant. Don Rafael, we leave Tlatonac for
Janjalla to-morrow afternoon."
"Why in the afternoon?"
"Carambo. So as to reach Janjalla at night. _The Pizarro_ is lying
there in the harbour, and, under cover of darkness, we may be able to
sink her either with our guns or by means of torpedoes."
"Will the torpederas be ready?" asked Jack, for the second time.
"You may be certain of that," said Rafael, significantly. "I will
guarantee that _The Montezuma_ will be able to start at the appointed
time."
"And I can say the same of _The Zuloaga_," observed a slim man, in
whom Jack recognised the commander of the other torpedo-boat. "I think,
Señor, it can be looked on as certain that all three can depart."
After this a babel of talk ensued concerning the chances of surprising
_The Pizarro_. Some proposed one place, some another, and amid all
the excitement, Jack, growing weary of the arguing, slipped out of the
saloon, and went ashore, so as to have as much time as possible with
Dolores before departure.
He strolled along the sea-shore, and met Cocom just outside the
sea-gate. The old man saluted him gravely--
"Señor," he said, mysteriously approaching Jack; "beware of
Ixtlilxochitli."
"What do you mean, Cocom?" asked Duval, rather startled.
"The Indians, Señor, are now on the war-path--to the south," added
Cocom, significantly.
"Great Heaven!" ejaculated the young man, horror-struck. "They intend
to surprise the reinforcements."
"That is so, Señor. But I, Cocom, have sent runners after them to warn
the Señors."
"Bueno! Cocom, you are the safeguard of Cholacaca!"
"Not I, Señor; but the Chalchuih Tlatonac!"
"Oh, I haven't much belief in that."
"Don Juan!" said Cocom, significantly; "the Indians obeyed the stone
implicitly--it is sacred. What it speaks they do. Red is burned and war
was proclaimed. But, Señor, if it flamed blue, then would the Indians
be at peace."
Before Jack could say a word, Cocom mysteriously slipped away, leaving
the young man sorely puzzled as to his meaning.
"That confounded opal," he said, as he resumed his way towards the Casa
Maraquando, "it meets one at every turn. They say opals are unlucky,
and certainly the Chalchuih Tlatonac has not brought much luck to us as
yet."