The Harlequin Opal, Vol. 1 (of 3)

ra! Ta

pets are

h their brazen

battle the sol

or die on

ve soldiers, who

r country and swe

ra! Ta

roll lik

tears fallin

r lovers are p

y crowns th

ave soldiers go

the foe in thei

ra! Ta

ners ar

prance pr

r women are b

the red-co

e soldiers! soon h

ay leaves and gr

th swept away the sedative atmosphere; the thunder of the cannon roused Tlatonac to unexampled excitement. Rebellion and preparation for invasion at Acauhtzin, indignation and preparation for defence, for punishment in the capital of the Republic. In these days of al

ubjected by the rebels at Acauhtzin. Jack was rather dismayed at the near prospect of hostilities, fearing lest harm should result therefrom to Dolores at the hands of Don Hypolito, or those of the Forest Indians. For their part, Philip and Peter assumed

gery of the interior, so the Government were unable to march their troops to Acauhtzin, and nip the rebellion in the bud. On the other hand, as soon as Xuarez had completed his plans, he would doubtless come south with his ships and bombard Tlatonac from

oops of their glorious predecessors, who had thrown off the yoke of Spain, implored them not to disgrace the Flag of the Opal, and promised them a speedy victory over these audacious rebels if they would but be true to their leaders. The troops received this patriotic oration with acclamati

el. The sacred stone in the centre was represented by a cluster of real opals from Queretaro, and the red, green, blue, and yellow rays therefrom were composed of ruby, emerald, turquoise and topaz stones. It was the sacred ensign of Cholacaca, the palladium of the Republic, and in the estimation of the inhabitants was hel

stings," said Philip, looking at the splendid flag. "I

usy with his inevitable note-book. "We're going t

rnment, I see, Tim," remarked Peter, who w

e, Peter, or I'll stick a pin in you, like one of those butterflies

?sal angry?" asked Dol

make a noise when they grow patriotic. Sing the

ll have to learn, sir. Be quiet, Jack. The t

xcellency, mounted on a fiery steed, which he managed with the consummate ease of a practised rider. The band was playing the "March of Zuloaga," in allusion to

power of the army, for Janjalla, Chichimec, Puebla de los Naranjos, and many of the inland towns, were garrisoned with troops. Already messages had been sent to the commandants of these outlying garrisons to ma

whose banner, like that of the Republic, was composed of humming-bird's feathers; the Regimiento de Zuloaga, who marched under the pictured face of the founder of Cholacaca; the Regimiento de Fray Medina, bearing the pennant of the Church, embroidered with the cathedral of which t

id to Maraquando, who rode beside hi

itzilopochtli, which is at present at Acauh

he also will sti

inst troops armed as ours. If he attacks Tlatonac by land he will be beaten, but Xua

y tone; "we do not depend on foreign count

nite period. Unless we can march our troops to Acauhtzin, and crush him at h

ich; she has money! We will send for ships of war, for guns, for engineers, and soo

ad asked for and obtained a commission in this corps, and was now riding at the head of his men with his brother officers. Accustomed from childhood, like all

p, gaily, as they saw the young man gallop past. "Do?a Dolores

e?oritas!" exclaimed Do?a E

ita! A regim

smile; "it is a corps raised in the last war by the

e regiment filed past; "no, Do?a Serafina. No

on Pedro r

me?" asked Peter, o

ou to enlist," explain

e soldiers, and cut off their legs and arms; b

make you doctor of the regiment. I'd like to enlist myself, but the editor wo

shall attend to us when we are wounded, and Tim shall cover us with glory in t

fact, the whole female population of Tlatonac was seized with a violent attack of

," said Dolores, looking tenderly

n a low tone so as not to reach the vigilant ears of the duenna. "I

s. He had quite given up fighting against his fate, and was fathoms deep in love. Do?a Eulalia could use her eyes with great effect, and Philip had now surrendered at discretion. It is only fair to say that the victress took no undue advantage of her c

o a foolish custom of the Cholacacans whereby a young man walks

Se?or. Fight in the regiment of my brother, a

, in spite of Do?a Serafina and the restrictions of Cholacacan courtship. Eyes can

t off the parade-ground with the lad

, who was always overhearing w

," laughed Philip, promptly; wh

marry his g

Peter. She had not yet given up all hope of marriage, even at the mature age of five and forty. Peter was young and innocent; therefore Do?a Serafina selected him as her victim, and under the guise of teachi

e, particularly by a horde of naked Indians such as Xuarez's force would be, there was but little doubt that the invaders could be easily repulsed with great slaughter. As regards a land attack from the interior, this was well enough, but if Xuarez bombarded the town there was no doubt tha

reparations for keeping the ships of Xuarez beyond bombarding distance of the town. Thanks to English engineers, and a lavish outlay of money, the forts were superb pi

ch a road ran down to the wharf. The Bohemian was lying close under the guns of the city, so that in the event of their being discharged

instant a cry burst from the lips of hi

!" he cried

fluttering at her mainmast head. Rafael uttered an ejaculation of rage, and Gomez turned h

nt's horse by the bridle; "the vessel has a white f

treat with rebels,

s well to know all these dogs have t

Pizarro cast anchor, fired three guns with blank cartridge, and th

; "let it be as you say. We will wait here for their leader. But

and must observe the rules of war. Besides," he added significantly, letting his eyes res

e President agai

kinds of rumours were flying from lip to lip. The Pizarro had come to bombard the town, and her consorts were now on their way for the same purpose. The vessel had returned to its allegiance, and ha

sked Philip, pushing hi

Fletcher, without turning round. "See! he is s

sight. "He went up to Acauhtzin, on some Church business, a week

own, and the crowd cheered, for the Padre

ends the Padre

on Rafael, stamping his foot. "E

gers closing viciously on the bridle-rein;

m the water. The moment he was out of the boat it turned seaward again, and before the onlookers could recover from their surp

have only landed the Padre, and now take themselves ou

e cannon would vomit fire. Knowing this, J

re carries a white flag! He brings a message fro

impolitic. Therefore he restrained his rage, and waited the approach of the Padre, who was now near at hand. Gomez, a true son of the Church, uncovered as the priest paused before him. The Padre raised his hand in token of benediction, and the staff also uncovered. With the ath

dre, gravely. "I come from Acauhtzin-from Don

Junta from rebels,

" replied Ignatius, mildly. "I have spoken with Xuarez, and

hat me

, my son. Let us go to

ou not ride thither. One of my o

, and begged Padre Ignatius to mount; but he ref

k thither. Ride on, Excelenc

Pizarro

given. If the terms are accepted, one gun will be the sign; if

rned his horse's head towards the gate, "they ar