Dave Darrin at Vera Cruz by H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock
page 68 of 234 (29%)
page 68 of 234 (29%)
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of the attempt at rescue would be signaled by fires or otherwise,
and the discovery of our designs would undoubtedly result in the Carmody party being butchered at once. "Acting under the orders of Cosetta, or, I might say, under his threats, Mr. Carmody has sent appeals in every direction he could think of for the funds to pay the hundred thousand dollar ransom demanded for the party. These requests have been carried on through agents of Cosetta, but none of the appeals have borne fruit. Wearied, Cosetta has announced that on a certain morning, if the ransom has not arrived, Carmody and all the members of his party, even including the children, shall be shot and buried in hidden graves. There is little doubt that Cosetta will carry out his threat, and to-morrow morning is the time set for this wholesale murder." Fire flashed in the eyes of the Navy officers who heard this announcement. "As you may be certain," continued Captain Gales, "Admiral Fletcher has wired me that this proposed atrocity must be prevented, and the American captives rescued at all hazards. Now, attend me while I show you the detail chart for this part of the coast." Captain Gales turned to his desk, where the map was spread. "Here, as you will see," he continued, "is a sugar mill belonging to the Alvarez plantations. Ten miles to the eastward of the Alvarez mill is the Perdita mill; ten miles to the westward of the Alvarez mill is the Acunda mill. To-night there will be no |
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