An American

welcomed those who came from out that gloomy prison-cell with praises and with prayers upon their trembling lips; he took their hands in his and held them

y the hands of those who sought to liberate the prisoners ... he was taller than the rest of those

hoped to find among the motley multitude who surged around the broken doors that led into the prado where mo

o with vociferous shouts of joy, until he seemed to find the object of his hasty search, for, when he came to where Estrella lay supported by her little friend upon a hastily constructed bed of straw and gra

rness not unmixed with sudden fear; it seemed as if the girl were fascinated by him, and, yet, dreaded his approach, for she did not even speak to

on had quite unnerved her and had made her shrink from any contact with the prisoners who, now

scattered it as chaff is scattered by a furious wind ... cries of agony were heard as some were trampled by the horses, tortured by the cruel spurs which their infuriate

rd the open streets of the little village that led out of the prado, ordering them to cease from disturbing the peace and calling u

soldiers noticed that the prison doors were open, even then, at first he did not perceive

l prisoners in San Domingo and the commanding officer did not know just what action to take in the matter but felt that he must wa

y with their leader, but, when he had reached the centre of the prado the soldiers were driving the crowd out at the farther end of the enclosur

soldiers as they could manage to put themselves, he approached them and asked

ad their fill of horror and welcomed the Priest w

are to do when we get there, for we are dreadfully upset and poor Estrella has had a terrible shock and is

orning, then he passed on to the other groups, and, where he could do so, assisted them to leave the prado, preparatory to

prisoner whom we have mentioned before, he came to a halt, and, beckoning the young m

, although free, are not by her side. How does it happen, Manuello, that your half-sister ha

, before he answered Father Felix, and seemed to ponder de

most delightful moments been freed from a loathesome dungeon and have been receiving the felicitations of some of my friends o

t bare except for his thick mop of dishevelled brown hair, he smiled, instead, and, suiting his actions to h

trong arm to each of the maidens, "Accept my

proffered protection and snuggled her small person against the tall figure of the young

congratulations to offer me upon my recent harrowing

ently into his eager face as if to read there the i

face for a few seconds of earn

then among the others instead of looking after my interests? Have you ceased to care for me during your incarceration? What have

t swept over it and her blue eyes grew dark and full of feeling. She placed one of

le more erectly and holding the arm on which her hand

ity was afforded to me, before I went to prison for my sins.... I think you are the girl who used to say to me 'please, Manuello, don't hold my hand so tightly! You are too rou

"now that you are free once more? Poor Estrella has had a most terrible e

y and reached around his back to pat Estrella's shoulder, but he onl

r family lived and Tessa ran along a little further to her own h

the little family had not yet returned from the prado, and, in tha

at Victorio is dead? You must have seen his poor, mangled body lying there at the entrance of the prison, Ma

his and his own lips began to tremble b

e happened to be killed ... why, I guess you will never know just what did happen in that prison when those battering rams began to rock it by their impact .

..." said Estrella, weeping violently, with deep-drawn sobs of agony, "I lifted him and tried to hold his

rms about her shoulders and drew her head forward

r little Estrella! I am sorry for you ... I do pity you, though why y