Chapter XVII. The Flaw in the Armor

by Joseph A. Altsheler

　　Don Francisco Alvarez was in a fairly happy frame of mind. It istrue that he could have been happier, but a revulsion from agreat state of suspense had come to him. When he had been soboldly accused in the presence of the Governor General, cold fearhad struck at his heart, despite his courage and cunning. Heknew that the seeds of suspicion had been sowed deep in the heartof Bernardo Galvez and that the plant would grow fast in thewarm, moist air of intrigue that overhung New Orleans.

　　But days had passed and nothing had happened. Moreover the fivewhom he feared so much were hard and fast in the military prisonwithin the walls, and no proof their charges had been broughtforth. Time, too, worked steadily for him. It not only weakenedthe accusation against him, but it also gave his powerful friendsat the court of Madrid time to help him and his ambition. Thatlittle strain of royal blood in his veins was well worth having.He would certainly succeed to Bernardo Galvez, whether the waitbe long or short.

　　He kept Braxton Wyatt with him all the time. He had learned toappreciate the value of the renegade's unscrupulous cunning, andhe was necessary, too, in order to carry out the great alliancewith the tribes which Alvarez meant should become an accomplishedfact.

　　It was a pleasant house that Alvarez had within the walls, onestory of brick covered with red tiles, surrounded by piazzas, andstanding in grounds thick with magnolias, cypresses, and orangetrees. In truth, the foliage was so dense that by daylight thehouse was almost entirely hidden from the city, and by night itwas quite invisible unless lights chanced to twinkle through theleaves.

　　The Spaniard and Braxton Wyatt were sitting now upon the piazzadrinking a cool concoction of West Indian origin, and Alvarez wascommenting upon what he called his good fortune.

　　"All things favor us, Wyatt," he said. "No proof reaches the earsof Bernardo Galvez and the galleon, Dona Isabel, will certainlyarrive next week from Spain. If I mistake not, she will bringnews welcome to me and unwelcome to Bernardo Galvez."

　　"If you become Governor General what will you do with theKentuckians in the fort?" asked Wyatt.

　　Alvarez laughed, and it was a very unpleasant laugh to hear.

　　"I do not know what I shall do with them," he said, "but I amsure of one fact. They will never see Kaintock again. Thepowers a Governor General are very great."

　　Braxton Wyatt was satisfied with the answer.

　　His wicked heart throbbed at the thought that the five wouldnever more roam their beloved forests. He, too, looked forwardto the arrival of the galleon, Dona Isabel, with welcome news.He saw how useful he was to Alvarez, and if the Spaniard rose, hemust rise with him.

　　The two, after these few words, sat in silence, each occupiedwith his own thoughts, which, however, were largely the same.Alvarez rose presently and went into the house. If all thingswent as he wished, there were certain letters that he would sendto powerful friends in Spain, and now was a good time to makerough drafts of them.

　　Braxton Wyatt remained on the piazza. It was wonderfully cooland pleasant there, after the heat of the day. The wind blewmusically among the orange trees, and the air was spiced withpleasant odors. Braxton Wyatt's thoughts were pleasant, too. Heliked this luxurious southern life. Though born to the forest,and a good woodsman, he had sybaritic tastes, which needed onlyopportunity to bud and bloom.

　　Now, like the Arab who had the glass for sale, he was buildinghis great future. Alvarez would be Governor General ofLouisiana, and he, Braxton Wyatt, would be his trusted andnecessary lieutenant. The five whom he hated would be removedunder the new rule from the military prison to dungeons, wherethey would gradually be lost to the sight of man, never to beheard of again. The, Indians and the Spaniards with their cannonwould destroy the settlements in Kentucky, and he would become,if not the first, at least the second man in His Most CatholicMajesty's huge province of Louisiana. And it was not' absolutelynecessary to be Spanish-born to become in time a Governor Generalhimself.

　　Time passed. It was very quiet within the belt of magnolias andcypresses and orange trees and but little noise came from thetown, the stray shout of a reveler, a snatch of a song, and thennothing more.

　　Braxton Wyatt, still filled with his dreams, arose and steppeddown from the piazza. The happy future promoted in him a certainphysical activity, and he wanted to walk among the trees. Hestepped into their shadow, strolled a rod or so, and thenstopped. His acute, forest-bred ear had brought to him a soundwhich was not that of the wind nor any echo of a gay reveler'ssong.

　　The renegade stopped. It was very dark among the trees. Hecould see neither the house behind, nor the city before him. Hedid not hear the sound again, but he was troubled. His pleasantthoughts were disturbed. It was like waking from a happy dream.He turned to go back to the house and then he saw a flittingshadow. The wicked heart of Braxton Wyatt stood still. If hehad not known that Henry Ware was safely in the military prisonhe would have taken the terrible shadow for him. He knew toowell the great height, the broad shoulders, and the fierceaccusing countenance. Once he had laughed at the Shawnees andMiamis because they had believed in ghosts. But could it betrue?

　　Braxton Wyatt turned back toward the house, where he might renewhis interrupted and pleasant dream, but the next instant theterrible shadow turned itself into a reality more terrible.A powerful form hurled itself upon him, and he was thrown to theground. He looked up and met the eyes of Henry Ware, who kneltupon him. No, it was certainly not a shadow but the mostunpleasant of all facts!

　　Braxton Wyatt was at first paralyzed by terror and the suddennessof the attack. When he recovered, one hand of Henry pressedheavily upon his mouth, while the other felt rapidly through hisclothing. "Look for any unusual thickness in his waistcoat; thatis probably the place," Oliver Pollock had said. Henry's hand ina few moments ran upon something folded between the cloth andlining of the waistcoat. He snatched out his knife, cut themapart and out fell several folds of fine, thin deerskin. He knewthat the prize had been secured, and he meant to keep it.

　　Henry thrust the folds of deerskin in his pocket and sprang tohis feet.

　　"Now, you scoundrel!" he exclaimed, "tell what tale you pleaseand we will prove another!"

　　Then the terrible reality resolved itself back into a shadow, andwas gone. Braxton Wyatt sprang to his feet, clapped his hand tohis mangled waistcoat where the precious package had been, anduttered a strangled cry. Then he ran through the trees to thehouse of Alvarez.

　　* * * * *A quarter of an hour later Oliver Pollock was sitting at his ownwindow in the little office and his thoughts were not happy. Hewished his fleet of supply canoes to start on the great riverjourney at once, but it could not depart while such storms werethreatening. Alvarez was too serious a danger, and he must beremoved. But the merchant realized that he had made littleprogress. Alvarez seemed to be secure in his plot.

　　There came a knock at his door, and in reply to his request toenter, a clerk said that the young man Mr. Ware, had returned.Mr. Pollock rose to his feet as Henry came in. Henry carefullyclosed the door behind him, advanced, and put a small package inMr. Pollock's hand.

　　"There they are!" he said, "the maps drawn up by Braxton Wyatt,and with notes on them in handwriting, which I take to be that'of Francisco Alvarez."

　　The merchant stared at first in astonishment and delight. Thenhe ran to the lamp and spread out the sheets of fine, thindeerskin. He looked at them, one by one, and laughed withdelight.

　　"Yes," he said, "the notes are in the handwriting FranciscoAlvarez! I know it - I have seen it often enough - and BernardoGalvez will know it, too! Oh, it is a great find! a great find!It is not conclusive proof, but it will go far toward swayingbelief! How did you get them?"

　　Henry had recovered from all signs of his struggle with therenegade, and was now sitting placidly in a chair.

　　"I took them," he said. "I found Braxton Wyatt in the grovearound the house of Alvarez, and I seized him. I found these inthe lining of his waistcoat."

　　"You did not kill him?"

　　"Oh, no. He is not hurt."

　　"It is well. I did not wish any unnecessary violence, but we hada right to seize these documents which mean so much to us andBernardo Galvez. You will leave them with me."

　　"Of course," said Henry. "And now that this task is finished,I'll go back to prison with my comrades."

　　"It's unnecessary for you to join them there," said the merchantstill laughing in his pleasure. "I'll have them out to join you,and that speedily, too. Go into the next room and sleep. You'veearned the right to it."

　　The five, reduced to four, were sittin in their prison the nextafternoon chafing more than ever. It seemed to every one of themthat those walls, already so narrow, were still contracting.They did not even like to look out of the window. The contrastwas too painful, and they did not wish to increase their sorrow.

　　"Jim," said Shif 'less Sol in plaintive tones to Long Jim Hart,"won't you please come here, an' hold up my head?"

　　"Now, Sol Hyde," said Long Jim, "what do you want me to come tharan' hold up your head fur? Are you too lazy to hold it up furyourself?"

　　"No, Jim, I ain't too lazy to hold it up fur myself, I'm jest tooweak. Lack o' exercise an' fresh air, an' elbow room hey donefur poor Sol Hyde at last. I'm pinin' away. Tell Henry when hecomes back, ef he ever does, that I fell into a decline. I donemy best to b'ar up, but my best wuzn't good enough."

　　"Now you'shut up, Sol Hyde," said Jim Hart, "or you'll hev medown real sick with your foolish talk, ez I jest can't stand it."

　　They stopped because at that moment there came unto themLieutenant Diego Bernal, fresh, chipper, with a few, additionalflounces and ruffles added to his jaunty uniform, and a smileupon his dark, pleasant face.

　　"Ah, my gallant four, who were once my gallant five," he said ashe stroked his little mustache, "I have news for you, importantnews. You are even to be summoned again to the presence of HisExcellency, Bernardo Galvez, the Governor General of Louisiana,and that summons is immediate. I have the impression, though myimpressions are usually false and my memory always weak, that thelarge youth, the strong youth, the splendid youth, surnamed theWare, who was released for the time at the intercession of SeniorPollock, has been achieving something. This, I think, is thereason of the sudden call to the audience with His Excellency."

　　Paul was all life at once. He sprang up, his eyes sparkling andthe flush of anticipation coming into his face.

　　"Henry has succeeded! " he cried. "He has done something big! Iknew he would! He has defeated Alvarez and that wretch Wyatt!"

　　The Catalan regarded Paul with admiration. He liked thisenthusiasm, this infinite trust in a comrade. The five and theirfaith in one another continued to make the strongest of appealsto him.

　　"I think it is even so," he said. "The young giant surnamed theWare, must have done a great deed, because Don Francisco Alvarezis summoned, at the same time, to the presence of His Excellency,the Governor General, Bernardo Galvez, and I hear that he is inno pleasant frame of mind because of it. Come!"

　　The four went forth joyfully. Shif'less Sol was the first to putfoot on Mother Earth, and he stopped, raised his head, and openedhis mouth to its widest extent.

　　"Jim," he said to Long Jim Hart, "I want to breathe it in, thisoutdoors an' fresh air an' freedom, everywhar I kin, at my mouth,nose, ears, an' eyes, too, ef they're any good at that sort o'business."

　　"An' at the pores, too, Sol," said Paul.

　　What's pores?

　　"Millions and millions of fine little holes all over you."

　　"Wa'll, I ain't ever seed any o' them holes, or felt 'em, but efthey're in me I hope they're all work-in' right now, drawin' thegood fresh air."

　　Lieutenant Diego Bernal led the way rapidly to the house of theGovernor General, and four soldiers closed up by the side of themas an escort and guard. But the four had no thought ofattempting escape. Their minds were wholly occupied with whatmight occur when they were a second time in the presence of theGovernor General.

　　They were taken through the anteroom and then into the large hallof audience where the Governor General sat, as before, in thegreat chair with his secretary at the little table at his right.At one side of the room were Francisco Alvarez and Braxton Wyatt,both frowning, and at the other side were Oliver Pollock andHenry Ware, neither frowning at all. Henry came forward andshook hands warmly with his comrades.

　　"What is it, Henry?" whispered Paul. "What has happened?"

　　"Wait," replied Henry in a similar whisper. "We must see whatBernardo Galvez is going to do."

　　The Governor General motioned the four, now the five once more,to seats, and they noticed that the audience was marked byunusual state. Two soldiers as a guard, stood near one of thewindows, and the secretary was ready with his ink and goosequills to write down whatever he might be ordered to write.Alvarez and Braxton Wyatt were visibly uneasy.

　　Bernardo Galvez sat upright, his face stern, his look commanding.He was every inch of him a Governor General.

　　"Gentlemen," he said speaking in precise English, "a charge wasmade in this chamber some days since, a charge involving theintegrity and loyalty of a high officer in the service of Spain,Don Francisco Alvarez. This charge was made by five men andyouths from the new region called by themselves Kentucky andknown here as Kaintock, but they brought little proof to supportit."

　　Francisco Alvarez moved his chair, and a look of relief came overhis face. The opening promised well. The expressions of HenryWare and Oliver Pollock did not change, and Bernardo Galvezcontinued:

　　"I could not hold an officer of Spain, one high in the service,upon such charges, when they were without sufficient support, andhence, as these five men and boys had committed acts of violenceupon Spanish soil and against Spanish subjects, I sent them to amilitary prison, pending further disclosures if there should beany, and I have held Don Francisco Alvarez in New Orleans inorder that he might clear his good name of these charges and ofcertain talk that has been afloat concerning him."

　　Alvarez stirred again and his expression changed slightly. Thecontinuation was not quite as good as the beginning. Did he notdetect a slight undertone of irony or satire in the voice ofBernardo Galvez? But neither Henry Ware nor Oliver Pollock moveda particle. The four looked curiously from one to another of theactors in this tense scene.

　　"It was my object," resumed Bernardo Galvez, and now his tone hada curious hard quality like steel, "to find the truth. Only inthat way could justice be done. Now I have to say that proof ofthese charges, not conclusive, but incriminating nevertheless,has been found, and is in my possession."

　　Alvarez leaped from his chair. He felt as if he had received ablow of a hammer on his temple, but he cried out:

　　"It is not true! there can be no such proof!"

　　"It is true," said Bernardo Galvez sternly and accusingly,"because I hold this evidence here in my hand. The war-mapswhich you are charged with having, drawn by the one Wyatt, thefriend of the Indians, and annotated in your hand, are here."

　　He opened his palm and laid the strips of deerskin upon thetable. Alvarez staggered back and looked savagely at BraxtonWyatt.

　　"It is true," stammered the renegade in a whisper. "I was setupon last night by Ware! He took me by surprise and robbed me ofthem! I could not help it, but I was afraid to tell you then."

　　"I knew that Henry would find a way! I knew it!" Paul wasmurmuring to himself.

　　"What of these maps, Don Francisco Alvarez?" said the GovernorGeneral.

　　The bold and flexible Spaniard quickly recovered himself.

　　"Maps do not mean anything," he said. "Any military officerprovides himself with them whenever he can. He need not be atwar with a country to secure them."

　　"No, not in the case of ordinary maps, but here we have plans foran attack upon the settlements in Kaintock. I find noted by theside of one station in your handwriting: 'Could be destroyedeasily with two cannon.' It is obvious that you have exceededyour authority. How much further you have gone is to be seen."

　　"Your Excellency, I protest against"- began Alvarez, but at thatmoment the door was opened and Lieutenant Diego Bernal appearedupon the threshold.

　　"What is this interruption? How dare you?" exclaimed the GovernorGeneral.

　　But the little Catalan was never more thoroughly master ofhimself. His uniform was never more resplendent, and the lace atthroat and sleeves never fuller. He bore himself, too, with theutmost dignity because he knew that he was about to make anannouncement of the utmost importance. Moreover, he was afavorite with Bernardo Galvez.

　　"Your Excellency," he said, with dramatic effect, "a man has comecraving immediate audience with you. He says that his newscannot wait, and, in order to secure entrance at once to yourpresence, he has given me the purport of it. He is here now."

　　A tall figure in a black robe, the face thin and austere, walkedboldly into the room. Mighty was the power of Holy Church in thecolonies of France and Spain and this priest who expected tortureand death some day feared neither Bernardo Galvez nor anybodyelse.

　　"Father Montigny!" exclaimed every one of the five and, "FatherMontigny!" repeated Francisco Alvarez and Braxton Wyatt.Bernardo Galvez rose from his chair and saluted the priestcourteously. He knew him well.

　　"What is this business, so urgent in its nature, Father," saidthe Governor General.

　　"I came to Beaulieu when Captain Alvarez had set the bully uponthis youth," said Father Montigny, pointing to Paul.

　　"I have already acknowledged my fault there," exclaimed Alvarez."It was an impulse! Need I be accused of it again?"

　　Father Montigny turned his gaze upon Alvarez, and the Captain,bold as he was, feared it more than that of Bernardo Galvez.

　　"That is but a preamble," continued the priest, the GovernorGeneral not noticing the interruption, "but it caused me to takeespecial notice of what might be occurring in Louisiana at thefurthest limits of settlement. I went thence among the Cherokeesand Creeks and kindred tribes and I found them stirred by a greatemotion. They were preparing for the war trail. Messengers hadcome from tribes in the far north, Shawnees, Miamis, Wyandots,and others, whom they have fought for generations in the region,lying between them, known to them as the Dark and Bloody Ground,and to us as Kaintock."

　　Francisco Alvarez suddenly paled, and looked away from thepriest.

　　"What was the purport of these messages?" asked Bernardo Galvez."That there must be peace for the time being between the northernand southern tribes. The northern tribes would march south andthe southern would march north. When they met they would bejoined also by Spanish soldiers with cannon, and the three forceswould destroy forever the new white settlements in Kaintock."

　　The pallor of Alvarez deepened, but Oliver Pollock still satimmovable, his expression not changing. Bernardo Galvez lookedstraight at Alvarez, and there was lightning in his gaze.

　　"How was this alliance formed?" asked the Governor General."Some powerful connection, some strong intermediary, must havedrawn these warring northern and southern tribes together. Andabove all why did they expect Spanish troops and Spanish cannon?"

　　"There was a letter," replied the priest in a grave, sad tone, "aletter written by a Spanish officer, high in position anddistinction. It was sent to Red Eagle, head chief of theShawnees, and Yellow Panther, head chief of the Miamis. Thewriter said that he would soon be Governor General of Louisianaand that Spain would then help the Indians to destroy Kaintock."

　　"It is a lie!" continued Alvarez. "There is no such letter."

　　"It is no lie," continued the priest calmly. "There is such aletter. The great chiefs, Red Eagle and Yellow Panther, as proofof the promise, sent it south to the Cherokees and Creeks, amongwhom I have been. I have seen it, I have read it, I have it, andto you, Bernardo Galvez, I now give it. It is signed by DonFrancisco Alvarez."

　　Father Montigny drew a letter from his robe and handed it to theGovernor General. Francisco Alvarez fell back in his chair as ifhe had been struck by a thunder-bolt. And it was little less.The letter that he had sent into the vast Northern wilderness,and which he considered as obscure as one leaf among millions,had come back to convict him. The one flaw in the armor of hiswild ambition had been found. He cast a baleful look at thepriest and was silent. It was not worth while now to denyanything.

　　Bernardo Galvez read the letter and read it again. Then hefolded it and put it in his pocket.

　　"It is enough," he said, "Francisco Alvarez, you are guilty ofattempting to usurp to yourself the powers that belong only tohis Majesty, the King of Spain. I can conceive of a man of yourknowledge and craft writing such a letter as this upon only onepossibility, and that possibility has passed. The galleon, DonaIsabel, from Spain came this morning up the Mississippi and shebrings letters from Madrid. Your friends at the court, powerfulas they are, have failed. You are not to be the Governor Generalof Louisiana. I am confirmed in my appointment and you remainunder my authority."

　　"What do you intend to do,?" asked Alvarez. The words came froma dry throat, and they had a harsh, rasping sound.

　　"The galleon, Dona Isabel, returns to Spain next week. You willremain a prisoner in one of the forts until then, when you are togo to Spain on the galleon to answer there for your acts here.The man, Wyatt, is not a Spanish subject, but he must leave NewOrleans within an hour. The five who have been held in the fortare released from this moment. Lieutenant Bernal, take away theprisoner."

　　It was the cause of intense gratification to Lieutenant DiegoBernal that he had been permitted to see the last and moststriking part of this drama. Francisco Alvarez had treated himwith scorn more than once, and it was not his part or that ofBernardo Galvez to insult a fallen enemy. He merely put his handlightly on the sleeve of Alvarez, and the prisoner, without aword, followed him.