That inspired her, and in a very few minutes she led us into a modest house just beyond the cathedral; here I kissed my wife a brief good-by. I rushed off to witness and participate in the strange scenes that were occurring at the citadel.
CHAPTER XXXV.
HOW I CHARGED THE CITADEL.
Now, I reckon that during the course of my nomadic life I have looked upon as many strange scenes as fall to the lot of the average biped; but it so chanced that up to this particular time it had never as yet been my fortune or misfortune to participate in an actual, bona-fide revolution.
Of course, I had a pretty fair idea as to what such an upheaval might be, especially in these small but seething countries bordering the Caribbean Sea, and experienced more or less of a desire to ascertain at close quarters whether my impressions were correct or faulty.
When I quitted the modest little building that sheltered Hildegarde, I ran down the street to the cathedral first of all.
This being somewhat of a central point, I was in a fair position to get my bearing and head straight for the plaza.
At least, one thing was positive—the little affair had not as yet been decided in favor of either party, for the tumult was still in full blast.
Indeed, I was myself of the opinion that it had increased rather than diminished, and found considerable to amuse and interest me in the remarkable lung power of these inflammable people.
As I advanced, I found that I had no longer cause to complain on account of a scarcity of people upon the streets, for men were to be seen in knots and clusters, men carrying guns and men without, but all apparently eager to have a hand in the fray.