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Updated: August 2, 2024
The "portero," when summoned by knock or bell, admits us by a small door, forming part of the great gate already mentioned. We traverse an arched way, the "zaguan," running through the breadth of the building, and then we are in the patio. From this we have a view of the real front of the house. The patio itself is paved with painted bricks a tessellated pavement.
In no other part of the building was the old-time prosperity so evident as here. The zaguán, enormous as a plaza, could admit a dozen carriages and an entire squadron of horsemen. Twelve columns, somewhat bulging, of the nut-brown marble of the island, sustained the arches of cut undressed stone over which extended the roof of black rafters. The paving was of cobbles between which grew dank moss.
The spy at that instant was beyond the reach of sight as well as hearing. She had got through the avenue before the twig moved. She did not stop for a moment. She did not return to her apartment, but crossing the patio hastily entered the zaguan. This she traversed with stealthy steps, as if afraid to awake the portero. On reaching the gate she drew from her pocket a key.
The guard, but half awake, perish before they can lay hand upon their weapons! And now the war-cry of the Wacoes peals out in earnest, and the hundreds of dark warriors rush like a torrent through the zaguan. They enter the patio. The doors of the cuartos are besieged soldiers, terrified to confusion, come forth in their shirts, and fall under the spears of their dusky assailants.
The garrison sleeps secure even the night-guard in the zaguan with their bodies extended along the stone banqueta, are sleeping soundly. The Presidio dreads no sudden attack there has been no rumour of Indian incursion the neighbouring tribes are all en paz; and the Tagno conspirators have been destroyed. Greater vigilance would be superfluous.
Suddenly starting, she seemed to have thought of a way to overcome it. "Andres, it will do. You go to the zaguan. See whether he be asleep. Go up boldly. If asleep, well; if not enter into conversation with him. Get him to open the little door and let you out. Wile him upon the street, and by some means keep him there. I shall lead out the horses."
Roberto began to strike out right and left and he must have landed once upon some delicate part of Tabuenca's anatomy, for the man began to shout in horrible tones: "Assassins! Murder!" At this, several persons came running into the zaguan, among them a stout mule-driver with an oil-lamp in his hand. "What's the trouble?" he asked. "These murderers are after my life," bellowed Tabuenca.
On reaching the open doorway she stopped, and called in a low voice "Andres!" "Aqui, Senorita!" answered the groom, stepping a little more into the light. "All saddled?" "Si, Senorita." "You have muffled their hoofs?" "Every one, Senorita." "Oh! what shall we do with him," continued the lady in a tone of distress, and pointing toward the zaguan.
No one, however, knows whether the faulty lines of the building are due to a defect in the sight of the architect who constructed it, or whether they are the result of earthquakes and hurricanes. A wide staircase, with green balustrades and carpeted here and there in spots, leads from the zaguan, or tiled entrance hall, to the second story of the house.
"Good! Through the garden take them then. Stay!" At this she cast her eyes toward the entrance of the long alley leading to the garden, which was directly opposite to, and visible from, the zaguan. Unless the portero were asleep, he could not fail to see four horses passing out in that way dark as was the night. Here, then, a new difficulty presented itself.
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