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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/37582-8.txt b/37582-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8982f4e --- /dev/null +++ b/37582-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11287 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Coast of Adventure, by Harold Bindloss + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Coast of Adventure + +Author: Harold Bindloss + +Release Date: October 1, 2011 [EBook #37582] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COAST OF ADVENTURE *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +THE COAST OF ADVENTURE + + + + + BY THE SAME AUTHOR + + ALTON OF SOMASCO + LORIMER OF THE NORTHWEST + THURSTON OF ORCHARD VALLEY + WINSTON OF THE PRAIRIE + THE GOLD TRAIL + SYDNEY CARTERET, RANCHER + A PRAIRIE COURTSHIP + VANE OF THE TIMBERLANDS + THE LONG PORTAGE + RANCHING FOR SYLVIA + PRESCOTT OF SASKATCHEWAN + THE DUST OF CONFLICT + THE GREATER POWER + MASTERS OF THE WHEATLANDS + DELILAH OF THE SNOWS + BY RIGHT OF PURCHASE + THE CATTLE BARON'S DAUGHTER + THRICE ARMED + FOR JACINTA + THE INTRIGUERS + THE LEAGUE OF THE LEOPARD + FOR THE ALLINSON HONOR + THE SECRET OF THE REEF + HARDING OF ALLENWOOD + THE COAST OF ADVENTURE + + + + +[Illustration: "Dropping his chin upon the stock, he stiffened his arms +and held his breath as he squeezed the trigger"--Page 327.] + + + + +The COAST OF +ADVENTURE + +BY HAROLD BINDLOSS + +Author of "PRESCOTT OF SASKATCHEWAN," +"RANCHING FOR SYLVIA," "FOR THE ALLINSON +HONOR," "THE SECRET OR THE REEF," ETC. + +_WITH FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR_ + +[Illustration] + +FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY + +PUBLISHERS NEW YORK + +COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY +PUBLISHED IN ENGLAND UNDER THE TITLE "A RISKY GAME" + +ALL RIGHTS RESERVED + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + I. FATHER AGUSTIN'S SHEEP 1 + II. THE ADVENTURES BEGIN 12 + III. HIGH STAKES 23 + IV. THE "ENCHANTRESS" 32 + V. THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN 43 + VI. ON THE SPANISH MAIN 52 + VII. MANGROVE CREEK 64 + VIII. THE TRAITOR 73 + IX. STRANDED 80 + X. THE PEON PILOT 89 + XI. A MODERN DON QUIXOTE 99 + XII. BAITING THE SMUGGLERS 105 + XIII. THE EMERALD RING 117 + XIV. SMOOTH WATER 126 + XV. THE TORNADO 136 + XVI. THE RUSE 145 + XVII. ELUDING THE GUNBOAT 157 + XVIII. THE TEST OF LOVE 167 + XIX. THE CUBAN SPY 178 + XX. THE ARREST OF CASTILLO 189 + XXI. A HALF-BREED'S TRICK 198 + XXII. HELD FOR RANSOM 209 + XXIII. THE INTERCEPTED NOTE 219 + XXIV. IN THE CAMP OF THE HILLSMEN 229 + XXV. A TRIAL OF SPEED 240 + XXVI. TRAPPED 250 + XXVII. HANDS DOWN 259 + XXVIII. THE PRESIDENT'S DESPATCHES 271 + XXIX. THE PRESIDIO 283 + XXX. THE ESCAPE 294 + XXXI. THE AMERICAN TRADER 305 + XXXII. LOVE'S VISION 315 + XXXIII. THE HERO OF RIO FRIO 322 + XXXIV. THE COMING DAWN 335 + + + + +THE COAST OF ADVENTURE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +FATHER AGUSTIN'S SHEEP + + +High on the sun-scorched hillside above the steamy littoral of the +Caribbean Sea the Spanish-Indian town of Rio Frio lay sweltering in the +heat of afternoon. The flat-topped, white houses surrounding the plaza +reflected a dazzling glare, and the heat shimmered mercilessly upon the +rough paving-stones. Flakes of plaster had fallen from the buildings; a +few of them were mere ruins, relics of a past age; for the town had been +built when _conquistadores_ from Spain first plunged into the tropic +forest to search for El Dorado. Here and there dilapidated green +lattices shaded upper windows, and nearer the ground narrow openings +were guarded by rusty iron bars; but some of the houses showed blank +outer walls, and the plaza had rather an Eastern than an American look. +Spain has set upon the New World the stamp the Moors impressed on her. + +At one end of the plaza stood the Café Four Nations, a low, open-sided +room, with a row of decaying pillars dividing it from the pavement. It +was filled with flies, which stuck in black clusters to the papers +hanging from the tarnished lamps and crawled about the dusty tables. The +hot air was tainted with aniseed, picadura tobacco, and the curious +musky smell which is a characteristic of ancient Spanish towns. On the +right-hand side of the square rose the twin towers of the church of San +Sebastian. Wide steps led up to the patch of shadow where a leather +curtain left uncovered part of the door, and a niche above sheltered an +image of the martyr with an arrow in his breast. The figure was well +modeled and grimly realistic. + +Opposite the café, the _calle Mercedes_ cut a cool, dark gap through the +dazzling town. On its outskirts, the hillside fell sharply to a wide, +green level. Beyond this a silver gleam indicated the sea. + +The café was in shadow, and at its inner end a number of citizens +lounged, half asleep, in low cane chairs. The hour of the siesta had +slipped away, but it was not yet time for dinner, and, having read the +newspaper and guardedly discussed politics, the leading inhabitants of +Rio Frio had nothing else to do. They were men with formal manners, a +few dressed in rusty black, and some in white cotton, but all were not +of pure European blood. One or two, indeed, plainly showed their Negro +descent; others the melancholy of the Indian aboriginal. + +Near the front pillars, a priest and two men of lighter color were +seated at a table. Father Agustin wore a threadbare cassock and clumsy +rawhide shoes, but he had an air of quiet dignity, and his sharply cut +features were of the Gothic type, which is not uncommon in Spain. His +accent was also clean Peninsular. James Grahame, who sat opposite +across the chessboard, wore the same vague but recognizable stamp of +breeding, though his duck suit was getting ragged and his red silk sash +was obviously cheap. He had steady gray eyes, and light hair, a rather +prominent nose and a firm mouth. He looked older than his thirty years. +The lines on his forehead hinted at stern experience, and his alertness +was partly masked by an easy self-control. Walthew was younger, and +dressed with scrupulous neatness in duck, with smart tan shoes. His face +was mobile, his glance quick but open, and his mouth sensitive; he had +the look of an aristocratic American. + +Father Agustin made a deprecatory gesture as his thin, long-nailed hand +moved across the board, and Grahame smiled. + +"Yes," he said, filling the tiny glass before the priest, "it is mate +this time, _padre_. When you had made a few moves I foresaw defeat, but +while the candle burns one plays out the game." + +"It is so, but not with all," Father Agustin replied in his fine +Castilian. "The losing game needs courage." + +"Experience helps. Getting beaten does not hurt so much when one grows +used to it." + +"Ah!" said the priest, "that is the way to the greatest victory man can +win. But I am your guest, and will not moralize. I must compliment you +on the game you play. It is bold and well thought out, but perhaps +somewhat lacking in finesse." + +"I am afraid finesse is not a virtue of mine," Grahame smiled. + +Father Agustin studied him quietly. When the Briton spoke he lost +something of his reserve. His glance got keen, and his eyes had a +curious hawk-like look. The priest could imagine him as swift and +determined in action; quick to seize an advantage, but not a good +plotter. + +"For all that, it is a quality that is useful when one deals with the +Latins, at Rio Frio, or elsewhere," the priest said. + +"With apologies, _padre_, that is certainly true," Walthew agreed. + +"So you have some business here? Perhaps, like the others, you seek a +mineral concession." + +"No. Our host, Don Martin, is of course out of office and doesn't deal +in them." + +"He never will," the priest said quietly. "The natural wealth of this +country belongs to its people, but it is stolen from them, piece by +piece, and given to foreigners." + +"The foreigners pay for what they get." + +"Yes," said the priest; "but where does the money go? If it were spent +on the development of the country, one would not complain; but it is +gamblers and courtezans who benefit. Those who hold office here fill +their pockets from the public purse, and what is left when they are +satisfied is needed to keep the Government in power." + +"Then, why do you not reform your administration and put in straight +men?" + +Father Agustin indicated the drowsy group at the back of the café. + +"These are our politicians! They meet every day and ruminate over the +affairs of the nation. Think of it!" + +"Well," said Walthew, "they do not look busy; but things do happen here +now and then." + +"It is true. A clique breaks up, there is a new coalition, and those who +plotted each other's downfall are united again. We Latins have seldom a +continuous policy. Sometimes there is a tumult in the streets and +disaffection among the troops; then the man who rules us uses the whip. +One hears of no trial, but a malcontent is missing, an officer's duty +takes him to the fever jungles, where he cannot live. Sometimes, before +the morning mist has lifted, one is wakened by a volley in the ditch +behind the citadel." + +"You are a patient race," Grahame remarked. + +"Not so," said Father Agustin. "We often dream when we should act, but +sometimes we act too soon. It is our misfortune that we do not know how +to wait for the right moment." He paused and indicated the thinned-out +ranks of pawns on the chessboard. "It is like that in the game of +politics! The fight is between the greater pieces, but these others +fall." + +Grahame lighted a cigarette and glanced about the square, for Rio Frio +was waking up. Here and there a woman of mixed blood crouched beside a +cast-iron pot, fanning the handful of charcoal in it, ready for cooking +the evening meal. A team of mules hauled a heavy load across the hot +paving stones, a gaunt, dark-faced man in ragged cotton walking at the +leaders' heads. Then came a pack train, with jingling bells, a cloud of +flies following the burdened animals, and dusty, barefooted peasants +plodding by their side. A group of women appeared from the mouth of a +narrow street, their faces wet with perspiration and straps across their +foreheads supporting the big cane baskets on their backs. After them +came a negro with a great tray of fruit upon his head. Next, three or +four lean, barefooted fellows with ragged palm-leaf hats seated +themselves on the pavement in a strip of shadow. They sat there, silent +and motionless, contemplating the scene with listless eyes. The crowd +looked dully apathetic, there was languor in the air they breathed; but, +after all, they claimed descent from Spanish stock and Grahame thought +they could be roused. It does not need much fanning to wake the +smoldering fire in the Iberian's veins. + +"My sheep!" said Father Agustin. "But they have other shepherds, who do +not always lead them well." + +"Shear the flock instead of guarding it? One would imagine that there is +not much wool." + +"None is so poor that he has nothing to give; if not goods, his voice, +his sullen clamor and savage rage. The unthinking passion of the mob is +terrible, but it is used by those who must answer for the deed some day. +My people have their wrongs, but one cannot build the State on +foundations of revenge and cruelty." + +"But you have some honest men who hate the present Government." + +"It is possible that their honesty lessens their influence. At Rio Frio +one does not follow the ideal. It is remote and elusive; the feet get +weary, and many things that please the eye lie nearer to hand." Father +Agustin rose and bowed with grave courtesy. "And now I have talked +enough and have some duties. I thank you and take my leave." + +They watched him cross the plaza in his rusty cassock. + +"Guess we've struck the wrong place," Walthew said. "We're more likely +to find trouble than money here. Well, there's a prospect of new +experiences and a little excitement; and, anyway, we can't go back on +our bargain with Don Martin." + +"I never quite understood what led you to join me," Grahame remarked. +"You know the risk we run. If the Government catches us, we'll be hanged +or shot--whichever suits their fancy." + +Walthew laughed. + +"That's the attraction. But we won't be caught. I guess my Yankee +ingenuity will count for something. If these sleepy-looking dagoes +should trap us, we can find a way to give 'em the slip." + +"Optimism is a great asset," Grahame smiled; "but in this country it +must have a handmaiden--a convenient revolver." + +Walthew leaned forward on the table. + +"We've gone into a risky business together. I know nothing about you +except that you seem to understand these dagoes and are a handy man to +have around when they pull their knives. You know almost nothing about +me." + +He paused and smiled, and Grahame stirred uneasily. Walthew looked so +boyish when he smiled like that. Would he have that carefree look in, +say, two months? At times, Grahame regretted letting the boy join him in +a venture that might try the heart of even a very strong man. + +"I say, old chap, you aren't listening!" Walthew expostulated. "I'm +telling you that the pater's a money-making machine. When I left Harvard +he was for working me up into a partnership in the Walthew factory. But +I couldn't stand it--too monotonous. I took ten thousand dollars, +instead, on condition that if I hadn't made good in my own way when two +years were up, I'd go back and start as clerk." + +"Well," Grahame returned with a smile, "I haven't much to tell. I have +no family business to fall back on. As my means were not large enough to +let me live as I liked at home, I went abroad to increase them. So far I +haven't succeeded; but, on the whole, I've had a pretty good time, and I +don't see much reason for grumbling about my luck." + +This was correct, so far as it went, for Grahame did not think it worth +while to explain that the fiery blood of the Borderers ran in his veins +and his people had been soldiers and explorers until economic changes +impoverished the family. Nor could he add that, because his name still +counted for something in the North, he had left home to avoid being +skilfully led into a marriage his friends thought suitable. He had, +indeed, run away from a well-born girl with money, who, he suspected, +was relieved to see him go. Since then he had known trouble, and it had +hardened him. Yet he was honest and was marked by some polish. + +At first sight, and by contrast with his comrade, Walthew looked callow, +but he improved on acquaintance. It was not for nothing that he was the +son of a shrewd manufacturer, who had built up a great business from a +humble beginning. Walthew was cool in a crisis, and though outwardly +careless, he was capable of looking ahead. So far, his talents were +undeveloped, but Grahame suspected them. + +While they sat talking, the scene in the square gained animation. Groups +of men, moving quickly, emerged from the side streets; there was a +murmur of voices; and a crowd began to gather. Women called from the +flat housetops; doors were opened and naked, dark-skinned children +dragged in from the pavement. The concourse thickened about the steps of +the church; gesticulating men chattered in the native patois. + +Grahame's eyes grew keen. + +"Something's going to happen," he said quietly. + +Then he pressed his comrade's arm as a man appeared on the highest step +of the church, and the murmur of the crowd swelled into a roar: + +"_Viva Castillo! Viva el libertador!_" + +The tall figure bowed and held up a hand, and for a moment there was +silence; then a clear voice rang out, and Grahame tried to catch the +sonorous Castilian words. He was too far off, and some escaped him, but +he heard enough to gather that it was a grim indictment of the rulers of +the country. The man spoke with fire and passion, using lavish gestures, +and the cries that answered showed that he could work upon the feelings +of the crowd. + +The café had emptied, and its stout proprietor lounged, napkin in hand, +near Grahame's table. + +"Sounds pretty drastic, if I heard him right," Walthew remarked. "It's +obvious that the authorities don't use half-measures. Did he say they +had the deputation arrested and its leader shot?" + +"So I understood," said Grahame. "How did you come to learn Castilian?" + +"A notion of the old man's; he made me study languages. It's his +ambition to ship the Walthew manufactures all over the world, and he got +a footing in Cuba some time ago." + +They were silent for a few minutes, and then Grahame turned to the +landlord. + +"Are these things true?" + +"It is possible," the other answered cautiously. + +"Then are you not afraid of a revolution?" + +"No, señor; why should I fear? When there is a revolution the wine trade +is good." + +"But suppose your customers get killed?" + +The landlord smiled. + +"They are philosophic politicians, señor. It is the untaught rabble that +fights. These others drink their wine and argue over the newspapers. +Besides, there will be no revolution yet. Some talk, perhaps; possibly a +supporter of the Government stabbed in the dark." + +"And that will be all?" Grahame asked with a keen glance. + +"There will be nothing more. The President waits and watches until he +knows his enemies. Then he gives an order and there is an end of them." + +The man turned away, and when, shortly afterward, the plaza rang with +fierce applause, a voice was raised in alarm. Others joined in, the +crowd began to stream back from the steps, and the orator disappeared. +Then the mass broke into running groups, and through the patter of their +feet there came a steady, measured tread. It drew nearer; short, swarthy +men in dirty white uniforms marched into the plaza, the strong light +gleaming on their rifles. They wheeled and stopped in ranks extended +across the square, and the rifles went up to their shoulders. Warning +shouts fell from the roofs, the patter of feet grew faster, the shadowy +streets were choked with fugitives, and the place was empty except for +the line of quiet men. Then an officer laughed and called out, and the +rifles came down with a clang. + +"I suspect that we're up against a big man in the President," Walthew +remarked. "Perhaps we'd better light out before these fellows ask us +questions." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ADVENTURES BEGIN + + +A half moon hung over the flat roofs and the air was very still. Walthew +and Grahame sat on a balcony surrounding the patio of Don Martin +Sarmiento's house. The lattice windows that opened onto the balcony had +old but artistic hinges of bronze, and the crumbling hardwood rails +showed traces of skilful carving. Below, a small fountain splashed in a +marble basin surrounded by palmettos, and a creeper covered a trellis +with trails of dusky purple. A faint smell of decay mingled with the +more pungent odors of garlic and olive oil from the kitchen in the +courtyard, where a clatter was going on, but no sound from outside broke +the silence. Rio Frio was very quiet now. + +Cups of black coffee and a plate of fruit stood on a table in front of +the men, and the señorita Blanca Sarmiento sat in a low chair opposite, +with her duenna a few yards away. Blanca was then nineteen, and Walthew, +watching her with unobtrusive admiration, wondered how it was that her +relatives had not already arranged a marriage for her, unless, perhaps, +her father's political opinions stood in the way. One ran a risk in +opposing the Government at Rio Frio. The girl was attractive, with a +finely molded figure, the grace of which was displayed by her languid +pose. Her hair was dark and coiled in heavy masses on a small, +well-shaped head; her lips were full and very red, but her eyes were a +deep blue and her skin fairer than that of the Spanish-American women +Walthew hitherto had met. Nor did she use the powder they lavishly +employ. + +With a crimson rose in her hair, and a fine black-lace mantilla draped +about her shoulders and emphasizing the whiteness of her neck and +half-covered arms, she reminded Walthew of Carmen. She had something of +the latter's allurement, but he thought it was an unconscious attraction +that she exercised. The art of the coquette was missing; the girl had a +certain dignity, and there was no hint of sensuality in her beauty. She +had, no doubt, Spanish fire in her blood, but the lad thought it burned +with a clear and pure flame. + +"How do you come to speak English so charmingly?" he asked, in the hope +of satisfying his curiosity about her. + +"Do I speak it charmingly?" She laughed prettily. "Well, the explanation +is that it was my mother's tongue. She was Irish, you must know." + +"Ah!" said Walthew. "Now I understand." + +Blanca gave him a glance of languid amusement. + +"Your interest is flattering, señor; but what is it you understand?" + +"That's an awkward question," Walthew answered, grinning frankly. +"Still, there's something about you that I haven't noticed in +Spanish-American girls, charming as they are." + +"I'm afraid you're evasive. Do you know many of my countrywomen?" + +"I'd like to know more. But I believe I'm good at reading character. It +is a gift I inherited. My father was never mistaken about a man, and he +has made use of a good many." + +Blanca studied him. He had a smooth, fresh face, and looked very young, +but while she thought he was direct and perhaps impulsive, something +suggested that he was shrewd. + +"Women are supposed to be more puzzling," she answered. "Then the +Sarmientos come from Andalusia, and the Peninsulares are complex people. +On the surface, we are often cheerfully inconsequent, but underneath +there's a strain of melancholy. We live in the shadow of a fatalism we +got from the Moors." She glanced at Grahame. "I think you can +understand." + +Grahame made a sign of assent. Sitting thoughtfully silent, his lean but +powerful frame displayed by the thin white duck, and his strong, brown +face impassive, he had a somber look. The man was reckless and sparkled +with gay humor now and then, but it was the passing brightness of the +North. + +"Yes," he said, "I understand. But the Irish are optimists, and you are +Irish too." + +"Then perhaps that's why I keep hopeful. It is not always easy at Rio +Frio, and life was not very joyous when we were exiles in America." + +"You know my country?" Walthew broke in. + +"I know your Southern States. We lived there in poverty, wandering up +and down. My father is what his friends call a patriot, and his enemies +a dangerous agitator. He had to choose between ruin and acquiescence in +corrupt tyranny, and his course was plain. But the seed he had sown +sprouted, the dictator was driven out, and we came back to our own. +Then, for a time, there was rest and safety, until the new ruler began +to follow the old. He tried to bribe my father, who had helped to put +him in power; but our honor was not for sale, and we had to leave the +capital. There are men who trust my father, and look to him for help.... +But I think you know something of this." + +"Yes," said Grahame. "This afternoon we heard Castillo speak in the +plaza." + +The girl's eyes flashed angrily. + +"Castillo is a fool! He pulls down what others have carefully built up." + +"Tries to fire the mine before things are ready?" Walthew suggested. "A +premature explosion's apt to blow up the men who prepared it." + +Blanca gave him a keen glance. + +"That is what nearly happened this afternoon. I believe you are to be +trusted, señores?" + +Grahame bowed. + +"I am an adventurer, not a patriot, and my partner is out for money, but +we made a bargain with Don Martin and we keep our word." + +"Then," said the girl quietly, "Castillo is hiding here." + +"In the _casa Sarmiento_! Isn't that dangerous? Won't the President's +friends suspect?" + +"I think they do, but they are afraid of my father's hold on the people; +and there is only a handful of troops. When it is late they may make a +search, but Castillo will leave soon. It is possible that you are in +some danger." + +Walthew laughed. + +"That makes things interesting; I've never been in serious danger yet. +But I suppose you have Don Martin's permission to be frank with us?" + +"You are shrewd," she answered, smiling. "He has some confidence in my +judgment. I spent the years that should have been happiest in poverty +and loneliness. Are you surprised that I'm a conspirator? If you value +your safety, you will beware of me." + +"You might prove dangerous to your enemies, but I believe you'd be very +staunch to your friends." + +"_Gracias, señor._ I'm sure I can at least hate well." + +A mulatto boy came out on to the balcony, and the girl's stout duenna, +who had been sitting silent and apparently half asleep, rose and +approached the table. + +"Don Martin is disengaged," she said to Blanca; and when the girl waited +a moment Grahame imagined that something had been left for her to +decide. + +He did not see any sign exchanged, but he thought with some amusement +that he and his companion had passed a test when the duenna said to +them: + +"Don Martin would speak with you." + +Walthew turned to Blanca, saying in Castilian: + +"Until our next meeting! I kiss your hands, señorita." + +The girl rose with a grave curtsy and there was a touch of stateliness +in her manner. + +"May you go in safety, señores! We expect much from you." + +The mulatto led them away, and, passing through the house, they found +their host and another man sitting by a dim lamp in a room with the +shutters carefully closed. Don Martin Sarmiento wore an alpaca jacket, a +white shirt, and a black silk sash round the waist of his duck +trousers. He was dark-haired and sallow, lightly built and thin, but his +expression was eager and his eyes were penetrating. One could have +imagined that his fiery spirit had worn down the flesh. + +The other man was of coarser type. His skin was very dark, his face hot +and fleshy, and Grahame noticed that his hands were wet with +perspiration. His glance was restless and he had a rather truculent air, +though there was something in it that hinted at uneasiness. Grahame +thought that while he might show a rash boldness now and then, his nerve +was not very good. + +"With your permission, I present my comrade, Señor Castillo," said Don +Martin. "Should any disaster overtake me, Señor Castillo, or another +whom he appoints, will carry out our contract. Our funds are in safe +hands; the rifles will be paid for." + +"They will be delivered," Grahame answered quietly. + +"Good! The word of a gentleman is sufficient. And now there is something +more to be said. My house is my friend's, particularly if he is in +trouble, but one has higher duties than hospitality." + +"Yes," agreed Grahame, turning to Castillo. "The interests of one's +country come first. There are only three of us, and Don Martin is the +head of an important organization." + +"It was not for my personal safety that I came here," Castillo broke in +hotly. "I carried papers; lists of names, compromising details. It was +unthinkable that they should fall into the President's hands. They must +be made safe, and then it does not matter what happens to me--though I +may, perhaps, claim to have been of some help to the cause of freedom." + +Grahame saw his host's half-impatient smile. + +"And so you gave them to Don Martin!" he remarked dryly. + +"He is not watched as I am," Castillo answered. "I am hunted among the +sierras, I hide in the fever swamps; but where I pass I leave a spark +that tyranny cannot trample out. It burns and spreads; by and by there +comes the purging conflagration." + +"Yes," said Grahame. "I'm told, however, that your President has a keen +scent for smoke, and I don't mean to scatter more sparks than I can +help." He turned to Don Martin. "Since our business is finished, we can +leave Rio Frio in an hour." + +"I, too!" exclaimed Castillo. "It is not good for the cause that the +soldiers find me. But there are difficulties; the house may be watched." + +Don Martin looked thoughtful, but not disturbed; and Grahame saw that he +could calmly take a risk. Danger and his host obviously were old +acquaintances. + +"It is better that you go," he answered. "Sometimes I entertain an +American traveler, and Englishmen now and then visit Rio Frio. I do not +think you are suspected yet, and you may be able to help us by drawing +off the watchers' attention when you leave. We will see what can be +done, but it would be safer for Señor Castillo not to come with us." + +He took the others to the roof, where he walked to the edge and looked +over the low parapet. A narrow, dark street divided Sarmiento's house +from the next, but a lattice in a high wall was open, and Grahame +imagined that he made out a man's head, which was, however, promptly +withdrawn. + +"Once or twice a guest of mine has reached the _calle_ by a rope, but +the President's friends take precautions to-night," Don Martin remarked. +"There remain the windows on the other side, but Castillo is heavy and +fat. I think the door into the plaza would suit him best." + +"Wouldn't the small one at the back be safer?" Walthew suggested. + +"That will be watched, but it might be of some help if you went that +way. Possibly you would not mind wearing a sombrero and a Spanish +cloak." + +"Not at all," Grahame assured him. "Still, there are two of us." + +"That is an advantage. If one leaves shortly after the other, those who +keep watch and expect a single man will be puzzled." + +Walthew chuckled. + +"Good! I'd a hankering after adventures, and now it looks as if I'd be +gratified. But you had better not give us clothes with a name on them." + +"In this country, people out of favor with the Government are modest +about their names," Don Martin rejoined. + +Ten minutes later Grahame, wearing a wide black hat and a dark Spanish +cloak, stepped quietly out into the shadowy street. He had seen that his +automatic pistol was ready to his hand, having had more than one +experience of the half-breed's dexterity with the silent knife. For all +that, his hurried, stealthy gait was assumed and not natural to the man, +whose heart beat calmly, though he cast quick glances about. The houses +were high, and the street seemed to get narrower and darker as he went +on. Then he imagined he heard soft steps behind him. Walking faster, he +stopped at a corner and listened. Somebody was certainly following him. + +Grahame's first impulse was to hide in a dark doorway and wait for his +pursuer, but he reflected that this would not fall in with his host's +plan, and he went on, keeping in the shadow while he made for the hotel +at which he had left his mules. There were, he imagined, two men +following him now. + +A few moments afterward he reached the end of the dark street, and the +empty plaza lay before him. The moon shed a faint light upon the stones +and the high, white walls, and Grahame was glad of this. Now, if it were +needful, he could defend himself: the walk through the shadow had been +trying. Still, he must not hurry, for he never promised more than he +meant to perform, and he knew that Don Martin relied upon his playing +out his part. Perhaps he overdid it when he stopped to light a +cigarette, for, looking up as he dropped the match, he saw two dark +figures stop at the corner he had left. Then there was a low whistle, +and one of them disappeared. Grahame smiled, because he knew that +Walthew had divided the attention of the spies. The remaining man, +however, walked quickly after him, and when Grahame was half way across +the plaza he waited. His pursuer seemed to hesitate, for he came on more +slowly, and stopped a few yards off. + +"The American!" he exclaimed. + +"English," said Grahame calmly. "The difference is, no doubt, not +important." + +The man looked hard at him, and Grahame carelessly dropped his hand upon +his pistol. + +"I am going to the _fonda_; if you are going that way, I would rather +you walked in front. One is careful at night, my friend." + +Though the fellow had a sinister look, he smiled and went off with an +apology, and Grahame, going on to the hotel, waited outside until +Walthew came up. The boy looked hot and breathless, but Grahame noticed +that he had a flower in his hand. + +"I've been followed," Walthew laughed. "The fellows dropped back soon +after I came into the moonlight. Guess they saw they were after the +wrong man." + +"Very possibly. It happened to me. I wonder whether Castillo got away?" + +They listened, but the town was quiet. One or two citizens crossed the +plaza, but no sound that indicated anything unusual going on rose from +the shadowy streets. + +"It seems likely," Walthew replied. "I don't think they could have +arrested him without some disturbance. Why didn't they search +Sarmiento's house?" + +"Perhaps they were afraid of starting a riot that would spread. The +President seems to be a capable man, and Don Martin obviously enjoys the +confidence of the citizens. On the whole, I think he deserves it." + +"So do I," Walthew agreed. "What do you think of the other fellow?" + +"I wouldn't trust him. He's no doubt sincere, but I'm not sure of his +nerve. But where did you get the rose?" + +"On the pavement outside the _casa Sarmiento_," Walthew answered with +some embarrassment. + +"Mmm! Dropped from a window. Such things happen in Spanish-American +towns, and it's possible that the President's spies have noted it +against you. However, you'll be too busy to think of the señorita when +we get back to the coast." Grahame paused and added: "It might be wise +to remember that you're engaged in a dangerous business, and can't run +the risk of any complications. Neither of us can indulge in philandering +until this job's finished." + +"I'll take no risk that could get us into difficulties, but that's all +I'll promise," Walthew said quietly. + +Grahame gave him a steady glance. + +"Well, I suppose I must be satisfied." + +They entered the hotel, and half an hour later they left Rio Frio and +rode down the hillside toward the misty swamps that fringed the coast. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HIGH STAKES + + +The green shutters were half closed to keep the dazzling sunshine out of +Henry Cliffe's private sitting-room at the smart Florida hotel, but the +fresh sea breeze swept in and tempered the heat. The scent of flowers +mingled with a delicate perfume such as fastidious women use, but Mrs. +Cliffe was enjoying an afternoon nap and her daughter had gone out, so +that Cliffe and Robinson had the room to themselves. They sat, opposite +each other, at a small table on which stood a bottle and a cigar box, +but there was only iced water in the tall glass at Cliffe's hand. + +He had lunched sparingly, as usual, and now leaned back in his chair, +looking thoughtful. His hair was turning gray, and his face was thin and +lined, but there was a hint of quiet force about him. His dress was +plain but in excellent taste, and he looked, what he was, a good type of +the American business man, who had, however, as sometimes happens to his +kind, sacrificed his health to commercial success. He was a financier +and a floater of companies which generally paid. + +Robinson was tall, with a high color, a prominent, hooked nose, and a +face of Jewish cast. His clothes were well cut, but their adherence to +the latest fashion was rather pronounced, and he wore expensive +jewelry. He was favorably known on Wall Street and sometimes heard of +when a corner was being manipulated in the Chicago wheat pit. Cliffe had +proposed a joint venture, because he knew that Robinson did not fear a +risk and he had learned that a Jew can generally be relied upon when the +reckoning comes. + +"Well," said Robinson, "I see a chance of trouble. If President Altiera +goes down, we lose our money." + +"A sure thing," Cliffe agreed. "It will be our business to keep him on +his feet, and it may cost us something. In a way, that's an advantage. +He must have our help, and is willing to bid high for it." + +"The revolutionaries may beat him." + +"If he's left alone; but a little money goes a long way in his country, +and the dissatisfied politicians would rather take some as a gift than +risk their lives by fighting for it. Altiera can buy up most of them if +he has the means; and he's capable of quieting the rest in a more +drastic way." Cliffe smiled as he continued: "It's not my habit to plan +a deal without carefully considering what I may get up against." + +"Then it's your honest opinion the thing's a good business chance?" + +"I call it that. One gets nothing for nothing. If you expect a prize, +you must put up the stakes." + +"Very well. Suppose you get the concession? Is there gold worth mining +in the country?" + +"I can't tell," Cliffe answered frankly. "The Spaniards found a good +deal three hundred years ago, and now and then a half-breed brings some +out of the bush. Guess we could get enough to use as a draw in the +prospectus." + +"You'd have to make the prospectus good," Robinson said with a +thoughtful air. "Not an invariable rule, of course, but our names stand +for something with the investing public." + +"I generally do make good. If we don't strike gold, there's rubber, and +the soil will grow high-grade cane and coffee. Give me the concession +and I'll make it pay." + +Robinson nodded. Cliffe's business talent was particularly marked in the +development of virgin territory, though he never undertook the work in +person. He knew where to find the right men, and how far to trust them. + +"I suppose we won't be required to meddle with dago politics?" Robinson +suggested. + +"Certainly not; that's Altiera's affair, and he's capable of looking +after it. A number of his people are getting tired of him, but so long +as he can pay his soldiers up to time and buy support where he can't use +force, he'll keep control." + +"A bit of a brute, I've heard." + +"He's not a humanitarian," Cliffe agreed. "Still, countries like his +need a firm hand." + +"Guess that's so," said Robinson. + +He and Cliffe were respected in business circles. They met their +obligations and kept the rules that govern financial dealings. That they +might now be lending their support to tyrannical oppression, and helping +to stifle the patriotic aspirations of a downtrodden people, did not +enter their minds. That was not their affair; they were out for money, +and their responsibility ended with the payment of dividends to those +who bought their stock. They would fulfill this duty if the thing were +possible; although their standard of morality was not of the highest, +they had prosperous rivals who fell short of it. + +"I'll stand in," Robinson decided after a few moments' silence. "You can +let me know how much you will need to carry you through when you get +your plans worked out." + +"Very well. It's over the first payments we take a risk. The money will, +so to speak, vanish. We'll have nothing to show for it except the good +will of the men in power. Some of it may even get into the wrong hands." + +Robinson made a sign of comprehension. He knew something about official +graft, for he now and then found it needful to smooth the way for a new +venture by judicious bribery. + +"There'll be no trouble after we've bought the concession," Cliffe +continued. "The cash will then go to the treasury, and whichever party +gets control will have to stand to the bargain. And now I guess we can +let the matter drop until I fix things up." + +They went out to a seat on the veranda, which looked across a row of +dusty palmettos and a strip of arid lawn that the glistening showers +from the sprinklers could not keep green. An inlet of blue water ran up +to its edge, and beyond the curve of sheltering beach the long Atlantic +swell rolled into the bay flecked with incandescent foam, for the +sunshine was dazzling and the breeze was fresh. Two or three miles away +there was a stretch of calmer water behind a long point on which the +surf beat, and in the midst of this a small steamer gently rolled at +anchor. Nearer the inlet, a little sailing-boat stood out to sea, her +varnished deck and snowy canvas gleaming in the strong light. + +"Miss Cliffe's boat, isn't it?" Robinson remarked. "Looks very small; I +s'pose she's safe?" + +"New York canoe club model," Cliffe replied. "Had her brought down on a +freight-car. Evelyn's fond of sailing and smart at the helm. She's all +right--though the breeze does seem pretty fresh." + +While they talked about other matters, Evelyn Cliffe sat in the stern of +the tiny sloop, enjoying the sense of control the grasp of the tiller +gave her, and the swift rush of the polished hull through the sparkling +foam. There was also some satisfaction in displaying her nerve and skill +to the loungers on the beach, who were, for the most part, fashionable +people from the Northern States. Among these was a young man upon whom +Evelyn knew her mother looked with approval. + +Though he had much to recommend him, and had shown a marked preference +for her society, Evelyn had come to no decision about Reginald Gore, but +she was willing that he should admire her seamanship, and it was, +perhaps, in the expectation of meeting him afterward that she had +dressed herself carefully. She wore well-cut blue serge that emphasized +her fine pink-and-white color, and matched her eyes; and the small blue +cap did not hide her red-gold hair. + +As the breeze freshened, she forgot the spectators, and began to wish +she had taken a reef in the mainsail before starting. Hitherto she had +had somebody with her when it was necessary to shorten canvas; but it +was unlike a sport to turn back because of a little wind. She would +stand on until she had weathered the point and was out on the open +Atlantic, and then run home. The strain on the helm got heavier, the +foam crept level with the lee deck, and sometimes sluiced along it when +the boat dipped her bows in a sea. Then the spray began to beat upon the +slanted canvas, and whipped Evelyn's face as she braced herself against +the tiller. + +The boat was sailing very fast, plunging through the sparkling ridges of +water; there was something strangely exhilarating in her speed and the +way the foam swirled past. Evelyn had an adventurous temperament, and, +being then twenty-three, was young enough to find a keen relish in +outdoor sport. Now she was matching her strength and skill against the +blue Atlantic combers, which were getting steeper and frothing on their +crests. The point was falling to leeward; it would be a fair wind home, +and she determined to stand on a little longer. Casting a quick glance +astern, she saw that the figures on the beach had grown indistinct and +small. She felt alone with the sea at last, and the situation had its +charm; but when she fixed her eyes ahead she wished that the rollers +were not quite so large. She had to ease the boat over them; sometimes +let the sheet run in the harder gusts, and then it was not easy to get +the wet rope in. + +When the point shut off the beach, she saw she must come round, and, +after waiting for a patch of smooth water, put up the helm to jibe. The +strain on the sheet was heavier than she thought; the rope bruised her +fingers as it ran through them. The boat rolled wildly, and then the big +sail swung over with a crash. Evelyn saw with alarm that the gaff along +its head had stopped at an unusual angle to the canvas. Something had +gone wrong. But her nerve was good. She could lower the mainsail and +run home under the jib. + +When she left the helm the boat shot up into the wind, with the long +boom banging to and fro and the spray flying across her. Evelyn loosed +the halyards, but found that the gaff would not come down. Its end +worked upon a brass slide on the mast, and the grips had bent and +jambed. Things now looked awkward. It was blowing moderately fresh, the +sea was getting up, and the sail she could not shorten might capsize the +boat. + +With difficulty, she got the sloop round, but, as the gaff was jambed, +she would not steer a course that would take her to the inlet, and +Evelyn remembered with alarm that there was some surf on the beach. She +could swim, but she shrank from the thought of struggling ashore from +the wrecked craft through broken water. Still, it was some comfort to +see the point drop astern and the beach get nearer; she was on the way +to land, there were boats on the inlet, and somebody might notice that +she was in difficulties. No boat came off, however, and she realized +that from a distance nothing might appear to be wrong with the sloop. +When she was near enough to signal for help it would be too late. + +A small steamer lurched at anchor not far away; but Evelyn could not +reach her: the sloop was like a bird with a broken wing and could only +blunder clumsily, in danger of capsizing, before the freshening wind. In +another quarter of an hour she would be in the surf, which now looked +dangerously heavy. + +While she was trying to nerve herself for the struggle to land, she saw +a boat leave the steamer's side. It was a very small dinghy, and there +was only one man on board, but he waved his hand as if he understood +her peril, and then rowed steadily to intercept her. This needed +judgment: if he miscalculated the distance it would be impossible for +him to overtake the sloop. And Evelyn could do nothing to help. She must +concentrate her attention upon keeping her craft before the wind. If she +jibed, bringing the big sail violently over with its head held fast +would result in a capsize. + +Five minutes later she risked a glance. The dinghy was close at hand, +lurching up and down, lost from sight at intervals among the combers. +The man, coatless and hatless, seemed to be handling her with caution, +easing her when a roller with a foaming crest bore down on him, but +Evelyn thought he would not miss her boat. Her heart beat fast as she +put the helm hard down. The sloop swung round, slackening speed as she +came head to wind, there was a thud alongside, and the man jumped on +board with a rope in his hand. + +Then things began to happen so rapidly that the girl could not remember +exactly what was done; but the man showed a purposeful activity. He +scrambled along the narrow deck, got a few feet up the mast, and the +sail came down; then he sprang aft to the helm, and the sloop headed for +the steamer, with his dinghy in tow and only the jib set. + +They were alongside in a few minutes, and he seized a rope that some one +threw him. + +"Our gig's hauled up on the beach for painting, and I'm afraid we +couldn't reach the landing in the dinghy, now the sea's getting up," he +said. "You'd better come on board, and I'll see if Macallister can put +your gaff right." + +Evelyn hesitated, for she suspected that it would take some time to mend +the damaged spar. It was not an adventure her mother would approve of, +but as she could see no way of reaching land, she let the man help her +through the gangway. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE "ENCHANTRESS" + + +On reaching the steamer's deck, Evelyn glanced with curiosity at her +rescuer. He was a tall, lightly built man, dressed in an old blue shirt, +paint-stained duck trousers, and ragged canvas shoes, but he had an easy +manner that was not in harmony with his rough clothes. Evelyn liked his +brown face. It had a hint of force in it; though now he was watching her +with a half-amused smile. He fell short of being handsome, but, on the +whole, his appearance made a good impression on the girl. + +Then she looked about the vessel. The deck, finely laid with narrow +planks, was littered with odd spars, rusty chain, coal bags, and pieces +of greasy machinery, as if repairs and refitting were going on. She was +a very small, two-masted steamer, carrying some sail, for smoke-grimed +canvas was furled along the booms, and Evelyn thought she had been built +for a yacht. Her narrow beam, her graceful sweep of teakwood rail, and +the long, tapering counter suggested speed. A low, lead-gray funnel +stood just forward of the mainmast, and a teak house, rising three or +four feet above the deck, occupied part of her length. The brass boss of +the steering wheel bore the name _Enchantress_. The after end of the +house, however, was built of iron, with raised lights in the top, and +the hammering and the pointed remarks that came up indicated that +somebody below was grappling with refractory metal. After one +exclamation, Evelyn's companion walked to the skylights. + +"Mack," he said in a warning tone, "there's a lady on board." + +"One o' they half-dressed hussies from the hotel? Man, I thought ye had +mair taste," a hoarse voice replied. + +Evelyn was glad that her boating costume was not in the extreme of +fashion, for sleeves and skirts were severely curtailed then, but she +waited with some amusement. + +"Come up and don't talk!" said the man who had brought her on board. +"Here's a job for you." + +"That's one thing I'll never die for the want of," the voice below went +on. "I've got jobs enough already, and no help wi' them. Ye cannot make +a mechanic out o' a dago muleteer, and the gangrel son o' a rich +American is no' much better. They're wrecking the bonny mill and when I +had them strike at a bit forging the weariful deevils smashed my finger. +I telt them----" + +"It won't stand for repeating. Let up; you've the voice of a bull," +somebody broke in. "Grahame's waiting with a lady. Can't you get a move +on?" + +"What's the lady wanting--is it her watch mending?" the Scot asked with +a hint of eagerness. A passion for tampering with the works of watches +not infrequently characterizes the marine engineer. + +"Come and see!" called Evelyn's companion; and a few moments later the +mechanic appeared. + +He was big, rather gaunt, and very dirty; but he carried himself well, +and had obviously just put on a smart blue jacket with brass buttons +that bore the crest of an English mail line. Evelyn thought his age was +between forty and fifty, but his eyes had a humorous twinkle and his air +was rakish. Behind him came a much younger man in greasy overalls. + +The engineer bowed to Evelyn with some grace. + +"Ye'll be Miss Cliffe; I ken ye by sight," he said. "They telt me who ye +were in the bar at the hotel." + +"Do they talk about me in such places?" Evelyn asked with a touch of +haughtiness. + +"What would ye expect? When ye're born good-looking, ye must take the +consequences. But, as Grahame has nae manners, I'll present +myself--Andrew Macallister, extra chief's ticket, and noo, through +speaking my mind to a director, engineer o' this barge." He indicated +his greasy companion. "Mr. Walthew, who, though ye might not think it by +his look, was taught at Harvard. If my temper stands the strain, I may +make a useful greaser o' him yet. The other ye nae doot ken." + +"No," said Evelyn, half amused. "He kindly came to my help when I was in +trouble with my boat." + +"Then he's skipper. They call him Grahame, and it's a good Scottish +name. But I was hoping ye had maybe some difficulty with your watch." + +"Why did you hope so?" Evelyn asked, laughing. + +"On no account let him have it," Walthew interposed. "He brought back +the last watch a confiding visitor left him with the gold case badly +crushed. 'I had to screw her in the vice, but a bit rub with a file will +smooth her off,' he told the owner." + +"He was a fastidious beast o' a Custom House grafter," Macallister +explained. "But if it's no' a watch, what way can I serve ye?" + +Grahame took him to the sloop and showed him the gaff, and a few minutes +later he came back with the bent jaws. + +"It's no' a bad piece o' work; your people have an eye for design, but +they make things too light," he said. "Noo I'll cut ye a new grip out o' +solid brass, but it will take an hour." + +"I suppose I must wait; there's no other way of getting back," Evelyn +answered dubiously. + +Macallister went below, and Grahame put a deck chair for Evelyn under +the awning in the stern, where he sat down on a coil of rope, while +Walthew leaned against the rail near by. The girl felt interested in +them all. She had heard that Walthew had been to Harvard, and his +appearance suggested that he belonged to her own world. If so, what was +he doing in the _Enchantress's_ engine room? Then, Macallister's random +talk had some piquancy. His manners were not polished, but they were +good in their way. + +"The steamer is yours, I suppose?" she remarked. + +"Yes," said Grahame. "We bought her cheap, and are getting her ready for +sea. As I dare say you have noticed, she needs refitting." + +"But wouldn't that have been easier at New Orleans or Galveston?" + +"Perhaps, if we were able to hire professional assistance, but we have +to do the work ourselves, and this place is quiet, and clean for +painting." + +"Aren't you painting her an unusual color? White would have been +prettier than this dingy gray." + +"White's conspicuous," Walthew answered, and Evelyn noticed Grahame's +warning glance. "A neutral tint stands better, and doesn't show the +dirt. You see, we have to think of our pockets." + +"Then it isn't to be a pleasure trip. Where are you going?" + +"Up the Gulf Stream. To Cuba first, and then south and west; wherever +there's a chance of trade." + +"But the boat is very small. What do you think of trading in?" + +"Anything that comes along," Walthew answered with a thoughtful air. "We +might catch turtles, for example." + +"One understands that turtles are now farmed for the market." + +"It would be cheaper to catch them. We might get mahogany." + +"But mahogany logs are big. You couldn't carry many." + +"We could tow them in a raft. Then the English and American tourists who +come out in the mail boats might charter us for trips." + +"I'm afraid you'd find them exacting. They'd expect nice berths and a +good table. Do you carry a good cook?" + +Grahame chuckled and Walthew grinned. + +"Modesty prevents my answering, because my partners leave me to put up +the hash. I'll admit it might be better; but our passengers wouldn't +find that out until we got them away at sea." + +Evelyn was frankly amused. She could not imagine his cooking very well, +but she liked his humorous candor. + +"Your plans seem rather vague," she said. + +"They are, but one doesn't want a cut and dried program for a cruise +about the Spanish Main. One takes what comes along; in the old days it +used to be rich plate ships and windfalls of that kind, and I guess +there's still something to be picked up when you get off the liners' +track. One expects to find adventures on the seas that Drake and +Frobisher sailed." + +Evelyn mused. She was shrewd enough to perceive that the men were hiding +something, and they roused her curiosity, but she thought Walthew was +right. Romance was not dead, and the Spanish Main was a name to conjure +with. It brought one visions of desolate keys where treasure was hidden, +the rush of the lukewarm Gulf Stream over coral reefs, of palm-fringed +inlets up which the pinnaces had crept to cut out Spanish galleons, and +of old white cities that the buccaneers had sacked. Tragic and heroic +memories haunted that blue sea, and although luxurious mail boats plowed +it now, the passions of the old desperados still burned in the hearts of +men. + +Walthew was smooth-faced, somewhat ingenuous, and marked by boyish +humor, but Evelyn had noticed his athletic form, and thought he could be +determined. He was no doubt proficient in sports that demanded strength +and nerve. For all that, it was Grahame and his hawk-like look that her +thoughts dwelt most upon, for something about him suggested that he had +already found the adventures his comrade was seeking. He was a soldier +of fortune, who had taken wounds and perhaps still bore their scars. She +remembered the cool judgment he had shown when he came to her rescue. + +Walthew disturbed her reflections. + +"It will be some time before Andrew fixes your gaff, and there's no use +in trying to hurry him," he said. "He's an artist in metal, and never +lets up until he's satisfied with a job. So, as you must wait and we +have a kettle on the forge below, I can offer you some tea and I'd like +your opinion of the biscuit I've been baking for supper." + +Evelyn felt doubtful. She was spending the afternoon in a way her mother +would certainly not approve of, but she could not get ashore until the +gaff was mended. Besides, it was pleasant to sit under the awning with +the fresh sea breeze on her face and listen to the splash of the combers +on the bows. Then she was interested in her companions. They were +different from the rather vapid loungers she would have been talking to +had she stayed at the hotel. + +She let Walthew go and then turned to Grahame. + +"Have you known your partner long?" she asked. + +"No; I met him for the first time in New Orleans a few months ago." + +"I asked because he's a type that I'm well acquainted with," Evelyn +explained. + +"And you would not have expected to find him cooking and cleaning +engines on a boat like this?" + +"No; they're rather unusual occupations for a conventionally brought up +young American." + +Grahame smiled. + +"I understand that Walthew might have enjoyed all the comforts your +civilization has to offer, but he preferred the sea. Perhaps I'm +prejudiced, but I don't blame him. There's a charm in freedom and the +wide horizon." + +"Yes," she agreed thoughtfully, looking across the blue water; "I +suppose that's true. If a man has the courage to break away, he can +follow his bent. It's different with women. We're securely fenced in; +our corral walls are high." + +"They keep trouble out. Hardship and danger aren't pleasant things, and +after a time the romance of the free-lance's life wears off. One +sometimes looks longingly at the sheltered nooks that men with settled +habits occupy." + +"And yet you follow your star!" + +"Star's too idealistic; my bent is better. What's born in one must have +its way. This is perhaps most convenient when it's an inherited genius +for making money." + +"It's useful to oneself and others," Evelyn agreed. "But do these +talents run in the blood?" + +"It seems so," Grahame answered, and was quiet for a time, languidly +watching the girl and wondering how far his statement was true. + +It might be argued that the strongest family strains must be weakened by +marriage, and their salient characteristics disappear in a few +generations, but he felt strangely akin to the mosstroopers of his name +who scourged the Scottish Border long ago. Their restlessness and lust +of adventure were his. This, however, was not a matter of much +consequence. Chance had thrown him into the company of a pretty and +intelligent girl, and he must try to entertain her. + +"You're fond of the sea and adventurous, or you wouldn't have driven +that little sloop so far out under full sail," he said. + +"Oh," she admitted, smiling, "that was partly because I wanted to show +my skill and was ashamed to turn back when the breeze freshened." + +Grahame laughed. He liked her frankness. + +"After all," he said, "it's a feeling that drives a good many of us on. +A weakness, perhaps, but it may be better than excessive caution." + +"A matter of opinion. Of course, if you determine never to do anything +foolish, you're apt to do nothing at all. But I'm afraid I can't throw +much light upon these subjects.... Here comes our tea." + +It was drinkable, but Evelyn thought the biscuit could undoubtedly have +been better. For all that, she enjoyed the meal, and when it was over +Macallister appeared with the mended gaff. + +"I'm thinking yon will never bend or jamb," he said, indicating the +beautifully finished pieces of brass-work. + +Evelyn thanked him, and soon afterward Grahame helped her into the boat +and hoisted the reefed sail. The wind was still fresh, but the sloop ran +shoreward safely, with the sparkling seas ranging up on her quarter, and +Grahame admired the grace of the neat, blue-clad figure at the helm. The +rushing breeze and the flying spray had brought a fine color into the +girl's face and a brightness to her eyes. + +As they neared the beach, a gasolene launch came plunging out to meet +them, and Evelyn laughed as she turned to Grahame. + +"I've been missed at last," she said. "That's my father coming to look +for me." + +The launch swung round close alongside and Grahame recognized that he +was being subjected to a keen scrutiny by a man on board. The broken +water, however, made explanations impossible, and the launch followed +the sloop to the inlet, where Evelyn neatly brought the craft up to the +landing. On getting ashore, she spoke to Cliffe, and he thanked Grahame +and invited him to the hotel. Grahame politely declined, but agreed to +borrow the launch to take him on board. + +As he was leaving, Evelyn held out her hand. + +"It was fortunate that my difficulties began when I was near your boat, +and I don't altogether regret them. I have spent a pleasant afternoon," +she said. + +Grahame bowed and turned away; but somewhat to his surprise, he found +his thoughts return to his guest as the launch carried him back to the +steamer. The girl was cultured and intelligent, perhaps a little +romantic, and unspoiled by luxury; but this was nothing to him. There +were times when he felt lonely and outcast from his kind, for until he +met Walthew his comrades had generally been rough and broken men. Some +years ago he had been a favorite with well-bred women; but he never met +them on terms of friendship now. He was poor, and would no doubt remain +so, since he had not the gift of making money; but an untrammeled, +wandering life had its advantages. + +With a smile at his brief relapse into sentiment, he resolved to forget +Miss Cliffe; but he found it strangely difficult to occupy his mind with +calculations about stores for the coming voyage. + +Evelyn related her adventure to her mother, who listened with strong +disapproval. Mrs. Cliffe was a thin, keen-eyed woman, with social +ambitions and some skill in realizing them. + +"If you hadn't been so rash as to go out alone, this wouldn't have +happened," she remarked. "You must really be more careful." + +"I couldn't prevent the gaff's jambing," Evelyn replied. + +"That is not what I meant. After all, nobody in the hotel knows much +about the matter, and there is, of course, no need to do more than bow +to the men if you meet them at the landing, though it would be better to +avoid this, if possible. A small favor of the kind they did you does not +justify their claiming your acquaintance." + +"Father wanted to bring one of them here." + +"Your father is a man of business, and has very little discretion in +social matters," Mrs. Cliffe replied. "If Reggie cannot go with you, +take the hotel boatman when you next go sailing." + +Evelyn did not answer, but she disagreed with the views her mother had +expressed, and she resolved to leave Reggie ashore. For one thing, he +was not of much use in a boat. Yet it was curious that she had once been +pleased to take him out. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN + + +The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still. A full moon +rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the +royal palms cut in feathery silhouette. Evelyn was sitting in the hotel +garden with Reginald Gore. A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, +where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one +or two of the women knew where she was and envied her. This once would +have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and +although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened +quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach. The roar of the surf had a +disturbing effect; she felt that it called, urging her to follow her +star and launch out on the deep. Her companion was silent, and she +wondered what he was thinking about, or if, as seemed more likely, his +mind was vacant. She found him irritating to-night. + +Gore was the finished product of a luxurious age: well-bred, +well-taught, and tastefully dressed. His father had made a fortune out +of railroad stock, and although Reginald had not the ability to increase +it, he spent it with prudence. He had a good figure, and a pleasant +face, but Evelyn suspected that his highest ambition was to lounge +through life gracefully. + +Evelyn knew her mother's plans regarding him, and had, to some extent, +fallen in with them. Reggie had much that she valued to offer, but she +now and then found him tiresome. He stood for the luxurious, but, in a +sense, artificial life, with which she was growing dissatisfied. She +felt that she wanted stirring, and must get into touch with the real +things. + +"You're not talkative," she remarked, watching the lights of the +_Enchantress_ that swung and blinked with the tossing swell. + +"No," he agreed good-humoredly. "Doesn't seem to be much to talk about." + +There was silence for a few moments; then Evelyn put into words a train +of thoughts that was forming indistinctly in her mind. + +"You have never done anything very strenuous in life. You have had all +the pleasure money can provide one. Are you content?" + +"On the whole, yes. Aren't you?" + +"No," said Evelyn thoughtfully. "I believe I haven't really been content +for a long time, but I didn't know it. The mind can be doped, but the +effect wears off and you feel rather startled when you come to +yourself." + +Gore nodded. + +"I know! Doesn't last, but it's disturbing. When I feel like that, I +take a soothing drink." + +Evelyn laughed, for his answer was characteristic. He understood, to +some extent, but she did not expect him to sympathize with the +restlessness that had seized her. Reggie would never do anything rash or +unconventional. Hitherto she had approved his caution. She had enjoyed +the comfortable security of her station, had shared her mother's +ambitions, and looked upon marriage as a means of rising in the social +scale. Her adventurous temperament had found some scope in exciting +sports and in an occasional flirtation that she did not carry far; but +she was now beginning to feel that life had strange and wonderful things +to offer those who had the courage to seize them. She had never +experienced passion--perhaps because her training had taught her to +dread it; but her imagination was now awake. + +Her visit to the _Enchantress_ had perhaps had something to do with +these disturbing feelings, but not, she argued, because she was +sentimentally attracted by her rescuer. It was the mystery in which +Grahame's plans were wrapped that was interesting. He was obviously the +leader of the party and about to engage in some rash adventure on seas +the buccaneers had sailed. This, of course, was nothing to her; but +thinking of him led her to wonder whether she might not miss much by +clinging too cautiously to what she knew was safe. + +With a soft laugh she turned to Gore. + +"Tell me about the dance they're getting up. I hear you are one of the +stewards," she said. + +It was a congenial topic, and as she listened to her companion's talk +Evelyn felt that she was being drawn back to secure, familiar ground. + +Cliffe, in the meanwhile, had come out in search of her and, seeing how +she was engaged, had strolled into the hotel bar. A tall, big-boned man, +dressed in blue serge with brass buttons on his jacket, was talking at +large, and Cliffe, stopping to listen, thought the tales he told with +dry Scottish humor were good. + +"You are the engineer who mended the gaff of my daughter's boat," Cliffe +said. "I must thank you for that; it was a first-rate job." + +"It might have been worse," Macallister modestly replied. "Are ye a +mechanic then?" + +"No; but I know good work when I see it." + +"I'm thinking that's a gift, though ye may not use it much. It's no' +good work the world's looking for." + +"True," agreed Cliffe; "perhaps we're too keen on what will pay." + +"Ye mean what will pay the first user. An honest job is bound to pay +somebody in the end." + +"Well, I guess that's so. You're a philosopher." + +Macallister grinned. + +"I have been called worse names, and maybe with some cause. Consistency +gets monotonous. It's better to be a bit of everything, as the humor +takes ye." + +"What kind of engines has your boat?" Cliffe asked. He was more at home +when talking practical matters. + +"As fine a set o' triples as I've clapped my eyes upon, though they have +been shamefully neglectit." + +"And what speed can you get out of her?" + +"A matter o' coal," Macallister answered with a twinkle. "A seven-knot +bat will suit our purse best." + +Cliffe saw that further questions on this point would be injudicious, +but the man interested him, and he noted the flag on his buttons. + +"Well," he said, "the _Enchantress_ must be a change from the liners you +have sailed in." + +"I find that. But there's aye some compensation. I have tools a man can +work with, and oil that will keep her running smooth. Ye'll maybe ken +there's a difference in engine stores." + +"I've heard my manufacturing friends say something of the kind." + +Cliffe ordered refreshment, and quietly studied his companion. The man +had not the reserve he associated with the Scot, but a dash and a +reckless humor, which are, nevertheless, essentially Scottish too. +Cliffe wondered curiously what enterprise he and his companions were +engaged upon, but he did not think Macallister would tell him. If the +others were like this fellow, he imagined that they would carry out +their plans, for he read resolution as well as daring in the Scot's +character; besides, he had been favorably impressed by Grahame. + +After some further talk, Macallister left, and Cliffe joined his wife +and daughter. + +The next morning, Evelyn, getting up before most of the other guests, +went out on the balcony in front of her room and looked across the bay. +The sun was not yet hot, and a fresh breeze flecked the blue water with +feathery streaks of white, while the wet beach glistened dazzlingly. +There was a refreshing, salty smell, and for a few minutes the girl +enjoyed the grateful coolness; then she felt that something was missing +from the scene, and noticed that the _Enchantress_ had vanished. The +adventurers had sailed in the night. On the whole she was conscious of +relief. They had gone and she could now get rid of the restlessness that +their presence had caused. After all, there was peril in the longing for +change; it was wiser to be satisfied with the security and solid comfort +which surrounded her. + +Looking down at a footstep, she saw Gore strolling about the lawn, +faultlessly dressed in light flannel, with a Panama hat. There was not +a crease in his clothes that was out of place; the color scheme was +excellent--even his necktie was exactly the right shade. He stood for +all her mother had taught her to value: wealth, leisure, and cultivated +taste. Reggie was a man of her own kind; she had nothing in common with +the bronzed, tar-stained Grahame, whose hawk-like look had for the +moment stirred her imagination. + +"You look like the morning," Gore called up to her. "Won't you come down +and walk to the beach? The sun and breeze are delightful, and we'll have +them all to ourselves." + +Evelyn noticed the hint of intimacy, but it did not jar upon her mood, +and she smiled as she answered that she would join him. + +A few minutes later, they walked along the hard, white sand, breathing +the keen freshness of the spray. + +"What made you get up so soon?" Evelyn asked. + +"It's not hard to guess. I was waiting for my opportunity. You're in the +habit of rising in good time." + +"Well," she said with a bantering air, "I think waiting for +opportunities is a habit of yours. Of course, you have some excuse for +this." + +Gore looked puzzled for a moment and then laughed. + +"I see what you mean. As a rule, the opportunities come to me." + +"Don't they? I wonder whether you're much happier than the men who have +to make, or look for, them." + +"I can't say, because I haven't tried that plan. I can't see why I +should look for anything, when I don't have to. Anyway, I guess I'm a +pretty cheerful person and easy to get on with. It's the strivers +who're always getting after something out of reach that give you jars." + +"You're certainly not a striver," Evelyn agreed. "However, you seem to +have all a man could want." + +"Not quite," he answered. "I'll confess that I'm not satisfied yet, but +I try to make the most of the good things that come along--and I'm glad +I got up early. It's a glorious morning!" + +Evelyn understood. Reggie was not precipitate and feared a rebuff. She +believed that she could have him when she liked, but he would look for +some tactful sign of her approval before venturing too far. The trouble +was that she did not know if she wanted him. + +She changed the subject, and they paced the beach, engaged in +good-humored banter, until the breakfast gong called them back to the +hotel. + +In the afternoon, however, Evelyn's mood changed again. The breeze died +away and it was very hot. Everybody was languid, and she found her +friends dull. Although Gore tried to be amusing, his conversation was +unsatisfactory; and the girls about the hotel seemed more frivolous and +shallow than usual. None of these people ever did anything really worth +while! Evelyn did not know what she wished to do, but she felt that the +life she led was unbearably stale. + +When dark fell and the deep rumble of the surf filled the air, she sat +with her father in a quiet corner of the garden. + +"Didn't you say you might make a short business trip to the West +Indies?" she asked him. + +"Yes; I may have to spend a week in Havana." + +"Then I wish you would take me." + +"It might be arranged," said Cliffe. He seldom refused her anything. +"Your mother wouldn't come, but she has plenty of engagements at home. +Why do you want to go?" + +Evelyn found this hard to answer, but she tried to formulate her +thoughts. + +"Cuba is, of course, a new country to me, and I suppose we all feel a +mysterious attraction toward what is strange. Had you never a longing +for something different, something out of the usual run?" + +"I had when I was young." + +"But you don't feel it now?" + +"One learns to keep such fancies in their place when business demands +it," Cliffe answered with a dry smile. "I can remember times when I +wanted to go off camping in the Canadian Rockies and join a canoe trip +on Labrador rivers. Now and then in the hot weather the traffic in the +markets and the dusty offices make me tired. I'll confess that I've felt +the snow-peaks and the rapids call." + +"We went to Banff once," said Evelyn. "It was very nice." + +"But not the real thing! You saw the high peaks from the hotel garden +and the passes from an observation car. Then we made one or two +excursions with pack-horses, guides, and people like ourselves, where it +was quite safe to go. That was as much as your mother could stand for. +She'd no sympathy with my hankering after the lone trail." + +Evelyn could see his face in the moonlight, and she gave him a quick +look. Her father, it seemed, had feelings she had never suspected in +him. + +"But if you like the mountains, couldn't you enjoy them now?" + +"No," he said, rather grimly. "The grip of my business grows tighter all +the time. It costs a good deal to live as we do, and I must keep to the +beaten tracks that lead to places where money is made." + +"I sometimes think we are too extravagant and perhaps more ostentatious +than we need be," Evelyn said in a diffident tone. + +"We do what our friends expect and your mother has been accustomed to. +Then it's my pleasure to give my daughter every advantage I can and, +when the time for her to leave us comes, to see she starts fair." + +Evelyn was silent for a few moments, feeling touched. She had formed a +new conception of her father, who, she had thought, loved the making of +money for its own sake. Now it was rather startling to find that in +order to give her mother and herself all they could desire, he had held +one side of his nature in subjection and cheerfully borne a life of +monotonous toil. + +"I don't want to leave you," she said in a gentle voice. + +He looked at her keenly, and she saw that her mother had been speaking +to him about Gore. + +"Well," he responded, "I want to keep you as long as possible, but when +you want to go I must face my loss and make the best of it. In the +meanwhile, we'll go to Cuba if your mother consents." + +Evelyn put her hand affectionately on his arm. + +"Whatever happens," she said softly, "you won't fail me. I'm often +frivolous and selfish, but it's nice to know I have somebody I can +trust." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +ON THE SPANISH MAIN + + +There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the +_Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped. As she +swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and +the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro. It was difficult to +move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen +were seated forward with their backs against the rail. A comrade below +was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish +helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried. + +She drifted east with the Gulf Stream. Around her there hung a muggy +atmosphere pervaded with a curious, hothouse smell. Grahame stood in the +channels, heaving the lead. He found deep water, but white patches on +the northern horizon, where the expanse of sea was broken by spouts of +foam, marked a chain of reefs and keys that rose a foot or two above the +surface. A larger streak of white was fading into the haze astern, but +Grahame had carefully taken its compass bearings, because dusk, which +comes suddenly in the Bahama Channel, was not far away. He dropped the +lead on deck, and joined Macallister, who stood in the engine-room +doorway rubbing his hands with cotton waste. + +"No sign o' that steamboat yet?" the Scot asked. + +"It's hazy to the east," said Grahame. "We mightn't see her until she's +close if they're not making much smoke. Still, she ought to have turned +up last night." + +"She'll come. A tornado wouldna' stop her skipper when he had freight to +collect; but ye were wise in no' paying it in advance." + +"You haven't seen the fellow." + +"I've seen his employers," Macallister replied with a chuckle. "Weel I +ken what sort o' man would suit them. Gang canny when ye meet him, and +see ye get the goods before ye sign the bill o' lading." + +"I mean to take precautions. No first-class firm would touch our +business." + +"Verra true. And when ye find men who're no' particular about one thing, +ye cannot expect them to be fastidious about another. When I deal wi' +yon kind, I keep my een open." + +"Where's Walthew?" + +Macallister grinned. + +"Asleep below, wi' his hair full o' coal-dust, looking more like a +nigger than the son o' a rich American. Human nature's a verra curious +thing, but if he can stand another month, I'll hae hope o' him." + +"I think the lad's right. He wants to run his life on his own lines, and +he is willing to pay for testing them by experience." + +Grahame, glancing forward, suddenly became intent, for in one spot a +dingy smear thickened the haze. It slowly grew more distinct, and he +gave a seaman a quick order before he turned to his companion. + +"That must be the _Miranda_. You can start your mill as soon as we have +launched the dinghy." + +By the time the boat was in the water the steamer had crept out of the +mist. She came on fast: a small, two-masted vessel, with a white wave +beneath her full bows and a cloud of brown smoke trailing across the sea +astern. She was light, floating high above the water, which washed up +and down her wet side as she rolled. A few heads projected over the iron +bulwark near the break of the forecastle, and two men in duck stood on +the bridge. Studying them through the glasses, Grahame saw they had an +unkempt appearance, and he was not prepossessed in favor of the one whom +he took to be the captain. + +He rang the telegraph, and when the engines stopped he jumped into the +dinghy with Walthew and one of the seamen. Five minutes later, they +ceased rowing close to the steamer's side, which towered high above +them, red with rust along the water-line. The black paint was scarred +and peeling higher up, the white deckhouses and boats had grown dingy, +and there was about her a poverty-stricken look. The boat swung sharply +up and down a few lengths away, for the sea broke about the descending +rows of iron plates as the vessel rolled. + +"_Enchantress_, ahoy!" shouted one of the men on her bridge. "This is +the _Miranda_. S'pose you're ready for us?" + +"We've been ready for you since last night," Grahame replied. + +"Then you might have got your gig over. We can't dump the stuff into +that cockleshell." + +"You can't," Grahame agreed. "The gig's hardly big enough either, and I +won't risk her alongside in the swell that's running." + +"Then what do you expect me to do? Wait until it's smooth?" + +"No," said Grahame; "we'll have wind soon. You'll have to take her in +behind the reef, as your owners arranged. It's not far off and you'll +find good anchorage in six fathoms." + +"And lose a day! What do you think your few cases are worth to us?" + +"The freight agreed upon," Grahame answered coolly. "You can't collect +it until you hand our cargo over. I'll take you in behind the reef and +bring you out in three or four hours. There'll be a good moon." + +The skipper seemed to consult with the man beside him, and then waved +his hand. + +"All right! Go ahead with your steamer and show us the way." + +"I'd better come on board," Grahame answered. "It's an awkward place to +get into, but I know it well." + +A colored seaman threw them down a rope ladder, and, pulling in +cautiously, Grahame waited until the rolling hull steadied, when he +jumped. Walthew followed, and in a few moments they stood on the +_Miranda's_ deck. Walthew had been wakened when the boat was launched, +and he had not had much time to dress, but he wore a fairly clean duck +jacket over his coaly shirt. His bare feet were thrust into greasy +slippers, and smears of oil darkened the hollows round his eyes. + +One or two slouching deckhands watched the new arrivals with dull +curiosity, and a few more were busy forward opening the hatch. Grahame +thought the vessel a rather unfavorable specimen of the small, cheaply +run tramp, but when he reached the hatch the skipper came up. He was a +little man with a bluff manner, a hard face, and cunning eyes. + +"They'll have the cover off in a minute and you can see your stuff," he +said, and called to a man with a lantern: "Stand by with the light!" + +When the tarpaulin was rolled back, Grahame went down with a mate and +counted the wooden cases pointed out to him. After this, he examined +their marks and numbers and, going up, declared himself satisfied. + +"Now," said the skipper, "you can take us in; the sooner the better, +because it will be dark before long. Would you like a drink before you +start?" + +Grahame said that he would wait until he had finished his work. He +followed the skipper to the bridge, and rang the telegraph. + +The _Miranda_ went ahead, her propeller hurling up the foam as it +flapped round with half the blades out of the water, while the +_Enchantress_ crept slowly up her froth-streaked wake. Grahame, standing +at the wheel-house door, was glad that Walthew had come with him, +although this reduced his vessel's crew. Macallister, however, was +capable of managing his engines without assistance, for a time, and +could be trusted to take charge of the _Enchantress_ if necessary, for +Grahame did not think the hands would give him trouble. One was a Canary +Spaniard, whom they had picked up at Matanzas, a very simple and, +Grahame thought, honest fellow; the other three were stupid but +apparently good-humored half-breeds. Grahame would have preferred white +seamen but for the danger of their getting into trouble in parts where +wine was cheap and perhaps betraying the object of the voyage in +drunken boasts. His business would not bear talking about--and that was +why he distrusted the _Miranda's_ captain. + +The moon rose before the short twilight had changed to dark, and the +steamer moved on across the dimly glittering sea, until a long white +line grew plainer ahead. As they drew near, the line could be seen to +waver, gaining breadth and distinctness and then fading, while a dull +roar which had a regular beat in it mingled with the thud of the +engines. Though the _Miranda_ rolled and plunged, the surface of the +water was smooth as oil, and in the deep calm the clamor of the surf had +an ominous sound. Then another white patch appeared to starboard, and a +few moments later, a third to port. + +The captain was pacing up and down his bridge. + +"It's a puzzling light," he said, stopping near Grahame with a frown. "I +suppose you do know the place?" + +"Oh, yes," said Grahame carelessly. "We made a rough survey and took +soundings. But slow her down and use your lead if you like." + +"That's what I mean to do," the captain replied. + +He rang the telegraph, and when the beat of engines slackened a man +stood on a footboard outside the bridge, where a broad canvas belt was +fastened round his waist. Whirling the heavy plummet round his head, he +let it shoot forward to the break of the forecastle, and steadied the +line a moment when it ran vertically up and down. + +"By the deep, eight!" he called. + +"Starboard!" said Grahame, and there was silence except for the rumble +of the surf, while the quartermaster turned his wheel in the +glass-fronted house. + +In a few minutes the lead plunged down again. + +"By the mark, seven!" was announced. + +The captain gave Grahame a quick glance, and then looked ahead, where +there was something to occupy him, for at regular intervals the sea was +torn apart and a spout of foam and a cloud of spray shot up. Moreover, +the vessel was heading directly toward the dangerous spot. It was not +needful for Grahame to take her so close as he meant to do, but he had +reasons for letting the nearness of the reef appeal to the captain's +imagination. + +"And a quarter six!" the leadsman called. + +The captain grasped the telegraph. + +"If you mean to go any closer, I'll stop her and back out!" he said. +"Then you can tranship your goods outside or I'll take them on, as you +like." + +"We can let her come round now," Grahame answered, and beckoned to the +quartermaster. "Starboard. Steady at that!" + +The _Miranda_ swung until the frothy confusion on the reef, where the +swell broke in cascades of phosphorescent flame, bore abeam, and then a +similar troubled patch grew plain on the opposite bow. There was, +however, a smooth, dark strip between, and she followed it, shouldering +off a spangled wash, with the propeller beating slow. Ahead, a low, hazy +blur rose out of the sea, and when Grahame spoke to the captain the +windlass began to clank and indistinct figures became busy on the +forecastle. Then a gray strip of sand came into sight, and Grahame +nodded to the anxious captain. + +"You can let go here, but don't give her much cable." + +The anchor splashed from the bows, there was a roar of running chain, +the throb of the screw slowly turning astern, and a screaming of +startled birds. She brought up, the noise died away, and the silence was +emphasized by the clamor of the surf on the opposite shore of the key. +The captain looked about with a frown, for the desolation of the spot +and the nearness of the reefs had their effect on him. + +"Hail them to get your gig over at once, and then we'll have a drink," +he said. + +Macallister answered Grahame's shout, for the _Enchantress_ had anchored +close astern, and the boat was hanging from her davits when he followed +the captain into his room. The vessels rolled lazily and the swell broke +with a languid splash upon the beach, for the bight was sheltered by the +reefs. The small room was lighted by an oil lamp and was very hot. A +pilot coat, damp with salt, and a suit of oilskins swung to and fro +across the bulkhead, and a pair of knee-boots stood in a corner. Two or +three bad photographic portraits were tacked against the teakwood +paneling, but except for these, all that the room contained suggested +stern utility. + +Unlocking a cupboard, the captain took a bottle and some glasses from a +rack, and Walthew coughed as he tasted the fiery spirit. + +"That's powerful stuff, but the flavor's good," he said with an attempt +at politeness. + +A big, greasy man who the captain informed the others was Mr. James, his +chief engineer, came in. He sat down with his feet on the locker, and +helped himself liberally to the spirits. In the meanwhile the captain +put an inkstand on the small folding table. + +"You have the bill of lading; endorse it that you've got delivery, and +I'll give you a receipt for the freight." + +Grahame glanced at Walthew, who sat nearest the door, and the lad looked +out. + +"The gig's alongside, ready for the cases," he said. + +"We'll heave them up as soon as we've finished this business," the +captain replied. + +Grahame wrote a check and put it on the table with some American paper +currency. + +"Your owners have satisfied themselves that this will be met; I thought +I'd better keep the other amount separate." + +"That's all right," the captain returned; "but you're a hundred dollars +short." + +"I guess you're mistaken," Walthew said. "We've paid the freight, and a +bonus to yourself, as we promised because it was an awkward job. What +else do you want?" + +"A bonus for the engineer," the greasy mechanic answered with a grin. + +"Precisely," said the captain. + +"Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," Grahame said, and Walthew +picked up the check, which still lay on the table. + +There was silence for a few moments while the _Miranda's_ officers +looked hard at their visitors. Grahame's face was impassive, but there +was a gleam of amusement in Walthew's eyes. + +"Now, you listen to me," said the captain. "Mr. James is entitled to his +share, and he means to get it. You don't suppose he'd take a hand in a +risky job like this entirely for the benefit of the owners?" + +"Mr. James," said Walthew, "runs no risk that I can see. However, if +you think he has a right to something, you can divide with him." + +"No, sir! What you have given me is mine. But there's another point +you've overlooked. The crew expect a few dollars, and it might be wise +to satisfy them." + +Grahame smiled. + +"They certainly struck me as a hard crowd; but seamen don't rob +cargo-shippers nowadays. Then it's difficult to imagine that you told +them what's in the cases. In fact, the way they obeyed your mate +suggested that there's not much liking between men and officers on board +this packet. If there was any trouble, I don't know that they'd take +your side." + +The captain frowned; and James drained his glass again and then struck +the table. + +"Think something of yourselves, I reckon, but we've come out on top with +smarter folks than you. Put down your money like gentlemen, and say no +more." + +"It's good advice," the captain added meaningly. + +"Guess we disagree," Walthew said, putting the check into his pocket. +"You haven't got your freight payment yet." + +"Do you think you can keep that check?" + +"Well," said Walthew coolly, "we could cable the bank to stop payment +from the nearest port. For that matter, I'm not certain that you could +take it back." + +"We're willing to try," the big engineer scowled. + +"And you don't get the goods until we're satisfied," the captain added. + +"May I ask what you would do with the cases? They're consigned to us, +and you'd have some trouble in passing them through a foreign customs +house. They open things and inspect the contents when the duty's high." + +"We could dump them overboard. Better do the fair thing by us and get +delivery." + +"I don't think we're unfair," Walthew replied. "We engaged with your +owners to pay a stipulated freight, and added a bonus for the skipper. +Now we put down the money and want our goods." + +"The winch that heaves them up doesn't start without my order," James +said with an ugly laugh. + +Grahame turned to the captain with a gesture of weariness. + +"We don't seem to get much farther! I suspect you've forgotten +something. How much a day does it cost you to run this ship?" + +"What has that got to do with it?" the captain asked curtly. + +"Well," said Grahame coolly, "there's a risk of your stopping here for +some time. It's an awkward place to get out of unless you know it well; +particularly when it's blowing fresh. The Northers hardly reach so far, +but they unsettle the weather, and when the wind's from seaward a strong +eddy stream runs through the bight. Perhaps you may have noticed that +the glass is falling fast." + +The captain looked disturbed; but he was not to be beaten so easily. + +"You don't get back on board your boat until you've taken us out!" he +threatened. + +"I can take you out to-night, but if you miss your chance and have to +wait we can afford it best. Our expenses aren't heavy, but you'll have +to account to your owners for the delay that won't cost us much. +Besides, you'd be forced to keep steam up in case she dragged; it's bad +holding ground." + +There was silence for a few moments, and then the captain made a sign of +surly acquiescence. + +"Very well; we won't argue about the bonus. Give me the check." + +"I think we'll wait until the cases are transhipped," Walthew said with +a smile. + +"Give them steam for the winch, Mr. James," the captain ordered; and the +engineer slouched away. + +The winch began to rattle and an hour or two later Grahame went up to +the bridge while the anchor was broken out. When the men were stowing it +the engines throbbed and the _Miranda_ turned her head toward open +water. In another half hour the propeller stopped and the captain turned +to his guests with a grin as the _Enchantress's_ gig came alongside. + +"I expect the dagoes you're shipping those rifles for will find you hard +to beat," he said. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +MANGROVE CREEK + + +There was not a ripple on the sea when the _Enchantress_, steaming +slowly, closed with the coast. The glittering water broke with a drowsy +murmur at her bows and turned from silver to a deep blue in the shadow +of the hull; her wake was marked by silky whirls on the back of the +swell. It was four o'clock in the afternoon, the sea flung back a +dazzling light, and Grahame's eyes ached as he searched the approaching +land with his glasses. + +Far back, blue mountains loomed through haze and the foreground was +blurred and dim. One could not tell where the low expanse began or +ended, though a broad, dark fringe, which Grahame knew was forest, +conveyed some idea of distance. In one or two spots, a streak of white +indicated surf upon a point, but the picture was flooded with a glare in +which separate objects lost distinctness. Blue and gray and silver +melted into one another without form or salient line. + +Grahame put down the glasses and turned to the seaman near him. Miguel +was getting old, but his tall figure was strong, and he stood, finely +posed, with a brown hand on the wheel. His face was rugged, but he had +clear, blue eyes that met one with a curious child-like gaze. He was +barefooted and his thin cotton trousers and canvas jacket were +spotlessly clean, though Grahame imagined he had made the latter out of +a piece of old awning they had meant to throw away. + +"You come from the Canaries, don't you, Miguel?" Grahame asked in +Castilian. "It is not so hot there." + +"From San Sebastian, señor, where the trade-breeze blows and the +date-palms grow. My house stands among the tuna-figs beside the +mule-track to the mountains." + +"Then you have a house? Who takes care of it while you are away?" + +"My señora. She packs the tomatoes they send to England. It is hard work +and one earns a peseta a day." + +"Then why did you leave her?" Grahame asked, for he knew that a peseta, +which is equal to about twenty cents, will not buy much of the coarse +maize-flour the Canary peasants live upon. + +"There came a great tempest, and when my three boats were wrecked +something must be done. My sons were drawn for the navy; they had no +money to send. For years, señor, I was captain of a schooner fishing +_bacalao_ on the African coast, and when I came home to catch tunny for +the Italian factory things went very well. Then the gale swept down from +the peaks one night and in the morning the boats were matchwood on the +reef." + +"Ah!" said Grahame. He could sympathize, for he too had faced what at +the time had seemed to be overwhelming disaster. "So you sailed to look +for better fortune somewhere else? You hope to go back to San Sebastian +some day?" + +"If my saint is kind. But perhaps it is well that he is a very great +angel, for fortune is not always found when one looks for it at sea." + +There was no irony in Miguel's answer; his manner was quietly dignified. +Indeed, though he had been taught nothing except rudimentary seamanship, +he had the bearing of a fine gentleman. + +"Wages are good in English and American ships," Grahame resumed, feeling +that he was guilty of impertinence. "Sometimes you are able to send the +señora a few dollars?" + +"I send all but a little to buy clothes when I go where it is cold, and +my señora buries the money to buy another boat if it is permitted that I +return. Once or twice a year comes a letter, written by the priest, and +I keep it until I find a man who can read it to me." + +Grahame was touched. There was something pathetic in the thought of this +untaught exile's patiently carrying the precious letters until he met +somebody who could read his language. + +"Well," he said, "if things go well with us, you will get a bonus +besides your wages, which should make it easier for you to go home. But +you understand there is danger in what we may have to do." + +Miguel smiled. + +"Señor, there is always danger on the sea." + +Grahame turned and saw Walthew standing in the engine-room door. He wore +dirty overalls and a singlet torn open at the neck, there was a smear of +oil across his face, and his hands were black and scarred. + +"What on earth have you been doing?" Grahame asked. + +"Lying on my back for two hours, trying to put a new packing in the +gland of a pump." + +"Well, who would have predicted a year ago that you would be amusing +yourself this way now!" + +Walthew laughed. + +"Do you know where we are?" he asked. + +"I imagine we're not far off the creek; in fact, we might risk making +the signal smoke. It will be dark enough to head inshore in a few +hours." + +"Then we'll get to work with the fires," said Walthew, promptly +disappearing below. + +Soon afterward, a dense black cloud rose from the funnel and, trailing +away behind the _Enchantress_, spread across the sky. Grahame knew that +it might be seen by unfriendly watchers, but other steamers sometimes +passed the point for which he was steering. After a while he signaled +for less steam, and only a faint, widening ripple marked the +_Enchantress's_ passage through the water as she closed obliquely with +the land. It was still blurred, and in an hour Grahame stopped the +engines and took a cast of the lead. Dark would come before long, when, +if they had reached the right spot, signals would be made. In the +meanwhile it would be imprudent to venture nearer. + +Walthew and one of the seamen set out a meal on deck and when it was +eaten they lounged on the stern grating, smoking and waiting. There was +dangerous work before them; and, to make things worse, it must be done +in the dark, because the moon now shone in the daytime. It was very hot, +and a steamy, spicy smell drifted off the coast, which grew less +distinct as the darkness settled down. A faint rumble of surf reached +them from an unseen beach, rising and falling with a rhythm in it. The +black smoke had been stopped and thin gray vapor rose straight up from +the funnel. The quietness and the suspense began to react upon the men's +nerves; they felt impatient and highly strung, but they talked as +carelessly as they could. + +Then in the quietness the roar of the sea on sandy shoals reached them +ominously clear. Grahame glanced shoreward, but could see nothing, for +the sun had gone and a thin mist was spreading across the low littoral. + +"We're drifting inshore," he said. "As soon as I get four fathoms we'll +steam out. Try a cast of the lead." + +Walthew swung the plummet and they heard it strike the sea. + +"Half a fathom to the good," he called as he coiled up the wet line. +Then he stopped, looking toward the land. "What's that?" he said. +"Yonder, abreast of the mast?" + +A twinkling light appeared in the mist and grew brighter. + +"A fire, I think," Grahame answered quietly. "Still, one's not enough." + +A second light began to glimmer, and soon another farther on. + +Macallister chuckled. + +"Ye're a navigator. Our friends are ready. I've seen many a worse +landfall made by highly-trained gentlemen with a big mail company's +buttons." + +"A lucky shot; but you had better stand by below. Start her easy." + +He blew three blasts on the whistle, and the fires went out while the +_Enchantress_ moved slowly shoreward through the gloom. Miguel held the +wheel and Grahame stood near by, watching the half-breed who swung the +lead. Presently another light twinkled, and, listening hard, Grahame +heard the splash of paddles. Stopping the engines, he waited until a +low, gray object crept out of the mist and slid toward the steamer's +side. Ropes were thrown and when the canoe was made fast the first of +the men who came up ceremoniously saluted Grahame. + +"You bring the goods all right?" he asked. + +"They're ready. If it makes no difference, I'd rather wait until +to-morrow before delivering them. I understand the beach is mostly +mangrove swamp, and it's a dark night to take the steamer up the creek." + +"To-morrow she be seen; the coast is watch by spy," said the other in +his quaint English; then indicated his companion. "Dese man he takes her +anywhere." + +Grahame hesitated. + +Secrecy was essential, and if he waited for daylight and was seen by +watchers who had noticed the smoke in the afternoon he might not have an +opportunity for landing another cargo. For all that, knowing nothing +about his pilot's skill, he imagined he ran some risk of grounding if he +took the steamer in. Risks, however, could not be avoided. + +"Very well," he decided. "Send him to the wheel." + +He kept the lead going as the _Enchantress_ crept forward, and was +relieved to find that the water got no shallower. It looked as if the +pilot were following a channel, for the wash of the sea on hidden shoals +began to rise from both sides. Except for this and the measured throb of +the engines, there was deep silence, but after a while the vessel, which +had been rolling gently, grew steady, and Grahame thought he could hear +the water she threw off splash upon a beach. He looked about eagerly, +but there was nothing to be seen. This creeping past invisible dangers +was daunting, but he felt comforted as he glanced at the motionless, +dark figure at the helm. The fellow showed no hesitation; it was obvious +that he knew his business. + +Through the darkness low trees loomed up ahead, and shortly afterward +another clump abeam. Mist clung about them, there was not much space +between, and the absence of any gurgle at the bows indicated that the +_Enchantress_ was steaming up the inlet with the tide. The lead showed +sufficient water, but Grahame had misgivings, for the creek seemed to be +getting narrower. It was, however, too late to turn back; he must go on +and trust to luck. + +Some time later a light appeared among the trees, and the pilot ordered +the engines to be stopped. Then he pulled the helm over and waved his +hand as the _Enchantress_ swung inshore. + +"_La ancla!_" he cried. "Let her go!" + +There was a splash and a sharp rattle of chain, and when the +_Enchantress_ stopped the beat of paddles came out of the gloom. Then +the cargo-lamp was lighted and in a few minutes a group of men climbed +on board. Some were dusky half-breeds, but two or three seemed to be of +pure Spanish extraction. Grahame took these below, where they carefully +examined the cases. When they were satisfied they followed him to the +deck-cabin, and Walthew brought them some wine. One man gave Grahame a +check on an American bank, and shortly afterward the work of getting up +the cargo began. + +Everybody became suddenly busy. Shadowy figures dragged the cases about +the shallow hold and fixed the slings. Dark-skinned men, dripping with +perspiration, slackened guys and swung the derrick-boom while canoes +crept into the light of the cargo-lamp and vanished, loaded, into the +dark. The stir lasted for some time, and then, after the cases had all +been hoisted over the side, the white men among the shore party shook +hands with their hosts. + +"It is all right," said the spokesman. "We are ready for the next lot +when you get back." + +"I suppose your man will be here in the morning to take us out?" Grahame +asked, because he had been told that it was too late to leave the creek +that tide. + +"If nothing is happen, he certainly come." + +The visitors got on board their canoe, and it slid off into the mist. +When the splash of paddles died away, an oppressive silence settled down +on the vessel, and the darkness seemed very thick, for the big +cargo-lamp had been put out. After the keen activity a reaction had set +in: the men were tired and felt the heat. + +"It's lonesome," Macallister remarked, and sniffed disgustedly. "Like a +hothouse in a botanic garden when they've full steam on, with a dash o' +Glasgow sewer thrown in. In fact, ye might call the atmosphere a wee bit +high." + +"I don't suppose you found it very fresh in West Africa," Walthew +replied. + +"I did not. That's maybe the reason the ague grips me noo and then. +Ye'll learn something about handling engines when it takes me bad. This +is a verra insidious smell." + +"The mosquitos are worse," Grahame said. "I wonder whether there are +many of them about? Anyway, I'd like a warp taken out and made fast to +the trees. There's not much room to swing, and though the flood +generally runs harder than the ebb in these places, one can't count on +that." + +Walthew got into the boat with Miguel and one of the crew, and came back +half an hour later, smeared with mire and wet to the waist. + +"We've made the rope fast, but this creek has no beach," he said. "The +trees grow out of the water, and you slip off their roots into holes +filled with slime. Couldn't feel any bottom in one or two, and I was +mighty glad I caught a branch. In fact, we've had a rather harrowing +experience." + +"Get your wet clothes off and take some quinine before you go to sleep," +Grahame advised; and when Walthew left him he watched the men heave the +warp tight. + +Soon afterward the crew went below, except for one who kept +anchor-watch. The ebb tide was running strong, and Grahame was not quite +satisfied about the way the vessel was moored. It was, however, +impossible to make her more secure in the dark, and, getting sleepy +presently, he left his seat on the stern grating and went to his berth. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE TRAITOR + + +Grahame was awakened by a crash. Springing half asleep from his berth, +he scrambled out on deck. Thick darkness enveloped the steamer and at +first he could see nothing. Then as his eyes grew accustomed to the +gloom, he made out indistinct black trees in the mist. They were sliding +past and he knew the warp had broken and the _Enchantress_ would swing +inshore before her cable brought her up. This must be prevented, if +possible, for the creek was narrow and shoal. + +Jumping on the stern grating he gave his orders, and they were obeyed. +He saw Macallister, in pajamas, dive into the engine-room, and the screw +began to throb; then barefooted men sprang into the boat alongside, and +a heavy rope ran out across the rail. There was nothing more to be done +for a few moments and, lashing the wheel, Grahame hurriedly lighted a +pyrotechnic flare. The strong blue radiance drove back the gloom, and +the water glittered among cakes of floating scum. Then the bright beam +picked out the boat, with Walthew toiling, half-naked, at an oar, and +Miguel's tall figure bending to and fro as he sculled astern. Another +man was rowing forward, and his tense pose told of determined effort, +but he vanished as the light moved on. + +The rope the crew were taking out fixed Grahame's attention. It crawled +through the water in heavy coils, like a snake, holding the boat back +while the stream swept her sideways. He did not think she could reach +the opposite bank, though the _Enchantress_ was sheering that way to +help her. Then the light forced up a patch of greasy mud in which +crawling things wriggled, and, passing on, picked out foul, dark caves +among the mangrove roots. After that, it touched the rows of slender +trunks and was lost in impenetrable gloom. + +A few moments later the flare, burning low, scorched Grahame's fingers +and he flung it over the rail. It fell with a hiss into the creek and +bewildering darkness shut down. There was now no guide but the strain on +the helm, and Grahame began to be afraid of breaking out the anchor. For +a time the splash of oars continued, telling of the tense struggle that +went on in the gloom, but it stopped suddenly and he knew the men were +beaten. Ringing off the engines, he ran forward with a deckhand to drop +the kedge anchor. It was heavy, an arm was foul of something, and they +could not drag it clear, until a dim object appeared close by. + +"Heave!" cried a breathless voice. "Handy, noo! Away she goes!" + +There was a splash and a rattle as the chain ran out, a thud as the +returning boat came alongside, and then the vessel quivered, listed down +on one side, and became motionless. + +"I'm thinking she's hard and fast, but we'll try to shake her off," +Macallister said and vanished, and soon the engines began to turn. + +The _Enchantress_ trembled, straining hard and rattling, but when +somebody lighted the cargo-lamp, which still hung from a boom, it could +not be seen that she moved. The light showed a narrow stretch of water, +sliding past, blotched with foul brown foam. Then it fell upon the +boat's crew, who had come on board, and Grahame saw that Walthew was +gasping for breath. His flushed face was wet and drawn with effort, and +his bare arms and neck were marked by small red spots. + +"Sorry we couldn't manage to reach the bank," he panted. "Warp kept +getting across her and the stream was running fast. But I'd better help +Mack." + +"Sit still a minute," Grahame said. "What are those marks on your neck?" + +"Mosquito bites, I guess. Hadn't time to swat the brutes; they were +pretty fierce." + +The deck was now slanting steeply, and Grahame, looking over the rail, +saw a wet strip a foot broad between the dry planks and the water. + +"You can tell Mack to shut off steam," he said. "She's here until next +tide and I'm not certain we can float her then." + +The engines stopped, there was by contrast a curious stillness, and the +men went below; but Grahame spent some time studying a chart of the +coast and a nautical almanac before he went to sleep. + + * * * * * + +When the cases had been safely landed, the little group of Spaniards and +half-breeds separated, some following the coastline going south, others +finding a narrow path that led through the jungle beyond the +mangrove-trees. Bio, the peon pilot, lingered behind. There was no +moon, but the night was not really dark, for the sky was jeweled with +stars which covered the earth with a soft, mystic radiance. + +When the footsteps of the others had died away and the night was quiet, +Bio started slowly down the jungle path. It opened out into a flat +stretch of sandy land and then was lost in a plantation of coffee-trees. +Beyond the coffee plantation was an uncultivated space known to the +natives as _La colina del sol_ (The Hill of the Sun) because of the many +broad rocks upon which the sun beat down in all its intensity. Here and +there a wild date-palm grew, and an occasional clump of bananas; but +except for that the hill was covered with low shrubbery and a blanket of +trailing vines, which now were wet with the dew. + +Bio went directly to one of the rocks and stood upon it looking upward +at the stars. The warmth that still remained in the rock was pleasant to +his damp, bare feet. The air about him was filled with the soft flutter +of moths and other honey-seekers; the heavy perfume of a white jasmine +came to him, mingled with the sweet odor of the night-blooming cereus. +At his side an insect chirped, and above him a whistling frog gave +answer. + +These wild night sounds found quick response in Bio's Indian blood. With +an odd little smile of content, he stretched out on the rock to +listen--and to sleep. At high tide he would have to return to take the +boat out of Mangrove Creek; what better place to wait than _La colina +del sol_? + +He awakened shortly after daybreak, very hungry; but he knew where he +could get a pleasant breakfast before returning to the boat. With a +comfortable yawn and stretch, he left the rock and pattered off down +the hill to a path that led to the main road. A half mile down this +stood a little adobe house owned by a Spaniard who was suspected of +sympathizing with the revolutionists although he had many friends among +the _rurales_. + +When Bio reached the house he gave his customary signal--a stick drawn +harshly across the iron gratings at the window; and the door was soon +opened by Filodomo himself. A hasty conversation followed, and Bio went +back to the kitchen while Filodomo aroused his daughter. And when the +black-eyed Rosita came tripping out, with the flush of sleep still on +her, Bio all but forgot the _yanqui_ señores and their boat which waited +in Mangrove Creek. + +He was enjoying his breakfast so much, indeed, that he did not hear +Filodomo talking loudly in the front room. Rosita was more alert. She +paused a moment to listen, and then the laughter in her eyes changed to +quick alarm. + +"_Los rurales!_" she whispered. + +Bio was on his feet instantly. The _rurales_ had several counts against +him, and he knew what his life would be worth if he were caught. Rosita, +too, seemed to know. She led him quickly to the low window and pointed +to a narrow path that led through a field of cane. Bio lost no time. As +he disappeared among the green stalks, the girl gave a sigh of relief; +and then hurried into the front room to put the _rurales_ off his path. + +Bio made his way quickly but cautiously through the cane-field, meaning +to double back to _La colina del sol_; but as he left the cane and +rounded a gigantic calabash-tree he ran directly into the arms of two +young _rurales_. + +"Not so fast, my friend," said one of them, grabbing him. + +"Bio!" exclaimed the other. + +And Bio knew there was no hope of escape. The _rurales_ were only too +eager for the credit of capturing him and taking him to headquarters. + +Four days later he found himself in a military camp and was led at once +to the officer in charge. During all the questions of the _rurales_ he +had maintained a sullen silence; but now he was forced to speak. + +"We are told that the revolutionists are getting rifles from a little +boat that lands them at impossible places," the officer said. "Only a +pilot with your knowledge of the coast could bring in such a boat. Tell +us what you know!" + +Bio did not answer. + +The officer leaned forward threateningly. + +"We have enough charges against you to warrant our shooting you on the +spot," he said. "You will never see another sunrise, unless you tell +us--and tell us quickly, and truthfully!" + +A gleam of hope crept into Bio's eyes. + +"And if I tell you--all?" + +"Then, if I believe you, you will be set at liberty." + +There was a sneer in the conditional clause that made Bio's blood run +cold for an instant; but it seemed his only chance of escape, and he +began haltingly but in a tone that they could not doubt was the truth. + +"I left the boat far up in Mangrove Creek," he ended. "I think the +_yanqui_ señores cannot take her out." + +"Tell Morales to have the mules ready at once!" the officer ordered. +"The quickest road?" he asked Bio. + +The pilot answered without faltering. The road he told them was twice as +far as over _La colina del sol_ and through the jungle path. + +The officer consulted a few moments with the _rurales_ who had brought +Bio in, and then gave his decision. + +"My men will not need you. You will be held in camp for one day and then +set at liberty. I am a man of my word!" + +Bio could hardly believe his good luck, although he frowned anxiously at +that one day's detention. Silently he followed his guards; but, as he +expected, he found them very lax after the first hour or two. Long +before midnight he was snaking his way noiselessly through the +underbrush that surrounded the camp. + +And in the meantime the _rurales_ were riding furiously along the road +that led to Mangrove Creek. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +STRANDED + + +The sun was high above the mangroves when Walthew joined Grahame and +Macallister at breakfast the morning after they landed the rifles. No +wind entered the gap in the forest, the smoke went straight up from the +slanted funnel, and the air was still and sour. The steamer lay nearly +dry among banks of mire, though a narrow strip of dazzling water +sluggishly flowed inland past her. Fifty yards outshore, there was a +broader channel and beyond it the dingy, pale-stemmed mangroves rose +like a wall. Some were strangely spotted, and Walthew glanced at them +with disgust as he drank his coffee. + +"I guess I've never seen such repulsive trees," he said. "This place +takes away one's appetite. Even the coffee's bitter; you've been +doctoring it." + +"It's weel to take precautions," Macallister replied. "Ye got a few +nibbles last night from a dangerous bit beastie they ca' _anopheles_." + +"I suppose it doesn't manufacture the malaria germ, and from the looks +of the place one wouldn't imagine there was anybody else about for it to +bite." + +"That's what we're hoping. We're no' anxious for visitors, but when ye +meet a smell like what we noo enjoy, ye take quinine till it makes ye +hear church bells ringing in your head." + +Walthew turned to Grahame. + +"Can you get her off?" + +"We'll try. The sooner we get out the better; but the tides are +falling." + +"Do you reckon the half-breed pilot meant to pile her up?" + +"No," said Grahame thoughtfully. "For one thing, it would be a dangerous +game, because his employers wouldn't hesitate about knifing him. They +gave us a check which I've reason to believe will be honored and they +wouldn't have wasted their money if they'd meant treachery. I imagine +they're all too deep in the plot to turn informer." + +"Do you think the pilot will turn up to take us out then?" + +"I believe he'll be here at high-water, unless he's prevented." + +"What could prevent him?" + +"It's possible that our friends have been followed by the opposition's +spies. The man who rules this country is not a fool." + +"Then it seems to me we must do our best to heave the boat off this +tide." + +"Mack and I agree with you," Grahame said meaningly. + +Breakfast was soon finished, for nobody had much appetite, and they sat, +smoking, in the thin shade while the water got deeper in the creek. When +the _Enchantress_ slowly rose upright, Macallister went down to stir the +fires; but though the others listened anxiously no splash of paddles +broke the silence. + +"Our pilot's not coming," Grahame said at last. "I'll try to take her +out if we can get her afloat." + +"What's likely to happen to him if he's been corralled by the dictator's +rural-guards?" + +"On the whole," said Grahame, "I'd rather not speculate. They have a +drastic way of dealing with rebels here." + +An hour later the screw shook the vessel, while the windlass strained at +the cable. Once or twice a few links of chain ran in and she moved, but +the mud had a firm hold and she stuck fast again. Then the water began +to fall and Grahame reluctantly told Macallister to draw the fires. + +"We're here for the next six days," he said. + +"It's to be hoped the Government's spies don't find us out before we get +her off," Walthew remarked. + +"We could put the coal and heavier stores ashore, if ye can find a bit +dry beach to land them on," Macallister suggested. "It would lighten +her." + +"I thought of that," Grahame answered. "On the other hand, it might be +safer to keep them on board as long as possible. We could strip her and +land everything in a day." + +Macallister agreed, and for four days they lounged in such shade as they +could find. It was fiercely hot, not a breath of wind touched the +dazzling creek, and the sun burned through the awning. The pitch bubbled +up from the deck-seams, the water in the tanks was warm, and innumerable +flies came off from the mangroves and bit the panting men. To make +things worse, there was no coolness after sunset, when steamy mist +wrapped the vessel in its folds, bloodthirsty mosquitos came down in +swarms, buzzing insects dimmed the lamps, and the smell of festering +mire grew nauseating. Sleep was out of the question, and when the +mosquitos drove them off the deck the men lay in their stifling berths +and waited drearily for another day of misery to begin. + +Among other discomforts, Walthew, who was not seasoned to the climate, +was troubled by a bad headache and pains in his limbs, but he said +nothing about this and accompanied Grahame when the latter took the +soundings in the dinghy. At last they rose at daybreak one morning to +lighten the vessel, and although he felt shaky and suffered from a +burning thirst, Walthew took charge of the gig, which was to be used for +landing coal. + +The work was hard, for when they reached a sand bar up the creek they +were forced to wade some distance through mud and shallow water with the +heavy bags on their backs, while the perspiration soaked their thin +clothes and the black dust worked through to their skin. At noon they +stopped for half an hour and Walthew lay in the stern-sheets of the gig +where there was a patch of shade. He could not eat, and after drinking +some tea tried to smoke, but the tobacco tasted rank and he put his pipe +away. Up to the present his life had been luxurious. He had been +indulged and waited on, and had exerted himself only in outdoor sports. +Now he felt very sick and worn out, but knew that he must make good. +Having declined to enter his father's business, he must prove his +capacity for the career he had chosen. Moreover, he suspected that +Macallister and Grahame were watching him. + +When the clatter of the winch began again he hid the effort it cost him +to resume his task and stubbornly pulled his oar as the gig floated up +the creek with her gunwale near awash. His back hurt him almost +unbearably when he lifted a heavy bag, and it was hard to keep upon his +feet while he floundered through the mire. Sometimes his head reeled and +he could scarcely see. The blisters on his hands had worked into +bleeding sores. This, however, did not matter much by comparison with +the pain in his head. + +After the coal was landed they loaded loose ironwork and towed heavy +spars ashore, and Walthew held out somehow until darkness fell, when he +paddled back to the _Enchantress_ with a swarm of mosquitos buzzing +round his face. + +He could not eat when they sat down to a frugal meal, and afterward lay +in his berth unable to sleep, and yet not quite awake, lost in confused +thoughts that broke off and left him conscious of intolerable heat and +pain. When he went languidly on deck the next morning Grahame looked +hard at him. + +"You had better lie down in the shade," he said. + +"I may let up when we reach open water," Walthew answered with a feeble +smile. "There's not much enjoyment to be got out of a lay-off here." + +Grahame reluctantly agreed. He knew something about malaria and Walthew +did not look fit for work; but every man was needed, and this foul swamp +was no place to be ill. The sooner they got out the better. + +Steam was up when the _Enchantress_ rose with the tide, and shortly +afterward the engines began to throb. Muddy foam leaped about the +whirling screw, flame mingled with the smoke that poured from her +funnel, and steam roared from the blow-off pipe. Then the clatter of +winch and windlass joined in, and Grahame stood, tense and anxious, +holding a rope that slipped round the spinning drum. The winch could not +shorten it, though the vessel was shaking and working in her muddy bed. +It was high-water, the tide would soon begin to fall, and the sweat of +suspense and strain dripped from the man as, at the risk of breaking the +warp, he tightened the turns on the drum. It gripped; to his surprise, a +little slack came off, and he nodded to Walthew, who was watching him +eagerly from the windlass. + +"Give her all, if you burst the chain!" he cried. + +The windlass clanked for a few moments, stopped, and clanked again; the +_Enchantress_ trembled and crept a foot or two ahead. Then she stuck +while the cable rose from the water, rigid as a bar, and the +messenger-chain that drove the windlass creaked and strained at breaking +tension. While Grahame expected to see links and gear-wheels fly, there +was a long shiver through the vessel's frame, a mad rattle of liberated +machinery, and she leaped ahead. + +Five minutes later Walthew walked shakily aft, scarcely seeing where he +went because a confused sense of triumph had brought a mist into his +dazzled eyes. This was the first big thing in which he had taken a +leading part. He had made good and played the man; but there was still +much to be done and he pulled himself together as he stopped near +Grahame. + +"She's moored where she won't ground again, but perhaps you had better +see that the chain-compressors and warp fastenings are right." + +"If you're satisfied, it's enough," said Grahame. + +"Then I'll take the gig and get the coal on board." + +"If you feel equal to it," Grahame answered. + +Walthew got into the boat with a sense of elation. His eyes had met +Grahame's while they spoke, and a pledge of mutual respect and trust had +passed between them. But this was not quite all. He felt he had won +official recognition from a leader he admired; he was no longer on trial +but accepted as a comrade and equal. The thought sustained him through a +day of murderous toil, during which his worn-out muscles needed constant +spurring by the unconquered mind. It was not dainty and, in a sense, not +heroic work in which he was engaged, but it must be done, and he dimly +saw that human nature rose highest in a grapple with obstacles that +seemed too great to overcome. Whatever the odds against him were, he +must not be beaten. + +The heat was pitiless in the afternoon, but Walthew pulled his oar and +carried the hundred-pound coal bags across a stretch of mire that grew +broader as the tide ebbed. He could scarcely pull his feet out and keep +the load upon his aching back, and he sometimes sank knee-deep in the +softer spots. The air was heavy with exhalations from the swamps; he had +thrown off his jacket and the coal wore holes in his shirt and rubbed +raw places on his skin. He was wet from the waist downward and black +above, while the gritty dust filled his eyes and nostrils. Still he held +out until the work was finished, when the _Enchantress's_ cargo-light +began to twinkle through the dusk; and then, losing his balance, he fell +forward into the boat with his last heavy load. Miguel pushed her off, +and with oars splashing slackly she moved downstream. When she ran +alongside the steamer, Grahame saw a limp, black figure lying huddled on +the floorings. The others lifted it gently, but Walthew did not speak +when he was laid on deck, and Macallister, bending over him, looked up +at Grahame. + +"Fever and exhaustion! I allow that ye were right about the lad. But we +must do the best we can for him." + +They washed off the coal-dust, and when Walthew, wrapped in thick +blankets, lay unconscious in his berth, they debated earnestly over the +medicine chest before administering a dose that experience in the +unhealthy swamps of the tropics alone justified. They forced it, drop by +drop, between his clenched teeth, and then Macallister waited with a +grimy finger on his pulse, while Grahame sat down limply on the edge of +the berth. His hands were bruised, his thin clothes were torn, and he +felt the reaction after the day's strain. He had now an hour or two in +which to rest, and then he must pull himself together to take the vessel +down the creek. + +When at last Macallister nodded, as if satisfied, Grahame went wearily +up on deck. Except for a faint hiss of steam, everything was quiet. +Tired men lay motionless about the deck, and the mist that clung to the +mangroves did not stir. After a while the lap of the flood-tide against +the planks made itself heard, and the moon, which was getting large, +rose above the trees. + +Grahame, sitting limply on the grating, half dozing while he waited, +suddenly jumped to his feet, startled. Out of the semi-darkness came +distinctly the splash of oars, faint at first and then nearer. + +Miguel lay nearest him. The Spaniard, quickly grasping the danger, +shook his men awake while Grahame ran below to Macallister. + +"The government spies!" he said briefly. "Our pilot's turned traitor!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE PEON PILOT + + +Grahame and Macallister stood on deck, peering into the moonlit jungle +of mangroves. So far as they could judge, there was only one pair of +oars making the splashes that had aroused them; but they could hear the +blades dig deep into the water with an intense effort that could mean +only haste on the part of the boatsman. + +They waited; and presently the small boat appeared in the moonlight and +they saw a single figure, who dropped one oar and crossed himself +religiously. + +"_Gracias a Dios!_" he said. + +"The pilot!" Macallister gasped. + +Grahame waited, tense and alert, until the pilot climbed on board. The +instant the half-breed touched the deck he began gesticulating wildly +and talking so rapidly that Grahame had difficulty in grasping his +meaning. Miguel, who was more at home in the peon Spanish, explained--in +English, for Macallister's sake. + +"The government men catch him; make him tell; he escape; take short +path--Indian _senda_; get here first. _Soldados_ coming. We hurry!" + +Miguel had worked himself up to a state of great excitement, and when he +finished, his bare feet went pattering off across the deck almost before +Grahame could give the order. + +Tired as the men were, they realized the necessity for haste, and they +lost no time in getting under way. There was a clatter in the stokehold +as the fires were cleaned, the dinghy crept across the creek, and +half-seen men forward hurriedly coiled in a wet rope. Then the boat came +back and the windlass rattled while the propeller floundered slowly +round. The anchor rose to the bows and the _Enchantress_ moved away +against the flood tide. + +The pilot took the wheel while Grahame stood beside him. There were +broad, light patches where the water dazzled Grahame's eyes, and then +belts of gloom in which the mangroves faded to a formless blur. Still, +they did not touch bottom; miry points round which the tide swirled, +rotting logs on mud-banks, and misty trees crept astern, and at last +they heard the rumble of the swell on beaten sand. + +She glided on, lifting now and then with a louder gurgle about her +planks. When a white beach gleamed in the moonlight where the trees +broke off, the _Enchantress_ stopped to land the faithful pilot, who had +first betrayed and then saved them. + +"It was a risky thing he did," Grahame said, as the half-breed, standing +easily in his boat, swaying with the rhythm of his oars, rowed off into +the moonlight. "Suppose they had caught him coming to us--or with us!" + +"I'm thinking yon pilot's a bit of a hero," Macallister responded +laconically. "Albeit a coward first!" + +"Oh, it was all for Don Martin's sake that he risked his own hide to +warn us. Don Martin has a wonderful hold on those peons. They'd go +through fire and water for him." + +The _Enchantress_ skirted a point where two sentinel cedar-trees stood +out blackly against the sky; then the spray leaped about the bows as she +dipped to the swell, and the throb of engines quickened as she left the +shore behind. + + * * * * * + +Two weeks later the _Enchantress_ was steaming across a sea that was +flecked with purple shadow and lighted by incandescent foam. Macallister +lounged in the engine-room doorway, Grahame sat smoking on a coil of +rope, and Walthew, wrapped in a dirty blanket, lay under the awning. His +face was hollow, his hair damp and lank, and his hands, with which he +was clumsily rolling a cigarette, were very thin. The deck was piled +with a load of dyewood, which they had bought rather with the object of +accounting for their cruise than for the profit that might be made on +it. + +"It's good to feel alive on a day like this, but I suspect it was +doubtful for a time whether I'd have that satisfaction," Walthew +remarked languidly. "Guess I owe you both a good deal." + +They had stubbornly fought the fever that was wasting him away, and had +felt that they must be beaten, but Macallister grinned. + +"I'll no' deny that ye were an interesting case and gave us a chance o' +making two or three experiments. As ye seem none the worse for them, ye +must be tougher than ye look." + +"I thought tampering with other people's watches was your specialty." + +"What's a watch compared with the human body?" Macallister asked. + +"You do know something about springs and wheels, but it's different +with drugs. I expect you gave way to an unholy curiosity to see how they +would work." + +"Maybe there's something in the notion. An engineer canna help wanting +to find out how things act. It's a matter o' temperament, and there's +no' a great difference between watching the effect o' a new oil on your +piston-rings and seeing what happens when a patient swallows your +prescription. I'll say this for ye: ye were docile." + +"I've survived," said Walthew. "From my point of view, that's the most +important thing." + +"And now you had better think about the future," Grahame interposed. +"Some people are practically immune from malaria; others get it +moderately now and then, and some it breaks down for good. At first it's +difficult to tell which class one belongs to, but you have had a sharp +attack. There's some risk of your spending the rest of your life as an +ague-stricken invalid if you stick to us." + +"How heavy is the risk?" + +"Nobody can tell you that, but it's to be reckoned with. I understand +that your father would take you back?" + +"He'd be glad to do so, on his terms," said Walthew thoughtfully. +"Still, it's hard to admit that you're beaten, and I suspect the old man +would have a feeling that I might have made a better show. He wants me +to give in and yet he'd be sorry if I did." + +"Suppose you go home in twelve months with a profit on the money he gave +you?" Grahame suggested. + +"Then I'm inclined to think he'd welcome me on any terms I cared to +make." + +"Think it over well and leave us out of the question," Grahame said. + +"You can't be left out," Walthew answered with a gleam in his eyes. "But +I'll wait until I feel better. I may see my way then." + +They left him and he lighted his cigarette, though the tobacco did not +taste good. Hardship and toil had not daunted him, the risk of shipwreck +and capture had given the game a zest, but the foul mangrove quagmires, +where the fever lurks in the tainted air, had brought him a shrinking +dread. One could take one's chance of being suddenly cut off, but to go +home with permanently broken health or perhaps, as sometimes happened, +with a disordered brain, was a different thing. Since he took malaria +badly, the matter demanded careful thought. In the meanwhile, it was +enough to lie in the shade and feel his strength come back. + +A few days later they reached Havana, where they sold the dyewood and +had arranged to meet Don Martin Sarmiento, whose affairs occasionally +necessitated a visit to Cuba. + +One evening soon after his arrival, Grahame stood in the _patio_ of the +Hotel International. The International had been built by some +long-forgotten Spanish _hidalgo_, and still bore traces of ancient art. +The basin in the courtyard with the stone lions guarding its empty +fountain was Moorish, the balconies round the house had beautiful bronze +balustrades cast three hundred years ago, and the pillars supporting +them were delicately light. + +The building had, however, been modernized, for part of the _patio_ was +roofed with glass, and wide steps, tiled in harsh colors, led to a +lounge through which one entered the dining-room, where everything was +arranged on the latest American plan. There was a glaring café in the +front of the building, and an archway at the back led to the uncovered +end of the _patio_, where porters, pedlers, and the like importuned the +guests. + +Just then this space was occupied by a group of Chinamen, half-breeds, +and negroes, and Grahame was watching them carelessly when he heard a +step behind him. Turning abruptly, he stood facing Evelyn Cliffe. He +imagined that she looked disturbed, but she frankly gave him her hand. + +"You!" she exclaimed. "This is something of a surprise." + +"That's what I felt," he answered. "I hope the pleasure's also mutual. +But you see, I get my meals here and Walthew has a room. He has been +down with fever and isn't quite better yet." + +"And I've just arrived with my father, who has some business in the +town," Evelyn said and laughed. "I nearly missed meeting you, because I +thought you were a stranger and I meant to slip past, but you were too +quick. Do you generally swing round in that alert manner when you hear +somebody behind you?" + +"I admit it's a habit of mine--though I must have been clumsy if you +noticed it. A number of people go barefooted in these countries, and the +business I'm engaged in demands some caution." + +"Then it's lucky you have self-control, because you might run a risk of +injuring a harmless friend by mistake." + +"One does not mistake one's friends. They're not too plentiful," he +replied, smiling. + +"But what is the business that makes you so careful?" + +"I think I could best call myself a general adventurer, but at present +I'm engaged in trade. In fact, I'm living rather extravagantly after +selling a cargo." + +Evelyn gave him a quick glance. His manner was humorous, but she +imagined he wished to remind her that he did not belong to her world. +This jarred, because there was an imperious strain in her, and she felt +that she could choose her acquaintances as she liked. Besides, it was +mocking her intelligence to suggest that the man was not her equal by +birth and education. For all that, she had been disconcerted to find him +in the hotel. He had exerted a disturbing influence when they first met, +and she had had some trouble in getting free from it. That the influence +was unintentional made things no better, because Evelyn did not want her +thoughts to center on a man who made no attempt to please her. Yet she +felt a strange pleasure in his society. + +"I suppose you are waiting for dinner now?" she said. + +"Yes," he answered. "Shall we look for a seat here? A fellow who sings +rather well sometimes comes in." + +He led her to a bench near the marble basin under the broad leaves of a +palm. Evelyn noticed that the spot was sufficiently public to offer no +hint of privacy, and she admired his tact. It got dark while they +engaged in casual talk, and colored servants lighted lamps among the +plants and flowers. Then the soft tinkle of a guitar and a clear voice, +trilling on the higher notes with the Spanish tremolo, came out of the +shadow. One or two others joined in, and Evelyn listened with enjoyment. + +"The _Campanadas_," Grahame said. "It's a favorite of mine. The refrain +states that grapes eaten in pleasant company taste like honey." + +"Isn't that a free translation? I'm not a Spanish scholar, but I imagine +it means something more personal than company in general." + +"Yes," said Grahame slowly. "It really means--with you." + +The music changed to a plaintive strain, which had something seductive +and passionate in its melancholy. + +"_Las aves marinas_," said Evelyn. "That means the sea-birds, doesn't +it? What is the rest?" + +"I won't paraphrase this time. The song declares that although the +sea-birds fly far across the waves they cannot escape the pains of love. +These people are a sentimental lot, but the idea's poetical." + +"I wonder whether it's true," Evelyn said with a smile. "Perhaps you +ought to know." + +"The sea-birds are fierce wild things that live by prey. One associates +them with elemental strife--the white tide-surge across desolate sands +and the pounding of the combers on weedy reefs--and not with domestic +peace. That's the lot of the tame land-birds that haunt the sheltered +copse." + +"And cannot one have sympathy with these?" + +"Oh, yes. I've often stopped to listen while a speckled thrush sang its +love-song among the bare ash-boughs in our rain-swept North. The joyful +trilling goes straight to one's heart." + +"And lingers there?" + +"Where our thrushes sing, you can, if you listen, hear the distant roar +of the sea. It's a more insistent call than the other." + +"But only if you listen! Cannot you close your ears?" + +"That might be wiser. It depends upon your temperament." + +Evelyn was silent for the next minute or two, and Grahame mused. He had +felt the charm of the girl's beauty, and suspected in her a spirit akin +to his. She had courage, originality, and, he thought, a longing, +hitherto curbed by careful social training, to venture beyond the +borders of a tame, conventional life. It was possible that he might +strengthen it; but this would not be playing a straight game. For all +that, he was tempted, and he smiled as he recalled that in earlier days +his ancestors had stolen their brides. + +"Why are you amused?" Evelyn asked. + +"An idle thought came into my mind," he said awkwardly. + +Evelyn smiled. + +"My father has come to look for me; but I shall see you again. You will +be here some time?" + +"A few days." + +He watched her join Cliffe in the archway that led from the _patio_, and +then he sat down again on the bench under the palm-tree. But he no +longer heard the strum of the guitars nor the tinkle of the mandolins: +he was thinking of Evelyn. There seemed to be some peculiar bond of +sympathy between them; he felt that she understood him even when nothing +much was said. + +"Mooning all alone?" came Walthew's voice. + +Grahame laughed, and joined his comrade and Macallister, who had entered +the _patio_ with Don Martin and Blanca. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A MODERN DON QUIXOTE + + +The dining-room of the International Hotel was modern, but while noisy, +power-driven fans stirred the heavy air and the decoration was profuse, +traces of more austere ancient art remained. Stone pillars and the +fretted arch at one end had an Eastern grace and lightness; among the +gaudy modern lamps hung one or two finely-modeled in copper and burning +scented oil. The glass and nickeled knives were American, but curious +old carafes filled with red and yellow wine stood among the flowers and +fruit on the long table. + +Evelyn, looking down the room from its opposite end, was conscious of +faint displeasure when Grahame entered with a very attractive girl. The +feeling could not be jealousy, but she studied Blanca with a curiosity +that was half hostile. The girl was dressed in Parisian fashion, but she +walked with a grace that only Spanish women show. There was no fault to +be found with her supple figure, but her black hair was rather coarse +and her blue eyes too languishing. Yet she was well bred, and the man in +dark clothes who followed and was, no doubt, her father had an air of +dignity. Grahame seemed to be on friendly terms with them, for they +talked and laughed when they sat down and Evelyn noticed that the girl +sometimes touched him coquettishly with her fan. + +Walthew sat opposite with a thoughtful expression; and soon Macallister +joined in the talk. It was obvious that he was amusing, for Evelyn saw +those who sat near smile and then hearty laughter rose from his end of +the table. The Spanish girl and Grahame no longer spoke to each other, +and the engineer's voice came up through the clink of glass and the hum +of conversation, sometimes in broad Scots and sometimes in stumbling and +uncouth Castilian. + +When the guests were leaving the dining-room Grahame met Cliffe in the +corridor. + +"Glad to see you. I didn't expect to find you in Havana," the American +said cordially. "I want a smoke. Will you come along?" + +They found a seat in the _patio_, and Cliffe gave Grahame a cigar. + +"How's business?" he asked. + +"We can't complain, so far," Grahame answered cautiously. "The boat, of +course, does not carry much, but her light draught allows her to get +into harbors that larger vessels can only enter on big tides, and we +sold our last cargo at a satisfactory price. Just now I'm looking out +for a few passengers to Kingston; there's no boat across for some time." + +"I might go with you, if you have two good rooms to spare. There's a +fruit-growing estate I want to look at in Jamaica." + +The suggestion was welcome to Grahame. He promised to give Cliffe part +of the deckhouse, and they afterward talked of something else. + +In the meanwhile, Walthew was sitting with Blanca Sarmiento. He was +quiet, for he still felt languid and the _patio_ was hot; but he was +conscious of his companion's charm. Indeed, he had thought of her often +since he left Rio Frio, and she had had a place in the fantastic dreams +the fever brought him. + +"You do not speak much, but you have been ill," she said presently, with +a sympathetic glance. "It was a grief to us to hear it; but you have +suffered in a good cause." + +"I'm not sure of that," Walthew answered. "You see I was out for money." + +"And that was all!" Blanca exclaimed in a half-contemptuous tone. + +"I think so," Walthew admitted. "My people are traders and I suppose +money-making runs in the family. Still, I might claim to be a soldier of +fortune, if you like that better. It's more romantic, anyhow." + +"Ah!" she said with a sparkle in her eyes. "There were great soldiers of +fortune among the liberators; one thinks of Bolivar, Lafayette, and +Garibaldi. But the brave Italian had wounds and prison, not money, for +his reward." + +"These fellows are too near the top notch for me to follow. I know my +limits," Walthew modestly owned. + +"One should follow the highest, and chivalry is not dead; even commerce +cannot kill it. There are still knights errant, who see visions and +leave everything, to right the wrong and help the downtrodden. It has +been my good fortune to meet one or two." + +"Your Cervantes wrote about one such. Seems to me that although he meant +well, Don Quixote did more harm than good." + +"Ah, the sad, sad book! But you think like Cervantes? You sneer at +romance?" + +"I'm young, señorita, but I try to keep my head." He gave her a steady +glance. "Sometimes I find it difficult." + +She laughed with a sparkle of coquetry, and touched him with her fan. + +"Then there is hope for you, and we will labor for your conversion. The +man who always keeps his head never does anything great; the power that +moves the world comes from the heart." Lowering her voice, she went on: +"Our cause is just, señor, but we need trustworthy friends, even if they +are not idealists. Quixote failed because he used rusty armor and the +lance; we will use rifles." + +Walthew was trying to be cautious, but was swept away. He had been +attracted by the girl at their first meeting, though he had then felt +something of the Anglo-Saxon's prejudice against the southern races, +which is not unmarked in the United States. This had gone, however, and +he now wondered whether Blanca meant to use him only to further her +father's objects, or if she had any personal interest in him. Her +patriotism was, he thought, a burning flame, and she would not stick at +trifles where she saw a chance of serving her country. Still, it would +be his fault if she were willing to get rid of him when he had done his +work. + +"I wonder why you thought I could be trusted?" he said. + +"It is difficult to explain, señor, but one can tell, perhaps by +instinct, when a man rings true." + +"It would hurt to find you had been deceived?" + +"It might be so," she answered slowly. + +Walthew wondered if this were mere flirtation, designed to gain an end. +Blanca was playing with her fan, which lay in her lap. He could not see +her eyes. He felt that he had been given an opportunity, however, and he +meant to seize it. Leaning forward toward her, he waited until she +raised her eyes to his, and then he spoke in a low, tense voice. + +"When I was leaving Rio Frio, I found a crimson rose on the pavement. I +picked it up because I ventured to think it was meant for me." + +Blanca was again playing with her fan, opening and shutting it slowly. + +"Señor, it is possible the flower was dropped by mistake," she said, +giving him a sidewise glance that made his heart beat fast. + +"How--if it was really meant for me?" + +She hesitated a moment, and then, raising her head, she met his +insistent look with a curious smile. + +"It was given because I thought you were perhaps, in a way, and as far +as it was possible for you, like the great soldiers of fortune we talked +about." + +Walthew made her a ceremonious bow. + +"You set me a pretty big task, señorita, but, as far as it's possible +for me, I will try to make good." + +He was thrilled by the look she gave him as she rose and held out her +hand. + +"Your conversion begins," she said, with a strange, new note in her +voice. "It is a chivalrous resolve, and--you will live up to it, señor." + +When she left him, Walthew found Grahame alone in the hotel lounge. + +"I promised to let you know whether the malaria would send me home or +not," he said. "I've made up my mind to see the business through." + +Grahame grasped his hand cordially. + +"I don't know that you are wise, old man; but I am glad to have you, +just the same." He gave Walthew a whimsical look. "Haven't you come to a +decision rather suddenly?" + +"That doesn't matter," said Walthew, "I mean to stick to it." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +BAITING THE SMUGGLERS + + +It was late, and the dew was heavy. Macallister's thin clothes were +getting damp as he walked impatiently up and down the mole. The +_Enchantress's_ gig lay near the steps, but her crew had not arrived, +although Macallister had waited half an hour for them. This by no means +pleased him, because, while not a tyrant, he expected his orders to be +obeyed. Besides, he resented the ingratitude of the men. He had agreed +with Grahame that it was prudent to moor the _Enchantress_ out in the +harbor and keep the crew short of money. They had behaved well, and +during the afternoon Macallister had given them a few pesetas and +allowed them a run ashore, although he imagined he had kept within a +limit that would ensure their sobriety. + +They had, however, not returned, and he felt disturbed as he watched the +twinkling anchor-lights and the ripples flash in the silvery track the +moon cast across the water. Boats were coming and going, and when one +approached the landing Macallister drew back into the shadow. He had +made the acquaintance of the captain and the engineer of the vessel from +which the boat came, and he did not want to be found waiting for his +unpunctual crew. The footsteps of those who landed were growing faint +when he heard singing farther up the mole. The voice was unsteady, and +the patter of bare feet that accompanied it suggestively uneven. + +Macallister knew the song, and was not surprised that his men, who were +obviously coming back the worse for liquor, should show a taste for good +music, for this is common among Spanish-Americans. It was, however, +difficult to understand how they had made the money he had given them go +so far. + +"Where kept ye, ye drunken swine?" he asked when they lurched into +sight. + +"No savvy," answered his fireman, Pepe, and Macallister explained what +he thought of them in the most virulent epithets used along the Clyde. + +This relieved his feelings and satisfied his sense of discipline, but he +did not think it wise to translate his remarks: Spanish half-breeds have +fiery tempers and carry knives. + +"Get into the boat before I kick ye off the mole!" he concluded when he +was breathless, and the men clumsily obeyed, though one came near to +falling into the water. They had some trouble in getting out the oars, +but at last they rowed away. Macallister noted that one man placed a +small cane basket under a thwart, and he suspected what was inside. + +When they reached the _Enchantress_ he was first on deck, but he waited +by the gangway until the man who carried the basket climbed up. +Macallister held out his hand for the basket, and when the fellow gave +it to him confidingly he hurried aft to examine it by the engine lamp. +It contained two bottles of _anisado_, a spirit flavored with aniseed in +favor in Spanish countries. He felt tempted to throw them overboard, +but refrained because such waste went against the grain, and the liquor +might be doled out when the men had been forced to work unusually hard. +He imagined they had forgotten the matter, and was lighting his pipe +when he heard them coming, and stepped out of the engine-room to meet +them. + +"There was a small basket, señor," one said civilly, though his voice +was thick. + +"It is possible you dropped it overboard," Macallister suggested in his +best Castilian--which was very bad. + +"No, señor. One does not drop such baskets over." + +"What was in it, then?" + +The man was obviously not sober, but it looked as if he had not lost his +senses. + +"A small present to me and the others, Don Andres. You will give it back +to us." + +"No," said Macallister sternly. "Presents of that kind are not allowed +on board this ship." + +He watched them while they murmured together. They were active, wiry +fellows, obedient as a rule, but liable to passionate outbreaks, like +most of their mixed race. Now they looked drunkenly determined, and he +knew the strength of his fireman, Pepe. + +"The basket is ours," said one. "We will take it." + +"I think not," said Macallister shortly. "Stand back!" + +Their half-respectful mood changed in a flash and they came at him with +a rush. They could wrestle and use the knife, and Macallister knew that +Pepe, who came first, must be stopped. He supposed that Miguel, whom he +had left on board, was asleep; but to summon help would be subversive +of authority and the affair would be over before Miguel arrived. Lunging +forward, he put the weight of his body into his blow, and Pepe reeled +when it landed on his jaw. Before he could recover, Macallister sprang +upon him, and with a strenuous effort flung him backward through the +gangway. + +There was a splash in the water and the others stopped, daunted by the +vigor of the attack; but Pepe did not strike out for the gig as +Macallister expected. Indeed, for there was shadow along the vessel's +side, he did not seem to come up, and after a moment's pause Macallister +jumped into the sea. The water closed above him, but when he rose a +white-clad figure was struggling feebly near by and he seized it. Pepe +seemed unable to swim, and Macallister had some trouble in dragging him +to the gig, into which the others had jumped. They pulled both men out +of the water, and in another few minutes Macallister stood, dripping, on +board the _Enchantress_, sternly regarding his fireman. The shock had +apparently sobered him, and the others, with the instability of their +kind, had become suddenly docile. + +"Now," said Macallister, "where did you get the _anisado_?" + +"A gentleman gave it to us in a café." + +Macallister shook his head. + +"Try again! A gentleman does not give drunken sailors bottles of +liquor." + +"We were not drunk then," one of them answered naïvely. "And he was a +gentleman: he spoke Castilian like the Peninsulares." + +"Ah," said Macallister thoughtfully, for the use of good Peninsular +Spanish indicates a man of education. "So he gave you all some wine and +put the bottles in the basket!" + +"It was so, Don Andres," another answered with a readiness that invited +belief. + +"But why?" + +"Who can tell?" Pepe rejoined. "Perhaps the señor was generous; then he +said he liked sailors and tales of the sea." + +"You told him some, no doubt," Macallister remarked dryly. + +"We did, Don Andres. Herman told him of the great shark that bites off +the fishermen's oars at Punta Anagan, and I about the ghost _caravela_ +that beats to windward in Jaurez Strait." + +"And what else?" + +Pepe shook his head. + +"Then there was some cognac and afterward--I do not remember." + +"Get below, except the anchor-watch!" Macallister said sternly. "We'll +consider what's to be done with you to-morrow." + +They slouched away, and while Macallister was talking to Miguel a splash +of oars grew louder, and presently Grahame clambered up from a shore +boat. He heard what had happened and then, sitting down, thoughtfully +lighted his pipe. + +"You must see what this points to," he remarked. + +"It's no' difficult. Somebody has made the wasters drunk, and I ken what +sea stories he would start them telling. A _gran señor_, they said!" + +"One of President Altiera's spies! But why do you think he gave them the +_anisado_ afterward?" + +"He might have wanted them to make trouble, so we'd put them ashore and +he could get hold o' them again. Then it's possible it would have suited +him if they'd knifed you or me." + +"There may be something in that. Anyhow, your going overboard after Pepe +ended the matter well. They're not ungrateful; it gives us a hold on +them." + +"I see that noo, but I did no' stop to think before I jumped," +Macallister modestly admitted. "It was what ye might call a stroke o' +natural genius. Then, ye see, I threw him in." + +Grahame laughed. + +"Well, we must keep our eyes open, and get away as soon as we can. I +expect to finish with Don Martin to-morrow." + + * * * * * + +On the following evening Cliffe was sitting with Evelyn in his private +room at the International when a mulatto boy brought him in a card. + +"Señor Gomez!" he remarked. "The fellow has kept me hanging round three +days, and I'd made up my mind to sail with Grahame to-morrow, whether he +came or not." + +"Who is Señor Gomez?" Evelyn asked. + +"I understand his official title is _Secretario General_, and he's next +in power to the President of the country I'm trying to do business with. +My opinion is that they're both slippery rascals." + +He broke off as the door opened and a dark-skinned gentleman came in. +Gomez bowed ceremoniously to Evelyn and Cliffe, and then waited with his +hat in his hand. He was dressed all in black except for his spotless +linen. He wore a number of valuable rings, and Evelyn noticed that his +nails were unusually curved and long. She shrank from the glance of bold +admiration he gave her, but resentment and half-instinctive dislike +conquered this feeling, and she returned his greeting politely when +Cliffe presented him. She thought no better of him when she withdrew +after some general talk. + +"Now," Cliffe said when Evelyn had left them, "we'll get down to +business. I've been waiting three days for you, and am not sure the deal +is worth it." + +Gomez spread out his hands with a deprecatory air. + +"It was impossible to come sooner; affairs of state, you understand! May +I suggest that the concessions we offer you are valuable?" + +"So it seems!" Cliffe rejoined bluntly. "The price you asked was high +enough, and now, when we have half fixed things, you want to raise your +terms." + +Gomez looked pained. He was rather stout and greasy, but his dress and +manners were unexceptionable. + +"Señor, that is a grief to us, but the affairs of my country necessitate +the change. We only ask for a little more money in advance. It is to the +advantage of all parties that you agree." + +"I can't see how it is to my advantage to part with money I can make a +good use of," Cliffe replied. + +"I must speak frankly, señor." Gomez's manner became confidential. +"These concessions have already cost you something, and there are +dissatisfied people who are anxious to rob the President of his power." + +"I've heard that some of them are anxious to shoot him; but that's not +my business." + +"With your pardon, señor, we must disagree. If the President loses +office before the papers are signed, the concessions go. I imagined you +understood this." + +"I suppose I did understand something of the kind," Cliffe admitted. +"Still, if the revolutionists prove too strong for you, I'll lose any +additional money I may let you have." + +Gomez smiled, a slow and rather cruel smile. + +"If we can get the money there will be an end of the discontent; we know +how to deal with it. And now, with apologies, I must remark that while +we give you the first opportunity, there are others----" + +"Ah!" said Cliffe sharply. "I'd thought this business wouldn't have much +attraction for my rivals. Whom am I up against?" + +Gomez gave him a letter from a German syndicate, and Cliffe examined it +closely. He knew the principal, and recognized the signature. + +"I see; they're bolder than I thought," he said. "If I don't come up to +the line, you'll make the deal with them." + +"We should be forced. The political situation demands it." + +"You mean you must have the money. Well, you have got a good deal of +mine already. What becomes of it if the thing falls through?" + +"It was a gift," Gomez answered with an apologetic smile. "Your +generosity will be gratefully remembered." + +Cliffe was silent for a few minutes. He had not been tricked, because he +had known that when one negotiates a transaction of that sort with a +Spanish-American country, a certain amount of money must first be spent +in clearing the ground, and this, going into the pockets of venal +officials, offers no direct return. Gomez and his master had, however, +been smarter than Cliffe thought, for, after exacting all they could +from him, they had opened negotiations with another party, and would +force him to come up to his rival's bid. They could do so, because if he +drew back he would lose the money he had already put in. He distrusted +them, but he thought he would be safe when he secured the concessions. + +"I guess I'll have to meet you," he said, "but we'll get everything +fixed up now." + +Half an hour afterward he lighted a fresh cigar, and put some papers +into his pocket. He was not altogether satisfied, and neither was Gomez, +but they had by mutual compromise arrived at a workable arrangement and +each had some respect for the other's astuteness. + +"How will you get across to Jamaica?" Gomez asked. + +"A little boat sails in the morning." + +"The very small, lead-colored steamer? The señorita may find the +accommodation rude. Why not wait for a passenger boat?" + +"It's fine weather, and the man who owns her is a friend of mine." + +Gomez was puzzled. He was suspicious of the _Enchantress_, and had taken +trouble to find out something about her. It surprised him to learn that +her owner and Cliffe were friends. + +"Then he is in Havana?" + +"He's in this hotel. I noticed him sitting, half asleep, in the far +corner of the lounge just before you came in. Do you want to see him?" + +"Oh, no," Gomez said in a careless tone, for he feared he had been +incautious. "I imagined you meant he was somebody you knew in America." + +He made an excuse for leaving, but Cliffe, noticing his interest, was +not satisfied, and went out to the landing with him. Gomez, however, did +not go straight to the lounge. He was afraid of rousing Cliffe's +curiosity, and men of his stamp are seldom direct in their methods. It +seemed wiser to spend a while sauntering about the _patio_, where Cliffe +could see him. But Grahame in the meantime came up the stairs, and +Cliffe beckoned him. + +"Do you know Señor Gomez?" he asked. + +"No," said Grahame, immediately on his guard. "I've heard about him. +Clever politician, but a bit of a rogue, I believe." + +Cliffe gave him a keen glance. + +"I thought he was interested in you, but I may have been mistaken. +Anyway, I told him you were taking a _siesta_ in a corner of the +lounge." + +Grahame smiled carelessly. + +"Inquisitiveness becomes a habit with fellows like Gomez, and I dare say +it's needful. The cafés in these ports are full of political refugees +and intriguers." + +Seeing Macallister in the hall below, Grahame went down to him and told +him what he had learned. + +"Weel," said the engineer, dryly, "after that present o' _anisado_ to +the men, I'm thinking it would no' be desirable that ye should meet +Señor Gomez. For a' that, I would not have him disappointed, and I'll +daunder along to the lounge." + +"It would be almost as bad if he saw you." + +Macallister chuckled. + +"He'll have hard work to recognize me afterward. Come away to the +hat-rack." + +Grahame followed him, feeling puzzled but suspecting that his comrade +had some ingenious plan. Seeing nobody about, Macallister borrowed one +or two articles from the rack; but neither he nor Grahame noticed that +Miss Cliffe watched the proceedings with interest from a shadowy +passage. + +Shortly afterward, Gomez entered the lounge and saw only one person +there, but this individual's appearance surprised him. As the light was +not good, he strolled toward the drowsy gentleman who lay negligently in +a big chair with a newspaper dangling from his hand. He wore a soft hat, +pulled down upon his forehead as if to shade his eyes, and a loose dark +cloak hung over his shoulder. He looked like a Cuban and although Gomez +noticed that his nails were short and broken, this might be accounted +for by his having something to do with sugar-making machinery. + +"Perhaps you are not using the _diario_?" Gomez said. + +The man did not look up, but held out the paper with a drowsy grunt. + +Gomez was too clever to make a poor excuse for starting a conversation +with a man who obviously did not wish to be disturbed, and, taking the +paper, he moved away. After a few minutes he put it down and strolled +out of the room. When he had gone, Macallister left by another door, +and, replacing the things he had borrowed, rejoined Grahame in the +_patio_. + +"It worked," he said, chuckling. "If Señor Gomez was on our track, he's +weel off it noo. But it's fortunate we sail the morn." + +"He mustn't meet Don Martin," Grahame answered thoughtfully. "I'll go to +his room and warn him." + +He found that Sarmiento was out, and none of the hotel servants knew +where he had gone. Grahame felt disturbed by this; but there was nothing +he could do. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE EMERALD RING + + +Grahame went in to dinner feeling anxious. Sarmiento had not returned, +but he would probably come in before the meal was over, and Gomez was +sitting by Cliffe near the head of the table. Blanca sat opposite +Walthew, and Grahame found a place next to Evelyn, who had not joined +Cliffe because she disliked Gomez. Though his manners were polished, +there was something sinister about him, a hint of craft and cruelty, and +she did not approve of his association with her father. + +"Have you met the gentleman yonder?" she asked Grahame. + +"Señor Gomez? I know who he is, but have not spoken to him." + +"That's curious, because he has been looking at you as if he were +interested." + +This confirmed Grahame's suspicion, and he felt uneasy. He did not want +Gomez to study him, and he would not have come in to dinner only that he +must warn Sarmiento. If he and his friends were to succeed in their +undertaking, their connection with Don Martin must remain unknown; for +it would not be difficult to catch them landing arms should their object +be suspected. He wondered where Macallister was, for the engineer could +be trusted in an emergency, and presently he saw him coming in. There +was no vacant place near Grahame, and Macallister sat down some distance +off. + +"You may have been mistaken, Miss Cliffe," Grahame suggested. "Somehow, +I imagine that Gomez is not a favorite of yours." + +"That's true, though I hardly know him," she answered with a smile. "One +is now and then seized by a quick prejudice, and I think the reason I +mentioned the man was because I wanted your opinion." + +"Did you think it worth having?" + +"I can't judge. Perhaps I really wanted to be agreed with. When you have +no good ground for making up your mind about a thing, it's pleasant to +find your conclusions confirmed." + +"Well, I believe you can trust your feelings. Gomez can't be a nice man +if all one hears is true. But what turned you against him--the dash of +dark blood?" + +"No, not altogether. I felt repelled, as one feels repelled by a snake +or a toad." + +Grahame made a sign of understanding. There was, he thought, something +very refined in the girl's character; an instinctive fastidiousness. She +walked in the light and shrank from all that lurked in the shadow. It +was her inner self that had recoiled from the swarthy politician and +reason had nothing to do with the matter. + +"Your father seems to be on good terms with the fellow," he remarked. + +"Yes; it puzzles me. However, I suppose he is forced to deal with all +kinds of people----" + +She paused, and Grahame changed the subject. He might have obtained some +information by judicious questions, but he could not take advantage of +the girl's frankness by leading her to reveal anything she knew about +her father's affairs. This would taint their friendship, which he +valued. + +After a time, she looked at him with a twinkle of amusement. + +"I watched a little comedy shortly before dinner." + +"Did you?" said Grahame. "Comedies are not unusual when one knows how to +look for them, but they don't catch everybody's eye." + +"This one was rather obvious; I mean the transformation of a staid +Scottish engineer into a Cuban sugar-planter of convivial habits." + +"Mack isn't really staid. It looks as if you didn't quite understand the +Scottish character. Under its surface sobriety one's apt to find a very +reckless humor. I'm a Borderer, and rather proud of it, you know. But +how did the beginning of the first act strike you?" + +"It seized my interest. The plot was not unusual; confused identity is a +favorite theme, but I noticed some histrionic cleverness. The rake of +the _sombrero_ and the hang of the big cloak were good. They carried a +hint of mild dissipation; one recognizes artistic talent in these light +touches." + +Grahame laughed. + +"I'm not sure it was all art; experience may have had something to do +with it. Mack's not an ascetic." + +"But how did the play go off?" + +"It was a success, I think." + +"In one act?" + +"No," said Grahame thoughtfully. "I imagine it isn't played out yet, and +the other acts may not be in so light a vein." + +"As you didn't expect an audience, perhaps I'd better promise not to +talk about your play. You may have felt some diffidence about asking +that." + +"Thank you," said Grahame quietly. "You're very quick." + +Evelyn smiled. There was something about the man which appealed to her. +Perhaps it was the mystery that seemed to shroud him and the +_Enchantress_. She noticed now that he was casting furtive glances about +the dining-room. + +As a matter of fact, Grahame was worried about Don Martin. The flowers, +plates of fruit, and tall wine carafes obstructed his view, but he could +see that Sarmiento had not come in. Gomez was talking to Cliffe, but his +eyes wandered about the table. For a moment they rested on Blanca, and +Grahame felt angry, as if the fellow's glance were an insult to the +girl. Then it was fixed observantly upon himself, and he hid his +antagonism. + +Dinner was a lengthy function, but the last course was served, and some +of the guests were smoking and some leaving their places to speak to +their friends, when Sarmiento came in. He walked toward Grahame, who was +glad of the general movement, which might help him to deal with the +situation. Looking round quickly, he noted that Gomez had turned to +Cliffe; and then, getting up carelessly, he stood between the secretary +and Don Martin. He faced Sarmiento, and the latter stopped when he saw +Grahame's frown. A life of political intrigue had made him keen-witted, +and with a negligent movement he turned and went back, speaking to a +waiter as he passed. + +Evelyn rose and waited by her chair. Something she did not understand +was going on, and the hint of intrigue excited her. She trusted Grahame, +and she thought his object was good. Moreover, she guessed that it had +something to do with thwarting Gomez, and she meant to help him if she +had an opportunity. + +The secretary suddenly pushed back his chair, and Grahame felt his heart +beat. Sarmiento was not far from the door, and his back was toward his +enemy, but he would have to turn at the end of the table, and that would +bring his profile into view. It seemed that he recognized the danger, +though Grahame did not think he had seen Gomez, for he bent down, +turning his head as he tightened his sash. His face was still hidden +when he reached the door, but Grahame, looking round, saw Gomez walk +quickly down the room. Other people were now leaving, and Grahame joined +them, hoping that he might get out before his antagonist. He was unaware +that Evelyn, who guessed his intention, was close behind him. + +There was more room on Gomez's side of the table, and Grahame was +delayed by several ladies whom he could not push aside. He would have +risked some apparent rudeness, but dared not make a disturbance. Gomez +had almost reached the door when a man collided with him and barred the +way, and Grahame smiled as he heard an apology in bad Castilian, for he +saw that Macallister had given Sarmiento a few more seconds' start. + +Evelyn had slipped round the group of women while Grahame was trying to +avoid one of them, and she was now in front of Gomez, who was hurrying +along the passage. The man was close to her when she stopped and bent +down with a warning cry. + +"Take care, señor! I have dropped a ring." + +Gomez could not get past her, and his eyes blazed with fury. His polish +was superficial, and Evelyn saw something of the savagery beneath. She +flinched, but plucked up her courage. + +"It is a valuable ring, and will break if you tread on it," she said. + +"Move then!" Gomez commanded harshly; and when she stepped back her +dress uncovered the ring. Its setting was of small emeralds and +diamonds, and might easily have been crushed. + +Gomez picked up the ring and gave it to her with a bow. Then he hurried +on; but when he reached the _patio_ it was empty, and Grahame, standing +at the other end of the passage, heard his ugly exclamation. The next +moment Evelyn passed him, coming back, but her manner indicated that she +did not wish to speak. + +After a time Grahame strolled out from the front of the hotel, and +looked round as he turned a corner. Nobody followed him; and, as he +expected, he found Sarmiento waiting in the shadow some distance farther +on. + +"What was the danger?" the Spaniard asked. + +"Gomez was in the dining-room." + +"Ah!" said Sarmiento. "Did he recognize me?" + +"I don't think so, but I can't be sure. He was suspicious. But it's +hardly prudent to stand talking in the street." + +They entered a shabby café, and, choosing a quiet corner, ordered wine. + +"If our friend's suspicions are aroused, he'll lose no time in following +them up," Sarmiento said; and Grahame noticed that although the café was +almost empty he avoided the secretary's name. "A Pinillo boat sails at +daybreak and passengers go on board to-night. It seems to me that I'd +better embark." + +"But the Pinillo liners don't call at your port!" Grahame said. + +Sarmiento smiled. + +"It may puzzle our friend if he watches the mole. When I have been on +board I will return quietly, but not to the hotel. I know this city, +where I have trustworthy acquaintances. I may be able to learn the +business that has brought him here." + +"But what about your daughter?" + +"I do not think our friend knows her, and our name is not on the hotel +book. There is a Cuban lady I can leave her with." + +"One would imagine that watching the fellow might be dangerous. There +are half-breed rascals in the port who wouldn't hesitate about +sandbagging or stabbing you for a few dollars. But, after all, you run +some risk at Rio Frio." + +"I am safe there, for a time," said Sarmiento. "The opposition dare not +arrest me, and the citizens would have to be satisfied if I disappeared. +There would be a riot, and the Government is not ready to use force +yet." + +"I see," said Grahame. "It's evident that you are popular; but the +leaders of movements like yours are sometimes willing to sacrifice a +comrade for the good of the cause. It might not suit them to have their +hand forced by a tumult." + +"Such things happen. But my hold is on the people. They would not be +appeased." + +"May I ask how you got that hold?" + +"I will tell you, señor. My family is of some importance, and at first I +was not an active liberator. The peons on my father's estate were, in a +sense, his subjects: ignorant, superstitious people with childish +passions; but they trusted him, and it was our tradition that they +should be treated well. As I grew up, however, I saw that much had not +been done. They wasted effort, suffered needless pains, and died of +diseases that might be stamped out. In my inexperience I resolved that I +would teach them to live healthily and well." + +"I dare say you found it hard." + +Sarmiento smiled. + +"That is very true. I was young and an enthusiast, and it hurts to be +misunderstood. Even the poor I tried to benefit regarded me with +suspicion; but this was not the worst. One is not supposed to be +disinterested in my country; the man who works for others is a dangerous +person. His aim is to gain power, and those who have it watch him with a +jealous eye. Well, I found my schemes thwarted by corrupt officials, +money one could do much good with must be spent in bribes, and at last I +saw that before improvement was possible our government must be +reformed. I am not naturally a politician, señor; I was forced to become +one." + +Grahame made a sign of agreement. + +"I think I understand," he said. + +"It was uphill work, but the peasants I had helped began to trust me, +thoughtful men gave me their support, and some joined because they hated +all in authority. I was becoming an influence, and it was supposed I +could be bought. Petty honors were offered and an official post. When it +was found that these things did not tempt me, I became a danger to the +State." + +"And the President tried a different plan!" + +"Sometimes I feared for my liberty, and sometimes for my life. I have +had to take refuge in Cuba and the United States; much of my money has +been spent. But the determination to win freedom and good government +spreads. We are growing strong, and soon the reckoning with our +oppressors will come." + +"Will things be very much better afterward?" + +Sarmiento spread out his hands. + +"Who can tell? One strives and hopes for the best. It is all that is +possible. Some day, perhaps, comes a small instalment of what one fights +for." + +Grahame did not answer, and his companion sank into the melancholy that +often characterized him. He was engaged in an arduous struggle, and +Grahame suspected that disappointment would meet him even in hardly won +victory. The man was sincere, and had sacrificed much for his country's +sake; but he could not work alone, and it might happen that his helpers, +tasting power, would restore the abuses he had destroyed. It looked as +if he knew this, but did not let it daunt him. + +After a long silence Sarmiento took out his watch. + +"I think I had better go on board the Pinillo boat now," he said. "Our +business is done, and it is well that you sail to-morrow. When we are +ready for the next cargo, you will hear from us." + +Pulling down his hat, he left the café with his cloak thrown loosely +over his shoulder, but Grahame noticed that he was careful to keep his +right hand free. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +SMOOTH WATER + + +There was no wind except the draught the steamer made as she lurched +across the dazzling swell. Cuba floated like a high, blue cloud over the +port hand, cut off from the water by a blaze of reflected light, and the +broad Yucatan Channel, glimmering like silver, stretched ahead. The deck +had been holystoned and well sluiced before sunrise and was not quite +dry, and there was a slight coolness in the air where Evelyn Cliffe sat +under the awning. + +Macallister leaned on the rail near by, wearing a white cap with a mail +company's badge, and a blue jacket over his greasy duck. He had given +his dress some thought since the passengers came on board. Miguel stood +at the wheel, barefooted, tall, and picturesque in spotless white, with +a red cap and a red sash round his waist. A few big logs of hardwood +that gave out an aromatic smell were made fast amidships. + +"I suppose that lumber's valuable," Evelyn remarked. + +"It depends upon whether ye want to buy or sell," Macallister replied. +"They telt us good logs were scarce in Cuba, but I doubt we'll find +demand is slack when we come to part wi' them." + +"Then the trade can't be very profitable." + +"It's just changing a shilling. Sometimes ye get a ha'penny over." + +Evelyn laughed. + +"Which one of you looks after business matters?" + +"I'm thinking it will have to be Walthew. The lad shows a natural +ability." + +"But he's younger than Mr. Grahame--and probably has not had as much +experience." + +Macallister gave her a half-amused glance. + +"The skipper's no' a fool, but when he makes a bargain he's frank and +quick. States the fair price and sticks to it. He will not spend time in +scheming how he can screw a few more dollars out o' the other man. Yon's +a gift ye must be born with." + +"Do you mean Mr. Grahame rather despises money-making?" + +"No' that exactly," Macallister replied in a confidential tone. "But, ye +see, he's a Grahame o' Calder Ha'." + +"Oh! Is that a great distinction?" + +"It depends on how ye look at things. His branch o' the family is maybe +no' o' much importance noo, but in the old wild days the lairds o' +Calder Ha' were chiefs on the Border. They guarded the moss roads, they +kept the fords, and the kings at Stirling and Westminster noo bought +their goodwill with presents and noo hanged a few o' the clan." + +"And Calder Hall? Is it one of the rude stone towers you see pictures +of?" + +Macallister smiled. + +"Calder Ha's bonny. The old tower stands, with the coat o' arms above +the door, but a low, gray house with stone-ribbed windows runs back +where was once the bailly wall. Below's a bit ragged orchard, the bent +trees gray with fog, and then the lawn dropping to the waterside. Nae +soft Southern beauty yonder; but ye feel the charm o' the cold, rugged +North." He paused, and resumed with a reminiscent air: "I mind how I +went to Calder Ha' when I was a young and romantic laddie fired by Scott +and him who taught the wandering winds to sing; the tales o' the Ettrick +shepherd were thought good reading then. After a bit plain speaking to +the foreman o' a Clydeside engine shop, I was fitting spinning gear in a +new woolen mill, and I left the narrow Border town on a holiday dawn. + +"There was mist along the alders and a smell o' wet dust where the white +road followed the waterside, but as the sun came ower the hills I took +to the moor. Red it was like crimson velvet with the light upon the +ling, rolling on to Cheviot-foot, with the brown grouse crying and the +clear sky above. At noon I came down a bit water that tumbled in a linn, +where rowans grew among the stones and the eddies were amber with the +seeping from the peat. The burn got wider, the bare hills closed in; and +then I came on Calder Ha' at a turning o' the glen. Black firs behind +it, standing stiff like sentinels; the house with the tower in the +middle on the breast o' the brae, and the lawn running doon to a pool. +Then I kent why the Grahames loved it and would never sell, though many +a rich man would have bought the place from them." + +"Did you tell Mr. Grahame this?" Evelyn asked. + +"Maybe it makes things easier that he thinks I dinna ken," said +Macallister. + +Evelyn agreed, for she saw that his reticence was caused by tactful +sympathy. Afterward she was silent for a time. The Scot's admiration for +the old Border house appealed to her. He had shown a taste and a +half-poetical imagination that she had not suspected when they first +met; but it was not of Macallister she was thinking. After all, it must +be something to belong to a family with such traditions as clung about +Calder Hall; but she must not dwell too much on this. + +"Aren't we going slowly?" she asked. + +"Coal's dear in the West Indies, and the slower ye go the less ye use. +But if ye are tiring o' the trip, I might drive her a bit faster." + +Evelyn glanced across the long undulations that were deep-blue in the +hollows, and touched upon their summits with brilliant light. She liked +to feel the easy lift as the _Enchantress_ shouldered off the swell; the +drowsy murmur at the bows and the rhythmical throb of engines were +soothing. Then there was a pleasant serenity in the wide expanse. But +she was honest with herself, and she knew that the beauty of the calm +sea did not quite account for the absence of any wish to shorten the +voyage. + +"Oh," she said, "please don't burn more coal than is necessary. I'm +quite content. I love the sunshine and the smooth water." + +Macallister strolled away, but she saw his twinkling smile and wondered +whether he was satisfied with her excuse. + +Evelyn lay back in her steamer-chair, looking out over the glistening +water and idly watching the white-caps far out at sea. She felt, rather +than saw, Grahame approach. When she turned to him, smiling, he was +close beside her, leaning against the rail. His pose was virile, and his +expression marked by the quiet alertness she had learned to know. It +suggested resolution, self-reliance, and power of command. These +qualities were not obtrusively indicated, but Evelyn recognized them and +wondered how much he owed to his being a Grahame of Calder Hall. +Hereditary influences must be reckoned on. + +"This is the first chance I've had to see you alone," he said. "I want +to thank you for your help at the International." + +"Was it useful?" + +"Very useful. Your quickness and resourcefulness were surprising." + +"That's a doubtful compliment," she laughed. "To me the affair was quite +exciting. To feel that you're engaged in a conspiracy gives you a +pleasant thrill." + +"I wonder!" Grahame remarked rather grimly. "But may I ask----" + +"Oh, I can't dissect the impulses that prompted me. No doubt, the hint +of intrigue was attractive--and perhaps friendship counted too." + +"And you took the excellence of my intentions on trust?" + +"Well, there really was no time to question you, and judge if they were +good. As a matter of fact, I'm no wiser now." + +"No," he said. "On the whole, I think it's better that you shouldn't +know." + +"It looks as if I'm more confiding than you." + +Grahame, studying her face, suspected disappointed curiosity and a touch +of pique. + +"Your confidence is yours, to give or withhold as you think best. Mine, +however, belongs to others." + +"Then there are a number of people in the plot!" + +Grahame laughed. + +"If it's any comfort for you to know, when you came to our rescue that +night in Havana you helped a man who has made many sacrifices for a good +cause." + +"As you're too modest to mean yourself, you must be speaking of the +gentleman with the pretty daughter." + +"Yes, Doña Blanca is pretty; but I prefer the Anglo-Saxon type. There's +a charm in tropical languor, but one misses the bracing keenness of the +North." He quoted with a smile, + + "Oh, dark and true and tender----" + +"We may be true; one likes to think so. But I'm not sure that tenderness +is a characteristic of ours." + +"It's not lightly given, but it goes deep and lasts," Grahame answered. + +When he left her a few minutes afterward, Evelyn sat thinking languidly. +She found him elusive. He was frank, in a way, but avoided personal +topics. Then, remembering the scrap of verse he had quoted, she +reflected that he was certainly a Northerner in feeling; but was truth, +after all, an essential feature of the type? To be really true, one must +be loyal to one's inner self and follow one's heart. But this was risky. +It might mean sacrificing things one valued and renouncing advantages to +be gained. Prudence suggested taking the safe, conventional course that +would meet with the approval of one's friends; but Romance stood, +veiled and mysterious, beckoning her, and she thrilled with an +instinctive response. Now, however, she felt that she was getting on to +dangerous ground, and she joined Cliffe, who sat in the shade of the +deckhouse, talking to Walthew; but they did not help her to banish her +thoughts. Her father was a practical business man, and Walthew had +enjoyed a training very similar to hers. It was strange that he should +now seek adventures instead of riches, and stranger still that her +father should show some sympathy with him. + +An hour later Grahame found Macallister leaning on the rail, contentedly +smoking his pipe. + +"She's only making seven knots; you're letting steam down," he said. + +"Weel," rejoined Macallister, "we're saving coal, and we'll be in +Kingston soon enough. Then, Miss Cliffe's no' in a hurry. She's enjoying +the smooth water; she telt me so." + +Grahame looked hard at him. + +"You have a dangerous love of meddling, Mack," he said. + +"I'll no' deny it. For a' that, I've had thickheaded friends who've been +grateful to me noo and then. What ye have no' is the sense to ken an +opportunity." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +Macallister's manner grew confidential. + +"She's thinking about ye and when a lassie goes so far----" + +Grahame stopped him with a frown. + +"I'd sooner you dropped this nonsense. It's a poor joke." + +"Weel, if ye have no ambition! Selling guns to revolutionists is no' a +remarkably profitable business, particularly if ye're caught, and I was +thinking ye might do better. The girl's no' bad to look at; I've seen ye +watching her." + +"Not bad to look at!" Grahame checked himself. "We'll talk about +something else." + +"As ye like!" + +Macallister took out a small, tapered piece of steel. + +"This, ye ken, is a cotter, and the dago from the foundry put it in. He +was a good fitter, but the pin's a sixty-fourth too small for the slot. +Maybe it was carelessness; but there would have been trouble when the +cotter shook out if Walthew hadna' heard her knocking. Yon lad has the +makings o' an engineer." + +Grahame looked thoughtful. + +"Gomez was in Havana, and I dare say he has his agents and spies. Still, +if he suspected anything, it would have been a better stroke to have +watched and seized us when we had the arms on board. I'd expect him to +see it." + +"Weel," said Macallister grimly, "if I meet yon dago another time, I'll +maybe find out something before I throw him off the mole. A good +engine's nearer life than anything man has made, and wrecking her is as +bad as murder." + +"I don't think our opponents would stick at that," Grahame replied as he +turned away. + +Toward evening the barometer fell, and it grew very hot. There was no +wind, the sky was cloudless, and the sea rolled back to the horizon +without a ripple. For all that, there was a curious tension in the +atmosphere, and Evelyn noticed that soon after Macallister came up for +a few minutes and looked carefully about, thick smoke rose from the +funnel. The girl's head felt heavy, and her skin prickly; and she saw +that Grahame's hawk look was more noticeable than usual. He was, +however, not fidgety, and after dinner he sat talking to her and Cliffe +under the awning. The air was oppressively still, and a half-moon hung +like a great lamp low above the sea. + +About nine o'clock Cliffe went to his cabin to look for a cigar, and +Evelyn and Grahame sat silent for a while, wrapped in the mystery of the +night. + +Evelyn was the first to speak. + +"I suppose you don't expect this calm to last?" she asked in a hushed +voice. + +"I'd like it to last while you're with us. But I can't promise that," +Grahame answered. "If we do get a breeze it will probably soon blow +itself out." + +Evelyn glanced at the sea. + +"It doesn't look as if it could ever be ruffled," she said. "One likes +smooth water--but it's apt to get monotonous." + +"That's a matter of temperament, or perhaps experience. When you've had +to battle with headwinds, you appreciate a calm." + +"I don't know. So far, I've had only sunshine and fine weather, but then +I've always clung to the sheltered coast. It's nice to feel safe, but +one sometimes wonders what there is farther out." + +"Breaking seas and icy gales that drive you off your course. Now and +then islands of mystic beauty, but more often surf-beaten reefs. On the +whole, it's wiser to keep in smooth water." + +"Perhaps," Evelyn said skeptically. "Still, there's a fascination in +adventure, if it's only as a test of courage, and one feels tempted to +take a risk." + +She rose with a laugh. + +"I don't know why I talk like this! I'm really a very practical +girl--not a sentimentalist." + +She moved away, and Grahame, calling one of the men to furl the awning, +went into the deckhouse and deliberately pored over a chart. There were +times when it was not safe to permit himself to think of Evelyn. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE TORNADO + + +Evelyn was wakened by a peal of thunder, and as she drowsily lifted her +head a blaze of lightning filled the narrow room. It vanished and there +was another deafening crash. The darkness was now impenetrable, but the +startled girl had seen that the deck was sharply slanted and her clothes +hung at a wide angle to the paneling of the bulkhead. It was obvious +that the _Enchantress_ was listed down nearly on her beam ends. A +confused uproar was going on, and Evelyn thought she could distinguish +the beating of heavy rain upon the deckhouse. This, however, was only +for a few moments, because the other noises swelled into an overwhelming +din. + +Dropping from her berth, she began to dress in the dark, but found it +difficult to keep her footing on the slanted deck, which lurched and +threw her against the lockers, while the planking worked and shook with +the throb of engines. Evelyn could not hear them, but the strong +vibration showed that they were running fast. + +It cost her an effort to refrain from rushing out on deck. Buttons +baffled her nervous fingers, the pins she tried to use instead doubled +up, but she persevered. She would not leave her room until she was +ready: if the worst came, she could not make an open-boat voyage in a +disheveled state. That this should seem of importance did not strike her +as curious then, but she afterward blushed as she remembered her +determination to look as well as possible. + +At last she opened the door and stepped out, ankle-deep in water. She +was to lee of the deckhouse, and, seizing the hand-rail, tried to look +about. The rain did not seem so heavy now, and the house sheltered her, +although clouds of spray were flying across its top. A few feet away, +the low bulwark was faintly distinguishable, but outside this there was +only a dim glimmer of foam in the dark. The _Enchantress_ had the wind +and sea on her broadside. This surprised Evelyn, because it was not a +safe position if the gale were as bad as it seemed. Then a shower of +sparks leaped from the funnel and by the momentary light they gave she +saw a white streak, cleanly cut off and slanting downward, at the crown +of the escape pipe. Evidently, Macallister had raised more steam than he +could use. + +Wondering why Grahame had not brought the vessel head to wind, she moved +aft cautiously, clinging to the rail, until she saw that the awning had +broken loose from its lashings. Part of it thrashed about the deck, +making a furious noise, but the rest, blown forward, had fouled the +foresail boom, and was stretched tight, but distended like a half-filled +balloon. Acting as a sail, it prevented the steamer from answering her +helm. One or two very indistinct figures struggled with the canvas, but +they seemed unable to master it, and Evelyn crept on until she could +look through the skylight into the engine-room. It was here the real +battle must be fought, for the cylinders that strained under top +pressure were the vitals of the ship. She could see them shake, as if +about to burst their fastening bolts and leap from the columns, as the +big cross-heads banged up and down. + +The iron room was well lighted, though the lamps hung at an alarming +angle to the beams, and there was a confused glimmer of steel that +flashed through the light and plunged into shadow. A half-naked man lay +on a narrow grating, leaning down and touching a ponderous mass of metal +as it swept past. In the momentary intervals before it came back he +rubbed the bright slide it traveled on with a greasy swab, and the girl +knew how important it was that nothing should get hot. The work was +dangerous, because the least clumsiness might cost him his arm. When he +stopped and turned sideways on the grating the light touched his face, +and Evelyn started as she recognized Walthew. + +He had enjoyed all the comforts and refinements to which she was +accustomed, and it was from choice and not necessity that he was doing +this rough, hazardous work. There were obviously people who did not +attach an undue value to the ease that wealth could buy; this boy, for +example, had left the safe, beaten track, and now, when still weak from +fever, was taking the consequences without dismay. It looked as if there +might be something wrong with her mother's philosophy; but she could +think of this better when there was less risk of the steamer's +foundering. + +A man came along the deckhouse and put his arm round her waist as the +ship gave a wild lurch. Evelyn laughed as she recognized her father. For +a moment she had thought it was Grahame. Holding her tight, Cliffe +moved on a yard or two, and then stopped at the corner of the house, +where they could see something of what was going on. + +It was lighter now that the rain had stopped, and presently a ray of +moonlight traveled across the sea and touched the laboring vessel. Hove +down by the pressure of the wind on deckhouse and awning, she had buried +her lee bulwarks and lifted her weather side. Sheets of water blew +across her, and the sea looked white as snow. It was not running high: +the heavy rain had beaten down the swell; but it would soon rise, and +unless the vessel could be brought head to wind the combers would sweep +her deck. + +As the beam of moonlight widened, the figures of the toiling men grew +clear. One was clinging to the top of a tall stanchion in a grotesque +monkey-like attitude, trying to cut loose the awning, for a knife +sparkled in his hand. Another crouched on the deck with folds of the +canvas in his arms. Miguel was bent over the wheel. The tenseness of his +pose and his hard-set face suggested heavy muscular strain. + +Grahame stood near by, his hand on a stay, swaying with the movement of +the steamer. He was bareheaded and the spray lashed his face, but there +was something that reassured the girl in his tranquillity. + +It was useless to speak. The voice would have been drowned by the roar +of the gale, while wire-shroud and chain-guy shrilled in wild harmonies. +Evelyn stood fascinated, watching the quick, tense movements of the +crew. + +Presently Grahame turned his head, and, seeing them against the +deckhouse, pointed toward the sea. Following his gesture, Evelyn saw a +blurred object leap out of the dark. It grew suddenly into definite +form as it drove across the belt of moonlight: a small wooden barque +with a deck-load of timber, staggering before the hurricane. + +Fluttering rags showed where her maintopsail had blown from the ropes; +curved ribands, held fast at head and foot, marked what was left of her +fore-course, and puny figures dotted the yards, struggling futilely with +clewed-up canvas that bulged out as if inflated hard. She had a torn jib +and topsails set--strips of sail that looked absurdly small by +comparison with the foam-lapped hull, but they were bearing her on at +tremendous speed. Caught, no doubt lightly manned, by the sudden gale, +they had had no time to shorten sail and bring her head to sea. She must +run with what canvas was left her until the tornado broke, unless she +broached to and her heavy deckload rolled her over. + +So far, Evelyn had not felt much fear. There was something in the mad +fury of the elements that, for a time, banished thought of personal +danger. She was overwhelmed and yet conscious of a strange excitement; +but the sight of the helpless ship had a daunting effect. Belted with +leaping foam, bows up, poop down, the dripping hull drove by, plowing a +snowy furrow through the tormented sea. When she plunged into the dark +Evelyn was glad that she had gone. She wondered what could be done in +this wild weather if the _Enchantress_ would not come round. But she had +confidence in Grahame. As she looked at him he commandingly raised his +hand. + +Two men scrambled forward and a dark patch rose at the bows. It swelled +and emptied, but the canvas held, and Grahame struggled forward to help +the others. The sail might stand if they could hoist it before it split. +It ran higher up the stay; the _Enchantress_ slowly fell off before the +wind, and then leaped ahead with her bows lifted out of the foam. + +Evelyn drew a deep breath of relief, for the immediate danger was over, +and the vessel might run out of the worst of the storm. Cliffe nodded +when she looked at him, and with some trouble they made their way into +the house, where, with the door shut, they could hear themselves speak. +Evelyn was wet with spray, but there was a high color in her face and +her eyes shone. As she sat down, the house shook beneath a blow, and +there was a savage flapping on the roof. Then something seemed driven +across it, and they could hear only the wind and the sea again. + +"The awning!" Cliffe said. "They've managed to cut it loose now that +she's before the wind. I guess Grahame would rather have brought her +head-on, but he won't have much trouble if they can keep her from +broaching to. Were you scared?" + +"No," Evelyn answered thoughtfully. "I suppose it was so appalling that +I couldn't realize the danger. I really feel that I'd be sorry if I'd +missed it." + +Cliffe made a sign of comprehension. + +"Well, this is the first time you've seen men hard up against a big +thing. It's an illuminating experience; though a large number of people +never get it. Some of them seem to imagine things go right of +themselves, and there's no call now for strength and nerve. Anyhow, I +was glad to feel that Grahame knew his business." + +Evelyn was silent for a few moments. Her clothes were wet and ought to +be changed, but the tension on her nerves had not slackened much, and +she felt restless and unwilling to be alone. Besides, there was a mild +satisfaction in doing something imprudent, and she thought the storm had +roused her father into a talkative mood. While indulgent to her, he was +often marked by a certain reserve, which she had noticed her mother +never tried to penetrate. + +"I wonder why you decided to cross in this little boat, when we could +have gone by one of the big passenger liners?" she said. + +"Saved waiting, for one thing," Cliffe answered in a deprecatory tone. +"Then I'll confess that I felt I'd like to do something that wasn't +quite usual." + +Evelyn laughed. + +"It isn't a wish one would suspect you of." + +"Well," Cliffe said with a twinkle, "I guess it was boyish, but we all +have our weaknesses, though I don't often indulge mine. I find it +doesn't pay. I'm a sober business man, but there's a streak of +foolishness in me. Sometimes it works out and I feel that I want a +frolic, for a change." + +"Then you must have exercised some self-control." + +"When I was a young man, I found my job square in front of me. I had to +sit tight in the office, straighten out a business that had got rather +complicated, and expand it if possible. It wasn't quite all I wanted to +do, but I'd a notion that I could make my pile and then let myself go. +It took me some years to get things straight, the pile was harder to +make than I reckoned, and your mother had a use for all the money I +could raise. Her ambition was to put the family high up in the social +scale--and she's done it." + +"So you stifled your longings and went on making money that we might +have every advantage!" Evelyn said with a guilty feeling. "I feel +ashamed when I realize it." + +"I've been repaid," Cliffe replied. "Then, after a time, my job became +congenial and got hold of me. The work became a habit; I didn't really +want to break away." He paused and resumed with a humorous air: "It's +only at odd moments I play with the notion that I'd like something +different. I know it would jar me if I got it; and I'm getting old." + +Evelyn mused. Her father's story had its pathetic side. Though they had +not much in common, he had been her mother's willing slave: toiling in +the city to further plans which Evelyn suspected he would not have made. +In a sense, his life had been bare and monotonous; there was something +he had missed. Evelyn thought that he recognized this, though not with +regret. + +She started as Grahame came in. Salt water dripped from him and gathered +in a pool on the floor, but he turned to them with a smile. + +"The wind is dropping fast, and the sea hadn't time to get up. We had +some trouble at first when the awning blew out of its lashings and +stopped her coming round, but she steered all right as soon as we got +her before the sea." + +"We were on deck most of the time," Evelyn said. + +Grahame laughed as he recalled their conversation in the early evening. + +"After what you must have seen," he asked, "don't you agree that there +are advantages in keeping in smooth water?" + +"Oh, one can't deny it. For all that, my experience to-night strengthens +my belief that there's something very exhilarating in taking a risk." + +She went out on deck and stood for a minute or two, holding on by a +shroud. There was now no fury in the wind, and the moon was bright. The +swell had gathered itself up into tumbling combers that shook their +crests about the rail as the _Enchantress_ lurched over them. A few torn +clouds drove across the southern sky, but the rest of the wide sweep was +clear and the scene was steeped in harmonies of silver and dusky blue. +By daybreak the vessel would be steaming on an even keel, but Evelyn +knew that she would not again be content with glassy calm and languorous +tranquillity. The turmoil of the storm had made a subtle change in her; +it was as if she had heard a call in the elemental clamor and her heart +had answered. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE RUSE + + +Cliffe and his daughter were landed at Kingston, and three weeks later +Grahame put into a Central-American port. The propeller was not running +well, and Macallister, suspecting it was working loose on the shaft, +declared that he must put the vessel on a beach where she would dry at +low-water. Grahame had a few days to spare, for he could not land his +cargo before the time Don Martin had fixed; but as the arms were on +board he would have preferred to wait at sea, outside the regular +steamers' track. + +It happened that there was no repair-shop in the town, but while +Macallister thought over the difficulty a tramp steamer dropped anchor, +and he went off to her, remarking that he might find a friend on board. +In an hour or two the gig came back, and Grahame, hearing _My boat rocks +at the pier o' Leith_ sung discordantly, saw that Macallister's +expectations had been fulfilled. This did not surprise him, for the +Scots engineer is ubiquitous and to have "wrought" at Clydebank or +Fairfield is a passport to his affection. + +Macallister's face was flushed and his air jaunty, but the tall, gaunt +man who accompanied him looked woodenly solemn. He began by emptying a +basket of greasy tools on the _Enchantress's_ white deck with the +disregard for the navigating officers' feelings which the engine-room +mechanic often displays. After this, he went down a rope and sat on the +sand under the boat's counter, studying the loose screw while he smoked +several pipes of rank tobacco, but without making any remark. Then he +got up and slowly stretched his lanky frame. + +"Weel," he said, "we'll make a start." + +It was eleven o'clock on a very hot morning when he and Macallister +lighted a blow-lamp, the flame of which showed faint and blue in the +strong sunshine, and they labored on until dusk fell between six and +seven in the evening. Offers of food and refreshment were uncivilly +declined, and Watson ignored Grahame's invitation to spend the evening +on board. + +"I'll be back the morn," was all he said as he was rowed away. + +"A new type!" Grahame laughed. + +"He's unique," Walthew agreed. "Only addressed me twice, and then in a +very personal strain. But the fellow's an artist in his way. Spent two +hours softening and filing up a taper key, but it fitted air-tight when +we drove it in. Something Roman about that man; means his work to last +forever." + +Operations were resumed the next morning, and Grahame had no doubt of +the excellence of the job when the Scots seemed satisfied late in the +afternoon. Then Watson said he would come back to dine when he had +cleaned himself and would bring his skipper, and Grahame dubiously +inspected his small stock of wine. He imagined it had not sufficient +bite to please his guests. + +The tramp skipper presently arrived: a short, stout man, with a humorous +eye. When dinner was over and the wine finished, the party adjourned to +the café Bolívar, but Grahame went with misgivings. He knew something +about the habits of tramp captains, and had seen trouble result from the +eccentricities of Scotch engineers. The garrison band was playing in the +plaza they crossed, and citizens promenaded up and down with their wives +and daughters. The clear moonlight fell upon gayly-colored dresses and +faces of various shades, while here and there a jingling officer, +lavishly decorated with gold-lace, added an extra touch of brightness. +Nobody, however, showed a friendly interest in Grahame's party, for +Americans and English were not just then regarded with much favor in the +ports of the Spanish Main. Indeed, Grahame fancied that a group of +slouching soldiers meant to get into his way, but as a brawl was not +desirable, he tactfully avoided them. + +The café was situated at the end of the square, and the party, sitting +at a small table among the pillars that divided its open front from the +pavement, could look down upon the moonlit harbor. The inlet was long +and shallow, with an old Spanish fort among the sands at its outer end +and another commanding it from a height behind the town. A cathedral +stood opposite the café; and narrow, dark streets, radiating from the +plaza, pierced the square blocks of houses. + +Walthew and Grahame drank black coffee; but this had no attraction for +the rest. The tramp captain, soon becoming genial, put his feet on a +chair and beamed upon his neighbors, while Macallister, as usual, +entered into talk with them. He discoursed at random in very bad +Castilian, but his remarks were humorous and in spite of the citizens' +prejudices, laughter followed them. Watson sat stonily quiet, drinking +fiery _caña_ and frowning at the crowd. + +"Ye were aye a dumb stirk at Clydebank," Macallister said to him. "Can +ye no' talk instead o' glowering like a death's-head?" + +"I can when I'm roused," Watson replied. "Maybe ye'll hear something +frae me when I'm through wi' this bottle." + +"It's the nature o' the man," Macallister informed the others and then, +addressing the company, asked if anybody could sing. + +No one offered to do so, and, beckoning a dark-complexioned lounger who +had a guitar hung round his neck, he brought him to their table and gave +him wine. Then he borrowed the guitar, and, somewhat to Grahame's +surprise, began a passable rendering of a Spanish song. + +The captain beat time with a bottle, some of the company sang the +refrain, and, after finishing amidst applause, Macallister tried the +music of his native land. In this he was less successful, for the wild +airs, written for the bagpipes, did not go well upon the melancholy +guitar. + +"It's no' the thing at all," Watson remarked. "Ye're just plodding +through it like a seven-knot tramp against the tide. Can ye no' open the +throttle and give her steam?" + +Before Macallister could answer, a neatly dressed gentleman brought a +bottle of vermouth from a neighboring table and joined the group. + +"You like a drink?" he asked politely. + +Watson nodded, and, taking the small bottle, emptied half of the liqueur +into his glass. + +"Yon's no' so bad," he commented when he had drained the glass. + +The stranger smiled as he poured out the rest of the vermouth for +Watson. + +"You mend the steamboat screw?" he asked carelessly. + +"Yes, my friend," Watson replied, regarding the stranger out of sleepy +looking eyes. + +"How it come loose?" + +"Tail-nut slacked up when the engines ran away in heavy weather." + +"You get bad weather, then?" + +"Bad enough," Watson answered. + +Grahame gave him a cautious glance, but his face was expressionless. It +was obvious that the stranger had mistaken him for the _Enchantress's_ +engineer. Watson must have realized this, but he had given the fellow +misleading answers, and Grahame thought he need not run the risk of +trying to warn him. He wondered, though, how far Macallister had taken +Watson into his confidence. + +"Small boat," said the stranger; "you find her wet when it blow. What +you load?" + +"Mahogany and dyewood, when it's to be got." + +"Then you go to Manzanillo; perhaps to Honduras. But she not carry much; +not room for big logs below." + +"The big ones sit on deck," said Watson stolidly. + +The man ordered some cognac, but Grahame imagined that he was wasting +his hospitality. Though the Scot's legs might grow unsteady, his head +would remain clear. + +"There is cargo that pay better than wood," his companion suggested with +a meaning smile. + +"Maybe," agreed Watson. "But ye run a risk in carrying it." + +"Ver' true. And when you go to sea?" + +"I canna' tell. The high-press' piston must come up. She's loosened a +ring." + +The stranger made a few general remarks and then strolled away. He had +learned, at the cost of a bottle of vermouth and some brandy, that +Watson was the _Enchantress's_ engineer, and the vessel would not sail +for a day or two. + +Grahame chuckled. He meant to leave port the next morning. + +Having spent some time at the café, he felt that he could now leave his +guests. They might, perhaps, indulge in boisterous amusements but he did +not think they would come to harm. Indeed, if anybody were hurt in a row +it would more likely be the citizens who came into collision with them. + +"All right; I've had enough," Walthew said when Grahame touched him. +"Mack's going to sing again, and I can't stand for that." + +The moon had sunk behind the white houses as they crossed the plaza, and +Grahame kept down the middle, avoiding the crowd near the bandstand and +the narrow mouths of the streets. + +"Who was that fellow talking to Watson?" Walthew asked. + +"I don't know, but he was interested in our affairs. They have a good +secret service in these countries, and we're open to suspicion. We're +obviously not yachtsmen, and the boat's too small for a regular +trader." + +"Do you think the man's an agent of the government we're up against?" + +"I don't know. I'd hardly expect them to send their spies along the +coast; but, then, these States may keep each other informed about the +movements of dangerous people. Anyway, there'd be an excuse for trouble +if they searched us and found the rifles." + +"Sure," said Walthew thoughtfully. "It's fortunate we light out +to-morrow." + +He looked round as they reached the end of the plaza. The band had +stopped, and the ring of lights round its stand was broken as the lamps +went out, but a broad, illuminated track extended from the front of the +café. The thinning crowd moved across it: a stream of black figures +silhouetted against the light. Everything else was dark, and except for +the soft patter of feet the city was quiet; but it had a sinister look, +and Walthew instinctively kept away from the trees in the small +_alameda_ they skirted. He was an Anglo-Saxon, and would not shrink from +a danger that could be faced in daylight, but he hated the stealthy +attack in the dark and the hidden intrigues the Latin half-breeds +delight in. + +When they reached the beach he stumbled over a small anvil lying near +high-water mark, and after another few steps trod upon a hammer. + +"They have left all their tools about," he said. "Shall we call the boys +and put the truck on board?" + +"I think not," Grahame replied. "It's the marine engineer's privilege to +make as much mess as he likes, and he generally resents its being +cleaned up without his permission. Besides, their leaving the things +suggests that the job's not finished." + +They pushed off the dinghy and boarded the steamer. The tide had flowed +round her, but she would not float for an hour or two, and Walthew, +sitting on the rail, glanced down the harbor. It was now very dark, but +the water had a phosphorescent gleam. The _Enchantress's_ cable was +marked by lambent spangles, and there was a flicker of green fire along +the tramp's dark side. Her riding-lights tossed as she swung with the +languid swell, and away at the harbor mouth two bright specks pierced +the dark. A small gunboat had anchored at dusk, and as the fort had +fired a salute she was evidently a foreigner. Walthew felt curious about +her nationality, and wondered why she lay where she commanded the +entrance instead of mooring near the town. Grahame, however, did not +seem disturbed, and they presently sat down to a game of chess in the +saloon. + +Although the ports were open, it was very hot, and when the kerosene +lamp flickered in the draughts an unpleasant smell filled the room. The +men felt languid and their attention wandered from the dragging game. At +last Walthew threw the pieces roughly into the box. + +"You'd have seen what I was getting after with the bishop if you hadn't +been thinking of something else," he said. "It's been a mighty long +game; Mack ought to have come back." + +Grahame nodded agreement, and they went out on deck. The town was quiet, +and, so far as they could see, only one light burned in it, between the +plaza and the _alameda_. Then an uproar broke out, the clamor reaching +them distinctly over the night water. Grahame, running to the +engine-room, shook the drowsy half-breed on watch and ordered him to +stir the fires, which had been lighted and damped. Then he dropped over +the rail into the dinghy with Walthew, and as soon as they jumped ashore +they started for the plaza on a run. + +"Sounds like a _jamboree_," Walthew said. "When things begin to hum +you'll find Mack somewhere around; and that tramp captain looked as if +he could get on a jag." + +"He had a wicked eye," Grahame breathlessly agreed. + +As they entered the plaza, a noisy crowd, which seemed to be getting +larger rapidly, surged toward them. In the background the café Bolívar +was still lighted, and close at hand a lamp burned at the top of a tall +pole. For all that, it was difficult to make out anything except a mass +of people pressing about a smaller group, and Grahame roughly flung two +or three excited citizens aside before he could see what was going on. +Then he was not surprised to note a party of three Britons retreating in +good order before an obviously hostile mob. The tramp captain had lost +his hat and his jacket was torn, but he carried a champagne bottle like +a club, and his hot, red face had a pugnacious look. Macallister trailed +the leg of a broken iron chair, and Watson seemed to have armed himself +with part of the chair's back. He was hurling virulent epithets at the +throng, while Macallister sang a sentimental ballad in an unsteady +voice. + +As Grahame and Walthew drew nearer, the crowd closed in as if to cut off +the others' retreat, but a shout from Watson dominated the growing +uproar. + +"Oot o' the way, ye dirt! Drap yon deevil wi' the knife!" + +Macallister, still singing, swung the leg of the chair and a man went +down upon the stones, the knife he held flying from his hand. There was +a thud as the captain's champagne bottle descended on somebody's head; +and Watson sprang forward, whirling the broken casting. The crowd gave +back before his rush and then scattered as Grahame and Walthew appeared +in the gap. The fugitives stopped; and during the moment's breathing +space Grahame noticed that a smashed guitar, adorned with gaudy ribbons, +hung round Macallister's neck. + +"It was yon fool thing made the trouble," Watson explained. "He racked +her till she buckled, but she would not keep the tune, and we had to pit +her owner below the table. Then an officer wi' a sword would interfere +and when he got a bit tap wi' a bottle we were mobbed by the roomful o' +swine." + +He paused as somebody threw a stone at him, and then addressed the crowd +in warning: + +"We'll no' be responsible for what may happen til ye if we lose our +tempers!" + +The mob had been closing in again, but it fell back when two +white-uniformed rural guards with pistols drawn pushed through. Grahame +spoke to them in Castilian, and they stopped. While they asked him +questions, another man, whom they saluted with respect, joined them. + +"It is not permitted to make a disturbance in this city," the official +said to Grahame. "We will inquire into the matter to-morrow. You will go +on board your vessel now." + +"I'm no' going," Watson declared when Grahame translated the order. +"Took a room at Hotel Sevillana, and I want to see the dago who would +pit me oot." + +"Better humor him," advised the captain. "Obstinate beast when he gets a +notion into his head. If he's not on board in the morning, I'll send a +boatful of deckhands for him." + +Grahame explained that the engineer wished to spend the night ashore, +and the official looked thoughtful. + +"Very well," he said. "One of the guards will see him to his hotel. It +is necessary for him to go now." + +"Ye can tell him I'm ready," Watson replied, and added in a low voice as +he passed Grahame: "Get away to sea as soon as she floats!" + +He went off with his escort and the official said something aside to the +remaining guard, who saluted and told the others to follow him. The +crowd had scattered, and nobody interfered with the party on their way +to the harbor. + +"I will wait until I see you go on board," the guard said when they +reached the beach. "You will be called upon some time to-morrow." + +"They'd have been wiser if they had begun their investigations now," +Grahame remarked as they launched the dinghy. "She'll be afloat in half +an hour. Do you feel up to running the engine, Mack? If not, Walthew +must do the best he can." + +"I could take her oot if I was drunk and I'm far frae that," Macallister +declared. "Looks as if ye had no' allooed for the steadiness o' the +Scottish head. Noo, there's Watson, and I'll no' say he was quite +sober, but he could spoil yon dago's game. Maybe ye're beginning to +understand why he would sleep ashore. They think ye canna' get away +withoot him." + +"I see that," said Grahame. "Better send your fireman to collect your +tools when Miguel looses the stern mooring. And try to restrain your +feelings if things are not quite right below. It's important that we +should get away quietly." + +They reached the _Enchantress_, and preparations for departure were +silently begun. + +They must first slip past the watching fort, and then elude the foreign +gunboat. They knew the consequences if they were caught. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +ELUDING THE GUNBOAT + + +The night was very dark. Here and there a lone star peeped out bravely, +but it could shine but faintly through the heavy mist that was settling +down over the _Enchantress_. + +Grahame, the leadline in his hand, leaned anxiously on the rail, +watching the foam boil about the vessel's side. Her keel stirred in the +sand and the propeller was beating hard; but she did not move. To make +things worse, the disturbed water broke noisily on the beach and the +thud of engines could be heard at some distance. Grahame had not +complied with the formalities required before leaving port, but he +carried a dangerous cargo and he feared that he might be detained unless +he got away at once. The _Enchantress_, however, was not yet afloat, and +he reluctantly signaled for steam to be shut off. + +Walthew came up when the engines stopped, and Grahame sat down on the +ledge of the door. It was very quiet when the splash of water died away, +and the darkness and silence reacted upon the men's tense nerves. They +found inaction singularly hard. + +"You have got to take her out the minute she's off the ground," Walthew +said. "To be caught getting ready to leave would give us away." + +"Sure thing! The Port Captain's guard watches the beach; they've +sentries at the fort and a wire to the town; and there's a gunboat in +the entrance. Our job doesn't look easy." + +"Ye have quarter o' an hour yet, but that's all," Macallister said as he +joined them. "If I canna' give the engines steam then, she'll blow off +and rouse the town." + +They waited anxiously, Grahame glancing at his watch and walking to the +rail, where he felt the leadline; but the water rose with exasperating +slowness. Then suddenly a jet of steam broke with a muffled throb from +the escape-pipe, and Macallister jumped up. + +"Ye have got to start her noo!" he said. + +Walthew followed him below; the engines clanked; the propeller spun; and +Grahame hauled the lead in with a breath of relief, for the line grew +taut as the vessel moved. Then he stood in the main rigging, where he +could see better and where Miguel, at the helm, could watch his +signaling hand. With screw throbbing gently, the _Enchantress_ crept +away into the dark. Her gray hull would be invisible from the shore, but +phosphorescence blazed about her bows and her wake was a trail of fire. + +The tramp steamer rode not far ahead, a mysterious shadowy bulk, with +the gleam of her anchor-lights on the water, but as the _Enchantress_ +stole past a voice called out to her: + +"Good luck!" + +Grahame did not answer, but he was grateful. The tramp captain +understood why his engineer had stayed ashore. Macallister's friends +were staunch; the Scots stood by one another. + +The light in the plaza grew dim astern, and the blurred, dark beach was +rapidly slipping by. There was a lift on the water as they drew near the +harbor mouth; but the fort had yet to be passed, and Grahame searched +the shore with his glasses. Little by little he made out a formless +mound, which grew more distinct. There was no light in the building, but +he knew that sentries were supposititiously keeping watch beside the +guns. One or two of these were modern and no vessel was allowed to leave +port at night without official permission and a notification to the +commandant. If the steamer were seen, refusal to stop would be followed +by the roar of a gun. But Grahame did not mean to stop so long as she +was not struck. + +For the next few minutes he felt his nerves tingle, but the fort was +dark and silent and only the soft splash along the beach broke the +stillness. The shadowy building dropped astern and he turned his glasses +upon the harbor mouth. Two lights showed where the gunboat lay, and, +some distance beyond them, a dim, pulsating radiance glimmered. This +marked where the open water swell broke upon the shoals. Grahame hoped +that it would cover the _Enchantress's_ luminous wake; besides, the roar +of the surf might drown the thud of engines, which carries far on a calm +night. + +Jumping down from the rigging, he rapped sharply on the engine-hatch, +and Walthew ran quickly up the ladder. + +"Throttle her down," Grahame said. "If I knock once, stop her; if twice, +give her all the steam you can." + +Walthew nodded to show that he understood, for it might be dangerous to +use the telegraph gong; and then he disappeared below while Grahame +stood still, steadying the glasses on the deckhouse top. + +With screw spinning slowly, the _Enchantress_ glided on, and the +gunboat's hull grew into shape against the sky. Grahame was glad that he +had the land behind him and his vessel was small, but he beckoned Miguel +to let her swing inshore. There was a shoal on that side, marked by a +line of foam; but he must take the risk of going too close. + +A phosphorescent flicker played about the vague blackness of the +gunboat's bows; the light from the lamp on her forestay showed part of +the deck, and then receded as she rolled. Grahame could make out an +anchor hanging ready to let go and a man standing by her rail, until the +light reeled and the figure was lost in gloom. It seemed to him that the +_Enchantress_ must be seen, and he wondered whether the other vessel had +her boats in the water. He suspected that she belonged to the government +which Don Martin meant to overthrow, and it would be difficult to get +away from her if she had steam up. She was now abreast of him, but there +was no sign of activity on board. The _Enchantress_ crept on. The +gunboat dropped back to her quarter. Then there was a sudden harsh +rattle, and Grahame gasped. But a splash relieved the tension, because +he knew it was only the ash-hoist bringing up furnace cinders. + +She drew further aft and began to fade; but Grahame now saw danger +ahead. The _Enchantress_ was throwing fiery spray about her bows and +rolling as she forged slowly through broken water. The shoal was close +ahead and, taking a sounding, he found scarcely a fathom under the keel. +This was enough, however, and, beckoning to Miguel, he let her go until +the darkness astern was broken only by the gunboat's lights. Then, +finding deeper water, he struck the engine-hatch. + +"We're clear!" he called down in an exultant voice. "Drive her, but make +no sparks!" + +The _Enchantress_ began to tremble, and a few moments later loose +stanchions rattled and deck-planks shook as she leaped through the long +swell with green fire blazing in the wake of her thudding screw. Grahame +laughed softly, and sat down to light a cigarette. He imagined that when +morning came there would be several badly disappointed intriguers in the +port he had left. + +He thought it best, however, not to proceed directly to his destination, +and it was three days later when he ran in behind a point, and anchored +in shallow water. It was daylight, but the _Enchantress's_ gray hull and +slender spars would be hard to see against the land, and there was no +sign of habitation on the sweep of desolate coast. A cliff rose behind +the steamer, and then for some miles the dazzling sea broke in a fringe +of lace-like foam on a beach of yellow sand. On the landward side of +this, glossy-green jungle rolled away and merged into taller forest that +was presently lost in haze. No smoke streaked the horizon, and there was +not a boat on the beach, but while Grahame carefully watched, two +appeared from behind a reef, and he put down his glasses with a smile. + +"Our friends!" he said to Walthew. "You might get the winch ready while +we take the hatches off." + +An hour later a small party sat in the shade of the new stern awning. +The boats had gone away loaded, but they had left Don Martin and three +companions on board. Father Agustin, whose rusty black cassock jarred +upon the blaze of light and color, leaned back in a canvas chair with a +wineglass in his olive-tinted hand. + +"I'm surprised to find you in such company, Father," Grahame said to +him. + +The priest's eyes twinkled. + +"It is not only the rich and respected we are sent out to seek, though I +think they need us as much as the others." + +"You might find their help useful," Walthew suggested. + +"True, if one could buy it! As a rule, they do not give, but sell, and +the price they ask is often high." + +"Some bribes are hard to resist when they are offered in the name of +charity; for example, hospitals founded and new churches built," Grahame +interposed. "These are things you can make good use of." + +Father Agustin looked at him steadily. + +"An honest man does not take a bribe, as you, my son, should know," he +said. + +"Ah!" Grahame returned carelessly. "I did not think you had heard of--a +certain affair." + +Walthew gave him a surprised glance, but Father Agustin smiled. + +"I hear many curious things. Besides, my companions take precautions. +Sometimes they find them needed." + +"I suppose if I had done what I was asked and pocketed the reward, I +should have met with an accident shortly afterward?" Grahame suggested. + +"One does not talk of such matters, señor, among trusted friends," one +of the men interposed. + +"Your intelligence department seems to be well organized, but there's +ground for believing the opposition's is quite as good," Grahame said, +and related what had happened at their last port. + +"Care will be needed after this," said Don Martin. "Now that they know +your boat, it is fortunate we changed the landing place; but you are +safe here. This coast is low and unhealthy; the President's friends are +prosperous and do not live in the swampy jungle." + +"One can understand that," Grahame responded. "Your appeal is to those +who must live how and where they can. No doubt, they suffer now and then +for helping you." + +"Ah!" exclaimed one of the Spaniards, "_how_ they suffer! If you give me +leave, señores, I can tell you startling things." + +They listened with quickening interest, and he kept his promise well, +for there is in southern peoples, contaminated by darker blood, a vein +of sensual cruelty that sometimes leads to the perpetration of +unutterable horrors. Grahame's face grew quietly stern, Walthew's hot +and flushed, and Macallister clenched his hand, for the tales they heard +fired their blood. + +"You have told us enough," Walthew said at last. "I went into this +business because I was looking for adventure and wanted to make some +money--but I mean to see it through if it costs me all I have!" He +turned to his comrades. "How do you feel about it?" + +"Much as you do," Grahame answered quietly, and Macallister put his hand +on Sarmiento's arm. + +"I'm with ye, if ye mean to make a clean sweep o' yon brutes." + +"I believe their reckoning will come, but our bargain stands," said Don +Martin. "We need arms, and will pay for all you bring. Still, I am glad +your hearts are with us. It is sentiment that carries one farthest." + +"How have you been getting on since we last met?" Walthew asked. + +"We make progress, though there are difficulties. One must fight with +the purse as well as the sword, and the dictator's purse is longer than +ours. Of late, he has been getting money and spending it with a free +hand." + +"Do you know where he gets it?" Grahame asked thoughtfully. + +"So far, we have not found out. But it is foreign money, and he must +give what belongs to the country in exchange." + +"An easy plan!" Walthew said. "Makes the country pay for keeping him in +power. I guess you'll have to meet the bill when you get in." + +"That is so," Don Martin agreed. "It forces our hand. We must get in +before he leaves us no resources at all." + +Grahame thought of Cliffe, and wondered about his business with Gomez; +but he decided to say nothing of this. + +"Is Castillo still at liberty?" he asked. + +"He is watched, but we have been able to protect him. A man of passion +and fervor who will rouse the people when the right time comes." + +"But perhaps not a good plotter?" + +Father Agustin gave Grahame a shrewd glance. + +"We do not all possess your northern self-restraint, though one admits +its value. Señor Castillo follows a poetical ideal." + +"So I imagined. Cold conviction sometimes leads one farther." + +They were silent for a minute or two, and then one said: + +"We have been anxious about Castillo. It is not that we doubt his +sincerity." + +"You doubt his staying power?" + +Father Agustin made an assenting gesture. + +"Our friend is ardent, but a fierce fire soon burns out. The danger is +that when warmth is needed there may be no fuel left." + +"I think you should try to guard him from pressure he is unfit to +stand," Grahame suggested. "One cannot always choose one's tools, but if +you are careful he may last until his work is done." + +"It is so," Father Agustin agreed. "One loves the ring of fine, true +steel, but it is fortunate that metal of softer temper has its use, +though it sometimes needs skillful handling." + +"He kens!" exclaimed Macallister. "Ye may rake stuff that will serve ye +weel from the scrap heap o' humanity, and there's times when it's a +comfort to remember that. But I'm surprised to find ye meddling with +politics." + +"I am not a politician; it is not permitted. But I may hate injustice, +and there is no canon that bids me support what is evil. I came here as +your guest with other friends, and if they honor me with their +confidence I cannot refuse; nor do I think it a grave offense to give +them a word of advice." + +"Good advice may prove more dangerous to their enemies than rifles," +Grahame said. + +Father Agustin mused for a few moments. + +"Our friends' real task begins with their triumph," he said gravely; +"for that, at best, can but mean a clearing of the ground. Man builds +slowly, but to destroy is easy, and many see no farther." + +"But when the building is tottering and rotten?" + +"Sometimes it may be repaired, piece by piece, but that is not your +plan." Father Agustin spread out his hands. "If you build on a sound +foundation, your new work will stand; but the edifice of the State +cannot be cemented with hatred and envy. This responsibility is yours +and not your enemies'. But one looks to the future with hope as well as +doubt." + +They then discussed the landing of the next cargo, and the general +course of operations, but while they plotted with Spanish astuteness +Grahame imagined that the quiet priest was the brain of the party. + +After a time, the boats came back for another load, and when sunset +streaked the water with a lurid glow the guests took their leave and the +_Enchantress_ steamed out to sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE TEST OF LOVE + + +The hot summer day was over and the light beginning to fade when Evelyn +came down the steps of a country house in northern Maine. Banner's Post +stood at the foot of a hillside among the dark pines, and the murmur of +running water echoed about its walls. It belonged to Mrs. Willans, Mrs. +Cliffe's sister, for Willans, who had bought the house at his wife's +command, seldom came there and did not count. Mrs. Willans wanted a +peaceful retreat where she and her friends, when jaded by social +activities, could rest and recuperate in the silence of the woods. She +had many interests and what she called duties, but she had of late felt +called upon, with her sister's full approval, to arrange a suitable +marriage for her niece. Henry Cliffe was not really rich. + +Evelyn was dressed in the latest summer fashion, and the thin, light +clothes became her. The keen mountain breezes had given her a fine +color, and she looked very fresh and young by contrast with the jaded +business man at her side. Cliffe wore an old gray suit that Evelyn had +never seen and shabby leggings. A creel hung round his shoulders, and he +carried a fishing-rod. His face was lined and pale, but when they left +the garden and entered the woods Evelyn was surprised to note that his +thin figure harmonized with the scattered boulders and the ragged pines. +To some extent, this might be accounted for by the neutral tint of his +clothes, but he somehow looked at home in the wilderness. Though he had +once or twice gone off with an old friend on a shooting trip, she had +never thought of her father as a sport. + +"It is curious that you make me feel you belong to the bush," she said. + +"I used to go fishing when I was a boy," Cliffe replied with a +deprecatory smile. "I've never had much time for it since; but there's +nothing I'm fonder of." + +Evelyn found something pathetic in his answer. He had very few +opportunities for indulging in the pastimes he liked, and now he was +going out to fish with a keen eagerness that showed how scarce such +pleasures were. His enjoyment was essentially natural; her friends' +enthusiasm for the amusements Mrs. Willans got up was artificial and +forced. They had too much, and her father not enough. + +"I hope the trout will rise well," she said. "We were surprised to hear +that you were coming down." + +"I found I could get away for the week-end. Have you been having a good +time?" + +"Yes, in a way. I have everything I ought to like; something amusing to +do from morning to night, the kind of people I've been used to about me, +and Aunt Margaret sees that nobody is dull." + +She had had more than she mentioned, for Gore was staying at Banner's +Post, and had devoted himself to her entertainment with a frank +assiduity that had roused the envy of other guests. Evelyn admitted +feeling flattered, for Gore had many advantages, and his marked +preference had given her an importance she had not always enjoyed. + +"And yet you're not quite satisfied?" Cliffe suggested with a shrewd +glance. + +"Perhaps I'm not, but I don't know. Is one ever satisfied?" + +"One ought to be now and then when one is young. Make the most of the +pleasures you can get, but aim at the best." + +Evelyn mused for a few minutes. She could treat her father with +confidence. He understood her, as her mother seldom did. + +"What is the best?" she asked. + +"To some extent, it depends on your temperament; but it goes deeper than +that. There's success that palls and gratification that doesn't last. +One soon gets old and the values of things change; you don't want to +feel, when it's too late, that there's something big and real you might +have had and missed." + +"Have you felt this?" + +"No," Cliffe answered quietly; "I get tired of the city now and then and +long for old clothes, a boat, and a fishing-rod, but these are things it +doesn't hurt a man to go without. I have a home to rest in and a wife +and daughter to work for. An object of that kind helps you through +life." + +"My trouble is that I don't seem to have any object at all. I used to +have a number, but I'm beginning now to doubt whether they were worth +much. But I'm afraid you have made a sacrifice for our sakes." + +Cliffe looked at her thoughtfully. + +"My belief is that you always have to make some sacrifice for anything +that's worth while." He laughed. "But right now fishing is more in my +line than philosophy!" + +He followed the little path that led to the stream, and Evelyn turned +back slowly through the quiet woods. Her father's remarks had led her +into familiar but distasteful thought. It was perhaps true that one must +make some sacrifice to gain what was best worth having; but she had been +taught to seize advantages and not to give things up. Now she could have +wealth, a high position, and social influence, which were of value in +her world, and in order to gain them she had only to overcome certain +vague longings and the rebellious promptings of her heart. Gore wanted +her, and she had been pleasantly thrilled to realize it; perhaps she +had, to some extent, tried to attract him. It was foolish to hesitate +when the prize was in her reach; but she did not feel elated as she went +back to the house. + +She lingered among the last of the trees. They lifted their black spires +against the sky, the air was filled with their resinous scent, and +faint, elfin music fell from their tops. Far above, the bald summit of +Long Mountain shone a deep purple, though trails of mist that looked +like lace were drawn about its shoulders. Then the pines rolled down, +straggling at first, but growing thicker and taller until they merged +into the dark forest that hid the giant's feet. The wild beauty of the +scene and the calm of the evening reacted upon the girl; she felt it was +a trivial life that she and her friends led. + +Rousing herself with an effort, she left the woods and entered the +well-kept garden. It had an exotic look; the bright-colored borders +that edged the lawn jarred upon the austere beauty of the wilderness. +Banner's Post was tamely pretty, and Nature had meant the spot to be +grand. Still, the nickeled sprinklers that flung glistening showers +across the smooth grass, and the big gasolene mower, belonged to her +world, in which Nature was kept in her place by civilized art. + +She saw Gore at the bottom of the steps in the midst of a group which +included two attractive girls, and she was conscious of some +satisfaction when he left his companions and came toward her. + +"Luck has been against me all day," he said when he came up. "It seemed +impossible to find you except in the center of what was going on. Now +we'll run away for a little while." + +His manner suggested a right to her society, and he turned toward the +woods without waiting for her consent, but Evelyn thought he would have +acted more wisely had he chosen a quiet nook on the veranda. Reggie was +a product of his luxurious age; he was in his right place in a +comfortable chair or moving gracefully about a polished floor with +smartly dressed people in the background. Though not wholly artificial, +and having some force of character, he failed to harmonize with the note +of primitive grandeur struck by the rugged pines. + +It was different with Evelyn when they sat down on a boulder. Her dress +was in the latest fashion, but she had the gift of revealing something +of her real personality through her attire. Its blue-gray tint matched +the soft coloring of the lichened rock, and the lines of her tall figure +were marked by a classical severity of grace. Then, her eyes were grave +and her face was calm. It was her misfortune that she had not yet +realized herself, but had accepted without much question the manners of +her caste and the character Mrs. Cliffe had, so to speak, superimposed +upon her. + +"It's good to be quiet for a change," Gore said. "When I'm with you I +feel that I needn't talk unless I want to. That's a relief, because it's +when I feel least that I talk the most. You're tranquilizing." + +"I'm not sure you're complimentary. Nowadays a girl is expected to be +bright if she can't be brilliant." + +"That's not your real line. Brilliance is often shallow, a cold, +reflected sparkle. One has to get beneath the surface to understand +you." + +"Perhaps it's true of everybody," Evelyn answered with a smile. "Still, +we're not taught to cultivate virtues that can't be seen." + +"You can't cultivate the best of them; they've got to be an inherent, +natural part of you. But I'm getting off the track--I do now and then." + +Evelyn guessed what he meant to say, but although it would mark a +turning-point in her life, and she did not know her answer, she was very +calm. While she had, for the most part, allowed her mother to direct her +actions, she had inherited Cliffe's independence of thought and force of +will. So far, she had not exerted them, but she meant to do so now. + +Looking up, she saw Long Mountain's towering crest cut in lonely +grandeur against the fading green and saffron of the sky. The mist upon +its shoulders shone faintly white against blue shadows; the pines had +grown taller and blacker, and the sound of running water alone broke the +silence. The resinous smells were keener, and there was a strange +repose in the long ranks of stately trees. Nature had filled the stony +wilds with stern beauty, and Evelyn instinctively felt the call of the +strong, fruitful earth. One must be real and, in a sense, primitive, +here. + +"This," she said, indicating the shadowy landscape, "is very grand. We +don't give much thought to it, but it has its influence." + +"I guess it's all quite fine," Gore agreed absently. "It would make a +great summer-resort if they ran in a branch-railroad. In fact, I've +imagined that Willans had something of the kind in view; he has a genius +for developing real estate." + +"An unthinkable desecration!" Evelyn exclaimed. + +"Well," he said in a quiet voice, "if it would please you, I'd buy +Banner's Post and all the land back to the lake, and nobody but my +game-wardens should disturb it except when you let me come up here with +you. Then you could teach me to appreciate the things you like." + +The girl was touched, for he belonged to the cities, and had nothing in +common with the rocky wilds, but she knew that he would keep his word +and indulge her generously. Nor was she offended by the touch of +commercial spirit, though she would rather he had offered something that +would cost him effort of body or mind. + +"I'm afraid you wouldn't find me worth the sacrifice you would have to +make," she said. "Your tastes don't lie that way." + +He made a gesture of dissent. + +"None of them are very strong, and I know that you go farther in +everything than I can. You're elusive, but I've felt, for a long time, +that if I could reach and win you, you'd help me along. That's my +strongest argument and what I really meant to say. Surely, you have seen +that I wanted you." + +Evelyn felt guilty, because she had seen this and had not repulsed him. +She did not love the man, but love was not thought essential in her +circle and she had never been stirred by passion. + +"I felt that I couldn't get hold of you," he went on; "you were not +ready. We were friends and that was something, but I was looking for a +change in you, some hint of warmth and gentleness." + +"And do you think I am ready now?" + +"No; I only hoped so. I feared I might be wrong. But I began to find +holding myself back was getting too hard, and I was afraid somebody else +might come along who had the power to rouse you. I believe you can be +roused." + +"I wonder!" she said in a curious tone. + +"You make people love you," he broke out. "That's a proof that when the +time comes you're capable of loving. But I only ask to be near you and +surround you with what you like best. There's a rare aloofness in you, +but you're flesh and blood. When you have learned how I love you, you +can't hold out." + +Evelyn was silent, hesitating, with a troubled face. She liked him; he +was such a man as her mother meant her to marry and, until the last few +weeks, she had acquiesced in her obvious fate. Now, however, something +prompted her to rebel, although prudence and ambition urged her to +yield. + +As he watched her in keen suspense, Gore suddenly lost his head. The +next moment his arm was round her and he drew her forward until she was +pressed against him with her face crushed against his. At first she did +not struggle, and he thought she was about to yield, until he felt her +tremble and her face was suddenly turned away. Then she put her hand on +his shoulder and firmly held him back while she slipped from his +relaxing grasp. Gore knew that he had blundered. Letting his arms drop, +he waited until she turned to him, without anger, although her eyes were +very bright and her color was high. + +"I'm sorry, Reggie, but it's impossible for me to marry you." + +"You are sure?" he asked rather grimly. "This is important to me, you +know." + +"Yes," she said with signs of strain; "I am sure. I think I wish it had +been possible, but it isn't. You have convinced me." + +He was silent for a moment. + +"It cuts pretty deep," he said slowly. "I've been afraid all along that +even if you took me you'd never be really within my reach. I guess I've +got to bear it and let you go." + +He rose and stood looking at her irresolutely, and then, with a gesture +of acquiescence, abruptly turned away. + +When he had gone, Evelyn sat still in the gathering dusk. She had, at +first, submitted to his embrace, because she wished to find in any +emotion he was capable of arousing an excuse for marrying him. But she +had felt nothing except repulsion. Then in a flash the truth was plain; +any closer relationship than that of friend would make her loathe the +man she in some ways admired. This was disturbing, but little by little +she began to realize that his touch had a strange after-effect. It had +stirred her to warmth, but not toward him. Longings she had not thought +herself capable of awoke within her; she was conscious of a craving for +love and of a curious tenderness. Only, Reggie was not the man. He had +roused her, but she did not know whether she ought to be grateful for +that. She blushed as she struggled with her rebellious feelings, and +then resolutely pulled herself together. Her mother must be told. + +Mrs. Cliffe was resting before dinner when Evelyn entered her room and +sat down without speaking. + +"What is the matter?" Mrs. Cliffe asked with a premonition that +something had gone wrong. "Why do you come in, in this dramatic way?" + +"I didn't mean to be dramatic," Evelyn answered quietly. "Still, perhaps +I was rather highly strung. Reggie asked me to marry him, and I told him +I could not." + +Mrs. Cliffe sat up suddenly, and there was an angry sparkle in her eyes. + +"Then I think you must be mad! What led you to this absurd conclusion?" + +"It's hard to explain," Evelyn answered with a faint smile. "I suppose I +couldn't give you any very logical reasons." + +"Then it may not be too late to put things right!" Mrs. Cliffe saw a ray +of hope. + +"I'm afraid it is. I think Reggie knows that--he was very considerate. +There is no use in your trying to do anything; I must have my own way in +this." + +Mrs. Cliffe was painfully surprised. The girl had suddenly developed and +revealed unsuspected capacities. She had grown like her father, who, +for all his patience, was sometimes immovable. There was inflexibility +in Evelyn's attitude; her face was hard and determined. + +"Very well," she acquiesced. "Your father must be told, and I don't know +what he will do about it." + +"I would rather tell him myself," Evelyn said. + +This was not what Mrs. Cliffe wanted, but the girl moved to the door as +she finished speaking, and her mother sat down, burning with +indignation. Her authority had been outraged, she felt overcome, and did +not leave her room all evening. + +Evelyn found Cliffe on the veranda, and took him down the steps before +she told him what she had done. He listened without surprise; indeed, +she thought his manner was rather curiously sympathetic. + +"Well," he said, "in a way I'm sorry. Reggie's a good fellow as far as +he goes. But I imagined you liked him. Why did you refuse?" + +"It isn't very plain," Evelyn answered. "I felt I had to. Perhaps Long +Mountain had something to do with it." + +Cliffe smiled, but not with amusement, and Evelyn saw that he +understood. Somehow she had expected him to do so and she was touched +when he gently pressed her arm. + +"After all, you're the person most interested, and you must please +yourself--though your mother will be badly disappointed," he said. "It's +possible we're wiser in the woods than in the city. One sees the things +that matter more clearly away from the turmoil." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE CUBAN SPY + + +Gore left Banner's Post abruptly, to Evelyn's relief, and on the morning +after his departure she and Cliffe stood on the steps before the other +guests had come down to breakfast. It had rained all night, the mist +hung low about Long Mountain's side, and a fresh wind woke waves of +sound from the rustling pines. A creel hung round Cliffe's shoulders, +and he contemplated the dripping woods with a smile of half-apologetic +satisfaction. + +"The fishing should be great to-day!" he exclaimed. "But I feel that I'm +playing truant. I ought to be back at the office. Guess the trout I +catch will cost me high; but the temptation is pretty strong when I see +the water rise." + +"I'm glad you have been rash for once," Evelyn replied. "Besides, you +have an office full of people who can look after things for you." + +Cliffe shook his head. + +"That's the excuse I tried to make, but it won't quite work. If you want +to be a successful operator, you have to sit tight with your finger on +the pulse of the market. A beat or two more or less makes a big +difference. Finance soon gets feverish." + +"And you are one of the doctors who send its temperature up or down." + +"No; that's a wrong idea. Once on a time the big men did something of +the kind, but now the dollar's a world-force that's grown too strong for +them. We gave it a power we can't control; it drives us into combines +and mergers we didn't plan. It's a blind force that rolls along +undirected, over our bodies if we get in its way. All we can do is to +try to guess its drift. The successful man is the one who does so +first." + +"I wonder whether you're to be pitied or envied. The work must be +absorbing, and it's simple, in a way." + +"Simple!" Cliffe exclaimed. + +"Well, you have an object; your aims are definite and you know, more or +less, how to carry them out. We others, who have no purpose in life, +spend our time in amusements that leave us dissatisfied. When we stop to +think, we feel that we might do something better, but we don't know what +it is. The outlook is blank." + +Cliffe gave her a sharp glance. Evelyn had changed in the last few +months, and she had been strangely quiet since her refusal of Gore. +Seeing his interest, she laughed. + +"I'm not asking for sympathy; and I mustn't keep you from the trout. Go +and catch as many as you can. It must be nice to feel that you have only +to pick up a fishing-rod and be young again." + +She walked to the gate with him, but Cliffe stopped when they reached +it, for a big automobile was lurching down the uneven road. The mud +splashed about the car indicated distance traveled at furious speed, but +it slowed at the bend near the gate, and Cliffe sighed as he recognized +Robinson. + +"I guess this stops my fishing," he said in a resigned tone. Dropping +his rod and creel, he jumped on to the footboard as the driver +cautiously took the gate, and Evelyn smiled as the car rolled up the +drive. She was sorry that her father had lost his favorite sport, but +his prompt surrender of it was characteristic. He was first of all a man +of business. + +"Wired for an auto' to meet me when I left the train," Robinson told +him. "It was raining pretty hard, and they don't do much grading on +these mountain roads, but I made the fellow rush her along as fast as he +could." He took some letters from his wallet. "Read these and think them +over while I get breakfast." + +Half an hour afterward they sat in a corner of the veranda, where Mrs. +Willans' guests left them alone. These quiet, intent men of affairs +obviously did not belong to their world. + +"Well?" Robinson said. + +"One of two things has got to be done; there's no middle course." + +Robinson nodded. + +"That's true. Middle courses generally lead to nothing." + +"Very well. We can cut out our deal with President Altiera, lose the +money we have spent, and let the concessions go; or we can pay up again, +hang on, and put the matter through." + +"What's your opinion? The fellow asks for more." + +"Do you mean to be guided by me?" + +"Yes," Robinson said. "Take which you think is the right line; I'll +stand in." + +"It's pretty hard to see. We'll make good if we get the concessions; +but the President's up against a bigger thing than he thought. It's +going to cost him and us some money to head off the revolutionists, but +if we don't drop out right now, we've got to brace up and put it over. +Well, as I'm fixed, it's a big risk. My money's making good interest, +and if I go on, I've got to sell out stock I meant to hold. A set-back +would be a serious thing for me. I want a few minutes to think it over." + +Robinson had confidence in Cliffe's integrity and judgment. + +"An hour, if you like," he said; "then we'll have to pull out, whatever +you decide." + +For a long while Cliffe sat silent with knitted brows. His wife made +claims upon his means that he sometimes found it hard to satisfy; and it +was his ambition that his daughter should be rich. After carefully +pondering the letters, he saw that he might be involved in a conflict +with forces whose strength he could not estimate, and defeat would cost +him the fruit of several years' labor. Yet the prize to be won was +tempting, and he could take a risk. Besides, they already had put a good +deal of money into it. + +"Well," he said at last, "I've made up my mind." + +"To hold on, I guess," Robinson suggested with a smile. + +"That's so," Cliffe answered in a quiet voice. "What's more, I'm going +out to look into things myself. We can talk it over on the way to town. +I'll be ready as soon as I've told my wife." + +Robinson took out his watch. + +"Give you half an hour if we're to catch the train," he said. + +Cliffe met Evelyn in the broad hall, and told her that he would have to +go south at once. + +"Take me with you, won't you?" she begged. "I want to get away from +Banner's Post." + +Cliffe hesitated a moment. + +"Why, yes," he then said; "I see no reason why you shouldn't +go--particularly as your mother means to stay with Margaret Willans." + +When, a half hour later, the car started from the bottom of the steps +and Mrs. Cliffe turned away with a wave of her hand, Evelyn stood in the +drive, asking herself bluntly why she wished to accompany her father. A +longing for change had something to do with it; she was getting tired of +an aimless and, in a sense, uneventful life, for it was true that +occupations that had once been full of pleasurable excitement had begun +to pall. But this was not her only object. Grahame was somewhere on the +coast she meant to visit, and she might meet him. Evelyn admitted with a +blush that she would like to do so. + +The next morning a telegram arrived from Cliffe, directing her to join +him in town, and ten days later she stood, at evening, on a balcony of +the Hotel International, in Havana. It was getting dark, but a few lamps +were lighted in the _patio_, and the moonlight touched one white wall. +The air was hot and heavy, and filled with exotic smells, and the sound +of alien voices gave Evelyn the sense of change and contrast she had +sought. Yet she knew that, so far, the trip had been a failure. It had +not banished her restlessness; Havana was as stale as New York. She +remembered with regret how different it had been on her first visit. +Grahame and his companion had been with her then, and she knew that she +missed them. + +She turned as a man came out on the balcony that ran along the end of +the house. He did not look like a Cuban, and she started when the +moonlight fell upon him, for she saw that it was Grahame. He was making +for the stairs at the corner where the two balconies joined and did not +notice her. Evelyn realized that, as she wore a white dress, her figure +would be indistinct against the wall, and, if she did not move in the +next few moments, he would go down the stairs and disappear among the +people in the _patio_. If he had meant to enter the hotel, he would not +have come that way. + +She felt that if she let him go they might not meet again. After all, +this might be wiser. Yet her heart beat fast, and she thrilled with a +strange excitement as she stood irresolute, knowing that the choice she +had to make would be momentous. + +Grahame reached the top of the stairs without turning, and was going +down when she leaned over the balustrade. She did not consciously decide +upon the action; it was as if something had driven her into making it. + +"Mr. Grahame!" she called softly. + +He looked up with the moonlight on his face and she saw the gleam she +had expected in his eyes. Then he came swiftly toward her, and her +indecision vanished when she gave him her hand. + +"This is a remarkably pleasant surprise, but I didn't see you until you +spoke," he said. "Have you just come out of one of the rooms?" + +"No; I've been here some time. I saw you as soon as you appeared on the +balcony." + +Grahame gave her a quick look, and she knew he was wondering why she had +waited until the last moment. He was shrewd enough to see that the delay +had some significance, but this did not matter. + +"Well," he said, "I'm glad you didn't let me pass, because I was going +out into the street, and it's doubtful if I'd have come back." + +"Yes," said Evelyn; "I seemed to know that." + +He was silent for a moment, but his expression was intent and a faint +glow of color showed in his brown face. Evelyn let him make what he +liked of her admission. She had not been influenced by coquetry, but by +a feeling that it was a time for candor. + +"I was thinking about an interview I'd just finished--that is why I +didn't look round," he explained. "I came from Matanzas this afternoon." + +"Then the _Enchantress_ isn't here?" + +"No; she's at Matanzas, but I can't get back to-night. Will you be here +long?" + +"A day or two, waiting for a boat. I wonder whether you would stay and +dine with us this evening?" Then a thought struck Evelyn, and she added: +"That is, if it isn't undesirable for you to be seen here." + +She had not expected him to hesitate and was prepared for his reckless +twinkle. + +"Of course I'll stay! But did you mean--if it was not unsafe?" + +"I suppose I did," she admitted with a smile. "You know I helped you in +a mysterious plot the last time I was here. Now it would be selfish of +me to ask you to wait if you think you'd better not." + +"There's no risk worth counting, and I'd take it if there was. When you +have a temperament like mine it's hard to deny yourself a pleasure." + +"I shouldn't have thought you self-indulgent," Evelyn smiled. + +"Well," he said, "one's fortitude has its limits. I suppose it depends +upon the strength of the temptation." + +He had answered in a light vein, and Evelyn followed his lead. + +"It's a relief to know you mean to stay. My father will be pleased to +see you; but he may not have finished his business when dinner is ready, +and I rather shrink from going down alone." + +They talked about matters of no importance for a time, and then went +through the _patio_ to the dining-room. It was not full, and Evelyn +imagined that Grahame was glad there were several unoccupied chairs +between them and the rest of the company. She noticed, moreover, that +when people came in he glanced up quietly, as if he did not want her to +notice his action, and she had a guilty feeling that she had made him +take a risk that was greater than he would own. Yet she was glad that he +had taken it. + +"Where are you going when you leave Havana?" he asked presently. + +"To Valverde, and afterward perhaps to Rio Frio." + +Grahame looked thoughtful, and Evelyn quietly studied him. Her training +had made her quick at guessing what lay behind the reserve of people +who were not quite frank with her, and she saw that he was disturbed. + +"Why should I not go there?" she asked. + +"I don't know any good reason if your father's willing to take you, but +the country's in a rather unsettled state just now." Grahame paused for +a moment and added earnestly: "Don't trust Gomez." + +"Do you think we shall meet him?" + +"Yes," he said with a dry smile; "I think it very likely." + +"Then you must know something about my father's business, and what is +going on in the country." + +"I believe I know more about the country than your father does. In fact, +I'd like to warn him against Gomez, only that I imagine he's a good +judge of character and already knows his man." + +Grahame wrote an address on a leaf of a small notebook and, tearing it +out, put it on her plate. + +"I'm going to ask a favor. If you should meet with any difficulty at Rio +Frio, will you send me a message through the man whose name I've written +down? I might, perhaps, be of some use." + +"Do you expect us to get into any difficulty?" + +"No; but one can't tell--trouble might arise." + +"And, if it did, you could help us?" + +"Well," he said gravely, "I'd do my best." + +Evelyn's eyes sparkled. + +"I know you could be trusted! But all this mystery gives the trip an +extra interest. Then, you have made it obvious that the _Enchantress_ +will be on the coast." + +"May I hope that this adds to your satisfaction?" Grahame said, smiling. + +"Now you're frivolous, and I was pleasantly excited! However, I'll +promise that if anything very alarming seems to threaten us I'll send +you word." + +Grahame looked up. An elderly Cuban gentleman, three or four places off, +had once or twice glanced at them carelessly and then resumed his +conversation with a lady beside him, but Grahame noticed that he stopped +when Evelyn spoke. + +"Am I to tell my father what I have promised?" she asked. + +"You must use your own judgment about that." + +Evelyn understood him. He would not ask her to keep a secret from her +father, and she liked his delicacy; but he looked thoughtful. She did +not know that the Cuban gentleman engaged his attention. + +"Well," she said, "I'll tell him if it seems necessary; that is, if +there's any reason for sending you word. Otherwise, of course, there +would be no need to mention it." + +"No," he agreed with a smile that seemed to draw them closer because it +hinted at mutual understanding. + +"One doesn't feel forced to explain things to you," Evelyn said +impulsively. + +"That's an advantage. Explanations are a nuisance, and sometimes +dangerous when they're important. I find them easiest when they don't +matter." + +Cliffe came in and greeted Grahame cordially; and Grahame, glancing down +the table without turning his head, saw the Cuban studying them. +Something in the man's manner suggested that Cliffe's friendliness had +surprised him. He made a few hasty pencil marks on the back of an old +letter and then, looking up suddenly, caught Grahame watching him +curiously. The Cuban pushed back his chair and left the room, although +Grahame suspected that his dinner was not more than half finished. + +Evelyn, surprising the alert look on Grahame's face, was now more +disturbed than ever on his account. Evidently there was danger for him +here. + +Her fears would have been increased had she known the few words the spy +wrote on his envelope. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE ARREST OF CASTILLO + + +On a hot evening not long after he left Havana, Cliffe sat in a room of +the old Spanish _presidio_ at Valverde. The building was in harmony with +the decayed town, for it had been begun in more prosperous times, and +its lower courses were solidly laid with stone. Molded doors and windows +spoke of vanished art, and the gallery round the central _patio_ was +raised on finely carved pillars, but Valverde had fallen on evil days +and the _presidio_ had been finished with adobe mud. It had served at +different times as the seat of the government, the barracks, and the +jail, and now, when part had fallen down, the rest had been rudely +repaired, and Gomez was quartered there when he visited the port. + +Outside, the ruinous building still retained a certain dignity, but this +was not so within, where degenerate taste was shown in the tawdry +decoration, and Gomez's sitting-room frankly offended Cliffe with its +suggestion of effeminate luxury. Gaudy silk hangings hid the old adobe +walls, a silver lamp with a smoked chimney hung from the ceiling by +tarnished chains, and highly colored rugs were spread upon the dirty +floor. There were inartistic but heavily gilded French clocks and +mirrors; and over all a sickening scent of perfume. + +Cliffe found it more pleasant to look out through the open window at the +town, which lay beneath him, bathed in moonlight. The close-massed, +square-fronted houses glimmered white and pink and yellow, with narrow +gaps between them where a few lights burned; a break, from which dusky +foliage rose, marked the _alameda_. In front ran a curving beach where +wet sand glistened below a bank of shingle and a fringe of surf broke +with a drowsy roar. Though it was not late, there was no stir in the +streets; an air of languorous depression brooded over the town. Gomez +seemed to feel that it needed an explanation. + +"Our trade," he said, "is prosperous, but we do not encourage the people +to gather in the plaza, and the cafés are watched. They are the storm +centers: it is there the busybodies talk. The man who stays at home and +minds his business is seldom a danger to the State. He dislikes change, +and has no time to waste on idealistic theories." + +"I guess that's true, up to a point," Cliffe agreed. "The industrious +citizen will stand for a good deal, but he's a man to reckon with when +things get too bad. He doesn't talk, like the others; he's been trained +to act, and there are developments when he makes up his mind about what +he wants. However, this is not what we're here to discuss." + +"No; but the state of the country has something to do with the matter. +We admit that there have been manifestations of discontent, and +disturbances caused by mischievous persons who love disorder, and we +must enforce quietness and respect for authority. This, you will +understand, costs some money." + +"I've subscribed a good deal," Cliffe reminded him. "I'm anxious to +learn when I'm going to get it back." + +"The wish is natural. May I point out that in generously offering help +you threw in your lot with the Government and made our interests yours?" + +"I see that pretty clearly," Cliffe replied with a touch of grimness, +for he recognized the skill with which he had been led on until he could +not draw back without a heavy loss. "Anyway, as you seem to have +weathered the storm, I want my reward. In short, I've come to find out +when your President means to sign the concessions." + +"It will be as soon as possible; there is a small difficulty. We have an +elective legislature; an encumbrance, señor, which hampers the +administration, but in times of discontent it has some influence. Our +people are jealous of foreigners, and there are interested persons ready +to work upon their feelings. This is why the President hesitates about +granting fresh concessions until he has found a way of silencing his +enemies among the representatives. You perceive that I am frank with +you." + +"It's what I like; but you haven't told me yet what I want to know. Now, +unless I can find out exactly when I may expect the papers signed, I'll +feel compelled to shut off supplies. I'd rather cut my loss than go on +enlarging it." + +Gomez looked pained. + +"I must remind you, with some diffidence, that others have offered their +help," he said. + +"They offered it; they haven't paid up. I expect you'll find they'll +insist on knowing when you mean to deliver the goods. That's my +position; I stand firm on it." + +"Very well. Before answering, I must inform the President." + +"You needn't. I'm going to take this matter to headquarters." + +"Unfortunately, the President has gone to Villa Paz for a short rest. I +fear he would not like to be disturbed." + +"He will see me; he has to," Cliffe declared. + +"After all, it is possible, but I see a difficulty. There is no inn at +Villa Paz where the señorita could find accommodation and the President +is, like myself, a bachelor. He could receive you, but not the señorita. +Our conventions are antiquated, but they must be considered. It is this +which prevents me from offering my hospitality." + +Cliffe pondered for a few moments. The conventions Gomez mentioned were +justified, because women are not treated in his country as they are in +the United States, and Cliffe could not leave Evelyn alone in the +Valverde Hotel. For all that, he must see the President, and he imagined +that although Gomez had made some difficulties the fellow was willing +that he should go. Gomez was a clever rogue, but Cliffe thought he could +be trusted so long as their interests did not clash. + +He looked up sharply, for there was a sudden stir in the town. Cliffe +was conscious of no definite sound, but he felt that the quietness had +been broken and he saw that Gomez was listening. The man's fleshy face +was intent; the stamp of indulgence had gone and given place to a look +of fierce cruelty. He had become alert and resolute; this struck Cliffe +as significant, as there was, so far, nothing to cause alarm. + +In a few moments a murmur broke out, and swelled while Gomez walked to +the open window. The streets were suddenly filled with the patter of +hurrying feet, and the confused outcry became a menacing roar. Cliffe +jumped up. He had heard something like it when a mob of desperate +strikers drove the police through an American manufacturing town; and +now his daughter was alone at the hotel. + +"What is it?" he asked. + +"A tumult," Gomez answered. "I do not think it will be serious. We have +placed a guard about the hotel, so the señorita is safe. But you will +excuse me for a few minutes." + +He went into an adjoining room, and Cliffe, standing by the window, +heard a telephone call. After this, all sounds inside the house were +drowned by the growing uproar outside. Cliffe could see nothing of the +riot, but he thought he could locate it in one of the dark gaps that +pierced a block of houses some distance off. The clamor gained in effect +from the mystery that surrounded its cause. + +Two pistol shots rang out and there was a wild shouting, but the note of +fury had changed to alarm. Cliffe thought he could hear men running, and +he pictured the mob pouring down the narrow street in flight, for the +cries grew less frequent and receded. At last they died away, and a +group of men moving in regular order came out of the mouth of a street. +They seemed to have a prisoner in their midst, and four peons plodded +behind, carrying something on a shutter. Then they all vanished into +the gloom, and when their measured steps were getting faint Gomez +returned with an unpleasant smile. + +"It is nothing," he said. "We had planned the arrest of a troublesome +person called Castillo, who is a favorite with the mob. There was some +excitement, and a few stones were thrown, but only one attempt at a +rescue, the leader of which was shot by the rural guards. As he was a +man we suspected of sedition, this has saved us some trouble." + +Cliffe looked at him, as one who might study a new species of animal or +some rare and ugly plant. + +Gomez spread out his hands. + +"It is worth noting that the affair proves our strength," he said +gloatingly. "We have seized a popular leader of the discontented, and +there was no determined resistance. One may consider it an encouraging +sign." + +Cliffe nodded agreement, and Gomez changed the subject. + +"I have been thinking," he said. "If you are resolved to see the +President, Señora Herrero, wife of the _alcalde_, whom you have met, +would take care of the señorita while you are away. They are people of +some importance, and she would be safe with them." + +This struck Cliffe as a good suggestion, and when Gomez accompanied him +to the _alcalde's_ house the matter was arranged with Evelyn's consent. +The next morning Cliffe set off with a relay of mules and three or four +days later was received by the President at a little town among the +hills. Nothing was said about business until he had rested and dined, +and then he sat with his host on a veranda half hidden by +bougainvillea, looking down on the dim littoral that ran back to the +sea. + +President Altiera differed from his secretary. He looked more of an +autocratic soldier than a diplomatist. There was a hint of brutality +about him, and Cliffe thought he would rather use force than guile. The +man had a coarse, strong face, and his eyes were stern, but he was +rather reserved than truculent. + +"Señor," he said, "since I understand you were determined to see me, it +is an honor to welcome you, and my house and self are at your command. I +imagine, however, that neither of us often wastes much time on +compliments." + +"My excuse is that I find one does best by going to headquarters when +any difficulties arise. It seemed possible that your secretary might +smooth down my remarks before transmitting them." + +"And you do not wish them smoothed down," Altiera dryly suggested. + +"I think it best that we should understand each other." + +"That is so. What do you wish to understand?" + +"When I may expect the sealed grant of the concessions." + +"In two months, provided that my enemies do not kill me first, which I +think is hardly probable." + +"One hopes not, but there is another risk; not large, perhaps, but to be +reckoned with." + +Altiera laughed. + +"That the people may choose another President? No, señor. I rule this +country. When I cease to do so it will be because I am dead. Let us be +candid. Your concessions depend upon the luck that may attend some +assassin's attempt, and I take precautions." + +Cliffe thought this was true. Altiera carried a pistol, and could use it +remarkably well, and two armed guards were posted outside the veranda. + +"There is a condition," Altiera said. "The concessions will be yours in +two months, but payment of the money my secretary asked for must be made +in a fortnight, or, if this is impossible, as soon as you get home." + +"It would suit me better to take the concessions in a fortnight and pay +in two months," Cliffe retorted coolly. + +"I am not a trader, señor; I do not dispute and haggle over a bargain." + +"Neither do I," said Cliffe. "Still, it's necessary for a trader to +state his terms." + +There was silence for a few moments, and Cliffe, studying his +antagonist's face, thought his statement justified. The man might use +brutal means to gain his end, but he would not contend about a small +advantage. + +"Very well," the President conceded. "Though it will cause me some +embarrassment, I make another offer. You shall have the grant in a +month." + +"A month is too long to wait." + +Altiera rose and stood with his brown hand clenched upon the back of his +chair and his brows knitted. It seemed to cost him an effort to maintain +his self-control, and Cliffe saw that he had pressed him hard. For all +that, he did not mean to yield. He had gone farther than was prudent, +and knew when to stop. + +"You understand what you risk by your exactions?" Altiera asked +menacingly. + +"Señor Gomez made that plain. I have no security for the money already +paid, except your honor." + +Altiera bowed. + +"Though the situation is difficult and you make it worse, I believe your +confidence is not misplaced. Well, since one or two of my ministers must +be consulted, I cannot give you an answer for a week; but the country is +healthful in this neighborhood, and you may be interested in studying +its resources. My house is at your disposal, and your comfort will be +provided for while I see what can be done." + +It took Cliffe a minute or two to make up his mind. He would rather have +gone back to Valverde at once; but he felt that he must finish his +business before returning. Although he had some misgivings, he agreed to +stay. + +In reaching his decision he thought Evelyn safe with the _alcalde_; but +he had not reckoned on the cunning of Secretary Gomez. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A HALF-BREED'S TRICK + + +Evelyn found the time pass heavily at Valverde. The town was hot and +uninteresting, although she did not see much of it, for it was only when +the glaring sunshine had faded off the narrow streets that she was +allowed a leisurely stroll in company with the _alcalde's_ wife. Señora +Herrero, who was stout and placid, and always dressed in black, spoke no +English, and only a few words of French. After an hour's superintendence +of her half-breed servants' work, she spent most of the day in sleep. +Yet she was careful of her guest's comfort, and in this respect Evelyn +had no cause for complaint. + +It was the monotony the girl found trying. After the ten o'clock +breakfast there was nothing to be done until dinner was served at four. +The adobe house was very quiet and was darkened by lattices pulled +across the narrow windows; and there was no stir in the town between +noon and early evening. Evelyn patiently tried to grasp the plot of a +Spanish novel, and when she got tired of this sat in the coolest spot +she could find, listening to the drowsy rumble of the surf. Hitherto her +time had been occupied by strenuous amusements, and the lethargic +inaction jarred. + +It was better when the shadows lengthened, because there were then +voices and footsteps in the streets. One could watch the languid +traffic; but when night came Valverde, instead of wakening to a few +hours' joyous life, was silent again. Sometimes a group of people went +by laughing, and now and then a few gathered round a singer with a +guitar, but there was no noisy talk in the cafés and no band played in +the _alameda_. An ominous quietness brooded over the town. + +All this reacted on Evelyn's nerves, and one hot afternoon she felt +ready to welcome any change as she sat in a shaded room. Her hands were +wet with perspiration, the flies that buzzed about her face exasperated +her, and she found the musky smell that filled the house intolerable. +Señora Herrero lay in a big cane chair, looking strangely bulky and +shapeless in her tight black dress, with her eyes half closed and no +sign of intelligence in her heavily powdered face. Evelyn longed to wake +her and make her talk. + +Then there were steps outside and Gomez came in. He bowed, and Señora +Herrero grew suddenly alert. Indeed, it struck Evelyn that her hostess +felt disturbed, but she paid no attention to this. She was glad of a +break in the monotony, and it was not until afterward her mind dwelt +upon what took place. + +"Señor Cliffe's business with the President will keep him longer than he +thought. He may be detained for a fortnight," Gomez said. + +Evelyn had no reason for being on her guard, and her disappointment was +obvious. + +"I was looking forward to his return in a day or two," she answered. + +"The señor Cliffe is to be envied for having a dutiful daughter," Gomez +smiled. "Still, I need not offer my sympathy, because it is his wish +that you should go to him." + +"When?" Evelyn asked eagerly. + +"As soon as you are ready. I have ordered the mules, and you can bring +what you think needful. We could start after dinner, and I offer myself +as escort for part of the way." + +"But this is impossible!" Señora Herrero exclaimed in horrified protest. + +Gomez spread out his hands deprecatingly. + +"With apologies, señora, I think not. My plan is that you should go with +your guest until I can place her in some other lady's hands." + +"But it is years since I have ridden a mule, and exercise makes me ill! +Besides, I cannot leave my husband and my household." + +Evelyn remembered afterward that her hostess's indignant expression +suddenly changed, as if Gomez had given her a warning look; but he +answered good-humoredly: + +"I have seen Don José. He feels desolated at the thought of losing you +for two or three days, but he agrees that we must do all we can to suit +the wishes of our American friends. Besides, you can travel to Galdo, +where we stay the night, in a coach. I will see that one is sent, but it +may take an hour or two to find mules." + +"They must be good," said the señora. "I am heavy, and the road is bad." + +"We will pick the best; but until you overtake us the señorita Cliffe +will, no doubt, be satisfied with my escort. We should reach Galdo soon +after dark. The señora Romanez will receive us there, and we start +early the next morning on our journey to the hills." + +Gomez turned to Evelyn. + +"This meets with your approval?" he asked suavely. + +"Oh, yes," she agreed; though she afterward realized that there was no +obvious reason why she should not have waited for the coach, and that it +was curious her hostess did not suggest this. + +Gomez returned after dinner before Evelyn was quite ready, and she was +somewhat surprised that he made no remark about the luggage she wished +to take. It was skilfully lashed on the broad pack-saddles, and they set +off when she mounted a handsome mule. There were two baggage animals, +driven by dark-skinned peons, and two mounted men brought up the rear. +Gomez said this explained the delay in getting mules for the coach, but +added that the girl would find the journey pleasanter in the saddle. + +Evelyn agreed with him as they rode down the roughly paved street. It +was a relief to be moving, and the air had got pleasantly cool. +Half-breed women with black shawls round their heads looked up at her +from beside their tiny charcoal cooking fires, and she saw dark eyes +flash with hostility as her escort passed. Here and there a woman of +pure Spanish blood stood on a balcony and glanced down with shocked +prudery at the bold American, but Evelyn smiled at this. She distrusted +Gomez, who obviously was not a favorite with the poorer citizens, but as +a traveling companion she did not find much fault with him. + +After a while they left the houses behind and turned into a dusty, +rutted track. The murmur of the sea followed them until they reached a +belt of forest where the sound was cut off, and Evelyn felt as if she +had lost a friend. The measured beat of the surf and the gleam of spray +were familiar things; the forest was mysterious, and oppressively +silent. In places a red glow shone among the massive trunks, but, for +the most part, they were hung with creepers and all below was wrapped in +shade. The track grew soft and wet; the air was steamy and filled with +exotic smells. Evelyn felt her skin get damp, and the mules fell into a +labored pace. + +Strange noises began to fill the gathering gloom; the air throbbed with +a humming that rose and fell. Deep undertones and shrill pipings that it +was hard to believe were made by frogs and insects pierced the stagnant +air. Specks of phosphorescent light twinkled among the leaves, but the +fireflies were familiar and Evelyn welcomed them. She felt suddenly +homesick, and wished they were not leaving the coast; but she remembered +that her father had sent for her, and brushed her uneasiness away. + +After a time, Gomez stopped. + +"We have not gone fast, and the señora ought to overtake us soon," he +said. "Will you get down and wait for her?" + +The forest, with the thin mist drifting through it, had a forbidding +look, and, for the first time that she could recollect, Evelyn felt +afraid of the dark. + +"Let us go on," she said. + +Gomez hesitated a moment and then acquiesced. + +The road got steep and the mist thicker. Drooping creepers brushed them +as they passed, and now and then Evelyn was struck by a projecting +branch. Her mule, however, needed no guidance, and she sank into a +dreamy lethargy. There was something enervating and soporific in the +steamy atmosphere. + +At last the gloom began to lighten and they came out into the luminous +clearness of the tropic night. In front lay a few flat blocks of houses, +surrounded by fields of cane, and here and there a patch of broad-leafed +bananas. Passing through the silent village they reached a long building +which Gomez said was the Romanez _hacienda_. + +Lights gleamed in the windows, but they knocked twice before a strong, +arched door was unfastened, and they rode through into the _patio_. It +was obvious that they were expected. A gentleman dressed in white, his +stout wife in black, and a girl who wore a thin, yellow dress, came down +to welcome them. They were hospitable, but Evelyn, speaking only a few +words of Castilian, and feeling very tired, was glad when her hostess +showed her to her room. + +She soon went to sleep, and, wakening early, felt invigorated by the +cool air that flowed in through the open window and the sight of the +blue hills that rose, clean-cut, against the morning sky. Then she had a +drowsy recollection of something being wrong, and presently remembered +that the señora Herrero had not arrived. This, however, was not +important, because Gomez could no doubt arrange for her hostess to +accompany them on the next stage of their journey. + +Evelyn found Gomez apologetic when they met at breakfast. He was much +vexed with the _alcalde's_ wife, but the señorita Romanez and her duenna +would take her place, and he expected to put Evelyn in her father's care +in two more days. This, he added, would afford him a satisfaction that +would be tempered by regret. + +They started after breakfast, but Evelyn did not feel drawn to her new +companion. Luisa Romanez was handsome in a voluptuous style, with dark +hair, a powdered face, and languishing black eyes, but so far as she +could make her meaning clear, she banteringly complimented Evelyn on +having won the admiration of a distinguished man. Evelyn declared that +this was a mistake, and Gomez had offered his escort as a duty, to which +Doña Luisa returned a mocking smile. Her amusement annoyed Evelyn. On +the whole, she was glad that conversation was difficult. The sour, +elderly duenna who rode behind them said nothing at all. + +After traveling all day, they stopped at a lonely _hacienda_, where +Evelyn soon retired to rest. She slept well, and, wakening rather late +the next morning, found that Doña Luisa and her duenna had left an hour +before. This was embarrassing, because Evelyn knew something about +Spanish conventions; but, after all, she was an American, and they did +not apply to her. + +Gomez appeared annoyed and extremely apologetic. + +"There has been a misunderstanding," he explained. "I thought the +señorita Romanez would go with us to Rio Frio, but she told me last +night that she must return early this morning. I expostulated and +implored, but the señorita was firm. She declared she had not promised +to come farther than the _hacienda_. You see my unfortunate position. +One cannot compel a lady to do what she does not wish." + +"When shall we reach Rio Frio?" Evelyn asked. + +"If all goes well, late this afternoon." + +Evelyn thought for a moment. She was vexed and vaguely alarmed, but her +father was waiting for her at Rio Frio. + +"Then let us start as soon as possible," she said. + +Gomez bowed. + +"When breakfast is over. I go to give my men their orders." + +Leaving the _hacienda_, they rode by rough, steep tracks that wound +through belts of forest and crossed sun-scorched slopes. Although it was +hot, the air was clear, and Evelyn was pleased to see that Gomez kept +the mules at a steady pace. At noon they reached a cluster of +poverty-stricken mud houses, and Gomez called one of the ragged, +half-breed peons. They talked for some time in a low voice, and then +Gomez turned to Evelyn. + +"I am afraid we shall have to wait here for two or three hours," he +said. "It might be dangerous to go any farther now." + +"But I must get on!" Evelyn answered sharply. + +"Your wishes would be a command, only that I must think of your safety +first. There is an inn in the village, and while you rest I will explain +why we cannot go forward." + +Evelyn found the small _fonda_ indescribably dirty, but it offered +shelter from the sun. Openings in its bare walls let in puffs of breeze, +and decaying lattices kept out the glare, but the room was full of +flies, and rustling sounds showed that other insects lurked in the +crevices. The place reeked with the smell of _caña_ and kerosene, and +Evelyn had to force herself to eat a little of the greasy mess that was +set before her in rude, sun-baked crockery. When the meal was over +Gomez began his explanation. + +"You have heard that the country is disturbed. There are turbulent +people who want a revolution, and I am not popular with them." + +Evelyn smiled, for she had learned something about the country's +politics and she thought he had expressed the feeling of its +discontented citizens very mildly. She distrusted him, but, so far, his +conduct had been irreproachable. + +"I see you understand," he resumed. "The worst is that you too are an +object of suspicion; it is known that your father is a friend of the +President and has business with him. Well, I have been warned that some +of our enemies are in the neighborhood, and they might rouse the peons +to attack us. They will know when we left the _hacienda_ and watch for +us, but we can outwit them by waiting a while and then taking another +road." + +This was plausible, and Evelyn agreed to the delay, although she did not +feel quite satisfied when Gomez left her. The dirty room was very hot +and its atmosphere unspeakably foul, but she could not sit outside in +the sun, and, taking up a soiled newspaper, she tried to read. Her +knowledge of Castilian did not carry her far, but she made out that the +Government was being urged to deal severely with a man named Sarmiento. + +Evelyn put down the paper, feeling that she ought to know the name. +Sarmiento had some connection with Grahame and his friends; perhaps they +had spoken of him. This led her to think of them. It looked as if +Grahame were interested in the country's politics. Remembering the +promise she had made, she wondered whether the _Enchantress_ was then on +the coast. As he seemed to be opposing Gomez, he must be helping the +revolutionaries, while her father had business with the President. This +was puzzling, and she sat thinking about it for some time; and then +looked up with a start as Gomez came in. + +"So you have been reading the _diario_!" he remarked. + +"I don't understand very much; but who is Don Martin Sarmiento?" + +"A dangerous person who goes about making trouble." + +"It's curious, but I think I have met him." + +Gomez gave her a searching glance and then smiled. + +"He is not worth remembering, but you did meet him at Havana." + +"Ah!" said Evelyn sharply. + +Gomez laughed. + +"Must I remind you, señorita, of a little affair at the Hotel +International?" + +Evelyn remembered it well and guessed that it was Sarmiento whom Gomez +had been pursuing when she stopped him by dropping her ring. She could +now understand his look of baffled rage, and she recalled her shrinking +from the savagery it displayed. + +"One imagines that you did not know Don Martin," Gomez said lightly, +although there was a keen look in his narrowed eyes. + +"No," Evelyn answered; "I only saw him at dinner." + +"Then perhaps you have heard your father speak of him?" + +"I am not sure; I have heard his name somewhere; but I don't think my +father ever met him." + +"Well, I don't know that it is of much importance. I came to tell you +that I think we can start." + +They set off and reached Rio Frio without trouble some time after dark. +People in the streets turned and gazed at them, and although some +saluted Gomez, Evelyn thought that, for the most part, they watched the +party with unfriendly curiosity. She was eager to meet her father, but +when they dismounted in the _patio_ of a large white house she got a +shock. A dark-skinned woman and several half-breed servants came down +from a gallery to welcome them, but Cliffe was not there. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +HELD FOR RANSOM + + +Gomez once more apologized. The señor Cliffe had not yet arrived from +Villa Paz, he explained, but was expected in the morning. In the +meantime the good señora Garcia would look after the señorita's comfort. + +Evelyn had to be content with that. Indeed, she was too tired to feel +much disturbed. On getting up the next morning, however, she was +troubled by unpleasant suspicions. It had been a shock to find Cliffe +absent, and she began to review the misadventures which had marked her +journey. To begin with, it now seemed curious that her father had not +written instead of sending a message; then, the señora Herrero had not +kept her promise to overtake them, and Luisa Romanez had unexpectedly +gone back. While she wondered whether all this had any sinister meaning, +Evelyn felt for a packet of paper currency which she had, at her +father's advice, sewn into her dress. She found that it was gone. A +hurried search showed that the stitches had been neatly cut. + +For a few moments she felt unnerved, and then resolutely pulled herself +together. This was no time for hysteria. It was obvious that she had +been duped. The lost sum was not large, but with the exception of a few +coins it was all she had, and it had not been stolen by a common thief. +Somebody had searched her clothes while she slept and taken the money +with the object of embarrassing her. + +Going to the window, she looked out at the town. It had a mean, +dilapidated air; the few inhabitants she saw slowly moving about looked +poverty-stricken and furtive. Their harsh voices jarred; one could +expect no sympathy or help from these foreigners. Hitherto she had been +indulged and carefully protected, but she was now alone and in danger, +and the novel experience was daunting. Still, she saw that it was unwise +to give her imagination rein. She must keep her head and try to grapple +with the situation. + +She finished dressing and without waiting for the morning chocolate +found her way to the room in which she had been received on the previous +evening. It stretched across one end of the house on the second floor +and was furnished in rather barbarous taste. Although there was a +profusion of colored silk and a hint of sensual luxury, it was obviously +a man's room, and Evelyn studied the woman who joined her when the +majordomo brought in breakfast. + +Señora Garcia was coarsely handsome, but she had not the easy manners of +a lady of rank and her dark color hinted at Indian blood. Her expression +was arrogant, and Evelyn felt that she was hostile. Besides, she spoke +an uncouth Spanish that the girl could not understand at all. Breakfast +was a trial of nerve, but Evelyn knew that she must eat and hide her +fears. When breakfast was over she would have a talk with Gomez. + +He soon came in, and dismissed the señora Garcia with a commanding +glance. Her servile obedience was significant. + +"_Buenos días, señorita_," he greeted Evelyn smilingly. + +"When do you expect my father?" she asked bluntly. + +"I regret that I cannot answer positively. It may be a week before he +comes--perhaps longer." + +"But you brought me here to meet him!" + +Gomez smiled, and spread out his hands in a way that always irritated +Evelyn. + +"It now appears that the señor Cliffe's business with the President is +not finished," he said. + +"It would not prevent his coming to meet me if he had promised." + +"You should know best," Gomez answered with a shrug. "Still, it looks as +if the señor Cliffe put his business first and is not very anxious about +you." + +"That is not true!" Evelyn said vehemently. "If he had any cause to be +anxious, he would let no business stand in the way!" + +"Ah! I admit I find this interesting." + +Gomez looked so satisfied that Evelyn feared she had blundered, though +she could not see how. Her heart beat fast and her nerves were tensely +strung, but she knew that she must be calm. The man was her antagonist +and she was fighting in the dark. + +"Well," she said, "since my father has not arrived, I will go to him." + +"I am afraid that is impossible. It is a long way to Villa Paz and the +country is disturbed." + +"Do you mean to prevent my going?" + +"Far from it, señorita. You are at liberty to do what you wish; but +unfortunately, I cannot provide mules and an escort. There are some +dangerous revolutionaries among the hills. Then, I must remind you that +our people dislike foreigners, and a lady cannot travel alone and +without money." + +Evelyn felt trapped. + +"How do you _know_ I haven't money? Because it was stolen in this house! +You must lend me some--my father will repay it." + +"Your pardon, señorita, but you are mistaken; I can answer for the +honesty of my servants. I would lend you money, only that I cannot +permit you to make a journey I know is dangerous." + +The girl sat still and there was silence for a few moments while she +tried to brace herself. She felt that she was at the man's mercy, for +there was something threatening behind his suave politeness, and his +smile indicated that he was amused by her futile struggles. For all +that, she must keep up the fight. + +"Then what is to be done?" she asked. + +"I suggest that you write to the señor Cliffe and tell him where you +are. If you add that you do not feel safe, he will, no doubt, join you +as soon as possible. Although it may reflect upon our care of you, we +will see that he gets the letter." + +It seemed a simple course, but Evelyn was on her guard. She must match +her wits against the man's, and he had shown a hint of eagerness that +she thought suspicious. Having brought her to Rio Frio by trickery, why +did he wish her father to know that she felt alarmed? + +"I should be glad to write to him, but I do not see why I should make +him uneasy on my account," she said. + +There was something in Gomez's expression which indicated that he felt +baffled, and she knew it might be dangerous to provoke him; but he +exercised self-control. + +"That is for you to judge, but are you not inconsistent, señorita? You +show some anger and alarm when you do not find your father here, and now +when I suggest an easy way of bringing him, you will not take it." + +"Do you want him to come here?" Evelyn asked bluntly. + +Gomez gave her a steady, thoughtful look. + +"On the whole, that would suit us." He paused and added in a meaning +tone: "It would facilitate your return to the coast." + +Evelyn knew she had been given a hint that was half a threat and it cost +her something to refuse it, although she felt that to do what the man +wished might not be the safest plan. + +"After all, it might interfere with his business if I made him leave +Villa Paz before he is ready." + +Watching Gomez closely she thought his calm was forced, but he bowed. + +"As you wish, señorita, but you will think over it. And now I must leave +you." + +For some minutes after he had gone Evelyn sat with relaxed muscles and +vacant mind, for the strain had told; then by degrees her courage came +back. She was an American and must show no weakness to an antagonist of +alien and, she felt, baser blood. Besides, it looked as if she had won +the first encounter and she had resources which should prove useful. She +had inherited her father's intelligence, and her social training had +given her restraint and the power to conceal her thoughts, while a +woman's quick, instinctive perception was an advantage. + +All this, however, was not directly to the point. She had been decoyed +to Rio Frio for some purpose. She shrank as she remembered Luisa +Romanez's hints; still, she did not think Gomez was in love with her. +The fellow was a sensualist, but he had some advantage in view, and she +had already suspected what it was. Now she began to understand the +matter more clearly. Gomez and the President meant to use her as a means +of getting her father into their power. She did not think his personal +safety was threatened, but they would insist on his agreeing to their +terms as the price of restoring her to him, and it was plain that she +would play into their hands by writing a letter that would cause him +anxiety. Evelyn determined that they should not have her help, but +although she sat for some time with brows knitted and hands clenched, +she could make no better plan than to remain quietly obstinate. + +It was impossible to reach Villa Paz without money, and although she +shrank from being left in the power of a man like Gomez, she thought his +self-interest would secure her safety. She might, perhaps, get some one +to carry a message to Grahame if he were on the coast, but she was +reluctant to do so unless the need were urgent. + +After a while she got up and went out into the plaza. People gazed at +her curiously; some smiled at one another as she passed, and a number of +the women looked suspicious and hostile. For all that, she was neither +molested nor followed, and when the sun got hot she returned to the +house, where she spent the day drearily improving her knowledge of +Castilian. It promised to become useful, but the fine language jarred +her long afterward. + +The week that followed tried her courage. She was, in reality, a +prisoner, though subject to no open restraint and treated well, except +that the señora Garcia regarded her with badly disguised hatred. Now and +then she saw Gomez, but he was suavely courteous and said nothing of +importance. She got nervous and lost her color and her appetite, but +there was nothing to do but wait until Gomez, who apparently meant to +wear her out, made some fresh demand. + +One evening he came into the room where she sat and after a ceremonious +greeting stood with his head slightly bent in an attitude of respect. He +was dressed in a white uniform which emphasized his stoutness and the +dark color of his greasy skin. + +"You look tired, señorita," he remarked. + +"I am very tired of Rio Frio. Have you come to tell me that I can go +away?" + +"That you should be eager to do so grieves me, but I can, perhaps, make +it possible. There is a proposal I wish to make." + +"Yes?" Evelyn answered as carelessly as she could. + +"You may find what I propose surprising; but I must beg you to think +over it and you will see that it is not so strange as it seems. I have +the honor to ask you to be my wife." + +Evelyn shrank back in horror, as if he had struck her, and then with an +effort recovered her self-control. + +"This is impossible, señor; indeed, it is absurd." + +"Your pardon," he said with ominous grimness; "I cannot agree. It is, I +think, the best way out of an embarrassing situation, but this is an +argument I do not wish to use. I would rather speak of the charm you +exercise and my respectful admiration." + +"We can leave that out. I do not value nor desire it." + +The man's dark eyes flashed, and Evelyn knew the danger of rousing him. +His Spanish polish was only skin-deep, and the savage lurked beneath. +For all that, she was desperate and meant to force the conflict. + +"Very well," he said; "I must take another course. To begin with, it +looks as if your father did not care what became of you. It is now some +time since he left you at Valverde and he has not troubled to inquire if +you are safe." + +"I do not believe that!" + +"Well, we will let it go. The rest is more important. It is known in +Valverde that you did me the honor to run away with me." + +Evelyn jumped up, with the color rushing to her face and her hands +clenched. The prudence she tried to exercise had given place to +imperious anger. + +"You scoundrel!" she cried. "Do you think it matters to me what your +black-blooded countrymen and women think! Your Moorish customs may be +necessary for them, but I am an American!" + +Gomez chuckled. + +"There were two American _comisionistas_ at Valverde and they must have +heard the story in the cafés. It is, you understand, a romantic episode: +the daughter of a well-known financier elopes with a foreign soldier. +The _comisionistas_ talk about it when they return and your newspapers +make the most of the tale. Some of them are not reserved or fastidious. +It is possible they print your portrait. One can imagine the +astonishment of your friends, but the story would be incomplete if it +did not end with a romantic wedding." + +The girl drew back in horror. If the tale reached home, the shock would +break her mother down; but it was possible that Gomez was lying. She had +heard of no American drummers in the town. + +He gave her no time to recover. + +"Then I must show you how what followed our flight from Valverde fits +in. We arrive together at Rio Frio after dark; you find shelter in my +house." + +Evelyn started, for this was worse. + +"Your house!" she exclaimed. "Then who is Señora Garcia?" + +Gomez smirked in an ugly manner. + +"A woman of the town who comes at my bidding." + +The jealous hatred of the coarse but handsome woman was now explained +and Evelyn grew hot with humiliation as she saw that the señora Garcia +regarded her as a favored rival. It was unendurable; but in spite of her +anger she was getting calm. Besides, there was some hope in the thought +that Gomez could not be moved by passion. He was a sensual brute, and +her beauty had perhaps caught his roving eye, but it was some material +advantage he sought. + +"It was a clever plot; one that only a mind like yours could conceive," +she said with quiet scorn. + +"The important thing is that it succeeded. But may I ask why you object +to me? I am a man of influence--in reality, the second in power. The +country is disturbed and discontented; before long I may be first." + +"Your hopes would probably come to a sudden end, if your master guessed +them," Evelyn answered with a mocking smile. + +She saw that she had touched him, for he cast a quick glance at the +door, as if to make sure that nobody had heard his boast. As he did so, +Evelyn thought she heard a faint movement outside, but she knew she +might be mistaken, and Gomez did not seem to notice anything. To +distract his attention, she flung another jibe at him. + +"Señor," she said, "though you think I am in your power, I will never +marry you. It is an insult to suggest it. Even if you were not repulsive +in person and character, you are not a white man." + +The blood rushed to his face and his eyes flashed. + +"You are rash, señorita, in trying to provoke me, but you may take a +wiser course before I have finished with you. It pains me deeply to be +compelled to remind you that you are in my house, in my power. I repeat +to you my offer, señorita; I give you one more chance to marry me _of +your own free will_. And now I leave you to think it over." + +Before Evelyn could more than gasp he was gone. She fell limply into a +chair and dropped her head into her hands. She must think, _think_; but +the strain had been unbearable and the reaction threatened to overwhelm +her. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE INTERCEPTED NOTE + + +When she was able to think calmly, Evelyn found herself confronted by +familiar troubles. She was not a prisoner and yet she could not run +away, because she had no money and could not understand the barbarous +Castilian spoken among the hills. Moreover, she could not appeal, even +by signs, for help, for it was generally believed that she had eloped +with Gomez. His friends would, no doubt, send her back to him. His +enemies would treat her with rude contempt. Sooner than be forced to +marry him, she would steal away and starve; but she had a conviction +that things would not come to the worst. It would suit Gomez best to +break down her resistance by moral pressure. + +She was young, but not altogether inexperienced, and during the past +week her mental powers had suddenly developed; besides, she was +supported by a deep-rooted national pride. It was a privilege to be an +American, or, as her countrymen sometimes expressed it, to be white. The +sentiment might not be quite free from prejudice, but it was founded on +truth and carried an obligation. One must respect one's birthright and +never submit to be trampled on by a foreigner. + +It was, however, obvious that she must seek outside help, and in her +need she thought of Grahame. He would come if she sent for him, and she +knew now that he would be welcome if he came as her lover. He was a +white man; it was an unspeakable relief to dwell upon his fine, athletic +symmetry and his strong, brown face with its stamp of semi-ascetic +restraint, after the tainted grossness of her persecutor. She had +thought of him often, and had indeed found it hard not to do so oftener, +but the turning-point had come and, flinging aside ambition, she opened +her heart to the love that had been waiting. This was not because she +was in danger, although danger had hastened the crisis. + +For a time she forgot Gomez, and listened vacantly to the patter of feet +in the hot streets while she sat quietly in a corner of the shaded room, +lost in alluring dreams. Then she roused herself, and going to her +apartment wrote a short message, stating that she needed help. She could +not find an envelope and dare not ask for one, so she folded the note +and wrote across it the address Grahame had given her. Then she stole +from the house. + +No one interfered with her as she went up a street that led to the +outskirts of the town, where she was less likely to be watched. The +unsealed note could not be posted, because it would no doubt be given to +Gomez, but she might find somebody who would arrange for its conveyance +by hand. It would be better if the person were a revolutionary, but she +imagined that the President's enemies would not make themselves +conspicuous. Some risk must be taken, but, after all, very few people +could read English. + +After a time she met a peon and showed him the note. He seemed surprised +to see the Spanish name on the back, and at first vigorously shook his +head, but when Evelyn held out two or three coins he began to ponder, +and presently made a sign of understanding and took the note. Evelyn +felt reckless as he moved away, for she had given him all her money and +had no resource left. + +Returning by a different way, she entered the house. Gomez did not seem +to be about, but the building was large and she seldom saw him except +when he paid her a formal visit. The man was a ruffian, but it was her +money he wanted, and he would act discreetly. His boast had thrown some +light upon his treacherous schemes: he meant to make himself President, +if he could compel her father to provide the necessary funds. + +The peon carrying the note set out on foot for the next village, where +he had a friend who sometimes went to the coast. The friend, however, +was not at home, and Evelyn's messenger, being tired and in possession +of more money than usual, entered a little wine-shop and ordered +refreshment. The _caña_ was strong and after drinking more than was good +for him he forgot his caution when one of the villagers asked what had +brought him there. To satisfy the fellow's curiosity, he produced the +note, and the loungers in the wine-shop grew interested, for the man to +whom it was addressed was known as an enemy of the Government. + +One tried to take it from the peon, another interfered, and as both +political parties were represented, a tumult broke out. It was stopped +by the arrival of two rural guards, the note was seized, and one of the +guards set off for Rio Frio at dawn the next morning. + +Gomez started when he was given the note, for Evelyn had made an +unexpected move; but he saw the importance of what it implied and +lighted a cigarette while he thought the matter out. He had suspected +the _Enchantress_ for some time and knew that Grahame was her owner. +Since the _yanqui_ was in communication with a dangerous revolutionist, +he must be engaged in smuggling arms, and if he had landed many, the +rebels would be ready to fight. For all that, Gomez was puzzled. Grahame +was a friend of the señorita Cliffe's--perhaps even her lover--and he +was helping the rebels, while her father had spent a good deal of money +to support the President. This suggested that Cliffe might be playing a +crooked game, and bore out some suspicions Gomez had entertained. The +President must be informed at once; but in the meantime Gomez saw how +the note could be made use of. + +After some thought, he summoned a confidential clerk who had learned +English in the United States, and gave him the note. + +"It seems that the señorita does not like Rio Frio and means to leave +us," he remarked. + +The clerk discreetly contented himself with a sign of agreement. + +"Well," Gomez resumed, "I think we will let her message go." + +"Would that be wise?" the other ventured. "We do not know when and which +way the Englishman will come, and he may be joined by some of +Sarmiento's followers." + +Gomez smiled. + +"The señorita Cliffe is artless and has made a mistake. Her note covers +only half the paper and leaves room for something to be added +underneath." + +"Ah!" The clerk was a skillful penman and had once or twice successfully +imitated the signatures of hostile politicians. + +"You understand!" said Gomez. "The writing must not look different and +you must use the same kind of pencil. Now give me some paper." + +He smoked a cigarette before he began to write, for the space at the +foot of Evelyn's note was limited. Grahame probably knew the girl's +hand, but would be deceived by a clever imitation of it in the form of a +postscript under her signature. The note was dated at Rio Frio and left +it to be understood that Evelyn expected him there, but the postscript +directed him to land on the beach near Valverde, where a guide would +look out for him for several nights. + +"There are two words we had better alter; the Americans do not often use +them," said the clerk cautiously, and Gomez agreed to the change. + +"You will have it sent off and make arrangements for the Englishman to +be met," he added with a smile. "And now I must start for Villa Paz to +tell the President." + +Half an hour later he mounted in the _patio_, and Evelyn, hearing the +clatter of hoofs, looked out through the half-opened lattice and watched +him ride away. As he had an armed escort and a spare mule, she imagined +he meant to make a long journey, and Grahame might arrive before he +returned. + +Soon after the party had gone, the señora Garcia came in and stood +looking at the girl as if she had something to say. Her air of sullen +dislike was less marked than usual, and Evelyn, remembering the sound +she had heard during her interview with Gomez, suspected that she had +listened at the door. Now the woman looked anxious and embarrassed, and +while she hesitated Evelyn studied her. The señora must have possessed +unusual beauty and was handsome yet, although she was getting stout and +losing her freshness, as women of Spanish blood do at an early age in +hot climates. Her skin had been spoiled by cosmetics and her face was +clumsily touched with paint and powder. Evelyn felt a half contemptuous +pity; there was something pathetic in her crude attempts to preserve her +vanishing charm. + +The señora made signs which Evelyn supposed to mean that Gomez had gone +away, and then she took out some silver and paper currency. Putting it +into the girl's hand, she pointed to the door. + +Evelyn started, for the hint was plain; the señora was anxious to get +rid of her rival. Evelyn grasped at the chance to go. The money could be +repaid; it might be some time before Grahame arrived, and the woman +could be trusted to convey a note to him, because she could not give it +to Gomez without betraying her complicity in the girl's escape. + +For a time they struggled to grasp each other's meaning, but at last the +señora Garcia showed she understood that she was to deliver a note to an +Englishman who would come in search of the girl. Evelyn was to find a +peon who lived outside the town and would put her on the way to Villa +Paz. It would, no doubt, prove a difficult journey, but she was +determined to make it. + +She was soon ready, and walked carelessly across the plaza as if she had +no object. The townspeople knew her, and she met with no troublesome +curiosity. After a time, she entered a shady street, where she stopped +once or twice to look into a shop. Leaving it at the other end, she came +out into a hot, stony waste, dotted with tall aloes and clumps of +cactus, and presently reached a dilapidated adobe hut. + +As she stood, hesitating, before it a man came out to meet her and she +felt her heart beat fast, for she was now confronted by her first +danger. The fellow might rob her or perhaps take her back. His white +clothes were threadbare, but they were clean, and on the whole she liked +his look; and the sight of a woman peeping through the door was somehow +reassuring. + +It was not easy to make him understand what she wanted, but he looked +thoughtful when she repeated a word the señora Garcia had taught her. +Then he went in, apparently to consult the woman, and, returning, +signified that he would do what she wished. She must, however, go on +alone to a village some distance off; on the way he would overtake her +with a mule. Evelyn thought it curious that he had not asked for money, +but as he seemed anxious that she should not delay she set off. So far, +her escape had proved easier than she had imagined. + +The sun was at its highest, and it was very hot; the road was a rough +track where loose stones lay among the heavy dust. Where water ran down +the hillside in artificial channels, there were palms and belts of +foliage; elsewhere outcropping rock and stones flung up a dazzling +brightness. In the background, rugged peaks rose against a sky of +intense blue, and far off on the opposite hand a misty gleam indicated +the sea. + +Evelyn soon began to get tired, and she found her thin shoes badly +suited to the roughness of the ground. The dust that rose about her +gathered on her skin; she got hot and thirsty; but the water she tried +to drink was slimy and she toiled on. It seemed wiser to press forward +while she could, for there was nobody at work in the scattered fields. +Her eyes ached with the glare and her feet were sore, but the peon did +not come, and when she looked back the road wound along the hillside, +white and empty. Here and there tall trees filled the hollows among the +rocks, but the country seemed deserted and she could not see a house +anywhere. + +At last, when the sun was low and the shadows were long and cool, she +saw a cluster of small white patches shining amid a belt of green ahead, +and supposed this was the _aldea_ the peon had meant. Limping on +wearily, she came within half a mile of it, and then, finding a place +where she was hidden by a clump of cactus, she sat down to watch the +road. She might run some risk of being robbed or stopped if she entered +the village alone, for it was obvious that a well-dressed foreigner +traveling on foot could not hope to escape notice, and the hill peasants +would probably not understand her few words of Castilian. + +The shadows lengthened until they covered the hillside, and the air got +cool, but her guide did not come, and Evelyn began to wonder what had +delayed him. He had seemed willing to assist in her escape, and she +suspected that he must sympathize with the revolutionaries; but, if so, +it was strange that the señora Garcia should have known the password +which had apparently decided him. She had, however, been told that these +people were fond of intrigue, and that a general plot was often +accompanied by minor conspiracies, so to speak, one inside the other. +The señora Garcia had perhaps some object of her own to serve; but this +did not matter--it was more important that the peon did not arrive. + +It began to get dark. The dew soaked Evelyn's thin dress, and she felt +hungry and achingly tired. Then a light or two twinkled among the trees +and some one began to sing to a guitar. The lights and the music, with +their suggestions of home and rest after the day's toil, troubled the +girl. She was alone and apparently deserted, with enemies behind her and +the way ahead unknown. For a few minutes her courage failed and she was +in danger of breaking down; then, with a determined effort, she +recovered her calm and roused herself to listen. + +The music had grown plainer, and she recognized an air she had heard +when she sat with Grahame in the _patio_ of the International. The +contrast was too great, and brought her poignant memories. She was no +longer a person of consequence, indulged in every wish, but a homeless +fugitive. Then she thought of Grahame, who had translated the song they +were singing, for the plaintive refrain of _Las Aves Marinas_ carried +clearly through the cooling air. Had the wild sea-hawk got her message, +and was he already coming to her rescue? But even this was not of first +consequence. What about the peon? Had he betrayed her? + +Everything was silent upon the hillside, but a faint breeze was getting +up and sighed among the stones. There was a splash of water in the +distance, but no sound came from the road. It ran back, a dim white +streak, into the deepening gloom, and then faded out of sight upon the +shoulder of a hill. There was no movement on it as far as the girl could +see. + +She waited what seemed an interminable time, and then a faint drumming +caught her attention, and grew into a welcome beat of hoofs. Some one +was coming along the road. She watched eagerly, straining her eyes to +catch a glimpse of the rider. At last an object emerged from the shadow, +and as it drew nearer she could see that it was a man riding a mule. + +With her nerves at high tension and her heart beating fast, Evelyn left +her hiding place in the cacti and stepped out into the middle of the +road. The man must see her now, and she had involved herself in fresh +difficulties if he were not the peon she expected. + +He came on fast; he had caught sight of her and was urging his mule. +When he pulled up beside her and dropped from the animal, muttering +exclamations in an unknown tongue, Evelyn staggered. It was an Indian +from the hills. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +IN THE CAMP OF THE HILLSMEN + + +Evelyn instinctively drew back a few paces. Through her brain was +beating insistently the admonition that had helped her much in the past +few days: + +"_Keep calm! Don't let him think you are afraid!_" + +Her first thought had been flight, to the village; but reason told her +that was impossible. Here alone on the silent hillside, in the early +night, a white woman with this strange Indian, there came over her again +a pride in her American blood. She felt that she was a match for him, in +wits if not in strength. And with the thought came courage. + +She pointed to the mule, then to herself, then to the village; and +explained in Spanish. + +The Indian shook his head, and stood stolidly beside his mount. After +his first exclamations he had remained silent, watching Evelyn intently; +but she felt reassured when he made no move to approach her. As a matter +of fact, his mind at that moment was a chaos of conjectures and +possibilities; and while he hesitated Evelyn gasped with relief. Down +the road, carrying distinctly over the night air, came the sound of +furious riding--faint at first and then growing nearer, quickly nearer. +Even if it were not the peon, at least two strangers would be safer than +one. + +With a guttural grunt that might have meant anything, the Indian jumped +upon his mule and started off toward the village, urging the animal +along; and Evelyn stepped farther back into the shadow of the cacti. She +felt that she had reached the breaking-point. Yet she must nerve herself +this once more, for without her guide she could not go on. + +The hoof-beats drew near; in a minute they would pass and the rider be +swallowed up in the gloom beyond. Evelyn opened her mouth and tried to +call to him; but her voice failed her. Her worn-out body and her +overtaxed nerves were holding her powerless to move or cry. She could +only stand, helpless, and watch him sweep past. + +But the peon's keen eyes had caught sight of the white dress fluttering +against the dark outline of the cacti, and even as he passed he reined +in his mule. A few moments later he was beside her, holding his battered +hat in his hand. + +"Your servant, señorita," he said courteously. + +Evelyn never could remember distinctly what happened after that. She had +only a hazy recollection of climbing upon the mule and trying to cling +there, while the man trotted beside her carrying a long, iron-pointed +staff. Somewhere near the village they had turned off the main road and +followed a rough path that led up into the hills. And there they had +stopped at a small _hacienda_, where Evelyn was hospitably received. + +When she woke the next morning, in a clean little adobe room, and found +a neat-looking Spanish woman smiling upon her, Evelyn smiled in return. +Every muscle in her body ached, and the soles of her feet were +blistered, but, for the first time in many days, she felt a sense of +perfect security. Still smiling, she murmured the password of the +revolutionaries. It meant much to her now. + +"_Confianza!_" + + * * * * * + +They had a hasty breakfast and started again, but rested for some time +in a belt of forest during the heat of the day. In the early evening +they approached a white _aldea_ perched high upon the edge of a ravine. +Evelyn's guide made her understand that they might not be allowed to +pass. He implied that she was in no danger, but it was with some anxiety +that she rode toward the village. + +They skirted the side of the ravine, which was fretted with tumbling +cataracts. Steep rocks ran up from the edge of the trail and were lost +in climbing forest a hundred feet above, but after a time the chasm +began to widen, and small, square houses straggled about its slopes. A +barricade of logs, however, closed the road, and as Evelyn approached +two men stepped out from behind it. They were ragged and unkempt, but +they carried good modern rifles. + +"Halt!" ordered one of them. + +"_Confianza!_" the guide answered, smiling, and they let him pass. + +Beyond the barricade, the guide stopped in front of an adobe building +that seemed to be an inn, for a number of saddled mules were tied around +it. Men were entering and leaving and a hum of voices came from the +shadowy interior, but the peon motioned to Evelyn that she must get down +and wait. Finding a stone bench where she was left undisturbed, she sat +there for half an hour while it grew dark, and then a man came up and +beckoned her to enter. She went with some misgivings, and was shown into +a room with rough mud walls, where a man sat under a smoky lamp at a +table upon which a map and a number of papers were spread. He wore +plain, white clothes, with a wide red sash; and two others, dressed in +the same way, stood near, as if awaiting his orders. Evelyn knew the +man, for she had seen him at the International. + +"_Confianza!_" she said. "I believe you are Don Martin Sarmiento." + +He gave her a quick glance, and answered in good English: + +"It is a surprise to receive a visit from Miss Cliffe. But I must ask +who gave you the password?" + +"Señora Garcia at Rio Frio." + +"That sounds strange. But sit down. There is something we must talk +about." + +He waited until one of the men brought her a chair. + +"I understand you were going to Villa Paz," he then said. + +"Yes; I am anxious to join my father." + +"I am not sure that will be possible; but we will speak of it again. +First of all, I must know why you left Valverde." Sarmiento indicated +the others. "These are officers of mine, but they do not speak English, +and it is not necessary that you should know their names. You have +nothing to fear from us, but I must urge you to be frank." + +Evelyn tried to think calmly. She was in the man's power, and he wore +the stamp of command, but she liked his look and did not feel afraid of +him. It might be wiser to be candid; but she had an embarrassing story +to tell and she began with some hesitation. Sarmiento helped her, now +with a nod of comprehension as she slurred over an awkward passage, and +now with a look of sympathy, while the others stood silent with +expressionless faces. + +"Gomez is, of course, a scoundrel, and you were wise to run away," he +commented when she stopped. "There are, however, matters I do not quite +understand. For example, it would not be to the President's interest +that he should quarrel with your father; nor do I think Altiera would +approve of an alliance between his secretary and you." + +Evelyn blushed and tried to meet the man's searching look. + +"I cannot explain these things. I have told you what happened, and I +came to you with--confidence." + +Sarmiento bowed. + +"We respect our password. You are safe with us; but you cannot continue +your journey. The roads will be closed before you get through, and there +will be fighting in the next few days. When it seems less dangerous, we +must try to send you on, but in the meantime I must put you into my +daughter's hands." + +He gave one of the officers some instructions, and the man beckoned +Evelyn, but she hesitated. + +"I must pay my guide and send him back." + +"We will give him the money, but he will not go back. We shall, no +doubt, find a use for him." Sarmiento smiled meaningly as he added: "It +looks as if he could be trusted." + +Evelyn followed the officer to the back of the house where creepers +trailed about a rude pergola. A sheet of cotton had been stretched among +the poles, making a tent in which a light burned. Her companion, saying +a few words in Castilian, motioned to Evelyn to go in. She did so, and +then stopped abruptly. + +The lamp was small and the light was dim; loops of vines falling about +it cast puzzling shadows, but Evelyn knew the girl who rose to meet her. +She had seen her talking confidentially to Grahame at the International, +and was seized by jealous suspicion. A stout, elderly lady in a black +dress, who was apparently the girl's duenna, sat farther back in the +shadow. Blanca gave Evelyn a friendly smile of recognition, but it cost +her an effort to respond. The Spanish girl seemed to understand that +something was wrong, and there was an awkward silence while they stood +with their eyes fixed on each other. Then Blanca said with a touch of +haughtiness: + +"I have been told to make you as comfortable as possible, but I am sorry +there is not much comfort here. One cannot expect it in a camp." + +She presented Evelyn to her duenna, and the señora Morales indicated a +folding chair. + +"You come at a bad time," she remarked in awkward French, languidly +opening a fan. "It seems we are to have more fighting; it is the way of +men." + +"They must fight," said Blanca. "The cause is good." + +The señora Morales waved her fan. She wore a black silk mantilla +fastened tightly round her head like a cowl, and her dark, fleshy face +was thickly smeared with powder. Her eyes were lazily contemptuous. + +"There are two causes, _niña_, and it is hard to see how both can be +right. But, since men quarrel about them, it is not impossible that both +may be wrong." + +Evelyn smiled. The duenna's remarks saved the situation from becoming +strained; the woman was obviously shrewd in spite of her heavy face. + +"They are always quarreling in this country," the señora continued. +"Those who will not pay their taxes call themselves Liberators; those +who expect favors from the President are Patriots. If he does not give +them enough, they conspire with the others to turn him out. Since +everybody cannot be satisfied, there is always trouble." + +"But our friends are not fighting for rewards!" Blanca objected +indignantly. + +"A few are disinterested," the señora conceded. She paused, and turned +to Evelyn with an authoritative air. "You must tell me why you ran away +from Rio Frio. I can guess something, but want to know the rest." + +After a moment's hesitation, Evelyn thought it prudent to comply, and +the señora seemed to listen with sympathy. + +"To run away was the simplest plan, but sometimes the simplest plan is +not the best," she said. "Did you think of nothing else?" + +"I sent a message to Mr. Grahame of the _Enchantress_, telling him I was +in difficulties," Evelyn replied, watching Blanca. + +The girl looked up with quick interest, but there was no hint of +jealousy in her expression. + +"You thought he would come to help you?" + +"I knew he would come if it was possible," Evelyn answered. + +Blanca looked her in the face with a smile of understanding, and Evelyn +saw that her suspicions had been unfounded. Grahame was nothing to the +girl. + +"My father must know this at once!" she said, and hurried away. + +Don Martin came back with her and questioned Evelyn, and then he stood +thoughtfully silent for some moments. + +"It is fortunate I heard this news," he said. "Your message may be +intercepted, and we must try to warn Grahame that you are in our hands." +He gave Evelyn a steady look. "I believe he will be satisfied with +that." + +"You can tell him that I feel safe," Evelyn answered. + +Don Martin left her with a bow, and shortly afterward they heard +somebody riding hard along the edge of the ravine. When the beat of +hoofs died away Blanca touched Evelyn's arm. + +"There will be some supper after a while, but let us walk a little way +up the path." + +They went out into the dark, passing slowly between shadowy rows of +bushes which Evelyn thought were young coffee plants. She waited, +believing that her companion meant to take her into her confidence. + +"You were rash in sending for Mr. Grahame," Blanca began. "We must hope +our messenger arrives in time to stop him, but for all that----" + +"Do you wish him to come?" Evelyn asked. + +Blanca smiled. + +"In a sense, it does not matter to me whether he comes or not, though I +would not wish him to run into danger. But he would not come alone." + +Evelyn started. It was not Grahame, but Walthew, in whom Blanca was +interested. Somehow she had not thought of that. + +"Of course, you met Mr. Walthew in Havana," she said. + +"And at Rio Frio!" There was a hint of triumphant coquetry and something +deeper in Blanca's voice. "Indeed, Mr. Grahame should be grateful to me, +because it was I who kept him his companion. Mr. Walthew had been +dangerously ill, and was thinking of going home--though of course he did +not tell me this----" + +"But if he did not tell you!" + +"How did I know?" Blanca laughed. "_Cariña mia_, how do we know such +things? Is a man's face a mask? Have we no guide except what he says?" + +Evelyn thought of Carmen, for Blanca had something of the great +coquette's allurement and power. It was not an unconscious attraction +she exercised, but the skill with which it was directed was primitive +and instinctive rather than intelligent. + +"And you persuaded Mr. Walthew to stay!" she said. "Did you find it +hard?" + +"Hard? Oh, no! It is not hard to persuade a young man, unless one is a +fool. A word or two is enough, and I told him he might become a great +_libertador_ like Bolívar and Garibaldi." + +Evelyn laughed. She liked Walthew, but he was a very modern American, +and the thought of his emulating Garibaldi tickled her. Then, although +it was dark, she was aware of a change in her companion's mood. Blanca's +pose was different, it had somehow hardened, and her head was lifted +high. + +"You find this amusing?" she asked in a haughty tone. + +"I suppose I do, in a way," Evelyn admitted deprecatingly. "You see, I +know my countrymen, and we're not romantic, as a rule." + +"Then it is clear you do not know Mr. Walthew. He is young, but he has +the spirit of these others, the great _libertadores_." + +"I've no doubt that's true," Evelyn agreed, putting her hand on Blanca's +arm. "Indeed, I like and admire him very much." + +They turned back to the house presently, on friendly terms, for the +Spaniard's anger flares up quickly but soon burns down. Evelyn, however, +saw that matters had gone farther than she thought, and she imagined +that Walthew would have some trouble with his relatives when he went +home. + +"But how did you and your father come to meet Mr. Walthew, and what is +the _Enchantress_ doing on the coast?" she asked. + +"You do not know?" There was a hint of gratified superiority in the +girl's tone. "She is bringing us the rifles that we need." + +Evelyn asked no more questions, because her talk with Blanca had given +her much to think about, and when supper was over she sat outside the +tent alone. The moon was rising above the tall sierra that ran in a +rugged line across the sky. The air was warm and still, and she could +hear water splashing down in the bottom of the ravine. Now and then +there was a clatter of hoofs as a messenger rode up, and sometimes an +order was followed by a patter of feet. Then for a time everything was +silent except for a murmur of voices in the inn. + +The girl noticed this vacantly, for her mind was busy, and she was +filled with a strange excitement. For the last week or two she had borne +a heavy strain, and her thoughts had been concentrated on finding a +means of escape. Now they were free to dwell upon a greater matter. The +struggle that began when she boarded the _Enchantress_ was ended, and +she could rejoice in her own defeat, as she had not been quite able to +do when, on first surrendering, she had written her note at Rio Frio. +Prudence, ambition, and self-interest were driven from the field; love +had utterly routed them. She loved Grahame, and she knew that he loved +her, though he had not avowed it yet. Blanca had spoken truly: words +were not needed: it was easy to read a man's heart. + +Evelyn knew what he thought. He was a poor adventurer, and she was rich. +She blushed with shame, remembering how this had once weighed with her. +Now it did not matter at all. Nothing mattered except that he belonged +to her; but while this had never been so plain, it had not dawned on her +with a sudden flash. The light had been steadily creeping in for a long +time, while she stubbornly tried to shut it out, until she abandoned her +futile efforts and let the warming brightness flood her. + +Then she thought of Grahame's danger. Don Martin had not received the +note. Suppose it had fallen into Gomez's hands. What use might not that +half-breed make of it! + +Evelyn shuddered, and breathed a half-conscious prayer that Don Martin's +messenger might reach her lover in time. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +A TRIAL OF SPEED + + +Night was falling over the troubled water, and there were threats of a +tropical storm. The _Enchantress_, with her anchor down, rolled uneasily +on the broken swell. A sandy point ran out to windward, but the combers +that beat upon its seaward side with a thunderous roar swirled in a +white turmoil round its end and filled the lagoon with an angry heave. +The palms on the landward shore bent in the wind and the dense green +jungle behind them rolled in tossing waves of green. To the north, the +sky was barred by leaden clouds and the sea-tops cut against it, lividly +white. + +A trail of smoke whirled about the funnel, now streaming out to lee, now +eddying down, for a quantity of ammunition and contraband material had +just been landed, and Grahame was ready to go to sea again. There was +some danger in remaining, but the weather was bad, and he half expected +fresh instructions from Don Martin. + +While he sat smoking in the lee of the deck-house and Walthew leaned +against the rail, Macallister looked out of the engine-room door. + +"I can give ye steam enough to take her out at half an hour's notice, +but if ye're no' likely to need it, I'll bank my fires," he said. + +"We won't heave anchor unless we're forced to; it's not an enticing +night," Grahame replied, and Walthew nodded, as in the pause that +followed he heard the rumble of the surf upon the shoals. + +"What do you reckon has been going on inland?" he asked. "The fellows +who took the guns ashore didn't seem to have much news, but they +believed you were right in thinking this might be the last important +cargo we'd have to run." + +"The Government has arrested Castillo, and no doubt brought pretty +strong pressure to bear on him. I'm afraid he couldn't stand up against +it, and has given his fellow conspirators away. The President seems no +fool, and Gomez is a cunning rascal, but I'm not sure they could keep +their plans dark because the opposition have their spies and +sympathizers everywhere. The consequence is that both parties may be +driven into prompt action instead of quietly finishing their +preparations." + +"I expect that's so," said Walthew thoughtfully. "I wish I knew, because +I must see Don Martin and make a trip to Rio Frio before we leave the +coast for good." + +"You know best; but I imagine it means trouble with your people when you +go home." + +"It may, for a time," Walthew answered with a dogged look. "Still, +they'll come round, and I'm glad to think that, considering this job as +a business proposition, we have done pretty well. That will appeal to +the old man. Gun-running's not the line he wanted me to take, but he'll +be tickled when he sees that I've made good at it." + +"I wouldna' say but he might like Miss Sarmiento as weel as yin o' they +hussies at the Florida hotel," Macallister remarked encouragingly. +"There was yin in blue, but no' much o' it, with a flagpole in her hat, +that gave me what I've heard ye call the googly eye----" + +Walthew chuckled. + +"That girl has roomsful of money." + +"Then she might hae bought some clothes," the Scotsman retorted. + +They were silent for a few minutes, and through the quietness they heard +the splash of canoe paddles. + +"We may get some news," Walthew said. + +The canoe ran alongside, and a half-breed handed up a dirty note. +Grahame opened it, and his jaws set and a curious glint came into his +eyes when he read Evelyn's message. + +"Where did this come from?" he called sharply to the waiting half-breed. +In his anxiety he had spoken in English. + +The messenger shook his head. + +"_No entiendo._" + +Grahame repeated the question in Spanish, and added: "Tell me quickly!" + +"A man brought it down from the hills a half-hour ago. That's all I +know," the half-breed explained. + +"All right; you may go." + +Grahame turned to Walthew and Macallister and showed them the crumpled +note. + +"I don't think our partnership agreement covers a risky private +undertaking of this kind, and you can turn me out, if you like, but I'm +going," he said. + +"And I'm coming with you," Walthew replied cheerfully. "I've some +business of my own at Rio Frio." + +"You can't come! How is Mack to run the boat alone?" + +"Weel," said Macallister, "I'm thinking that's no' impossible. Onyway, +ye'll take him. We'll quarrel about who's to command her if ye leave him +on board." + +Grahame saw they were both determined; his comrades meant to stand by +him, if it cost them the vessel. He was touched, but there was no time +to indulge in sentiment. + +"We'll talk of it later. Start the windlass and stir the fires. I'll +want all the steam you can give me." + +"Ye'll get it," Macallister replied, and vanished below, while Grahame +went forward when the windlass began to clank and the cable tightened. + +Speed was urgently needed. It was several days since the note had been +written, and he dared not speculate about what might have happened in +the meanwhile. Evelyn was not easily frightened; she would not have sent +for him unless the danger was imminent. Then, the postscript stated that +a guide would look out for him between midnight and three o'clock in the +morning, at a place mentioned, and the _Enchantress_ must be driven hard +to get there in time. If she arrived too late, he must steam out to sea +before dawn broke and wait for another night. + +The windlass rattled faster, the chain ran in as the anchor left the +ground, and, seeing Miguel ready with the tackle at the cathead, Grahame +went aft to the wheel. The gong clanged the signal "Full ahead," and the +screw began to throb. There was a crash forward as the swinging anchor +struck the bow, but Miguel had men enough to stow it, and Grahame fixed +his eyes ahead as he turned his wheel. Rolling across the broken swell, +the _Enchantress_ stemmed the strong flood-tide; bending palms and +shadowy beach were sliding past, and the turmoil on the shoals drew +nearer. Ahead was a narrow channel with about a fathom of water to the +good, but the leading marks were obscured and Grahame doubted if he +could find it. If the boat struck, she would be washed up, badly +damaged, among the sands; but the tide was rising, and before long +Macallister would have raised full steam. It was unthinkable that they +should lose time, and Grahame meant to take his chance. + +Spray flew about her forward; as the swell got steeper she dipped to the +knightheads, and Miguel, running aft, began to use the lead. Grahame did +not stop him, although sounding was a matter of form, because she would +drive aground before he could bring her head round if he missed the +narrow deep. + +She crept past the point, rolling wildly and lifting out her screw, +while the air got thick with spray and the thud of engines was drowned +by the turmoil of the sea. Some distance off, white ridges leaped out of +the gathering dark, but nearer at hand they were broken by the shoals +and raged in foaming confusion. The _Enchantress_ must cross this belt +without much steam to help her, but it was obvious that Macallister was +hard at work below, for thick smoke with fiery sparks in it poured from +the funnel. + +Miguel's white-clad figure, swaying in the channels, cut against the +gloom, but Grahame could not hear his hail. Though he glanced at the +compass now and then, he was feeling his way rather by instinct than +definite guidance, and so far the upward sweep of the bows showed there +was sufficient water under the vessel. Sometimes a sea came on board and +poured aft in a frothing flood, but she was steadily forging ahead, and +a few minutes would take her across the worst of the shoals. + +Suddenly she stopped with a crash, lurched sideways, and lay still while +a foam-tipped mass of water rolled up ahead. It broke on board, burying +her forward half, and the next moment Grahame was wet to the waist; but +she lifted as the roller surged by; and then struck the shoal again. A +few more blows of that kind would crush in her bilge, but Grahame set +his teeth and clung grimly to his wheel. There was nothing to be done +but wait; the crash would warn Macallister what was required of him, and +if he could not drive her off, they must cut the boats adrift and leave +her to her fate. + +Another sea came tumbling in, but while its crest broke across the rail +it picked her up and she moved on slowly with the water sluicing aft +down her inclined deck. For a few seconds Grahame held his breath, +waiting for the shock; but she went on, and lifted her head buoyantly as +the next comber rolled up. When she had lurched over it and the spray +had blown away, he saw that the sea was more regular and the worst of +the turmoil lay astern. Five minutes afterward, she reeled out into open +water, and Macallister came on deck. + +"We've started the bilge-pump, but it's no' drawing much," he said. "I +dinna think she's the waur for the knocks she got." + +"That's satisfactory. You know what you have to do." + +Macallister smiled with quiet enjoyment. + +"We've no' had the need to drive her yet, but noo I'll let ye see." + +He went below, and Grahame gave Miguel an order, for in swinging round +after leaving the lagoon the _Enchantress_ had brought the wind on her +quarter, and she carried a good spread of sail. He would not, however, +luff her off her course to make the work easier; the crew must hoist the +canvas as best they could, and there was a furious banging and clatter +of flying blocks as fore-staysail, foresail, and mainsail went up. Then +she listed down with her rail in the white surges that boiled up to lee, +while tall, hollow-fronted combers ranged up astern and sped after her. + +Wire shrouds, strung to the breaking-point, shrieked in wild harmonies +as the blasts struck them; chain funnel-guys roared in deeper tones, and +there was a confused groaning of masts and booms. Spray swept her, +lashing Grahame's back and blowing past his head in clouds, and now and +then a sea-top broke on board; but she drove on furiously before the +wind. + +After a while Grahame called Miguel to the helm and stood in the lee of +the deckhouse, pipe in mouth, for he had now time to think. He could +make no plans until he landed, but it was plain that he must go to Rio +Frio; and, if possible, he must leave Walthew behind. He could not allow +the lad to run the risk, and Macallister would need him. Some help might +be had from the revolutionaries, and he must try to find Don Martin. If +he failed to do so, much would have to be left to chance. + +Grahame looked at another side of the matter. Suppose he rescued Miss +Cliffe, what then? Though the gun-running had been profitable, he was an +adventurer with very limited means. He could not trade upon Cliffe's +gratitude, though he loved the girl. He did not know when he began to +love her, but he had for some time made stern efforts to drive the +thought of her out of his mind. Perhaps he might have succeeded had +nothing unusual happened, for he knew his disadvantages; but now his +determination suddenly had been swept away. Evelyn was in danger; +somehow this made clear the strength of the feelings with which he had +grappled. The future was clouded; there were difficulties to be faced; +but he felt that if she had any love for him he could not give her up. + +The gale freshened; but Grahame would not shorten sail. There was not +much time to spare, and the gear was standing well. He could trust the +helm to Miguel and might have slept, but, although he imagined his +strength might be severely taxed during the next few days, it was +impossible for him to rest. In spite of his anxiety, he was sensible of +an exultant excitement. The girl he loved was in danger, but she had +sent for him. Then, the adventure he was embarking on had a fascination +of its own, and he smiled as he remembered that his ancestors had often +in past days ridden across the dark marches, leading the Border Spears. +It was not for nothing the hot blood of the old mosstroopers ran in his +veins. + +Swept by the seas on her quarter, the _Enchantress_ drove on, and +Grahame lurched about the slanted deck and stood amidst the spray that +whirled across her stern. She was going fast; his glances at the +recording log astonished him, for he had not believed her capable of +the speed it showed. His fierce impatience seemed to have inspired +thudding engines and quivering hull, and he thrilled when a great, +white-topped comber rolled up and swept her on. Flame blew from the +funnel, wet canvas, straining in black curves, reeled through the dark, +and the sea sped back, snowy white, toward the plunging bows. + +At last, however, lights shone in the gloom, and Grahame ordered the +canvas to be lowered. It cost the crew an arduous struggle, but they +made all fast, and Grahame, ringing for half-speed, took the wheel. +There was a point a short distance from the town that would break the +sea, and by steaming in behind it he might get a boat away. Landing +would be difficult, and it was important that he should find the right +spot. + +He watched the beach with his glasses as the _Enchantress_ swung +inshore, and when presently the combers changed to a steep, troubled +swell that ended in a white band of surf, he stopped the engines and +told Miguel to hoist out the gig. The navigation lights had been +extinguished, but he thought that anybody carefully watching for the +steamer could see her. The men had some trouble in lowering the boat, +but as soon as she was in the water Grahame jumped on board and told the +men to push off. Then, as they got out their oars, a dark figure leaped +from the steamer's rail and Walthew, alighting in the sternsheets, +turned to his comrade with a grin. + +"I'm here, and you'll smash the boat if you try to send me back," he +said. "You see, I suspected what you were getting after when you put me +at a job it was awkward to leave." + +"Well, I did my best, anyway," Grahame laughed. + +Walthew took an oar, for the swell was high enough to make progress +difficult, but they found smoother water near the land, and stopped +pulling just outside the fringe of surf. Waiting for a slacker interval +in the shoreward rush of hissing rollers, they drove her in as fast as +she could go, and jumped overboard when she touched the sand. A wave +broke into her, but they ran her up safely, and Grahame turned to +Walthew after they had emptied the water out. + +"I don't think I'm straining my authority by telling you to go off with +Miguel," he said. + +"Anyhow, I'm not going," Walthew replied doggedly. "Our association is a +partnership, and I mean to come along. I don't know that I'll be of much +help to you, but the job you've undertaken is too big for one." + +Grahame saw that objections would be useless, and, feeling that his +pistol was loose, he walked up the beach, with Walthew following a few +yards behind. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +TRAPPED + + +For a few minutes the men toiled silently across loose, wet sand, and +then, on reaching a belt of shingle near high-water mark, stopped to +look about. Lights gleamed in the town across the bay, but except for +that it was very dark. A clump of trees that fringed the end of a ridge +of higher ground could barely be distinguished, but Grahame decided that +this must be the spot Evelyn had mentioned in her note. Though the +shingle rolled beneath his feet, the sound it made was lost in the roar +of the surf upon the point. Dry sand blew past, pricking his face, and +when he turned toward the sea he saw a group of indistinct objects still +standing about the boat. + +"What are they waiting for?" he asked. "I told them to push off." + +"I guess old Miguel takes an interest in us and wants to see we're all +right. He knows something about these fellows' tricks, and may not share +our confidence." + +"Well, I guess those are the trees where we should meet our guide." + +"The fellow might have come down to the beach," Walthew remarked. "I was +busy helping Mack during the run and hadn't much time to think, but it +now strikes me as curious that Miss Cliffe was able to send the note and +arrange for a guide when she was a prisoner." + +"She must have got into touch with some of Don Martin's spies, and his +friends would be ready to help. But we had better get on." + +They crossed the shingle, seeing nothing that suggested there was +anybody about, but Walthew grew uneasy as they approached the trees. The +belt of timber was wrapped in gloom, and rolled back up the rising +ground in shadowy masses that rustled in the wind. It had somehow a +forbidding look, and the nearer he got the less he liked it. He was not +daunted, and meant to go on, but his nerves were highly strung and his +glances suspicious as he tried to pierce the dark. + +They found a trail through tall grass and reeds, and followed it across +a patch of boggy soil until it led them to an opening in the trees. Here +a shadowy object rose out of the gloom, and Walthew instinctively felt +for his pistol. The abrupt movement dislodged a small bundle of clothes +which he carried by a strap across his shoulder, and it fell to the +ground. Then he saw the man come forward, waving his hand. + +"This way, señor!" he called to Grahame, who was some yards in front. + +Walthew felt tempted to leave the bundle. He wanted to watch the man; +but there was a packet of cartridges among the clothes he had dropped, +and he thought they might prove useful. Stooping down, he felt among the +grass, but had to move once or twice before he found the bundle; then, +springing to his feet, he saw that Grahame and the other had vanished. +The next moment his comrade's voice reached him, hoarse and breathless: + +"Run!" + +That Grahame said nothing more was ominous; but Walthew did not run back +to the boat. Drawing his pistol, he plunged in among the trees, but as +he reached them he felt a stunning blow on his head. He staggered and +fell into a thicket, blinded by blood that ran into his eyes. A struggle +seemed to be going on near by, and, getting upon his knees, he fired at +random. He thought a man ran toward him, and he fired again, but his +mind was confused and he could hardly see. For all that, he got upon his +feet and stumbled forward, dazed but determined to rescue his comrade. + +A few moments afterward it dawned on him that he was going the wrong +way, for he seemed to have come out on the beach. Two or three men were +hurrying toward him, but the pistol would not go off. Stumbling on with +his hand clenched on the barrel, ready to use the butt, he tripped and +fell among the rattling shingle. Then his senses left him. + +The next thing of which he was conscious was a cool splash on his face, +and while he wondered what it was, he felt that he lay upon something +that moved in an erratic manner. It was not shingle, for it was smooth +when he touched it, but a minute or two passed before he realized that +he was lying in the sternsheets of the gig. She was plunging sharply, +the spray flew aft in showers, and when he wiped his eyes he saw that +the men were pulling hard. With some trouble he got to his knees, and +the top of a wave that washed across the gunwale struck his face. + +"Where is the señor Grahame?" he asked faintly. + +"Who knows!" somebody answered. "It seems the _rurales_ have him. We +came too late." + +Walthew groaned, for his head was getting clearer. His comrade had +fallen into a trap. + +"Pull her round," he said. "We're going back!" + +For a moment or two nobody replied. The gig lurched wildly, and a +sea-top broke on board. Walthew dimly saw the men swing to and fro at +the oars. Their blurred figures cut the sky as the bow went up, and then +stood out against white foam as the craft plunged into a hollow. + +"It is not possible, señor," Miguel said breathlessly. + +Walthew scrambled to his feet, and stood swaying awkwardly with the +violent motion, in danger of going overboard. The sea had got worse, and +the savage wind lashed his wet face. It was blowing very hard, and the +turn of the tide had brought broken water nearer inshore; he could hear +the roar of the surf upon the beach. It would now be dangerous to land; +but he must try to rescue his comrade. He seized the oar the man nearest +to him pulled. The fellow pushed him back and, losing his balance as the +boat plunged over a comber, he fell heavily upon the floorings. + +"We will smash the boat if we land, and there are _rurales_ on the +beach," he heard Miguel say. "The sea is bad; perhaps we cannot reach +the steamer." + +Walthew realized that Miguel was right. The men were unarmed, except for +their knives, and something had gone wrong with his pistol. Even if they +escaped being swamped by the surf, it would be impossible to cross the +beach in face of a hostile force. He lay still with a groan. He felt +faint, his head ached excruciatingly, and blood still trickled into his +eyes. He had not seen the _Enchantress_ when he stood up, and the +desperate way the men were rowing showed that they found it hard to +drive the boat offshore. + +After a while, however, a hail came out of the dark, the men pulled +furiously, and then threw down their oars. There was a crash and a rope +fell into the boat, which surged violently forward, grinding against the +steamer's side. Walthew did not know how he got on board, and he +imagined that he fainted soon afterward, for the next thing he +remembered was trying to get up from the top grating in the engine-room, +where Macallister sat beside him, holding a rag and a can of hot water. + +"Keep still while I tie up the cut," he said. + +"But they've got Grahame!" Walthew exclaimed, trying to rise. + +Macallister gently pushed him back. + +"I ken. A bad job, but we might have lost ye both." Then he took up a +piece of linen. "It's lucky ye'll no' need stitching, but maybe this +will nip." + +Walthew's head smarted intolerably after the bandage was applied, but +the dazed feeling left him when Macallister gave him something to drink, +and he began to ask questions. + +"Miguel heard a shot and ran back up the beach with the others," +Macallister told him. "They found ye reeling aboot and brought ye down +to the gig, with two or three _rurales_ no' far behind; the rest must +have gone off with Grahame before our men came up. They had just time +to launch her before the _rurales_ began to shoot, but nobody was hit. +Looks as if ye had been knocked oot with a carbine butt." + +"Where are we now?" Walthew asked. + +"Steaming back to the lagoon as fast as I can drive her, and that's +aboot four knots against the gale. The best thing we can do is to send +Don Martin word, but ye'll go to sleep in the meanwhile. I canna' look +after ye; I hae my hands full." + +The clanging of hard-driven engines, which quickened to a furious rattle +when the screw swung out, made the need for watchfulness plain, and +Walthew crept away to his berth. He wanted to help, but knew that to +attempt this would probably result in his falling among the machinery. +Dazed by the blow on his head, he soon fell asleep, and when he wakened +the vessel was at rest. There was no pounding of engines, and the water +no longer gurgled along her side, but he heard voices behind the +bulkhead. + +Scrambling awkwardly out of the berth, he made his way on deck with some +difficulty. The fresh air revived him, and he saw that the _Enchantress_ +was anchored in the lagoon, but he opened a door close by instead of +stopping to look about. Two or three of the revolutionaries whom he knew +were sitting round a table in the saloon, and as Walthew came in, +white-faced, with staring eyes and a red bandage round his head, one of +them threw up his hands. + +"_Ave Maria!_" he exclaimed. + +Walthew sat down with a jerk and nodded to Macallister. + +"I'm better." + +Then he turned to the others. + +"What are we going to do?" + +"Nothing, until to-night," said one. "We must wait for dark before it is +safe to move. They will not keep your comrade at Valverde, and we must +try to find out where they have taken him." + +"I'll be quite well in a few hours," Walthew declared. "But what is +likely to happen to Grahame?" + +The man shrugged. + +"Who knows! The regular course would be to try him for smuggling arms, +but I do not think the President will follow that plan. They may send +him to Rio Frio, because it is some distance from the coast, and it is +possible he will be given a chance of escaping on the way." + +"Do you mean that they may let him go?" Walthew asked eagerly. + +"He would not go very far. You must understand that the _rurales_ have +authority to shoot a prisoner who tries to escape, and the Government +finds this useful. Sometimes they arrest a man whom they think the court +could not convict, and an excuse is found for not watching him very +closely when he is being taken to the nearest jail; perhaps a guard is +called away when they stop for food. There is cover near, and the +prisoner makes a dash for freedom; then the guard, who has been hiding, +fires and the administration is rid of an enemy. Sometimes the _rurales_ +break into the house of an obnoxious person and, taken by surprise, he +gets angry. A threatening movement is enough; he is shot down. It is +simpler than taking him before a judge who may be bribed to let him go." + +"A gang o' bloodthirsty scoundrels! I'm thinking it's time ye turned on +them," Macallister said, while Walthew sat silent with a tense face and +fury in his eyes. "But, so far as we ken, they havena' shot Mr. +Grahame." + +"No, señor," said another. "I think he is safe, for a time. He might +prove too useful for them to shoot, at least, not until they have tried +other means." + +"If ye believe they can frighten or buy him----" Macallister began +savagely; but the man waved his hand. + +"Señor, I only think we must set him free as soon as possible, and you +will agree about the need for that." + +"I'm coming with you," said Walthew grimly. "If I'm not satisfied with +your plans, I'll do the thing in my own way." + +Macallister gave him a sharp glance. Walthew did not look fit to travel, +but Macallister knew that objections would be futile. The boy had grown +older and sterner in a night. + +The revolutionaries began to talk about what had better be done, and it +was decided that Macallister must remain in charge of the vessel, which +he would hide in a creek, so as to provide a means of escape, if this +should be needed. The others would start for Rio Frio as soon as it was +dark and, if they could gather a strong enough force, try to overtake +and attack Grahame's escort on the march. Failing this, they would +follow the _rurales_ to Rio Frio, and be guided by circumstances when +they got there. Walthew took no part in the discussion, but when it was +finished he got up and stood looking at the others sternly. + +"We are going to save my partner, and not to do something that may help +you in your political schemes," he said. "It may save trouble if you +bear this in mind." + +They assured him that Grahame's rescue was a matter of importance to +them; and when, shortly afterward they left the ship, Walthew went to +his berth and slept until the afternoon. He was getting better, for it +was not the cut but the jar on his skull that had dazed him, and the +effect of this was passing. + +When the evening mist began to creep across the lagoon a canoe came off +and a half-breed stood up in her as she approached the gangway. + +"The señores are waiting," he announced. + +Walthew shook hands with Macallister. + +"I'll either bring him back or stop with him," he said grimly. "Your +business is to be ready to take us off." + +"Good luck to ye!" returned Macallister in a rather hoarse voice. "If +ye're long aboot it, I'll come after ye myself!" + +When Walthew got into the canoe and vanished in the haze, Macallister +went down to his engine-room and fiercely set about some work that might +as well have been left undone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +HANDS DOWN + + +Cliffe had spent some time at Villa Paz when President Altiera sent for +him one morning. It was with mixed feelings that Cliffe obeyed the +summons, for his business had proved longer and more difficult than he +expected, and he was anxious about Evelyn. Indeed, he wondered whether +he should let the concessions go and return to the coast; but he +determined to be guided by what took place during the interview. + +It was getting hot when Altiera received him, and a glare of reflected +light shone through the unshuttered window. Cliffe, looking out over the +little town, thought there was an ominous quiet. An hour earlier he had +watched a company of slouching, dusty soldiers, equipped as if for +service, march through the narrow streets; but there was now no one +about. It struck him as significant that all the green shutters were +closed and the entrances to the _patios_ barred. This might have some +bearing on his business, but it was not of the first importance, and he +turned to the President and studied him closely. + +There was a subtle change in Altiera since their last meeting. His +manner was somehow less cordial, and suspicion seemed to lurk in his +dark eyes. When he had indicated a chair he looked at Cliffe steadily. + +"You have, no doubt, thought over the matter we talked about not long +ago," he began. "It is necessary that I should know when we may expect +the loan." + +"That, as I think you understand, depends on when I may expect the +concessions." + +"I cannot sign the papers yet. It would provoke a storm of indignation +that I cannot risk. My enemies have taught the people that I am robbing +them when I make a grant to foreigners." + +"In short, you mean to put down the rebels before you conclude the deal +with me." + +"You have guessed right. There will be no complaints when I have shown +that I have the upper hand." + +"If I had known your plans at the beginning, I'd have acted +differently," Cliffe said. + +Altiera gave him a piercing glance. + +"Señor, I do not think you are justified in charging us with a want of +candor, because there is evidence that you have not been quite honest +with us. Our most dangerous enemy is Martin Sarmiento, and we find him +staying at your hotel in Havana, where the señorita Cliffe helps him in +an attempt to escape observation." + +"I do not know the man," Cliffe protested with a puzzled air. + +"Then it is strange that we should have caught a messenger bringing you +a note from him," Altiera answered. "I think we shall gain nothing by +fencing, señor." + +Cliffe frowned. + +"I've just got to say that I've never, to my knowledge, met Don Martin. +What was the note about?" + +"We will talk of that later. In the meanwhile, I understand you have +decided not to let me have the money that we need?" + +"Not without a written promise that the papers will be signed and handed +to me in a fortnight. Unless you consent, I must start for Valverde at +once." + +Altiera pondered for a few moments, knitting his brows. + +"You are, no doubt, anxious to rejoin your daughter," he said slowly. +"Perhaps I had better tell you that she is not at Valverde." + +"Not at Valverde!" Cliffe exclaimed. "Then where has she gone?" + +"I cannot tell you." + +Cliffe clenched his hand, but would not let his alarm master him. He +suspected treachery and knew that he must be cool. + +"Your secretary assured me that Miss Cliffe would be safe with the +_alcalde's_ wife; I shall hold him responsible. Why did she leave +Valverde?" + +"It seems the señorita got tired of waiting, and set off to rejoin you. +This is most likely, but it is said in the cafés that she ran away with +the señor Gomez." + +Cliffe looked up with his face set and an ominous sparkle in his eyes. + +"That is a lie!" + +"Personally, I think so; but having some knowledge of the sex, I would +not care to predict what a romantic young woman might do." + +"Get on with your tale!" + +Altiera regarded Cliffe calmly. + +"The señorita had my secretary's escort, but, finding the road +dangerous, he made for Rio Frio, where he put her in safe hands. Her +liberty was not interfered with and one morning she left the house and +did not come back." + +Cliffe got up and advanced a yard or two across the floor. + +"You mean she ran away? Why did she do so?" + +"Your pardon, señor!" Altiera spread out his hands with a mocking smile. +"There is no reason to believe she had any cause to run away; but, not +knowing your daughter's character, I cannot tell you why she went." + +"Very well," said Cliffe, restraining himself with an effort. "I must +ask you for an armed escort to Rio Frio, where I will make inquiries. I +want the men at once!" + +"I am afraid that is impossible. We have news that there are rebels in +the mountains. If I gave you a guard, the peons might be incited to +attack you, and the trouble would spread before we are ready to deal +with it. As President of this country, it is my business to think of its +welfare first." + +"I understand," Cliffe said very dryly. "If I promised to let you have +the money you want, you might see your duty differently." + +Altiera looked at him with thoughtful eyes. The American was shrewd, but +did not seem as eager as he had expected. + +"Señor, the need of funds that would ensure the maintenance of order and +firm government justifies a risk one would not take without such a +reason. I will give you a guard and send soldiers to make a thorough +search for the señorita if we can agree about the loan." + +"This means you really do not know where my daughter is. I was not sure +of it until now." + +Altiera saw he had blundered in admitting that the girl was no longer +in his hands; but while he considered how his mistake could be covered +Cliffe resumed: + +"It was a cunning plot, but you put it through clumsily, and you're +going to find that kidnapping an American woman is a dangerous game for +the President of a third-rate republic." + +"One must make allowances for the excited imagination of an anxious +father," Altiera answered with an indulgent smile. "I deny the plot. +There is no need for one. We have a charming young lady left alone in a +foreign town who finds waiting tedious and determines to join her +relative. This is a simple and satisfactory explanation, without the +other that she forms a romantic attachment for an officer of rank. We +provide an escort because the country is disturbed, and part of the +journey is accomplished. It is not safe for her to go farther, but she +is rash, and, disregarding our advice, ventures too far from the house. +Then she loses her way and is perhaps seized by the rebels, with the +object of embarrassing the Government. We cannot be held responsible, +but we are willing to attempt her rescue when we see an opportunity." + +The explanation was plausible, and could not be disproved until Cliffe +heard his daughter's account. But what he wanted was to find her. + +"The opportunity is now, before the rebels begin to move," he said. "You +refuse to seize it?" + +"You understand why it is impossible. I cannot do anything that might +plunge my country into a conflict, unless you show me some reason that +would justify the risk." + +"I cannot give you such a reason." + +Altiera shrugged. + +"It is for you to decide! We come to a deadlock; our negotiations break +off." + +"Very well," said Cliffe. "I leave Villa Paz in an hour, and it wouldn't +be wise of you to interfere with my movements. My business with you is +known to people who have some political influence in the United States, +and if I don't turn up in good time, inquiries will be made." + +He turned abruptly and went out. It seemed safer to move quickly, though +he imagined the hint he had given Altiera would prevent any attempt to +stop him. The President had found a plausible excuse for Evelyn's +disappearance, but he would hesitate about detaining an American citizen +whose friends could bring pressure to bear at Washington. This +supposition was borne out when Cliffe found no trouble in hiring a guide +and mules; but while he made the arrangements his brain was working. + +He would willingly have met the demand for money, only that Altiera had +incautiously admitted that he did not know where Evelyn was. Cliffe had +acted on impulse in refusing to submit to further exaction, but calm +reflection justified the course. Having a deep distrust of the man, he +thought he might take the money and then not undertake the search for +the girl. Cliffe determined to set about it himself and make a bid for +the help of the revolutionaries. This would involve him in a serious +loss, but that did not count. He must rescue his daughter, whatever it +cost. + +Then he remembered that the President had admitted having intercepted a +message to him from the rebel leader. He had meant to insist on learning +what it was about, but had somehow omitted to do so, and it was now too +late to reopen the matter. There was, however, a ray of hope in the +thought that Sarmiento had tried to communicate with him. + +When his baggage had been strapped on a pack-mule, he mounted and rode +out of Villa Paz as if making for Valverde, but as soon as they had left +the last of the houses behind he pulled up and quietly studied his +guide. He was a sturdy, brown-faced peon, dressed in ragged white +cotton, with raw-hide sandals and a colored blanket strapped round his +shoulders, but he looked trustworthy. Moreover, Cliffe thought his +willingness to assist a foreigner who was leaving the President's house +without an escort, which must have shown that he had lost the autocrat's +favor, had some significance. It was unfortunate that he could not speak +much Castilian, but he knew that money talks in a language that is +generally understood. + +"I have changed my mind; we will not go to the coast," he said, +stumbling over the words and helping out his meaning by pointing to the +mountains. + +The peon nodded. + +"To me it is equal where the señor goes, so long as I am paid for the +days we spend upon the road." + +"Very well," said Cliffe, taking out a handful of silver. "Do you know +Don Martin Sarmiento?" + +The peon looked doubtful, and Cliffe saw that, as he had suspected, the +fellow had some dealings with the President's enemies. + +"Don Martin is known to many," he replied cautiously. + +Cliffe jingled the silver and awkwardly explained that he was no longer +a friend of the President's and wished to see Sarmiento as soon as he +could. + +For a time the muleteer did not speak; then he looked up with an air of +decision. + +"It may be difficult, señor, but we will try," he said, and jerking the +pack-mule's bridle abruptly left the road. + +They passed through a coffee plantation and a field of sugar-cane, and +then as they reached thick forest the muleteer stopped and indicated the +road that wound in loops down the hillside. + +"It is well the President should think we have gone that way," he +remarked with a smile. "He has, no doubt, been told how we left the +town." + +Cliffe looked back across the wide sweep of sun-scorched country to the +shining streak on the horizon. His path led into the mountains and he +longed for the sea. Then he thought of Grahame and wondered where he +was. Cliffe felt sure the man would help him if he knew his need. He was +beginning to suspect what business Grahame had on the coast. He asked +his guide about the _Enchantress_, but the fellow did not seem to +understand, and it was obvious that he had not heard of Grahame. Then +Cliffe urged his mule on and plunged into the steamy shade. + +Two days later they rode into a deep gorge filled with giant, +creeper-festooned trees, and the guide moved forward slowly, glancing +into the shadow that shut in the winding track. It appeared that his +caution was justified, for presently a hoarse voice bade them halt, and +as they pulled up two men with rifles stepped out into the sunlight. + +For some time the muleteer disputed with them, using emphatic gestures +and pointing to Cliffe; and then he went on with one while the other sat +down watching the American, with his rifle across his knees. It was very +hot, for the sun struck down through an opening in the branches, but +although the perspiration dripped from him Cliffe did not think it wise +to move. Indeed, he was glad that his mule stood quiet, whisking off the +flies. + +At last some one called in the forest and Cliffe's guard told him to +ride on, though the man followed at a short distance, as if to prevent +his escape. A few hundred yards farther on, the gorge widened into a +level hollow, and Cliffe saw that he was in a camp. + +It was not marked by military order. Men of various shades of color lay +about, smoking cigarettes. Some were barefooted, and most were poorly +dressed, but all wore red sashes, and good rifles lay ready to their +hands. They looked more like brigands than soldiers, and it was hard to +imagine they had been drilled, but while their attitudes were slackly +negligent, their faces were resolute. In the background, climbing +forest, choked with fallen trees and trailing vines, rolled up the steep +hillside. It was very hot, and the hum of insects mingled with the sound +of drowsy voices. + +Two men, better dressed than the others, came forward, and Cliffe +dismounted and followed them to a seat in the shadow, where they gave +him some cigarettes. + +"Now, señor, you will tell us why you came here," said one. + +Cliffe had not expected to be addressed in good English, and he looked +at the man with surprise. + +The Spaniard smiled. + +"With us, the consequences of trying to serve one's country is that one +finds it safer to live somewhere else. But we will keep to the point." + +"I am looking for Don Martin Sarmiento," Cliffe said. "I expect you know +where he is." + +"That is so, but it would be difficult to reach him, and we leave this +place to-night. In fact, it is hard to see what we ought to do with you, +but it might help if you told us what your business is with Don Martin." + +"I guess you're surprised I should want to see him," Cliffe remarked +with some dryness. + +"It is natural," said the other. "We know you are a friend of the +President's, and we suspect that you have been financing him. The money +you gave him would be used to put us down." + +Cliffe thought for a few moments. The man seemed a person of some +consequence, and apparently commanded the band of rebels. His permission +must be obtained before Cliffe could proceed, and since he meant to ask +Don Martin's help there was, perhaps, no cause for reticence. + +"Very well," he said. "I will tell you why I am going to your leader." + +He related what had led to his quarrel with the President, and when he +had finished, the man translated the narrative to his comrade. + +"It is fortunate, señor, you refused the loan, because you will never +get the concessions; Altiera's rule will be over in a day or two. But +you believed him when he said he did not know where your daughter is?" + +"Yes. He seemed to speak without thinking, and was sorry afterward." + +"Then, as the señorita is not in his hands, she is probably in ours, but +our forces are scattered, and at present we cannot make inquiries. +However, I imagine you will find her quickest by remaining with us--and +you will excuse my saying that it would not suit us to let you go. If +you were seized by the President's soldiers, he might make some use of +you. Have I your promise that you will not try to escape?" + +Although the man was courteous, Cliffe thought an attempt to run away +would lead to trouble, but this was not what decided him to stay. He had +been bred to business, but now deep-rooted impulses were stirring. The +President and Gomez had cheated him, and he felt very sore about it, but +they had, moreover, carried off and, no doubt, terrorized Evelyn. The +thought of this filled him with a fierce desire to get even with them. + +"Señores," he said grimly, "you not only have my word not to attempt to +escape but you have my pledge to help you in every way I can." + +"We start for Rio Frio to-night," the rebel answered in a significant +tone. + +"Good!" Cliffe said, and glanced about at the little groups of +determined looking men. "I'll confess I'm curious to know how you got +such good rifles," he added. + +The rebel studied him keenly for a moment; and seemed satisfied. + +"A countryman of yours bought and landed them for us in small +quantities." + +"Grahame!" Cliffe exclaimed, and laughed, for he found the situation +ironically humorous. He liked Grahame, and suspected that Evelyn was +interested in him; and now it was obvious that the man had helped the +revolutionaries to ruin his plans. + +"I know him," he said. "As a matter of fact, he's an Englishman." + +"At present he is Gomez's prisoner. That is one reason we strike the +first blow at Rio Frio." + +"Ah! Well, if you mean to rescue him, you can rely on my doing the best +I can." + +The rebel changed the subject, but Cliffe imagined he had gained his +confidence. He was invited to the officers' frugal four o'clock dinner, +and afterward sat talking with them while the shadows filled the hollow. +Although still anxious about Evelyn, he felt less disturbed, and was +sensible of a strange but pleasant thrill. Feelings he thought he had +long grown out of were reawakening; there would be no more trucking with +the rogues who had cheated him and carried off his daughter. When they +next met, he would demand satisfaction with a rifle in his hands. Cliffe +admitted that there was something rather absurd and barbarous in the +pleasure the thought of the meeting afforded him, but, for all that, the +adventure he was embarking on had a strong attraction. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE PRESIDENT'S DESPATCHES + + +The sun had set when Walthew urged his worn-out mule up a narrow track +that twisted along the hillside through thick timber. The evening was +very dark, and thin mist drifted among the giant trees. Creepers +streamed down from their interlacing boughs, damp brush projected from +the sides of the trail, and Walthew growled savagely when he was +buffeted by clusters of dewy leaves. His head ached, the perspiration +dripped from his hot face, and he was sore in every limb, while he found +the steamy atmosphere almost unbreathable. + +The cut on his head was healing, but after a long, forced march from the +coast, he had at sunrise left the camp where he and the revolutionaries +had spent the night. The country ahead was reported to be watched by the +President's soldiers, and as the party was not strong enough to fight, +they had separated, hoping to slip past the pickets singly and meet at a +rendezvous agreed upon. Walthew reached the spot without being molested, +but although he waited for an hour nobody else arrived. It seemed +possible, however, that he had mistaken the place, and he determined to +push on to Rio Frio, trusting that his companions would rejoin him +there. He had been told that as the President had dealings with +foreigners he might be allowed to pass by any soldiers he fell in with +when they saw he was an American. + +He was, however, still a long way from Rio Frio, his mule was exhausted, +and he doubted if he were going the right way. There was nothing to be +seen but shadowy trunks that loomed through the mist a yard or two off, +and faint specks of phosphorescent light where the fireflies twinkled. + +Rocking in his saddle with a painful jar, Walthew thought that if the +jaded beast stumbled again as badly it would come down, and he half +decided to dismount. He felt that he would be safer on his feet; but the +mule, recovering, turned abruptly without his guiding it, and a few +moments later the darkness grew thinner. + +The trees now rose on one side in a dense, black mass, the ground was +more level, and Walthew saw that the animal had struck into a road that +led through a clearing. He followed it, in the hope that there was a +_hacienda_ near, and soon a light shone in the distance. The mule now +needed no urging, and in a few minutes a building of some size loomed +against the sky. Walthew rode up to it, and as he reached the arched +entrance to the _patio_ a man appeared, while another man moved softly +behind him as if to cut off his retreat. + +"Can I get a fresh mule here and perhaps something to eat?" he asked as +carelessly as he could. + +"Certainly, señor," said the man. "If you will get down, we will put the +beast in the stable." + +Walthew hesitated. There was no obvious reason why he should distrust +the fellow, but he imagined that he had been watching for somebody +coming down the road. The mule, however, was worn out, and he did not +think he had much chance of escaping if treachery was intended. + +"Very well," he said, dismounting, and when another man came up, he +stumbled after the first into the passage. + +"You have ridden far, señor, and will enjoy a rest," his guide remarked. +"One does not lose time by stopping for food on a long journey." + +Walthew felt more suspicious. They were now near a lamp that hung in the +arch, and although his companion was dressed like a peon his voice +suggested some education. The feeling that his arrival had been expected +was stronger, but it was too late to turn back and he went on, +surreptitiously making sure that his automatic pistol was loose. He was +taken across the _patio_, up an outside staircase, and along a balcony, +where his guide opened a door. + +"The house is at your disposal," he said with Spanish politeness, bowing +to Walthew to enter. + +The door was closed sharply and Walthew wondered if he had been trapped +as he cast a quick glance about. The room was large, badly lighted, and +scantily furnished. Two of its windows were open, but he remembered that +they must be some distance from the ground. There seemed, however, to be +no reason for alarm. At the far end of the room a table was laid for +supper, and a girl and a priest sat near it. They rose as he came +forward. + +Walthew gasped. + +"_Blanca!_" + +The girl seemed equally astonished. + +"Señor Walthew!" she exclaimed, and her tone indicated both perplexity +and concern. Walthew's clothes were gray with dust, his pose was slack +with fatigue, and a dirty bandage covered his forehead. + +"You seem surprised," he managed to say; "I guess _I_ am." The gleam in +his eyes showed the pleasure he felt. "I didn't expect to find you +here." + +"But where do you come from?" + +"From the San Lucar lagoon; traveled as fast as I could, but lost my +companions in the bush. They belong to your party." + +The priest came forward and Walthew recognized Father Agustin. + +"There has been a mistake," the priest said to Blanca, and bowed to +Walthew. "You will excuse me; I have an order to give." + +Walthew thought it had something to do with his arrival. He was no +longer suspicious, but puzzled. He was among friends, but they had +received him in a curious manner. + +He turned to Blanca with a smile. + +"It looks as if I'm intruding, but I hope you won't turn me out." + +"Oh, no," she said with a compassionate glance that thrilled him. "You +seem ill and tired. Are you hurt?" + +"Not much; a scratch on my head. But are you safe here? They told us the +woods were full of the President's soldiers." + +"We shall be gone at daybreak, and we have a guard." Blanca paused and +resumed with an air of relief: "It was fortunate you did not pass the +house." + +"That's a sure thing," Walthew agreed. "However, I guess I know what +you mean. When I pulled up I fancied your friends were watching for me, +and I'd have found the road blocked if I'd gone on. Don't you think you +had better tell me what it's all about?" + +Blanca hesitated with some color in her face, but just then Father +Agustin returned. + +"I have warned the men," he informed the girl. + +"Señor Walthew wishes to know what is going on," she said. + +"It might be better that he should know, and he is to be trusted; but +you must decide whether you will tell him or not." + +Blanca was silent for a moment, and then began in a rather strained +voice: + +"We have a spy in the President's household, and word was sent us that a +man would leave Villa Paz with some important despatches for Gomez. We +believe they contain instructions about what he must do when the +fighting begins, but, to avoid suspicion, Altiera is sending a foreign +trader to whom he has given some privileges. We expect him to stop and +change mules here, because the _hacienda_ belongs to one of the +President's supporters." + +"I see!" said Walthew. "He would not have carried the despatches past +this house. But where is its owner?" + +"Hiding at a _hacienda_ some distance off. He is a timid man, and we had +him warned that the rebels were coming to burn the place. An hour after +he left with his family we took possession." + +"But why did Don Martin send you?" Walthew asked sharply. "Hasn't he men +enough?" + +Blanca blushed and looked embarrassed, but the next moment she lifted +her head with an air of pride. There was a sparkle in her deep blue +eyes. + +"I am a patriot, señor, and ready to make a sacrifice for my country. We +must seize the despatches, but we do not wish to use force on a +foreigner, because this might lead to trouble. Our plan was to change +the papers for others and send the messenger on without his knowing that +he had lost them. It would not be an easy matter----" + +"In short," Father Agustin interposed with some dryness, "the señorita +thought she might succeed where a man would fail." + +The blood rushed to Walthew's face, for he understood. Blanca meant to +use her personal charm to trick and rob the messenger. It seemed to him +an outrage; but she fixed her eyes on him, and they had a haughty, +challenging look. She was daring him to deny that the course she meant +to take was warranted. He was furiously angry, but he tried to be just, +and he knew that she would not go too far. + +"It seems you do not approve!" she said. + +Walthew felt a thrill. In a sense, she had admitted that his good +opinion was worth something; but he saw that he must be careful. She was +proud and had the fiery Spanish temperament. He might lose her by a hint +of doubt. + +"No," he said, "I don't approve; but I can conquer my prejudices, as you +must have done. It is hateful to think of a woman's doing such work, but +one must admire the courage that has helped you to undertake it. I dare +say the cause demands the sacrifice." + +The girl's expression softened, and she smiled as she turned to the +priest. + +"Do you not think Señor Walthew has answered well?" + +"It is obvious that he has tact, and I think he has feeling," said +Father Agustin. "But has he not some news for us, perhaps?" + +"I have," said Walthew. "I want your help." + +He began with the arrival of Evelyn's message, and Blanca started as if +about to speak, but Father Agustin stopped her by a sign. Her face grew +intent as Walthew told how they had driven the _Enchantress_ before the +gale, and her eyes sparkled when he deprecatingly related the struggle +on the beach. + +"I think you have no reason to apologize," she said. "They must have +sent a strong guard, and you tried to rescue your friend alone. Miguel +was right; there was nothing to be done by two or three men with +knives." Then she paused with a thoughtful look. "It seems you do not +know that Miss Cliffe is safe with us." + +"It is a relief to learn that," Walthew said with feeling. + +"Since she was at Rio Frio when she sent the note, it is plain that +Gomez added the few lines that led you into the trap. But we must think +how we can rescue Mr. Grahame. You suggest that the men who came with +you from San Lucar have no plans?" + +"No. They expected to gather a force on the way, but the peons had +already gone off to join Don Martin. We meant to steal into Rio Frio and +then see what could be done. All I know is that I'm not going back +without my partner." + +"We may find a way to set him free, but it will need some thought," +Father Agustin remarked. "When a thing looks difficult, force is not +always the best means." + +"It doesn't seem likely to be of much use now," Walthew gloomily agreed. +"I'd six of your countrymen with me until I lost them, and we were told +that Gomez was filling Rio Frio with soldiers.... But how did you come +to take a part in this affair?" + +Father Agustin's eyes twinkled. + +"I came as duenna. You were surprised when you heard what the señorita +had undertaken, but it appeared that my presence might be something of a +protection and, perhaps, a guarantee. One concludes that this did not +strike you." + +Walthew looked embarrassed, but Father Agustin smiled. + +"You look as if you need refreshment," he said. "We will have our supper +now." + +When the meal was finished, Father Agustin kept Walthew talking while +Blanca leaned back silently in her chair. Her look was strained, and +once Walthew surprised her cautious glance at the clock. + +"I had forgotten the despatch-carrier," he said with some sharpness. "He +doesn't seem to be coming." + +"There is another road; longer and at present dangerous," explained +Father Agustin. "We have had it watched, but this is the obvious way for +a messenger to take." + +"For all that," said Walthew steadily, "I hope the fellow will choose +the other." + +Neither of them answered. Blanca lay back in her chair; the priest sat +with one elbow on the table, his cheek resting on his upturned palm. He +was very tired. + +Walthew studied him for a moment and then put his thoughts into words. + +"It is curious, Father Agustin, that whenever I have met you things +began to happen." + +"It is possible. Perhaps a priest is most needed where there is trouble, +and my mission is not always peace. One looks forward to the time when +lust and greed and cruelty shall no longer rule the hearts of men, but +it has not come yet." + +Walthew lighted the cigarette his host passed over to him. Though Father +Agustin had told him nothing new and his manner was by no means +dramatic, he felt impressed. The quiet priest in his shabby cassock and +clumsy, raw-hide shoes, had somehow a dominating personality. It was +hard to tell what part he took in the revolution, but even if it were +not directly active, Walthew thought him a moral force that must be +reckoned with. + +For a time nothing was said. There was no sound in the room except the +ticking of the clock, and it seemed to Walthew that the house had a +deserted feeling; he imagined that there was nobody in it except +themselves. He grew angry and pitiful by turns as he glanced at Blanca. +It was a hateful task she had been given, but he saw that she meant to +carry it out. He wanted to get on, because Grahame might be in danger, +but he could not leave until the despatch-carrier came. One could trust +Father Agustin, but Walthew felt that he must be on hand. + +It got cooler, and a faint, earthy smell crept in through the windows. +Now and then the lamp flickered in a passing draught, and once or twice +they forced themselves to talk, but the effort was obvious and the +voices presently died away. After this the quietness became oppressive, +and by degrees Walthew grew drowsy. Rousing himself, he felt ashamed as +he glanced at the girl. She did not move, but her pose was tense, and he +knew that she was watchful. He resented the craving for sleep when she +was bearing a heavy strain, but he had traveled fast since he left the +lagoon and his exhausted body demanded rest. + +He would not give in, and at last he started as a faint throbbing sound +reached him from outside. It came from a long way off, but grew plainer, +and he saw Father Agustin lean forward. Then Blanca stood up with a +tinge of color in her face and a tightening of her lips. Somebody was +riding hard down the road. There was a shout and a sharp answer. + +For a few moments the three stood waiting with forced calm, and then a +man hurriedly entered. + +"Pepe is here, señor," he announced. + +"Ah!" said Father Agustin quietly. "Bring him in." He turned to Walthew. +"It is one of our men who watched the other road. Something has gone +wrong." + +Walthew saw Blanca's expression change. Although she had meant to get +the despatches, he knew she felt relieved. + +Pepe entered. His face was wet with perspiration and he spoke with a +breathless quickness that prevented Walthew's following what he said. +Still, it was plain that his news was bad, for his manner was +apologetic, and Father Agustin looked thoughtful. + +"Wait outside; we may want you," he said and turned to Walthew after +dismissing the fellow. "The messenger must have been suspicious and our +men have blundered. It was very dark and he came upon them suddenly. +One was shot as he seized the mule and the messenger escaped before they +could mount, but he was forced to turn back." + +"Could he pass them by making a round?" + +"It is not likely. There is this road and the other, with thick forest +between, and both are guarded. The man must wait for daylight, and I do +not think he will reach Rio Frio. We may turn this to your advantage, +but it needs thought." + +He sat down and lighted a cigarette, and Walthew waited in silence until +he looked up. + +"It is possible that Gomez will offer your comrade his liberty in +exchange for information he can use against Don Martin." + +"Grahame will give him none," Walthew answered emphatically. + +"Then I imagine he is in some danger. You would take a risk to rescue +him?" + +"Of course!" + +"Very well. Gomez is waiting for instructions and probably knows that +the messenger is a foreigner. I suggest that you impersonate him. The +guards will let you pass, and Gomez will, no doubt, receive you alone. +Then you must try to extort an order for your friend's release." + +"I'm a pretty good shot," said Walthew meaningly. "I might get him +covered before I begin." + +Father Agustin made a sign of impatience. + +"Your best argument will be this--if you are detained for more than a +few minutes, there will be a tumult in the town. Gomez will hesitate +about forcing a rising before he gets his orders. Then as soon as you +enter the house some of our people will find an excuse for loitering +about the door. The soldiers are not well drilled; it might not be +difficult to surprise and disarm the sentry, and then the house could be +seized. For all that, there is a risk. Success will depend upon your +nerve and coolness." + +"I can't think of any better plan," said Walthew. + +Blanca gave him a quick glance, and he thrilled as he saw a hint of +trouble in her face. He thought she was unwilling that he should run +into danger, but the next moment her eyes sparkled. + +"It will work!" she said. "I am coming to help!" + +Walthew made a sign of protest, but she would not let him speak. + +"I promised to get the despatches, and the messenger may arrive while +you are with Gomez. Then somebody must make arrangements for the door to +be watched, and I am known in Rio Frio. I can find trustworthy men." She +raised her hand imperiously. "You need not object, señor. I am going!" + +Walthew was forced to acquiesce, and an hour afterward they left the +_hacienda_ and rode through the dark bush with two well-armed men behind +them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE PRESIDIO + + +The sun hung low in the western sky, with a peak of the black cordillera +cutting its lower edge, and Rio Frio shone in the glaring light. Seen +from the road across the valley, the town had an ethereal look, for the +tiers of square, white houses rose from a gulf of shadow and clustered +upon the hillside, glimmering with a pearly luster, picked out by clumps +of green. Behind were barren slopes, deepening in color to dusky purple +as they ran back to the foot of the mountain wall. + +Walthew pulled up his mule and sat gazing at the town. He had been +riding beside Blanca, while Father Agustin and two others followed at +some distance. + +"Five minutes ago you could hardly see the place against the background +and now it glows as if it were lighted up inside," he remarked. "Looks +more like an enchanted palace than a collection of adobe houses. One +could imagine that some magician had suddenly conjured it up." + +"I'm afraid there's not much enchantment in Rio Frio," Blanca answered. +"It's very prosaic and rather dirty." + +"Well, I don't know," said Walthew, looking boldly at her. "I'm not +given to romantic sentiment, but something very strange happened to me +one night in your town. Must have been glamour in the air, for I've been +a changed man ever since. You wouldn't expect a matter-of-fact American, +who was on the hunt for money, to trail round the country trying to act +like Garibaldi, unless he was bewitched." + +Blanca smiled prettily. + +"You have, at least, chosen to follow a great example, señor." + +"I don't think I chose him," Walthew returned dryly. "I'd have looked +for somebody easier." + +"But you were free to give up the part if you found it too hard for +you." + +"No; that's the trouble. I wasn't free." + +The girl knew that he was not talking at random to hide nervousness. +There was an underlying gravity in his manner and she secretly thrilled +to it. Although he still wore the dirty bandage and was dusty and +unkempt, she thought he had a very gallant air. His eyes were bright and +intent, and his thin face was very resolute. The faint smile with which +he regarded her somehow emphasized his determined, highstrung look. + +"Señor," she said, "it is better to aim high. Achievement is not +everything; the effort counts, and it is a generous errand you go upon +to-night. But we will talk of something else. Look; there is the house +where I spent the only happy years I can remember, until my father heard +the call of duty once more and obeyed. Higher up, you can see the green +gap of the _alameda_; beyond it the church of San Sebastian." She paused +for a moment with a shiver. "The white line beneath it is the top of the +_presidio_, where Gomez lives. But the light fades quickly, and now, +see--everything has gone." + +The sun had sunk behind the cordillera, and the white town, changing +suddenly to gray, melted out of sight as the shadows rolled up the +hillside. + +"You must see that it's enchanted," Walthew remarked. "The magician has +waved his wand and blotted it out." + +"It will shine again to-morrow," Blanca answered in a quiet voice. "The +shadows have long rested on this country of ours, but one looks for the +dawn." + +The others were close behind them, but the party was smaller than it had +been. Ragged men with dark, determined faces had been picked up on the +way, but it would excite suspicion if they entered Rio Frio in a body, +and they had separated during the last hour. Walthew did not know what +their orders were, but he thought they would act upon some plan already +made if he failed to secure Grahame's release; and Blanca presently bore +this conclusion out. + +"You will not be left unsupported, but it will be better if you can make +Gomez set your comrade free without our help," she said. "We do not wish +to strike the first blow to-night, but if it is needful, the _presidio_ +will be attacked. Gomez's position is like ours: he is not quite ready +to force a conflict. You see how that strengthens your hand. He cannot +altogether trust his soldiers, and a shot would rouse the town." Her +voice sounded rather strained as she concluded: "But if you are careful, +the shot will not be fired. Gomez is cruel, but he is a coward, and will +give way if you use moral force." + +"It's a big thing," Walthew answered thoughtfully. "Still, I must put +it over somehow. I have to get my partner out." + +Darkness fell before they reached Rio Frio, and Blanca stopped her mule +on the outskirts of the town. + +"We must separate here," she said. "I do not think the entrance is +carefully guarded, because it is not Gomez's policy to admit that an +attack is possible, but there may be spies, and a _rural_ or two on +watch." She paused and held out her hand. "I wish you good fortune, +señor, and I do not think your nerve will fail, but if the worst comes, +we will not leave you in Gomez's power." + +Walthew, bending down, kissed her hand and then lifted his hat. + +"Until I see you again, señorita," he said and quietly rode on. + +There was no moon and the air was still. The town rose before him, vague +and shadowy, with a faint musky smell drifting out from it. As he +reached the first of the houses, a wave of heat, rising from the rough +pavement, surrounded him. The walls looked blank, for there were no +lights behind the lattices, but a ray of brightness fell across the +street a short distance in front. As he crossed the illuminated strip a +man in white uniform stepped forward and seized his bridle. + +"Who comes?" he asked, looking hard at Walthew's face. + +"A messenger for the _secretario_." + +"Pass, friend," said the other, letting go the bridle. + +Walthew rode on, but checked the mule as soon as he was out of sight. It +looked as if he had been expected, but he had been warned that he must +give the revolutionaries time to communicate with their friends in the +city. They might have some trouble in entering it, although he believed +they meant to do so through the house of some sympathizer on the +outskirts. When he turned a corner he stopped to listen, but heard +nothing behind him, and the street in front was quiet. It seemed that +nobody had been sent to announce his arrival, and he could proceed +slowly without rousing suspicion. + +Leaving the direct line, he wound in and out through narrow streets, the +mule's shoes clanging on the hot stones. He passed one or two dimly +lighted cafés where men, roused by the clatter, looked up, their figures +showing indistinct about the small tables between the pillars. Farther +on, shadowy groups were sitting close together on the pavement, and +though their voices were quiet they had somehow an air of excitement. +Men appeared and vanished in the gloom, moving softly and quickly, as if +afraid of loitering. There was a mysterious hint of tension about all +that Walthew saw, and he felt his heart beat as he rode on. + +Crossing the plaza, he dismounted at the hotel he had previously +visited, and sent for the majordomo when the hostler grumbled something +about the stable's being full. + +"You will remember me," he said. "I want to leave my mule here and +perhaps spend the night." + +"I am sorry, but we have no room; there are a number of strangers in the +town. They are not so full at the Golden Fleece." + +"I'd rather stay here if I have to wait until to-morrow," Walthew +answered. "You take care of the mules well, and I may have a long ride. +Then one puts up at a place one knows, with more--confidence." + +The majordomo looked hard at him. + +"We must try to make room, señor, since you have--confidence." + +"Exactly," said Walthew, smiling. "Now I want the mule fed but not +unsaddled. I may perhaps need it in an hour, and it would be an +advantage if you could find me another." + +"It might be possible," the majordomo replied in a thoughtful tone. +"Still, there are spies about and they may watch this house. With +permission, I will send the mule to Ramon Silva in the _calle Pinastro_. +He is a carrier, and it is known that he buys pack-animals; he will have +both mules ready, if you ask for them with confidence." + +Walthew thanked the man and set off for the _presidio_. It was a long, +square-fronted building with a sentry-box at the entrance, and an untidy +soldier sat smoking outside. Another stood a little farther on in a +slouching attitude, a rifle raking across his shoulder and his _kepis_ +tilted to one side. Discipline is seldom marked among Spanish-American +soldiers, but Walthew was somewhat surprised to note that the fellow was +bantering a group of loiterers. They were dressed like peons, and one +carried a tray of sweetmeats and another a quantity of cigarettes, +apparently for sale. As Walthew passed, the former hurriedly moved his +tray, as if to prevent its being upset. + +"Be careful, señor!" he exclaimed, giving Walthew a warning glance. + +Walthew understood it. The men were not there by accident, and he saw +that one was within leaping distance of the sentry. He knew that the +Spanish knife is almost as dangerous as the rifle at close quarters; and +can, moreover, be thrown a short distance with effect. + +"I have a message for the _secretario_," he told the sentry with a +careless air. + +The man let him pass, and he saw that he was expected when a dusky +steward met him at the door. Since the despatch-carrier was known to be +a foreigner, it was easy to enter the _presidio_, but he wondered what +would happen before he left. Now that the dangerous game was about to +begin, he clearly recognized the risk he ran. For all that, it looked as +if he held the trump cards, and he hoped that he had nerve enough to +play them well. Pulling himself together, he followed his guide across +the _patio_ and up an outer stair, until the man stopped and knocked at +a door. + +"The messenger, señor," he announced. + +Walthew held his breath until he heard the door shut behind him; then he +turned to Gomez, who had risen from his seat at a table. It was a small +room and the table stood between the men. Walthew felt his nerves tingle +and his skin grow damp with perspiration as Gomez looked at him. There +was surprise in the secretary's face and he seemed puzzled, as if he +were trying to revive a memory. + +"You are not the man we were told would come, but I think I have seen +you somewhere," he said. + +Walthew stood still, his hand in his jacket pocket, as if about to take +the despatches from it. + +"The other messenger was detained, but we have met. I once dined at your +table at the International, in Havana." + +Gomez gave him a quick, suspicious glance. + +"Then there is something I do not understand, but it is not important +now. You bring the President's orders?" + +"No; I bring this." + +He took his hand from his pocket and the barrel of an automatic pistol +glinted in the light. + +Gomez flinched, but recovered his calm with a quickness that showed +Walthew he had a dangerous antagonist. + +"Push your chair back from that open drawer and then keep still!" he +ordered. + +Gomez obeyed, and Walthew sat down on the edge of the table, where, if +necessary, he could spring up more quickly than from a chair. Besides, +the position helped him to keep both Gomez and the door in sight. + +"You are uselessly dramatic, señor," Gomez remarked with a forced sneer. +"You dare not use the pistol, and I am not to be frightened by so cheap +a trick." + +Walthew did not put down the weapon. + +"Rather stale, but it has served its purpose by stopping you from +calling out, and that's all I wanted to begin with. Now I'm going to +show you how we stand." + +"Your position strikes me as very weak." + +"Well," said Walthew coolly, "I don't know. There are some chances in my +favor." + +"Not many, I think. A shot or a call from me would lead to your +immediate arrest." + +Walthew lowered the pistol. + +"I'm not going to shoot and you won't call. One of your sentries is +smoking cigarettes, with a wiry liberator ready to put his knife into +him, and something would happen to the other before he could throw up +his rifle. Then, a number of my friends are waiting to seize the gate." + +"What would they gain? They could not hold the building. In a few +minutes the soldiers would arrive." + +"Just so. Still, they'd have a few minutes, and there's reason for +believing they're not fond of you. Then, I don't mean to be made a +prisoner and, if I'm forced to, I'll shoot straight." + +This was not an idle threat. Walthew's nerves were steady, and he felt a +rancorous hatred of the man. He had been guilty of unspeakable +cruelties, he had carried off an American girl, and he now had Grahame +in his power. Walthew's face was pale, but his lips were firmly set, and +there was an ominous gleam in his eyes. Gomez began to grow uneasy. + +"However," Walthew went on, "the important point is that the first shot +starts the revolution. My friends won't have much trouble with the +sentries at the door, but if your soldiers try to break in afterward, it +will rouse the town. You may take this for granted, because you must see +that I'd make sure of being supported outside before I ventured here." + +Gomez pondered. The American's position was certainly strong. The lad +was not a rash fool, and his having made the venture proved his +statement about the likelihood of a revolution to be correct; moreover, +Gomez had other reasons for not questioning it. As he looked up, Walthew +made a warning gesture and Gomez heard footsteps outside. + +"Don't move!" said Walthew in a low, tense voice. "If that fellow comes +in it will make trouble for both of us. You'd better think how you're +going to keep him out!" + +The secretary's lips twitched, but he sat motionless. The steps drew +nearer, echoing down the passage; in another moment the man outside +would reach the door. Walthew held his breath; but the steps continued +and passed. Then they grew fainter, and Walthew saw his antagonist's +pose relax; the strain had told on him. Gomez was weakening and the game +was nearly won. + +"What do you want?" the secretary asked. + +"An order for Grahame's release." + +"Impossible! My signature would make me responsible to the President." + +"You'll take a bigger responsibility if you refuse; the men I left +waiting will begin the trouble if I'm not outside very soon. You haven't +got your master's orders yet, and the liberators have headed his +messenger off. I guess you'll have to answer for it if you spoil his +plans. Remember you'll have to face a revolution unless you let Grahame +out." + +Gomez was silent for a few moments and then made a sign of acquiescence. + +"Very well," he said, and pulling his chair to the table began to write. +Then he gave Walthew the paper. "Are you satisfied?" + +"Not quite," said Walthew, glancing over the message. "Ring for one of +your men and send it off with this note." He handed both papers to +Gomez. "Order him to deliver them at once!" + +When the man came in, Walthew was sitting carelessly in a chair, as if +nothing unusual had been going on. His right hand, however, was gripping +the pistol in his jacket pocket. + +"I'll wait here for five minutes to give him a start. Seems to me that +would be safer," he said when the orderly had left them. + +He was relieved when he thought he could get up, for the strain had been +heavy, and he was feeling rather limp, but he walked steadily to the +door and did not quicken his steps until he reached the stairs. It was +with tingling nerves that he came to the outer gate; but the sentries +let him pass, and when he had gone a short distance, three or four peons +who were hanging about turned and followed him. He was outside in the +friendly darkness, but he had still to leave the town. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE ESCAPE + + +Walthew waited for the peons, and then turned toward _calle Pinastro_, +where he had arranged to meet Grahame. He had now three companions whom +he thought he could trust, but they were unarmed, except for their +knives. Gomez had sent the order for Grahame's release, but if he could +rearrest him and seize Walthew without causing a tumult, he would do so. +They had only five or six minutes' start. It did not look as if they +could get out of the town in time, and Walthew felt fiercely impatient. +For all that, he stopped at the corner of a street when one of the +others touched him. + +There was a lighted café near by, and a girl stood on the pavement near +its open front. She was dressed very plainly in white, with a dark shawl +fastened round her head, like a peasant girl, but he felt a sudden +thrill as she turned toward him. Although he could not see her very +well, he knew it was Blanca. When he cautiously crossed the street she +drew him back into the shadow, but he saw her look of relief. + +"You have succeeded!" she said softly. "Where is Mr. Grahame?" + +"I am to meet him at Ramon Silva's." + +"You cannot go this way; there are two _rurales_ farther on. But it +would be dangerous to turn back now." + +She put her hand on his arm, as if to detain him while she considered +what to do, and Walthew looked about, knowing that he could trust her +knowledge of the town. The street was narrow and dark except where the +light from the café shone across it. A few citizens sat round the small +tables, and several shadowy figures loitered in the gloom outside. +Walthew thought they had come with the girl, but there was nothing in +their attitude to suggest that they had any particular business in the +neighborhood, and his own followers had stopped at the corner. + +Suddenly a clatter of hoofs broke out. Some one was riding fast toward +them. Walthew felt Blanca's hand tighten warningly on his arm as she +drew back a pace or two. The sound grew louder; there was a hoarse shout +like a sentry's challenge, and an answer which Walthew imagined +satisfied the _rurales_ on guard; and then a mounted man rode into the +stream of light. + +The mule was foul with sweat and dust, and a trickle of blood ran down +its shoulder; the rider's face was pale and set. Walthew's eyes rested +on him for only a second, but he knew the fellow was English or +American. There was an angry cry in the background, and a stealthy +figure, outlined against a blank, white wall, crossed the street. The +mounted man was obviously the President's messenger; but Walthew, having +seen his grim, tired look, and the way he drove the worn-out mule +furiously down the street, felt a touch of half-admiring sympathy. After +all, the fellow was white, and was gallantly doing what he had +undertaken. + +A moment more and Walthew saw something glisten in the hand of the +stealthy figure that seemed ready to spring. He was only a yard away +and, acting on impulse, he stumbled as if by accident and fell against +the man. The knife dropped with a jingle, and the messenger dashed past, +throwing Walthew a quick glance as he went. + +An angry murmur broke out, and several of the loiterers closed in on +Walthew, while men left the café to see what was going on, and there +were quick footsteps farther off in the gloom. Remembering the need for +haste and that Grahame might be in danger, Walthew half regretted his +rashness, but as he wondered what to do Blanca ran to his side. + +"The _rurales_ are coming!" she shouted; and the men about them vanished +as she led him away. + +They turned a corner into a lane between dark houses. + +"Why did you interfere?" she asked breathlessly. + +"I don't know. Felt I had to," Walthew answered with some embarrassment. + +"But you know who he is!" + +"Yes; he's carrying the despatches. Still, he looked played out and he +had got through." + +"Through your friends!" + +"I suppose so. It didn't seem to make much difference. Guess I've been +foolish." + +"You were generous, but generosity of that kind must be paid for," +Blanca answered in a hard tone. "It will cost our people something, and, +now that Gomez has got his orders, I don't know that we can leave the +town." + +"Grahame and I must find a way. But you'd be safer without us. I can't +let you run into needless danger." + +Blanca laughed. + +"Do you think I would leave you to get into fresh difficulties? With a +temperament like yours, you're not to be trusted alone." + +"I handled Gomez pretty well," Walthew boasted. + +"And you still wear the bandage he saw you with! Is it safe to take it +off?" + +"I'd forgotten it," he admitted. + +He threw the bandage into the lane with some annoyance, for the girl +seemed amused, but she made no remark until they reached a quiet street. + +"Well," she said, "perhaps I can excuse you to the others, who haven't +deserted us. But we turn down here and you had better go a few yards in +front." + +Following the directions she gave him, he presently crossed a square and +entered a street where a dim light burned. A man stood near it in a +careless pose, smoking a cigarette, and Walthew's heart beat fast as he +saw him. + +"Grahame!" he said; and the next moment he was shaking his comrade's +hand. + +"Got your note," said Grahame. "Thought I'd better wait here. Silva +can't let us have the mules." + +Walthew understood his brevity: there was no time for questions and +explanations. + +Grahame took off his hat as Blanca joined them. + +"I must see Silva. Wait in the shadow," she said, and moved quickly +away. + +The men stood silent. They had much to say, but it would keep, and the +means of escaping from the town occupied their minds. The street was +deserted and seemed strangely quiet after the girl's footsteps died +away, but indistinct cries came across the flat roofs as if something +were happening. Walthew looked about sharply in tense impatience, but +could see nothing, and Blanca did not return. At last, however, she came +silently toward them through the gloom. + +"It is impossible for Silva to give us the mules," she said. "The +Government has seized all he has, and two _rurales_ guard the stable." + +"Then we must try to get away on foot," Grahame replied. "Would you be +safer, señorita, if you got some of your friends to hide you?" + +"No," she said; "I must take my father some news I have picked up, and +Gomez will leave no place unsearched when he learns that I have been +here. I think we shall be out of danger if we can reach a house I know." + +They went down the street, quickly but silently, and as they turned the +corner a man sprang out from the gloom beside a wall and immediately +afterward disappeared. A few moments later they heard a whistle, and +Blanca led the men into a narrow lane. + +"It is off our way, and we must run!" she said. + +She shook off Walthew when he tried to take her arm; and they had gone +some distance before they heard footsteps behind them. The pursuers did +not seem to gain much ground, but when they slipped round a corner +somebody shouted, and the girl sped across the square they had entered. +A little farther on, they heard a heavier tread on the uneven stones. + +"_Rurales!_" Grahame whispered. + +Blanca turned off quickly and led them through an archway into a street +where there was a café, which, to Walthew's surprise, she made for. The +pursuers had not come out from the archway yet, and the party, falling +into a slower pace before they reached the café, went in and sat down +calmly at one of the tables. As usual, the front of the café was open to +the pavement, separated from it by only a row of pillars. A few men sat +inside and glanced curiously at the newcomers, but they made no remark. + +"A bottle of vermouth, as soon as you can!" Grahame said to the +landlord. + +The fellow gave him a quick glance, and then his eyes rested for a +moment on the girl; but he did not delay, and was coming back with some +glasses when several barefooted men and two others in uniform ran down +the street. Grahame had taken up a newspaper, but he watched them over +it without turning his head; Walthew pushed his chair back carelessly +into the shadow; and Blanca played with a gaudy fan. The men did not +look into the café, but the landlord, after quietly filling the glasses, +put down the bottle with a meaning smile. + +"They may come back," he said, and moved away. + +Walthew was about to get up, but Blanca coquettishly tapped him with her +fan and, taking the hint, he sat still; they must drink some of the +vermouth before they left. He drained his glass, and insisted on +refilling the girl's. Blanca protested laughingly, but Grahame saw that +she held her fan so that it hid her face from the other customers. She +was playing her part well. Still, he thought that Walthew, knowing less +of Spanish conventions, did not understand how daring she was. When +Grahame's eyes rested on her she blushed and quickly turned her head. + +"It seems you have a number of supporters in the town," he remarked in a +low voice. + +"Yes," she said; "you are thinking of the landlord's hint. We hope at +least half the people are on our side.... But we can venture out in a +minute or two." + +She raised her glass, smiling at Walthew, and then hummed a song until +she got up and, standing in front of a dirty mirror, began to arrange +the black mantilla that covered her head. Her pose and movements were +marked by rakish coquetry, and Grahame saw they had deceived the +loungers; but he noticed with a touch of dry amusement that Walthew +looked puzzled and not quite pleased. + +"Now, señores," she said loudly in Castilian, "you have had wine enough +and must not keep me waiting." + +She went out in front of them, flaunting her fan, but when they reached +the pavement her manner changed, and her voice was strained as she +whispered: + +"Follow me close, but quickly! There is no time to lose!" + +They were not molested as they crossed the town, but when they neared +its outskirts, Blanca left the road that led to the open country and +plunged into a network of narrow streets. At last she stopped in front +of a large but dilapidated looking house and, knocking twice, waited a +few moments until her summons was answered. There was no light inside, +and she exchanged a word with a half-seen person at the door before the +party was admitted. The door was shut and bolted, and they were led into +an inner room where a small lamp burned, and a woman with a frightened +face confronted them. + +"The road is stopped, and you must go at once before the house is +searched!" she said excitedly. + +"Where are the others?" Blanca asked. + +"They lost you and have gone on. You know where they will wait." + +Blanca nodded and beckoned her companions; and they followed her and the +woman to a window at the back. Grahame tactfully sprang out first and +was relieved to find himself outside the town, with a grove of trees +that promised safe concealment not far ahead. He made his way toward +them without looking round. Walthew got out next, but as soon as he +reached the ground he turned and held up his arms to Blanca, who was +sitting on the ledge. As she sprang down he caught her, and holding her +fast kissed her ardently. His feeling of triumph banished all thought of +their danger when he found that she did not resist. Her eyes shone a +deep, mystic blue, and she smiled as she slipped her arm round his neck +for a moment before he set her down. + +Without speaking, they hurried on after Grahame. + +"We have about a mile to go," Blanca said, when they reached him. + +She struck into a path that led them past clumps of trees, rows of +neatly planted bushes, and fields of cane. It was a still, dark night on +which a sound would carry far, but they heard no pursuit, and the town +seemed quiet. + +At last a small building loomed up ahead, and Blanca stopped beside it. + +"We should find the others here," she whispered. "But you wait. It +would be better for them to see me first." + +They let her go, knowing that she would be easily recognized; but she +came back a few moments later. + +"There is nobody about. Perhaps they have gone on, because they had news +from people in the town, or something may have happened to make them +change their plans." + +Sitting down outside the building, they began to consider what must be +done. + +"We must go on without our mules," Blanca said. "I have information that +my father must get as soon as possible; but we may not be able to join +him until to-morrow night. The road is the nearest way, but now that +Gomez has his orders he may have sent out soldiers to stop all +travelers. Besides, there are _rurales_ about." + +"Then we'll take to the mountains," said Walthew. He did not mean her to +run a risk. "I guess they've disarmed Grahame, and with one pistol among +us we couldn't put up much of a fight." + +"There's another," Blanca returned quietly. "I might let Mr. Grahame +have it, if he is a good shot, but he must give it back to me; and, as +time is important, we will take the road." + +She silenced Walthew's objections and they set off, striking into a +broad track some distance farther on. For a time, it wound, deep with +dust that clung about their feet heavy with the dew, across a belt of +cultivated land where indistinct, orderly rows of coffee bushes ran back +from its edge. Then it plunged into thick forest, where the soil was +soft and the darkness impenetrable, and they stumbled along blindly, +trying to feel their way. For all that, Grahame was conscious of keen +satisfaction as he breathed the warm, night air. Heavy as it was, it +seemed strangely invigorating after the foul atmosphere of the _carcel_ +where he had been imprisoned, and it was something to walk at large +again. Walthew, however, felt anxious and limp. He had been highly +strung for several hours, and he held himself responsible for the safety +of the girl he loved. Listening for sounds of pursuit, he tried to +pierce the darkness in front, and started when a leaf rustled or some +animal moved stealthily through the forest. He thought his footsteps +rang down the branch-arched track alarmingly loud. + +They came out into barren, rolling country, where clumps of cactus and +euphorbia grew in fantastic shapes. The track led upward, and it was +obvious that Blanca was getting tired. Unless they are the wives of +peons, Spanish-American women do not lead an active life and, as a rule, +limit their walks to an evening stroll in the plaza. + +For a while Blanca leaned on Walthew's arm, and he winced as he felt her +limping movements, but at last she stopped. + +"I cannot go much farther, but there is a house near here," she said. +"We can rest when we reach it." + +The house proved to be empty and in some disorder, suggesting that its +occupants had hurriedly fled, but on searching it with a light they +found some food, a little charcoal, and an iron cooking pot. Blanca and +Walthew had made a long journey after their last meal and Grahame had +eaten nothing since his very plain breakfast at ten o'clock. + +Following the girl's instructions, he lighted the charcoal and set the +pot near the door while she prepared the food, but Walthew lay down in +the dust outside. He was physically tired, and now, when he imagined +they were comparatively safe, he felt very slack and his mind was dull. +For all that, he lay where he could see the road, and only moved his +eyes from it when he glanced into the small adobe building. The charcoal +made a faint red glow that forced up the face of the stooping girl out +of the darkness and touched her skin with a coppery gleam. Grahame knelt +beside her, a dark, vaguely outlined figure, fanning the fire, and +Walthew felt half jealous that he should help. + +Then he found himself getting drowsy, and, lighting a cigarette, he +fixed his eyes resolutely on the road. All was very quiet, and there was +not a movement anywhere. + +But Blanca was not out of danger yet. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +THE AMERICAN TRADER + + +Walthew was almost dozing, when he was startled by a sound that came out +of the darkness. It was some distance off, but it had a regular beat in +it, and when it grew louder he could not doubt that some one was riding +fast up the road. + +"Move the fire back--there's somebody coming!" he called quickly. +"Blanca, will you give Grahame your pistol?" + +He used her name for the first time, and it thrilled him, but he had +other things to think about. The faint glow of the charcoal vanished, +and Grahame came out and stood listening. + +"Stay where you are and guard the door!" he said. "I'll drop behind that +bush, and then if the fellow gets down we'll have him between us." + +Throwing away a cigarette he was smoking, he vanished into the gloom, +and Walthew lay still with his heart beating fast. The drumming of hoofs +grew slower as the rider climbed the hill before the house, but Walthew +could not see him until he dismounted and came up the path, leading his +mule. It was some comfort to realize that they had only one man to deal +with, but if he was a spy of the President's, he must not get away. +Walthew, lying at full length, quickly worked his elbow into the dust +to steady his pistol hand. + +When the stranger was three or four yards away he stopped and looped the +bridle round his arm. Then he put his hand into his pocket, and Walthew, +with his nerves a-tingle, supposed that the man was searching for a +match. In another moment he might have to shoot, and he held his breath +as his finger tightened on the trigger. He heard the match scrape, a +tiny flame flickered between the stranger's hands, and Walthew started +as he saw his face. It was the man who had carried the President's +orders into Rio Frio. + +The light spread, falling on Walthew's recumbent figure and sparkling on +his pistol, but the messenger did not throw it down as the American had +half expected. Instead, he coolly held it up. + +"I see you have me covered," he said. "Though it's a surprise to find +you here, I'm not going to run away." + +Walthew lowered his pistol. + +"Very well. Leave your mule and go into the house. Will you tie up the +animal, Grahame?" + +"So there are two of you!" + +The man did as he was told, and Walthew, following him, asked Blanca to +get a light. + +The girl had found a lamp which she placed on the ground, and the +stranger looked at her sharply as she bent over it. Nobody spoke until +Grahame came in. + +"Are you alone?" he asked the messenger. + +"Quite." + +"What's your name and business?" + +"Carson, agent for the trading firm, Henniker and Gillatly." + +"Where were you going and why did you come here?" + +Carson turned to Walthew, who had been wondering whether he recognized +him. + +"I imagine this gentleman knows my business," he said. "He did me a +service in Rio Frio which I'm glad to acknowledge. As a matter of fact, +I stopped here to look for something to eat; the owner of this house is +on the President's side. It's pretty plain, though, that he has cleared +out. Taking it all round, I haven't had much luck this trip." + +"Who warned you not to call at the _hacienda_ Perez?" Blanca asked. + +"I don't know his name--he stopped me for a moment in the dark. I'm +sorry I had to put one of your friends out of action, señorita, but I +hadn't much choice, because he struck at me with his knife. For all +that, I hope the man's not badly hurt." + +"We expect him to recover." + +"You seem to know this lady," Walthew broke in. + +Carson smiled. + +"I haven't had the pleasure of being presented, but I've seen Miss +Sarmiento once or twice, and it would be strange if I forgot her." + +His easy good-humor disarmed Walthew. + +"Did you deliver the President's despatches?" he asked. + +"Yes. To tell the truth, I was glad to get rid of them--and I imagine +Miss Sarmiento acted wisely in leaving the town. Now, however, I'm +naturally curious to know what you mean to do with me." + +"Will you give us your word not to tell any of the President's +supporters that you have met us?" + +"I'll promise with pleasure. I feel that I've done enough in carrying +his despatches." + +"Very well," said Grahame. "That clears the ground; but we must talk it +over together." + +"Thanks," Carson said coolly. "I'm not pressed for time--and I notice +that you have been cooking. I wonder if I might ask for some supper?" + +"All we have is at your service, señor," Blanca answered with Spanish +politeness. "But we'd better put out the light." + +She extinguished the lamp, and they gathered round the cooking pot, the +men sitting on the earth floor with the red glow of the burning charcoal +on their faces. It could not be seen many yards away, and Grahame's view +commanded the path to the door. Blanca divided the omelette she had +made, and afterward gave them some black coffee and a bundle of +cigarettes. + +"These are Habaneros and should be good," she said. "As they belong to a +friend of the President's we need not hesitate about using them." + +She sat down beside Walthew, and they smoked in silence for a while. +Blanca was studying Carson's face as it was lighted by the glow from the +charcoal. + +"Why did you help Altiera?" she asked him suddenly. + +"Commercial interest. He has given us one or two trading privileges. And +he seemed to think I had a pretty good chance of getting through." + +"Do you know what his orders to Gomez were?" + +Grahame had wondered when she meant to ask this, and had left it to her, +feeling that she was more likely to catch the messenger off his guard. + +Carson laughed. + +"Honestly, I don't know; Altiera isn't the man to take an outsider into +his confidence." + +"Still, you know something." + +"Well," Carson said quietly, "I'm sorry I must refuse to tell you my +surmises. No doubt you'll understand my obstinacy." + +"Aren't you rash, señor?" Blanca asked in a meaning tone. + +"On the whole, I think not. Of course, I'm in your hands, but as I've +promised not to give you away, I expect these gentlemen won't take an +unfair advantage of me. Then, from what I know about Don Martin, I feel +that I can trust his daughter." + +Blanca smiled. + +"Well," she said, "I suppose we must let you go. You are at liberty to +leave us when you wish." + +Grahame and Walthew agreed, and Carson shook hands with them. + +"It's evident that your only reason for stopping near Rio Frio is that +Miss Sarmiento finds it impossible to walk any farther," he remarked. +"She's welcome to my mule. Gomez requisitioned it from a man called +Silva, who's suspected of sympathizing with your party. I believe I know +where to find another animal." + +They thanked him and let him go; and soon after he vanished into the +darkness, Blanca mounted the mule and they set off again. + +Pushing on until dawn, they found a small, deserted _hacienda_ standing +back from the road, and as tall forest grew close up to it, offering a +line of retreat, they decided to rest there. The mule looked jaded. +Blanca admitted that she could not go much farther, and Walthew was +obviously worn out. They could find nothing to eat; but there was some +furniture in the house, and Blanca found a place to sleep in one of the +rooms, while the men lay down on a rug outside. The sun was now rising +above the high cordillera and, wet with the dew as they were, they +enjoyed the warmth. A few lizards crept about the wall in front of them, +and an archway near by commanded a view of the road. The building was in +good order, and had apparently been abandoned on the approach of the +President's soldiers. + +"These people know what to expect; they must have been ready to light +out," Walthew remarked. "I rather liked that fellow Carson, but it's +curious he didn't ask us anything about our business." + +"He'd take it for granted that we had an active part in the revolution." + +"No doubt the señorita's being with us would suggest something of the +kind, but he seemed surprised at first," Walthew replied with a +thoughtful air. "For all that, I can't quite see----" + +"No," said Grahame; "I don't think you altogether understand the +situation yet. I suppose you mean to marry Miss Sarmiento?" + +"Certainly, if she'll have me," Walthew answered with firmness, though +he looked at his comrade as if he expected something more. + +Grahame smiled. + +"Then you're to be congratulated, because you won't have much trouble in +getting your wish." + +"What do you mean?" Walthew's tone was sharp, but he remembered an +incident during his escape from the town. "I'll admit I wasn't quite +hopeless, but we were both in danger----" + +He broke off, and Grahame regarded him with a friendly laugh. + +"You're modest--and you're more ignorant of Spanish customs than I +thought. However, I'd better explain, so you'll know how Don Martin will +look at it. To begin with, a well-brought-up girl is never permitted to +meet a man unless she is suitably escorted by an older member of the +family, and you have been wandering about with Miss Sarmiento for two or +three days. Now you can understand why Carson was surprised, and I +noticed he was uncertain how to address Miss Sarmiento at first. She +noticed his hesitation, though you did not." + +For some moments Walthew was silent, his brows knitted. + +"No, I never thought of it," he admitted. "But we'll say no more about +it until I've seen Don Martin. Besides, there's another matter. A fellow +who joined us at the lagoon gave me a letter for you. Sorry I forgot it +until now, but I had a good deal to think about." + +"I don't suppose it's important," Grahame replied, and lighted a +cigarette before opening the envelope with an English stamp. + +Then his expression changed, and a few moments afterward he let the +letter drop and sat very still. The cigarette went out, the hot sun +shone upon his uncovered head, and a lizard ran across his leg; but he +did not move. He seemed lost in thought. Walthew, watching with puzzled +sympathy, waited for him to speak. + +"This letter has been a long time on the way," he explained at last. "It +probably had to wait at our Havana address, and then Don Martin's people +had no opportunity to deliver it." + +"But what's the news?" Walthew asked. + +Grahame answered with a strained laugh. + +"In a sense, it's rather a grim joke. While I've been risking my life +for a few dollars' profit on smuggled guns, and practicing the sternest +self-denial, it seems I've been the owner of an old Border estate." + +"Ah!" said Walthew. "Then Calder Hall now belongs to you?" + +"What do you know about Calder Hall?" + +"I've known all about it for some time, and I'm very glad. But I +understand that you didn't expect to inherit the estate." + +"No; it seemed impossible. I won't trouble you with family particulars, +but two deaths have occurred in a very short time. The last owner was no +older than I am and married, but his only child is a girl, and he was +killed while hunting. Although he was my cousin, I've rarely seen him." + +He was silent again for some minutes, his mind busy with alluring +visions. He had long struggled with poverty, and had wandered about the +world engaging in reckless adventures, but he had inherited a love for +the old home of his race; and now it was his. But this, while counting +for much, was not the main thing. He had been strongly attracted by +Evelyn Cliffe, but, recognizing his disadvantages, he had tried hard to +hold in check the love for her which grew in spite of him. The obstacles +that had bulked so large were now removed. He was free to win her if he +could, and it was comforting to remember that in her urgent need she had +sent for him. But he had work to finish first. + +"I suppose you mean to start home as soon as you can?" Walthew +suggested. + +"No," Grahame answered quietly, "I'm not going yet. For one thing, we +have taken Don Martin's money, and now that he has to meet a crisis we +can't leave him in the lurch. Besides, one day at San Lucar, we promised +some of the leaders of the movement that we'd see them through." + +It was a good reason. Grahame was not the man to do a shabby thing, but +Walthew, remembering that Evelyn was with the rebels, thought his +comrade had a stronger motive for staying. + +"Well," he agreed, "I guess that's so. Anyway, the game can't last much +longer; they'll have to use our guns in the next few days." + +"Yes; and as we don't know what part we'll have in it, you'd better get +some rest. I'll keep watch a while." + +Walthew was glad of the opportunity to sleep; and Grahame, moving back +into the shadow as the sun got hot, sat still, with his mind busy and +his eyes fixed upon the road. + +At noon Blanca came out of the house and stood looking down at Walthew +with a compassionate gentleness that she did not try to hide. The +half-healed cut showed plainly on his forehead, his brown face looked +worn, and he lay in an attitude of deep weariness. + +"It is a pity to wake him, but we must start," she said, and indicated +the scar. "I suppose you can guess that he has borne something, and he +got that wound for you." + +"I'm not likely to forget it," Grahame answered quietly. + +"No," Blanca said with a curious smile. "You do not make many +protestations, you men of the North, but one can trust you." + +She stooped and touched Walthew gently. + +"It is noon and we must go." + +Her voice was quiet, but Walthew seemed to know it in his sleep, for he +sprang to his feet with a half-ashamed air. + +"I didn't mean to sleep so long," he said, and looked at Blanca +anxiously. "Have you rested enough? Are you quite fit to travel?" + +Blanca smiled; and when Walthew brought up the mule and helped her to +mount she noticed something new in his manner. Hitherto, it had been +marked by a certain diffidence, but now this had gone. He was +assiduously careful of her, but with a hint of proprietary right. +Something had happened since she had last seen him to account for the +change. She gave Grahame a searching glance, but his face was impassive. + +They set off, Walthew walking beside the mule, but it was to Grahame +that the girl spoke as they moved slowly forward in the scorching heat. +He thought he understood, and his eyes twinkled with amusement when she +was not looking. Blanca suspected him, and she did not mean Walthew to +take too much for granted. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +LOVE'S VISION + + +It was late when Walthew led Blanca's mule through the rebel camp to the +table under a tree where Don Martin sat writing. There was a half moon +in the sky, and as they passed between the rows of motionless, dark +figures stretched on the ground, here and there an upturned face caught +the light and shone a livid white. In places a sentry's form was +silhouetted, vague and black, against the sky, but except for this all +was wrapped in puzzling shadow, and silence brooded over the camp. + +One of Don Martin's staff sat beside the table, smoking a cigarette, +another lay asleep near by, but a small lamp burned steadily near the +leader's hand, lighting up his grave face against the gloom. He put down +his pen and waited when Walthew stopped the mule and helped the girl to +dismount. + +"I have had the honor of escorting the señorita from Rio Frio, where +with her help I got my partner out of the _carcel_," he said. + +"Yes," Don Martin returned in a quiet voice, "I have heard something of +this. I am told that you met my daughter at the _hacienda_ Perez. Was it +by accident?" + +Walthew, remembering Grahame's remarks on the subject, felt +embarrassed, for the steadiness of Don Martin's glance was significant. + +"Certainly!" he answered. "I had never heard of the _hacienda_ before I +reached it. For all that, I would not have kept away if I had known the +señorita was there." + +"One must acknowledge your frankness," Don Martin remarked. "Well, what +happened afterward?" + +Walthew looked at Blanca, but she seemed to be smiling as she unfolded +her fan, and he began a brief account of their adventures. + +"And your comrade is with you?" asked Don Martin. "I was told of his +escape, but you have been some time on the way. Our friends who lost you +in Rio Frio arrived this morning." + +Blanca laughed. + +"I cannot walk like a peon," she explained. + +"But you came on a mule!" + +"We had gone some distance when Carson, the trader, lent it to us." + +Walthew had not mentioned their meeting with the President's messenger, +and Don Martin looked surprised. + +"Carson!" he exclaimed. "If I did not believe Mr. Grahame was a man of +honor, I should not know what to think." + +"Mr. Walthew also is a man of honor," Blanca retorted in a meaning tone. +"But I have news which you must hear at once." + +Don Martin turned to Walthew. + +"You will give me a few minutes; then I will see you again." + +Taking this as a dismissal, Walthew went back to where Grahame was +waiting and smoked a cigarette with him. Soon after he had finished it, +a drowsy soldier beckoned him and he returned to Sarmiento. When he +reached the table Blanca had gone. + +"Señor," he said, "I have a favor to ask; but the accident that I was +thrown into Miss Sarmiento's company at the _hacienda_ and Rio Frio has +nothing to do with it. You must understand that. I want your consent to +my marriage to your daughter." + +"Ah!" said Don Martin. "You have learned that she is willing?" + +Walthew felt half guilty when he thought of the kiss beneath the +window-sill, but he looked at Don Martin steadily. + +"I thought it better to follow your customs," he explained. "Blanca does +not know I meant to ask you. But I want to say that my mind has been +made up for some time. It was for her sake that I determined to stay on +the coast and give you all the help I could." + +There was a gleam of amusement in Don Martin's eyes. + +"Then my daughter gained us a useful ally. But, so far, you have spoken +for yourself. What about your parents? Blanca Sarmiento is not an +American." + +Walthew hesitated for a moment. + +"They may feel some surprise, but I believe it will vanish when they +have seen her; and I choose my wife to please myself. I think I have +means enough to make my way without any help, though I haven't a great +deal." + +"How much?" + +Sarmiento nodded when Walthew told him. + +"It is enough; you would be thought a rich man in this country. Still, +I would prefer to have your father's consent. It is our custom that a +marriage should be arranged with the approval of both families." + +"But you are a progressive and don't count much on customs. I understand +that you mean to cut out all those that stop your people from going +ahead." + +"It is true to some extent," Don Martin admitted with a smile. "For all +that, one may believe in progress in the abstract, and yet hesitate +about making risky experiments that touch one's own family. However, if +Blanca is willing, I can trust her to you." + +"I'll try to deserve your confidence," Walthew answered, and added with +a naïvely thoughtful air: "My people will come round; the only thing +they'll insist on is that I enter the family business, and that's going +to be easier than I thought." + +"Why did you refuse in the beginning?" + +"It's rather hard to explain. I wanted to get into touch with realities, +to learn what I was good for and find my proper level." + +Sarmiento made a sign of comprehension. + +"And in searching for what you call realities, you have found yourself." + +Walthew recognized the truth of this. It was not that in facing danger +and hardship he had gained steadiness and self-control, because he had +never lacked courage, but he had acquired a clearer conception of +essential things. He would no longer be content to accept thoughtlessly +the conventional view. His comrade had taught him much by his coolness +in time of strain and his stubborn tenacity when things went wrong. It +was not for nothing that Grahame had hawk-like eyes: he had the gift of +seeing what must be done. But, after all, it was from hardship itself +that Walthew had learned most, and in the light of that knowledge he +determined to go home. The work he was best fitted for was waiting in +the smoky, industrial town; it was not the task he had longed for, but +it was his, and he would be content now. + +Don Martin smiled. + +"You may try to persuade Blanca to go with you to your country, if you +wish. I want a talk with your comrade now. Will you send him to me?" + +Walthew left him with a light heart, and shortly afterward Grahame +joined Don Martin. + +"Señor," said the leader, "you have kept your agreement with us +faithfully, and I do not know that we have any further claim, but I +understand that you do not mean to leave us yet." + +"No," Grahame replied quietly; "I shall see you through." + +"Good! Another body of our friends is gathering at a village to which I +will send you with a guide. They are well armed and determined. I offer +you command." + +"Where is the señorita Cliffe?" Grahame wanted to know. + +"At a _hacienda_ two or three hours' ride back. She is in good hands, +and at daybreak my daughter leaves to join her." + +Grahame was sensible of keen disappointment. + +"When do you wish me to start?" he asked. + +"As soon as possible; but you'd better take an hour's rest." + +"I'm ready now if you will give me my orders." + +When, a few minutes later, he rode away with the guide, Walthew and +Blanca left the camp and followed a path that led through a field of +rustling sugar-cane. + +"We must not go far," Blanca protested. "This is quite against my +people's idea of what is correct." + +"It's a sign of the change you're going to make for me. You might have +been something like a princess here, and you'll be the wife of a plain +American citizen, instead." + +"I never wanted to be a princess," she said; "and certainly not a +conspirator. All I really hoped for was one faithful subject." + +"You have one whose loyalty won't change. But you mustn't expect too +much, because I'm giving up my adventurous career and turning business +man. Men like Bolivar and the other fellow you wanted me to copy aren't +born every day--and I'm not sure we'd appreciate them if they were." + +Blanca laughed. + +"You are a pessimist, but I will tell you a secret. It needs courage to +be the wife of a great soldier and I am not brave enough." Her voice +fell to a low, caressing note. "One's heart shrinks from sending the man +one loves into danger." + +Walthew stopped in the path and faced the girl. She was smiling. The +half-moon, now high overhead, shed its beams down in a weird light that +lay over everything like a mantle of blue silver. All about them the +tall cane whispered in the wind. + +Walthew opened his arms, and Blanca cuddled to him. + +"It is so wonderful!" he breathed, after the first long kiss. "So +wonderful that you are really going back to the States with me!" + +"You are not going back the same," she smiled up at him; and he stooped +and kissed the smile. + +"----You have seen the vision," she finished; "romance has touched you." + +"It was you who opened my eyes. Perhaps now they are dazzled; but we +will never let the vision quite fade. Romance shall spread her bright +wings above the home I'm going to build you on the river bluff----" + +Again he found her mouth, and drank deep. + +The silence was broken by a rattle of leather and a jingle of steel that +startled them, and as they turned quickly and walked up the path a dark +figure rose out of the gloom ahead and stood before them, sinister and +threatening. When Walthew had answered the sentry's challenge, Blanca +shivered. + +"I had forgotten for a few minutes," she said. "Rio Frio is not taken +yet, and you must fight for us." + +"For two or three days, if all goes well. It can't be a long struggle. +Rio Frio is bound to fall." + +Blanca clung closer to him. + +"I cannot keep you," she said; "but how I wish the days were over! There +is nothing of the princess in me; I am only an anxious girl." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +THE HERO OF RIO FRIO + + +Day was breaking when Cliffe saw Rio Frio loom out above low-lying mist. +There was no perceptible light in the sky, but the scattered clumps of +trees were growing blacker and more distinct, and the town began to +stand out against a dusky background. It had an unsubstantial look, as +if it might suddenly fade away, and Cliffe felt that he was doing +something fantastic and unreal as he watched the blurred forms of his +companions move on. To some extent, want of sleep and weariness +accounted for this, because he had marched all night, but the silence +with which the rebels advanced helped the illusion. A number of them +were barefooted and the raw-hide sandals of the others made no sound in +the thick dust. + +Cliffe marched near the head of the straggling battalion, a +cartridge-belt round his waist and a rifle on his shoulder. His light +clothes were damp and stained with soil. His costly Panama hat hung, +crumpled and shapeless, about his head, and he did not differ much in +external appearance from the men around him. They were a picturesque, +undisciplined band, but Cliffe knew that they meant business. He +recognized that there was something humorous about his marching with +them. He belonged to the orderly cities, where he had been treated as a +man of importance, but now he was swayed by primitive impulses and had +cast off the habits of civilization. + +The rebel leader had promised to make inquiries about Evelyn, but had +learned nothing. Cliffe imagined that the man, having other things to +think about, had not been very diligent. He held Gomez accountable for +the distress he felt. The rogue had cheated him and stolen his daughter. +Cliffe sternly determined that he should pay for it. Gomez, however, was +in Rio Frio and, since he could not be reached by other means, Cliffe +was ready to fight his way into the town. The curious thing was that +instead of finding the prospect disagreeable he was conscious of a +certain fierce satisfaction. The commander of the detachment had treated +him well, but his limited knowledge of Castilian had made it necessary +that he should take his place in the ranks. + +The leading files halted, and from their disjointed remarks Cliffe +gathered that a picket of the enemy's had been surprised by the scouts. +He had heard no shots, but he could imagine the dark-skinned men, many +of whom had Indian blood in them, crawling silently through the long +grass with unsheathed knives. It was not a pleasant picture; but the +road was clear. + +The light was growing when they went on, moving faster. The need for +haste was obvious. As they were not numerous, they must enter the town +while darkness covered their approach, and they were late. Another +detachment should have met them, but it had not arrived. On the whole, +Cliffe did not think their chances good, but that did not daunt him, and +he trudged on with the rest, the dust rolling like a fog about his +head. + +After a while the advance split up into two streams of hurrying men, +and, going with one body, Cliffe saw the flat-topped houses near ahead. +Stumbling among small bushes, and gazing between the shoulders of the +men in front, he made out a shadowy opening in the line of buildings. A +few minutes later the clatter of sandals rose from slippery stones, +there were blank walls about him, and he was in the town. It was hard to +believe they had entered unopposed, without a shot being fired, but he +supposed the guard had been surprised and overpowered by friends inside. + +The backs of the leading files obstructed his view, but now that they +were moving down a narrow lane the air throbbed with the sound of their +advance. Rifle slings rattled, feet fell with a rapid beat, and now and +then an order broke through the jingle of steel. Then a shot rang out +and the men began to run, two or three falling out here and there, with +the intention, Cliffe supposed, of occupying friendly houses. A little +later, the advance guard swung out into a wider street, and a group of +men began tearing up the pavement; it had been loosened beforehand, and +the stones came up easily. Another group were throwing furniture out of +the houses. They worked frantically, though they were fired at, and +Cliffe could hear the bullets splash upon the stones. + +For the most part, the men were wiry peons, some toiling half naked, but +there were a number who looked like prosperous citizens. The light, +however, was dim and they were hard to distinguish as they flitted to +and fro with their loads or plied the shovel. A barricade was rising +fast, but the alarm had spread. Detached shouts and a confused uproar +rolled across the town, the call of bugles joined in, and the sharp +clang of the rifles grew more frequent. Cliffe could see no smoke, but +he imagined that the roofs farther on were occupied by the troops Gomez +was no doubt hurrying into action. + +The attack had obviously been well timed and arranged with the +coöperation of revolutionaries in the town, but while the rebels had +gained an entrance, they seemed unable to follow up their success, and +it remained to be seen if they could hold their ground until +reënforcements arrived. Finding no opportunity for doing anything +useful, Cliffe sat down on the pavement and lighted a cigarette. He did +not feel the nervousness he had expected, but he was tired and hungry. +It was four o'clock on the previous afternoon when he shared the +officers' frugal dinner, and he had eaten nothing since. There was no +use in speculating about what was likely to happen in the next few +hours, but he meant to have a reckoning with Gomez if he came through +alive. + +Then, as he watched the blurred figures swarming like ants about the +barricade, he broke into a dry smile, for the situation had an +ironically humorous side. He had thought himself a sober, business man; +and now he was helping a horde of frenzied rebels to overthrow the +government he had supported with large sums of money. This was a novelty +in the way of finance. Moreover, it was strange that he should derive a +quiet satisfaction from the touch of the rifle balanced across his +knees. He was better used to the scatter-gun, and did not altogether +understand the sights, but he was determined to shoot as well as he +could. + +An opportunity was soon offered him. Some one gave an order, and after +some pushing and jostling he squeezed himself between the legs of a +table on the top of the barricade. A ragged desperado, who scowled +furiously and used what seemed to be violently abusive language, had +contested the position with him, and it struck Cliffe as remarkable that +he should have taken so much trouble to secure a post where he might get +shot. He was there, however, and thought he could make pretty good +shooting up to a couple hundred yards. + +He had got comfortably settled, with his left elbow braced against a +ledge to support the rifle, when a body of men in white uniform appeared +at the other end of the street. An officer with sword drawn marched at +their head, but they did not seem anxious to press forward, or to be +moving in very regular order. The distances were uneven, and some of the +men straggled toward the side of the street, where it was darker close +to the walls. Cliffe sympathized with them, although he felt steadier +than he had thought possible. + +A rifle flashed on a roof and others answered from the barricade, but +only a thin streak of gray vapor that vanished almost immediately marked +the firing. It looked as if the rebels had obtained good powder. After a +few moments Cliffe heard a shrill humming close above his head, and +there was a crash as a man behind him fell backward. Then he felt his +rifle jump and jar his shoulder, though he was not otherwise conscious +that he had fired. He must have pulled the trigger by instinct, but he +did not try to ascertain the result of his shot. He had not come to that +yet. + +There was a sharp patter on the front of the barricade and splinters +sprang from the table legs. Some one near Cliffe cried out, and the +patter went on. Raising his head cautiously, he saw that a number of +soldiers were firing from the roofs, while the rest ran steadily up the +street. They must be stopped. Dropping his chin upon the stock, he +stiffened his arms and held his breath as he squeezed the trigger. + +After this, he was too busy to retain a clear impression of what +happened. His rifle jumped and jarred until it got hot, his shoulder +felt sore, and he found he must pull round his cartridge-belt because +the nearer clips were empty. He did not know how the fight was going; +the separate advancing figures he gazed at through the notch of the rear +sight monopolized his attention, but there was thin smoke and dust +about, and he could not see them well. It seemed curious that they had +not reached the barricade, and he felt angry with them for keeping him +in suspense. Then the firing gradually slackened and died away. +Everything seemed strangely quiet, except that men were running back +down the street in disorder. The rebels had held their ground; the +attack had failed. + +After a few moments, he noticed that the sun shone down between the +houses and it was getting hot. He felt thirsty, and the glare hurt his +eyes, which smarted with the dust and acrid vapor that hung about the +spot. All the soldiers, however, had not gone back; several lay in +strange, slack attitudes near the front of the barricade, and a rebel +who sprang down, perhaps with the object of securing fresh cartridges, +suddenly dropped. The rest lay close and left the fallen alone. Then a +tall priest in threadbare cassock and clumsy raw-hide shoes came out of +a house and with the help of two or three others carried the victims +inside. Cliffe heard somebody say that it was Father Agustin. + +Soon afterward a man near Cliffe gave him a cigarette, and he smoked it, +although his mouth was dry and the tobacco had a bitter taste. The heat +was getting worse and his head began to ache, but he was busy wondering +what would happen next. Gomez must have more troops than the handful he +had sent; the rebels could not hold the position against a strong force, +and their supports had not arrived. He hoped Gomez had no machine-guns. + +Suddenly the attack recommenced. There were more soldiers, and a rattle +of firing that broke out farther up the street suggested that the +revolutionaries were being attacked in flank. Some of the men seemed to +hesitate and began to look behind them, but they got steadier when an +officer called out; and Cliffe understood that a detachment had been +sent back to protect their rear. In the meantime, the soldiers in front +were coming on. They were slouching, untidy fellows, but their brown +faces were savage, and Cliffe knew they meant to get in. It was, +however, his business to keep them out, and he fired as fast as he could +load. When the barrel got so hot that he could hardly touch it, he +paused to cool the open breach and anxiously looked about. + +The street seemed filled with white figures, but they had opened out, +and in the gaps he could see the dazzling stones over which the hot air +danced. There was a gleam of bright steel in the sun, and he noticed +that the walls were scarred. Raw spots marked where the chipped +whitewash had fallen off and the adobe showed through. But there was no +time to observe these things; the foremost men were dangerously near. +Finding he could now hold his rifle, Cliffe snapped in a cartridge and +closed the breach. Then he spent a few tense minutes. The enemy reached +the foot of the barrier and climbed up. Rifles flashed from roofs and +windows, streaks of flame rippled along the top of the barricade, and +one or two of the defenders, perhaps stung by smarting wounds or +maddened by excitement, leaped down with clubbed weapons and +disappeared. Cliffe kept his place between the table legs and pulled +round his cartridge-belt. + +The tension could not last. Flesh and blood could not stand it. He +understood why the men had leaped down, courting death. He hoped his own +nerve was normally good, but if the struggle was not decided soon, he +could not answer for himself. He must escape from the strain somehow, if +he had to charge the attackers with an empty rifle. + +There was a sudden change. The climbing white figures seemed to melt +away, and though the rifles still clanged from roofs and windows the +firing slackened along the barricade. The troops were going back, +running not retiring, and trying to break into houses from which men +with rude weapons thrust them out. It looked as if the inhabitants were +all insurgents now. + +Soon the priest reappeared, and Cliffe left his post and sat down where +there was a strip of shade. He had helped to beat off two attacks, but +he was doubtful about the third. While he rested, a fat, swarthy woman +brought him a cup of _caña_, and he was surprised when he saw how much +of the fiery spirit he had drunk. The woman smiled, and went on to the +next man with the cup. + +Cliffe wondered how long he had been fighting, for he found his watch +had stopped; but the sun was not high yet. After all, the reënforcements +he had begun to despair of might arrive in time. While he comforted +himself with this reflection, some of the other men dug a trench behind +the barricade, and citizens, loading the earth into baskets, carried it +off. Cliffe did not know what this was for, but he supposed the baskets +would be used to strengthen defenses somewhere else. It was a long time +since he had handled a spade, but if they needed his help he could dig. +Pulling himself up with an effort, he took a tool from a breathless man +and set to work. + +After a time a citizen appeared with a bundle of papers and a white +flag. An officer signed him to come forward, and taking the papers from +him threw them among the men. Cliffe got one, and finding a man who +spoke a little English, asked him what the notice meant. The man said it +was a proclamation by Gomez, stating that, as the people had serious +ground for dissatisfaction with the President's administration and were +determined to end it, he must accede to the wish of the leading +citizens, who had urged him to form a provisional government. He +promised a general amnesty for past offenses and the prompt redress of +all grievances. + +"So the dog turns on his master!" the translator remarked with bitter +scorn. "Altiera was a tyrant, but this rogue would be worse!" + +The insurgent leader, standing on top of the barricade, read the +proclamation in a loud, ironical voice, and when he tore it up with a +dramatic gesture, the roar of mocking laughter that rang down the street +showed what all who heard it thought of Gomez's claim. Then people ran +out of the houses and pelted the messenger with stones as he hurriedly +retired, until a few shots from a roof cleared the street. + +"The dog has bought the soldiers! Altiera should have been his own +paymaster," the man whom Cliffe had questioned remarked. + +For the next half hour everything was quiet, but Cliffe felt uneasy. One +could not tell what Gomez was doing, but it was plain that he must make +a resolute attempt to crush the rebels before he turned his forces +against the President. He must have felt reasonably sure of his ground +when he made his last daring move. As his terms had been scornfully +rejected, the country would soon be devastated by three hostile +factions, which would make Evelyn's danger very grave. Cliffe forgot +that he was thirsty and there was a pain in his left side brought on by +want of food. If help did not come by sunset, his friends would be +overwhelmed by numbers when it was too dark to shoot straight. + +Then he saw that they were threatened by a more urgent danger. The end +of the street opened into the plaza, which had been deserted. The houses +on its opposite side were shuttered, and the sun burned down into the +dazzling square, except for a strip of shadow beneath one white wall. +Now, however, a body of men appeared, carrying something across the +uneven pavement. When they stopped and began to put the separate parts +together, Cliffe saw that it was a machine-gun. He wondered why Gomez +had not made use of it earlier, unless, perhaps, it had formed the main +defense of the _presidio_. + +The barrel, thickened by its water jacket, gleamed ominously in front of +the steel shield as the men got the gun into position; but it was +unthinkable that they should be left to do so undisturbed, and Cliffe +scrambled back to his post when an order rang out. He felt that he hated +the venomous machine, which had perhaps been bought with his money. +Steadying his rifle, he fired as fast as he could. + +Though the smoke was thin, it hung about the rebels' position, making it +hard to see, and Cliffe feared their shots were going wide, but after a +few moments the barricade trembled, and there was a curious, whirring +sound above his head. Dust and splinters of stone were flung up, and +large flakes fell from the neighboring walls. All this seemed to happen +at once, before he was conscious of a measured thudding like a big +hammer falling very fast which drowned the reports of the rifles and +dominated everything. The flimsy defenses were pierced. Gaps began to +open here and there, and men dropped back into the trench. Then a fierce +yell rang across the city, and although Cliffe heard no order the rebel +fire slackened. Peering through the vapor, he saw the soldiers were +frantically dragging the gun into a new position; the shield no longer +hid the men at the breach, but Cliffe did not shoot. He felt paralyzed +as he watched to see what was happening. + +The hammering began again, and flashes that looked pale in the sunshine +leapt about the muzzle of the gun. Soldiers lying down behind it were +using their rifles, and another detachment hurriedly came up. Cliffe's +view of the plaza was limited. He could not see one side of it, where an +attack was evidently being made, but presently a mob of running men +swept into sight. A few dropped upon the pavement and began to fire, but +the main body ran straight for the gun, and he noticed with a thrill +that they were led by a light-skinned man. Some of them fell, but the +rest went on, and the rebels behind the barricade began to shout. The +eagerly expected reënforcements had arrived. + +The man with the fair skin was the first to reach the gun. Cliffe saw +his pistol flash; but the struggle did not last. Gomez's men fell back +and the others swung round the gun. Then, as flame blazed from its +muzzle, a triumphant yell rose from the barricade, and Cliffe, springing +up on the table, waved his hat and shouted with the rest. Grahame, with +his handful of peons, had saved the day. + +In a few seconds Cliffe felt dizzy. His head was unsteady, his knees +seemed weak, and as he tried to get down he lost his balance. Falling +from the top of the barricade, he plunged heavily into the trench, where +his senses left him. + +It was some time afterward when he came to himself, and, looking round +in a half-dazed manner, wondered where he was. The big room in which he +lay was shadowy and cool, and he did not feel much the worse except that +his head ached and his eyes were dazzled. A tumult seemed to be going on +outside, but the room was quiet, and a girl in a white dress sat near +by. He thought he ought to know her, although he could not see her face +until she heard him move and came toward him. + +"Evelyn!" he gasped. + +"Yes," she answered, smiling. "How do you feel?" + +"Dizzy," said Cliffe. "But this is Rio Frio, isn't it? How did you get +here?" + +"You mustn't talk," she said firmly, and he saw that she had a glass in +her hand. "Drink this and go to sleep again." + +Cliffe did not mean to go to sleep, although he drained the glass +because he was thirsty. There was much he wanted to know; but he found +it difficult to talk, and Evelyn would not answer. After a futile effort +to shake it off, he succumbed to the drowsiness that was overpowering +him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +THE COMING DAWN + + +It was getting dark when Cliffe wakened. The windows were open, and a +flickering red glow shone into the room. Footsteps and voices rose from +the street below, as if the city were astir, but this did not interest +him much. Evelyn was standing near, and a man whom he could not see well +sat in the shadow. + +"You must have something to tell me," Cliffe said to the girl. "We seem +to be in safe quarters; but how did we get here?" + +Evelyn knelt down beside his couch and put her hand on his hot forehead. +It felt pleasantly cool, and Cliffe lay still with a sigh of +satisfaction. + +"Father Agustin brought you in here several hours ago," she explained; +"but that was before I arrived. I was worried, but the doctor says we +needn't be alarmed." + +"That's a sure thing," Cliffe replied. "I'm feeling pretty well, but +thirsty. What's the matter with me, anyhow?" + +"Exhaustion, and perhaps slight sunstroke and shock. You must have had a +bad fall, because you are bruised." + +"I certainly fell, right down to the bottom of the trench; but that's +not what I want to talk about. It is a big relief to see you safe, but +where have you been?" + +"It will take some time to tell." Evelyn bent closer over him as she +began an account of her adventures in a low voice, and Cliffe dully +imagined that she did not want the other occupant of the room to hear. +The fellow was no doubt a doctor. + +"I had no difficulty after I reached Don Martin's camp," she finished. +"His daughter, the pretty girl we saw at the International, was with him +most of the time, and afterward her duenna treated me very well. When +the rebels advanced on Rio Frio, Don Martin thought it safer for Blanca +and me to go with them, but they left us outside with a guard until the +town was taken. Then I was told that a priest had picked you up badly +hurt and they brought me here. The house belongs to a merchant who took +some part in the revolution. You can imagine how anxious I was until +Father Agustin sent a doctor." + +"I hate to think of the danger you were in," he said; "though you seem +to have shown surprising grit." + +Evelyn laughed and patted his shoulder. + +"Then I must have inherited it. I'm told that you and the others held +the barricade stubbornly for two hours. Don Martin admits that he might +not have taken Rio Frio if it hadn't been for the stand you made." + +"He wouldn't have taken it, and there'd have been very few of us left, +if Grahame hadn't rushed the gun. But I've something else to thank him +for. It seems from your story that he got himself into trouble by going +to your help." + +"Yes," said Evelyn quietly. "You can thank him now, if you like." She +beckoned the man across the room. "Come and join us, dear." + +The red glow from outside fell on her face as Cliffe gave her a +surprised look, and he noticed that she blushed. Then he held out his +hand to Grahame, because he thought he understood. + +"It seems I owe you a good deal," he said. + +"Well," Grahame returned, smiling, "I suppose my intentions were good, +but I didn't accomplish much, and my partner had to run a serious risk +to get me out of trouble." + +"The way you rushed that gun was great." + +"It might have been better if we had taken the fellows in the rear, but +we were told that they were making things hot for you, and there was no +time to get round." + +"When we met in Havana I'd no idea that you were up against me," Cliffe +said with a laugh. "Curious, isn't it, that we should make friends while +I was backing the President and you the rebels!" He turned to the +window. "What's the fire outside?" + +"The _presidio_ burning. Gomez used it as headquarters and made his last +stand there." + +"Ah! Then your friends have finished him?" + +Grahame nodded. + +"A rather grim business. He had much to answer for, but although half +his troops deserted, he made a gallant end." + +"Where's your partner, and what are the rebel bosses doing now?" + +"Walthew was patrolling the streets with a company of brigands when I +last saw him; he promised to meet me here as soon as he was relieved. +The others are busy forming a provisional government. Don Martin said +he'd call on you soon." + +"I owe him some thanks, but I mean to cut my connection with this +country's affairs. No more political speculations; I've had enough." + +Grahame laughed. + +"I can imagine that. These people are an unstable lot, and it's not +certain that Don Martin, who's much the best man they have, will be the +next president.... But we were told to keep you quiet, and Evelyn is +tired. She had to follow the rebels' march all night, but wouldn't rest +until she was satisfied about you." + +"How long have you called her Evelyn?" Cliffe demanded, looking hard at +him. + +"He will tell you about that to-morrow," Evelyn answered with a blush. +"You must lie still and go to sleep again if you can, but if you give +trouble, we'll leave the señora Rocas, who is deaf and very clumsy, to +look after you." + +When Cliffe fell asleep, Evelyn and Grahame went out on to the balcony +and watched the moonlight creep across the town. There were lights in +the cafés, and excited citizens gathered in the streets. Now and then a +few angry cries broke out, but for the most part the scraps of news that +spread among the crowd were received with exultant cheers. + +The next day Cliffe was much better, and after breakfast Grahame found +him sitting in the shady _patio_. He listened to the younger man +quietly, and then held out his hand. + +"I'm glad I can agree," he said. "I'll miss her, but I feel that she'll +be safe with you." + +Ten minutes later Grahame met Walthew, who looked disturbed and +indignant. + +"What are they doing at the council?" Grahame asked. + +"Fooling!" said Walthew fiercely. "Seems to me they're mad! Last night +they were solid for Don Martin, but now a faction that means to make +Castillo president is gaining ground." + +"A number of them must know he gave their plans away to save his skin." + +"They know, all right. One fellow urged that Castillo did so as a matter +of policy, because he meant to force Altiera's hand. Guess the crowd who +want him would believe anything that suited them!" + +"Well," Grahame said thoughtfully, "I've had my doubts whether they'd +get on with Don Martin. His code of political morality's rather high; +they want a man who won't expect too much. I dare say they feel that +after turning out Altiera they're entitled to a few opportunities for +graft themselves and for finding their friends official jobs. I'm sorry +for Sarmiento, though. What does he say?" + +"Haven't seen him this morning. Father Agustin believes he'll respect +the wish of the majority, although the fellows who did the fighting are +all on his side." + +Grahame went to look for Evelyn, and it was noon when Walthew met him +again. + +"After a glorious row, they've chosen Castillo--and I wish them joy of +him!" he said. "Don Martin withdraws his claim, and wants to leave +to-morrow. He's going to live in Cuba, and if Cliffe's fit to travel, we +may as well all clear out. I'm sick of this place. Anyway, I'd like to +take Blanca and her father across in the _Enchantress_." + +"There will be no difficulty about that. I think we can sell the boat at +New Orleans. Have you made any plans?" + +"Sure. I'm going to marry Blanca at Havana and then take her home. She +seemed to think she ought to stay with her father, but Don Martin +convinced her this wasn't necessary. Guess it hurt him, but he told me +the girl had had a pretty rough time wandering about in exile, and he +means to give her a chance of a brighter life." + +"Why did you fix on Havana for the wedding?" + +Walthew laughed. + +"My people will see there is no use in kicking when I take my wife home; +and they've only to give Blanca a fair show to get fond of her. Then +there are a number of Americans in Havana, and I can get the thing +properly registered and fixed up by our consul. Don Martin agreed." He +paused a minute and added: "Don Martin's going to address the citizens +in the plaza at six o'clock, and I think he'd like you and Cliffe to be +there." + +Grahame promised to ask Cliffe; and soon after dinner he found that a +place had been kept for his party on the broad steps of the church of +San Sebastian. The air was cooling and dusk was near, but the light had +not gone, and the square was packed with an expectant crowd, except +where a space was kept. The lower steps were occupied by officials and +leading citizens, but the two highest were empty. + +For a few minutes there was deep silence, and nobody moved in the +crowded plaza. Then a murmur rose as the leather curtain across the +door was drawn back and Don Martin came out, with three priests in their +robes behind him. He stood bareheaded on the second step, very straight +and soldierlike, but plainly dressed in white, with no sash or badge of +office; the priests standing above, with Father Agustin's tall figure in +the middle. As he turned his face toward the crowd a great shout went +up: + +"_Viva Sarmiento! Viva el libertador!_" + +Don Martin bowed, but did not speak; and a bugle call rang across the +square and was followed by a measured tramp of feet. Men marching in +loose fours swung out of a shadowy opening and advanced upon the church. +A red sash round the waist with the ends left hanging loose was the only +uniform they wore, and Grahame felt a curious, emotional quiver as he +recognized the detachment he had led. He understood that the best of +them had been enrolled for a time as a national guard. Their brown faces +were impassive as they filled the open space, but after they swung into +double line, instead of the conventional salute, they waved their ragged +hats, and a roar broke out: + +"_Viva Sarmiento! Viva el maestro!_" + +Then some of the group looked anxious, and there was a stir in the crowd +as an officer approached the steps. He had his pistol drawn, but he +lowered it, and stood opposite Don Martin with his hat off. + +"Your comrades salute you, señor," he said. "You have led us to victory, +and if you have fresh orders for us, we obey you still." + +He spoke clearly, in a meaning tone, and there was an applauding murmur +from the crowd that gathered strength and filled the square. Everybody +seemed to feel a sudden tension, and Grahame imagined that the +superseded leader had only to give the signal for a counter revolution +to begin; but he saw that Father Agustin wore a quiet smile. + +Don Martin raised his hand. + +"I thank you, and I know your loyalty; but it belongs to your country, +of which I am a private citizen. I can give no orders, but I ask you to +serve the new government as well as you have served me." + +The officer went back to his men with a moody air, and Don Martin turned +to the crowd. + +"In a national crisis, it is a citizen's duty to devote himself to his +country's service, and this I have done; but it is a duty that carries +no claim for reward. Many of you have helped me with effort and money, +and some have given their lives; but the rough work is done and the +crisis is past. Now that I am no longer needed, I lay down my authority, +and it is better in several ways that I should go. But you who remain +have still much to do. It is harder to build than to pull down, and your +task is to establish justice, freedom, and prosperity. The best +foundation is obedience to the new leader the nation has chosen." + +He moved back into the gloom, for darkness was gathering fast, and after +a few words of grave advice Father Agustin blessed the people. Then the +national guard marched away and the crowd broke up; but Grahame and his +party waited, with Don Martin standing behind them by the door of the +church. A smell of incense floated out, and dim lights twinkled in the +building. No one spoke until the measured tramp of feet had died away. + +Then Grahame put his hand on Don Martin's arm. + +"The sacrifice you have made to-night must have cost you something," he +said in a sympathetic voice. + +"It is seldom easy to do what is best," Don Martin answered, smiling +sadly. "And now, with your permission, I should like to be alone. We +will start for Valverde early to-morrow." + +They left him in the deserted plaza. + +"What a man that is!" Cliffe remarked. "If they were all like him in +Congress, there'd be a big improvement in our politics--and I guess +you'd have some use for a few of his kind at Westminster." + +"That's true," Grahame agreed. "I can't say that such men are scarce, +but as a rule they don't come to the top. They do what's demanded of +them, and then quietly fall out of sight." + + * * * * * + +The next morning they set out for the coast. The _Enchantress_ was in +the roadstead when they reached the port, and they went straight on +board. Macallister met them at the gangway, and there was deep feeling +in his face as he shook hands with his comrades; but a few moments later +he surveyed the group with a grin. Walthew had helped Evelyn on board, +and Blanca stood near Grahame. + +"I'm thinking ye're no' sorted right," he said; and when Evelyn blushed +he resumed with a chuckle: "Ye need no' tell me; I kenned what would +happen, and I wish ye all happiness." + +He turned with a flourish to Don Martin. + +"We'd ha' dressed the ship for ye, señor, only our flags are a bit +ragged, and I couldna' find the one ye have served so weel." + +"Thank you," said Don Martin. "We hope our flag will be better known +before long." + +Macallister hurried below to raise steam, but it was some time before +they got a working pressure, and dusk was falling when the windlass +hauled in the rattling cable and Grahame rang the telegraph. The +propeller churned the phosphorescent sea, the _Enchantress_ forged +ahead, and the white town began to fade into the haze astern. + +Don Martin leaned upon the taffrail, watching the dim littoral, until it +melted from his sight and only the black cordillera in the background +cut against the sky. Then he joined the group about the deck-house and +lighted a cigarette. + +"Another act finished and the curtain dropped, but one looks forward to +the next with confidence," he said. + +"It might have opened better if you had kept the leading part," Grahame +replied, and added meaningly: "You could have kept it." + +"That is possible," Don Martin agreed. "But it might not have been wise. +I fought for peace, and I was satisfied when it was secured." + +"Still, I don't see why you left," Cliffe interposed. "Is Castillo +strong enough to rule your people?" + +"We must give him an opportunity; if he has some failings, his +intentions are good. No rule is free from faults, and when it is +autocratic a possible claimant for the chief post is a danger to the +State. All who love change and turmoil fix their hopes on him." + +"Do you mean to live in Cuba?" + +"Yes. I have some skill in organization and a little money left, and +friends wish me to help in the development of a new sugar estate. It is +not very far from Valverde, and one hears what is going on." Don Martin +paused and spread out his hands. "If all goes well, I shall grow sugar, +but if it happens that my country needs me I will go back again." + +Walthew changed the subject, and presently Evelyn and Grahame strolled +forward to the bow. There was moonlight on the water, and the +_Enchantress_ steamed smoothly up the glittering track while the foam +that curled about her stern shone with phosphorescent flame. + +"I wonder where that path is leading us?" Evelyn said. + +"Toward the dawn," Grahame answered. "There's glamour in moonlight and +mystery in the dark, but we're moving on to meet the sunshine." + + +THE END + + + + +Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors present in the +original edition have been corrected. + +In Chapter VII, "creeeping past invisible dangers" was changed to +"creeping past invisible dangers". + +In Chapter XV, "ouside this there was only a dim glimmer of foam" was +changed to "outside this there was only a dim glimmer of foam". + +Hyphenation of the words "deckhouse", "deckload", "rawhide", and +"sternsheets", and the use of an accent in the word "Bolivar", was +inconsistent in the original text. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Coast of Adventure, by Harold Bindloss + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COAST OF ADVENTURE *** + +***** This file should be named 37582-8.txt or 37582-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/5/8/37582/ + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Coast of Adventure + +Author: Harold Bindloss + +Release Date: October 1, 2011 [EBook #37582] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COAST OF ADVENTURE *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>THE COAST OF ADVENTURE</h1> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<p class="center bigtext"><i>BY THE SAME AUTHOR</i></p> + +<ul class="titles"> +<li>Alton of Somasco</li> +<li>Lorimer of the Northwest</li> +<li>Thurston of Orchard Valley</li> +<li>Winston of the Prairie</li> +<li>The Gold Trail</li> +<li>Sydney Carteret, Rancher</li> +<li>A Prairie Courtship</li> +<li>Vane of the Timberlands</li> +<li>The Long Portage</li> +<li>Ranching for Sylvia</li> +<li>Prescott of Saskatchewan</li> +<li>The Dust of Conflict</li> +<li>The Greater Power</li> +<li>Masters of the Wheatlands</li> +<li>Delilah of the Snows</li> +<li>By Right of Purchase</li> +<li>The Cattle Baron's Daughter</li> +<li>Thrice Armed</li> +<li>For Jacinta</li> +<li>The Intriguers</li> +<li>The League of the Leopard</li> +<li>For the Allinson Honor</li> +<li>The Secret of the Reef</li> +<li>Harding of Allenwood</li> +<li>The Coast of Adventure</li> +</ul> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 394px;"> +<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" width="394" height="600" alt=""Dropping his chin upon the stock, he stiffened his arms +and held his breath as he squeezed the trigger"—Page 327." title="" /> +</div> +<p class="caption">"Dropping his chin upon the stock, he stiffened his arms +and held his breath as he squeezed the trigger"—Page 327.</p> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<h2><i>The</i> COAST OF<br /> +ADVENTURE</h2> + +<p class="center bigtext"><span class="smcap">By</span> HAROLD BINDLOSS</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Author of</i> "<span class="smcap">Prescott of Saskatchewan</span>,"<br /> +"<span class="smcap">Ranching for Sylvia</span>," "<span class="smcap">For the Allinson<br /> +Honor</span>," "<span class="smcap">The Secret or the Reef</span>," <span class="smcap">etc.</span></p> + +<p class="center smalltext"><i>WITH FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 157px;"> +<img src="images/logo.png" width="157" height="200" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<p class="center">FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY<br /> +<span style="word-spacing: 5em;">PUBLISHERS NEW</span> YORK</p> + +<p class="center smalltext">COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY<br /> +PUBLISHED IN ENGLAND UNDER THE TITLE "A RISKY GAME"</p> + +<p class="center smalltext">ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</p> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table class="figcenter" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum smalltext">CHAPTER</td> +<td class="chapname smalltext"> </td> +<td class="chappage smalltext">PAGE</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">I.</td> +<td class="chapname">Father Agustin's Sheep</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">II.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Adventures Begin</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">12</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">III.</td> +<td class="chapname">High Stakes</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">23</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">IV.</td> +<td class="chapname">The "Enchantress"</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">32</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">V.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Call of the Unknown</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">43</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">VI.</td> +<td class="chapname">On the Spanish Main</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">52</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">VII.</td> +<td class="chapname">Mangrove Creek</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">64</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">VIII.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Traitor</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">73</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">IX.</td> +<td class="chapname">Stranded</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">80</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">X.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Peon Pilot</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">89</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XI.</td> +<td class="chapname">A Modern Don Quixote</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">99</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XII.</td> +<td class="chapname">Baiting the Smugglers</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">105</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XIII.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Emerald Ring</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">117</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XIV.</td> +<td class="chapname">Smooth Water</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">126</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XV.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Tornado</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">136</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XVI.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Ruse</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">145</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XVII.</td> +<td class="chapname">Eluding the Gunboat</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">157</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XVIII.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Test of Love</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">167</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XIX.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Cuban Spy</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">178</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XX.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Arrest of Castillo</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">189</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXI.</td> +<td class="chapname">A Half-breed's Trick</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">198</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXII.</td> +<td class="chapname">Held for Ransom</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">209</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXIII.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Intercepted Note</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">219</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXIV.</td> +<td class="chapname">In the Camp of the Hillsmen</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">229</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXV.</td> +<td class="chapname">A Trial of Speed</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">240</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXVI.</td> +<td class="chapname">Trapped</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">250</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXVII.</td> +<td class="chapname">Hands Down</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">259</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXVIII.</td> +<td class="chapname">The President's Despatches</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">271</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXIX.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Presidio</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">283</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXX.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Escape</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">294</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXXI.</td> +<td class="chapname">The American Trader</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">305</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXXII.</td> +<td class="chapname">Love's Vision</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">315</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXXIII.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Hero of Rio Frio</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">322</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="chapnum">XXXIV.</td> +<td class="chapname">The Coming Dawn</td> +<td class="chappage"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">335</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<h2><a name="THE_COAST_OF_ADVENTURE" id="THE_COAST_OF_ADVENTURE"></a>THE COAST OF ADVENTURE</h2> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I<br /> +<span class="smalltext">FATHER AGUSTIN'S SHEEP</span></h2> + + +<p>High on the sun-scorched hillside above the steamy littoral of the +Caribbean Sea the Spanish-Indian town of Rio Frio lay sweltering in the +heat of afternoon. The flat-topped, white houses surrounding the plaza +reflected a dazzling glare, and the heat shimmered mercilessly upon the +rough paving-stones. Flakes of plaster had fallen from the buildings; a +few of them were mere ruins, relics of a past age; for the town had been +built when <i>conquistadores</i> from Spain first plunged into the tropic +forest to search for El Dorado. Here and there dilapidated green +lattices shaded upper windows, and nearer the ground narrow openings +were guarded by rusty iron bars; but some of the houses showed blank +outer walls, and the plaza had rather an Eastern than an American look. +Spain has set upon the New World the stamp the Moors impressed on her.</p> + +<p>At one end of the plaza stood the Café Four Nations, a low, open-sided +room, with a row of decaying pillars dividing it from the pavement. It +was filled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> with flies, which stuck in black clusters to the papers +hanging from the tarnished lamps and crawled about the dusty tables. The +hot air was tainted with aniseed, picadura tobacco, and the curious +musky smell which is a characteristic of ancient Spanish towns. On the +right-hand side of the square rose the twin towers of the church of San +Sebastian. Wide steps led up to the patch of shadow where a leather +curtain left uncovered part of the door, and a niche above sheltered an +image of the martyr with an arrow in his breast. The figure was well +modeled and grimly realistic.</p> + +<p>Opposite the café, the <i>calle Mercedes</i> cut a cool, dark gap through the +dazzling town. On its outskirts, the hillside fell sharply to a wide, +green level. Beyond this a silver gleam indicated the sea.</p> + +<p>The café was in shadow, and at its inner end a number of citizens +lounged, half asleep, in low cane chairs. The hour of the siesta had +slipped away, but it was not yet time for dinner, and, having read the +newspaper and guardedly discussed politics, the leading inhabitants of +Rio Frio had nothing else to do. They were men with formal manners, a +few dressed in rusty black, and some in white cotton, but all were not +of pure European blood. One or two, indeed, plainly showed their Negro +descent; others the melancholy of the Indian aboriginal.</p> + +<p>Near the front pillars, a priest and two men of lighter color were +seated at a table. Father Agustin wore a threadbare cassock and clumsy +rawhide shoes, but he had an air of quiet dignity, and his sharply cut +features were of the Gothic type, which is not uncommon in Spain. His +accent was also clean Peninsular.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> James Grahame, who sat opposite +across the chessboard, wore the same vague but recognizable stamp of +breeding, though his duck suit was getting ragged and his red silk sash +was obviously cheap. He had steady gray eyes, and light hair, a rather +prominent nose and a firm mouth. He looked older than his thirty years. +The lines on his forehead hinted at stern experience, and his alertness +was partly masked by an easy self-control. Walthew was younger, and +dressed with scrupulous neatness in duck, with smart tan shoes. His face +was mobile, his glance quick but open, and his mouth sensitive; he had +the look of an aristocratic American.</p> + +<p>Father Agustin made a deprecatory gesture as his thin, long-nailed hand +moved across the board, and Grahame smiled.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, filling the tiny glass before the priest, "it is mate +this time, <i>padre</i>. When you had made a few moves I foresaw defeat, but +while the candle burns one plays out the game."</p> + +<p>"It is so, but not with all," Father Agustin replied in his fine +Castilian. "The losing game needs courage."</p> + +<p>"Experience helps. Getting beaten does not hurt so much when one grows +used to it."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said the priest, "that is the way to the greatest victory man can +win. But I am your guest, and will not moralize. I must compliment you +on the game you play. It is bold and well thought out, but perhaps +somewhat lacking in finesse."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid finesse is not a virtue of mine," Grahame smiled.</p> + +<p>Father Agustin studied him quietly. When the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> Briton spoke he lost +something of his reserve. His glance got keen, and his eyes had a +curious hawk-like look. The priest could imagine him as swift and +determined in action; quick to seize an advantage, but not a good +plotter.</p> + +<p>"For all that, it is a quality that is useful when one deals with the +Latins, at Rio Frio, or elsewhere," the priest said.</p> + +<p>"With apologies, <i>padre</i>, that is certainly true," Walthew agreed.</p> + +<p>"So you have some business here? Perhaps, like the others, you seek a +mineral concession."</p> + +<p>"No. Our host, Don Martin, is of course out of office and doesn't deal +in them."</p> + +<p>"He never will," the priest said quietly. "The natural wealth of this +country belongs to its people, but it is stolen from them, piece by +piece, and given to foreigners."</p> + +<p>"The foreigners pay for what they get."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the priest; "but where does the money go? If it were spent +on the development of the country, one would not complain; but it is +gamblers and courtezans who benefit. Those who hold office here fill +their pockets from the public purse, and what is left when they are +satisfied is needed to keep the Government in power."</p> + +<p>"Then, why do you not reform your administration and put in straight +men?"</p> + +<p>Father Agustin indicated the drowsy group at the back of the café.</p> + +<p>"These are our politicians! They meet every day and ruminate over the +affairs of the nation. Think of it!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span>"Well," said Walthew, "they do not look busy; but things do happen here +now and then."</p> + +<p>"It is true. A clique breaks up, there is a new coalition, and those who +plotted each other's downfall are united again. We Latins have seldom a +continuous policy. Sometimes there is a tumult in the streets and +disaffection among the troops; then the man who rules us uses the whip. +One hears of no trial, but a malcontent is missing, an officer's duty +takes him to the fever jungles, where he cannot live. Sometimes, before +the morning mist has lifted, one is wakened by a volley in the ditch +behind the citadel."</p> + +<p>"You are a patient race," Grahame remarked.</p> + +<p>"Not so," said Father Agustin. "We often dream when we should act, but +sometimes we act too soon. It is our misfortune that we do not know how +to wait for the right moment." He paused and indicated the thinned-out +ranks of pawns on the chessboard. "It is like that in the game of +politics! The fight is between the greater pieces, but these others +fall."</p> + +<p>Grahame lighted a cigarette and glanced about the square, for Rio Frio +was waking up. Here and there a woman of mixed blood crouched beside a +cast-iron pot, fanning the handful of charcoal in it, ready for cooking +the evening meal. A team of mules hauled a heavy load across the hot +paving stones, a gaunt, dark-faced man in ragged cotton walking at the +leaders' heads. Then came a pack train, with jingling bells, a cloud of +flies following the burdened animals, and dusty, barefooted peasants +plodding by their side. A group of women appeared from the mouth of a +narrow street, their faces wet with perspiration and straps across their +foreheads supporting the big cane<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> baskets on their backs. After them +came a negro with a great tray of fruit upon his head. Next, three or +four lean, barefooted fellows with ragged palm-leaf hats seated +themselves on the pavement in a strip of shadow. They sat there, silent +and motionless, contemplating the scene with listless eyes. The crowd +looked dully apathetic, there was languor in the air they breathed; but, +after all, they claimed descent from Spanish stock and Grahame thought +they could be roused. It does not need much fanning to wake the +smoldering fire in the Iberian's veins.</p> + +<p>"My sheep!" said Father Agustin. "But they have other shepherds, who do +not always lead them well."</p> + +<p>"Shear the flock instead of guarding it? One would imagine that there is +not much wool."</p> + +<p>"None is so poor that he has nothing to give; if not goods, his voice, +his sullen clamor and savage rage. The unthinking passion of the mob is +terrible, but it is used by those who must answer for the deed some day. +My people have their wrongs, but one cannot build the State on +foundations of revenge and cruelty."</p> + +<p>"But you have some honest men who hate the present Government."</p> + +<p>"It is possible that their honesty lessens their influence. At Rio Frio +one does not follow the ideal. It is remote and elusive; the feet get +weary, and many things that please the eye lie nearer to hand." Father +Agustin rose and bowed with grave courtesy. "And now I have talked +enough and have some duties. I thank you and take my leave."</p> + +<p>They watched him cross the plaza in his rusty cassock.</p> + +<p>"Guess we've struck the wrong place," Walthew<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> said. "We're more likely +to find trouble than money here. Well, there's a prospect of new +experiences and a little excitement; and, anyway, we can't go back on +our bargain with Don Martin."</p> + +<p>"I never quite understood what led you to join me," Grahame remarked. +"You know the risk we run. If the Government catches us, we'll be hanged +or shot—whichever suits their fancy."</p> + +<p>Walthew laughed.</p> + +<p>"That's the attraction. But we won't be caught. I guess my Yankee +ingenuity will count for something. If these sleepy-looking dagoes +should trap us, we can find a way to give 'em the slip."</p> + +<p>"Optimism is a great asset," Grahame smiled; "but in this country it +must have a handmaiden—a convenient revolver."</p> + +<p>Walthew leaned forward on the table.</p> + +<p>"We've gone into a risky business together. I know nothing about you +except that you seem to understand these dagoes and are a handy man to +have around when they pull their knives. You know almost nothing about +me."</p> + +<p>He paused and smiled, and Grahame stirred uneasily. Walthew looked so +boyish when he smiled like that. Would he have that carefree look in, +say, two months? At times, Grahame regretted letting the boy join him in +a venture that might try the heart of even a very strong man.</p> + +<p>"I say, old chap, you aren't listening!" Walthew expostulated. "I'm +telling you that the pater's a money-making machine. When I left Harvard +he was for working me up into a partnership in the Walthew factory. But +I couldn't stand it—too monotonous. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> took ten thousand dollars, +instead, on condition that if I hadn't made good in my own way when two +years were up, I'd go back and start as clerk."</p> + +<p>"Well," Grahame returned with a smile, "I haven't much to tell. I have +no family business to fall back on. As my means were not large enough to +let me live as I liked at home, I went abroad to increase them. So far I +haven't succeeded; but, on the whole, I've had a pretty good time, and I +don't see much reason for grumbling about my luck."</p> + +<p>This was correct, so far as it went, for Grahame did not think it worth +while to explain that the fiery blood of the Borderers ran in his veins +and his people had been soldiers and explorers until economic changes +impoverished the family. Nor could he add that, because his name still +counted for something in the North, he had left home to avoid being +skilfully led into a marriage his friends thought suitable. He had, +indeed, run away from a well-born girl with money, who, he suspected, +was relieved to see him go. Since then he had known trouble, and it had +hardened him. Yet he was honest and was marked by some polish.</p> + +<p>At first sight, and by contrast with his comrade, Walthew looked callow, +but he improved on acquaintance. It was not for nothing that he was the +son of a shrewd manufacturer, who had built up a great business from a +humble beginning. Walthew was cool in a crisis, and though outwardly +careless, he was capable of looking ahead. So far, his talents were +undeveloped, but Grahame suspected them.</p> + +<p>While they sat talking, the scene in the square gained animation. Groups +of men, moving quickly, emerged from the side streets; there was a +murmur<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> of voices; and a crowd began to gather. Women called from the +flat housetops; doors were opened and naked, dark-skinned children +dragged in from the pavement. The concourse thickened about the steps of +the church; gesticulating men chattered in the native patois.</p> + +<p>Grahame's eyes grew keen.</p> + +<p>"Something's going to happen," he said quietly.</p> + +<p>Then he pressed his comrade's arm as a man appeared on the highest step +of the church, and the murmur of the crowd swelled into a roar:</p> + +<p>"<i>Viva Castillo! Viva el libertador!</i>"</p> + +<p>The tall figure bowed and held up a hand, and for a moment there was +silence; then a clear voice rang out, and Grahame tried to catch the +sonorous Castilian words. He was too far off, and some escaped him, but +he heard enough to gather that it was a grim indictment of the rulers of +the country. The man spoke with fire and passion, using lavish gestures, +and the cries that answered showed that he could work upon the feelings +of the crowd.</p> + +<p>The café had emptied, and its stout proprietor lounged, napkin in hand, +near Grahame's table.</p> + +<p>"Sounds pretty drastic, if I heard him right," Walthew remarked. "It's +obvious that the authorities don't use half-measures. Did he say they +had the deputation arrested and its leader shot?"</p> + +<p>"So I understood," said Grahame. "How did you come to learn Castilian?"</p> + +<p>"A notion of the old man's; he made me study languages. It's his +ambition to ship the Walthew manufactures all over the world, and he got +a footing in Cuba some time ago."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>They were silent for a few minutes, and then Grahame turned to the +landlord.</p> + +<p>"Are these things true?"</p> + +<p>"It is possible," the other answered cautiously.</p> + +<p>"Then are you not afraid of a revolution?"</p> + +<p>"No, señor; why should I fear? When there is a revolution the wine trade +is good."</p> + +<p>"But suppose your customers get killed?"</p> + +<p>The landlord smiled.</p> + +<p>"They are philosophic politicians, señor. It is the untaught rabble that +fights. These others drink their wine and argue over the newspapers. +Besides, there will be no revolution yet. Some talk, perhaps; possibly a +supporter of the Government stabbed in the dark."</p> + +<p>"And that will be all?" Grahame asked with a keen glance.</p> + +<p>"There will be nothing more. The President waits and watches until he +knows his enemies. Then he gives an order and there is an end of them."</p> + +<p>The man turned away, and when, shortly afterward, the plaza rang with +fierce applause, a voice was raised in alarm. Others joined in, the +crowd began to stream back from the steps, and the orator disappeared. +Then the mass broke into running groups, and through the patter of their +feet there came a steady, measured tread. It drew nearer; short, swarthy +men in dirty white uniforms marched into the plaza, the strong light +gleaming on their rifles. They wheeled and stopped in ranks extended +across the square, and the rifles went up to their shoulders. Warning +shouts fell from the roofs, the patter of feet grew faster, the shadowy +streets were choked with fugitives, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> place was empty except for +the line of quiet men. Then an officer laughed and called out, and the +rifles came down with a clang.</p> + +<p>"I suspect that we're up against a big man in the President," Walthew +remarked. "Perhaps we'd better light out before these fellows ask us +questions."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE ADVENTURES BEGIN</span></h2> + + +<p>A half moon hung over the flat roofs and the air was very still. Walthew +and Grahame sat on a balcony surrounding the patio of Don Martin +Sarmiento's house. The lattice windows that opened onto the balcony had +old but artistic hinges of bronze, and the crumbling hardwood rails +showed traces of skilful carving. Below, a small fountain splashed in a +marble basin surrounded by palmettos, and a creeper covered a trellis +with trails of dusky purple. A faint smell of decay mingled with the +more pungent odors of garlic and olive oil from the kitchen in the +courtyard, where a clatter was going on, but no sound from outside broke +the silence. Rio Frio was very quiet now.</p> + +<p>Cups of black coffee and a plate of fruit stood on a table in front of +the men, and the señorita Blanca Sarmiento sat in a low chair opposite, +with her duenna a few yards away. Blanca was then nineteen, and Walthew, +watching her with unobtrusive admiration, wondered how it was that her +relatives had not already arranged a marriage for her, unless, perhaps, +her father's political opinions stood in the way. One ran a risk in +opposing the Government at Rio Frio. The girl was attractive, with a +finely molded figure, the grace of which was displayed by her languid +pose.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> Her hair was dark and coiled in heavy masses on a small, +well-shaped head; her lips were full and very red, but her eyes were a +deep blue and her skin fairer than that of the Spanish-American women +Walthew hitherto had met. Nor did she use the powder they lavishly +employ.</p> + +<p>With a crimson rose in her hair, and a fine black-lace mantilla draped +about her shoulders and emphasizing the whiteness of her neck and +half-covered arms, she reminded Walthew of Carmen. She had something of +the latter's allurement, but he thought it was an unconscious attraction +that she exercised. The art of the coquette was missing; the girl had a +certain dignity, and there was no hint of sensuality in her beauty. She +had, no doubt, Spanish fire in her blood, but the lad thought it burned +with a clear and pure flame.</p> + +<p>"How do you come to speak English so charmingly?" he asked, in the hope +of satisfying his curiosity about her.</p> + +<p>"Do I speak it charmingly?" She laughed prettily. "Well, the explanation +is that it was my mother's tongue. She was Irish, you must know."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Walthew. "Now I understand."</p> + +<p>Blanca gave him a glance of languid amusement.</p> + +<p>"Your interest is flattering, señor; but what is it you understand?"</p> + +<p>"That's an awkward question," Walthew answered, grinning frankly. +"Still, there's something about you that I haven't noticed in +Spanish-American girls, charming as they are."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you're evasive. Do you know many of my countrywomen?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>"I'd like to know more. But I believe I'm good at reading character. It +is a gift I inherited. My father was never mistaken about a man, and he +has made use of a good many."</p> + +<p>Blanca studied him. He had a smooth, fresh face, and looked very young, +but while she thought he was direct and perhaps impulsive, something +suggested that he was shrewd.</p> + +<p>"Women are supposed to be more puzzling," she answered. "Then the +Sarmientos come from Andalusia, and the Peninsulares are complex people. +On the surface, we are often cheerfully inconsequent, but underneath +there's a strain of melancholy. We live in the shadow of a fatalism we +got from the Moors." She glanced at Grahame. "I think you can +understand."</p> + +<p>Grahame made a sign of assent. Sitting thoughtfully silent, his lean but +powerful frame displayed by the thin white duck, and his strong, brown +face impassive, he had a somber look. The man was reckless and sparkled +with gay humor now and then, but it was the passing brightness of the +North.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "I understand. But the Irish are optimists, and you are +Irish too."</p> + +<p>"Then perhaps that's why I keep hopeful. It is not always easy at Rio +Frio, and life was not very joyous when we were exiles in America."</p> + +<p>"You know my country?" Walthew broke in.</p> + +<p>"I know your Southern States. We lived there in poverty, wandering up +and down. My father is what his friends call a patriot, and his enemies +a dangerous agitator. He had to choose between ruin and acquiescence in +corrupt tyranny, and his course was plain. But the seed he had sown +sprouted, the dic<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>tator was driven out, and we came back to our own. +Then, for a time, there was rest and safety, until the new ruler began +to follow the old. He tried to bribe my father, who had helped to put +him in power; but our honor was not for sale, and we had to leave the +capital. There are men who trust my father, and look to him for help.... +But I think you know something of this."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Grahame. "This afternoon we heard Castillo speak in the +plaza."</p> + +<p>The girl's eyes flashed angrily.</p> + +<p>"Castillo is a fool! He pulls down what others have carefully built up."</p> + +<p>"Tries to fire the mine before things are ready?" Walthew suggested. "A +premature explosion's apt to blow up the men who prepared it."</p> + +<p>Blanca gave him a keen glance.</p> + +<p>"That is what nearly happened this afternoon. I believe you are to be +trusted, señores?"</p> + +<p>Grahame bowed.</p> + +<p>"I am an adventurer, not a patriot, and my partner is out for money, but +we made a bargain with Don Martin and we keep our word."</p> + +<p>"Then," said the girl quietly, "Castillo is hiding here."</p> + +<p>"In the <i>casa Sarmiento</i>! Isn't that dangerous? Won't the President's +friends suspect?"</p> + +<p>"I think they do, but they are afraid of my father's hold on the people; +and there is only a handful of troops. When it is late they may make a +search, but Castillo will leave soon. It is possible that you are in +some danger."</p> + +<p>Walthew laughed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>"That makes things interesting; I've never been in serious danger yet. +But I suppose you have Don Martin's permission to be frank with us?"</p> + +<p>"You are shrewd," she answered, smiling. "He has some confidence in my +judgment. I spent the years that should have been happiest in poverty +and loneliness. Are you surprised that I'm a conspirator? If you value +your safety, you will beware of me."</p> + +<p>"You might prove dangerous to your enemies, but I believe you'd be very +staunch to your friends."</p> + +<p>"<i>Gracias, señor.</i> I'm sure I can at least hate well."</p> + +<p>A mulatto boy came out on to the balcony, and the girl's stout duenna, +who had been sitting silent and apparently half asleep, rose and +approached the table.</p> + +<p>"Don Martin is disengaged," she said to Blanca; and when the girl waited +a moment Grahame imagined that something had been left for her to +decide.</p> + +<p>He did not see any sign exchanged, but he thought with some amusement +that he and his companion had passed a test when the duenna said to +them:</p> + +<p>"Don Martin would speak with you."</p> + +<p>Walthew turned to Blanca, saying in Castilian:</p> + +<p>"Until our next meeting! I kiss your hands, señorita."</p> + +<p>The girl rose with a grave curtsy and there was a touch of stateliness +in her manner.</p> + +<p>"May you go in safety, señores! We expect much from you."</p> + +<p>The mulatto led them away, and, passing through the house, they found +their host and another man sitting by a dim lamp in a room with the +shutters carefully closed. Don Martin Sarmiento wore an alpaca jacket, a +white shirt, and a black silk sash round the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> waist of his duck +trousers. He was dark-haired and sallow, lightly built and thin, but his +expression was eager and his eyes were penetrating. One could have +imagined that his fiery spirit had worn down the flesh.</p> + +<p>The other man was of coarser type. His skin was very dark, his face hot +and fleshy, and Grahame noticed that his hands were wet with +perspiration. His glance was restless and he had a rather truculent air, +though there was something in it that hinted at uneasiness. Grahame +thought that while he might show a rash boldness now and then, his nerve +was not very good.</p> + +<p>"With your permission, I present my comrade, Señor Castillo," said Don +Martin. "Should any disaster overtake me, Señor Castillo, or another +whom he appoints, will carry out our contract. Our funds are in safe +hands; the rifles will be paid for."</p> + +<p>"They will be delivered," Grahame answered quietly.</p> + +<p>"Good! The word of a gentleman is sufficient. And now there is something +more to be said. My house is my friend's, particularly if he is in +trouble, but one has higher duties than hospitality."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Grahame, turning to Castillo. "The interests of one's +country come first. There are only three of us, and Don Martin is the +head of an important organization."</p> + +<p>"It was not for my personal safety that I came here," Castillo broke in +hotly. "I carried papers; lists of names, compromising details. It was +unthinkable that they should fall into the President's hands. They must +be made safe, and then it does not matter what happens to me—though I +may, perhaps, claim to have been of some help to the cause of freedom."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>Grahame saw his host's half-impatient smile.</p> + +<p>"And so you gave them to Don Martin!" he remarked dryly.</p> + +<p>"He is not watched as I am," Castillo answered. "I am hunted among the +sierras, I hide in the fever swamps; but where I pass I leave a spark +that tyranny cannot trample out. It burns and spreads; by and by there +comes the purging conflagration."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Grahame. "I'm told, however, that your President has a keen +scent for smoke, and I don't mean to scatter more sparks than I can +help." He turned to Don Martin. "Since our business is finished, we can +leave Rio Frio in an hour."</p> + +<p>"I, too!" exclaimed Castillo. "It is not good for the cause that the +soldiers find me. But there are difficulties; the house may be watched."</p> + +<p>Don Martin looked thoughtful, but not disturbed; and Grahame saw that he +could calmly take a risk. Danger and his host obviously were old +acquaintances.</p> + +<p>"It is better that you go," he answered. "Sometimes I entertain an +American traveler, and Englishmen now and then visit Rio Frio. I do not +think you are suspected yet, and you may be able to help us by drawing +off the watchers' attention when you leave. We will see what can be +done, but it would be safer for Señor Castillo not to come with us."</p> + +<p>He took the others to the roof, where he walked to the edge and looked +over the low parapet. A narrow, dark street divided Sarmiento's house +from the next, but a lattice in a high wall was open, and Grahame +imagined that he made out a man's head, which was, however, promptly +withdrawn.</p> + +<p>"Once or twice a guest of mine has reached the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> <i>calle</i> by a rope, but +the President's friends take precautions to-night," Don Martin remarked. +"There remain the windows on the other side, but Castillo is heavy and +fat. I think the door into the plaza would suit him best."</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't the small one at the back be safer?" Walthew suggested.</p> + +<p>"That will be watched, but it might be of some help if you went that +way. Possibly you would not mind wearing a sombrero and a Spanish +cloak."</p> + +<p>"Not at all," Grahame assured him. "Still, there are two of us."</p> + +<p>"That is an advantage. If one leaves shortly after the other, those who +keep watch and expect a single man will be puzzled."</p> + +<p>Walthew chuckled.</p> + +<p>"Good! I'd a hankering after adventures, and now it looks as if I'd be +gratified. But you had better not give us clothes with a name on them."</p> + +<p>"In this country, people out of favor with the Government are modest +about their names," Don Martin rejoined.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later Grahame, wearing a wide black hat and a dark Spanish +cloak, stepped quietly out into the shadowy street. He had seen that his +automatic pistol was ready to his hand, having had more than one +experience of the half-breed's dexterity with the silent knife. For all +that, his hurried, stealthy gait was assumed and not natural to the man, +whose heart beat calmly, though he cast quick glances about. The houses +were high, and the street seemed to get narrower and darker as he went +on. Then he imagined he heard soft steps behind him. Walking faster, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +stopped at a corner and listened. Somebody was certainly following him.</p> + +<p>Grahame's first impulse was to hide in a dark doorway and wait for his +pursuer, but he reflected that this would not fall in with his host's +plan, and he went on, keeping in the shadow while he made for the hotel +at which he had left his mules. There were, he imagined, two men +following him now.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward he reached the end of the dark street, and the +empty plaza lay before him. The moon shed a faint light upon the stones +and the high, white walls, and Grahame was glad of this. Now, if it were +needful, he could defend himself: the walk through the shadow had been +trying. Still, he must not hurry, for he never promised more than he +meant to perform, and he knew that Don Martin relied upon his playing +out his part. Perhaps he overdid it when he stopped to light a +cigarette, for, looking up as he dropped the match, he saw two dark +figures stop at the corner he had left. Then there was a low whistle, +and one of them disappeared. Grahame smiled, because he knew that +Walthew had divided the attention of the spies. The remaining man, +however, walked quickly after him, and when Grahame was half way across +the plaza he waited. His pursuer seemed to hesitate, for he came on more +slowly, and stopped a few yards off.</p> + +<p>"The American!" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"English," said Grahame calmly. "The difference is, no doubt, not +important."</p> + +<p>The man looked hard at him, and Grahame carelessly dropped his hand upon +his pistol.</p> + +<p>"I am going to the <i>fonda</i>; if you are going that way,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> I would rather +you walked in front. One is careful at night, my friend."</p> + +<p>Though the fellow had a sinister look, he smiled and went off with an +apology, and Grahame, going on to the hotel, waited outside until +Walthew came up. The boy looked hot and breathless, but Grahame noticed +that he had a flower in his hand.</p> + +<p>"I've been followed," Walthew laughed. "The fellows dropped back soon +after I came into the moonlight. Guess they saw they were after the +wrong man."</p> + +<p>"Very possibly. It happened to me. I wonder whether Castillo got away?"</p> + +<p>They listened, but the town was quiet. One or two citizens crossed the +plaza, but no sound that indicated anything unusual going on rose from +the shadowy streets.</p> + +<p>"It seems likely," Walthew replied. "I don't think they could have +arrested him without some disturbance. Why didn't they search +Sarmiento's house?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they were afraid of starting a riot that would spread. The +President seems to be a capable man, and Don Martin obviously enjoys the +confidence of the citizens. On the whole, I think he deserves it."</p> + +<p>"So do I," Walthew agreed. "What do you think of the other fellow?"</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't trust him. He's no doubt sincere, but I'm not sure of his +nerve. But where did you get the rose?"</p> + +<p>"On the pavement outside the <i>casa Sarmiento</i>," Walthew answered with +some embarrassment.</p> + +<p>"Mmm! Dropped from a window. Such things happen in Spanish-American +towns, and it's possible<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> that the President's spies have noted it +against you. However, you'll be too busy to think of the señorita when +we get back to the coast." Grahame paused and added: "It might be wise +to remember that you're engaged in a dangerous business, and can't run +the risk of any complications. Neither of us can indulge in philandering +until this job's finished."</p> + +<p>"I'll take no risk that could get us into difficulties, but that's all +I'll promise," Walthew said quietly.</p> + +<p>Grahame gave him a steady glance.</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose I must be satisfied."</p> + +<p>They entered the hotel, and half an hour later they left Rio Frio and +rode down the hillside toward the misty swamps that fringed the coast.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III<br /> +<span class="smalltext">HIGH STAKES</span></h2> + + +<p>The green shutters were half closed to keep the dazzling sunshine out of +Henry Cliffe's private sitting-room at the smart Florida hotel, but the +fresh sea breeze swept in and tempered the heat. The scent of flowers +mingled with a delicate perfume such as fastidious women use, but Mrs. +Cliffe was enjoying an afternoon nap and her daughter had gone out, so +that Cliffe and Robinson had the room to themselves. They sat, opposite +each other, at a small table on which stood a bottle and a cigar box, +but there was only iced water in the tall glass at Cliffe's hand.</p> + +<p>He had lunched sparingly, as usual, and now leaned back in his chair, +looking thoughtful. His hair was turning gray, and his face was thin and +lined, but there was a hint of quiet force about him. His dress was +plain but in excellent taste, and he looked, what he was, a good type of +the American business man, who had, however, as sometimes happens to his +kind, sacrificed his health to commercial success. He was a financier +and a floater of companies which generally paid.</p> + +<p>Robinson was tall, with a high color, a prominent, hooked nose, and a +face of Jewish cast. His clothes were well cut, but their adherence to +the latest fash<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>ion was rather pronounced, and he wore expensive +jewelry. He was favorably known on Wall Street and sometimes heard of +when a corner was being manipulated in the Chicago wheat pit. Cliffe had +proposed a joint venture, because he knew that Robinson did not fear a +risk and he had learned that a Jew can generally be relied upon when the +reckoning comes.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Robinson, "I see a chance of trouble. If President Altiera +goes down, we lose our money."</p> + +<p>"A sure thing," Cliffe agreed. "It will be our business to keep him on +his feet, and it may cost us something. In a way, that's an advantage. +He must have our help, and is willing to bid high for it."</p> + +<p>"The revolutionaries may beat him."</p> + +<p>"If he's left alone; but a little money goes a long way in his country, +and the dissatisfied politicians would rather take some as a gift than +risk their lives by fighting for it. Altiera can buy up most of them if +he has the means; and he's capable of quieting the rest in a more +drastic way." Cliffe smiled as he continued: "It's not my habit to plan +a deal without carefully considering what I may get up against."</p> + +<p>"Then it's your honest opinion the thing's a good business chance?"</p> + +<p>"I call it that. One gets nothing for nothing. If you expect a prize, +you must put up the stakes."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Suppose you get the concession? Is there gold worth mining +in the country?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell," Cliffe answered frankly. "The Spaniards found a good +deal three hundred years ago, and now and then a half-breed brings some +out of the bush. Guess we could get enough to use as a draw in the +prospectus."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>"You'd have to make the prospectus good," Robinson said with a +thoughtful air. "Not an invariable rule, of course, but our names stand +for something with the investing public."</p> + +<p>"I generally do make good. If we don't strike gold, there's rubber, and +the soil will grow high-grade cane and coffee. Give me the concession +and I'll make it pay."</p> + +<p>Robinson nodded. Cliffe's business talent was particularly marked in the +development of virgin territory, though he never undertook the work in +person. He knew where to find the right men, and how far to trust them.</p> + +<p>"I suppose we won't be required to meddle with dago politics?" Robinson +suggested.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not; that's Altiera's affair, and he's capable of looking +after it. A number of his people are getting tired of him, but so long +as he can pay his soldiers up to time and buy support where he can't use +force, he'll keep control."</p> + +<p>"A bit of a brute, I've heard."</p> + +<p>"He's not a humanitarian," Cliffe agreed. "Still, countries like his +need a firm hand."</p> + +<p>"Guess that's so," said Robinson.</p> + +<p>He and Cliffe were respected in business circles. They met their +obligations and kept the rules that govern financial dealings. That they +might now be lending their support to tyrannical oppression, and helping +to stifle the patriotic aspirations of a downtrodden people, did not +enter their minds. That was not their affair; they were out for money, +and their responsibility ended with the payment of dividends to those +who bought their stock. They would fulfill this duty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> if the thing were +possible; although their standard of morality was not of the highest, +they had prosperous rivals who fell short of it.</p> + +<p>"I'll stand in," Robinson decided after a few moments' silence. "You can +let me know how much you will need to carry you through when you get +your plans worked out."</p> + +<p>"Very well. It's over the first payments we take a risk. The money will, +so to speak, vanish. We'll have nothing to show for it except the good +will of the men in power. Some of it may even get into the wrong hands."</p> + +<p>Robinson made a sign of comprehension. He knew something about official +graft, for he now and then found it needful to smooth the way for a new +venture by judicious bribery.</p> + +<p>"There'll be no trouble after we've bought the concession," Cliffe +continued. "The cash will then go to the treasury, and whichever party +gets control will have to stand to the bargain. And now I guess we can +let the matter drop until I fix things up."</p> + +<p>They went out to a seat on the veranda, which looked across a row of +dusty palmettos and a strip of arid lawn that the glistening showers +from the sprinklers could not keep green. An inlet of blue water ran up +to its edge, and beyond the curve of sheltering beach the long Atlantic +swell rolled into the bay flecked with incandescent foam, for the +sunshine was dazzling and the breeze was fresh. Two or three miles away +there was a stretch of calmer water behind a long point on which the +surf beat, and in the midst of this a small steamer gently rolled at +anchor. Nearer the inlet, a little sailing-boat stood out to sea, her +var<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>nished deck and snowy canvas gleaming in the strong light.</p> + +<p>"Miss Cliffe's boat, isn't it?" Robinson remarked. "Looks very small; I +s'pose she's safe?"</p> + +<p>"New York canoe club model," Cliffe replied. "Had her brought down on a +freight-car. Evelyn's fond of sailing and smart at the helm. She's all +right—though the breeze does seem pretty fresh."</p> + +<p>While they talked about other matters, Evelyn Cliffe sat in the stern of +the tiny sloop, enjoying the sense of control the grasp of the tiller +gave her, and the swift rush of the polished hull through the sparkling +foam. There was also some satisfaction in displaying her nerve and skill +to the loungers on the beach, who were, for the most part, fashionable +people from the Northern States. Among these was a young man upon whom +Evelyn knew her mother looked with approval.</p> + +<p>Though he had much to recommend him, and had shown a marked preference +for her society, Evelyn had come to no decision about Reginald Gore, but +she was willing that he should admire her seamanship, and it was, +perhaps, in the expectation of meeting him afterward that she had +dressed herself carefully. She wore well-cut blue serge that emphasized +her fine pink-and-white color, and matched her eyes; and the small blue +cap did not hide her red-gold hair.</p> + +<p>As the breeze freshened, she forgot the spectators, and began to wish +she had taken a reef in the mainsail before starting. Hitherto she had +had somebody with her when it was necessary to shorten canvas; but it +was unlike a sport to turn back because of a little wind. She would +stand on until she had weathered the point and was out on the open +Atlantic, and then run home.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> The strain on the helm got heavier, the +foam crept level with the lee deck, and sometimes sluiced along it when +the boat dipped her bows in a sea. Then the spray began to beat upon the +slanted canvas, and whipped Evelyn's face as she braced herself against +the tiller.</p> + +<p>The boat was sailing very fast, plunging through the sparkling ridges of +water; there was something strangely exhilarating in her speed and the +way the foam swirled past. Evelyn had an adventurous temperament, and, +being then twenty-three, was young enough to find a keen relish in +outdoor sport. Now she was matching her strength and skill against the +blue Atlantic combers, which were getting steeper and frothing on their +crests. The point was falling to leeward; it would be a fair wind home, +and she determined to stand on a little longer. Casting a quick glance +astern, she saw that the figures on the beach had grown indistinct and +small. She felt alone with the sea at last, and the situation had its +charm; but when she fixed her eyes ahead she wished that the rollers +were not quite so large. She had to ease the boat over them; sometimes +let the sheet run in the harder gusts, and then it was not easy to get +the wet rope in.</p> + +<p>When the point shut off the beach, she saw she must come round, and, +after waiting for a patch of smooth water, put up the helm to jibe. The +strain on the sheet was heavier than she thought; the rope bruised her +fingers as it ran through them. The boat rolled wildly, and then the big +sail swung over with a crash. Evelyn saw with alarm that the gaff along +its head had stopped at an unusual angle to the canvas. Something had +gone wrong. But her nerve was good. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> could lower the mainsail and +run home under the jib.</p> + +<p>When she left the helm the boat shot up into the wind, with the long +boom banging to and fro and the spray flying across her. Evelyn loosed +the halyards, but found that the gaff would not come down. Its end +worked upon a brass slide on the mast, and the grips had bent and +jambed. Things now looked awkward. It was blowing moderately fresh, the +sea was getting up, and the sail she could not shorten might capsize the +boat.</p> + +<p>With difficulty, she got the sloop round, but, as the gaff was jambed, +she would not steer a course that would take her to the inlet, and +Evelyn remembered with alarm that there was some surf on the beach. She +could swim, but she shrank from the thought of struggling ashore from +the wrecked craft through broken water. Still, it was some comfort to +see the point drop astern and the beach get nearer; she was on the way +to land, there were boats on the inlet, and somebody might notice that +she was in difficulties. No boat came off, however, and she realized +that from a distance nothing might appear to be wrong with the sloop. +When she was near enough to signal for help it would be too late.</p> + +<p>A small steamer lurched at anchor not far away; but Evelyn could not +reach her: the sloop was like a bird with a broken wing and could only +blunder clumsily, in danger of capsizing, before the freshening wind. In +another quarter of an hour she would be in the surf, which now looked +dangerously heavy.</p> + +<p>While she was trying to nerve herself for the struggle to land, she saw +a boat leave the steamer's side. It was a very small dinghy, and there +was only one man<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> on board, but he waved his hand as if he understood +her peril, and then rowed steadily to intercept her. This needed +judgment: if he miscalculated the distance it would be impossible for +him to overtake the sloop. And Evelyn could do nothing to help. She must +concentrate her attention upon keeping her craft before the wind. If she +jibed, bringing the big sail violently over with its head held fast +would result in a capsize.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later she risked a glance. The dinghy was close at hand, +lurching up and down, lost from sight at intervals among the combers. +The man, coatless and hatless, seemed to be handling her with caution, +easing her when a roller with a foaming crest bore down on him, but +Evelyn thought he would not miss her boat. Her heart beat fast as she +put the helm hard down. The sloop swung round, slackening speed as she +came head to wind, there was a thud alongside, and the man jumped on +board with a rope in his hand.</p> + +<p>Then things began to happen so rapidly that the girl could not remember +exactly what was done; but the man showed a purposeful activity. He +scrambled along the narrow deck, got a few feet up the mast, and the +sail came down; then he sprang aft to the helm, and the sloop headed for +the steamer, with his dinghy in tow and only the jib set.</p> + +<p>They were alongside in a few minutes, and he seized a rope that some one +threw him.</p> + +<p>"Our gig's hauled up on the beach for painting, and I'm afraid we +couldn't reach the landing in the dinghy, now the sea's getting up," he +said. "You'd better come on board, and I'll see if Macallister can put +your gaff right."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>Evelyn hesitated, for she suspected that it would take some time to mend +the damaged spar. It was not an adventure her mother would approve of, +but as she could see no way of reaching land, she let the man help her +through the gangway.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE "ENCHANTRESS"</span></h2> + + +<p>On reaching the steamer's deck, Evelyn glanced with curiosity at her +rescuer. He was a tall, lightly built man, dressed in an old blue shirt, +paint-stained duck trousers, and ragged canvas shoes, but he had an easy +manner that was not in harmony with his rough clothes. Evelyn liked his +brown face. It had a hint of force in it; though now he was watching her +with a half-amused smile. He fell short of being handsome, but, on the +whole, his appearance made a good impression on the girl.</p> + +<p>Then she looked about the vessel. The deck, finely laid with narrow +planks, was littered with odd spars, rusty chain, coal bags, and pieces +of greasy machinery, as if repairs and refitting were going on. She was +a very small, two-masted steamer, carrying some sail, for smoke-grimed +canvas was furled along the booms, and Evelyn thought she had been built +for a yacht. Her narrow beam, her graceful sweep of teakwood rail, and +the long, tapering counter suggested speed. A low, lead-gray funnel +stood just forward of the mainmast, and a teak house, rising three or +four feet above the deck, occupied part of her length. The brass boss of +the steering wheel bore the name <i>Enchantress</i>. The after end of the +house, however, was built of iron,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> with raised lights in the top, and +the hammering and the pointed remarks that came up indicated that +somebody below was grappling with refractory metal. After one +exclamation, Evelyn's companion walked to the skylights.</p> + +<p>"Mack," he said in a warning tone, "there's a lady on board."</p> + +<p>"One o' they half-dressed hussies from the hotel? Man, I thought ye had +mair taste," a hoarse voice replied.</p> + +<p>Evelyn was glad that her boating costume was not in the extreme of +fashion, for sleeves and skirts were severely curtailed then, but she +waited with some amusement.</p> + +<p>"Come up and don't talk!" said the man who had brought her on board. +"Here's a job for you."</p> + +<p>"That's one thing I'll never die for the want of," the voice below went +on. "I've got jobs enough already, and no help wi' them. Ye cannot make +a mechanic out o' a dago muleteer, and the gangrel son o' a rich +American is no' much better. They're wrecking the bonny mill and when I +had them strike at a bit forging the weariful deevils smashed my finger. +I telt them——"</p> + +<p>"It won't stand for repeating. Let up; you've the voice of a bull," +somebody broke in. "Grahame's waiting with a lady. Can't you get a move +on?"</p> + +<p>"What's the lady wanting—is it her watch mending?" the Scot asked with +a hint of eagerness. A passion for tampering with the works of watches +not infrequently characterizes the marine engineer.</p> + +<p>"Come and see!" called Evelyn's companion; and a few moments later the +mechanic appeared.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>He was big, rather gaunt, and very dirty; but he carried himself well, +and had obviously just put on a smart blue jacket with brass buttons +that bore the crest of an English mail line. Evelyn thought his age was +between forty and fifty, but his eyes had a humorous twinkle and his air +was rakish. Behind him came a much younger man in greasy overalls.</p> + +<p>The engineer bowed to Evelyn with some grace.</p> + +<p>"Ye'll be Miss Cliffe; I ken ye by sight," he said. "They telt me who ye +were in the bar at the hotel."</p> + +<p>"Do they talk about me in such places?" Evelyn asked with a touch of +haughtiness.</p> + +<p>"What would ye expect? When ye're born good-looking, ye must take the +consequences. But, as Grahame has nae manners, I'll present +myself—Andrew Macallister, extra chief's ticket, and noo, through +speaking my mind to a director, engineer o' this barge." He indicated +his greasy companion. "Mr. Walthew, who, though ye might not think it by +his look, was taught at Harvard. If my temper stands the strain, I may +make a useful greaser o' him yet. The other ye nae doot ken."</p> + +<p>"No," said Evelyn, half amused. "He kindly came to my help when I was in +trouble with my boat."</p> + +<p>"Then he's skipper. They call him Grahame, and it's a good Scottish +name. But I was hoping ye had maybe some difficulty with your watch."</p> + +<p>"Why did you hope so?" Evelyn asked, laughing.</p> + +<p>"On no account let him have it," Walthew interposed. "He brought back +the last watch a confiding visitor left him with the gold case badly +crushed. 'I had to screw her in the vice, but a bit rub with a file will +smooth her off,' he told the owner."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>"He was a fastidious beast o' a Custom House grafter," Macallister +explained. "But if it's no' a watch, what way can I serve ye?"</p> + +<p>Grahame took him to the sloop and showed him the gaff, and a few minutes +later he came back with the bent jaws.</p> + +<p>"It's no' a bad piece o' work; your people have an eye for design, but +they make things too light," he said. "Noo I'll cut ye a new grip out o' +solid brass, but it will take an hour."</p> + +<p>"I suppose I must wait; there's no other way of getting back," Evelyn +answered dubiously.</p> + +<p>Macallister went below, and Grahame put a deck chair for Evelyn under +the awning in the stern, where he sat down on a coil of rope, while +Walthew leaned against the rail near by. The girl felt interested in +them all. She had heard that Walthew had been to Harvard, and his +appearance suggested that he belonged to her own world. If so, what was +he doing in the <i>Enchantress's</i> engine room? Then, Macallister's random +talk had some piquancy. His manners were not polished, but they were +good in their way.</p> + +<p>"The steamer is yours, I suppose?" she remarked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Grahame. "We bought her cheap, and are getting her ready for +sea. As I dare say you have noticed, she needs refitting."</p> + +<p>"But wouldn't that have been easier at New Orleans or Galveston?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps, if we were able to hire professional assistance, but we have +to do the work ourselves, and this place is quiet, and clean for +painting."</p> + +<p>"Aren't you painting her an unusual color? White would have been +prettier than this dingy gray."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>"White's conspicuous," Walthew answered, and Evelyn noticed Grahame's +warning glance. "A neutral tint stands better, and doesn't show the +dirt. You see, we have to think of our pockets."</p> + +<p>"Then it isn't to be a pleasure trip. Where are you going?"</p> + +<p>"Up the Gulf Stream. To Cuba first, and then south and west; wherever +there's a chance of trade."</p> + +<p>"But the boat is very small. What do you think of trading in?"</p> + +<p>"Anything that comes along," Walthew answered with a thoughtful air. "We +might catch turtles, for example."</p> + +<p>"One understands that turtles are now farmed for the market."</p> + +<p>"It would be cheaper to catch them. We might get mahogany."</p> + +<p>"But mahogany logs are big. You couldn't carry many."</p> + +<p>"We could tow them in a raft. Then the English and American tourists who +come out in the mail boats might charter us for trips."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you'd find them exacting. They'd expect nice berths and a +good table. Do you carry a good cook?"</p> + +<p>Grahame chuckled and Walthew grinned.</p> + +<p>"Modesty prevents my answering, because my partners leave me to put up +the hash. I'll admit it might be better; but our passengers wouldn't +find that out until we got them away at sea."</p> + +<p>Evelyn was frankly amused. She could not imagine his cooking very well, +but she liked his humorous candor.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>"Your plans seem rather vague," she said.</p> + +<p>"They are, but one doesn't want a cut and dried program for a cruise +about the Spanish Main. One takes what comes along; in the old days it +used to be rich plate ships and windfalls of that kind, and I guess +there's still something to be picked up when you get off the liners' +track. One expects to find adventures on the seas that Drake and +Frobisher sailed."</p> + +<p>Evelyn mused. She was shrewd enough to perceive that the men were hiding +something, and they roused her curiosity, but she thought Walthew was +right. Romance was not dead, and the Spanish Main was a name to conjure +with. It brought one visions of desolate keys where treasure was hidden, +the rush of the lukewarm Gulf Stream over coral reefs, of palm-fringed +inlets up which the pinnaces had crept to cut out Spanish galleons, and +of old white cities that the buccaneers had sacked. Tragic and heroic +memories haunted that blue sea, and although luxurious mail boats plowed +it now, the passions of the old desperados still burned in the hearts of +men.</p> + +<p>Walthew was smooth-faced, somewhat ingenuous, and marked by boyish +humor, but Evelyn had noticed his athletic form, and thought he could be +determined. He was no doubt proficient in sports that demanded strength +and nerve. For all that, it was Grahame and his hawk-like look that her +thoughts dwelt most upon, for something about him suggested that he had +already found the adventures his comrade was seeking. He was a soldier +of fortune, who had taken wounds and perhaps still bore their scars. She +remembered the cool judgment he had shown when he came to her rescue.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>Walthew disturbed her reflections.</p> + +<p>"It will be some time before Andrew fixes your gaff, and there's no use +in trying to hurry him," he said. "He's an artist in metal, and never +lets up until he's satisfied with a job. So, as you must wait and we +have a kettle on the forge below, I can offer you some tea and I'd like +your opinion of the biscuit I've been baking for supper."</p> + +<p>Evelyn felt doubtful. She was spending the afternoon in a way her mother +would certainly not approve of, but she could not get ashore until the +gaff was mended. Besides, it was pleasant to sit under the awning with +the fresh sea breeze on her face and listen to the splash of the combers +on the bows. Then she was interested in her companions. They were +different from the rather vapid loungers she would have been talking to +had she stayed at the hotel.</p> + +<p>She let Walthew go and then turned to Grahame.</p> + +<p>"Have you known your partner long?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"No; I met him for the first time in New Orleans a few months ago."</p> + +<p>"I asked because he's a type that I'm well acquainted with," Evelyn +explained.</p> + +<p>"And you would not have expected to find him cooking and cleaning +engines on a boat like this?"</p> + +<p>"No; they're rather unusual occupations for a conventionally brought up +young American."</p> + +<p>Grahame smiled.</p> + +<p>"I understand that Walthew might have enjoyed all the comforts your +civilization has to offer, but he preferred the sea. Perhaps I'm +prejudiced, but I don't blame him. There's a charm in freedom and the +wide horizon."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>"Yes," she agreed thoughtfully, looking across the blue water; "I +suppose that's true. If a man has the courage to break away, he can +follow his bent. It's different with women. We're securely fenced in; +our corral walls are high."</p> + +<p>"They keep trouble out. Hardship and danger aren't pleasant things, and +after a time the romance of the free-lance's life wears off. One +sometimes looks longingly at the sheltered nooks that men with settled +habits occupy."</p> + +<p>"And yet you follow your star!"</p> + +<p>"Star's too idealistic; my bent is better. What's born in one must have +its way. This is perhaps most convenient when it's an inherited genius +for making money."</p> + +<p>"It's useful to oneself and others," Evelyn agreed. "But do these +talents run in the blood?"</p> + +<p>"It seems so," Grahame answered, and was quiet for a time, languidly +watching the girl and wondering how far his statement was true.</p> + +<p>It might be argued that the strongest family strains must be weakened by +marriage, and their salient characteristics disappear in a few +generations, but he felt strangely akin to the mosstroopers of his name +who scourged the Scottish Border long ago. Their restlessness and lust +of adventure were his. This, however, was not a matter of much +consequence. Chance had thrown him into the company of a pretty and +intelligent girl, and he must try to entertain her.</p> + +<p>"You're fond of the sea and adventurous, or you wouldn't have driven +that little sloop so far out under full sail," he said.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she admitted, smiling, "that was partly be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>cause I wanted to show +my skill and was ashamed to turn back when the breeze freshened."</p> + +<p>Grahame laughed. He liked her frankness.</p> + +<p>"After all," he said, "it's a feeling that drives a good many of us on. +A weakness, perhaps, but it may be better than excessive caution."</p> + +<p>"A matter of opinion. Of course, if you determine never to do anything +foolish, you're apt to do nothing at all. But I'm afraid I can't throw +much light upon these subjects.... Here comes our tea."</p> + +<p>It was drinkable, but Evelyn thought the biscuit could undoubtedly have +been better. For all that, she enjoyed the meal, and when it was over +Macallister appeared with the mended gaff.</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking yon will never bend or jamb," he said, indicating the +beautifully finished pieces of brass-work.</p> + +<p>Evelyn thanked him, and soon afterward Grahame helped her into the boat +and hoisted the reefed sail. The wind was still fresh, but the sloop ran +shoreward safely, with the sparkling seas ranging up on her quarter, and +Grahame admired the grace of the neat, blue-clad figure at the helm. The +rushing breeze and the flying spray had brought a fine color into the +girl's face and a brightness to her eyes.</p> + +<p>As they neared the beach, a gasolene launch came plunging out to meet +them, and Evelyn laughed as she turned to Grahame.</p> + +<p>"I've been missed at last," she said. "That's my father coming to look +for me."</p> + +<p>The launch swung round close alongside and Grahame recognized that he +was being subjected to a keen scrutiny by a man on board. The broken +wa<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>ter, however, made explanations impossible, and the launch followed +the sloop to the inlet, where Evelyn neatly brought the craft up to the +landing. On getting ashore, she spoke to Cliffe, and he thanked Grahame +and invited him to the hotel. Grahame politely declined, but agreed to +borrow the launch to take him on board.</p> + +<p>As he was leaving, Evelyn held out her hand.</p> + +<p>"It was fortunate that my difficulties began when I was near your boat, +and I don't altogether regret them. I have spent a pleasant afternoon," +she said.</p> + +<p>Grahame bowed and turned away; but somewhat to his surprise, he found +his thoughts return to his guest as the launch carried him back to the +steamer. The girl was cultured and intelligent, perhaps a little +romantic, and unspoiled by luxury; but this was nothing to him. There +were times when he felt lonely and outcast from his kind, for until he +met Walthew his comrades had generally been rough and broken men. Some +years ago he had been a favorite with well-bred women; but he never met +them on terms of friendship now. He was poor, and would no doubt remain +so, since he had not the gift of making money; but an untrammeled, +wandering life had its advantages.</p> + +<p>With a smile at his brief relapse into sentiment, he resolved to forget +Miss Cliffe; but he found it strangely difficult to occupy his mind with +calculations about stores for the coming voyage.</p> + +<p>Evelyn related her adventure to her mother, who listened with strong +disapproval. Mrs. Cliffe was a thin, keen-eyed woman, with social +ambitions and some skill in realizing them.</p> + +<p>"If you hadn't been so rash as to go out alone, this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> wouldn't have +happened," she remarked. "You must really be more careful."</p> + +<p>"I couldn't prevent the gaff's jambing," Evelyn replied.</p> + +<p>"That is not what I meant. After all, nobody in the hotel knows much +about the matter, and there is, of course, no need to do more than bow +to the men if you meet them at the landing, though it would be better to +avoid this, if possible. A small favor of the kind they did you does not +justify their claiming your acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"Father wanted to bring one of them here."</p> + +<p>"Your father is a man of business, and has very little discretion in +social matters," Mrs. Cliffe replied. "If Reggie cannot go with you, +take the hotel boatman when you next go sailing."</p> + +<p>Evelyn did not answer, but she disagreed with the views her mother had +expressed, and she resolved to leave Reggie ashore. For one thing, he +was not of much use in a boat. Yet it was curious that she had once been +pleased to take him out.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN</span></h2> + + +<p>The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still. A full moon +rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the +royal palms cut in feathery silhouette. Evelyn was sitting in the hotel +garden with Reginald Gore. A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, +where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one +or two of the women knew where she was and envied her. This once would +have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and +although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened +quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach. The roar of the surf had a +disturbing effect; she felt that it called, urging her to follow her +star and launch out on the deep. Her companion was silent, and she +wondered what he was thinking about, or if, as seemed more likely, his +mind was vacant. She found him irritating to-night.</p> + +<p>Gore was the finished product of a luxurious age: well-bred, +well-taught, and tastefully dressed. His father had made a fortune out +of railroad stock, and although Reginald had not the ability to increase +it, he spent it with prudence. He had a good figure, and a pleasant +face, but Evelyn suspected that his highest ambition was to lounge +through life gracefully.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>Evelyn knew her mother's plans regarding him, and had, to some extent, +fallen in with them. Reggie had much that she valued to offer, but she +now and then found him tiresome. He stood for the luxurious, but, in a +sense, artificial life, with which she was growing dissatisfied. She +felt that she wanted stirring, and must get into touch with the real +things.</p> + +<p>"You're not talkative," she remarked, watching the lights of the +<i>Enchantress</i> that swung and blinked with the tossing swell.</p> + +<p>"No," he agreed good-humoredly. "Doesn't seem to be much to talk about."</p> + +<p>There was silence for a few moments; then Evelyn put into words a train +of thoughts that was forming indistinctly in her mind.</p> + +<p>"You have never done anything very strenuous in life. You have had all +the pleasure money can provide one. Are you content?"</p> + +<p>"On the whole, yes. Aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Evelyn thoughtfully. "I believe I haven't really been content +for a long time, but I didn't know it. The mind can be doped, but the +effect wears off and you feel rather startled when you come to +yourself."</p> + +<p>Gore nodded.</p> + +<p>"I know! Doesn't last, but it's disturbing. When I feel like that, I +take a soothing drink."</p> + +<p>Evelyn laughed, for his answer was characteristic. He understood, to +some extent, but she did not expect him to sympathize with the +restlessness that had seized her. Reggie would never do anything rash or +unconventional. Hitherto she had approved his caution. She had enjoyed +the comfortable security of her sta<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>tion, had shared her mother's +ambitions, and looked upon marriage as a means of rising in the social +scale. Her adventurous temperament had found some scope in exciting +sports and in an occasional flirtation that she did not carry far; but +she was now beginning to feel that life had strange and wonderful things +to offer those who had the courage to seize them. She had never +experienced passion—perhaps because her training had taught her to +dread it; but her imagination was now awake.</p> + +<p>Her visit to the <i>Enchantress</i> had perhaps had something to do with +these disturbing feelings, but not, she argued, because she was +sentimentally attracted by her rescuer. It was the mystery in which +Grahame's plans were wrapped that was interesting. He was obviously the +leader of the party and about to engage in some rash adventure on seas +the buccaneers had sailed. This, of course, was nothing to her; but +thinking of him led her to wonder whether she might not miss much by +clinging too cautiously to what she knew was safe.</p> + +<p>With a soft laugh she turned to Gore.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about the dance they're getting up. I hear you are one of the +stewards," she said.</p> + +<p>It was a congenial topic, and as she listened to her companion's talk +Evelyn felt that she was being drawn back to secure, familiar ground.</p> + +<p>Cliffe, in the meanwhile, had come out in search of her and, seeing how +she was engaged, had strolled into the hotel bar. A tall, big-boned man, +dressed in blue serge with brass buttons on his jacket, was talking at +large, and Cliffe, stopping to listen, thought the tales he told with +dry Scottish humor were good.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>"You are the engineer who mended the gaff of my daughter's boat," Cliffe +said. "I must thank you for that; it was a first-rate job."</p> + +<p>"It might have been worse," Macallister modestly replied. "Are ye a +mechanic then?"</p> + +<p>"No; but I know good work when I see it."</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking that's a gift, though ye may not use it much. It's no' +good work the world's looking for."</p> + +<p>"True," agreed Cliffe; "perhaps we're too keen on what will pay."</p> + +<p>"Ye mean what will pay the first user. An honest job is bound to pay +somebody in the end."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess that's so. You're a philosopher."</p> + +<p>Macallister grinned.</p> + +<p>"I have been called worse names, and maybe with some cause. Consistency +gets monotonous. It's better to be a bit of everything, as the humor +takes ye."</p> + +<p>"What kind of engines has your boat?" Cliffe asked. He was more at home +when talking practical matters.</p> + +<p>"As fine a set o' triples as I've clapped my eyes upon, though they have +been shamefully neglectit."</p> + +<p>"And what speed can you get out of her?"</p> + +<p>"A matter o' coal," Macallister answered with a twinkle. "A seven-knot +bat will suit our purse best."</p> + +<p>Cliffe saw that further questions on this point would be injudicious, +but the man interested him, and he noted the flag on his buttons.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "the <i>Enchantress</i> must be a change from the liners you +have sailed in."</p> + +<p>"I find that. But there's aye some compensation. I have tools a man can +work with, and oil that will keep her running smooth. Ye'll maybe ken +there's a difference in engine stores."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>"I've heard my manufacturing friends say something of the kind."</p> + +<p>Cliffe ordered refreshment, and quietly studied his companion. The man +had not the reserve he associated with the Scot, but a dash and a +reckless humor, which are, nevertheless, essentially Scottish too. +Cliffe wondered curiously what enterprise he and his companions were +engaged upon, but he did not think Macallister would tell him. If the +others were like this fellow, he imagined that they would carry out +their plans, for he read resolution as well as daring in the Scot's +character; besides, he had been favorably impressed by Grahame.</p> + +<p>After some further talk, Macallister left, and Cliffe joined his wife +and daughter.</p> + +<p>The next morning, Evelyn, getting up before most of the other guests, +went out on the balcony in front of her room and looked across the bay. +The sun was not yet hot, and a fresh breeze flecked the blue water with +feathery streaks of white, while the wet beach glistened dazzlingly. +There was a refreshing, salty smell, and for a few minutes the girl +enjoyed the grateful coolness; then she felt that something was missing +from the scene, and noticed that the <i>Enchantress</i> had vanished. The +adventurers had sailed in the night. On the whole she was conscious of +relief. They had gone and she could now get rid of the restlessness that +their presence had caused. After all, there was peril in the longing for +change; it was wiser to be satisfied with the security and solid comfort +which surrounded her.</p> + +<p>Looking down at a footstep, she saw Gore strolling about the lawn, +faultlessly dressed in light flannel, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> a Panama hat. There was not +a crease in his clothes that was out of place; the color scheme was +excellent—even his necktie was exactly the right shade. He stood for +all her mother had taught her to value: wealth, leisure, and cultivated +taste. Reggie was a man of her own kind; she had nothing in common with +the bronzed, tar-stained Grahame, whose hawk-like look had for the +moment stirred her imagination.</p> + +<p>"You look like the morning," Gore called up to her. "Won't you come down +and walk to the beach? The sun and breeze are delightful, and we'll have +them all to ourselves."</p> + +<p>Evelyn noticed the hint of intimacy, but it did not jar upon her mood, +and she smiled as she answered that she would join him.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later, they walked along the hard, white sand, breathing +the keen freshness of the spray.</p> + +<p>"What made you get up so soon?" Evelyn asked.</p> + +<p>"It's not hard to guess. I was waiting for my opportunity. You're in the +habit of rising in good time."</p> + +<p>"Well," she said with a bantering air, "I think waiting for +opportunities is a habit of yours. Of course, you have some excuse for +this."</p> + +<p>Gore looked puzzled for a moment and then laughed.</p> + +<p>"I see what you mean. As a rule, the opportunities come to me."</p> + +<p>"Don't they? I wonder whether you're much happier than the men who have +to make, or look for, them."</p> + +<p>"I can't say, because I haven't tried that plan. I can't see why I +should look for anything, when I don't have to. Anyway, I guess I'm a +pretty cheerful person and easy to get on with. It's the strivers +who're<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> always getting after something out of reach that give you jars."</p> + +<p>"You're certainly not a striver," Evelyn agreed. "However, you seem to +have all a man could want."</p> + +<p>"Not quite," he answered. "I'll confess that I'm not satisfied yet, but +I try to make the most of the good things that come along—and I'm glad +I got up early. It's a glorious morning!"</p> + +<p>Evelyn understood. Reggie was not precipitate and feared a rebuff. She +believed that she could have him when she liked, but he would look for +some tactful sign of her approval before venturing too far. The trouble +was that she did not know if she wanted him.</p> + +<p>She changed the subject, and they paced the beach, engaged in +good-humored banter, until the breakfast gong called them back to the +hotel.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, however, Evelyn's mood changed again. The breeze died +away and it was very hot. Everybody was languid, and she found her +friends dull. Although Gore tried to be amusing, his conversation was +unsatisfactory; and the girls about the hotel seemed more frivolous and +shallow than usual. None of these people ever did anything really worth +while! Evelyn did not know what she wished to do, but she felt that the +life she led was unbearably stale.</p> + +<p>When dark fell and the deep rumble of the surf filled the air, she sat +with her father in a quiet corner of the garden.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you say you might make a short business trip to the West +Indies?" she asked him.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I may have to spend a week in Havana."</p> + +<p>"Then I wish you would take me."</p> + +<p>"It might be arranged," said Cliffe. He seldom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> refused her anything. +"Your mother wouldn't come, but she has plenty of engagements at home. +Why do you want to go?"</p> + +<p>Evelyn found this hard to answer, but she tried to formulate her +thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Cuba is, of course, a new country to me, and I suppose we all feel a +mysterious attraction toward what is strange. Had you never a longing +for something different, something out of the usual run?"</p> + +<p>"I had when I was young."</p> + +<p>"But you don't feel it now?"</p> + +<p>"One learns to keep such fancies in their place when business demands +it," Cliffe answered with a dry smile. "I can remember times when I +wanted to go off camping in the Canadian Rockies and join a canoe trip +on Labrador rivers. Now and then in the hot weather the traffic in the +markets and the dusty offices make me tired. I'll confess that I've felt +the snow-peaks and the rapids call."</p> + +<p>"We went to Banff once," said Evelyn. "It was very nice."</p> + +<p>"But not the real thing! You saw the high peaks from the hotel garden +and the passes from an observation car. Then we made one or two +excursions with pack-horses, guides, and people like ourselves, where it +was quite safe to go. That was as much as your mother could stand for. +She'd no sympathy with my hankering after the lone trail."</p> + +<p>Evelyn could see his face in the moonlight, and she gave him a quick +look. Her father, it seemed, had feelings she had never suspected in +him.</p> + +<p>"But if you like the mountains, couldn't you enjoy them now?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>"No," he said, rather grimly. "The grip of my business grows tighter all +the time. It costs a good deal to live as we do, and I must keep to the +beaten tracks that lead to places where money is made."</p> + +<p>"I sometimes think we are too extravagant and perhaps more ostentatious +than we need be," Evelyn said in a diffident tone.</p> + +<p>"We do what our friends expect and your mother has been accustomed to. +Then it's my pleasure to give my daughter every advantage I can and, +when the time for her to leave us comes, to see she starts fair."</p> + +<p>Evelyn was silent for a few moments, feeling touched. She had formed a +new conception of her father, who, she had thought, loved the making of +money for its own sake. Now it was rather startling to find that in +order to give her mother and herself all they could desire, he had held +one side of his nature in subjection and cheerfully borne a life of +monotonous toil.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to leave you," she said in a gentle voice.</p> + +<p>He looked at her keenly, and she saw that her mother had been speaking +to him about Gore.</p> + +<p>"Well," he responded, "I want to keep you as long as possible, but when +you want to go I must face my loss and make the best of it. In the +meanwhile, we'll go to Cuba if your mother consents."</p> + +<p>Evelyn put her hand affectionately on his arm.</p> + +<p>"Whatever happens," she said softly, "you won't fail me. I'm often +frivolous and selfish, but it's nice to know I have somebody I can +trust."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">ON THE SPANISH MAIN</span></h2> + + +<p>There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the +<i>Enchantress</i> rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped. As she +swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and +the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro. It was difficult to +move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen +were seated forward with their backs against the rail. A comrade below +was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish +helmsman, this was all the paid crew the <i>Enchantress</i> carried.</p> + +<p>She drifted east with the Gulf Stream. Around her there hung a muggy +atmosphere pervaded with a curious, hothouse smell. Grahame stood in the +channels, heaving the lead. He found deep water, but white patches on +the northern horizon, where the expanse of sea was broken by spouts of +foam, marked a chain of reefs and keys that rose a foot or two above the +surface. A larger streak of white was fading into the haze astern, but +Grahame had carefully taken its compass bearings, because dusk, which +comes suddenly in the Bahama Channel, was not far away. He dropped the +lead on deck, and joined Macallister, who stood in the engine-room +doorway rubbing his hands with cotton waste.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>"No sign o' that steamboat yet?" the Scot asked.</p> + +<p>"It's hazy to the east," said Grahame. "We mightn't see her until she's +close if they're not making much smoke. Still, she ought to have turned +up last night."</p> + +<p>"She'll come. A tornado wouldna' stop her skipper when he had freight to +collect; but ye were wise in no' paying it in advance."</p> + +<p>"You haven't seen the fellow."</p> + +<p>"I've seen his employers," Macallister replied with a chuckle. "Weel I +ken what sort o' man would suit them. Gang canny when ye meet him, and +see ye get the goods before ye sign the bill o' lading."</p> + +<p>"I mean to take precautions. No first-class firm would touch our +business."</p> + +<p>"Verra true. And when ye find men who're no' particular about one thing, +ye cannot expect them to be fastidious about another. When I deal wi' +yon kind, I keep my een open."</p> + +<p>"Where's Walthew?"</p> + +<p>Macallister grinned.</p> + +<p>"Asleep below, wi' his hair full o' coal-dust, looking more like a +nigger than the son o' a rich American. Human nature's a verra curious +thing, but if he can stand another month, I'll hae hope o' him."</p> + +<p>"I think the lad's right. He wants to run his life on his own lines, and +he is willing to pay for testing them by experience."</p> + +<p>Grahame, glancing forward, suddenly became intent, for in one spot a +dingy smear thickened the haze. It slowly grew more distinct, and he +gave a seaman a quick order before he turned to his companion.</p> + +<p>"That must be the <i>Miranda</i>. You can start your mill as soon as we have +launched the dinghy."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>By the time the boat was in the water the steamer had crept out of the +mist. She came on fast: a small, two-masted vessel, with a white wave +beneath her full bows and a cloud of brown smoke trailing across the sea +astern. She was light, floating high above the water, which washed up +and down her wet side as she rolled. A few heads projected over the iron +bulwark near the break of the forecastle, and two men in duck stood on +the bridge. Studying them through the glasses, Grahame saw they had an +unkempt appearance, and he was not prepossessed in favor of the one whom +he took to be the captain.</p> + +<p>He rang the telegraph, and when the engines stopped he jumped into the +dinghy with Walthew and one of the seamen. Five minutes later, they +ceased rowing close to the steamer's side, which towered high above +them, red with rust along the water-line. The black paint was scarred +and peeling higher up, the white deckhouses and boats had grown dingy, +and there was about her a poverty-stricken look. The boat swung sharply +up and down a few lengths away, for the sea broke about the descending +rows of iron plates as the vessel rolled.</p> + +<p>"<i>Enchantress</i>, ahoy!" shouted one of the men on her bridge. "This is +the <i>Miranda</i>. S'pose you're ready for us?"</p> + +<p>"We've been ready for you since last night," Grahame replied.</p> + +<p>"Then you might have got your gig over. We can't dump the stuff into +that cockleshell."</p> + +<p>"You can't," Grahame agreed. "The gig's hardly big enough either, and I +won't risk her alongside in the swell that's running."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>"Then what do you expect me to do? Wait until it's smooth?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Grahame; "we'll have wind soon. You'll have to take her in +behind the reef, as your owners arranged. It's not far off and you'll +find good anchorage in six fathoms."</p> + +<p>"And lose a day! What do you think your few cases are worth to us?"</p> + +<p>"The freight agreed upon," Grahame answered coolly. "You can't collect +it until you hand our cargo over. I'll take you in behind the reef and +bring you out in three or four hours. There'll be a good moon."</p> + +<p>The skipper seemed to consult with the man beside him, and then waved +his hand.</p> + +<p>"All right! Go ahead with your steamer and show us the way."</p> + +<p>"I'd better come on board," Grahame answered. "It's an awkward place to +get into, but I know it well."</p> + +<p>A colored seaman threw them down a rope ladder, and, pulling in +cautiously, Grahame waited until the rolling hull steadied, when he +jumped. Walthew followed, and in a few moments they stood on the +<i>Miranda's</i> deck. Walthew had been wakened when the boat was launched, +and he had not had much time to dress, but he wore a fairly clean duck +jacket over his coaly shirt. His bare feet were thrust into greasy +slippers, and smears of oil darkened the hollows round his eyes.</p> + +<p>One or two slouching deckhands watched the new arrivals with dull +curiosity, and a few more were busy forward opening the hatch. Grahame +thought the vessel a rather unfavorable specimen of the small, cheaply +run tramp, but when he reached the hatch the skipper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> came up. He was a +little man with a bluff manner, a hard face, and cunning eyes.</p> + +<p>"They'll have the cover off in a minute and you can see your stuff," he +said, and called to a man with a lantern: "Stand by with the light!"</p> + +<p>When the tarpaulin was rolled back, Grahame went down with a mate and +counted the wooden cases pointed out to him. After this, he examined +their marks and numbers and, going up, declared himself satisfied.</p> + +<p>"Now," said the skipper, "you can take us in; the sooner the better, +because it will be dark before long. Would you like a drink before you +start?"</p> + +<p>Grahame said that he would wait until he had finished his work. He +followed the skipper to the bridge, and rang the telegraph.</p> + +<p>The <i>Miranda</i> went ahead, her propeller hurling up the foam as it +flapped round with half the blades out of the water, while the +<i>Enchantress</i> crept slowly up her froth-streaked wake. Grahame, standing +at the wheel-house door, was glad that Walthew had come with him, +although this reduced his vessel's crew. Macallister, however, was +capable of managing his engines without assistance, for a time, and +could be trusted to take charge of the <i>Enchantress</i> if necessary, for +Grahame did not think the hands would give him trouble. One was a Canary +Spaniard, whom they had picked up at Matanzas, a very simple and, +Grahame thought, honest fellow; the other three were stupid but +apparently good-humored half-breeds. Grahame would have preferred white +seamen but for the danger of their getting into trouble in parts where +wine was cheap and perhaps betraying the object of the voyage<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> in +drunken boasts. His business would not bear talking about—and that was +why he distrusted the <i>Miranda's</i> captain.</p> + +<p>The moon rose before the short twilight had changed to dark, and the +steamer moved on across the dimly glittering sea, until a long white +line grew plainer ahead. As they drew near, the line could be seen to +waver, gaining breadth and distinctness and then fading, while a dull +roar which had a regular beat in it mingled with the thud of the +engines. Though the <i>Miranda</i> rolled and plunged, the surface of the +water was smooth as oil, and in the deep calm the clamor of the surf had +an ominous sound. Then another white patch appeared to starboard, and a +few moments later, a third to port.</p> + +<p>The captain was pacing up and down his bridge.</p> + +<p>"It's a puzzling light," he said, stopping near Grahame with a frown. "I +suppose you do know the place?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," said Grahame carelessly. "We made a rough survey and took +soundings. But slow her down and use your lead if you like."</p> + +<p>"That's what I mean to do," the captain replied.</p> + +<p>He rang the telegraph, and when the beat of engines slackened a man +stood on a footboard outside the bridge, where a broad canvas belt was +fastened round his waist. Whirling the heavy plummet round his head, he +let it shoot forward to the break of the forecastle, and steadied the +line a moment when it ran vertically up and down.</p> + +<p>"By the deep, eight!" he called.</p> + +<p>"Starboard!" said Grahame, and there was silence except for the rumble +of the surf, while the quarter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>master turned his wheel in the +glass-fronted house.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the lead plunged down again.</p> + +<p>"By the mark, seven!" was announced.</p> + +<p>The captain gave Grahame a quick glance, and then looked ahead, where +there was something to occupy him, for at regular intervals the sea was +torn apart and a spout of foam and a cloud of spray shot up. Moreover, +the vessel was heading directly toward the dangerous spot. It was not +needful for Grahame to take her so close as he meant to do, but he had +reasons for letting the nearness of the reef appeal to the captain's +imagination.</p> + +<p>"And a quarter six!" the leadsman called.</p> + +<p>The captain grasped the telegraph.</p> + +<p>"If you mean to go any closer, I'll stop her and back out!" he said. +"Then you can tranship your goods outside or I'll take them on, as you +like."</p> + +<p>"We can let her come round now," Grahame answered, and beckoned to the +quartermaster. "Starboard. Steady at that!"</p> + +<p>The <i>Miranda</i> swung until the frothy confusion on the reef, where the +swell broke in cascades of phosphorescent flame, bore abeam, and then a +similar troubled patch grew plain on the opposite bow. There was, +however, a smooth, dark strip between, and she followed it, shouldering +off a spangled wash, with the propeller beating slow. Ahead, a low, hazy +blur rose out of the sea, and when Grahame spoke to the captain the +windlass began to clank and indistinct figures became busy on the +forecastle. Then a gray strip of sand came into sight, and Grahame +nodded to the anxious captain.</p> + +<p>"You can let go here, but don't give her much cable."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>The anchor splashed from the bows, there was a roar of running chain, +the throb of the screw slowly turning astern, and a screaming of +startled birds. She brought up, the noise died away, and the silence was +emphasized by the clamor of the surf on the opposite shore of the key. +The captain looked about with a frown, for the desolation of the spot +and the nearness of the reefs had their effect on him.</p> + +<p>"Hail them to get your gig over at once, and then we'll have a drink," +he said.</p> + +<p>Macallister answered Grahame's shout, for the <i>Enchantress</i> had anchored +close astern, and the boat was hanging from her davits when he followed +the captain into his room. The vessels rolled lazily and the swell broke +with a languid splash upon the beach, for the bight was sheltered by the +reefs. The small room was lighted by an oil lamp and was very hot. A +pilot coat, damp with salt, and a suit of oilskins swung to and fro +across the bulkhead, and a pair of knee-boots stood in a corner. Two or +three bad photographic portraits were tacked against the teakwood +paneling, but except for these, all that the room contained suggested +stern utility.</p> + +<p>Unlocking a cupboard, the captain took a bottle and some glasses from a +rack, and Walthew coughed as he tasted the fiery spirit.</p> + +<p>"That's powerful stuff, but the flavor's good," he said with an attempt +at politeness.</p> + +<p>A big, greasy man who the captain informed the others was Mr. James, his +chief engineer, came in. He sat down with his feet on the locker, and +helped himself liberally to the spirits. In the meanwhile the captain +put an inkstand on the small folding table.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>"You have the bill of lading; endorse it that you've got delivery, and +I'll give you a receipt for the freight."</p> + +<p>Grahame glanced at Walthew, who sat nearest the door, and the lad looked +out.</p> + +<p>"The gig's alongside, ready for the cases," he said.</p> + +<p>"We'll heave them up as soon as we've finished this business," the +captain replied.</p> + +<p>Grahame wrote a check and put it on the table with some American paper +currency.</p> + +<p>"Your owners have satisfied themselves that this will be met; I thought +I'd better keep the other amount separate."</p> + +<p>"That's all right," the captain returned; "but you're a hundred dollars +short."</p> + +<p>"I guess you're mistaken," Walthew said. "We've paid the freight, and a +bonus to yourself, as we promised because it was an awkward job. What +else do you want?"</p> + +<p>"A bonus for the engineer," the greasy mechanic answered with a grin.</p> + +<p>"Precisely," said the captain.</p> + +<p>"Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," Grahame said, and Walthew +picked up the check, which still lay on the table.</p> + +<p>There was silence for a few moments while the <i>Miranda's</i> officers +looked hard at their visitors. Grahame's face was impassive, but there +was a gleam of amusement in Walthew's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Now, you listen to me," said the captain. "Mr. James is entitled to his +share, and he means to get it. You don't suppose he'd take a hand in a +risky job like this entirely for the benefit of the owners?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. James," said Walthew, "runs no risk that I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> can see. However, if +you think he has a right to something, you can divide with him."</p> + +<p>"No, sir! What you have given me is mine. But there's another point +you've overlooked. The crew expect a few dollars, and it might be wise +to satisfy them."</p> + +<p>Grahame smiled.</p> + +<p>"They certainly struck me as a hard crowd; but seamen don't rob +cargo-shippers nowadays. Then it's difficult to imagine that you told +them what's in the cases. In fact, the way they obeyed your mate +suggested that there's not much liking between men and officers on board +this packet. If there was any trouble, I don't know that they'd take +your side."</p> + +<p>The captain frowned; and James drained his glass again and then struck +the table.</p> + +<p>"Think something of yourselves, I reckon, but we've come out on top with +smarter folks than you. Put down your money like gentlemen, and say no +more."</p> + +<p>"It's good advice," the captain added meaningly.</p> + +<p>"Guess we disagree," Walthew said, putting the check into his pocket. +"You haven't got your freight payment yet."</p> + +<p>"Do you think you can keep that check?"</p> + +<p>"Well," said Walthew coolly, "we could cable the bank to stop payment +from the nearest port. For that matter, I'm not certain that you could +take it back."</p> + +<p>"We're willing to try," the big engineer scowled.</p> + +<p>"And you don't get the goods until we're satisfied," the captain added.</p> + +<p>"May I ask what you would do with the cases? They're consigned to us, +and you'd have some trouble in passing them through a foreign customs +house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> They open things and inspect the contents when the duty's high."</p> + +<p>"We could dump them overboard. Better do the fair thing by us and get +delivery."</p> + +<p>"I don't think we're unfair," Walthew replied. "We engaged with your +owners to pay a stipulated freight, and added a bonus for the skipper. +Now we put down the money and want our goods."</p> + +<p>"The winch that heaves them up doesn't start without my order," James +said with an ugly laugh.</p> + +<p>Grahame turned to the captain with a gesture of weariness.</p> + +<p>"We don't seem to get much farther! I suspect you've forgotten +something. How much a day does it cost you to run this ship?"</p> + +<p>"What has that got to do with it?" the captain asked curtly.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Grahame coolly, "there's a risk of your stopping here for +some time. It's an awkward place to get out of unless you know it well; +particularly when it's blowing fresh. The Northers hardly reach so far, +but they unsettle the weather, and when the wind's from seaward a strong +eddy stream runs through the bight. Perhaps you may have noticed that +the glass is falling fast."</p> + +<p>The captain looked disturbed; but he was not to be beaten so easily.</p> + +<p>"You don't get back on board your boat until you've taken us out!" he +threatened.</p> + +<p>"I can take you out to-night, but if you miss your chance and have to +wait we can afford it best. Our expenses aren't heavy, but you'll have +to account to your owners for the delay that won't cost us much.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +Besides, you'd be forced to keep steam up in case she dragged; it's bad +holding ground."</p> + +<p>There was silence for a few moments, and then the captain made a sign of +surly acquiescence.</p> + +<p>"Very well; we won't argue about the bonus. Give me the check."</p> + +<p>"I think we'll wait until the cases are transhipped," Walthew said with +a smile.</p> + +<p>"Give them steam for the winch, Mr. James," the captain ordered; and the +engineer slouched away.</p> + +<p>The winch began to rattle and an hour or two later Grahame went up to +the bridge while the anchor was broken out. When the men were stowing it +the engines throbbed and the <i>Miranda</i> turned her head toward open +water. In another half hour the propeller stopped and the captain turned +to his guests with a grin as the <i>Enchantress's</i> gig came alongside.</p> + +<p>"I expect the dagoes you're shipping those rifles for will find you hard +to beat," he said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">MANGROVE CREEK</span></h2> + + +<p>There was not a ripple on the sea when the <i>Enchantress</i>, steaming +slowly, closed with the coast. The glittering water broke with a drowsy +murmur at her bows and turned from silver to a deep blue in the shadow +of the hull; her wake was marked by silky whirls on the back of the +swell. It was four o'clock in the afternoon, the sea flung back a +dazzling light, and Grahame's eyes ached as he searched the approaching +land with his glasses.</p> + +<p>Far back, blue mountains loomed through haze and the foreground was +blurred and dim. One could not tell where the low expanse began or +ended, though a broad, dark fringe, which Grahame knew was forest, +conveyed some idea of distance. In one or two spots, a streak of white +indicated surf upon a point, but the picture was flooded with a glare in +which separate objects lost distinctness. Blue and gray and silver +melted into one another without form or salient line.</p> + +<p>Grahame put down the glasses and turned to the seaman near him. Miguel +was getting old, but his tall figure was strong, and he stood, finely +posed, with a brown hand on the wheel. His face was rugged, but he had +clear, blue eyes that met one with a curious child-like gaze. He was +barefooted and his thin cot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>ton trousers and canvas jacket were +spotlessly clean, though Grahame imagined he had made the latter out of +a piece of old awning they had meant to throw away.</p> + +<p>"You come from the Canaries, don't you, Miguel?" Grahame asked in +Castilian. "It is not so hot there."</p> + +<p>"From San Sebastian, señor, where the trade-breeze blows and the +date-palms grow. My house stands among the tuna-figs beside the +mule-track to the mountains."</p> + +<p>"Then you have a house? Who takes care of it while you are away?"</p> + +<p>"My señora. She packs the tomatoes they send to England. It is hard work +and one earns a peseta a day."</p> + +<p>"Then why did you leave her?" Grahame asked, for he knew that a peseta, +which is equal to about twenty cents, will not buy much of the coarse +maize-flour the Canary peasants live upon.</p> + +<p>"There came a great tempest, and when my three boats were wrecked +something must be done. My sons were drawn for the navy; they had no +money to send. For years, señor, I was captain of a schooner fishing +<i>bacalao</i> on the African coast, and when I came home to catch tunny for +the Italian factory things went very well. Then the gale swept down from +the peaks one night and in the morning the boats were matchwood on the +reef."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Grahame. He could sympathize, for he too had faced what at +the time had seemed to be overwhelming disaster. "So you sailed to look +for better fortune somewhere else? You hope to go back to San Sebastian +some day?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>"If my saint is kind. But perhaps it is well that he is a very great +angel, for fortune is not always found when one looks for it at sea."</p> + +<p>There was no irony in Miguel's answer; his manner was quietly dignified. +Indeed, though he had been taught nothing except rudimentary seamanship, +he had the bearing of a fine gentleman.</p> + +<p>"Wages are good in English and American ships," Grahame resumed, feeling +that he was guilty of impertinence. "Sometimes you are able to send the +señora a few dollars?"</p> + +<p>"I send all but a little to buy clothes when I go where it is cold, and +my señora buries the money to buy another boat if it is permitted that I +return. Once or twice a year comes a letter, written by the priest, and +I keep it until I find a man who can read it to me."</p> + +<p>Grahame was touched. There was something pathetic in the thought of this +untaught exile's patiently carrying the precious letters until he met +somebody who could read his language.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "if things go well with us, you will get a bonus +besides your wages, which should make it easier for you to go home. But +you understand there is danger in what we may have to do."</p> + +<p>Miguel smiled.</p> + +<p>"Señor, there is always danger on the sea."</p> + +<p>Grahame turned and saw Walthew standing in the engine-room door. He wore +dirty overalls and a singlet torn open at the neck, there was a smear of +oil across his face, and his hands were black and scarred.</p> + +<p>"What on earth have you been doing?" Grahame asked.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>"Lying on my back for two hours, trying to put a new packing in the +gland of a pump."</p> + +<p>"Well, who would have predicted a year ago that you would be amusing +yourself this way now!"</p> + +<p>Walthew laughed.</p> + +<p>"Do you know where we are?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I imagine we're not far off the creek; in fact, we might risk making +the signal smoke. It will be dark enough to head inshore in a few +hours."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll get to work with the fires," said Walthew, promptly +disappearing below.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward, a dense black cloud rose from the funnel and, trailing +away behind the <i>Enchantress</i>, spread across the sky. Grahame knew that +it might be seen by unfriendly watchers, but other steamers sometimes +passed the point for which he was steering. After a while he signaled +for less steam, and only a faint, widening ripple marked the +<i>Enchantress's</i> passage through the water as she closed obliquely with +the land. It was still blurred, and in an hour Grahame stopped the +engines and took a cast of the lead. Dark would come before long, when, +if they had reached the right spot, signals would be made. In the +meanwhile it would be imprudent to venture nearer.</p> + +<p>Walthew and one of the seamen set out a meal on deck and when it was +eaten they lounged on the stern grating, smoking and waiting. There was +dangerous work before them; and, to make things worse, it must be done +in the dark, because the moon now shone in the daytime. It was very hot, +and a steamy, spicy smell drifted off the coast, which grew less +distinct as the darkness settled down. A faint rumble of surf reached +them from an unseen beach, rising and falling with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> rhythm in it. The +black smoke had been stopped and thin gray vapor rose straight up from +the funnel. The quietness and the suspense began to react upon the men's +nerves; they felt impatient and highly strung, but they talked as +carelessly as they could.</p> + +<p>Then in the quietness the roar of the sea on sandy shoals reached them +ominously clear. Grahame glanced shoreward, but could see nothing, for +the sun had gone and a thin mist was spreading across the low littoral.</p> + +<p>"We're drifting inshore," he said. "As soon as I get four fathoms we'll +steam out. Try a cast of the lead."</p> + +<p>Walthew swung the plummet and they heard it strike the sea.</p> + +<p>"Half a fathom to the good," he called as he coiled up the wet line. +Then he stopped, looking toward the land. "What's that?" he said. +"Yonder, abreast of the mast?"</p> + +<p>A twinkling light appeared in the mist and grew brighter.</p> + +<p>"A fire, I think," Grahame answered quietly. "Still, one's not enough."</p> + +<p>A second light began to glimmer, and soon another farther on.</p> + +<p>Macallister chuckled.</p> + +<p>"Ye're a navigator. Our friends are ready. I've seen many a worse +landfall made by highly-trained gentlemen with a big mail company's +buttons."</p> + +<p>"A lucky shot; but you had better stand by below. Start her easy."</p> + +<p>He blew three blasts on the whistle, and the fires went out while the +<i>Enchantress</i> moved slowly shore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>ward through the gloom. Miguel held the +wheel and Grahame stood near by, watching the half-breed who swung the +lead. Presently another light twinkled, and, listening hard, Grahame +heard the splash of paddles. Stopping the engines, he waited until a +low, gray object crept out of the mist and slid toward the steamer's +side. Ropes were thrown and when the canoe was made fast the first of +the men who came up ceremoniously saluted Grahame.</p> + +<p>"You bring the goods all right?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"They're ready. If it makes no difference, I'd rather wait until +to-morrow before delivering them. I understand the beach is mostly +mangrove swamp, and it's a dark night to take the steamer up the creek."</p> + +<p>"To-morrow she be seen; the coast is watch by spy," said the other in +his quaint English; then indicated his companion. "Dese man he takes her +anywhere."</p> + +<p>Grahame hesitated.</p> + +<p>Secrecy was essential, and if he waited for daylight and was seen by +watchers who had noticed the smoke in the afternoon he might not have an +opportunity for landing another cargo. For all that, knowing nothing +about his pilot's skill, he imagined he ran some risk of grounding if he +took the steamer in. Risks, however, could not be avoided.</p> + +<p>"Very well," he decided. "Send him to the wheel."</p> + +<p>He kept the lead going as the <i>Enchantress</i> crept forward, and was +relieved to find that the water got no shallower. It looked as if the +pilot were following a channel, for the wash of the sea on hidden shoals +began to rise from both sides. Except for this and the measured throb of +the engines, there was deep silence, but after a while the vessel, which +had been rolling<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> gently, grew steady, and Grahame thought he could hear +the water she threw off splash upon a beach. He looked about eagerly, +but there was nothing to be seen. This creeping past invisible dangers +was daunting, but he felt comforted as he glanced at the motionless, +dark figure at the helm. The fellow showed no hesitation; it was obvious +that he knew his business.</p> + +<p>Through the darkness low trees loomed up ahead, and shortly afterward +another clump abeam. Mist clung about them, there was not much space +between, and the absence of any gurgle at the bows indicated that the +<i>Enchantress</i> was steaming up the inlet with the tide. The lead showed +sufficient water, but Grahame had misgivings, for the creek seemed to be +getting narrower. It was, however, too late to turn back; he must go on +and trust to luck.</p> + +<p>Some time later a light appeared among the trees, and the pilot ordered +the engines to be stopped. Then he pulled the helm over and waved his +hand as the <i>Enchantress</i> swung inshore.</p> + +<p>"<i>La ancla!</i>" he cried. "Let her go!"</p> + +<p>There was a splash and a sharp rattle of chain, and when the +<i>Enchantress</i> stopped the beat of paddles came out of the gloom. Then +the cargo-lamp was lighted and in a few minutes a group of men climbed +on board. Some were dusky half-breeds, but two or three seemed to be of +pure Spanish extraction. Grahame took these below, where they carefully +examined the cases. When they were satisfied they followed him to the +deck-cabin, and Walthew brought them some wine. One man gave Grahame a +check on an American bank, and shortly afterward the work of getting up +the cargo began.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>Everybody became suddenly busy. Shadowy figures dragged the cases about +the shallow hold and fixed the slings. Dark-skinned men, dripping with +perspiration, slackened guys and swung the derrick-boom while canoes +crept into the light of the cargo-lamp and vanished, loaded, into the +dark. The stir lasted for some time, and then, after the cases had all +been hoisted over the side, the white men among the shore party shook +hands with their hosts.</p> + +<p>"It is all right," said the spokesman. "We are ready for the next lot +when you get back."</p> + +<p>"I suppose your man will be here in the morning to take us out?" Grahame +asked, because he had been told that it was too late to leave the creek +that tide.</p> + +<p>"If nothing is happen, he certainly come."</p> + +<p>The visitors got on board their canoe, and it slid off into the mist. +When the splash of paddles died away, an oppressive silence settled down +on the vessel, and the darkness seemed very thick, for the big +cargo-lamp had been put out. After the keen activity a reaction had set +in: the men were tired and felt the heat.</p> + +<p>"It's lonesome," Macallister remarked, and sniffed disgustedly. "Like a +hothouse in a botanic garden when they've full steam on, with a dash o' +Glasgow sewer thrown in. In fact, ye might call the atmosphere a wee bit +high."</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose you found it very fresh in West Africa," Walthew +replied.</p> + +<p>"I did not. That's maybe the reason the ague grips me noo and then. +Ye'll learn something about handling engines when it takes me bad. This +is a verra insidious smell."</p> + +<p>"The mosquitos are worse," Grahame said. "I won<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>der whether there are +many of them about? Anyway, I'd like a warp taken out and made fast to +the trees. There's not much room to swing, and though the flood +generally runs harder than the ebb in these places, one can't count on +that."</p> + +<p>Walthew got into the boat with Miguel and one of the crew, and came back +half an hour later, smeared with mire and wet to the waist.</p> + +<p>"We've made the rope fast, but this creek has no beach," he said. "The +trees grow out of the water, and you slip off their roots into holes +filled with slime. Couldn't feel any bottom in one or two, and I was +mighty glad I caught a branch. In fact, we've had a rather harrowing +experience."</p> + +<p>"Get your wet clothes off and take some quinine before you go to sleep," +Grahame advised; and when Walthew left him he watched the men heave the +warp tight.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward the crew went below, except for one who kept +anchor-watch. The ebb tide was running strong, and Grahame was not quite +satisfied about the way the vessel was moored. It was, however, +impossible to make her more secure in the dark, and, getting sleepy +presently, he left his seat on the stern grating and went to his berth.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE TRAITOR</span></h2> + + +<p>Grahame was awakened by a crash. Springing half asleep from his berth, +he scrambled out on deck. Thick darkness enveloped the steamer and at +first he could see nothing. Then as his eyes grew accustomed to the +gloom, he made out indistinct black trees in the mist. They were sliding +past and he knew the warp had broken and the <i>Enchantress</i> would swing +inshore before her cable brought her up. This must be prevented, if +possible, for the creek was narrow and shoal.</p> + +<p>Jumping on the stern grating he gave his orders, and they were obeyed. +He saw Macallister, in pajamas, dive into the engine-room, and the screw +began to throb; then barefooted men sprang into the boat alongside, and +a heavy rope ran out across the rail. There was nothing more to be done +for a few moments and, lashing the wheel, Grahame hurriedly lighted a +pyrotechnic flare. The strong blue radiance drove back the gloom, and +the water glittered among cakes of floating scum. Then the bright beam +picked out the boat, with Walthew toiling, half-naked, at an oar, and +Miguel's tall figure bending to and fro as he sculled astern. Another +man was rowing forward, and his tense pose told of determined effort, +but he vanished as the light moved on.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>The rope the crew were taking out fixed Grahame's attention. It crawled +through the water in heavy coils, like a snake, holding the boat back +while the stream swept her sideways. He did not think she could reach +the opposite bank, though the <i>Enchantress</i> was sheering that way to +help her. Then the light forced up a patch of greasy mud in which +crawling things wriggled, and, passing on, picked out foul, dark caves +among the mangrove roots. After that, it touched the rows of slender +trunks and was lost in impenetrable gloom.</p> + +<p>A few moments later the flare, burning low, scorched Grahame's fingers +and he flung it over the rail. It fell with a hiss into the creek and +bewildering darkness shut down. There was now no guide but the strain on +the helm, and Grahame began to be afraid of breaking out the anchor. For +a time the splash of oars continued, telling of the tense struggle that +went on in the gloom, but it stopped suddenly and he knew the men were +beaten. Ringing off the engines, he ran forward with a deckhand to drop +the kedge anchor. It was heavy, an arm was foul of something, and they +could not drag it clear, until a dim object appeared close by.</p> + +<p>"Heave!" cried a breathless voice. "Handy, noo! Away she goes!"</p> + +<p>There was a splash and a rattle as the chain ran out, a thud as the +returning boat came alongside, and then the vessel quivered, listed down +on one side, and became motionless.</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking she's hard and fast, but we'll try to shake her off," +Macallister said and vanished, and soon the engines began to turn.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>The <i>Enchantress</i> trembled, straining hard and rattling, but when +somebody lighted the cargo-lamp, which still hung from a boom, it could +not be seen that she moved. The light showed a narrow stretch of water, +sliding past, blotched with foul brown foam. Then it fell upon the +boat's crew, who had come on board, and Grahame saw that Walthew was +gasping for breath. His flushed face was wet and drawn with effort, and +his bare arms and neck were marked by small red spots.</p> + +<p>"Sorry we couldn't manage to reach the bank," he panted. "Warp kept +getting across her and the stream was running fast. But I'd better help +Mack."</p> + +<p>"Sit still a minute," Grahame said. "What are those marks on your neck?"</p> + +<p>"Mosquito bites, I guess. Hadn't time to swat the brutes; they were +pretty fierce."</p> + +<p>The deck was now slanting steeply, and Grahame, looking over the rail, +saw a wet strip a foot broad between the dry planks and the water.</p> + +<p>"You can tell Mack to shut off steam," he said. "She's here until next +tide and I'm not certain we can float her then."</p> + +<p>The engines stopped, there was by contrast a curious stillness, and the +men went below; but Grahame spent some time studying a chart of the +coast and a nautical almanac before he went to sleep.</p> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<p>When the cases had been safely landed, the little group of Spaniards and +half-breeds separated, some following the coastline going south, others +finding a narrow path that led through the jungle beyond the +mangrove-trees. Bio, the peon pilot, lingered behind.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> There was no +moon, but the night was not really dark, for the sky was jeweled with +stars which covered the earth with a soft, mystic radiance.</p> + +<p>When the footsteps of the others had died away and the night was quiet, +Bio started slowly down the jungle path. It opened out into a flat +stretch of sandy land and then was lost in a plantation of coffee-trees. +Beyond the coffee plantation was an uncultivated space known to the +natives as <i>La colina del sol</i> (The Hill of the Sun) because of the many +broad rocks upon which the sun beat down in all its intensity. Here and +there a wild date-palm grew, and an occasional clump of bananas; but +except for that the hill was covered with low shrubbery and a blanket of +trailing vines, which now were wet with the dew.</p> + +<p>Bio went directly to one of the rocks and stood upon it looking upward +at the stars. The warmth that still remained in the rock was pleasant to +his damp, bare feet. The air about him was filled with the soft flutter +of moths and other honey-seekers; the heavy perfume of a white jasmine +came to him, mingled with the sweet odor of the night-blooming cereus. +At his side an insect chirped, and above him a whistling frog gave +answer.</p> + +<p>These wild night sounds found quick response in Bio's Indian blood. With +an odd little smile of content, he stretched out on the rock to +listen—and to sleep. At high tide he would have to return to take the +boat out of Mangrove Creek; what better place to wait than <i>La colina +del sol</i>?</p> + +<p>He awakened shortly after daybreak, very hungry; but he knew where he +could get a pleasant breakfast before returning to the boat. With a +comfortable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> yawn and stretch, he left the rock and pattered off down +the hill to a path that led to the main road. A half mile down this +stood a little adobe house owned by a Spaniard who was suspected of +sympathizing with the revolutionists although he had many friends among +the <i>rurales</i>.</p> + +<p>When Bio reached the house he gave his customary signal—a stick drawn +harshly across the iron gratings at the window; and the door was soon +opened by Filodomo himself. A hasty conversation followed, and Bio went +back to the kitchen while Filodomo aroused his daughter. And when the +black-eyed Rosita came tripping out, with the flush of sleep still on +her, Bio all but forgot the <i>yanqui</i> señores and their boat which waited +in Mangrove Creek.</p> + +<p>He was enjoying his breakfast so much, indeed, that he did not hear +Filodomo talking loudly in the front room. Rosita was more alert. She +paused a moment to listen, and then the laughter in her eyes changed to +quick alarm.</p> + +<p>"<i>Los rurales!</i>" she whispered.</p> + +<p>Bio was on his feet instantly. The <i>rurales</i> had several counts against +him, and he knew what his life would be worth if he were caught. Rosita, +too, seemed to know. She led him quickly to the low window and pointed +to a narrow path that led through a field of cane. Bio lost no time. As +he disappeared among the green stalks, the girl gave a sigh of relief; +and then hurried into the front room to put the <i>rurales</i> off his path.</p> + +<p>Bio made his way quickly but cautiously through the cane-field, meaning +to double back to <i>La colina del sol</i>; but as he left the cane and +rounded a gigantic<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> calabash-tree he ran directly into the arms of two +young <i>rurales</i>.</p> + +<p>"Not so fast, my friend," said one of them, grabbing him.</p> + +<p>"Bio!" exclaimed the other.</p> + +<p>And Bio knew there was no hope of escape. The <i>rurales</i> were only too +eager for the credit of capturing him and taking him to headquarters.</p> + +<p>Four days later he found himself in a military camp and was led at once +to the officer in charge. During all the questions of the <i>rurales</i> he +had maintained a sullen silence; but now he was forced to speak.</p> + +<p>"We are told that the revolutionists are getting rifles from a little +boat that lands them at impossible places," the officer said. "Only a +pilot with your knowledge of the coast could bring in such a boat. Tell +us what you know!"</p> + +<p>Bio did not answer.</p> + +<p>The officer leaned forward threateningly.</p> + +<p>"We have enough charges against you to warrant our shooting you on the +spot," he said. "You will never see another sunrise, unless you tell +us—and tell us quickly, and truthfully!"</p> + +<p>A gleam of hope crept into Bio's eyes.</p> + +<p>"And if I tell you—all?"</p> + +<p>"Then, if I believe you, you will be set at liberty."</p> + +<p>There was a sneer in the conditional clause that made Bio's blood run +cold for an instant; but it seemed his only chance of escape, and he +began haltingly but in a tone that they could not doubt was the truth.</p> + +<p>"I left the boat far up in Mangrove Creek," he ended. "I think the +<i>yanqui</i> señores cannot take her out."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>"Tell Morales to have the mules ready at once!" the officer ordered. +"The quickest road?" he asked Bio.</p> + +<p>The pilot answered without faltering. The road he told them was twice as +far as over <i>La colina del sol</i> and through the jungle path.</p> + +<p>The officer consulted a few moments with the <i>rurales</i> who had brought +Bio in, and then gave his decision.</p> + +<p>"My men will not need you. You will be held in camp for one day and then +set at liberty. I am a man of my word!"</p> + +<p>Bio could hardly believe his good luck, although he frowned anxiously at +that one day's detention. Silently he followed his guards; but, as he +expected, he found them very lax after the first hour or two. Long +before midnight he was snaking his way noiselessly through the +underbrush that surrounded the camp.</p> + +<p>And in the meantime the <i>rurales</i> were riding furiously along the road +that led to Mangrove Creek.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">STRANDED</span></h2> + + +<p>The sun was high above the mangroves when Walthew joined Grahame and +Macallister at breakfast the morning after they landed the rifles. No +wind entered the gap in the forest, the smoke went straight up from the +slanted funnel, and the air was still and sour. The steamer lay nearly +dry among banks of mire, though a narrow strip of dazzling water +sluggishly flowed inland past her. Fifty yards outshore, there was a +broader channel and beyond it the dingy, pale-stemmed mangroves rose +like a wall. Some were strangely spotted, and Walthew glanced at them +with disgust as he drank his coffee.</p> + +<p>"I guess I've never seen such repulsive trees," he said. "This place +takes away one's appetite. Even the coffee's bitter; you've been +doctoring it."</p> + +<p>"It's weel to take precautions," Macallister replied. "Ye got a few +nibbles last night from a dangerous bit beastie they ca' <i>anopheles</i>."</p> + +<p>"I suppose it doesn't manufacture the malaria germ, and from the looks +of the place one wouldn't imagine there was anybody else about for it to +bite."</p> + +<p>"That's what we're hoping. We're no' anxious for visitors, but when ye +meet a smell like what we noo<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> enjoy, ye take quinine till it makes ye +hear church bells ringing in your head."</p> + +<p>Walthew turned to Grahame.</p> + +<p>"Can you get her off?"</p> + +<p>"We'll try. The sooner we get out the better; but the tides are +falling."</p> + +<p>"Do you reckon the half-breed pilot meant to pile her up?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Grahame thoughtfully. "For one thing, it would be a dangerous +game, because his employers wouldn't hesitate about knifing him. They +gave us a check which I've reason to believe will be honored and they +wouldn't have wasted their money if they'd meant treachery. I imagine +they're all too deep in the plot to turn informer."</p> + +<p>"Do you think the pilot will turn up to take us out then?"</p> + +<p>"I believe he'll be here at high-water, unless he's prevented."</p> + +<p>"What could prevent him?"</p> + +<p>"It's possible that our friends have been followed by the opposition's +spies. The man who rules this country is not a fool."</p> + +<p>"Then it seems to me we must do our best to heave the boat off this +tide."</p> + +<p>"Mack and I agree with you," Grahame said meaningly.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was soon finished, for nobody had much appetite, and they sat, +smoking, in the thin shade while the water got deeper in the creek. When +the <i>Enchantress</i> slowly rose upright, Macallister went down to stir the +fires; but though the others listened anxiously no splash of paddles +broke the silence.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>"Our pilot's not coming," Grahame said at last. "I'll try to take her +out if we can get her afloat."</p> + +<p>"What's likely to happen to him if he's been corralled by the dictator's +rural-guards?"</p> + +<p>"On the whole," said Grahame, "I'd rather not speculate. They have a +drastic way of dealing with rebels here."</p> + +<p>An hour later the screw shook the vessel, while the windlass strained at +the cable. Once or twice a few links of chain ran in and she moved, but +the mud had a firm hold and she stuck fast again. Then the water began +to fall and Grahame reluctantly told Macallister to draw the fires.</p> + +<p>"We're here for the next six days," he said.</p> + +<p>"It's to be hoped the Government's spies don't find us out before we get +her off," Walthew remarked.</p> + +<p>"We could put the coal and heavier stores ashore, if ye can find a bit +dry beach to land them on," Macallister suggested. "It would lighten +her."</p> + +<p>"I thought of that," Grahame answered. "On the other hand, it might be +safer to keep them on board as long as possible. We could strip her and +land everything in a day."</p> + +<p>Macallister agreed, and for four days they lounged in such shade as they +could find. It was fiercely hot, not a breath of wind touched the +dazzling creek, and the sun burned through the awning. The pitch bubbled +up from the deck-seams, the water in the tanks was warm, and innumerable +flies came off from the mangroves and bit the panting men. To make +things worse, there was no coolness after sunset, when steamy mist +wrapped the vessel in its folds, bloodthirsty mosquitos came down in +swarms, buzzing insects dimmed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> the lamps, and the smell of festering +mire grew nauseating. Sleep was out of the question, and when the +mosquitos drove them off the deck the men lay in their stifling berths +and waited drearily for another day of misery to begin.</p> + +<p>Among other discomforts, Walthew, who was not seasoned to the climate, +was troubled by a bad headache and pains in his limbs, but he said +nothing about this and accompanied Grahame when the latter took the +soundings in the dinghy. At last they rose at daybreak one morning to +lighten the vessel, and although he felt shaky and suffered from a +burning thirst, Walthew took charge of the gig, which was to be used for +landing coal.</p> + +<p>The work was hard, for when they reached a sand bar up the creek they +were forced to wade some distance through mud and shallow water with the +heavy bags on their backs, while the perspiration soaked their thin +clothes and the black dust worked through to their skin. At noon they +stopped for half an hour and Walthew lay in the stern-sheets of the gig +where there was a patch of shade. He could not eat, and after drinking +some tea tried to smoke, but the tobacco tasted rank and he put his pipe +away. Up to the present his life had been luxurious. He had been +indulged and waited on, and had exerted himself only in outdoor sports. +Now he felt very sick and worn out, but knew that he must make good. +Having declined to enter his father's business, he must prove his +capacity for the career he had chosen. Moreover, he suspected that +Macallister and Grahame were watching him.</p> + +<p>When the clatter of the winch began again he hid the effort it cost him +to resume his task and stubbornly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> pulled his oar as the gig floated up +the creek with her gunwale near awash. His back hurt him almost +unbearably when he lifted a heavy bag, and it was hard to keep upon his +feet while he floundered through the mire. Sometimes his head reeled and +he could scarcely see. The blisters on his hands had worked into +bleeding sores. This, however, did not matter much by comparison with +the pain in his head.</p> + +<p>After the coal was landed they loaded loose ironwork and towed heavy +spars ashore, and Walthew held out somehow until darkness fell, when he +paddled back to the <i>Enchantress</i> with a swarm of mosquitos buzzing +round his face.</p> + +<p>He could not eat when they sat down to a frugal meal, and afterward lay +in his berth unable to sleep, and yet not quite awake, lost in confused +thoughts that broke off and left him conscious of intolerable heat and +pain. When he went languidly on deck the next morning Grahame looked +hard at him.</p> + +<p>"You had better lie down in the shade," he said.</p> + +<p>"I may let up when we reach open water," Walthew answered with a feeble +smile. "There's not much enjoyment to be got out of a lay-off here."</p> + +<p>Grahame reluctantly agreed. He knew something about malaria and Walthew +did not look fit for work; but every man was needed, and this foul swamp +was no place to be ill. The sooner they got out the better.</p> + +<p>Steam was up when the <i>Enchantress</i> rose with the tide, and shortly +afterward the engines began to throb. Muddy foam leaped about the +whirling screw, flame mingled with the smoke that poured from her +funnel, and steam roared from the blow-off pipe. Then the clatter of +winch and windlass joined in, and Grahame<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> stood, tense and anxious, +holding a rope that slipped round the spinning drum. The winch could not +shorten it, though the vessel was shaking and working in her muddy bed. +It was high-water, the tide would soon begin to fall, and the sweat of +suspense and strain dripped from the man as, at the risk of breaking the +warp, he tightened the turns on the drum. It gripped; to his surprise, a +little slack came off, and he nodded to Walthew, who was watching him +eagerly from the windlass.</p> + +<p>"Give her all, if you burst the chain!" he cried.</p> + +<p>The windlass clanked for a few moments, stopped, and clanked again; the +<i>Enchantress</i> trembled and crept a foot or two ahead. Then she stuck +while the cable rose from the water, rigid as a bar, and the +messenger-chain that drove the windlass creaked and strained at breaking +tension. While Grahame expected to see links and gear-wheels fly, there +was a long shiver through the vessel's frame, a mad rattle of liberated +machinery, and she leaped ahead.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later Walthew walked shakily aft, scarcely seeing where he +went because a confused sense of triumph had brought a mist into his +dazzled eyes. This was the first big thing in which he had taken a +leading part. He had made good and played the man; but there was still +much to be done and he pulled himself together as he stopped near +Grahame.</p> + +<p>"She's moored where she won't ground again, but perhaps you had better +see that the chain-compressors and warp fastenings are right."</p> + +<p>"If you're satisfied, it's enough," said Grahame.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll take the gig and get the coal on board."</p> + +<p>"If you feel equal to it," Grahame answered.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>Walthew got into the boat with a sense of elation. His eyes had met +Grahame's while they spoke, and a pledge of mutual respect and trust had +passed between them. But this was not quite all. He felt he had won +official recognition from a leader he admired; he was no longer on trial +but accepted as a comrade and equal. The thought sustained him through a +day of murderous toil, during which his worn-out muscles needed constant +spurring by the unconquered mind. It was not dainty and, in a sense, not +heroic work in which he was engaged, but it must be done, and he dimly +saw that human nature rose highest in a grapple with obstacles that +seemed too great to overcome. Whatever the odds against him were, he +must not be beaten.</p> + +<p>The heat was pitiless in the afternoon, but Walthew pulled his oar and +carried the hundred-pound coal bags across a stretch of mire that grew +broader as the tide ebbed. He could scarcely pull his feet out and keep +the load upon his aching back, and he sometimes sank knee-deep in the +softer spots. The air was heavy with exhalations from the swamps; he had +thrown off his jacket and the coal wore holes in his shirt and rubbed +raw places on his skin. He was wet from the waist downward and black +above, while the gritty dust filled his eyes and nostrils. Still he held +out until the work was finished, when the <i>Enchantress's</i> cargo-light +began to twinkle through the dusk; and then, losing his balance, he fell +forward into the boat with his last heavy load. Miguel pushed her off, +and with oars splashing slackly she moved downstream. When she ran +alongside the steamer, Grahame saw a limp, black figure lying huddled on +the floorings. The others<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> lifted it gently, but Walthew did not speak +when he was laid on deck, and Macallister, bending over him, looked up +at Grahame.</p> + +<p>"Fever and exhaustion! I allow that ye were right about the lad. But we +must do the best we can for him."</p> + +<p>They washed off the coal-dust, and when Walthew, wrapped in thick +blankets, lay unconscious in his berth, they debated earnestly over the +medicine chest before administering a dose that experience in the +unhealthy swamps of the tropics alone justified. They forced it, drop by +drop, between his clenched teeth, and then Macallister waited with a +grimy finger on his pulse, while Grahame sat down limply on the edge of +the berth. His hands were bruised, his thin clothes were torn, and he +felt the reaction after the day's strain. He had now an hour or two in +which to rest, and then he must pull himself together to take the vessel +down the creek.</p> + +<p>When at last Macallister nodded, as if satisfied, Grahame went wearily +up on deck. Except for a faint hiss of steam, everything was quiet. +Tired men lay motionless about the deck, and the mist that clung to the +mangroves did not stir. After a while the lap of the flood-tide against +the planks made itself heard, and the moon, which was getting large, +rose above the trees.</p> + +<p>Grahame, sitting limply on the grating, half dozing while he waited, +suddenly jumped to his feet, startled. Out of the semi-darkness came +distinctly the splash of oars, faint at first and then nearer.</p> + +<p>Miguel lay nearest him. The Spaniard, quickly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> grasping the danger, +shook his men awake while Grahame ran below to Macallister.</p> + +<p>"The government spies!" he said briefly. "Our pilot's turned traitor!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE PEON PILOT</span></h2> + + +<p>Grahame and Macallister stood on deck, peering into the moonlit jungle +of mangroves. So far as they could judge, there was only one pair of +oars making the splashes that had aroused them; but they could hear the +blades dig deep into the water with an intense effort that could mean +only haste on the part of the boatsman.</p> + +<p>They waited; and presently the small boat appeared in the moonlight and +they saw a single figure, who dropped one oar and crossed himself +religiously.</p> + +<p>"<i>Gracias a Dios!</i>" he said.</p> + +<p>"The pilot!" Macallister gasped.</p> + +<p>Grahame waited, tense and alert, until the pilot climbed on board. The +instant the half-breed touched the deck he began gesticulating wildly +and talking so rapidly that Grahame had difficulty in grasping his +meaning. Miguel, who was more at home in the peon Spanish, explained—in +English, for Macallister's sake.</p> + +<p>"The government men catch him; make him tell; he escape; take short +path—Indian <i>senda</i>; get here first. <i>Soldados</i> coming. We hurry!"</p> + +<p>Miguel had worked himself up to a state of great excitement, and when he +finished, his bare feet went pattering off across the deck almost before +Grahame could give the order.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>Tired as the men were, they realized the necessity for haste, and they +lost no time in getting under way. There was a clatter in the stokehold +as the fires were cleaned, the dinghy crept across the creek, and +half-seen men forward hurriedly coiled in a wet rope. Then the boat came +back and the windlass rattled while the propeller floundered slowly +round. The anchor rose to the bows and the <i>Enchantress</i> moved away +against the flood tide.</p> + +<p>The pilot took the wheel while Grahame stood beside him. There were +broad, light patches where the water dazzled Grahame's eyes, and then +belts of gloom in which the mangroves faded to a formless blur. Still, +they did not touch bottom; miry points round which the tide swirled, +rotting logs on mud-banks, and misty trees crept astern, and at last +they heard the rumble of the swell on beaten sand.</p> + +<p>She glided on, lifting now and then with a louder gurgle about her +planks. When a white beach gleamed in the moonlight where the trees +broke off, the <i>Enchantress</i> stopped to land the faithful pilot, who had +first betrayed and then saved them.</p> + +<p>"It was a risky thing he did," Grahame said, as the half-breed, standing +easily in his boat, swaying with the rhythm of his oars, rowed off into +the moonlight. "Suppose they had caught him coming to us—or with us!"</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking yon pilot's a bit of a hero," Macallister responded +laconically. "Albeit a coward first!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it was all for Don Martin's sake that he risked his own hide to +warn us. Don Martin has a wonderful hold on those peons. They'd go +through fire and water for him."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>The <i>Enchantress</i> skirted a point where two sentinel cedar-trees stood +out blackly against the sky; then the spray leaped about the bows as she +dipped to the swell, and the throb of engines quickened as she left the +shore behind.</p> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<p>Two weeks later the <i>Enchantress</i> was steaming across a sea that was +flecked with purple shadow and lighted by incandescent foam. Macallister +lounged in the engine-room doorway, Grahame sat smoking on a coil of +rope, and Walthew, wrapped in a dirty blanket, lay under the awning. His +face was hollow, his hair damp and lank, and his hands, with which he +was clumsily rolling a cigarette, were very thin. The deck was piled +with a load of dyewood, which they had bought rather with the object of +accounting for their cruise than for the profit that might be made on +it.</p> + +<p>"It's good to feel alive on a day like this, but I suspect it was +doubtful for a time whether I'd have that satisfaction," Walthew +remarked languidly. "Guess I owe you both a good deal."</p> + +<p>They had stubbornly fought the fever that was wasting him away, and had +felt that they must be beaten, but Macallister grinned.</p> + +<p>"I'll no' deny that ye were an interesting case and gave us a chance o' +making two or three experiments. As ye seem none the worse for them, ye +must be tougher than ye look."</p> + +<p>"I thought tampering with other people's watches was your specialty."</p> + +<p>"What's a watch compared with the human body?" Macallister asked.</p> + +<p>"You do know something about springs and wheels,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> but it's different +with drugs. I expect you gave way to an unholy curiosity to see how they +would work."</p> + +<p>"Maybe there's something in the notion. An engineer canna help wanting +to find out how things act. It's a matter o' temperament, and there's +no' a great difference between watching the effect o' a new oil on your +piston-rings and seeing what happens when a patient swallows your +prescription. I'll say this for ye: ye were docile."</p> + +<p>"I've survived," said Walthew. "From my point of view, that's the most +important thing."</p> + +<p>"And now you had better think about the future," Grahame interposed. +"Some people are practically immune from malaria; others get it +moderately now and then, and some it breaks down for good. At first it's +difficult to tell which class one belongs to, but you have had a sharp +attack. There's some risk of your spending the rest of your life as an +ague-stricken invalid if you stick to us."</p> + +<p>"How heavy is the risk?"</p> + +<p>"Nobody can tell you that, but it's to be reckoned with. I understand +that your father would take you back?"</p> + +<p>"He'd be glad to do so, on his terms," said Walthew thoughtfully. +"Still, it's hard to admit that you're beaten, and I suspect the old man +would have a feeling that I might have made a better show. He wants me +to give in and yet he'd be sorry if I did."</p> + +<p>"Suppose you go home in twelve months with a profit on the money he gave +you?" Grahame suggested.</p> + +<p>"Then I'm inclined to think he'd welcome me on any terms I cared to +make."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>"Think it over well and leave us out of the question," Grahame said.</p> + +<p>"You can't be left out," Walthew answered with a gleam in his eyes. "But +I'll wait until I feel better. I may see my way then."</p> + +<p>They left him and he lighted his cigarette, though the tobacco did not +taste good. Hardship and toil had not daunted him, the risk of shipwreck +and capture had given the game a zest, but the foul mangrove quagmires, +where the fever lurks in the tainted air, had brought him a shrinking +dread. One could take one's chance of being suddenly cut off, but to go +home with permanently broken health or perhaps, as sometimes happened, +with a disordered brain, was a different thing. Since he took malaria +badly, the matter demanded careful thought. In the meanwhile, it was +enough to lie in the shade and feel his strength come back.</p> + +<p>A few days later they reached Havana, where they sold the dyewood and +had arranged to meet Don Martin Sarmiento, whose affairs occasionally +necessitated a visit to Cuba.</p> + +<p>One evening soon after his arrival, Grahame stood in the <i>patio</i> of the +Hotel International. The International had been built by some +long-forgotten Spanish <i>hidalgo</i>, and still bore traces of ancient art. +The basin in the courtyard with the stone lions guarding its empty +fountain was Moorish, the balconies round the house had beautiful bronze +balustrades cast three hundred years ago, and the pillars supporting +them were delicately light.</p> + +<p>The building had, however, been modernized, for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> part of the <i>patio</i> was +roofed with glass, and wide steps, tiled in harsh colors, led to a +lounge through which one entered the dining-room, where everything was +arranged on the latest American plan. There was a glaring café in the +front of the building, and an archway at the back led to the uncovered +end of the <i>patio</i>, where porters, pedlers, and the like importuned the +guests.</p> + +<p>Just then this space was occupied by a group of Chinamen, half-breeds, +and negroes, and Grahame was watching them carelessly when he heard a +step behind him. Turning abruptly, he stood facing Evelyn Cliffe. He +imagined that she looked disturbed, but she frankly gave him her hand.</p> + +<p>"You!" she exclaimed. "This is something of a surprise."</p> + +<p>"That's what I felt," he answered. "I hope the pleasure's also mutual. +But you see, I get my meals here and Walthew has a room. He has been +down with fever and isn't quite better yet."</p> + +<p>"And I've just arrived with my father, who has some business in the +town," Evelyn said and laughed. "I nearly missed meeting you, because I +thought you were a stranger and I meant to slip past, but you were too +quick. Do you generally swing round in that alert manner when you hear +somebody behind you?"</p> + +<p>"I admit it's a habit of mine—though I must have been clumsy if you +noticed it. A number of people go barefooted in these countries, and the +business I'm engaged in demands some caution."</p> + +<p>"Then it's lucky you have self-control, because you might run a risk of +injuring a harmless friend by mistake."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>"One does not mistake one's friends. They're not too plentiful," he +replied, smiling.</p> + +<p>"But what is the business that makes you so careful?"</p> + +<p>"I think I could best call myself a general adventurer, but at present +I'm engaged in trade. In fact, I'm living rather extravagantly after +selling a cargo."</p> + +<p>Evelyn gave him a quick glance. His manner was humorous, but she +imagined he wished to remind her that he did not belong to her world. +This jarred, because there was an imperious strain in her, and she felt +that she could choose her acquaintances as she liked. Besides, it was +mocking her intelligence to suggest that the man was not her equal by +birth and education. For all that, she had been disconcerted to find him +in the hotel. He had exerted a disturbing influence when they first met, +and she had had some trouble in getting free from it. That the influence +was unintentional made things no better, because Evelyn did not want her +thoughts to center on a man who made no attempt to please her. Yet she +felt a strange pleasure in his society.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you are waiting for dinner now?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered. "Shall we look for a seat here? A fellow who sings +rather well sometimes comes in."</p> + +<p>He led her to a bench near the marble basin under the broad leaves of a +palm. Evelyn noticed that the spot was sufficiently public to offer no +hint of privacy, and she admired his tact. It got dark while they +engaged in casual talk, and colored servants lighted lamps among the +plants and flowers. Then the soft tinkle of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> guitar and a clear voice, +trilling on the higher notes with the Spanish tremolo, came out of the +shadow. One or two others joined in, and Evelyn listened with enjoyment.</p> + +<p>"The <i>Campanadas</i>," Grahame said. "It's a favorite of mine. The refrain +states that grapes eaten in pleasant company taste like honey."</p> + +<p>"Isn't that a free translation? I'm not a Spanish scholar, but I imagine +it means something more personal than company in general."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Grahame slowly. "It really means—with you."</p> + +<p>The music changed to a plaintive strain, which had something seductive +and passionate in its melancholy.</p> + +<p>"<i>Las aves marinas</i>," said Evelyn. "That means the sea-birds, doesn't +it? What is the rest?"</p> + +<p>"I won't paraphrase this time. The song declares that although the +sea-birds fly far across the waves they cannot escape the pains of love. +These people are a sentimental lot, but the idea's poetical."</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether it's true," Evelyn said with a smile. "Perhaps you +ought to know."</p> + +<p>"The sea-birds are fierce wild things that live by prey. One associates +them with elemental strife—the white tide-surge across desolate sands +and the pounding of the combers on weedy reefs—and not with domestic +peace. That's the lot of the tame land-birds that haunt the sheltered +copse."</p> + +<p>"And cannot one have sympathy with these?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. I've often stopped to listen while a speckled thrush sang its +love-song among the bare ash-boughs in our rain-swept North. The joyful +trilling goes straight to one's heart."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>"And lingers there?"</p> + +<p>"Where our thrushes sing, you can, if you listen, hear the distant roar +of the sea. It's a more insistent call than the other."</p> + +<p>"But only if you listen! Cannot you close your ears?"</p> + +<p>"That might be wiser. It depends upon your temperament."</p> + +<p>Evelyn was silent for the next minute or two, and Grahame mused. He had +felt the charm of the girl's beauty, and suspected in her a spirit akin +to his. She had courage, originality, and, he thought, a longing, +hitherto curbed by careful social training, to venture beyond the +borders of a tame, conventional life. It was possible that he might +strengthen it; but this would not be playing a straight game. For all +that, he was tempted, and he smiled as he recalled that in earlier days +his ancestors had stolen their brides.</p> + +<p>"Why are you amused?" Evelyn asked.</p> + +<p>"An idle thought came into my mind," he said awkwardly.</p> + +<p>Evelyn smiled.</p> + +<p>"My father has come to look for me; but I shall see you again. You will +be here some time?"</p> + +<p>"A few days."</p> + +<p>He watched her join Cliffe in the archway that led from the <i>patio</i>, and +then he sat down again on the bench under the palm-tree. But he no +longer heard the strum of the guitars nor the tinkle of the mandolins: +he was thinking of Evelyn. There seemed to be some peculiar bond of +sympathy between them; he felt that she understood him even when nothing +much was said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>"Mooning all alone?" came Walthew's voice.</p> + +<p>Grahame laughed, and joined his comrade and Macallister, who had entered +the <i>patio</i> with Don Martin and Blanca.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A MODERN DON QUIXOTE</span></h2> + + +<p>The dining-room of the International Hotel was modern, but while noisy, +power-driven fans stirred the heavy air and the decoration was profuse, +traces of more austere ancient art remained. Stone pillars and the +fretted arch at one end had an Eastern grace and lightness; among the +gaudy modern lamps hung one or two finely-modeled in copper and burning +scented oil. The glass and nickeled knives were American, but curious +old carafes filled with red and yellow wine stood among the flowers and +fruit on the long table.</p> + +<p>Evelyn, looking down the room from its opposite end, was conscious of +faint displeasure when Grahame entered with a very attractive girl. The +feeling could not be jealousy, but she studied Blanca with a curiosity +that was half hostile. The girl was dressed in Parisian fashion, but she +walked with a grace that only Spanish women show. There was no fault to +be found with her supple figure, but her black hair was rather coarse +and her blue eyes too languishing. Yet she was well bred, and the man in +dark clothes who followed and was, no doubt, her father had an air of +dignity. Grahame seemed to be on friendly terms with them, for they +talked and laughed when they sat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> down and Evelyn noticed that the girl +sometimes touched him coquettishly with her fan.</p> + +<p>Walthew sat opposite with a thoughtful expression; and soon Macallister +joined in the talk. It was obvious that he was amusing, for Evelyn saw +those who sat near smile and then hearty laughter rose from his end of +the table. The Spanish girl and Grahame no longer spoke to each other, +and the engineer's voice came up through the clink of glass and the hum +of conversation, sometimes in broad Scots and sometimes in stumbling and +uncouth Castilian.</p> + +<p>When the guests were leaving the dining-room Grahame met Cliffe in the +corridor.</p> + +<p>"Glad to see you. I didn't expect to find you in Havana," the American +said cordially. "I want a smoke. Will you come along?"</p> + +<p>They found a seat in the <i>patio</i>, and Cliffe gave Grahame a cigar.</p> + +<p>"How's business?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"We can't complain, so far," Grahame answered cautiously. "The boat, of +course, does not carry much, but her light draught allows her to get +into harbors that larger vessels can only enter on big tides, and we +sold our last cargo at a satisfactory price. Just now I'm looking out +for a few passengers to Kingston; there's no boat across for some time."</p> + +<p>"I might go with you, if you have two good rooms to spare. There's a +fruit-growing estate I want to look at in Jamaica."</p> + +<p>The suggestion was welcome to Grahame. He promised to give Cliffe part +of the deckhouse, and they afterward talked of something else.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, Walthew was sitting with Blanca<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> Sarmiento. He was +quiet, for he still felt languid and the <i>patio</i> was hot; but he was +conscious of his companion's charm. Indeed, he had thought of her often +since he left Rio Frio, and she had had a place in the fantastic dreams +the fever brought him.</p> + +<p>"You do not speak much, but you have been ill," she said presently, with +a sympathetic glance. "It was a grief to us to hear it; but you have +suffered in a good cause."</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure of that," Walthew answered. "You see I was out for money."</p> + +<p>"And that was all!" Blanca exclaimed in a half-contemptuous tone.</p> + +<p>"I think so," Walthew admitted. "My people are traders and I suppose +money-making runs in the family. Still, I might claim to be a soldier of +fortune, if you like that better. It's more romantic, anyhow."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she said with a sparkle in her eyes. "There were great soldiers of +fortune among the liberators; one thinks of Bolivar, Lafayette, and +Garibaldi. But the brave Italian had wounds and prison, not money, for +his reward."</p> + +<p>"These fellows are too near the top notch for me to follow. I know my +limits," Walthew modestly owned.</p> + +<p>"One should follow the highest, and chivalry is not dead; even commerce +cannot kill it. There are still knights errant, who see visions and +leave everything, to right the wrong and help the downtrodden. It has +been my good fortune to meet one or two."</p> + +<p>"Your Cervantes wrote about one such. Seems to me that although he meant +well, Don Quixote did more harm than good."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>"Ah, the sad, sad book! But you think like Cervantes? You sneer at +romance?"</p> + +<p>"I'm young, señorita, but I try to keep my head." He gave her a steady +glance. "Sometimes I find it difficult."</p> + +<p>She laughed with a sparkle of coquetry, and touched him with her fan.</p> + +<p>"Then there is hope for you, and we will labor for your conversion. The +man who always keeps his head never does anything great; the power that +moves the world comes from the heart." Lowering her voice, she went on: +"Our cause is just, señor, but we need trustworthy friends, even if they +are not idealists. Quixote failed because he used rusty armor and the +lance; we will use rifles."</p> + +<p>Walthew was trying to be cautious, but was swept away. He had been +attracted by the girl at their first meeting, though he had then felt +something of the Anglo-Saxon's prejudice against the southern races, +which is not unmarked in the United States. This had gone, however, and +he now wondered whether Blanca meant to use him only to further her +father's objects, or if she had any personal interest in him. Her +patriotism was, he thought, a burning flame, and she would not stick at +trifles where she saw a chance of serving her country. Still, it would +be his fault if she were willing to get rid of him when he had done his +work.</p> + +<p>"I wonder why you thought I could be trusted?" he said.</p> + +<p>"It is difficult to explain, señor, but one can tell, perhaps by +instinct, when a man rings true."</p> + +<p>"It would hurt to find you had been deceived?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>"It might be so," she answered slowly.</p> + +<p>Walthew wondered if this were mere flirtation, designed to gain an end. +Blanca was playing with her fan, which lay in her lap. He could not see +her eyes. He felt that he had been given an opportunity, however, and he +meant to seize it. Leaning forward toward her, he waited until she +raised her eyes to his, and then he spoke in a low, tense voice.</p> + +<p>"When I was leaving Rio Frio, I found a crimson rose on the pavement. I +picked it up because I ventured to think it was meant for me."</p> + +<p>Blanca was again playing with her fan, opening and shutting it slowly.</p> + +<p>"Señor, it is possible the flower was dropped by mistake," she said, +giving him a sidewise glance that made his heart beat fast.</p> + +<p>"How—if it was really meant for me?"</p> + +<p>She hesitated a moment, and then, raising her head, she met his +insistent look with a curious smile.</p> + +<p>"It was given because I thought you were perhaps, in a way, and as far +as it was possible for you, like the great soldiers of fortune we talked +about."</p> + +<p>Walthew made her a ceremonious bow.</p> + +<p>"You set me a pretty big task, señorita, but, as far as it's possible +for me, I will try to make good."</p> + +<p>He was thrilled by the look she gave him as she rose and held out her +hand.</p> + +<p>"Your conversion begins," she said, with a strange, new note in her +voice. "It is a chivalrous resolve, and—you will live up to it, señor."</p> + +<p>When she left him, Walthew found Grahame alone in the hotel lounge.</p> + +<p>"I promised to let you know whether the malaria<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> would send me home or +not," he said. "I've made up my mind to see the business through."</p> + +<p>Grahame grasped his hand cordially.</p> + +<p>"I don't know that you are wise, old man; but I am glad to have you, +just the same." He gave Walthew a whimsical look. "Haven't you come to a +decision rather suddenly?"</p> + +<p>"That doesn't matter," said Walthew, "I mean to stick to it."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">BAITING THE SMUGGLERS</span></h2> + + +<p>It was late, and the dew was heavy. Macallister's thin clothes were +getting damp as he walked impatiently up and down the mole. The +<i>Enchantress's</i> gig lay near the steps, but her crew had not arrived, +although Macallister had waited half an hour for them. This by no means +pleased him, because, while not a tyrant, he expected his orders to be +obeyed. Besides, he resented the ingratitude of the men. He had agreed +with Grahame that it was prudent to moor the <i>Enchantress</i> out in the +harbor and keep the crew short of money. They had behaved well, and +during the afternoon Macallister had given them a few pesetas and +allowed them a run ashore, although he imagined he had kept within a +limit that would ensure their sobriety.</p> + +<p>They had, however, not returned, and he felt disturbed as he watched the +twinkling anchor-lights and the ripples flash in the silvery track the +moon cast across the water. Boats were coming and going, and when one +approached the landing Macallister drew back into the shadow. He had +made the acquaintance of the captain and the engineer of the vessel from +which the boat came, and he did not want to be found waiting for his +unpunctual crew. The footsteps of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> those who landed were growing faint +when he heard singing farther up the mole. The voice was unsteady, and +the patter of bare feet that accompanied it suggestively uneven.</p> + +<p>Macallister knew the song, and was not surprised that his men, who were +obviously coming back the worse for liquor, should show a taste for good +music, for this is common among Spanish-Americans. It was, however, +difficult to understand how they had made the money he had given them go +so far.</p> + +<p>"Where kept ye, ye drunken swine?" he asked when they lurched into +sight.</p> + +<p>"No savvy," answered his fireman, Pepe, and Macallister explained what +he thought of them in the most virulent epithets used along the Clyde.</p> + +<p>This relieved his feelings and satisfied his sense of discipline, but he +did not think it wise to translate his remarks: Spanish half-breeds have +fiery tempers and carry knives.</p> + +<p>"Get into the boat before I kick ye off the mole!" he concluded when he +was breathless, and the men clumsily obeyed, though one came near to +falling into the water. They had some trouble in getting out the oars, +but at last they rowed away. Macallister noted that one man placed a +small cane basket under a thwart, and he suspected what was inside.</p> + +<p>When they reached the <i>Enchantress</i> he was first on deck, but he waited +by the gangway until the man who carried the basket climbed up. +Macallister held out his hand for the basket, and when the fellow gave +it to him confidingly he hurried aft to examine it by the engine lamp. +It contained two bottles of <i>anisado</i>, a spirit flavored with aniseed in +favor in Spanish coun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>tries. He felt tempted to throw them overboard, +but refrained because such waste went against the grain, and the liquor +might be doled out when the men had been forced to work unusually hard. +He imagined they had forgotten the matter, and was lighting his pipe +when he heard them coming, and stepped out of the engine-room to meet +them.</p> + +<p>"There was a small basket, señor," one said civilly, though his voice +was thick.</p> + +<p>"It is possible you dropped it overboard," Macallister suggested in his +best Castilian—which was very bad.</p> + +<p>"No, señor. One does not drop such baskets over."</p> + +<p>"What was in it, then?"</p> + +<p>The man was obviously not sober, but it looked as if he had not lost his +senses.</p> + +<p>"A small present to me and the others, Don Andres. You will give it back +to us."</p> + +<p>"No," said Macallister sternly. "Presents of that kind are not allowed +on board this ship."</p> + +<p>He watched them while they murmured together. They were active, wiry +fellows, obedient as a rule, but liable to passionate outbreaks, like +most of their mixed race. Now they looked drunkenly determined, and he +knew the strength of his fireman, Pepe.</p> + +<p>"The basket is ours," said one. "We will take it."</p> + +<p>"I think not," said Macallister shortly. "Stand back!"</p> + +<p>Their half-respectful mood changed in a flash and they came at him with +a rush. They could wrestle and use the knife, and Macallister knew that +Pepe, who came first, must be stopped. He supposed that Miguel, whom he +had left on board, was asleep; but to sum<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>mon help would be subversive +of authority and the affair would be over before Miguel arrived. Lunging +forward, he put the weight of his body into his blow, and Pepe reeled +when it landed on his jaw. Before he could recover, Macallister sprang +upon him, and with a strenuous effort flung him backward through the +gangway.</p> + +<p>There was a splash in the water and the others stopped, daunted by the +vigor of the attack; but Pepe did not strike out for the gig as +Macallister expected. Indeed, for there was shadow along the vessel's +side, he did not seem to come up, and after a moment's pause Macallister +jumped into the sea. The water closed above him, but when he rose a +white-clad figure was struggling feebly near by and he seized it. Pepe +seemed unable to swim, and Macallister had some trouble in dragging him +to the gig, into which the others had jumped. They pulled both men out +of the water, and in another few minutes Macallister stood, dripping, on +board the <i>Enchantress</i>, sternly regarding his fireman. The shock had +apparently sobered him, and the others, with the instability of their +kind, had become suddenly docile.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Macallister, "where did you get the <i>anisado</i>?"</p> + +<p>"A gentleman gave it to us in a café."</p> + +<p>Macallister shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Try again! A gentleman does not give drunken sailors bottles of +liquor."</p> + +<p>"We were not drunk then," one of them answered naïvely. "And he was a +gentleman: he spoke Castilian like the Peninsulares."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Macallister thoughtfully, for the use of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> good Peninsular +Spanish indicates a man of education. "So he gave you all some wine and +put the bottles in the basket!"</p> + +<p>"It was so, Don Andres," another answered with a readiness that invited +belief.</p> + +<p>"But why?"</p> + +<p>"Who can tell?" Pepe rejoined. "Perhaps the señor was generous; then he +said he liked sailors and tales of the sea."</p> + +<p>"You told him some, no doubt," Macallister remarked dryly.</p> + +<p>"We did, Don Andres. Herman told him of the great shark that bites off +the fishermen's oars at Punta Anagan, and I about the ghost <i>caravela</i> +that beats to windward in Jaurez Strait."</p> + +<p>"And what else?"</p> + +<p>Pepe shook his head.</p> + +<p>"Then there was some cognac and afterward—I do not remember."</p> + +<p>"Get below, except the anchor-watch!" Macallister said sternly. "We'll +consider what's to be done with you to-morrow."</p> + +<p>They slouched away, and while Macallister was talking to Miguel a splash +of oars grew louder, and presently Grahame clambered up from a shore +boat. He heard what had happened and then, sitting down, thoughtfully +lighted his pipe.</p> + +<p>"You must see what this points to," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"It's no' difficult. Somebody has made the wasters drunk, and I ken what +sea stories he would start them telling. A <i>gran señor</i>, they said!"</p> + +<p>"One of President Altiera's spies! But why do you think he gave them the +<i>anisado</i> afterward?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>"He might have wanted them to make trouble, so we'd put them ashore and +he could get hold o' them again. Then it's possible it would have suited +him if they'd knifed you or me."</p> + +<p>"There may be something in that. Anyhow, your going overboard after Pepe +ended the matter well. They're not ungrateful; it gives us a hold on +them."</p> + +<p>"I see that noo, but I did no' stop to think before I jumped," +Macallister modestly admitted. "It was what ye might call a stroke o' +natural genius. Then, ye see, I threw him in."</p> + +<p>Grahame laughed.</p> + +<p>"Well, we must keep our eyes open, and get away as soon as we can. I +expect to finish with Don Martin to-morrow."</p> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<p>On the following evening Cliffe was sitting with Evelyn in his private +room at the International when a mulatto boy brought him in a card.</p> + +<p>"Señor Gomez!" he remarked. "The fellow has kept me hanging round three +days, and I'd made up my mind to sail with Grahame to-morrow, whether he +came or not."</p> + +<p>"Who is Señor Gomez?" Evelyn asked.</p> + +<p>"I understand his official title is <i>Secretario General</i>, and he's next +in power to the President of the country I'm trying to do business with. +My opinion is that they're both slippery rascals."</p> + +<p>He broke off as the door opened and a dark-skinned gentleman came in. +Gomez bowed ceremoniously to Evelyn and Cliffe, and then waited with his +hat in his hand. He was dressed all in black except for his spotless +linen. He wore a number of valuable rings, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> Evelyn noticed that his +nails were unusually curved and long. She shrank from the glance of bold +admiration he gave her, but resentment and half-instinctive dislike +conquered this feeling, and she returned his greeting politely when +Cliffe presented him. She thought no better of him when she withdrew +after some general talk.</p> + +<p>"Now," Cliffe said when Evelyn had left them, "we'll get down to +business. I've been waiting three days for you, and am not sure the deal +is worth it."</p> + +<p>Gomez spread out his hands with a deprecatory air.</p> + +<p>"It was impossible to come sooner; affairs of state, you understand! May +I suggest that the concessions we offer you are valuable?"</p> + +<p>"So it seems!" Cliffe rejoined bluntly. "The price you asked was high +enough, and now, when we have half fixed things, you want to raise your +terms."</p> + +<p>Gomez looked pained. He was rather stout and greasy, but his dress and +manners were unexceptionable.</p> + +<p>"Señor, that is a grief to us, but the affairs of my country necessitate +the change. We only ask for a little more money in advance. It is to the +advantage of all parties that you agree."</p> + +<p>"I can't see how it is to my advantage to part with money I can make a +good use of," Cliffe replied.</p> + +<p>"I must speak frankly, señor." Gomez's manner became confidential. +"These concessions have already cost you something, and there are +dissatisfied people who are anxious to rob the President of his power."</p> + +<p>"I've heard that some of them are anxious to shoot him; but that's not +my business."</p> + +<p>"With your pardon, señor, we must disagree. If<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> the President loses +office before the papers are signed, the concessions go. I imagined you +understood this."</p> + +<p>"I suppose I did understand something of the kind," Cliffe admitted. +"Still, if the revolutionists prove too strong for you, I'll lose any +additional money I may let you have."</p> + +<p>Gomez smiled, a slow and rather cruel smile.</p> + +<p>"If we can get the money there will be an end of the discontent; we know +how to deal with it. And now, with apologies, I must remark that while +we give you the first opportunity, there are others——"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Cliffe sharply. "I'd thought this business wouldn't have much +attraction for my rivals. Whom am I up against?"</p> + +<p>Gomez gave him a letter from a German syndicate, and Cliffe examined it +closely. He knew the principal, and recognized the signature.</p> + +<p>"I see; they're bolder than I thought," he said. "If I don't come up to +the line, you'll make the deal with them."</p> + +<p>"We should be forced. The political situation demands it."</p> + +<p>"You mean you must have the money. Well, you have got a good deal of +mine already. What becomes of it if the thing falls through?"</p> + +<p>"It was a gift," Gomez answered with an apologetic smile. "Your +generosity will be gratefully remembered."</p> + +<p>Cliffe was silent for a few minutes. He had not been tricked, because he +had known that when one negotiates a transaction of that sort with a +Spanish-American country, a certain amount of money must first be spent +in clearing the ground, and this, going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> into the pockets of venal +officials, offers no direct return. Gomez and his master had, however, +been smarter than Cliffe thought, for, after exacting all they could +from him, they had opened negotiations with another party, and would +force him to come up to his rival's bid. They could do so, because if he +drew back he would lose the money he had already put in. He distrusted +them, but he thought he would be safe when he secured the concessions.</p> + +<p>"I guess I'll have to meet you," he said, "but we'll get everything +fixed up now."</p> + +<p>Half an hour afterward he lighted a fresh cigar, and put some papers +into his pocket. He was not altogether satisfied, and neither was Gomez, +but they had by mutual compromise arrived at a workable arrangement and +each had some respect for the other's astuteness.</p> + +<p>"How will you get across to Jamaica?" Gomez asked.</p> + +<p>"A little boat sails in the morning."</p> + +<p>"The very small, lead-colored steamer? The señorita may find the +accommodation rude. Why not wait for a passenger boat?"</p> + +<p>"It's fine weather, and the man who owns her is a friend of mine."</p> + +<p>Gomez was puzzled. He was suspicious of the <i>Enchantress</i>, and had taken +trouble to find out something about her. It surprised him to learn that +her owner and Cliffe were friends.</p> + +<p>"Then he is in Havana?"</p> + +<p>"He's in this hotel. I noticed him sitting, half asleep, in the far +corner of the lounge just before you came in. Do you want to see him?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>"Oh, no," Gomez said in a careless tone, for he feared he had been +incautious. "I imagined you meant he was somebody you knew in America."</p> + +<p>He made an excuse for leaving, but Cliffe, noticing his interest, was +not satisfied, and went out to the landing with him. Gomez, however, did +not go straight to the lounge. He was afraid of rousing Cliffe's +curiosity, and men of his stamp are seldom direct in their methods. It +seemed wiser to spend a while sauntering about the <i>patio</i>, where Cliffe +could see him. But Grahame in the meantime came up the stairs, and +Cliffe beckoned him.</p> + +<p>"Do you know Señor Gomez?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"No," said Grahame, immediately on his guard. "I've heard about him. +Clever politician, but a bit of a rogue, I believe."</p> + +<p>Cliffe gave him a keen glance.</p> + +<p>"I thought he was interested in you, but I may have been mistaken. +Anyway, I told him you were taking a <i>siesta</i> in a corner of the +lounge."</p> + +<p>Grahame smiled carelessly.</p> + +<p>"Inquisitiveness becomes a habit with fellows like Gomez, and I dare say +it's needful. The cafés in these ports are full of political refugees +and intriguers."</p> + +<p>Seeing Macallister in the hall below, Grahame went down to him and told +him what he had learned.</p> + +<p>"Weel," said the engineer, dryly, "after that present o' <i>anisado</i> to +the men, I'm thinking it would no' be desirable that ye should meet +Señor Gomez. For a' that, I would not have him disappointed, and I'll +daunder along to the lounge."</p> + +<p>"It would be almost as bad if he saw you."</p> + +<p>Macallister chuckled.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>"He'll have hard work to recognize me afterward. Come away to the +hat-rack."</p> + +<p>Grahame followed him, feeling puzzled but suspecting that his comrade +had some ingenious plan. Seeing nobody about, Macallister borrowed one +or two articles from the rack; but neither he nor Grahame noticed that +Miss Cliffe watched the proceedings with interest from a shadowy +passage.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterward, Gomez entered the lounge and saw only one person +there, but this individual's appearance surprised him. As the light was +not good, he strolled toward the drowsy gentleman who lay negligently in +a big chair with a newspaper dangling from his hand. He wore a soft hat, +pulled down upon his forehead as if to shade his eyes, and a loose dark +cloak hung over his shoulder. He looked like a Cuban and although Gomez +noticed that his nails were short and broken, this might be accounted +for by his having something to do with sugar-making machinery.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you are not using the <i>diario</i>?" Gomez said.</p> + +<p>The man did not look up, but held out the paper with a drowsy grunt.</p> + +<p>Gomez was too clever to make a poor excuse for starting a conversation +with a man who obviously did not wish to be disturbed, and, taking the +paper, he moved away. After a few minutes he put it down and strolled +out of the room. When he had gone, Macallister left by another door, +and, replacing the things he had borrowed, rejoined Grahame in the +<i>patio</i>.</p> + +<p>"It worked," he said, chuckling. "If Señor Gomez was on our track, he's +weel off it noo. But it's fortunate we sail the morn."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>"He mustn't meet Don Martin," Grahame answered thoughtfully. "I'll go to +his room and warn him."</p> + +<p>He found that Sarmiento was out, and none of the hotel servants knew +where he had gone. Grahame felt disturbed by this; but there was nothing +he could do.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE EMERALD RING</span></h2> + + +<p>Grahame went in to dinner feeling anxious. Sarmiento had not returned, +but he would probably come in before the meal was over, and Gomez was +sitting by Cliffe near the head of the table. Blanca sat opposite +Walthew, and Grahame found a place next to Evelyn, who had not joined +Cliffe because she disliked Gomez. Though his manners were polished, +there was something sinister about him, a hint of craft and cruelty, and +she did not approve of his association with her father.</p> + +<p>"Have you met the gentleman yonder?" she asked Grahame.</p> + +<p>"Señor Gomez? I know who he is, but have not spoken to him."</p> + +<p>"That's curious, because he has been looking at you as if he were +interested."</p> + +<p>This confirmed Grahame's suspicion, and he felt uneasy. He did not want +Gomez to study him, and he would not have come in to dinner only that he +must warn Sarmiento. If he and his friends were to succeed in their +undertaking, their connection with Don Martin must remain unknown; for +it would not be difficult to catch them landing arms should their object +be suspected. He wondered where Macallister<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> was, for the engineer could +be trusted in an emergency, and presently he saw him coming in. There +was no vacant place near Grahame, and Macallister sat down some distance +off.</p> + +<p>"You may have been mistaken, Miss Cliffe," Grahame suggested. "Somehow, +I imagine that Gomez is not a favorite of yours."</p> + +<p>"That's true, though I hardly know him," she answered with a smile. "One +is now and then seized by a quick prejudice, and I think the reason I +mentioned the man was because I wanted your opinion."</p> + +<p>"Did you think it worth having?"</p> + +<p>"I can't judge. Perhaps I really wanted to be agreed with. When you have +no good ground for making up your mind about a thing, it's pleasant to +find your conclusions confirmed."</p> + +<p>"Well, I believe you can trust your feelings. Gomez can't be a nice man +if all one hears is true. But what turned you against him—the dash of +dark blood?"</p> + +<p>"No, not altogether. I felt repelled, as one feels repelled by a snake +or a toad."</p> + +<p>Grahame made a sign of understanding. There was, he thought, something +very refined in the girl's character; an instinctive fastidiousness. She +walked in the light and shrank from all that lurked in the shadow. It +was her inner self that had recoiled from the swarthy politician and +reason had nothing to do with the matter.</p> + +<p>"Your father seems to be on good terms with the fellow," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"Yes; it puzzles me. However, I suppose he is forced to deal with all +kinds of people——"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>She paused, and Grahame changed the subject. He might have obtained some +information by judicious questions, but he could not take advantage of +the girl's frankness by leading her to reveal anything she knew about +her father's affairs. This would taint their friendship, which he +valued.</p> + +<p>After a time, she looked at him with a twinkle of amusement.</p> + +<p>"I watched a little comedy shortly before dinner."</p> + +<p>"Did you?" said Grahame. "Comedies are not unusual when one knows how to +look for them, but they don't catch everybody's eye."</p> + +<p>"This one was rather obvious; I mean the transformation of a staid +Scottish engineer into a Cuban sugar-planter of convivial habits."</p> + +<p>"Mack isn't really staid. It looks as if you didn't quite understand the +Scottish character. Under its surface sobriety one's apt to find a very +reckless humor. I'm a Borderer, and rather proud of it, you know. But +how did the beginning of the first act strike you?"</p> + +<p>"It seized my interest. The plot was not unusual; confused identity is a +favorite theme, but I noticed some histrionic cleverness. The rake of +the <i>sombrero</i> and the hang of the big cloak were good. They carried a +hint of mild dissipation; one recognizes artistic talent in these light +touches."</p> + +<p>Grahame laughed.</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure it was all art; experience may have had something to do +with it. Mack's not an ascetic."</p> + +<p>"But how did the play go off?"</p> + +<p>"It was a success, I think."</p> + +<p>"In one act?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>"No," said Grahame thoughtfully. "I imagine it isn't played out yet, and +the other acts may not be in so light a vein."</p> + +<p>"As you didn't expect an audience, perhaps I'd better promise not to +talk about your play. You may have felt some diffidence about asking +that."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Grahame quietly. "You're very quick."</p> + +<p>Evelyn smiled. There was something about the man which appealed to her. +Perhaps it was the mystery that seemed to shroud him and the +<i>Enchantress</i>. She noticed now that he was casting furtive glances about +the dining-room.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, Grahame was worried about Don Martin. The flowers, +plates of fruit, and tall wine carafes obstructed his view, but he could +see that Sarmiento had not come in. Gomez was talking to Cliffe, but his +eyes wandered about the table. For a moment they rested on Blanca, and +Grahame felt angry, as if the fellow's glance were an insult to the +girl. Then it was fixed observantly upon himself, and he hid his +antagonism.</p> + +<p>Dinner was a lengthy function, but the last course was served, and some +of the guests were smoking and some leaving their places to speak to +their friends, when Sarmiento came in. He walked toward Grahame, who was +glad of the general movement, which might help him to deal with the +situation. Looking round quickly, he noted that Gomez had turned to +Cliffe; and then, getting up carelessly, he stood between the secretary +and Don Martin. He faced Sarmiento, and the latter stopped when he saw +Grahame's frown. A life of political intrigue had made him keen-witted,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> +and with a negligent movement he turned and went back, speaking to a +waiter as he passed.</p> + +<p>Evelyn rose and waited by her chair. Something she did not understand +was going on, and the hint of intrigue excited her. She trusted Grahame, +and she thought his object was good. Moreover, she guessed that it had +something to do with thwarting Gomez, and she meant to help him if she +had an opportunity.</p> + +<p>The secretary suddenly pushed back his chair, and Grahame felt his heart +beat. Sarmiento was not far from the door, and his back was toward his +enemy, but he would have to turn at the end of the table, and that would +bring his profile into view. It seemed that he recognized the danger, +though Grahame did not think he had seen Gomez, for he bent down, +turning his head as he tightened his sash. His face was still hidden +when he reached the door, but Grahame, looking round, saw Gomez walk +quickly down the room. Other people were now leaving, and Grahame joined +them, hoping that he might get out before his antagonist. He was unaware +that Evelyn, who guessed his intention, was close behind him.</p> + +<p>There was more room on Gomez's side of the table, and Grahame was +delayed by several ladies whom he could not push aside. He would have +risked some apparent rudeness, but dared not make a disturbance. Gomez +had almost reached the door when a man collided with him and barred the +way, and Grahame smiled as he heard an apology in bad Castilian, for he +saw that Macallister had given Sarmiento a few more seconds' start.</p> + +<p>Evelyn had slipped round the group of women while Grahame was trying to +avoid one of them, and she was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> now in front of Gomez, who was hurrying +along the passage. The man was close to her when she stopped and bent +down with a warning cry.</p> + +<p>"Take care, señor! I have dropped a ring."</p> + +<p>Gomez could not get past her, and his eyes blazed with fury. His polish +was superficial, and Evelyn saw something of the savagery beneath. She +flinched, but plucked up her courage.</p> + +<p>"It is a valuable ring, and will break if you tread on it," she said.</p> + +<p>"Move then!" Gomez commanded harshly; and when she stepped back her +dress uncovered the ring. Its setting was of small emeralds and +diamonds, and might easily have been crushed.</p> + +<p>Gomez picked up the ring and gave it to her with a bow. Then he hurried +on; but when he reached the <i>patio</i> it was empty, and Grahame, standing +at the other end of the passage, heard his ugly exclamation. The next +moment Evelyn passed him, coming back, but her manner indicated that she +did not wish to speak.</p> + +<p>After a time Grahame strolled out from the front of the hotel, and +looked round as he turned a corner. Nobody followed him; and, as he +expected, he found Sarmiento waiting in the shadow some distance farther +on.</p> + +<p>"What was the danger?" the Spaniard asked.</p> + +<p>"Gomez was in the dining-room."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Sarmiento. "Did he recognize me?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so, but I can't be sure. He was suspicious. But it's +hardly prudent to stand talking in the street."</p> + +<p>They entered a shabby café, and, choosing a quiet corner, ordered wine.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>"If our friend's suspicions are aroused, he'll lose no time in following +them up," Sarmiento said; and Grahame noticed that although the café was +almost empty he avoided the secretary's name. "A Pinillo boat sails at +daybreak and passengers go on board to-night. It seems to me that I'd +better embark."</p> + +<p>"But the Pinillo liners don't call at your port!" Grahame said.</p> + +<p>Sarmiento smiled.</p> + +<p>"It may puzzle our friend if he watches the mole. When I have been on +board I will return quietly, but not to the hotel. I know this city, +where I have trustworthy acquaintances. I may be able to learn the +business that has brought him here."</p> + +<p>"But what about your daughter?"</p> + +<p>"I do not think our friend knows her, and our name is not on the hotel +book. There is a Cuban lady I can leave her with."</p> + +<p>"One would imagine that watching the fellow might be dangerous. There +are half-breed rascals in the port who wouldn't hesitate about +sandbagging or stabbing you for a few dollars. But, after all, you run +some risk at Rio Frio."</p> + +<p>"I am safe there, for a time," said Sarmiento. "The opposition dare not +arrest me, and the citizens would have to be satisfied if I disappeared. +There would be a riot, and the Government is not ready to use force +yet."</p> + +<p>"I see," said Grahame. "It's evident that you are popular; but the +leaders of movements like yours are sometimes willing to sacrifice a +comrade for the good of the cause. It might not suit them to have their +hand forced by a tumult."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>"Such things happen. But my hold is on the people. They would not be +appeased."</p> + +<p>"May I ask how you got that hold?"</p> + +<p>"I will tell you, señor. My family is of some importance, and at first I +was not an active liberator. The peons on my father's estate were, in a +sense, his subjects: ignorant, superstitious people with childish +passions; but they trusted him, and it was our tradition that they +should be treated well. As I grew up, however, I saw that much had not +been done. They wasted effort, suffered needless pains, and died of +diseases that might be stamped out. In my inexperience I resolved that I +would teach them to live healthily and well."</p> + +<p>"I dare say you found it hard."</p> + +<p>Sarmiento smiled.</p> + +<p>"That is very true. I was young and an enthusiast, and it hurts to be +misunderstood. Even the poor I tried to benefit regarded me with +suspicion; but this was not the worst. One is not supposed to be +disinterested in my country; the man who works for others is a dangerous +person. His aim is to gain power, and those who have it watch him with a +jealous eye. Well, I found my schemes thwarted by corrupt officials, +money one could do much good with must be spent in bribes, and at last I +saw that before improvement was possible our government must be +reformed. I am not naturally a politician, señor; I was forced to become +one."</p> + +<p>Grahame made a sign of agreement.</p> + +<p>"I think I understand," he said.</p> + +<p>"It was uphill work, but the peasants I had helped began to trust me, +thoughtful men gave me their support, and some joined because they hated +all in authority. I was becoming an influence, and it was supposed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> I +could be bought. Petty honors were offered and an official post. When it +was found that these things did not tempt me, I became a danger to the +State."</p> + +<p>"And the President tried a different plan!"</p> + +<p>"Sometimes I feared for my liberty, and sometimes for my life. I have +had to take refuge in Cuba and the United States; much of my money has +been spent. But the determination to win freedom and good government +spreads. We are growing strong, and soon the reckoning with our +oppressors will come."</p> + +<p>"Will things be very much better afterward?"</p> + +<p>Sarmiento spread out his hands.</p> + +<p>"Who can tell? One strives and hopes for the best. It is all that is +possible. Some day, perhaps, comes a small instalment of what one fights +for."</p> + +<p>Grahame did not answer, and his companion sank into the melancholy that +often characterized him. He was engaged in an arduous struggle, and +Grahame suspected that disappointment would meet him even in hardly won +victory. The man was sincere, and had sacrificed much for his country's +sake; but he could not work alone, and it might happen that his helpers, +tasting power, would restore the abuses he had destroyed. It looked as +if he knew this, but did not let it daunt him.</p> + +<p>After a long silence Sarmiento took out his watch.</p> + +<p>"I think I had better go on board the Pinillo boat now," he said. "Our +business is done, and it is well that you sail to-morrow. When we are +ready for the next cargo, you will hear from us."</p> + +<p>Pulling down his hat, he left the café with his cloak thrown loosely +over his shoulder, but Grahame noticed that he was careful to keep his +right hand free.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">SMOOTH WATER</span></h2> + + +<p>There was no wind except the draught the steamer made as she lurched +across the dazzling swell. Cuba floated like a high, blue cloud over the +port hand, cut off from the water by a blaze of reflected light, and the +broad Yucatan Channel, glimmering like silver, stretched ahead. The deck +had been holystoned and well sluiced before sunrise and was not quite +dry, and there was a slight coolness in the air where Evelyn Cliffe sat +under the awning.</p> + +<p>Macallister leaned on the rail near by, wearing a white cap with a mail +company's badge, and a blue jacket over his greasy duck. He had given +his dress some thought since the passengers came on board. Miguel stood +at the wheel, barefooted, tall, and picturesque in spotless white, with +a red cap and a red sash round his waist. A few big logs of hardwood +that gave out an aromatic smell were made fast amidships.</p> + +<p>"I suppose that lumber's valuable," Evelyn remarked.</p> + +<p>"It depends upon whether ye want to buy or sell," Macallister replied. +"They telt us good logs were scarce in Cuba, but I doubt we'll find +demand is slack when we come to part wi' them."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>"Then the trade can't be very profitable."</p> + +<p>"It's just changing a shilling. Sometimes ye get a ha'penny over."</p> + +<p>Evelyn laughed.</p> + +<p>"Which one of you looks after business matters?"</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking it will have to be Walthew. The lad shows a natural +ability."</p> + +<p>"But he's younger than Mr. Grahame—and probably has not had as much +experience."</p> + +<p>Macallister gave her a half-amused glance.</p> + +<p>"The skipper's no' a fool, but when he makes a bargain he's frank and +quick. States the fair price and sticks to it. He will not spend time in +scheming how he can screw a few more dollars out o' the other man. Yon's +a gift ye must be born with."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean Mr. Grahame rather despises money-making?"</p> + +<p>"No' that exactly," Macallister replied in a confidential tone. "But, ye +see, he's a Grahame o' Calder Ha'."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Is that a great distinction?"</p> + +<p>"It depends on how ye look at things. His branch o' the family is maybe +no' o' much importance noo, but in the old wild days the lairds o' +Calder Ha' were chiefs on the Border. They guarded the moss roads, they +kept the fords, and the kings at Stirling and Westminster noo bought +their goodwill with presents and noo hanged a few o' the clan."</p> + +<p>"And Calder Hall? Is it one of the rude stone towers you see pictures +of?"</p> + +<p>Macallister smiled.</p> + +<p>"Calder Ha's bonny. The old tower stands, with the coat o' arms above +the door, but a low, gray house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> with stone-ribbed windows runs back +where was once the bailly wall. Below's a bit ragged orchard, the bent +trees gray with fog, and then the lawn dropping to the waterside. Nae +soft Southern beauty yonder; but ye feel the charm o' the cold, rugged +North." He paused, and resumed with a reminiscent air: "I mind how I +went to Calder Ha' when I was a young and romantic laddie fired by Scott +and him who taught the wandering winds to sing; the tales o' the Ettrick +shepherd were thought good reading then. After a bit plain speaking to +the foreman o' a Clydeside engine shop, I was fitting spinning gear in a +new woolen mill, and I left the narrow Border town on a holiday dawn.</p> + +<p>"There was mist along the alders and a smell o' wet dust where the white +road followed the waterside, but as the sun came ower the hills I took +to the moor. Red it was like crimson velvet with the light upon the +ling, rolling on to Cheviot-foot, with the brown grouse crying and the +clear sky above. At noon I came down a bit water that tumbled in a linn, +where rowans grew among the stones and the eddies were amber with the +seeping from the peat. The burn got wider, the bare hills closed in; and +then I came on Calder Ha' at a turning o' the glen. Black firs behind +it, standing stiff like sentinels; the house with the tower in the +middle on the breast o' the brae, and the lawn running doon to a pool. +Then I kent why the Grahames loved it and would never sell, though many +a rich man would have bought the place from them."</p> + +<p>"Did you tell Mr. Grahame this?" Evelyn asked.</p> + +<p>"Maybe it makes things easier that he thinks I dinna ken," said +Macallister.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>Evelyn agreed, for she saw that his reticence was caused by tactful +sympathy. Afterward she was silent for a time. The Scot's admiration for +the old Border house appealed to her. He had shown a taste and a +half-poetical imagination that she had not suspected when they first +met; but it was not of Macallister she was thinking. After all, it must +be something to belong to a family with such traditions as clung about +Calder Hall; but she must not dwell too much on this.</p> + +<p>"Aren't we going slowly?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Coal's dear in the West Indies, and the slower ye go the less ye use. +But if ye are tiring o' the trip, I might drive her a bit faster."</p> + +<p>Evelyn glanced across the long undulations that were deep-blue in the +hollows, and touched upon their summits with brilliant light. She liked +to feel the easy lift as the <i>Enchantress</i> shouldered off the swell; the +drowsy murmur at the bows and the rhythmical throb of engines were +soothing. Then there was a pleasant serenity in the wide expanse. But +she was honest with herself, and she knew that the beauty of the calm +sea did not quite account for the absence of any wish to shorten the +voyage.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she said, "please don't burn more coal than is necessary. I'm +quite content. I love the sunshine and the smooth water."</p> + +<p>Macallister strolled away, but she saw his twinkling smile and wondered +whether he was satisfied with her excuse.</p> + +<p>Evelyn lay back in her steamer-chair, looking out over the glistening +water and idly watching the white-caps far out at sea. She felt, rather +than saw, Grahame approach. When she turned to him, smiling, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> was +close beside her, leaning against the rail. His pose was virile, and his +expression marked by the quiet alertness she had learned to know. It +suggested resolution, self-reliance, and power of command. These +qualities were not obtrusively indicated, but Evelyn recognized them and +wondered how much he owed to his being a Grahame of Calder Hall. +Hereditary influences must be reckoned on.</p> + +<p>"This is the first chance I've had to see you alone," he said. "I want +to thank you for your help at the International."</p> + +<p>"Was it useful?"</p> + +<p>"Very useful. Your quickness and resourcefulness were surprising."</p> + +<p>"That's a doubtful compliment," she laughed. "To me the affair was quite +exciting. To feel that you're engaged in a conspiracy gives you a +pleasant thrill."</p> + +<p>"I wonder!" Grahame remarked rather grimly. "But may I ask——"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I can't dissect the impulses that prompted me. No doubt, the hint +of intrigue was attractive—and perhaps friendship counted too."</p> + +<p>"And you took the excellence of my intentions on trust?"</p> + +<p>"Well, there really was no time to question you, and judge if they were +good. As a matter of fact, I'm no wiser now."</p> + +<p>"No," he said. "On the whole, I think it's better that you shouldn't +know."</p> + +<p>"It looks as if I'm more confiding than you."</p> + +<p>Grahame, studying her face, suspected disappointed curiosity and a touch +of pique.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>"Your confidence is yours, to give or withhold as you think best. Mine, +however, belongs to others."</p> + +<p>"Then there are a number of people in the plot!"</p> + +<p>Grahame laughed.</p> + +<p>"If it's any comfort for you to know, when you came to our rescue that +night in Havana you helped a man who has made many sacrifices for a good +cause."</p> + +<p>"As you're too modest to mean yourself, you must be speaking of the +gentleman with the pretty daughter."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Doña Blanca is pretty; but I prefer the Anglo-Saxon type. There's +a charm in tropical languor, but one misses the bracing keenness of the +North." He quoted with a smile,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0q">"Oh, dark and true and tender——"<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"We may be true; one likes to think so. But I'm not sure that tenderness +is a characteristic of ours."</p> + +<p>"It's not lightly given, but it goes deep and lasts," Grahame answered.</p> + +<p>When he left her a few minutes afterward, Evelyn sat thinking languidly. +She found him elusive. He was frank, in a way, but avoided personal +topics. Then, remembering the scrap of verse he had quoted, she +reflected that he was certainly a Northerner in feeling; but was truth, +after all, an essential feature of the type? To be really true, one must +be loyal to one's inner self and follow one's heart. But this was risky. +It might mean sacrificing things one valued and renouncing advantages to +be gained. Prudence suggested taking the safe, conventional course that +would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> meet with the approval of one's friends; but Romance stood, +veiled and mysterious, beckoning her, and she thrilled with an +instinctive response. Now, however, she felt that she was getting on to +dangerous ground, and she joined Cliffe, who sat in the shade of the +deckhouse, talking to Walthew; but they did not help her to banish her +thoughts. Her father was a practical business man, and Walthew had +enjoyed a training very similar to hers. It was strange that he should +now seek adventures instead of riches, and stranger still that her +father should show some sympathy with him.</p> + +<p>An hour later Grahame found Macallister leaning on the rail, contentedly +smoking his pipe.</p> + +<p>"She's only making seven knots; you're letting steam down," he said.</p> + +<p>"Weel," rejoined Macallister, "we're saving coal, and we'll be in +Kingston soon enough. Then, Miss Cliffe's no' in a hurry. She's enjoying +the smooth water; she telt me so."</p> + +<p>Grahame looked hard at him.</p> + +<p>"You have a dangerous love of meddling, Mack," he said.</p> + +<p>"I'll no' deny it. For a' that, I've had thickheaded friends who've been +grateful to me noo and then. What ye have no' is the sense to ken an +opportunity."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that?"</p> + +<p>Macallister's manner grew confidential.</p> + +<p>"She's thinking about ye and when a lassie goes so far——"</p> + +<p>Grahame stopped him with a frown.</p> + +<p>"I'd sooner you dropped this nonsense. It's a poor joke."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>"Weel, if ye have no ambition! Selling guns to revolutionists is no' a +remarkably profitable business, particularly if ye're caught, and I was +thinking ye might do better. The girl's no' bad to look at; I've seen ye +watching her."</p> + +<p>"Not bad to look at!" Grahame checked himself. "We'll talk about +something else."</p> + +<p>"As ye like!"</p> + +<p>Macallister took out a small, tapered piece of steel.</p> + +<p>"This, ye ken, is a cotter, and the dago from the foundry put it in. He +was a good fitter, but the pin's a sixty-fourth too small for the slot. +Maybe it was carelessness; but there would have been trouble when the +cotter shook out if Walthew hadna' heard her knocking. Yon lad has the +makings o' an engineer."</p> + +<p>Grahame looked thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"Gomez was in Havana, and I dare say he has his agents and spies. Still, +if he suspected anything, it would have been a better stroke to have +watched and seized us when we had the arms on board. I'd expect him to +see it."</p> + +<p>"Weel," said Macallister grimly, "if I meet yon dago another time, I'll +maybe find out something before I throw him off the mole. A good +engine's nearer life than anything man has made, and wrecking her is as +bad as murder."</p> + +<p>"I don't think our opponents would stick at that," Grahame replied as he +turned away.</p> + +<p>Toward evening the barometer fell, and it grew very hot. There was no +wind, the sky was cloudless, and the sea rolled back to the horizon +without a ripple. For all that, there was a curious tension in the +atmosphere, and Evelyn noticed that soon after<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> Macallister came up for +a few minutes and looked carefully about, thick smoke rose from the +funnel. The girl's head felt heavy, and her skin prickly; and she saw +that Grahame's hawk look was more noticeable than usual. He was, +however, not fidgety, and after dinner he sat talking to her and Cliffe +under the awning. The air was oppressively still, and a half-moon hung +like a great lamp low above the sea.</p> + +<p>About nine o'clock Cliffe went to his cabin to look for a cigar, and +Evelyn and Grahame sat silent for a while, wrapped in the mystery of the +night.</p> + +<p>Evelyn was the first to speak.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you don't expect this calm to last?" she asked in a hushed +voice.</p> + +<p>"I'd like it to last while you're with us. But I can't promise that," +Grahame answered. "If we do get a breeze it will probably soon blow +itself out."</p> + +<p>Evelyn glanced at the sea.</p> + +<p>"It doesn't look as if it could ever be ruffled," she said. "One likes +smooth water—but it's apt to get monotonous."</p> + +<p>"That's a matter of temperament, or perhaps experience. When you've had +to battle with headwinds, you appreciate a calm."</p> + +<p>"I don't know. So far, I've had only sunshine and fine weather, but then +I've always clung to the sheltered coast. It's nice to feel safe, but +one sometimes wonders what there is farther out."</p> + +<p>"Breaking seas and icy gales that drive you off your course. Now and +then islands of mystic beauty, but more often surf-beaten reefs. On the +whole, it's wiser to keep in smooth water."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps," Evelyn said skeptically. "Still, there's a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> fascination in +adventure, if it's only as a test of courage, and one feels tempted to +take a risk."</p> + +<p>She rose with a laugh.</p> + +<p>"I don't know why I talk like this! I'm really a very practical +girl—not a sentimentalist."</p> + +<p>She moved away, and Grahame, calling one of the men to furl the awning, +went into the deckhouse and deliberately pored over a chart. There were +times when it was not safe to permit himself to think of Evelyn.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE TORNADO</span></h2> + + +<p>Evelyn was wakened by a peal of thunder, and as she drowsily lifted her +head a blaze of lightning filled the narrow room. It vanished and there +was another deafening crash. The darkness was now impenetrable, but the +startled girl had seen that the deck was sharply slanted and her clothes +hung at a wide angle to the paneling of the bulkhead. It was obvious +that the <i>Enchantress</i> was listed down nearly on her beam ends. A +confused uproar was going on, and Evelyn thought she could distinguish +the beating of heavy rain upon the deckhouse. This, however, was only +for a few moments, because the other noises swelled into an overwhelming +din.</p> + +<p>Dropping from her berth, she began to dress in the dark, but found it +difficult to keep her footing on the slanted deck, which lurched and +threw her against the lockers, while the planking worked and shook with +the throb of engines. Evelyn could not hear them, but the strong +vibration showed that they were running fast.</p> + +<p>It cost her an effort to refrain from rushing out on deck. Buttons +baffled her nervous fingers, the pins she tried to use instead doubled +up, but she persevered. She would not leave her room until she was +ready: if the worst came, she could not make an open-boat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> voyage in a +disheveled state. That this should seem of importance did not strike her +as curious then, but she afterward blushed as she remembered her +determination to look as well as possible.</p> + +<p>At last she opened the door and stepped out, ankle-deep in water. She +was to lee of the deckhouse, and, seizing the hand-rail, tried to look +about. The rain did not seem so heavy now, and the house sheltered her, +although clouds of spray were flying across its top. A few feet away, +the low bulwark was faintly distinguishable, but outside this there was +only a dim glimmer of foam in the dark. The <i>Enchantress</i> had the wind +and sea on her broadside. This surprised Evelyn, because it was not a +safe position if the gale were as bad as it seemed. Then a shower of +sparks leaped from the funnel and by the momentary light they gave she +saw a white streak, cleanly cut off and slanting downward, at the crown +of the escape pipe. Evidently, Macallister had raised more steam than he +could use.</p> + +<p>Wondering why Grahame had not brought the vessel head to wind, she moved +aft cautiously, clinging to the rail, until she saw that the awning had +broken loose from its lashings. Part of it thrashed about the deck, +making a furious noise, but the rest, blown forward, had fouled the +foresail boom, and was stretched tight, but distended like a half-filled +balloon. Acting as a sail, it prevented the steamer from answering her +helm. One or two very indistinct figures struggled with the canvas, but +they seemed unable to master it, and Evelyn crept on until she could +look through the skylight into the engine-room. It was here the real +battle must be fought, for the cylinders that strained<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> under top +pressure were the vitals of the ship. She could see them shake, as if +about to burst their fastening bolts and leap from the columns, as the +big cross-heads banged up and down.</p> + +<p>The iron room was well lighted, though the lamps hung at an alarming +angle to the beams, and there was a confused glimmer of steel that +flashed through the light and plunged into shadow. A half-naked man lay +on a narrow grating, leaning down and touching a ponderous mass of metal +as it swept past. In the momentary intervals before it came back he +rubbed the bright slide it traveled on with a greasy swab, and the girl +knew how important it was that nothing should get hot. The work was +dangerous, because the least clumsiness might cost him his arm. When he +stopped and turned sideways on the grating the light touched his face, +and Evelyn started as she recognized Walthew.</p> + +<p>He had enjoyed all the comforts and refinements to which she was +accustomed, and it was from choice and not necessity that he was doing +this rough, hazardous work. There were obviously people who did not +attach an undue value to the ease that wealth could buy; this boy, for +example, had left the safe, beaten track, and now, when still weak from +fever, was taking the consequences without dismay. It looked as if there +might be something wrong with her mother's philosophy; but she could +think of this better when there was less risk of the steamer's +foundering.</p> + +<p>A man came along the deckhouse and put his arm round her waist as the +ship gave a wild lurch. Evelyn laughed as she recognized her father. For +a moment she had thought it was Grahame. Holding her tight,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> Cliffe +moved on a yard or two, and then stopped at the corner of the house, +where they could see something of what was going on.</p> + +<p>It was lighter now that the rain had stopped, and presently a ray of +moonlight traveled across the sea and touched the laboring vessel. Hove +down by the pressure of the wind on deckhouse and awning, she had buried +her lee bulwarks and lifted her weather side. Sheets of water blew +across her, and the sea looked white as snow. It was not running high: +the heavy rain had beaten down the swell; but it would soon rise, and +unless the vessel could be brought head to wind the combers would sweep +her deck.</p> + +<p>As the beam of moonlight widened, the figures of the toiling men grew +clear. One was clinging to the top of a tall stanchion in a grotesque +monkey-like attitude, trying to cut loose the awning, for a knife +sparkled in his hand. Another crouched on the deck with folds of the +canvas in his arms. Miguel was bent over the wheel. The tenseness of his +pose and his hard-set face suggested heavy muscular strain.</p> + +<p>Grahame stood near by, his hand on a stay, swaying with the movement of +the steamer. He was bareheaded and the spray lashed his face, but there +was something that reassured the girl in his tranquillity.</p> + +<p>It was useless to speak. The voice would have been drowned by the roar +of the gale, while wire-shroud and chain-guy shrilled in wild harmonies. +Evelyn stood fascinated, watching the quick, tense movements of the +crew.</p> + +<p>Presently Grahame turned his head, and, seeing them against the +deckhouse, pointed toward the sea. Following his gesture, Evelyn saw a +blurred object<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> leap out of the dark. It grew suddenly into definite +form as it drove across the belt of moonlight: a small wooden barque +with a deck-load of timber, staggering before the hurricane.</p> + +<p>Fluttering rags showed where her maintopsail had blown from the ropes; +curved ribands, held fast at head and foot, marked what was left of her +fore-course, and puny figures dotted the yards, struggling futilely with +clewed-up canvas that bulged out as if inflated hard. She had a torn jib +and topsails set—strips of sail that looked absurdly small by +comparison with the foam-lapped hull, but they were bearing her on at +tremendous speed. Caught, no doubt lightly manned, by the sudden gale, +they had had no time to shorten sail and bring her head to sea. She must +run with what canvas was left her until the tornado broke, unless she +broached to and her heavy deckload rolled her over.</p> + +<p>So far, Evelyn had not felt much fear. There was something in the mad +fury of the elements that, for a time, banished thought of personal +danger. She was overwhelmed and yet conscious of a strange excitement; +but the sight of the helpless ship had a daunting effect. Belted with +leaping foam, bows up, poop down, the dripping hull drove by, plowing a +snowy furrow through the tormented sea. When she plunged into the dark +Evelyn was glad that she had gone. She wondered what could be done in +this wild weather if the <i>Enchantress</i> would not come round. But she had +confidence in Grahame. As she looked at him he commandingly raised his +hand.</p> + +<p>Two men scrambled forward and a dark patch rose at the bows. It swelled +and emptied, but the canvas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> held, and Grahame struggled forward to help +the others. The sail might stand if they could hoist it before it split. +It ran higher up the stay; the <i>Enchantress</i> slowly fell off before the +wind, and then leaped ahead with her bows lifted out of the foam.</p> + +<p>Evelyn drew a deep breath of relief, for the immediate danger was over, +and the vessel might run out of the worst of the storm. Cliffe nodded +when she looked at him, and with some trouble they made their way into +the house, where, with the door shut, they could hear themselves speak. +Evelyn was wet with spray, but there was a high color in her face and +her eyes shone. As she sat down, the house shook beneath a blow, and +there was a savage flapping on the roof. Then something seemed driven +across it, and they could hear only the wind and the sea again.</p> + +<p>"The awning!" Cliffe said. "They've managed to cut it loose now that +she's before the wind. I guess Grahame would rather have brought her +head-on, but he won't have much trouble if they can keep her from +broaching to. Were you scared?"</p> + +<p>"No," Evelyn answered thoughtfully. "I suppose it was so appalling that +I couldn't realize the danger. I really feel that I'd be sorry if I'd +missed it."</p> + +<p>Cliffe made a sign of comprehension.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is the first time you've seen men hard up against a big +thing. It's an illuminating experience; though a large number of people +never get it. Some of them seem to imagine things go right of +themselves, and there's no call now for strength and nerve. Anyhow, I +was glad to feel that Grahame knew his business."</p> + +<p>Evelyn was silent for a few moments. Her clothes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> were wet and ought to +be changed, but the tension on her nerves had not slackened much, and +she felt restless and unwilling to be alone. Besides, there was a mild +satisfaction in doing something imprudent, and she thought the storm had +roused her father into a talkative mood. While indulgent to her, he was +often marked by a certain reserve, which she had noticed her mother +never tried to penetrate.</p> + +<p>"I wonder why you decided to cross in this little boat, when we could +have gone by one of the big passenger liners?" she said.</p> + +<p>"Saved waiting, for one thing," Cliffe answered in a deprecatory tone. +"Then I'll confess that I felt I'd like to do something that wasn't +quite usual."</p> + +<p>Evelyn laughed.</p> + +<p>"It isn't a wish one would suspect you of."</p> + +<p>"Well," Cliffe said with a twinkle, "I guess it was boyish, but we all +have our weaknesses, though I don't often indulge mine. I find it +doesn't pay. I'm a sober business man, but there's a streak of +foolishness in me. Sometimes it works out and I feel that I want a +frolic, for a change."</p> + +<p>"Then you must have exercised some self-control."</p> + +<p>"When I was a young man, I found my job square in front of me. I had to +sit tight in the office, straighten out a business that had got rather +complicated, and expand it if possible. It wasn't quite all I wanted to +do, but I'd a notion that I could make my pile and then let myself go. +It took me some years to get things straight, the pile was harder to +make than I reckoned, and your mother had a use for all the money I +could raise. Her ambition was to put the family high up in the social +scale—and she's done it."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>"So you stifled your longings and went on making money that we might +have every advantage!" Evelyn said with a guilty feeling. "I feel +ashamed when I realize it."</p> + +<p>"I've been repaid," Cliffe replied. "Then, after a time, my job became +congenial and got hold of me. The work became a habit; I didn't really +want to break away." He paused and resumed with a humorous air: "It's +only at odd moments I play with the notion that I'd like something +different. I know it would jar me if I got it; and I'm getting old."</p> + +<p>Evelyn mused. Her father's story had its pathetic side. Though they had +not much in common, he had been her mother's willing slave: toiling in +the city to further plans which Evelyn suspected he would not have made. +In a sense, his life had been bare and monotonous; there was something +he had missed. Evelyn thought that he recognized this, though not with +regret.</p> + +<p>She started as Grahame came in. Salt water dripped from him and gathered +in a pool on the floor, but he turned to them with a smile.</p> + +<p>"The wind is dropping fast, and the sea hadn't time to get up. We had +some trouble at first when the awning blew out of its lashings and +stopped her coming round, but she steered all right as soon as we got +her before the sea."</p> + +<p>"We were on deck most of the time," Evelyn said.</p> + +<p>Grahame laughed as he recalled their conversation in the early evening.</p> + +<p>"After what you must have seen," he asked, "don't you agree that there +are advantages in keeping in smooth water?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>"Oh, one can't deny it. For all that, my experience to-night strengthens +my belief that there's something very exhilarating in taking a risk."</p> + +<p>She went out on deck and stood for a minute or two, holding on by a +shroud. There was now no fury in the wind, and the moon was bright. The +swell had gathered itself up into tumbling combers that shook their +crests about the rail as the <i>Enchantress</i> lurched over them. A few torn +clouds drove across the southern sky, but the rest of the wide sweep was +clear and the scene was steeped in harmonies of silver and dusky blue. +By daybreak the vessel would be steaming on an even keel, but Evelyn +knew that she would not again be content with glassy calm and languorous +tranquillity. The turmoil of the storm had made a subtle change in her; +it was as if she had heard a call in the elemental clamor and her heart +had answered.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE RUSE</span></h2> + + +<p>Cliffe and his daughter were landed at Kingston, and three weeks later +Grahame put into a Central-American port. The propeller was not running +well, and Macallister, suspecting it was working loose on the shaft, +declared that he must put the vessel on a beach where she would dry at +low-water. Grahame had a few days to spare, for he could not land his +cargo before the time Don Martin had fixed; but as the arms were on +board he would have preferred to wait at sea, outside the regular +steamers' track.</p> + +<p>It happened that there was no repair-shop in the town, but while +Macallister thought over the difficulty a tramp steamer dropped anchor, +and he went off to her, remarking that he might find a friend on board. +In an hour or two the gig came back, and Grahame, hearing <i>My boat rocks +at the pier o' Leith</i> sung discordantly, saw that Macallister's +expectations had been fulfilled. This did not surprise him, for the +Scots engineer is ubiquitous and to have "wrought" at Clydebank or +Fairfield is a passport to his affection.</p> + +<p>Macallister's face was flushed and his air jaunty, but the tall, gaunt +man who accompanied him looked woodenly solemn. He began by emptying a +basket of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> greasy tools on the <i>Enchantress's</i> white deck with the +disregard for the navigating officers' feelings which the engine-room +mechanic often displays. After this, he went down a rope and sat on the +sand under the boat's counter, studying the loose screw while he smoked +several pipes of rank tobacco, but without making any remark. Then he +got up and slowly stretched his lanky frame.</p> + +<p>"Weel," he said, "we'll make a start."</p> + +<p>It was eleven o'clock on a very hot morning when he and Macallister +lighted a blow-lamp, the flame of which showed faint and blue in the +strong sunshine, and they labored on until dusk fell between six and +seven in the evening. Offers of food and refreshment were uncivilly +declined, and Watson ignored Grahame's invitation to spend the evening +on board.</p> + +<p>"I'll be back the morn," was all he said as he was rowed away.</p> + +<p>"A new type!" Grahame laughed.</p> + +<p>"He's unique," Walthew agreed. "Only addressed me twice, and then in a +very personal strain. But the fellow's an artist in his way. Spent two +hours softening and filing up a taper key, but it fitted air-tight when +we drove it in. Something Roman about that man; means his work to last +forever."</p> + +<p>Operations were resumed the next morning, and Grahame had no doubt of +the excellence of the job when the Scots seemed satisfied late in the +afternoon. Then Watson said he would come back to dine when he had +cleaned himself and would bring his skipper, and Grahame dubiously +inspected his small stock of wine. He imagined it had not sufficient +bite to please his guests.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>The tramp skipper presently arrived: a short, stout man, with a humorous +eye. When dinner was over and the wine finished, the party adjourned to +the café Bolívar, but Grahame went with misgivings. He knew something +about the habits of tramp captains, and had seen trouble result from the +eccentricities of Scotch engineers. The garrison band was playing in the +plaza they crossed, and citizens promenaded up and down with their wives +and daughters. The clear moonlight fell upon gayly-colored dresses and +faces of various shades, while here and there a jingling officer, +lavishly decorated with gold-lace, added an extra touch of brightness. +Nobody, however, showed a friendly interest in Grahame's party, for +Americans and English were not just then regarded with much favor in the +ports of the Spanish Main. Indeed, Grahame fancied that a group of +slouching soldiers meant to get into his way, but as a brawl was not +desirable, he tactfully avoided them.</p> + +<p>The café was situated at the end of the square, and the party, sitting +at a small table among the pillars that divided its open front from the +pavement, could look down upon the moonlit harbor. The inlet was long +and shallow, with an old Spanish fort among the sands at its outer end +and another commanding it from a height behind the town. A cathedral +stood opposite the café; and narrow, dark streets, radiating from the +plaza, pierced the square blocks of houses.</p> + +<p>Walthew and Grahame drank black coffee; but this had no attraction for +the rest. The tramp captain, soon becoming genial, put his feet on a +chair and beamed upon his neighbors, while Macallister, as usual, +entered into talk with them. He discoursed at random<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> in very bad +Castilian, but his remarks were humorous and in spite of the citizens' +prejudices, laughter followed them. Watson sat stonily quiet, drinking +fiery <i>caña</i> and frowning at the crowd.</p> + +<p>"Ye were aye a dumb stirk at Clydebank," Macallister said to him. "Can +ye no' talk instead o' glowering like a death's-head?"</p> + +<p>"I can when I'm roused," Watson replied. "Maybe ye'll hear something +frae me when I'm through wi' this bottle."</p> + +<p>"It's the nature o' the man," Macallister informed the others and then, +addressing the company, asked if anybody could sing.</p> + +<p>No one offered to do so, and, beckoning a dark-complexioned lounger who +had a guitar hung round his neck, he brought him to their table and gave +him wine. Then he borrowed the guitar, and, somewhat to Grahame's +surprise, began a passable rendering of a Spanish song.</p> + +<p>The captain beat time with a bottle, some of the company sang the +refrain, and, after finishing amidst applause, Macallister tried the +music of his native land. In this he was less successful, for the wild +airs, written for the bagpipes, did not go well upon the melancholy +guitar.</p> + +<p>"It's no' the thing at all," Watson remarked. "Ye're just plodding +through it like a seven-knot tramp against the tide. Can ye no' open the +throttle and give her steam?"</p> + +<p>Before Macallister could answer, a neatly dressed gentleman brought a +bottle of vermouth from a neighboring table and joined the group.</p> + +<p>"You like a drink?" he asked politely.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>Watson nodded, and, taking the small bottle, emptied half of the liqueur +into his glass.</p> + +<p>"Yon's no' so bad," he commented when he had drained the glass.</p> + +<p>The stranger smiled as he poured out the rest of the vermouth for +Watson.</p> + +<p>"You mend the steamboat screw?" he asked carelessly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my friend," Watson replied, regarding the stranger out of sleepy +looking eyes.</p> + +<p>"How it come loose?"</p> + +<p>"Tail-nut slacked up when the engines ran away in heavy weather."</p> + +<p>"You get bad weather, then?"</p> + +<p>"Bad enough," Watson answered.</p> + +<p>Grahame gave him a cautious glance, but his face was expressionless. It +was obvious that the stranger had mistaken him for the <i>Enchantress's</i> +engineer. Watson must have realized this, but he had given the fellow +misleading answers, and Grahame thought he need not run the risk of +trying to warn him. He wondered, though, how far Macallister had taken +Watson into his confidence.</p> + +<p>"Small boat," said the stranger; "you find her wet when it blow. What +you load?"</p> + +<p>"Mahogany and dyewood, when it's to be got."</p> + +<p>"Then you go to Manzanillo; perhaps to Honduras. But she not carry much; +not room for big logs below."</p> + +<p>"The big ones sit on deck," said Watson stolidly.</p> + +<p>The man ordered some cognac, but Grahame imagined that he was wasting +his hospitality. Though the Scot's legs might grow unsteady, his head +would remain clear.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>"There is cargo that pay better than wood," his companion suggested with +a meaning smile.</p> + +<p>"Maybe," agreed Watson. "But ye run a risk in carrying it."</p> + +<p>"Ver' true. And when you go to sea?"</p> + +<p>"I canna' tell. The high-press' piston must come up. She's loosened a +ring."</p> + +<p>The stranger made a few general remarks and then strolled away. He had +learned, at the cost of a bottle of vermouth and some brandy, that +Watson was the <i>Enchantress's</i> engineer, and the vessel would not sail +for a day or two.</p> + +<p>Grahame chuckled. He meant to leave port the next morning.</p> + +<p>Having spent some time at the café, he felt that he could now leave his +guests. They might, perhaps, indulge in boisterous amusements but he did +not think they would come to harm. Indeed, if anybody were hurt in a row +it would more likely be the citizens who came into collision with them.</p> + +<p>"All right; I've had enough," Walthew said when Grahame touched him. +"Mack's going to sing again, and I can't stand for that."</p> + +<p>The moon had sunk behind the white houses as they crossed the plaza, and +Grahame kept down the middle, avoiding the crowd near the bandstand and +the narrow mouths of the streets.</p> + +<p>"Who was that fellow talking to Watson?" Walthew asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but he was interested in our affairs. They have a good +secret service in these countries, and we're open to suspicion. We're +obviously not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> yachtsmen, and the boat's too small for a regular +trader."</p> + +<p>"Do you think the man's an agent of the government we're up against?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I'd hardly expect them to send their spies along the +coast; but, then, these States may keep each other informed about the +movements of dangerous people. Anyway, there'd be an excuse for trouble +if they searched us and found the rifles."</p> + +<p>"Sure," said Walthew thoughtfully. "It's fortunate we light out +to-morrow."</p> + +<p>He looked round as they reached the end of the plaza. The band had +stopped, and the ring of lights round its stand was broken as the lamps +went out, but a broad, illuminated track extended from the front of the +café. The thinning crowd moved across it: a stream of black figures +silhouetted against the light. Everything else was dark, and except for +the soft patter of feet the city was quiet; but it had a sinister look, +and Walthew instinctively kept away from the trees in the small +<i>alameda</i> they skirted. He was an Anglo-Saxon, and would not shrink from +a danger that could be faced in daylight, but he hated the stealthy +attack in the dark and the hidden intrigues the Latin half-breeds +delight in.</p> + +<p>When they reached the beach he stumbled over a small anvil lying near +high-water mark, and after another few steps trod upon a hammer.</p> + +<p>"They have left all their tools about," he said. "Shall we call the boys +and put the truck on board?"</p> + +<p>"I think not," Grahame replied. "It's the marine engineer's privilege to +make as much mess as he likes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> and he generally resents its being +cleaned up without his permission. Besides, their leaving the things +suggests that the job's not finished."</p> + +<p>They pushed off the dinghy and boarded the steamer. The tide had flowed +round her, but she would not float for an hour or two, and Walthew, +sitting on the rail, glanced down the harbor. It was now very dark, but +the water had a phosphorescent gleam. The <i>Enchantress's</i> cable was +marked by lambent spangles, and there was a flicker of green fire along +the tramp's dark side. Her riding-lights tossed as she swung with the +languid swell, and away at the harbor mouth two bright specks pierced +the dark. A small gunboat had anchored at dusk, and as the fort had +fired a salute she was evidently a foreigner. Walthew felt curious about +her nationality, and wondered why she lay where she commanded the +entrance instead of mooring near the town. Grahame, however, did not +seem disturbed, and they presently sat down to a game of chess in the +saloon.</p> + +<p>Although the ports were open, it was very hot, and when the kerosene +lamp flickered in the draughts an unpleasant smell filled the room. The +men felt languid and their attention wandered from the dragging game. At +last Walthew threw the pieces roughly into the box.</p> + +<p>"You'd have seen what I was getting after with the bishop if you hadn't +been thinking of something else," he said. "It's been a mighty long +game; Mack ought to have come back."</p> + +<p>Grahame nodded agreement, and they went out on deck. The town was quiet, +and, so far as they could see, only one light burned in it, between the +plaza and the <i>alameda</i>. Then an uproar broke out, the clamor reaching +them distinctly over the night water. Gra<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span>hame, running to the +engine-room, shook the drowsy half-breed on watch and ordered him to +stir the fires, which had been lighted and damped. Then he dropped over +the rail into the dinghy with Walthew, and as soon as they jumped ashore +they started for the plaza on a run.</p> + +<p>"Sounds like a <i>jamboree</i>," Walthew said. "When things begin to hum +you'll find Mack somewhere around; and that tramp captain looked as if +he could get on a jag."</p> + +<p>"He had a wicked eye," Grahame breathlessly agreed.</p> + +<p>As they entered the plaza, a noisy crowd, which seemed to be getting +larger rapidly, surged toward them. In the background the café Bolívar +was still lighted, and close at hand a lamp burned at the top of a tall +pole. For all that, it was difficult to make out anything except a mass +of people pressing about a smaller group, and Grahame roughly flung two +or three excited citizens aside before he could see what was going on. +Then he was not surprised to note a party of three Britons retreating in +good order before an obviously hostile mob. The tramp captain had lost +his hat and his jacket was torn, but he carried a champagne bottle like +a club, and his hot, red face had a pugnacious look. Macallister trailed +the leg of a broken iron chair, and Watson seemed to have armed himself +with part of the chair's back. He was hurling virulent epithets at the +throng, while Macallister sang a sentimental ballad in an unsteady +voice.</p> + +<p>As Grahame and Walthew drew nearer, the crowd closed in as if to cut off +the others' retreat, but a shout from Watson dominated the growing +uproar.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>"Oot o' the way, ye dirt! Drap yon deevil wi' the knife!"</p> + +<p>Macallister, still singing, swung the leg of the chair and a man went +down upon the stones, the knife he held flying from his hand. There was +a thud as the captain's champagne bottle descended on somebody's head; +and Watson sprang forward, whirling the broken casting. The crowd gave +back before his rush and then scattered as Grahame and Walthew appeared +in the gap. The fugitives stopped; and during the moment's breathing +space Grahame noticed that a smashed guitar, adorned with gaudy ribbons, +hung round Macallister's neck.</p> + +<p>"It was yon fool thing made the trouble," Watson explained. "He racked +her till she buckled, but she would not keep the tune, and we had to pit +her owner below the table. Then an officer wi' a sword would interfere +and when he got a bit tap wi' a bottle we were mobbed by the roomful o' +swine."</p> + +<p>He paused as somebody threw a stone at him, and then addressed the crowd +in warning:</p> + +<p>"We'll no' be responsible for what may happen til ye if we lose our +tempers!"</p> + +<p>The mob had been closing in again, but it fell back when two +white-uniformed rural guards with pistols drawn pushed through. Grahame +spoke to them in Castilian, and they stopped. While they asked him +questions, another man, whom they saluted with respect, joined them.</p> + +<p>"It is not permitted to make a disturbance in this city," the official +said to Grahame. "We will inquire into the matter to-morrow. You will go +on board your vessel now."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>"I'm no' going," Watson declared when Grahame translated the order. +"Took a room at Hotel Sevillana, and I want to see the dago who would +pit me oot."</p> + +<p>"Better humor him," advised the captain. "Obstinate beast when he gets a +notion into his head. If he's not on board in the morning, I'll send a +boatful of deckhands for him."</p> + +<p>Grahame explained that the engineer wished to spend the night ashore, +and the official looked thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"Very well," he said. "One of the guards will see him to his hotel. It +is necessary for him to go now."</p> + +<p>"Ye can tell him I'm ready," Watson replied, and added in a low voice as +he passed Grahame: "Get away to sea as soon as she floats!"</p> + +<p>He went off with his escort and the official said something aside to the +remaining guard, who saluted and told the others to follow him. The +crowd had scattered, and nobody interfered with the party on their way +to the harbor.</p> + +<p>"I will wait until I see you go on board," the guard said when they +reached the beach. "You will be called upon some time to-morrow."</p> + +<p>"They'd have been wiser if they had begun their investigations now," +Grahame remarked as they launched the dinghy. "She'll be afloat in half +an hour. Do you feel up to running the engine, Mack? If not, Walthew +must do the best he can."</p> + +<p>"I could take her oot if I was drunk and I'm far frae that," Macallister +declared. "Looks as if ye had no' allooed for the steadiness o' the +Scottish head. Noo, there's Watson, and I'll no' say he was quite +sober,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> but he could spoil yon dago's game. Maybe ye're beginning to +understand why he would sleep ashore. They think ye canna' get away +withoot him."</p> + +<p>"I see that," said Grahame. "Better send your fireman to collect your +tools when Miguel looses the stern mooring. And try to restrain your +feelings if things are not quite right below. It's important that we +should get away quietly."</p> + +<p>They reached the <i>Enchantress</i>, and preparations for departure were +silently begun.</p> + +<p>They must first slip past the watching fort, and then elude the foreign +gunboat. They knew the consequences if they were caught.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">ELUDING THE GUNBOAT</span></h2> + + +<p>The night was very dark. Here and there a lone star peeped out bravely, +but it could shine but faintly through the heavy mist that was settling +down over the <i>Enchantress</i>.</p> + +<p>Grahame, the leadline in his hand, leaned anxiously on the rail, +watching the foam boil about the vessel's side. Her keel stirred in the +sand and the propeller was beating hard; but she did not move. To make +things worse, the disturbed water broke noisily on the beach and the +thud of engines could be heard at some distance. Grahame had not +complied with the formalities required before leaving port, but he +carried a dangerous cargo and he feared that he might be detained unless +he got away at once. The <i>Enchantress</i>, however, was not yet afloat, and +he reluctantly signaled for steam to be shut off.</p> + +<p>Walthew came up when the engines stopped, and Grahame sat down on the +ledge of the door. It was very quiet when the splash of water died away, +and the darkness and silence reacted upon the men's tense nerves. They +found inaction singularly hard.</p> + +<p>"You have got to take her out the minute she's off the ground," Walthew +said. "To be caught getting ready to leave would give us away."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>"Sure thing! The Port Captain's guard watches the beach; they've +sentries at the fort and a wire to the town; and there's a gunboat in +the entrance. Our job doesn't look easy."</p> + +<p>"Ye have quarter o' an hour yet, but that's all," Macallister said as he +joined them. "If I canna' give the engines steam then, she'll blow off +and rouse the town."</p> + +<p>They waited anxiously, Grahame glancing at his watch and walking to the +rail, where he felt the leadline; but the water rose with exasperating +slowness. Then suddenly a jet of steam broke with a muffled throb from +the escape-pipe, and Macallister jumped up.</p> + +<p>"Ye have got to start her noo!" he said.</p> + +<p>Walthew followed him below; the engines clanked; the propeller spun; and +Grahame hauled the lead in with a breath of relief, for the line grew +taut as the vessel moved. Then he stood in the main rigging, where he +could see better and where Miguel, at the helm, could watch his +signaling hand. With screw throbbing gently, the <i>Enchantress</i> crept +away into the dark. Her gray hull would be invisible from the shore, but +phosphorescence blazed about her bows and her wake was a trail of fire.</p> + +<p>The tramp steamer rode not far ahead, a mysterious shadowy bulk, with +the gleam of her anchor-lights on the water, but as the <i>Enchantress</i> +stole past a voice called out to her:</p> + +<p>"Good luck!"</p> + +<p>Grahame did not answer, but he was grateful. The tramp captain +understood why his engineer had stayed ashore. Macallister's friends +were staunch; the Scots stood by one another.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>The light in the plaza grew dim astern, and the blurred, dark beach was +rapidly slipping by. There was a lift on the water as they drew near the +harbor mouth; but the fort had yet to be passed, and Grahame searched +the shore with his glasses. Little by little he made out a formless +mound, which grew more distinct. There was no light in the building, but +he knew that sentries were supposititiously keeping watch beside the +guns. One or two of these were modern and no vessel was allowed to leave +port at night without official permission and a notification to the +commandant. If the steamer were seen, refusal to stop would be followed +by the roar of a gun. But Grahame did not mean to stop so long as she +was not struck.</p> + +<p>For the next few minutes he felt his nerves tingle, but the fort was +dark and silent and only the soft splash along the beach broke the +stillness. The shadowy building dropped astern and he turned his glasses +upon the harbor mouth. Two lights showed where the gunboat lay, and, +some distance beyond them, a dim, pulsating radiance glimmered. This +marked where the open water swell broke upon the shoals. Grahame hoped +that it would cover the <i>Enchantress's</i> luminous wake; besides, the roar +of the surf might drown the thud of engines, which carries far on a calm +night.</p> + +<p>Jumping down from the rigging, he rapped sharply on the engine-hatch, +and Walthew ran quickly up the ladder.</p> + +<p>"Throttle her down," Grahame said. "If I knock once, stop her; if twice, +give her all the steam you can."</p> + +<p>Walthew nodded to show that he understood, for it might be dangerous to +use the telegraph gong; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> then he disappeared below while Grahame +stood still, steadying the glasses on the deckhouse top.</p> + +<p>With screw spinning slowly, the <i>Enchantress</i> glided on, and the +gunboat's hull grew into shape against the sky. Grahame was glad that he +had the land behind him and his vessel was small, but he beckoned Miguel +to let her swing inshore. There was a shoal on that side, marked by a +line of foam; but he must take the risk of going too close.</p> + +<p>A phosphorescent flicker played about the vague blackness of the +gunboat's bows; the light from the lamp on her forestay showed part of +the deck, and then receded as she rolled. Grahame could make out an +anchor hanging ready to let go and a man standing by her rail, until the +light reeled and the figure was lost in gloom. It seemed to him that the +<i>Enchantress</i> must be seen, and he wondered whether the other vessel had +her boats in the water. He suspected that she belonged to the government +which Don Martin meant to overthrow, and it would be difficult to get +away from her if she had steam up. She was now abreast of him, but there +was no sign of activity on board. The <i>Enchantress</i> crept on. The +gunboat dropped back to her quarter. Then there was a sudden harsh +rattle, and Grahame gasped. But a splash relieved the tension, because +he knew it was only the ash-hoist bringing up furnace cinders.</p> + +<p>She drew further aft and began to fade; but Grahame now saw danger +ahead. The <i>Enchantress</i> was throwing fiery spray about her bows and +rolling as she forged slowly through broken water. The shoal was close +ahead and, taking a sounding, he found scarcely a fathom under the keel. +This was enough, however,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> and, beckoning to Miguel, he let her go until +the darkness astern was broken only by the gunboat's lights. Then, +finding deeper water, he struck the engine-hatch.</p> + +<p>"We're clear!" he called down in an exultant voice. "Drive her, but make +no sparks!"</p> + +<p>The <i>Enchantress</i> began to tremble, and a few moments later loose +stanchions rattled and deck-planks shook as she leaped through the long +swell with green fire blazing in the wake of her thudding screw. Grahame +laughed softly, and sat down to light a cigarette. He imagined that when +morning came there would be several badly disappointed intriguers in the +port he had left.</p> + +<p>He thought it best, however, not to proceed directly to his destination, +and it was three days later when he ran in behind a point, and anchored +in shallow water. It was daylight, but the <i>Enchantress's</i> gray hull and +slender spars would be hard to see against the land, and there was no +sign of habitation on the sweep of desolate coast. A cliff rose behind +the steamer, and then for some miles the dazzling sea broke in a fringe +of lace-like foam on a beach of yellow sand. On the landward side of +this, glossy-green jungle rolled away and merged into taller forest that +was presently lost in haze. No smoke streaked the horizon, and there was +not a boat on the beach, but while Grahame carefully watched, two +appeared from behind a reef, and he put down his glasses with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Our friends!" he said to Walthew. "You might get the winch ready while +we take the hatches off."</p> + +<p>An hour later a small party sat in the shade of the new stern awning. +The boats had gone away loaded,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> but they had left Don Martin and three +companions on board. Father Agustin, whose rusty black cassock jarred +upon the blaze of light and color, leaned back in a canvas chair with a +wineglass in his olive-tinted hand.</p> + +<p>"I'm surprised to find you in such company, Father," Grahame said to +him.</p> + +<p>The priest's eyes twinkled.</p> + +<p>"It is not only the rich and respected we are sent out to seek, though I +think they need us as much as the others."</p> + +<p>"You might find their help useful," Walthew suggested.</p> + +<p>"True, if one could buy it! As a rule, they do not give, but sell, and +the price they ask is often high."</p> + +<p>"Some bribes are hard to resist when they are offered in the name of +charity; for example, hospitals founded and new churches built," Grahame +interposed. "These are things you can make good use of."</p> + +<p>Father Agustin looked at him steadily.</p> + +<p>"An honest man does not take a bribe, as you, my son, should know," he +said.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Grahame returned carelessly. "I did not think you had heard of—a +certain affair."</p> + +<p>Walthew gave him a surprised glance, but Father Agustin smiled.</p> + +<p>"I hear many curious things. Besides, my companions take precautions. +Sometimes they find them needed."</p> + +<p>"I suppose if I had done what I was asked and pocketed the reward, I +should have met with an accident shortly afterward?" Grahame suggested.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>"One does not talk of such matters, señor, among trusted friends," one +of the men interposed.</p> + +<p>"Your intelligence department seems to be well organized, but there's +ground for believing the opposition's is quite as good," Grahame said, +and related what had happened at their last port.</p> + +<p>"Care will be needed after this," said Don Martin. "Now that they know +your boat, it is fortunate we changed the landing place; but you are +safe here. This coast is low and unhealthy; the President's friends are +prosperous and do not live in the swampy jungle."</p> + +<p>"One can understand that," Grahame responded. "Your appeal is to those +who must live how and where they can. No doubt, they suffer now and then +for helping you."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed one of the Spaniards, "<i>how</i> they suffer! If you give me +leave, señores, I can tell you startling things."</p> + +<p>They listened with quickening interest, and he kept his promise well, +for there is in southern peoples, contaminated by darker blood, a vein +of sensual cruelty that sometimes leads to the perpetration of +unutterable horrors. Grahame's face grew quietly stern, Walthew's hot +and flushed, and Macallister clenched his hand, for the tales they heard +fired their blood.</p> + +<p>"You have told us enough," Walthew said at last. "I went into this +business because I was looking for adventure and wanted to make some +money—but I mean to see it through if it costs me all I have!" He +turned to his comrades. "How do you feel about it?"</p> + +<p>"Much as you do," Grahame answered quietly, and Macallister put his hand +on Sarmiento's arm.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>"I'm with ye, if ye mean to make a clean sweep o' yon brutes."</p> + +<p>"I believe their reckoning will come, but our bargain stands," said Don +Martin. "We need arms, and will pay for all you bring. Still, I am glad +your hearts are with us. It is sentiment that carries one farthest."</p> + +<p>"How have you been getting on since we last met?" Walthew asked.</p> + +<p>"We make progress, though there are difficulties. One must fight with +the purse as well as the sword, and the dictator's purse is longer than +ours. Of late, he has been getting money and spending it with a free +hand."</p> + +<p>"Do you know where he gets it?" Grahame asked thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"So far, we have not found out. But it is foreign money, and he must +give what belongs to the country in exchange."</p> + +<p>"An easy plan!" Walthew said. "Makes the country pay for keeping him in +power. I guess you'll have to meet the bill when you get in."</p> + +<p>"That is so," Don Martin agreed. "It forces our hand. We must get in +before he leaves us no resources at all."</p> + +<p>Grahame thought of Cliffe, and wondered about his business with Gomez; +but he decided to say nothing of this.</p> + +<p>"Is Castillo still at liberty?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"He is watched, but we have been able to protect him. A man of passion +and fervor who will rouse the people when the right time comes."</p> + +<p>"But perhaps not a good plotter?"</p> + +<p>Father Agustin gave Grahame a shrewd glance.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>"We do not all possess your northern self-restraint, though one admits +its value. Señor Castillo follows a poetical ideal."</p> + +<p>"So I imagined. Cold conviction sometimes leads one farther."</p> + +<p>They were silent for a minute or two, and then one said:</p> + +<p>"We have been anxious about Castillo. It is not that we doubt his +sincerity."</p> + +<p>"You doubt his staying power?"</p> + +<p>Father Agustin made an assenting gesture.</p> + +<p>"Our friend is ardent, but a fierce fire soon burns out. The danger is +that when warmth is needed there may be no fuel left."</p> + +<p>"I think you should try to guard him from pressure he is unfit to +stand," Grahame suggested. "One cannot always choose one's tools, but if +you are careful he may last until his work is done."</p> + +<p>"It is so," Father Agustin agreed. "One loves the ring of fine, true +steel, but it is fortunate that metal of softer temper has its use, +though it sometimes needs skillful handling."</p> + +<p>"He kens!" exclaimed Macallister. "Ye may rake stuff that will serve ye +weel from the scrap heap o' humanity, and there's times when it's a +comfort to remember that. But I'm surprised to find ye meddling with +politics."</p> + +<p>"I am not a politician; it is not permitted. But I may hate injustice, +and there is no canon that bids me support what is evil. I came here as +your guest with other friends, and if they honor me with their +confidence I cannot refuse; nor do I think it a grave offense to give +them a word of advice."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>"Good advice may prove more dangerous to their enemies than rifles," +Grahame said.</p> + +<p>Father Agustin mused for a few moments.</p> + +<p>"Our friends' real task begins with their triumph," he said gravely; +"for that, at best, can but mean a clearing of the ground. Man builds +slowly, but to destroy is easy, and many see no farther."</p> + +<p>"But when the building is tottering and rotten?"</p> + +<p>"Sometimes it may be repaired, piece by piece, but that is not your +plan." Father Agustin spread out his hands. "If you build on a sound +foundation, your new work will stand; but the edifice of the State +cannot be cemented with hatred and envy. This responsibility is yours +and not your enemies'. But one looks to the future with hope as well as +doubt."</p> + +<p>They then discussed the landing of the next cargo, and the general +course of operations, but while they plotted with Spanish astuteness +Grahame imagined that the quiet priest was the brain of the party.</p> + +<p>After a time, the boats came back for another load, and when sunset +streaked the water with a lurid glow the guests took their leave and the +<i>Enchantress</i> steamed out to sea.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE TEST OF LOVE</span></h2> + + +<p>The hot summer day was over and the light beginning to fade when Evelyn +came down the steps of a country house in northern Maine. Banner's Post +stood at the foot of a hillside among the dark pines, and the murmur of +running water echoed about its walls. It belonged to Mrs. Willans, Mrs. +Cliffe's sister, for Willans, who had bought the house at his wife's +command, seldom came there and did not count. Mrs. Willans wanted a +peaceful retreat where she and her friends, when jaded by social +activities, could rest and recuperate in the silence of the woods. She +had many interests and what she called duties, but she had of late felt +called upon, with her sister's full approval, to arrange a suitable +marriage for her niece. Henry Cliffe was not really rich.</p> + +<p>Evelyn was dressed in the latest summer fashion, and the thin, light +clothes became her. The keen mountain breezes had given her a fine +color, and she looked very fresh and young by contrast with the jaded +business man at her side. Cliffe wore an old gray suit that Evelyn had +never seen and shabby leggings. A creel hung round his shoulders, and he +carried a fishing-rod. His face was lined and pale, but when they left +the garden and entered the woods Evelyn was sur<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>prised to note that his +thin figure harmonized with the scattered boulders and the ragged pines. +To some extent, this might be accounted for by the neutral tint of his +clothes, but he somehow looked at home in the wilderness. Though he had +once or twice gone off with an old friend on a shooting trip, she had +never thought of her father as a sport.</p> + +<p>"It is curious that you make me feel you belong to the bush," she said.</p> + +<p>"I used to go fishing when I was a boy," Cliffe replied with a +deprecatory smile. "I've never had much time for it since; but there's +nothing I'm fonder of."</p> + +<p>Evelyn found something pathetic in his answer. He had very few +opportunities for indulging in the pastimes he liked, and now he was +going out to fish with a keen eagerness that showed how scarce such +pleasures were. His enjoyment was essentially natural; her friends' +enthusiasm for the amusements Mrs. Willans got up was artificial and +forced. They had too much, and her father not enough.</p> + +<p>"I hope the trout will rise well," she said. "We were surprised to hear +that you were coming down."</p> + +<p>"I found I could get away for the week-end. Have you been having a good +time?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, in a way. I have everything I ought to like; something amusing to +do from morning to night, the kind of people I've been used to about me, +and Aunt Margaret sees that nobody is dull."</p> + +<p>She had had more than she mentioned, for Gore was staying at Banner's +Post, and had devoted himself to her entertainment with a frank +assiduity that had roused the envy of other guests. Evelyn admitted +feel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>ing flattered, for Gore had many advantages, and his marked +preference had given her an importance she had not always enjoyed.</p> + +<p>"And yet you're not quite satisfied?" Cliffe suggested with a shrewd +glance.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I'm not, but I don't know. Is one ever satisfied?"</p> + +<p>"One ought to be now and then when one is young. Make the most of the +pleasures you can get, but aim at the best."</p> + +<p>Evelyn mused for a few minutes. She could treat her father with +confidence. He understood her, as her mother seldom did.</p> + +<p>"What is the best?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"To some extent, it depends on your temperament; but it goes deeper than +that. There's success that palls and gratification that doesn't last. +One soon gets old and the values of things change; you don't want to +feel, when it's too late, that there's something big and real you might +have had and missed."</p> + +<p>"Have you felt this?"</p> + +<p>"No," Cliffe answered quietly; "I get tired of the city now and then and +long for old clothes, a boat, and a fishing-rod, but these are things it +doesn't hurt a man to go without. I have a home to rest in and a wife +and daughter to work for. An object of that kind helps you through +life."</p> + +<p>"My trouble is that I don't seem to have any object at all. I used to +have a number, but I'm beginning now to doubt whether they were worth +much. But I'm afraid you have made a sacrifice for our sakes."</p> + +<p>Cliffe looked at her thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"My belief is that you always have to make some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> sacrifice for anything +that's worth while." He laughed. "But right now fishing is more in my +line than philosophy!"</p> + +<p>He followed the little path that led to the stream, and Evelyn turned +back slowly through the quiet woods. Her father's remarks had led her +into familiar but distasteful thought. It was perhaps true that one must +make some sacrifice to gain what was best worth having; but she had been +taught to seize advantages and not to give things up. Now she could have +wealth, a high position, and social influence, which were of value in +her world, and in order to gain them she had only to overcome certain +vague longings and the rebellious promptings of her heart. Gore wanted +her, and she had been pleasantly thrilled to realize it; perhaps she +had, to some extent, tried to attract him. It was foolish to hesitate +when the prize was in her reach; but she did not feel elated as she went +back to the house.</p> + +<p>She lingered among the last of the trees. They lifted their black spires +against the sky, the air was filled with their resinous scent, and +faint, elfin music fell from their tops. Far above, the bald summit of +Long Mountain shone a deep purple, though trails of mist that looked +like lace were drawn about its shoulders. Then the pines rolled down, +straggling at first, but growing thicker and taller until they merged +into the dark forest that hid the giant's feet. The wild beauty of the +scene and the calm of the evening reacted upon the girl; she felt it was +a trivial life that she and her friends led.</p> + +<p>Rousing herself with an effort, she left the woods and entered the +well-kept garden. It had an exotic<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> look; the bright-colored borders +that edged the lawn jarred upon the austere beauty of the wilderness. +Banner's Post was tamely pretty, and Nature had meant the spot to be +grand. Still, the nickeled sprinklers that flung glistening showers +across the smooth grass, and the big gasolene mower, belonged to her +world, in which Nature was kept in her place by civilized art.</p> + +<p>She saw Gore at the bottom of the steps in the midst of a group which +included two attractive girls, and she was conscious of some +satisfaction when he left his companions and came toward her.</p> + +<p>"Luck has been against me all day," he said when he came up. "It seemed +impossible to find you except in the center of what was going on. Now +we'll run away for a little while."</p> + +<p>His manner suggested a right to her society, and he turned toward the +woods without waiting for her consent, but Evelyn thought he would have +acted more wisely had he chosen a quiet nook on the veranda. Reggie was +a product of his luxurious age; he was in his right place in a +comfortable chair or moving gracefully about a polished floor with +smartly dressed people in the background. Though not wholly artificial, +and having some force of character, he failed to harmonize with the note +of primitive grandeur struck by the rugged pines.</p> + +<p>It was different with Evelyn when they sat down on a boulder. Her dress +was in the latest fashion, but she had the gift of revealing something +of her real personality through her attire. Its blue-gray tint matched +the soft coloring of the lichened rock, and the lines of her tall figure +were marked by a classical sever<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>ity of grace. Then, her eyes were grave +and her face was calm. It was her misfortune that she had not yet +realized herself, but had accepted without much question the manners of +her caste and the character Mrs. Cliffe had, so to speak, superimposed +upon her.</p> + +<p>"It's good to be quiet for a change," Gore said. "When I'm with you I +feel that I needn't talk unless I want to. That's a relief, because it's +when I feel least that I talk the most. You're tranquilizing."</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure you're complimentary. Nowadays a girl is expected to be +bright if she can't be brilliant."</p> + +<p>"That's not your real line. Brilliance is often shallow, a cold, +reflected sparkle. One has to get beneath the surface to understand +you."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's true of everybody," Evelyn answered with a smile. "Still, +we're not taught to cultivate virtues that can't be seen."</p> + +<p>"You can't cultivate the best of them; they've got to be an inherent, +natural part of you. But I'm getting off the track—I do now and then."</p> + +<p>Evelyn guessed what he meant to say, but although it would mark a +turning-point in her life, and she did not know her answer, she was very +calm. While she had, for the most part, allowed her mother to direct her +actions, she had inherited Cliffe's independence of thought and force of +will. So far, she had not exerted them, but she meant to do so now.</p> + +<p>Looking up, she saw Long Mountain's towering crest cut in lonely +grandeur against the fading green and saffron of the sky. The mist upon +its shoulders shone faintly white against blue shadows; the pines had +grown taller and blacker, and the sound of running water alone broke the +silence. The resinous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> smells were keener, and there was a strange +repose in the long ranks of stately trees. Nature had filled the stony +wilds with stern beauty, and Evelyn instinctively felt the call of the +strong, fruitful earth. One must be real and, in a sense, primitive, +here.</p> + +<p>"This," she said, indicating the shadowy landscape, "is very grand. We +don't give much thought to it, but it has its influence."</p> + +<p>"I guess it's all quite fine," Gore agreed absently. "It would make a +great summer-resort if they ran in a branch-railroad. In fact, I've +imagined that Willans had something of the kind in view; he has a genius +for developing real estate."</p> + +<p>"An unthinkable desecration!" Evelyn exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said in a quiet voice, "if it would please you, I'd buy +Banner's Post and all the land back to the lake, and nobody but my +game-wardens should disturb it except when you let me come up here with +you. Then you could teach me to appreciate the things you like."</p> + +<p>The girl was touched, for he belonged to the cities, and had nothing in +common with the rocky wilds, but she knew that he would keep his word +and indulge her generously. Nor was she offended by the touch of +commercial spirit, though she would rather he had offered something that +would cost him effort of body or mind.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid you wouldn't find me worth the sacrifice you would have to +make," she said. "Your tastes don't lie that way."</p> + +<p>He made a gesture of dissent.</p> + +<p>"None of them are very strong, and I know that you go farther in +everything than I can. You're<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> elusive, but I've felt, for a long time, +that if I could reach and win you, you'd help me along. That's my +strongest argument and what I really meant to say. Surely, you have seen +that I wanted you."</p> + +<p>Evelyn felt guilty, because she had seen this and had not repulsed him. +She did not love the man, but love was not thought essential in her +circle and she had never been stirred by passion.</p> + +<p>"I felt that I couldn't get hold of you," he went on; "you were not +ready. We were friends and that was something, but I was looking for a +change in you, some hint of warmth and gentleness."</p> + +<p>"And do you think I am ready now?"</p> + +<p>"No; I only hoped so. I feared I might be wrong. But I began to find +holding myself back was getting too hard, and I was afraid somebody else +might come along who had the power to rouse you. I believe you can be +roused."</p> + +<p>"I wonder!" she said in a curious tone.</p> + +<p>"You make people love you," he broke out. "That's a proof that when the +time comes you're capable of loving. But I only ask to be near you and +surround you with what you like best. There's a rare aloofness in you, +but you're flesh and blood. When you have learned how I love you, you +can't hold out."</p> + +<p>Evelyn was silent, hesitating, with a troubled face. She liked him; he +was such a man as her mother meant her to marry and, until the last few +weeks, she had acquiesced in her obvious fate. Now, however, something +prompted her to rebel, although prudence and ambition urged her to +yield.</p> + +<p>As he watched her in keen suspense, Gore suddenly lost his head. The +next moment his arm was round<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> her and he drew her forward until she was +pressed against him with her face crushed against his. At first she did +not struggle, and he thought she was about to yield, until he felt her +tremble and her face was suddenly turned away. Then she put her hand on +his shoulder and firmly held him back while she slipped from his +relaxing grasp. Gore knew that he had blundered. Letting his arms drop, +he waited until she turned to him, without anger, although her eyes were +very bright and her color was high.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry, Reggie, but it's impossible for me to marry you."</p> + +<p>"You are sure?" he asked rather grimly. "This is important to me, you +know."</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said with signs of strain; "I am sure. I think I wish it had +been possible, but it isn't. You have convinced me."</p> + +<p>He was silent for a moment.</p> + +<p>"It cuts pretty deep," he said slowly. "I've been afraid all along that +even if you took me you'd never be really within my reach. I guess I've +got to bear it and let you go."</p> + +<p>He rose and stood looking at her irresolutely, and then, with a gesture +of acquiescence, abruptly turned away.</p> + +<p>When he had gone, Evelyn sat still in the gathering dusk. She had, at +first, submitted to his embrace, because she wished to find in any +emotion he was capable of arousing an excuse for marrying him. But she +had felt nothing except repulsion. Then in a flash the truth was plain; +any closer relationship than that of friend would make her loathe the +man she in some ways admired. This was disturbing, but little by little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> +she began to realize that his touch had a strange after-effect. It had +stirred her to warmth, but not toward him. Longings she had not thought +herself capable of awoke within her; she was conscious of a craving for +love and of a curious tenderness. Only, Reggie was not the man. He had +roused her, but she did not know whether she ought to be grateful for +that. She blushed as she struggled with her rebellious feelings, and +then resolutely pulled herself together. Her mother must be told.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Cliffe was resting before dinner when Evelyn entered her room and +sat down without speaking.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" Mrs. Cliffe asked with a premonition that +something had gone wrong. "Why do you come in, in this dramatic way?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to be dramatic," Evelyn answered quietly. "Still, perhaps +I was rather highly strung. Reggie asked me to marry him, and I told him +I could not."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Cliffe sat up suddenly, and there was an angry sparkle in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Then I think you must be mad! What led you to this absurd conclusion?"</p> + +<p>"It's hard to explain," Evelyn answered with a faint smile. "I suppose I +couldn't give you any very logical reasons."</p> + +<p>"Then it may not be too late to put things right!" Mrs. Cliffe saw a ray +of hope.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it is. I think Reggie knows that—he was very considerate. +There is no use in your trying to do anything; I must have my own way in +this."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Cliffe was painfully surprised. The girl had suddenly developed and +revealed unsuspected capaci<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>ties. She had grown like her father, who, +for all his patience, was sometimes immovable. There was inflexibility +in Evelyn's attitude; her face was hard and determined.</p> + +<p>"Very well," she acquiesced. "Your father must be told, and I don't know +what he will do about it."</p> + +<p>"I would rather tell him myself," Evelyn said.</p> + +<p>This was not what Mrs. Cliffe wanted, but the girl moved to the door as +she finished speaking, and her mother sat down, burning with +indignation. Her authority had been outraged, she felt overcome, and did +not leave her room all evening.</p> + +<p>Evelyn found Cliffe on the veranda, and took him down the steps before +she told him what she had done. He listened without surprise; indeed, +she thought his manner was rather curiously sympathetic.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "in a way I'm sorry. Reggie's a good fellow as far as +he goes. But I imagined you liked him. Why did you refuse?"</p> + +<p>"It isn't very plain," Evelyn answered. "I felt I had to. Perhaps Long +Mountain had something to do with it."</p> + +<p>Cliffe smiled, but not with amusement, and Evelyn saw that he +understood. Somehow she had expected him to do so and she was touched +when he gently pressed her arm.</p> + +<p>"After all, you're the person most interested, and you must please +yourself—though your mother will be badly disappointed," he said. "It's +possible we're wiser in the woods than in the city. One sees the things +that matter more clearly away from the turmoil."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE CUBAN SPY</span></h2> + + +<p>Gore left Banner's Post abruptly, to Evelyn's relief, and on the morning +after his departure she and Cliffe stood on the steps before the other +guests had come down to breakfast. It had rained all night, the mist +hung low about Long Mountain's side, and a fresh wind woke waves of +sound from the rustling pines. A creel hung round Cliffe's shoulders, +and he contemplated the dripping woods with a smile of half-apologetic +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"The fishing should be great to-day!" he exclaimed. "But I feel that I'm +playing truant. I ought to be back at the office. Guess the trout I +catch will cost me high; but the temptation is pretty strong when I see +the water rise."</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you have been rash for once," Evelyn replied. "Besides, you +have an office full of people who can look after things for you."</p> + +<p>Cliffe shook his head.</p> + +<p>"That's the excuse I tried to make, but it won't quite work. If you want +to be a successful operator, you have to sit tight with your finger on +the pulse of the market. A beat or two more or less makes a big +difference. Finance soon gets feverish."</p> + +<p>"And you are one of the doctors who send its temperature up or down."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>"No; that's a wrong idea. Once on a time the big men did something of +the kind, but now the dollar's a world-force that's grown too strong for +them. We gave it a power we can't control; it drives us into combines +and mergers we didn't plan. It's a blind force that rolls along +undirected, over our bodies if we get in its way. All we can do is to +try to guess its drift. The successful man is the one who does so +first."</p> + +<p>"I wonder whether you're to be pitied or envied. The work must be +absorbing, and it's simple, in a way."</p> + +<p>"Simple!" Cliffe exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Well, you have an object; your aims are definite and you know, more or +less, how to carry them out. We others, who have no purpose in life, +spend our time in amusements that leave us dissatisfied. When we stop to +think, we feel that we might do something better, but we don't know what +it is. The outlook is blank."</p> + +<p>Cliffe gave her a sharp glance. Evelyn had changed in the last few +months, and she had been strangely quiet since her refusal of Gore. +Seeing his interest, she laughed.</p> + +<p>"I'm not asking for sympathy; and I mustn't keep you from the trout. Go +and catch as many as you can. It must be nice to feel that you have only +to pick up a fishing-rod and be young again."</p> + +<p>She walked to the gate with him, but Cliffe stopped when they reached +it, for a big automobile was lurching down the uneven road. The mud +splashed about the car indicated distance traveled at furious speed, but +it slowed at the bend near the gate, and Cliffe sighed as he recognized +Robinson.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>"I guess this stops my fishing," he said in a resigned tone. Dropping +his rod and creel, he jumped on to the footboard as the driver +cautiously took the gate, and Evelyn smiled as the car rolled up the +drive. She was sorry that her father had lost his favorite sport, but +his prompt surrender of it was characteristic. He was first of all a man +of business.</p> + +<p>"Wired for an auto' to meet me when I left the train," Robinson told +him. "It was raining pretty hard, and they don't do much grading on +these mountain roads, but I made the fellow rush her along as fast as he +could." He took some letters from his wallet. "Read these and think them +over while I get breakfast."</p> + +<p>Half an hour afterward they sat in a corner of the veranda, where Mrs. +Willans' guests left them alone. These quiet, intent men of affairs +obviously did not belong to their world.</p> + +<p>"Well?" Robinson said.</p> + +<p>"One of two things has got to be done; there's no middle course."</p> + +<p>Robinson nodded.</p> + +<p>"That's true. Middle courses generally lead to nothing."</p> + +<p>"Very well. We can cut out our deal with President Altiera, lose the +money we have spent, and let the concessions go; or we can pay up again, +hang on, and put the matter through."</p> + +<p>"What's your opinion? The fellow asks for more."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to be guided by me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Robinson said. "Take which you think is the right line; I'll +stand in."</p> + +<p>"It's pretty hard to see. We'll make good if we get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> the concessions; +but the President's up against a bigger thing than he thought. It's +going to cost him and us some money to head off the revolutionists, but +if we don't drop out right now, we've got to brace up and put it over. +Well, as I'm fixed, it's a big risk. My money's making good interest, +and if I go on, I've got to sell out stock I meant to hold. A set-back +would be a serious thing for me. I want a few minutes to think it over."</p> + +<p>Robinson had confidence in Cliffe's integrity and judgment.</p> + +<p>"An hour, if you like," he said; "then we'll have to pull out, whatever +you decide."</p> + +<p>For a long while Cliffe sat silent with knitted brows. His wife made +claims upon his means that he sometimes found it hard to satisfy; and it +was his ambition that his daughter should be rich. After carefully +pondering the letters, he saw that he might be involved in a conflict +with forces whose strength he could not estimate, and defeat would cost +him the fruit of several years' labor. Yet the prize to be won was +tempting, and he could take a risk. Besides, they already had put a good +deal of money into it.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said at last, "I've made up my mind."</p> + +<p>"To hold on, I guess," Robinson suggested with a smile.</p> + +<p>"That's so," Cliffe answered in a quiet voice. "What's more, I'm going +out to look into things myself. We can talk it over on the way to town. +I'll be ready as soon as I've told my wife."</p> + +<p>Robinson took out his watch.</p> + +<p>"Give you half an hour if we're to catch the train," he said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>Cliffe met Evelyn in the broad hall, and told her that he would have to +go south at once.</p> + +<p>"Take me with you, won't you?" she begged. "I want to get away from +Banner's Post."</p> + +<p>Cliffe hesitated a moment.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes," he then said; "I see no reason why you shouldn't +go—particularly as your mother means to stay with Margaret Willans."</p> + +<p>When, a half hour later, the car started from the bottom of the steps +and Mrs. Cliffe turned away with a wave of her hand, Evelyn stood in the +drive, asking herself bluntly why she wished to accompany her father. A +longing for change had something to do with it; she was getting tired of +an aimless and, in a sense, uneventful life, for it was true that +occupations that had once been full of pleasurable excitement had begun +to pall. But this was not her only object. Grahame was somewhere on the +coast she meant to visit, and she might meet him. Evelyn admitted with a +blush that she would like to do so.</p> + +<p>The next morning a telegram arrived from Cliffe, directing her to join +him in town, and ten days later she stood, at evening, on a balcony of +the Hotel International, in Havana. It was getting dark, but a few lamps +were lighted in the <i>patio</i>, and the moonlight touched one white wall. +The air was hot and heavy, and filled with exotic smells, and the sound +of alien voices gave Evelyn the sense of change and contrast she had +sought. Yet she knew that, so far, the trip had been a failure. It had +not banished her restlessness; Havana was as stale as New York. She +remembered with regret how different it had been on her first visit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> +Grahame and his companion had been with her then, and she knew that she +missed them.</p> + +<p>She turned as a man came out on the balcony that ran along the end of +the house. He did not look like a Cuban, and she started when the +moonlight fell upon him, for she saw that it was Grahame. He was making +for the stairs at the corner where the two balconies joined and did not +notice her. Evelyn realized that, as she wore a white dress, her figure +would be indistinct against the wall, and, if she did not move in the +next few moments, he would go down the stairs and disappear among the +people in the <i>patio</i>. If he had meant to enter the hotel, he would not +have come that way.</p> + +<p>She felt that if she let him go they might not meet again. After all, +this might be wiser. Yet her heart beat fast, and she thrilled with a +strange excitement as she stood irresolute, knowing that the choice she +had to make would be momentous.</p> + +<p>Grahame reached the top of the stairs without turning, and was going +down when she leaned over the balustrade. She did not consciously decide +upon the action; it was as if something had driven her into making it.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Grahame!" she called softly.</p> + +<p>He looked up with the moonlight on his face and she saw the gleam she +had expected in his eyes. Then he came swiftly toward her, and her +indecision vanished when she gave him her hand.</p> + +<p>"This is a remarkably pleasant surprise, but I didn't see you until you +spoke," he said. "Have you just come out of one of the rooms?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>"No; I've been here some time. I saw you as soon as you appeared on the +balcony."</p> + +<p>Grahame gave her a quick look, and she knew he was wondering why she had +waited until the last moment. He was shrewd enough to see that the delay +had some significance, but this did not matter.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "I'm glad you didn't let me pass, because I was going +out into the street, and it's doubtful if I'd have come back."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Evelyn; "I seemed to know that."</p> + +<p>He was silent for a moment, but his expression was intent and a faint +glow of color showed in his brown face. Evelyn let him make what he +liked of her admission. She had not been influenced by coquetry, but by +a feeling that it was a time for candor.</p> + +<p>"I was thinking about an interview I'd just finished—that is why I +didn't look round," he explained. "I came from Matanzas this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Then the <i>Enchantress</i> isn't here?"</p> + +<p>"No; she's at Matanzas, but I can't get back to-night. Will you be here +long?"</p> + +<p>"A day or two, waiting for a boat. I wonder whether you would stay and +dine with us this evening?" Then a thought struck Evelyn, and she added: +"That is, if it isn't undesirable for you to be seen here."</p> + +<p>She had not expected him to hesitate and was prepared for his reckless +twinkle.</p> + +<p>"Of course I'll stay! But did you mean—if it was not unsafe?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose I did," she admitted with a smile. "You know I helped you in +a mysterious plot the last time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> I was here. Now it would be selfish of +me to ask you to wait if you think you'd better not."</p> + +<p>"There's no risk worth counting, and I'd take it if there was. When you +have a temperament like mine it's hard to deny yourself a pleasure."</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't have thought you self-indulgent," Evelyn smiled.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "one's fortitude has its limits. I suppose it depends +upon the strength of the temptation."</p> + +<p>He had answered in a light vein, and Evelyn followed his lead.</p> + +<p>"It's a relief to know you mean to stay. My father will be pleased to +see you; but he may not have finished his business when dinner is ready, +and I rather shrink from going down alone."</p> + +<p>They talked about matters of no importance for a time, and then went +through the <i>patio</i> to the dining-room. It was not full, and Evelyn +imagined that Grahame was glad there were several unoccupied chairs +between them and the rest of the company. She noticed, moreover, that +when people came in he glanced up quietly, as if he did not want her to +notice his action, and she had a guilty feeling that she had made him +take a risk that was greater than he would own. Yet she was glad that he +had taken it.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going when you leave Havana?" he asked presently.</p> + +<p>"To Valverde, and afterward perhaps to Rio Frio."</p> + +<p>Grahame looked thoughtful, and Evelyn quietly studied him. Her training +had made her quick at guessing what lay behind the reserve of people +who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> were not quite frank with her, and she saw that he was disturbed.</p> + +<p>"Why should I not go there?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't know any good reason if your father's willing to take you, but +the country's in a rather unsettled state just now." Grahame paused for +a moment and added earnestly: "Don't trust Gomez."</p> + +<p>"Do you think we shall meet him?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said with a dry smile; "I think it very likely."</p> + +<p>"Then you must know something about my father's business, and what is +going on in the country."</p> + +<p>"I believe I know more about the country than your father does. In fact, +I'd like to warn him against Gomez, only that I imagine he's a good +judge of character and already knows his man."</p> + +<p>Grahame wrote an address on a leaf of a small notebook and, tearing it +out, put it on her plate.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to ask a favor. If you should meet with any difficulty at Rio +Frio, will you send me a message through the man whose name I've written +down? I might, perhaps, be of some use."</p> + +<p>"Do you expect us to get into any difficulty?"</p> + +<p>"No; but one can't tell—trouble might arise."</p> + +<p>"And, if it did, you could help us?"</p> + +<p>"Well," he said gravely, "I'd do my best."</p> + +<p>Evelyn's eyes sparkled.</p> + +<p>"I know you could be trusted! But all this mystery gives the trip an +extra interest. Then, you have made it obvious that the <i>Enchantress</i> +will be on the coast."</p> + +<p>"May I hope that this adds to your satisfaction?" Grahame said, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Now you're frivolous, and I was pleasantly ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>cited! However, I'll +promise that if anything very alarming seems to threaten us I'll send +you word."</p> + +<p>Grahame looked up. An elderly Cuban gentleman, three or four places off, +had once or twice glanced at them carelessly and then resumed his +conversation with a lady beside him, but Grahame noticed that he stopped +when Evelyn spoke.</p> + +<p>"Am I to tell my father what I have promised?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"You must use your own judgment about that."</p> + +<p>Evelyn understood him. He would not ask her to keep a secret from her +father, and she liked his delicacy; but he looked thoughtful. She did +not know that the Cuban gentleman engaged his attention.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, "I'll tell him if it seems necessary; that is, if +there's any reason for sending you word. Otherwise, of course, there +would be no need to mention it."</p> + +<p>"No," he agreed with a smile that seemed to draw them closer because it +hinted at mutual understanding.</p> + +<p>"One doesn't feel forced to explain things to you," Evelyn said +impulsively.</p> + +<p>"That's an advantage. Explanations are a nuisance, and sometimes +dangerous when they're important. I find them easiest when they don't +matter."</p> + +<p>Cliffe came in and greeted Grahame cordially; and Grahame, glancing down +the table without turning his head, saw the Cuban studying them. +Something in the man's manner suggested that Cliffe's friendliness had +surprised him. He made a few hasty pencil marks on the back of an old +letter and then, looking up suddenly, caught Grahame watching him +curiously. The Cuban pushed back his chair and left the room, al<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>though +Grahame suspected that his dinner was not more than half finished.</p> + +<p>Evelyn, surprising the alert look on Grahame's face, was now more +disturbed than ever on his account. Evidently there was danger for him +here.</p> + +<p>Her fears would have been increased had she known the few words the spy +wrote on his envelope.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE ARREST OF CASTILLO</span></h2> + + +<p>On a hot evening not long after he left Havana, Cliffe sat in a room of +the old Spanish <i>presidio</i> at Valverde. The building was in harmony with +the decayed town, for it had been begun in more prosperous times, and +its lower courses were solidly laid with stone. Molded doors and windows +spoke of vanished art, and the gallery round the central <i>patio</i> was +raised on finely carved pillars, but Valverde had fallen on evil days +and the <i>presidio</i> had been finished with adobe mud. It had served at +different times as the seat of the government, the barracks, and the +jail, and now, when part had fallen down, the rest had been rudely +repaired, and Gomez was quartered there when he visited the port.</p> + +<p>Outside, the ruinous building still retained a certain dignity, but this +was not so within, where degenerate taste was shown in the tawdry +decoration, and Gomez's sitting-room frankly offended Cliffe with its +suggestion of effeminate luxury. Gaudy silk hangings hid the old adobe +walls, a silver lamp with a smoked chimney hung from the ceiling by +tarnished chains, and highly colored rugs were spread upon the dirty +floor. There were inartistic but heavily gilded French<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> clocks and +mirrors; and over all a sickening scent of perfume.</p> + +<p>Cliffe found it more pleasant to look out through the open window at the +town, which lay beneath him, bathed in moonlight. The close-massed, +square-fronted houses glimmered white and pink and yellow, with narrow +gaps between them where a few lights burned; a break, from which dusky +foliage rose, marked the <i>alameda</i>. In front ran a curving beach where +wet sand glistened below a bank of shingle and a fringe of surf broke +with a drowsy roar. Though it was not late, there was no stir in the +streets; an air of languorous depression brooded over the town. Gomez +seemed to feel that it needed an explanation.</p> + +<p>"Our trade," he said, "is prosperous, but we do not encourage the people +to gather in the plaza, and the cafés are watched. They are the storm +centers: it is there the busybodies talk. The man who stays at home and +minds his business is seldom a danger to the State. He dislikes change, +and has no time to waste on idealistic theories."</p> + +<p>"I guess that's true, up to a point," Cliffe agreed. "The industrious +citizen will stand for a good deal, but he's a man to reckon with when +things get too bad. He doesn't talk, like the others; he's been trained +to act, and there are developments when he makes up his mind about what +he wants. However, this is not what we're here to discuss."</p> + +<p>"No; but the state of the country has something to do with the matter. +We admit that there have been manifestations of discontent, and +disturbances caused by mischievous persons who love disorder, and we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> +must enforce quietness and respect for authority. This, you will +understand, costs some money."</p> + +<p>"I've subscribed a good deal," Cliffe reminded him. "I'm anxious to +learn when I'm going to get it back."</p> + +<p>"The wish is natural. May I point out that in generously offering help +you threw in your lot with the Government and made our interests yours?"</p> + +<p>"I see that pretty clearly," Cliffe replied with a touch of grimness, +for he recognized the skill with which he had been led on until he could +not draw back without a heavy loss. "Anyway, as you seem to have +weathered the storm, I want my reward. In short, I've come to find out +when your President means to sign the concessions."</p> + +<p>"It will be as soon as possible; there is a small difficulty. We have an +elective legislature; an encumbrance, señor, which hampers the +administration, but in times of discontent it has some influence. Our +people are jealous of foreigners, and there are interested persons ready +to work upon their feelings. This is why the President hesitates about +granting fresh concessions until he has found a way of silencing his +enemies among the representatives. You perceive that I am frank with +you."</p> + +<p>"It's what I like; but you haven't told me yet what I want to know. Now, +unless I can find out exactly when I may expect the papers signed, I'll +feel compelled to shut off supplies. I'd rather cut my loss than go on +enlarging it."</p> + +<p>Gomez looked pained.</p> + +<p>"I must remind you, with some diffidence, that others have offered their +help," he said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>"They offered it; they haven't paid up. I expect you'll find they'll +insist on knowing when you mean to deliver the goods. That's my +position; I stand firm on it."</p> + +<p>"Very well. Before answering, I must inform the President."</p> + +<p>"You needn't. I'm going to take this matter to headquarters."</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately, the President has gone to Villa Paz for a short rest. I +fear he would not like to be disturbed."</p> + +<p>"He will see me; he has to," Cliffe declared.</p> + +<p>"After all, it is possible, but I see a difficulty. There is no inn at +Villa Paz where the señorita could find accommodation and the President +is, like myself, a bachelor. He could receive you, but not the señorita. +Our conventions are antiquated, but they must be considered. It is this +which prevents me from offering my hospitality."</p> + +<p>Cliffe pondered for a few moments. The conventions Gomez mentioned were +justified, because women are not treated in his country as they are in +the United States, and Cliffe could not leave Evelyn alone in the +Valverde Hotel. For all that, he must see the President, and he imagined +that although Gomez had made some difficulties the fellow was willing +that he should go. Gomez was a clever rogue, but Cliffe thought he could +be trusted so long as their interests did not clash.</p> + +<p>He looked up sharply, for there was a sudden stir in the town. Cliffe +was conscious of no definite sound, but he felt that the quietness had +been broken and he saw that Gomez was listening. The man's fleshy face +was intent; the stamp of indulgence had gone and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> given place to a look +of fierce cruelty. He had become alert and resolute; this struck Cliffe +as significant, as there was, so far, nothing to cause alarm.</p> + +<p>In a few moments a murmur broke out, and swelled while Gomez walked to +the open window. The streets were suddenly filled with the patter of +hurrying feet, and the confused outcry became a menacing roar. Cliffe +jumped up. He had heard something like it when a mob of desperate +strikers drove the police through an American manufacturing town; and +now his daughter was alone at the hotel.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"A tumult," Gomez answered. "I do not think it will be serious. We have +placed a guard about the hotel, so the señorita is safe. But you will +excuse me for a few minutes."</p> + +<p>He went into an adjoining room, and Cliffe, standing by the window, +heard a telephone call. After this, all sounds inside the house were +drowned by the growing uproar outside. Cliffe could see nothing of the +riot, but he thought he could locate it in one of the dark gaps that +pierced a block of houses some distance off. The clamor gained in effect +from the mystery that surrounded its cause.</p> + +<p>Two pistol shots rang out and there was a wild shouting, but the note of +fury had changed to alarm. Cliffe thought he could hear men running, and +he pictured the mob pouring down the narrow street in flight, for the +cries grew less frequent and receded. At last they died away, and a +group of men moving in regular order came out of the mouth of a street. +They seemed to have a prisoner in their midst, and four peons plodded +behind, carrying something on a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> shutter. Then they all vanished into +the gloom, and when their measured steps were getting faint Gomez +returned with an unpleasant smile.</p> + +<p>"It is nothing," he said. "We had planned the arrest of a troublesome +person called Castillo, who is a favorite with the mob. There was some +excitement, and a few stones were thrown, but only one attempt at a +rescue, the leader of which was shot by the rural guards. As he was a +man we suspected of sedition, this has saved us some trouble."</p> + +<p>Cliffe looked at him, as one who might study a new species of animal or +some rare and ugly plant.</p> + +<p>Gomez spread out his hands.</p> + +<p>"It is worth noting that the affair proves our strength," he said +gloatingly. "We have seized a popular leader of the discontented, and +there was no determined resistance. One may consider it an encouraging +sign."</p> + +<p>Cliffe nodded agreement, and Gomez changed the subject.</p> + +<p>"I have been thinking," he said. "If you are resolved to see the +President, Señora Herrero, wife of the <i>alcalde</i>, whom you have met, +would take care of the señorita while you are away. They are people of +some importance, and she would be safe with them."</p> + +<p>This struck Cliffe as a good suggestion, and when Gomez accompanied him +to the <i>alcalde's</i> house the matter was arranged with Evelyn's consent. +The next morning Cliffe set off with a relay of mules and three or four +days later was received by the President at a little town among the +hills. Nothing was said about business until he had rested and dined, +and then he sat with his host on a veranda half hidden by +bougain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>villea, looking down on the dim littoral that ran back to the +sea.</p> + +<p>President Altiera differed from his secretary. He looked more of an +autocratic soldier than a diplomatist. There was a hint of brutality +about him, and Cliffe thought he would rather use force than guile. The +man had a coarse, strong face, and his eyes were stern, but he was +rather reserved than truculent.</p> + +<p>"Señor," he said, "since I understand you were determined to see me, it +is an honor to welcome you, and my house and self are at your command. I +imagine, however, that neither of us often wastes much time on +compliments."</p> + +<p>"My excuse is that I find one does best by going to headquarters when +any difficulties arise. It seemed possible that your secretary might +smooth down my remarks before transmitting them."</p> + +<p>"And you do not wish them smoothed down," Altiera dryly suggested.</p> + +<p>"I think it best that we should understand each other."</p> + +<p>"That is so. What do you wish to understand?"</p> + +<p>"When I may expect the sealed grant of the concessions."</p> + +<p>"In two months, provided that my enemies do not kill me first, which I +think is hardly probable."</p> + +<p>"One hopes not, but there is another risk; not large, perhaps, but to be +reckoned with."</p> + +<p>Altiera laughed.</p> + +<p>"That the people may choose another President? No, señor. I rule this +country. When I cease to do so it will be because I am dead. Let us be +candid. Your concessions depend upon the luck that may at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>tend some +assassin's attempt, and I take precautions."</p> + +<p>Cliffe thought this was true. Altiera carried a pistol, and could use it +remarkably well, and two armed guards were posted outside the veranda.</p> + +<p>"There is a condition," Altiera said. "The concessions will be yours in +two months, but payment of the money my secretary asked for must be made +in a fortnight, or, if this is impossible, as soon as you get home."</p> + +<p>"It would suit me better to take the concessions in a fortnight and pay +in two months," Cliffe retorted coolly.</p> + +<p>"I am not a trader, señor; I do not dispute and haggle over a bargain."</p> + +<p>"Neither do I," said Cliffe. "Still, it's necessary for a trader to +state his terms."</p> + +<p>There was silence for a few moments, and Cliffe, studying his +antagonist's face, thought his statement justified. The man might use +brutal means to gain his end, but he would not contend about a small +advantage.</p> + +<p>"Very well," the President conceded. "Though it will cause me some +embarrassment, I make another offer. You shall have the grant in a +month."</p> + +<p>"A month is too long to wait."</p> + +<p>Altiera rose and stood with his brown hand clenched upon the back of his +chair and his brows knitted. It seemed to cost him an effort to maintain +his self-control, and Cliffe saw that he had pressed him hard. For all +that, he did not mean to yield. He had gone farther than was prudent, +and knew when to stop.</p> + +<p>"You understand what you risk by your exactions?" Altiera asked +menacingly.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>"Señor Gomez made that plain. I have no security for the money already +paid, except your honor."</p> + +<p>Altiera bowed.</p> + +<p>"Though the situation is difficult and you make it worse, I believe your +confidence is not misplaced. Well, since one or two of my ministers must +be consulted, I cannot give you an answer for a week; but the country is +healthful in this neighborhood, and you may be interested in studying +its resources. My house is at your disposal, and your comfort will be +provided for while I see what can be done."</p> + +<p>It took Cliffe a minute or two to make up his mind. He would rather have +gone back to Valverde at once; but he felt that he must finish his +business before returning. Although he had some misgivings, he agreed to +stay.</p> + +<p>In reaching his decision he thought Evelyn safe with the <i>alcalde</i>; but +he had not reckoned on the cunning of Secretary Gomez.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A HALF-BREED'S TRICK</span></h2> + + +<p>Evelyn found the time pass heavily at Valverde. The town was hot and +uninteresting, although she did not see much of it, for it was only when +the glaring sunshine had faded off the narrow streets that she was +allowed a leisurely stroll in company with the <i>alcalde's</i> wife. Señora +Herrero, who was stout and placid, and always dressed in black, spoke no +English, and only a few words of French. After an hour's superintendence +of her half-breed servants' work, she spent most of the day in sleep. +Yet she was careful of her guest's comfort, and in this respect Evelyn +had no cause for complaint.</p> + +<p>It was the monotony the girl found trying. After the ten o'clock +breakfast there was nothing to be done until dinner was served at four. +The adobe house was very quiet and was darkened by lattices pulled +across the narrow windows; and there was no stir in the town between +noon and early evening. Evelyn patiently tried to grasp the plot of a +Spanish novel, and when she got tired of this sat in the coolest spot +she could find, listening to the drowsy rumble of the surf. Hitherto her +time had been occupied by strenuous amusements, and the lethargic +inaction jarred.</p> + +<p>It was better when the shadows lengthened, because<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> there were then +voices and footsteps in the streets. One could watch the languid +traffic; but when night came Valverde, instead of wakening to a few +hours' joyous life, was silent again. Sometimes a group of people went +by laughing, and now and then a few gathered round a singer with a +guitar, but there was no noisy talk in the cafés and no band played in +the <i>alameda</i>. An ominous quietness brooded over the town.</p> + +<p>All this reacted on Evelyn's nerves, and one hot afternoon she felt +ready to welcome any change as she sat in a shaded room. Her hands were +wet with perspiration, the flies that buzzed about her face exasperated +her, and she found the musky smell that filled the house intolerable. +Señora Herrero lay in a big cane chair, looking strangely bulky and +shapeless in her tight black dress, with her eyes half closed and no +sign of intelligence in her heavily powdered face. Evelyn longed to wake +her and make her talk.</p> + +<p>Then there were steps outside and Gomez came in. He bowed, and Señora +Herrero grew suddenly alert. Indeed, it struck Evelyn that her hostess +felt disturbed, but she paid no attention to this. She was glad of a +break in the monotony, and it was not until afterward her mind dwelt +upon what took place.</p> + +<p>"Señor Cliffe's business with the President will keep him longer than he +thought. He may be detained for a fortnight," Gomez said.</p> + +<p>Evelyn had no reason for being on her guard, and her disappointment was +obvious.</p> + +<p>"I was looking forward to his return in a day or two," she answered.</p> + +<p>"The señor Cliffe is to be envied for having a duti<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>ful daughter," Gomez +smiled. "Still, I need not offer my sympathy, because it is his wish +that you should go to him."</p> + +<p>"When?" Evelyn asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"As soon as you are ready. I have ordered the mules, and you can bring +what you think needful. We could start after dinner, and I offer myself +as escort for part of the way."</p> + +<p>"But this is impossible!" Señora Herrero exclaimed in horrified protest.</p> + +<p>Gomez spread out his hands deprecatingly.</p> + +<p>"With apologies, señora, I think not. My plan is that you should go with +your guest until I can place her in some other lady's hands."</p> + +<p>"But it is years since I have ridden a mule, and exercise makes me ill! +Besides, I cannot leave my husband and my household."</p> + +<p>Evelyn remembered afterward that her hostess's indignant expression +suddenly changed, as if Gomez had given her a warning look; but he +answered good-humoredly:</p> + +<p>"I have seen Don José. He feels desolated at the thought of losing you +for two or three days, but he agrees that we must do all we can to suit +the wishes of our American friends. Besides, you can travel to Galdo, +where we stay the night, in a coach. I will see that one is sent, but it +may take an hour or two to find mules."</p> + +<p>"They must be good," said the señora. "I am heavy, and the road is bad."</p> + +<p>"We will pick the best; but until you overtake us the señorita Cliffe +will, no doubt, be satisfied with my escort. We should reach Galdo soon +after dark. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> señora Romanez will receive us there, and we start +early the next morning on our journey to the hills."</p> + +<p>Gomez turned to Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"This meets with your approval?" he asked suavely.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," she agreed; though she afterward realized that there was no +obvious reason why she should not have waited for the coach, and that it +was curious her hostess did not suggest this.</p> + +<p>Gomez returned after dinner before Evelyn was quite ready, and she was +somewhat surprised that he made no remark about the luggage she wished +to take. It was skilfully lashed on the broad pack-saddles, and they set +off when she mounted a handsome mule. There were two baggage animals, +driven by dark-skinned peons, and two mounted men brought up the rear. +Gomez said this explained the delay in getting mules for the coach, but +added that the girl would find the journey pleasanter in the saddle.</p> + +<p>Evelyn agreed with him as they rode down the roughly paved street. It +was a relief to be moving, and the air had got pleasantly cool. +Half-breed women with black shawls round their heads looked up at her +from beside their tiny charcoal cooking fires, and she saw dark eyes +flash with hostility as her escort passed. Here and there a woman of +pure Spanish blood stood on a balcony and glanced down with shocked +prudery at the bold American, but Evelyn smiled at this. She distrusted +Gomez, who obviously was not a favorite with the poorer citizens, but as +a traveling companion she did not find much fault with him.</p> + +<p>After a while they left the houses behind and turned into a dusty, +rutted track. The murmur of the sea<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> followed them until they reached a +belt of forest where the sound was cut off, and Evelyn felt as if she +had lost a friend. The measured beat of the surf and the gleam of spray +were familiar things; the forest was mysterious, and oppressively +silent. In places a red glow shone among the massive trunks, but, for +the most part, they were hung with creepers and all below was wrapped in +shade. The track grew soft and wet; the air was steamy and filled with +exotic smells. Evelyn felt her skin get damp, and the mules fell into a +labored pace.</p> + +<p>Strange noises began to fill the gathering gloom; the air throbbed with +a humming that rose and fell. Deep undertones and shrill pipings that it +was hard to believe were made by frogs and insects pierced the stagnant +air. Specks of phosphorescent light twinkled among the leaves, but the +fireflies were familiar and Evelyn welcomed them. She felt suddenly +homesick, and wished they were not leaving the coast; but she remembered +that her father had sent for her, and brushed her uneasiness away.</p> + +<p>After a time, Gomez stopped.</p> + +<p>"We have not gone fast, and the señora ought to overtake us soon," he +said. "Will you get down and wait for her?"</p> + +<p>The forest, with the thin mist drifting through it, had a forbidding +look, and, for the first time that she could recollect, Evelyn felt +afraid of the dark.</p> + +<p>"Let us go on," she said.</p> + +<p>Gomez hesitated a moment and then acquiesced.</p> + +<p>The road got steep and the mist thicker. Drooping creepers brushed them +as they passed, and now and then Evelyn was struck by a projecting +branch.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> Her mule, however, needed no guidance, and she sank into a +dreamy lethargy. There was something enervating and soporific in the +steamy atmosphere.</p> + +<p>At last the gloom began to lighten and they came out into the luminous +clearness of the tropic night. In front lay a few flat blocks of houses, +surrounded by fields of cane, and here and there a patch of broad-leafed +bananas. Passing through the silent village they reached a long building +which Gomez said was the Romanez <i>hacienda</i>.</p> + +<p>Lights gleamed in the windows, but they knocked twice before a strong, +arched door was unfastened, and they rode through into the <i>patio</i>. It +was obvious that they were expected. A gentleman dressed in white, his +stout wife in black, and a girl who wore a thin, yellow dress, came down +to welcome them. They were hospitable, but Evelyn, speaking only a few +words of Castilian, and feeling very tired, was glad when her hostess +showed her to her room.</p> + +<p>She soon went to sleep, and, wakening early, felt invigorated by the +cool air that flowed in through the open window and the sight of the +blue hills that rose, clean-cut, against the morning sky. Then she had a +drowsy recollection of something being wrong, and presently remembered +that the señora Herrero had not arrived. This, however, was not +important, because Gomez could no doubt arrange for her hostess to +accompany them on the next stage of their journey.</p> + +<p>Evelyn found Gomez apologetic when they met at breakfast. He was much +vexed with the <i>alcalde's</i> wife, but the señorita Romanez and her duenna +would take her place, and he expected to put Evelyn in her father's care +in two more days. This, he added, would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> afford him a satisfaction that +would be tempered by regret.</p> + +<p>They started after breakfast, but Evelyn did not feel drawn to her new +companion. Luisa Romanez was handsome in a voluptuous style, with dark +hair, a powdered face, and languishing black eyes, but so far as she +could make her meaning clear, she banteringly complimented Evelyn on +having won the admiration of a distinguished man. Evelyn declared that +this was a mistake, and Gomez had offered his escort as a duty, to which +Doña Luisa returned a mocking smile. Her amusement annoyed Evelyn. On +the whole, she was glad that conversation was difficult. The sour, +elderly duenna who rode behind them said nothing at all.</p> + +<p>After traveling all day, they stopped at a lonely <i>hacienda</i>, where +Evelyn soon retired to rest. She slept well, and, wakening rather late +the next morning, found that Doña Luisa and her duenna had left an hour +before. This was embarrassing, because Evelyn knew something about +Spanish conventions; but, after all, she was an American, and they did +not apply to her.</p> + +<p>Gomez appeared annoyed and extremely apologetic.</p> + +<p>"There has been a misunderstanding," he explained. "I thought the +señorita Romanez would go with us to Rio Frio, but she told me last +night that she must return early this morning. I expostulated and +implored, but the señorita was firm. She declared she had not promised +to come farther than the <i>hacienda</i>. You see my unfortunate position. +One cannot compel a lady to do what she does not wish."</p> + +<p>"When shall we reach Rio Frio?" Evelyn asked.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>"If all goes well, late this afternoon."</p> + +<p>Evelyn thought for a moment. She was vexed and vaguely alarmed, but her +father was waiting for her at Rio Frio.</p> + +<p>"Then let us start as soon as possible," she said.</p> + +<p>Gomez bowed.</p> + +<p>"When breakfast is over. I go to give my men their orders."</p> + +<p>Leaving the <i>hacienda</i>, they rode by rough, steep tracks that wound +through belts of forest and crossed sun-scorched slopes. Although it was +hot, the air was clear, and Evelyn was pleased to see that Gomez kept +the mules at a steady pace. At noon they reached a cluster of +poverty-stricken mud houses, and Gomez called one of the ragged, +half-breed peons. They talked for some time in a low voice, and then +Gomez turned to Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid we shall have to wait here for two or three hours," he +said. "It might be dangerous to go any farther now."</p> + +<p>"But I must get on!" Evelyn answered sharply.</p> + +<p>"Your wishes would be a command, only that I must think of your safety +first. There is an inn in the village, and while you rest I will explain +why we cannot go forward."</p> + +<p>Evelyn found the small <i>fonda</i> indescribably dirty, but it offered +shelter from the sun. Openings in its bare walls let in puffs of breeze, +and decaying lattices kept out the glare, but the room was full of +flies, and rustling sounds showed that other insects lurked in the +crevices. The place reeked with the smell of <i>caña</i> and kerosene, and +Evelyn had to force herself to eat a little of the greasy mess that was +set before her in rude,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> sun-baked crockery. When the meal was over +Gomez began his explanation.</p> + +<p>"You have heard that the country is disturbed. There are turbulent +people who want a revolution, and I am not popular with them."</p> + +<p>Evelyn smiled, for she had learned something about the country's +politics and she thought he had expressed the feeling of its +discontented citizens very mildly. She distrusted him, but, so far, his +conduct had been irreproachable.</p> + +<p>"I see you understand," he resumed. "The worst is that you too are an +object of suspicion; it is known that your father is a friend of the +President and has business with him. Well, I have been warned that some +of our enemies are in the neighborhood, and they might rouse the peons +to attack us. They will know when we left the <i>hacienda</i> and watch for +us, but we can outwit them by waiting a while and then taking another +road."</p> + +<p>This was plausible, and Evelyn agreed to the delay, although she did not +feel quite satisfied when Gomez left her. The dirty room was very hot +and its atmosphere unspeakably foul, but she could not sit outside in +the sun, and, taking up a soiled newspaper, she tried to read. Her +knowledge of Castilian did not carry her far, but she made out that the +Government was being urged to deal severely with a man named Sarmiento.</p> + +<p>Evelyn put down the paper, feeling that she ought to know the name. +Sarmiento had some connection with Grahame and his friends; perhaps they +had spoken of him. This led her to think of them. It looked as if +Grahame were interested in the country's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> politics. Remembering the +promise she had made, she wondered whether the <i>Enchantress</i> was then on +the coast. As he seemed to be opposing Gomez, he must be helping the +revolutionaries, while her father had business with the President. This +was puzzling, and she sat thinking about it for some time; and then +looked up with a start as Gomez came in.</p> + +<p>"So you have been reading the <i>diario</i>!" he remarked.</p> + +<p>"I don't understand very much; but who is Don Martin Sarmiento?"</p> + +<p>"A dangerous person who goes about making trouble."</p> + +<p>"It's curious, but I think I have met him."</p> + +<p>Gomez gave her a searching glance and then smiled.</p> + +<p>"He is not worth remembering, but you did meet him at Havana."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Evelyn sharply.</p> + +<p>Gomez laughed.</p> + +<p>"Must I remind you, señorita, of a little affair at the Hotel +International?"</p> + +<p>Evelyn remembered it well and guessed that it was Sarmiento whom Gomez +had been pursuing when she stopped him by dropping her ring. She could +now understand his look of baffled rage, and she recalled her shrinking +from the savagery it displayed.</p> + +<p>"One imagines that you did not know Don Martin," Gomez said lightly, +although there was a keen look in his narrowed eyes.</p> + +<p>"No," Evelyn answered; "I only saw him at dinner."</p> + +<p>"Then perhaps you have heard your father speak of him?"</p> + +<p>"I am not sure; I have heard his name somewhere; but I don't think my +father ever met him."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>"Well, I don't know that it is of much importance. I came to tell you +that I think we can start."</p> + +<p>They set off and reached Rio Frio without trouble some time after dark. +People in the streets turned and gazed at them, and although some +saluted Gomez, Evelyn thought that, for the most part, they watched the +party with unfriendly curiosity. She was eager to meet her father, but +when they dismounted in the <i>patio</i> of a large white house she got a +shock. A dark-skinned woman and several half-breed servants came down +from a gallery to welcome them, but Cliffe was not there.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">HELD FOR RANSOM</span></h2> + + +<p>Gomez once more apologized. The señor Cliffe had not yet arrived from +Villa Paz, he explained, but was expected in the morning. In the +meantime the good señora Garcia would look after the señorita's comfort.</p> + +<p>Evelyn had to be content with that. Indeed, she was too tired to feel +much disturbed. On getting up the next morning, however, she was +troubled by unpleasant suspicions. It had been a shock to find Cliffe +absent, and she began to review the misadventures which had marked her +journey. To begin with, it now seemed curious that her father had not +written instead of sending a message; then, the señora Herrero had not +kept her promise to overtake them, and Luisa Romanez had unexpectedly +gone back. While she wondered whether all this had any sinister meaning, +Evelyn felt for a packet of paper currency which she had, at her +father's advice, sewn into her dress. She found that it was gone. A +hurried search showed that the stitches had been neatly cut.</p> + +<p>For a few moments she felt unnerved, and then resolutely pulled herself +together. This was no time for hysteria. It was obvious that she had +been duped. The lost sum was not large, but with the exception of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> a few +coins it was all she had, and it had not been stolen by a common thief. +Somebody had searched her clothes while she slept and taken the money +with the object of embarrassing her.</p> + +<p>Going to the window, she looked out at the town. It had a mean, +dilapidated air; the few inhabitants she saw slowly moving about looked +poverty-stricken and furtive. Their harsh voices jarred; one could +expect no sympathy or help from these foreigners. Hitherto she had been +indulged and carefully protected, but she was now alone and in danger, +and the novel experience was daunting. Still, she saw that it was unwise +to give her imagination rein. She must keep her head and try to grapple +with the situation.</p> + +<p>She finished dressing and without waiting for the morning chocolate +found her way to the room in which she had been received on the previous +evening. It stretched across one end of the house on the second floor +and was furnished in rather barbarous taste. Although there was a +profusion of colored silk and a hint of sensual luxury, it was obviously +a man's room, and Evelyn studied the woman who joined her when the +majordomo brought in breakfast.</p> + +<p>Señora Garcia was coarsely handsome, but she had not the easy manners of +a lady of rank and her dark color hinted at Indian blood. Her expression +was arrogant, and Evelyn felt that she was hostile. Besides, she spoke +an uncouth Spanish that the girl could not understand at all. Breakfast +was a trial of nerve, but Evelyn knew that she must eat and hide her +fears. When breakfast was over she would have a talk with Gomez.</p> + +<p>He soon came in, and dismissed the señora Garcia<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> with a commanding +glance. Her servile obedience was significant.</p> + +<p>"<i>Buenos días, señorita</i>," he greeted Evelyn smilingly.</p> + +<p>"When do you expect my father?" she asked bluntly.</p> + +<p>"I regret that I cannot answer positively. It may be a week before he +comes—perhaps longer."</p> + +<p>"But you brought me here to meet him!"</p> + +<p>Gomez smiled, and spread out his hands in a way that always irritated +Evelyn.</p> + +<p>"It now appears that the señor Cliffe's business with the President is +not finished," he said.</p> + +<p>"It would not prevent his coming to meet me if he had promised."</p> + +<p>"You should know best," Gomez answered with a shrug. "Still, it looks as +if the señor Cliffe put his business first and is not very anxious about +you."</p> + +<p>"That is not true!" Evelyn said vehemently. "If he had any cause to be +anxious, he would let no business stand in the way!"</p> + +<p>"Ah! I admit I find this interesting."</p> + +<p>Gomez looked so satisfied that Evelyn feared she had blundered, though +she could not see how. Her heart beat fast and her nerves were tensely +strung, but she knew that she must be calm. The man was her antagonist +and she was fighting in the dark.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, "since my father has not arrived, I will go to him."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid that is impossible. It is a long way to Villa Paz and the +country is disturbed."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to prevent my going?"</p> + +<p>"Far from it, señorita. You are at liberty to do what you wish; but +unfortunately, I cannot provide<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> mules and an escort. There are some +dangerous revolutionaries among the hills. Then, I must remind you that +our people dislike foreigners, and a lady cannot travel alone and +without money."</p> + +<p>Evelyn felt trapped.</p> + +<p>"How do you <i>know</i> I haven't money? Because it was stolen in this house! +You must lend me some—my father will repay it."</p> + +<p>"Your pardon, señorita, but you are mistaken; I can answer for the +honesty of my servants. I would lend you money, only that I cannot +permit you to make a journey I know is dangerous."</p> + +<p>The girl sat still and there was silence for a few moments while she +tried to brace herself. She felt that she was at the man's mercy, for +there was something threatening behind his suave politeness, and his +smile indicated that he was amused by her futile struggles. For all +that, she must keep up the fight.</p> + +<p>"Then what is to be done?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"I suggest that you write to the señor Cliffe and tell him where you +are. If you add that you do not feel safe, he will, no doubt, join you +as soon as possible. Although it may reflect upon our care of you, we +will see that he gets the letter."</p> + +<p>It seemed a simple course, but Evelyn was on her guard. She must match +her wits against the man's, and he had shown a hint of eagerness that +she thought suspicious. Having brought her to Rio Frio by trickery, why +did he wish her father to know that she felt alarmed?</p> + +<p>"I should be glad to write to him, but I do not see why I should make +him uneasy on my account," she said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>There was something in Gomez's expression which indicated that he felt +baffled, and she knew it might be dangerous to provoke him; but he +exercised self-control.</p> + +<p>"That is for you to judge, but are you not inconsistent, señorita? You +show some anger and alarm when you do not find your father here, and now +when I suggest an easy way of bringing him, you will not take it."</p> + +<p>"Do you want him to come here?" Evelyn asked bluntly.</p> + +<p>Gomez gave her a steady, thoughtful look.</p> + +<p>"On the whole, that would suit us." He paused and added in a meaning +tone: "It would facilitate your return to the coast."</p> + +<p>Evelyn knew she had been given a hint that was half a threat and it cost +her something to refuse it, although she felt that to do what the man +wished might not be the safest plan.</p> + +<p>"After all, it might interfere with his business if I made him leave +Villa Paz before he is ready."</p> + +<p>Watching Gomez closely she thought his calm was forced, but he bowed.</p> + +<p>"As you wish, señorita, but you will think over it. And now I must leave +you."</p> + +<p>For some minutes after he had gone Evelyn sat with relaxed muscles and +vacant mind, for the strain had told; then by degrees her courage came +back. She was an American and must show no weakness to an antagonist of +alien and, she felt, baser blood. Besides, it looked as if she had won +the first encounter and she had resources which should prove useful. She +had inherited her father's intelligence, and her social<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> training had +given her restraint and the power to conceal her thoughts, while a +woman's quick, instinctive perception was an advantage.</p> + +<p>All this, however, was not directly to the point. She had been decoyed +to Rio Frio for some purpose. She shrank as she remembered Luisa +Romanez's hints; still, she did not think Gomez was in love with her. +The fellow was a sensualist, but he had some advantage in view, and she +had already suspected what it was. Now she began to understand the +matter more clearly. Gomez and the President meant to use her as a means +of getting her father into their power. She did not think his personal +safety was threatened, but they would insist on his agreeing to their +terms as the price of restoring her to him, and it was plain that she +would play into their hands by writing a letter that would cause him +anxiety. Evelyn determined that they should not have her help, but +although she sat for some time with brows knitted and hands clenched, +she could make no better plan than to remain quietly obstinate.</p> + +<p>It was impossible to reach Villa Paz without money, and although she +shrank from being left in the power of a man like Gomez, she thought his +self-interest would secure her safety. She might, perhaps, get some one +to carry a message to Grahame if he were on the coast, but she was +reluctant to do so unless the need were urgent.</p> + +<p>After a while she got up and went out into the plaza. People gazed at +her curiously; some smiled at one another as she passed, and a number of +the women looked suspicious and hostile. For all that, she was neither +molested nor followed, and when the sun got hot she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> returned to the +house, where she spent the day drearily improving her knowledge of +Castilian. It promised to become useful, but the fine language jarred +her long afterward.</p> + +<p>The week that followed tried her courage. She was, in reality, a +prisoner, though subject to no open restraint and treated well, except +that the señora Garcia regarded her with badly disguised hatred. Now and +then she saw Gomez, but he was suavely courteous and said nothing of +importance. She got nervous and lost her color and her appetite, but +there was nothing to do but wait until Gomez, who apparently meant to +wear her out, made some fresh demand.</p> + +<p>One evening he came into the room where she sat and after a ceremonious +greeting stood with his head slightly bent in an attitude of respect. He +was dressed in a white uniform which emphasized his stoutness and the +dark color of his greasy skin.</p> + +<p>"You look tired, señorita," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"I am very tired of Rio Frio. Have you come to tell me that I can go +away?"</p> + +<p>"That you should be eager to do so grieves me, but I can, perhaps, make +it possible. There is a proposal I wish to make."</p> + +<p>"Yes?" Evelyn answered as carelessly as she could.</p> + +<p>"You may find what I propose surprising; but I must beg you to think +over it and you will see that it is not so strange as it seems. I have +the honor to ask you to be my wife."</p> + +<p>Evelyn shrank back in horror, as if he had struck her, and then with an +effort recovered her self-control.</p> + +<p>"This is impossible, señor; indeed, it is absurd."</p> + +<p>"Your pardon," he said with ominous grimness; "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> cannot agree. It is, I +think, the best way out of an embarrassing situation, but this is an +argument I do not wish to use. I would rather speak of the charm you +exercise and my respectful admiration."</p> + +<p>"We can leave that out. I do not value nor desire it."</p> + +<p>The man's dark eyes flashed, and Evelyn knew the danger of rousing him. +His Spanish polish was only skin-deep, and the savage lurked beneath. +For all that, she was desperate and meant to force the conflict.</p> + +<p>"Very well," he said; "I must take another course. To begin with, it +looks as if your father did not care what became of you. It is now some +time since he left you at Valverde and he has not troubled to inquire if +you are safe."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe that!"</p> + +<p>"Well, we will let it go. The rest is more important. It is known in +Valverde that you did me the honor to run away with me."</p> + +<p>Evelyn jumped up, with the color rushing to her face and her hands +clenched. The prudence she tried to exercise had given place to +imperious anger.</p> + +<p>"You scoundrel!" she cried. "Do you think it matters to me what your +black-blooded countrymen and women think! Your Moorish customs may be +necessary for them, but I am an American!"</p> + +<p>Gomez chuckled.</p> + +<p>"There were two American <i>comisionistas</i> at Valverde and they must have +heard the story in the cafés. It is, you understand, a romantic episode: +the daughter of a well-known financier elopes with a foreign soldier. +The <i>comisionistas</i> talk about it when they return and your newspapers +make the most of the tale. Some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> of them are not reserved or fastidious. +It is possible they print your portrait. One can imagine the +astonishment of your friends, but the story would be incomplete if it +did not end with a romantic wedding."</p> + +<p>The girl drew back in horror. If the tale reached home, the shock would +break her mother down; but it was possible that Gomez was lying. She had +heard of no American drummers in the town.</p> + +<p>He gave her no time to recover.</p> + +<p>"Then I must show you how what followed our flight from Valverde fits +in. We arrive together at Rio Frio after dark; you find shelter in my +house."</p> + +<p>Evelyn started, for this was worse.</p> + +<p>"Your house!" she exclaimed. "Then who is Señora Garcia?"</p> + +<p>Gomez smirked in an ugly manner.</p> + +<p>"A woman of the town who comes at my bidding."</p> + +<p>The jealous hatred of the coarse but handsome woman was now explained +and Evelyn grew hot with humiliation as she saw that the señora Garcia +regarded her as a favored rival. It was unendurable; but in spite of her +anger she was getting calm. Besides, there was some hope in the thought +that Gomez could not be moved by passion. He was a sensual brute, and +her beauty had perhaps caught his roving eye, but it was some material +advantage he sought.</p> + +<p>"It was a clever plot; one that only a mind like yours could conceive," +she said with quiet scorn.</p> + +<p>"The important thing is that it succeeded. But may I ask why you object +to me? I am a man of influence—in reality, the second in power. The +country is disturbed and discontented; before long I may be first."</p> + +<p>"Your hopes would probably come to a sudden end,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> if your master guessed +them," Evelyn answered with a mocking smile.</p> + +<p>She saw that she had touched him, for he cast a quick glance at the +door, as if to make sure that nobody had heard his boast. As he did so, +Evelyn thought she heard a faint movement outside, but she knew she +might be mistaken, and Gomez did not seem to notice anything. To +distract his attention, she flung another jibe at him.</p> + +<p>"Señor," she said, "though you think I am in your power, I will never +marry you. It is an insult to suggest it. Even if you were not repulsive +in person and character, you are not a white man."</p> + +<p>The blood rushed to his face and his eyes flashed.</p> + +<p>"You are rash, señorita, in trying to provoke me, but you may take a +wiser course before I have finished with you. It pains me deeply to be +compelled to remind you that you are in my house, in my power. I repeat +to you my offer, señorita; I give you one more chance to marry me <i>of +your own free will</i>. And now I leave you to think it over."</p> + +<p>Before Evelyn could more than gasp he was gone. She fell limply into a +chair and dropped her head into her hands. She must think, <i>think</i>; but +the strain had been unbearable and the reaction threatened to overwhelm +her.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE INTERCEPTED NOTE</span></h2> + + +<p>When she was able to think calmly, Evelyn found herself confronted by +familiar troubles. She was not a prisoner and yet she could not run +away, because she had no money and could not understand the barbarous +Castilian spoken among the hills. Moreover, she could not appeal, even +by signs, for help, for it was generally believed that she had eloped +with Gomez. His friends would, no doubt, send her back to him. His +enemies would treat her with rude contempt. Sooner than be forced to +marry him, she would steal away and starve; but she had a conviction +that things would not come to the worst. It would suit Gomez best to +break down her resistance by moral pressure.</p> + +<p>She was young, but not altogether inexperienced, and during the past +week her mental powers had suddenly developed; besides, she was +supported by a deep-rooted national pride. It was a privilege to be an +American, or, as her countrymen sometimes expressed it, to be white. The +sentiment might not be quite free from prejudice, but it was founded on +truth and carried an obligation. One must respect one's birthright and +never submit to be trampled on by a foreigner.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>It was, however, obvious that she must seek outside help, and in her +need she thought of Grahame. He would come if she sent for him, and she +knew now that he would be welcome if he came as her lover. He was a +white man; it was an unspeakable relief to dwell upon his fine, athletic +symmetry and his strong, brown face with its stamp of semi-ascetic +restraint, after the tainted grossness of her persecutor. She had +thought of him often, and had indeed found it hard not to do so oftener, +but the turning-point had come and, flinging aside ambition, she opened +her heart to the love that had been waiting. This was not because she +was in danger, although danger had hastened the crisis.</p> + +<p>For a time she forgot Gomez, and listened vacantly to the patter of feet +in the hot streets while she sat quietly in a corner of the shaded room, +lost in alluring dreams. Then she roused herself, and going to her +apartment wrote a short message, stating that she needed help. She could +not find an envelope and dare not ask for one, so she folded the note +and wrote across it the address Grahame had given her. Then she stole +from the house.</p> + +<p>No one interfered with her as she went up a street that led to the +outskirts of the town, where she was less likely to be watched. The +unsealed note could not be posted, because it would no doubt be given to +Gomez, but she might find somebody who would arrange for its conveyance +by hand. It would be better if the person were a revolutionary, but she +imagined that the President's enemies would not make themselves +conspicuous. Some risk must be taken, but, after all, very few people +could read English.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>After a time she met a peon and showed him the note. He seemed surprised +to see the Spanish name on the back, and at first vigorously shook his +head, but when Evelyn held out two or three coins he began to ponder, +and presently made a sign of understanding and took the note. Evelyn +felt reckless as he moved away, for she had given him all her money and +had no resource left.</p> + +<p>Returning by a different way, she entered the house. Gomez did not seem +to be about, but the building was large and she seldom saw him except +when he paid her a formal visit. The man was a ruffian, but it was her +money he wanted, and he would act discreetly. His boast had thrown some +light upon his treacherous schemes: he meant to make himself President, +if he could compel her father to provide the necessary funds.</p> + +<p>The peon carrying the note set out on foot for the next village, where +he had a friend who sometimes went to the coast. The friend, however, +was not at home, and Evelyn's messenger, being tired and in possession +of more money than usual, entered a little wine-shop and ordered +refreshment. The <i>caña</i> was strong and after drinking more than was good +for him he forgot his caution when one of the villagers asked what had +brought him there. To satisfy the fellow's curiosity, he produced the +note, and the loungers in the wine-shop grew interested, for the man to +whom it was addressed was known as an enemy of the Government.</p> + +<p>One tried to take it from the peon, another interfered, and as both +political parties were represented, a tumult broke out. It was stopped +by the arrival of two rural guards, the note was seized, and one of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> +guards set off for Rio Frio at dawn the next morning.</p> + +<p>Gomez started when he was given the note, for Evelyn had made an +unexpected move; but he saw the importance of what it implied and +lighted a cigarette while he thought the matter out. He had suspected +the <i>Enchantress</i> for some time and knew that Grahame was her owner. +Since the <i>yanqui</i> was in communication with a dangerous revolutionist, +he must be engaged in smuggling arms, and if he had landed many, the +rebels would be ready to fight. For all that, Gomez was puzzled. Grahame +was a friend of the señorita Cliffe's—perhaps even her lover—and he +was helping the rebels, while her father had spent a good deal of money +to support the President. This suggested that Cliffe might be playing a +crooked game, and bore out some suspicions Gomez had entertained. The +President must be informed at once; but in the meantime Gomez saw how +the note could be made use of.</p> + +<p>After some thought, he summoned a confidential clerk who had learned +English in the United States, and gave him the note.</p> + +<p>"It seems that the señorita does not like Rio Frio and means to leave +us," he remarked.</p> + +<p>The clerk discreetly contented himself with a sign of agreement.</p> + +<p>"Well," Gomez resumed, "I think we will let her message go."</p> + +<p>"Would that be wise?" the other ventured. "We do not know when and which +way the Englishman will come, and he may be joined by some of +Sarmiento's followers."</p> + +<p>Gomez smiled.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>"The señorita Cliffe is artless and has made a mistake. Her note covers +only half the paper and leaves room for something to be added +underneath."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" The clerk was a skillful penman and had once or twice successfully +imitated the signatures of hostile politicians.</p> + +<p>"You understand!" said Gomez. "The writing must not look different and +you must use the same kind of pencil. Now give me some paper."</p> + +<p>He smoked a cigarette before he began to write, for the space at the +foot of Evelyn's note was limited. Grahame probably knew the girl's +hand, but would be deceived by a clever imitation of it in the form of a +postscript under her signature. The note was dated at Rio Frio and left +it to be understood that Evelyn expected him there, but the postscript +directed him to land on the beach near Valverde, where a guide would +look out for him for several nights.</p> + +<p>"There are two words we had better alter; the Americans do not often use +them," said the clerk cautiously, and Gomez agreed to the change.</p> + +<p>"You will have it sent off and make arrangements for the Englishman to +be met," he added with a smile. "And now I must start for Villa Paz to +tell the President."</p> + +<p>Half an hour later he mounted in the <i>patio</i>, and Evelyn, hearing the +clatter of hoofs, looked out through the half-opened lattice and watched +him ride away. As he had an armed escort and a spare mule, she imagined +he meant to make a long journey, and Grahame might arrive before he +returned.</p> + +<p>Soon after the party had gone, the señora Garcia came in and stood +looking at the girl as if she had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> something to say. Her air of sullen +dislike was less marked than usual, and Evelyn, remembering the sound +she had heard during her interview with Gomez, suspected that she had +listened at the door. Now the woman looked anxious and embarrassed, and +while she hesitated Evelyn studied her. The señora must have possessed +unusual beauty and was handsome yet, although she was getting stout and +losing her freshness, as women of Spanish blood do at an early age in +hot climates. Her skin had been spoiled by cosmetics and her face was +clumsily touched with paint and powder. Evelyn felt a half contemptuous +pity; there was something pathetic in her crude attempts to preserve her +vanishing charm.</p> + +<p>The señora made signs which Evelyn supposed to mean that Gomez had gone +away, and then she took out some silver and paper currency. Putting it +into the girl's hand, she pointed to the door.</p> + +<p>Evelyn started, for the hint was plain; the señora was anxious to get +rid of her rival. Evelyn grasped at the chance to go. The money could be +repaid; it might be some time before Grahame arrived, and the woman +could be trusted to convey a note to him, because she could not give it +to Gomez without betraying her complicity in the girl's escape.</p> + +<p>For a time they struggled to grasp each other's meaning, but at last the +señora Garcia showed she understood that she was to deliver a note to an +Englishman who would come in search of the girl. Evelyn was to find a +peon who lived outside the town and would put her on the way to Villa +Paz. It would, no doubt, prove a difficult journey, but she was +determined to make it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>She was soon ready, and walked carelessly across the plaza as if she had +no object. The townspeople knew her, and she met with no troublesome +curiosity. After a time, she entered a shady street, where she stopped +once or twice to look into a shop. Leaving it at the other end, she came +out into a hot, stony waste, dotted with tall aloes and clumps of +cactus, and presently reached a dilapidated adobe hut.</p> + +<p>As she stood, hesitating, before it a man came out to meet her and she +felt her heart beat fast, for she was now confronted by her first +danger. The fellow might rob her or perhaps take her back. His white +clothes were threadbare, but they were clean, and on the whole she liked +his look; and the sight of a woman peeping through the door was somehow +reassuring.</p> + +<p>It was not easy to make him understand what she wanted, but he looked +thoughtful when she repeated a word the señora Garcia had taught her. +Then he went in, apparently to consult the woman, and, returning, +signified that he would do what she wished. She must, however, go on +alone to a village some distance off; on the way he would overtake her +with a mule. Evelyn thought it curious that he had not asked for money, +but as he seemed anxious that she should not delay she set off. So far, +her escape had proved easier than she had imagined.</p> + +<p>The sun was at its highest, and it was very hot; the road was a rough +track where loose stones lay among the heavy dust. Where water ran down +the hillside in artificial channels, there were palms and belts of +foliage; elsewhere outcropping rock and stones flung up a dazzling +brightness. In the background, rugged peaks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> rose against a sky of +intense blue, and far off on the opposite hand a misty gleam indicated +the sea.</p> + +<p>Evelyn soon began to get tired, and she found her thin shoes badly +suited to the roughness of the ground. The dust that rose about her +gathered on her skin; she got hot and thirsty; but the water she tried +to drink was slimy and she toiled on. It seemed wiser to press forward +while she could, for there was nobody at work in the scattered fields. +Her eyes ached with the glare and her feet were sore, but the peon did +not come, and when she looked back the road wound along the hillside, +white and empty. Here and there tall trees filled the hollows among the +rocks, but the country seemed deserted and she could not see a house +anywhere.</p> + +<p>At last, when the sun was low and the shadows were long and cool, she +saw a cluster of small white patches shining amid a belt of green ahead, +and supposed this was the <i>aldea</i> the peon had meant. Limping on +wearily, she came within half a mile of it, and then, finding a place +where she was hidden by a clump of cactus, she sat down to watch the +road. She might run some risk of being robbed or stopped if she entered +the village alone, for it was obvious that a well-dressed foreigner +traveling on foot could not hope to escape notice, and the hill peasants +would probably not understand her few words of Castilian.</p> + +<p>The shadows lengthened until they covered the hillside, and the air got +cool, but her guide did not come, and Evelyn began to wonder what had +delayed him. He had seemed willing to assist in her escape, and she +suspected that he must sympathize with the revolutionaries; but, if so, +it was strange that the señora<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> Garcia should have known the password +which had apparently decided him. She had, however, been told that these +people were fond of intrigue, and that a general plot was often +accompanied by minor conspiracies, so to speak, one inside the other. +The señora Garcia had perhaps some object of her own to serve; but this +did not matter—it was more important that the peon did not arrive.</p> + +<p>It began to get dark. The dew soaked Evelyn's thin dress, and she felt +hungry and achingly tired. Then a light or two twinkled among the trees +and some one began to sing to a guitar. The lights and the music, with +their suggestions of home and rest after the day's toil, troubled the +girl. She was alone and apparently deserted, with enemies behind her and +the way ahead unknown. For a few minutes her courage failed and she was +in danger of breaking down; then, with a determined effort, she +recovered her calm and roused herself to listen.</p> + +<p>The music had grown plainer, and she recognized an air she had heard +when she sat with Grahame in the <i>patio</i> of the International. The +contrast was too great, and brought her poignant memories. She was no +longer a person of consequence, indulged in every wish, but a homeless +fugitive. Then she thought of Grahame, who had translated the song they +were singing, for the plaintive refrain of <i>Las Aves Marinas</i> carried +clearly through the cooling air. Had the wild sea-hawk got her message, +and was he already coming to her rescue? But even this was not of first +consequence. What about the peon? Had he betrayed her?</p> + +<p>Everything was silent upon the hillside, but a faint breeze was getting +up and sighed among the stones.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> There was a splash of water in the +distance, but no sound came from the road. It ran back, a dim white +streak, into the deepening gloom, and then faded out of sight upon the +shoulder of a hill. There was no movement on it as far as the girl could +see.</p> + +<p>She waited what seemed an interminable time, and then a faint drumming +caught her attention, and grew into a welcome beat of hoofs. Some one +was coming along the road. She watched eagerly, straining her eyes to +catch a glimpse of the rider. At last an object emerged from the shadow, +and as it drew nearer she could see that it was a man riding a mule.</p> + +<p>With her nerves at high tension and her heart beating fast, Evelyn left +her hiding place in the cacti and stepped out into the middle of the +road. The man must see her now, and she had involved herself in fresh +difficulties if he were not the peon she expected.</p> + +<p>He came on fast; he had caught sight of her and was urging his mule. +When he pulled up beside her and dropped from the animal, muttering +exclamations in an unknown tongue, Evelyn staggered. It was an Indian +from the hills.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">IN THE CAMP OF THE HILLSMEN</span></h2> + + +<p>Evelyn instinctively drew back a few paces. Through her brain was +beating insistently the admonition that had helped her much in the past +few days:</p> + +<p>"<i>Keep calm! Don't let him think you are afraid!</i>"</p> + +<p>Her first thought had been flight, to the village; but reason told her +that was impossible. Here alone on the silent hillside, in the early +night, a white woman with this strange Indian, there came over her again +a pride in her American blood. She felt that she was a match for him, in +wits if not in strength. And with the thought came courage.</p> + +<p>She pointed to the mule, then to herself, then to the village; and +explained in Spanish.</p> + +<p>The Indian shook his head, and stood stolidly beside his mount. After +his first exclamations he had remained silent, watching Evelyn intently; +but she felt reassured when he made no move to approach her. As a matter +of fact, his mind at that moment was a chaos of conjectures and +possibilities; and while he hesitated Evelyn gasped with relief. Down +the road, carrying distinctly over the night air, came the sound of +furious riding—faint at first and then growing nearer,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> quickly nearer. +Even if it were not the peon, at least two strangers would be safer than +one.</p> + +<p>With a guttural grunt that might have meant anything, the Indian jumped +upon his mule and started off toward the village, urging the animal +along; and Evelyn stepped farther back into the shadow of the cacti. She +felt that she had reached the breaking-point. Yet she must nerve herself +this once more, for without her guide she could not go on.</p> + +<p>The hoof-beats drew near; in a minute they would pass and the rider be +swallowed up in the gloom beyond. Evelyn opened her mouth and tried to +call to him; but her voice failed her. Her worn-out body and her +overtaxed nerves were holding her powerless to move or cry. She could +only stand, helpless, and watch him sweep past.</p> + +<p>But the peon's keen eyes had caught sight of the white dress fluttering +against the dark outline of the cacti, and even as he passed he reined +in his mule. A few moments later he was beside her, holding his battered +hat in his hand.</p> + +<p>"Your servant, señorita," he said courteously.</p> + +<p>Evelyn never could remember distinctly what happened after that. She had +only a hazy recollection of climbing upon the mule and trying to cling +there, while the man trotted beside her carrying a long, iron-pointed +staff. Somewhere near the village they had turned off the main road and +followed a rough path that led up into the hills. And there they had +stopped at a small <i>hacienda</i>, where Evelyn was hospitably received.</p> + +<p>When she woke the next morning, in a clean little adobe room, and found +a neat-looking Spanish woman smiling upon her, Evelyn smiled in return. +Every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> muscle in her body ached, and the soles of her feet were +blistered, but, for the first time in many days, she felt a sense of +perfect security. Still smiling, she murmured the password of the +revolutionaries. It meant much to her now.</p> + +<p>"<i>Confianza!</i>"</p> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<p>They had a hasty breakfast and started again, but rested for some time +in a belt of forest during the heat of the day. In the early evening +they approached a white <i>aldea</i> perched high upon the edge of a ravine. +Evelyn's guide made her understand that they might not be allowed to +pass. He implied that she was in no danger, but it was with some anxiety +that she rode toward the village.</p> + +<p>They skirted the side of the ravine, which was fretted with tumbling +cataracts. Steep rocks ran up from the edge of the trail and were lost +in climbing forest a hundred feet above, but after a time the chasm +began to widen, and small, square houses straggled about its slopes. A +barricade of logs, however, closed the road, and as Evelyn approached +two men stepped out from behind it. They were ragged and unkempt, but +they carried good modern rifles.</p> + +<p>"Halt!" ordered one of them.</p> + +<p>"<i>Confianza!</i>" the guide answered, smiling, and they let him pass.</p> + +<p>Beyond the barricade, the guide stopped in front of an adobe building +that seemed to be an inn, for a number of saddled mules were tied around +it. Men were entering and leaving and a hum of voices came from the +shadowy interior, but the peon motioned to Evelyn that she must get down +and wait. Finding a stone<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> bench where she was left undisturbed, she sat +there for half an hour while it grew dark, and then a man came up and +beckoned her to enter. She went with some misgivings, and was shown into +a room with rough mud walls, where a man sat under a smoky lamp at a +table upon which a map and a number of papers were spread. He wore +plain, white clothes, with a wide red sash; and two others, dressed in +the same way, stood near, as if awaiting his orders. Evelyn knew the +man, for she had seen him at the International.</p> + +<p>"<i>Confianza!</i>" she said. "I believe you are Don Martin Sarmiento."</p> + +<p>He gave her a quick glance, and answered in good English:</p> + +<p>"It is a surprise to receive a visit from Miss Cliffe. But I must ask +who gave you the password?"</p> + +<p>"Señora Garcia at Rio Frio."</p> + +<p>"That sounds strange. But sit down. There is something we must talk +about."</p> + +<p>He waited until one of the men brought her a chair.</p> + +<p>"I understand you were going to Villa Paz," he then said.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I am anxious to join my father."</p> + +<p>"I am not sure that will be possible; but we will speak of it again. +First of all, I must know why you left Valverde." Sarmiento indicated +the others. "These are officers of mine, but they do not speak English, +and it is not necessary that you should know their names. You have +nothing to fear from us, but I must urge you to be frank."</p> + +<p>Evelyn tried to think calmly. She was in the man's power, and he wore +the stamp of command, but she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> liked his look and did not feel afraid of +him. It might be wiser to be candid; but she had an embarrassing story +to tell and she began with some hesitation. Sarmiento helped her, now +with a nod of comprehension as she slurred over an awkward passage, and +now with a look of sympathy, while the others stood silent with +expressionless faces.</p> + +<p>"Gomez is, of course, a scoundrel, and you were wise to run away," he +commented when she stopped. "There are, however, matters I do not quite +understand. For example, it would not be to the President's interest +that he should quarrel with your father; nor do I think Altiera would +approve of an alliance between his secretary and you."</p> + +<p>Evelyn blushed and tried to meet the man's searching look.</p> + +<p>"I cannot explain these things. I have told you what happened, and I +came to you with—confidence."</p> + +<p>Sarmiento bowed.</p> + +<p>"We respect our password. You are safe with us; but you cannot continue +your journey. The roads will be closed before you get through, and there +will be fighting in the next few days. When it seems less dangerous, we +must try to send you on, but in the meantime I must put you into my +daughter's hands."</p> + +<p>He gave one of the officers some instructions, and the man beckoned +Evelyn, but she hesitated.</p> + +<p>"I must pay my guide and send him back."</p> + +<p>"We will give him the money, but he will not go back. We shall, no +doubt, find a use for him." Sarmiento smiled meaningly as he added: "It +looks as if he could be trusted."</p> + +<p>Evelyn followed the officer to the back of the house<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> where creepers +trailed about a rude pergola. A sheet of cotton had been stretched among +the poles, making a tent in which a light burned. Her companion, saying +a few words in Castilian, motioned to Evelyn to go in. She did so, and +then stopped abruptly.</p> + +<p>The lamp was small and the light was dim; loops of vines falling about +it cast puzzling shadows, but Evelyn knew the girl who rose to meet her. +She had seen her talking confidentially to Grahame at the International, +and was seized by jealous suspicion. A stout, elderly lady in a black +dress, who was apparently the girl's duenna, sat farther back in the +shadow. Blanca gave Evelyn a friendly smile of recognition, but it cost +her an effort to respond. The Spanish girl seemed to understand that +something was wrong, and there was an awkward silence while they stood +with their eyes fixed on each other. Then Blanca said with a touch of +haughtiness:</p> + +<p>"I have been told to make you as comfortable as possible, but I am sorry +there is not much comfort here. One cannot expect it in a camp."</p> + +<p>She presented Evelyn to her duenna, and the señora Morales indicated a +folding chair.</p> + +<p>"You come at a bad time," she remarked in awkward French, languidly +opening a fan. "It seems we are to have more fighting; it is the way of +men."</p> + +<p>"They must fight," said Blanca. "The cause is good."</p> + +<p>The señora Morales waved her fan. She wore a black silk mantilla +fastened tightly round her head like a cowl, and her dark, fleshy face +was thickly smeared with powder. Her eyes were lazily contemptuous.</p> + +<p>"There are two causes, <i>niña</i>, and it is hard to see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> how both can be +right. But, since men quarrel about them, it is not impossible that both +may be wrong."</p> + +<p>Evelyn smiled. The duenna's remarks saved the situation from becoming +strained; the woman was obviously shrewd in spite of her heavy face.</p> + +<p>"They are always quarreling in this country," the señora continued. +"Those who will not pay their taxes call themselves Liberators; those +who expect favors from the President are Patriots. If he does not give +them enough, they conspire with the others to turn him out. Since +everybody cannot be satisfied, there is always trouble."</p> + +<p>"But our friends are not fighting for rewards!" Blanca objected +indignantly.</p> + +<p>"A few are disinterested," the señora conceded. She paused, and turned +to Evelyn with an authoritative air. "You must tell me why you ran away +from Rio Frio. I can guess something, but want to know the rest."</p> + +<p>After a moment's hesitation, Evelyn thought it prudent to comply, and +the señora seemed to listen with sympathy.</p> + +<p>"To run away was the simplest plan, but sometimes the simplest plan is +not the best," she said. "Did you think of nothing else?"</p> + +<p>"I sent a message to Mr. Grahame of the <i>Enchantress</i>, telling him I was +in difficulties," Evelyn replied, watching Blanca.</p> + +<p>The girl looked up with quick interest, but there was no hint of +jealousy in her expression.</p> + +<p>"You thought he would come to help you?"</p> + +<p>"I knew he would come if it was possible," Evelyn answered.</p> + +<p>Blanca looked her in the face with a smile of under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>standing, and Evelyn +saw that her suspicions had been unfounded. Grahame was nothing to the +girl.</p> + +<p>"My father must know this at once!" she said, and hurried away.</p> + +<p>Don Martin came back with her and questioned Evelyn, and then he stood +thoughtfully silent for some moments.</p> + +<p>"It is fortunate I heard this news," he said. "Your message may be +intercepted, and we must try to warn Grahame that you are in our hands." +He gave Evelyn a steady look. "I believe he will be satisfied with +that."</p> + +<p>"You can tell him that I feel safe," Evelyn answered.</p> + +<p>Don Martin left her with a bow, and shortly afterward they heard +somebody riding hard along the edge of the ravine. When the beat of +hoofs died away Blanca touched Evelyn's arm.</p> + +<p>"There will be some supper after a while, but let us walk a little way +up the path."</p> + +<p>They went out into the dark, passing slowly between shadowy rows of +bushes which Evelyn thought were young coffee plants. She waited, +believing that her companion meant to take her into her confidence.</p> + +<p>"You were rash in sending for Mr. Grahame," Blanca began. "We must hope +our messenger arrives in time to stop him, but for all that——"</p> + +<p>"Do you wish him to come?" Evelyn asked.</p> + +<p>Blanca smiled.</p> + +<p>"In a sense, it does not matter to me whether he comes or not, though I +would not wish him to run into danger. But he would not come alone."</p> + +<p>Evelyn started. It was not Grahame, but Walthew,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> in whom Blanca was +interested. Somehow she had not thought of that.</p> + +<p>"Of course, you met Mr. Walthew in Havana," she said.</p> + +<p>"And at Rio Frio!" There was a hint of triumphant coquetry and something +deeper in Blanca's voice. "Indeed, Mr. Grahame should be grateful to me, +because it was I who kept him his companion. Mr. Walthew had been +dangerously ill, and was thinking of going home—though of course he did +not tell me this——"</p> + +<p>"But if he did not tell you!"</p> + +<p>"How did I know?" Blanca laughed. "<i>Cariña mia</i>, how do we know such +things? Is a man's face a mask? Have we no guide except what he says?"</p> + +<p>Evelyn thought of Carmen, for Blanca had something of the great +coquette's allurement and power. It was not an unconscious attraction +she exercised, but the skill with which it was directed was primitive +and instinctive rather than intelligent.</p> + +<p>"And you persuaded Mr. Walthew to stay!" she said. "Did you find it +hard?"</p> + +<p>"Hard? Oh, no! It is not hard to persuade a young man, unless one is a +fool. A word or two is enough, and I told him he might become a great +<i>libertador</i> like Bolívar and Garibaldi."</p> + +<p>Evelyn laughed. She liked Walthew, but he was a very modern American, +and the thought of his emulating Garibaldi tickled her. Then, although +it was dark, she was aware of a change in her companion's mood. Blanca's +pose was different, it had somehow hardened, and her head was lifted +high.</p> + +<p>"You find this amusing?" she asked in a haughty tone.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>"I suppose I do, in a way," Evelyn admitted deprecatingly. "You see, I +know my countrymen, and we're not romantic, as a rule."</p> + +<p>"Then it is clear you do not know Mr. Walthew. He is young, but he has +the spirit of these others, the great <i>libertadores</i>."</p> + +<p>"I've no doubt that's true," Evelyn agreed, putting her hand on Blanca's +arm. "Indeed, I like and admire him very much."</p> + +<p>They turned back to the house presently, on friendly terms, for the +Spaniard's anger flares up quickly but soon burns down. Evelyn, however, +saw that matters had gone farther than she thought, and she imagined +that Walthew would have some trouble with his relatives when he went +home.</p> + +<p>"But how did you and your father come to meet Mr. Walthew, and what is +the <i>Enchantress</i> doing on the coast?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"You do not know?" There was a hint of gratified superiority in the +girl's tone. "She is bringing us the rifles that we need."</p> + +<p>Evelyn asked no more questions, because her talk with Blanca had given +her much to think about, and when supper was over she sat outside the +tent alone. The moon was rising above the tall sierra that ran in a +rugged line across the sky. The air was warm and still, and she could +hear water splashing down in the bottom of the ravine. Now and then +there was a clatter of hoofs as a messenger rode up, and sometimes an +order was followed by a patter of feet. Then for a time everything was +silent except for a murmur of voices in the inn.</p> + +<p>The girl noticed this vacantly, for her mind was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> busy, and she was +filled with a strange excitement. For the last week or two she had borne +a heavy strain, and her thoughts had been concentrated on finding a +means of escape. Now they were free to dwell upon a greater matter. The +struggle that began when she boarded the <i>Enchantress</i> was ended, and +she could rejoice in her own defeat, as she had not been quite able to +do when, on first surrendering, she had written her note at Rio Frio. +Prudence, ambition, and self-interest were driven from the field; love +had utterly routed them. She loved Grahame, and she knew that he loved +her, though he had not avowed it yet. Blanca had spoken truly: words +were not needed: it was easy to read a man's heart.</p> + +<p>Evelyn knew what he thought. He was a poor adventurer, and she was rich. +She blushed with shame, remembering how this had once weighed with her. +Now it did not matter at all. Nothing mattered except that he belonged +to her; but while this had never been so plain, it had not dawned on her +with a sudden flash. The light had been steadily creeping in for a long +time, while she stubbornly tried to shut it out, until she abandoned her +futile efforts and let the warming brightness flood her.</p> + +<p>Then she thought of Grahame's danger. Don Martin had not received the +note. Suppose it had fallen into Gomez's hands. What use might not that +half-breed make of it!</p> + +<p>Evelyn shuddered, and breathed a half-conscious prayer that Don Martin's +messenger might reach her lover in time.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">A TRIAL OF SPEED</span></h2> + + +<p>Night was falling over the troubled water, and there were threats of a +tropical storm. The <i>Enchantress</i>, with her anchor down, rolled uneasily +on the broken swell. A sandy point ran out to windward, but the combers +that beat upon its seaward side with a thunderous roar swirled in a +white turmoil round its end and filled the lagoon with an angry heave. +The palms on the landward shore bent in the wind and the dense green +jungle behind them rolled in tossing waves of green. To the north, the +sky was barred by leaden clouds and the sea-tops cut against it, lividly +white.</p> + +<p>A trail of smoke whirled about the funnel, now streaming out to lee, now +eddying down, for a quantity of ammunition and contraband material had +just been landed, and Grahame was ready to go to sea again. There was +some danger in remaining, but the weather was bad, and he half expected +fresh instructions from Don Martin.</p> + +<p>While he sat smoking in the lee of the deck-house and Walthew leaned +against the rail, Macallister looked out of the engine-room door.</p> + +<p>"I can give ye steam enough to take her out at half an hour's notice, +but if ye're no' likely to need it, I'll bank my fires," he said.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>"We won't heave anchor unless we're forced to; it's not an enticing +night," Grahame replied, and Walthew nodded, as in the pause that +followed he heard the rumble of the surf upon the shoals.</p> + +<p>"What do you reckon has been going on inland?" he asked. "The fellows +who took the guns ashore didn't seem to have much news, but they +believed you were right in thinking this might be the last important +cargo we'd have to run."</p> + +<p>"The Government has arrested Castillo, and no doubt brought pretty +strong pressure to bear on him. I'm afraid he couldn't stand up against +it, and has given his fellow conspirators away. The President seems no +fool, and Gomez is a cunning rascal, but I'm not sure they could keep +their plans dark because the opposition have their spies and +sympathizers everywhere. The consequence is that both parties may be +driven into prompt action instead of quietly finishing their +preparations."</p> + +<p>"I expect that's so," said Walthew thoughtfully. "I wish I knew, because +I must see Don Martin and make a trip to Rio Frio before we leave the +coast for good."</p> + +<p>"You know best; but I imagine it means trouble with your people when you +go home."</p> + +<p>"It may, for a time," Walthew answered with a dogged look. "Still, +they'll come round, and I'm glad to think that, considering this job as +a business proposition, we have done pretty well. That will appeal to +the old man. Gun-running's not the line he wanted me to take, but he'll +be tickled when he sees that I've made good at it."</p> + +<p>"I wouldna' say but he might like Miss Sarmiento<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> as weel as yin o' they +hussies at the Florida hotel," Macallister remarked encouragingly. +"There was yin in blue, but no' much o' it, with a flagpole in her hat, +that gave me what I've heard ye call the googly eye——"</p> + +<p>Walthew chuckled.</p> + +<p>"That girl has roomsful of money."</p> + +<p>"Then she might hae bought some clothes," the Scotsman retorted.</p> + +<p>They were silent for a few minutes, and through the quietness they heard +the splash of canoe paddles.</p> + +<p>"We may get some news," Walthew said.</p> + +<p>The canoe ran alongside, and a half-breed handed up a dirty note. +Grahame opened it, and his jaws set and a curious glint came into his +eyes when he read Evelyn's message.</p> + +<p>"Where did this come from?" he called sharply to the waiting half-breed. +In his anxiety he had spoken in English.</p> + +<p>The messenger shook his head.</p> + +<p>"<i>No entiendo.</i>"</p> + +<p>Grahame repeated the question in Spanish, and added: "Tell me quickly!"</p> + +<p>"A man brought it down from the hills a half-hour ago. That's all I +know," the half-breed explained.</p> + +<p>"All right; you may go."</p> + +<p>Grahame turned to Walthew and Macallister and showed them the crumpled +note.</p> + +<p>"I don't think our partnership agreement covers a risky private +undertaking of this kind, and you can turn me out, if you like, but I'm +going," he said.</p> + +<p>"And I'm coming with you," Walthew replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> cheerfully. "I've some +business of my own at Rio Frio."</p> + +<p>"You can't come! How is Mack to run the boat alone?"</p> + +<p>"Weel," said Macallister, "I'm thinking that's no' impossible. Onyway, +ye'll take him. We'll quarrel about who's to command her if ye leave him +on board."</p> + +<p>Grahame saw they were both determined; his comrades meant to stand by +him, if it cost them the vessel. He was touched, but there was no time +to indulge in sentiment.</p> + +<p>"We'll talk of it later. Start the windlass and stir the fires. I'll +want all the steam you can give me."</p> + +<p>"Ye'll get it," Macallister replied, and vanished below, while Grahame +went forward when the windlass began to clank and the cable tightened.</p> + +<p>Speed was urgently needed. It was several days since the note had been +written, and he dared not speculate about what might have happened in +the meanwhile. Evelyn was not easily frightened; she would not have sent +for him unless the danger was imminent. Then, the postscript stated that +a guide would look out for him between midnight and three o'clock in the +morning, at a place mentioned, and the <i>Enchantress</i> must be driven hard +to get there in time. If she arrived too late, he must steam out to sea +before dawn broke and wait for another night.</p> + +<p>The windlass rattled faster, the chain ran in as the anchor left the +ground, and, seeing Miguel ready with the tackle at the cathead, Grahame +went aft to the wheel. The gong clanged the signal "Full ahead," and the +screw began to throb. There was a crash forward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> as the swinging anchor +struck the bow, but Miguel had men enough to stow it, and Grahame fixed +his eyes ahead as he turned his wheel. Rolling across the broken swell, +the <i>Enchantress</i> stemmed the strong flood-tide; bending palms and +shadowy beach were sliding past, and the turmoil on the shoals drew +nearer. Ahead was a narrow channel with about a fathom of water to the +good, but the leading marks were obscured and Grahame doubted if he +could find it. If the boat struck, she would be washed up, badly +damaged, among the sands; but the tide was rising, and before long +Macallister would have raised full steam. It was unthinkable that they +should lose time, and Grahame meant to take his chance.</p> + +<p>Spray flew about her forward; as the swell got steeper she dipped to the +knightheads, and Miguel, running aft, began to use the lead. Grahame did +not stop him, although sounding was a matter of form, because she would +drive aground before he could bring her head round if he missed the +narrow deep.</p> + +<p>She crept past the point, rolling wildly and lifting out her screw, +while the air got thick with spray and the thud of engines was drowned +by the turmoil of the sea. Some distance off, white ridges leaped out of +the gathering dark, but nearer at hand they were broken by the shoals +and raged in foaming confusion. The <i>Enchantress</i> must cross this belt +without much steam to help her, but it was obvious that Macallister was +hard at work below, for thick smoke with fiery sparks in it poured from +the funnel.</p> + +<p>Miguel's white-clad figure, swaying in the channels, cut against the +gloom, but Grahame could not hear his hail. Though he glanced at the +compass now and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> then, he was feeling his way rather by instinct than +definite guidance, and so far the upward sweep of the bows showed there +was sufficient water under the vessel. Sometimes a sea came on board and +poured aft in a frothing flood, but she was steadily forging ahead, and +a few minutes would take her across the worst of the shoals.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she stopped with a crash, lurched sideways, and lay still while +a foam-tipped mass of water rolled up ahead. It broke on board, burying +her forward half, and the next moment Grahame was wet to the waist; but +she lifted as the roller surged by; and then struck the shoal again. A +few more blows of that kind would crush in her bilge, but Grahame set +his teeth and clung grimly to his wheel. There was nothing to be done +but wait; the crash would warn Macallister what was required of him, and +if he could not drive her off, they must cut the boats adrift and leave +her to her fate.</p> + +<p>Another sea came tumbling in, but while its crest broke across the rail +it picked her up and she moved on slowly with the water sluicing aft +down her inclined deck. For a few seconds Grahame held his breath, +waiting for the shock; but she went on, and lifted her head buoyantly as +the next comber rolled up. When she had lurched over it and the spray +had blown away, he saw that the sea was more regular and the worst of +the turmoil lay astern. Five minutes afterward, she reeled out into open +water, and Macallister came on deck.</p> + +<p>"We've started the bilge-pump, but it's no' drawing much," he said. "I +dinna think she's the waur for the knocks she got."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>"That's satisfactory. You know what you have to do."</p> + +<p>Macallister smiled with quiet enjoyment.</p> + +<p>"We've no' had the need to drive her yet, but noo I'll let ye see."</p> + +<p>He went below, and Grahame gave Miguel an order, for in swinging round +after leaving the lagoon the <i>Enchantress</i> had brought the wind on her +quarter, and she carried a good spread of sail. He would not, however, +luff her off her course to make the work easier; the crew must hoist the +canvas as best they could, and there was a furious banging and clatter +of flying blocks as fore-staysail, foresail, and mainsail went up. Then +she listed down with her rail in the white surges that boiled up to lee, +while tall, hollow-fronted combers ranged up astern and sped after her.</p> + +<p>Wire shrouds, strung to the breaking-point, shrieked in wild harmonies +as the blasts struck them; chain funnel-guys roared in deeper tones, and +there was a confused groaning of masts and booms. Spray swept her, +lashing Grahame's back and blowing past his head in clouds, and now and +then a sea-top broke on board; but she drove on furiously before the +wind.</p> + +<p>After a while Grahame called Miguel to the helm and stood in the lee of +the deckhouse, pipe in mouth, for he had now time to think. He could +make no plans until he landed, but it was plain that he must go to Rio +Frio; and, if possible, he must leave Walthew behind. He could not allow +the lad to run the risk, and Macallister would need him. Some help might +be had from the revolutionaries, and he must try to find Don Martin. If +he failed to do so, much would have to be left to chance.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>Grahame looked at another side of the matter. Suppose he rescued Miss +Cliffe, what then? Though the gun-running had been profitable, he was an +adventurer with very limited means. He could not trade upon Cliffe's +gratitude, though he loved the girl. He did not know when he began to +love her, but he had for some time made stern efforts to drive the +thought of her out of his mind. Perhaps he might have succeeded had +nothing unusual happened, for he knew his disadvantages; but now his +determination suddenly had been swept away. Evelyn was in danger; +somehow this made clear the strength of the feelings with which he had +grappled. The future was clouded; there were difficulties to be faced; +but he felt that if she had any love for him he could not give her up.</p> + +<p>The gale freshened; but Grahame would not shorten sail. There was not +much time to spare, and the gear was standing well. He could trust the +helm to Miguel and might have slept, but, although he imagined his +strength might be severely taxed during the next few days, it was +impossible for him to rest. In spite of his anxiety, he was sensible of +an exultant excitement. The girl he loved was in danger, but she had +sent for him. Then, the adventure he was embarking on had a fascination +of its own, and he smiled as he remembered that his ancestors had often +in past days ridden across the dark marches, leading the Border Spears. +It was not for nothing the hot blood of the old mosstroopers ran in his +veins.</p> + +<p>Swept by the seas on her quarter, the <i>Enchantress</i> drove on, and +Grahame lurched about the slanted deck and stood amidst the spray that +whirled across her stern. She was going fast; his glances at the +recording<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> log astonished him, for he had not believed her capable of +the speed it showed. His fierce impatience seemed to have inspired +thudding engines and quivering hull, and he thrilled when a great, +white-topped comber rolled up and swept her on. Flame blew from the +funnel, wet canvas, straining in black curves, reeled through the dark, +and the sea sped back, snowy white, toward the plunging bows.</p> + +<p>At last, however, lights shone in the gloom, and Grahame ordered the +canvas to be lowered. It cost the crew an arduous struggle, but they +made all fast, and Grahame, ringing for half-speed, took the wheel. +There was a point a short distance from the town that would break the +sea, and by steaming in behind it he might get a boat away. Landing +would be difficult, and it was important that he should find the right +spot.</p> + +<p>He watched the beach with his glasses as the <i>Enchantress</i> swung +inshore, and when presently the combers changed to a steep, troubled +swell that ended in a white band of surf, he stopped the engines and +told Miguel to hoist out the gig. The navigation lights had been +extinguished, but he thought that anybody carefully watching for the +steamer could see her. The men had some trouble in lowering the boat, +but as soon as she was in the water Grahame jumped on board and told the +men to push off. Then, as they got out their oars, a dark figure leaped +from the steamer's rail and Walthew, alighting in the sternsheets, +turned to his comrade with a grin.</p> + +<p>"I'm here, and you'll smash the boat if you try to send me back," he +said. "You see, I suspected what you were getting after when you put me +at a job it was awkward to leave."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>"Well, I did my best, anyway," Grahame laughed.</p> + +<p>Walthew took an oar, for the swell was high enough to make progress +difficult, but they found smoother water near the land, and stopped +pulling just outside the fringe of surf. Waiting for a slacker interval +in the shoreward rush of hissing rollers, they drove her in as fast as +she could go, and jumped overboard when she touched the sand. A wave +broke into her, but they ran her up safely, and Grahame turned to +Walthew after they had emptied the water out.</p> + +<p>"I don't think I'm straining my authority by telling you to go off with +Miguel," he said.</p> + +<p>"Anyhow, I'm not going," Walthew replied doggedly. "Our association is a +partnership, and I mean to come along. I don't know that I'll be of much +help to you, but the job you've undertaken is too big for one."</p> + +<p>Grahame saw that objections would be useless, and, feeling that his +pistol was loose, he walked up the beach, with Walthew following a few +yards behind.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">TRAPPED</span></h2> + + +<p>For a few minutes the men toiled silently across loose, wet sand, and +then, on reaching a belt of shingle near high-water mark, stopped to +look about. Lights gleamed in the town across the bay, but except for +that it was very dark. A clump of trees that fringed the end of a ridge +of higher ground could barely be distinguished, but Grahame decided that +this must be the spot Evelyn had mentioned in her note. Though the +shingle rolled beneath his feet, the sound it made was lost in the roar +of the surf upon the point. Dry sand blew past, pricking his face, and +when he turned toward the sea he saw a group of indistinct objects still +standing about the boat.</p> + +<p>"What are they waiting for?" he asked. "I told them to push off."</p> + +<p>"I guess old Miguel takes an interest in us and wants to see we're all +right. He knows something about these fellows' tricks, and may not share +our confidence."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess those are the trees where we should meet our guide."</p> + +<p>"The fellow might have come down to the beach," Walthew remarked. "I was +busy helping Mack during<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> the run and hadn't much time to think, but it +now strikes me as curious that Miss Cliffe was able to send the note and +arrange for a guide when she was a prisoner."</p> + +<p>"She must have got into touch with some of Don Martin's spies, and his +friends would be ready to help. But we had better get on."</p> + +<p>They crossed the shingle, seeing nothing that suggested there was +anybody about, but Walthew grew uneasy as they approached the trees. The +belt of timber was wrapped in gloom, and rolled back up the rising +ground in shadowy masses that rustled in the wind. It had somehow a +forbidding look, and the nearer he got the less he liked it. He was not +daunted, and meant to go on, but his nerves were highly strung and his +glances suspicious as he tried to pierce the dark.</p> + +<p>They found a trail through tall grass and reeds, and followed it across +a patch of boggy soil until it led them to an opening in the trees. Here +a shadowy object rose out of the gloom, and Walthew instinctively felt +for his pistol. The abrupt movement dislodged a small bundle of clothes +which he carried by a strap across his shoulder, and it fell to the +ground. Then he saw the man come forward, waving his hand.</p> + +<p>"This way, señor!" he called to Grahame, who was some yards in front.</p> + +<p>Walthew felt tempted to leave the bundle. He wanted to watch the man; +but there was a packet of cartridges among the clothes he had dropped, +and he thought they might prove useful. Stooping down, he felt among the +grass, but had to move once or twice before he found the bundle; then, +springing to his feet,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> he saw that Grahame and the other had vanished. +The next moment his comrade's voice reached him, hoarse and breathless:</p> + +<p>"Run!"</p> + +<p>That Grahame said nothing more was ominous; but Walthew did not run back +to the boat. Drawing his pistol, he plunged in among the trees, but as +he reached them he felt a stunning blow on his head. He staggered and +fell into a thicket, blinded by blood that ran into his eyes. A struggle +seemed to be going on near by, and, getting upon his knees, he fired at +random. He thought a man ran toward him, and he fired again, but his +mind was confused and he could hardly see. For all that, he got upon his +feet and stumbled forward, dazed but determined to rescue his comrade.</p> + +<p>A few moments afterward it dawned on him that he was going the wrong +way, for he seemed to have come out on the beach. Two or three men were +hurrying toward him, but the pistol would not go off. Stumbling on with +his hand clenched on the barrel, ready to use the butt, he tripped and +fell among the rattling shingle. Then his senses left him.</p> + +<p>The next thing of which he was conscious was a cool splash on his face, +and while he wondered what it was, he felt that he lay upon something +that moved in an erratic manner. It was not shingle, for it was smooth +when he touched it, but a minute or two passed before he realized that +he was lying in the sternsheets of the gig. She was plunging sharply, +the spray flew aft in showers, and when he wiped his eyes he saw that +the men were pulling hard. With some trouble<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> he got to his knees, and +the top of a wave that washed across the gunwale struck his face.</p> + +<p>"Where is the señor Grahame?" he asked faintly.</p> + +<p>"Who knows!" somebody answered. "It seems the <i>rurales</i> have him. We +came too late."</p> + +<p>Walthew groaned, for his head was getting clearer. His comrade had +fallen into a trap.</p> + +<p>"Pull her round," he said. "We're going back!"</p> + +<p>For a moment or two nobody replied. The gig lurched wildly, and a +sea-top broke on board. Walthew dimly saw the men swing to and fro at +the oars. Their blurred figures cut the sky as the bow went up, and then +stood out against white foam as the craft plunged into a hollow.</p> + +<p>"It is not possible, señor," Miguel said breathlessly.</p> + +<p>Walthew scrambled to his feet, and stood swaying awkwardly with the +violent motion, in danger of going overboard. The sea had got worse, and +the savage wind lashed his wet face. It was blowing very hard, and the +turn of the tide had brought broken water nearer inshore; he could hear +the roar of the surf upon the beach. It would now be dangerous to land; +but he must try to rescue his comrade. He seized the oar the man nearest +to him pulled. The fellow pushed him back and, losing his balance as the +boat plunged over a comber, he fell heavily upon the floorings.</p> + +<p>"We will smash the boat if we land, and there are <i>rurales</i> on the +beach," he heard Miguel say. "The sea is bad; perhaps we cannot reach +the steamer."</p> + +<p>Walthew realized that Miguel was right. The men were unarmed, except for +their knives, and something had gone wrong with his pistol. Even if they +escaped<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> being swamped by the surf, it would be impossible to cross the +beach in face of a hostile force. He lay still with a groan. He felt +faint, his head ached excruciatingly, and blood still trickled into his +eyes. He had not seen the <i>Enchantress</i> when he stood up, and the +desperate way the men were rowing showed that they found it hard to +drive the boat offshore.</p> + +<p>After a while, however, a hail came out of the dark, the men pulled +furiously, and then threw down their oars. There was a crash and a rope +fell into the boat, which surged violently forward, grinding against the +steamer's side. Walthew did not know how he got on board, and he +imagined that he fainted soon afterward, for the next thing he +remembered was trying to get up from the top grating in the engine-room, +where Macallister sat beside him, holding a rag and a can of hot water.</p> + +<p>"Keep still while I tie up the cut," he said.</p> + +<p>"But they've got Grahame!" Walthew exclaimed, trying to rise.</p> + +<p>Macallister gently pushed him back.</p> + +<p>"I ken. A bad job, but we might have lost ye both." Then he took up a +piece of linen. "It's lucky ye'll no' need stitching, but maybe this +will nip."</p> + +<p>Walthew's head smarted intolerably after the bandage was applied, but +the dazed feeling left him when Macallister gave him something to drink, +and he began to ask questions.</p> + +<p>"Miguel heard a shot and ran back up the beach with the others," +Macallister told him. "They found ye reeling aboot and brought ye down +to the gig, with two or three <i>rurales</i> no' far behind; the rest must +have gone off with Grahame before our men came up. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> had just time +to launch her before the <i>rurales</i> began to shoot, but nobody was hit. +Looks as if ye had been knocked oot with a carbine butt."</p> + +<p>"Where are we now?" Walthew asked.</p> + +<p>"Steaming back to the lagoon as fast as I can drive her, and that's +aboot four knots against the gale. The best thing we can do is to send +Don Martin word, but ye'll go to sleep in the meanwhile. I canna' look +after ye; I hae my hands full."</p> + +<p>The clanging of hard-driven engines, which quickened to a furious rattle +when the screw swung out, made the need for watchfulness plain, and +Walthew crept away to his berth. He wanted to help, but knew that to +attempt this would probably result in his falling among the machinery. +Dazed by the blow on his head, he soon fell asleep, and when he wakened +the vessel was at rest. There was no pounding of engines, and the water +no longer gurgled along her side, but he heard voices behind the +bulkhead.</p> + +<p>Scrambling awkwardly out of the berth, he made his way on deck with some +difficulty. The fresh air revived him, and he saw that the <i>Enchantress</i> +was anchored in the lagoon, but he opened a door close by instead of +stopping to look about. Two or three of the revolutionaries whom he knew +were sitting round a table in the saloon, and as Walthew came in, +white-faced, with staring eyes and a red bandage round his head, one of +them threw up his hands.</p> + +<p>"<i>Ave Maria!</i>" he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>Walthew sat down with a jerk and nodded to Macallister.</p> + +<p>"I'm better."</p> + +<p>Then he turned to the others.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>"What are we going to do?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, until to-night," said one. "We must wait for dark before it is +safe to move. They will not keep your comrade at Valverde, and we must +try to find out where they have taken him."</p> + +<p>"I'll be quite well in a few hours," Walthew declared. "But what is +likely to happen to Grahame?"</p> + +<p>The man shrugged.</p> + +<p>"Who knows! The regular course would be to try him for smuggling arms, +but I do not think the President will follow that plan. They may send +him to Rio Frio, because it is some distance from the coast, and it is +possible he will be given a chance of escaping on the way."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that they may let him go?" Walthew asked eagerly.</p> + +<p>"He would not go very far. You must understand that the <i>rurales</i> have +authority to shoot a prisoner who tries to escape, and the Government +finds this useful. Sometimes they arrest a man whom they think the court +could not convict, and an excuse is found for not watching him very +closely when he is being taken to the nearest jail; perhaps a guard is +called away when they stop for food. There is cover near, and the +prisoner makes a dash for freedom; then the guard, who has been hiding, +fires and the administration is rid of an enemy. Sometimes the <i>rurales</i> +break into the house of an obnoxious person and, taken by surprise, he +gets angry. A threatening movement is enough; he is shot down. It is +simpler than taking him before a judge who may be bribed to let him go."</p> + +<p>"A gang o' bloodthirsty scoundrels! I'm thinking it's time ye turned on +them," Macallister said, while<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> Walthew sat silent with a tense face and +fury in his eyes. "But, so far as we ken, they havena' shot Mr. +Grahame."</p> + +<p>"No, señor," said another. "I think he is safe, for a time. He might +prove too useful for them to shoot, at least, not until they have tried +other means."</p> + +<p>"If ye believe they can frighten or buy him——" Macallister began +savagely; but the man waved his hand.</p> + +<p>"Señor, I only think we must set him free as soon as possible, and you +will agree about the need for that."</p> + +<p>"I'm coming with you," said Walthew grimly. "If I'm not satisfied with +your plans, I'll do the thing in my own way."</p> + +<p>Macallister gave him a sharp glance. Walthew did not look fit to travel, +but Macallister knew that objections would be futile. The boy had grown +older and sterner in a night.</p> + +<p>The revolutionaries began to talk about what had better be done, and it +was decided that Macallister must remain in charge of the vessel, which +he would hide in a creek, so as to provide a means of escape, if this +should be needed. The others would start for Rio Frio as soon as it was +dark and, if they could gather a strong enough force, try to overtake +and attack Grahame's escort on the march. Failing this, they would +follow the <i>rurales</i> to Rio Frio, and be guided by circumstances when +they got there. Walthew took no part in the discussion, but when it was +finished he got up and stood looking at the others sternly.</p> + +<p>"We are going to save my partner, and not to do something that may help +you in your political<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> schemes," he said. "It may save trouble if you +bear this in mind."</p> + +<p>They assured him that Grahame's rescue was a matter of importance to +them; and when, shortly afterward they left the ship, Walthew went to +his berth and slept until the afternoon. He was getting better, for it +was not the cut but the jar on his skull that had dazed him, and the +effect of this was passing.</p> + +<p>When the evening mist began to creep across the lagoon a canoe came off +and a half-breed stood up in her as she approached the gangway.</p> + +<p>"The señores are waiting," he announced.</p> + +<p>Walthew shook hands with Macallister.</p> + +<p>"I'll either bring him back or stop with him," he said grimly. "Your +business is to be ready to take us off."</p> + +<p>"Good luck to ye!" returned Macallister in a rather hoarse voice. "If +ye're long aboot it, I'll come after ye myself!"</p> + +<p>When Walthew got into the canoe and vanished in the haze, Macallister +went down to his engine-room and fiercely set about some work that might +as well have been left undone.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">HANDS DOWN</span></h2> + + +<p>Cliffe had spent some time at Villa Paz when President Altiera sent for +him one morning. It was with mixed feelings that Cliffe obeyed the +summons, for his business had proved longer and more difficult than he +expected, and he was anxious about Evelyn. Indeed, he wondered whether +he should let the concessions go and return to the coast; but he +determined to be guided by what took place during the interview.</p> + +<p>It was getting hot when Altiera received him, and a glare of reflected +light shone through the unshuttered window. Cliffe, looking out over the +little town, thought there was an ominous quiet. An hour earlier he had +watched a company of slouching, dusty soldiers, equipped as if for +service, march through the narrow streets; but there was now no one +about. It struck him as significant that all the green shutters were +closed and the entrances to the <i>patios</i> barred. This might have some +bearing on his business, but it was not of the first importance, and he +turned to the President and studied him closely.</p> + +<p>There was a subtle change in Altiera since their last meeting. His +manner was somehow less cordial, and suspicion seemed to lurk in his +dark eyes. When he had indicated a chair he looked at Cliffe steadily.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>"You have, no doubt, thought over the matter we talked about not long +ago," he began. "It is necessary that I should know when we may expect +the loan."</p> + +<p>"That, as I think you understand, depends on when I may expect the +concessions."</p> + +<p>"I cannot sign the papers yet. It would provoke a storm of indignation +that I cannot risk. My enemies have taught the people that I am robbing +them when I make a grant to foreigners."</p> + +<p>"In short, you mean to put down the rebels before you conclude the deal +with me."</p> + +<p>"You have guessed right. There will be no complaints when I have shown +that I have the upper hand."</p> + +<p>"If I had known your plans at the beginning, I'd have acted +differently," Cliffe said.</p> + +<p>Altiera gave him a piercing glance.</p> + +<p>"Señor, I do not think you are justified in charging us with a want of +candor, because there is evidence that you have not been quite honest +with us. Our most dangerous enemy is Martin Sarmiento, and we find him +staying at your hotel in Havana, where the señorita Cliffe helps him in +an attempt to escape observation."</p> + +<p>"I do not know the man," Cliffe protested with a puzzled air.</p> + +<p>"Then it is strange that we should have caught a messenger bringing you +a note from him," Altiera answered. "I think we shall gain nothing by +fencing, señor."</p> + +<p>Cliffe frowned.</p> + +<p>"I've just got to say that I've never, to my knowledge, met Don Martin. +What was the note about?"</p> + +<p>"We will talk of that later. In the meanwhile, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> understand you have +decided not to let me have the money that we need?"</p> + +<p>"Not without a written promise that the papers will be signed and handed +to me in a fortnight. Unless you consent, I must start for Valverde at +once."</p> + +<p>Altiera pondered for a few moments, knitting his brows.</p> + +<p>"You are, no doubt, anxious to rejoin your daughter," he said slowly. +"Perhaps I had better tell you that she is not at Valverde."</p> + +<p>"Not at Valverde!" Cliffe exclaimed. "Then where has she gone?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you."</p> + +<p>Cliffe clenched his hand, but would not let his alarm master him. He +suspected treachery and knew that he must be cool.</p> + +<p>"Your secretary assured me that Miss Cliffe would be safe with the +<i>alcalde's</i> wife; I shall hold him responsible. Why did she leave +Valverde?"</p> + +<p>"It seems the señorita got tired of waiting, and set off to rejoin you. +This is most likely, but it is said in the cafés that she ran away with +the señor Gomez."</p> + +<p>Cliffe looked up with his face set and an ominous sparkle in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"That is a lie!"</p> + +<p>"Personally, I think so; but having some knowledge of the sex, I would +not care to predict what a romantic young woman might do."</p> + +<p>"Get on with your tale!"</p> + +<p>Altiera regarded Cliffe calmly.</p> + +<p>"The señorita had my secretary's escort, but, finding the road +dangerous, he made for Rio Frio, where he put her in safe hands. Her +liberty was not interfered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> with and one morning she left the house and +did not come back."</p> + +<p>Cliffe got up and advanced a yard or two across the floor.</p> + +<p>"You mean she ran away? Why did she do so?"</p> + +<p>"Your pardon, señor!" Altiera spread out his hands with a mocking smile. +"There is no reason to believe she had any cause to run away; but, not +knowing your daughter's character, I cannot tell you why she went."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Cliffe, restraining himself with an effort. "I must +ask you for an armed escort to Rio Frio, where I will make inquiries. I +want the men at once!"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid that is impossible. We have news that there are rebels in +the mountains. If I gave you a guard, the peons might be incited to +attack you, and the trouble would spread before we are ready to deal +with it. As President of this country, it is my business to think of its +welfare first."</p> + +<p>"I understand," Cliffe said very dryly. "If I promised to let you have +the money you want, you might see your duty differently."</p> + +<p>Altiera looked at him with thoughtful eyes. The American was shrewd, but +did not seem as eager as he had expected.</p> + +<p>"Señor, the need of funds that would ensure the maintenance of order and +firm government justifies a risk one would not take without such a +reason. I will give you a guard and send soldiers to make a thorough +search for the señorita if we can agree about the loan."</p> + +<p>"This means you really do not know where my daughter is. I was not sure +of it until now."</p> + +<p>Altiera saw he had blundered in admitting that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> girl was no longer +in his hands; but while he considered how his mistake could be covered +Cliffe resumed:</p> + +<p>"It was a cunning plot, but you put it through clumsily, and you're +going to find that kidnapping an American woman is a dangerous game for +the President of a third-rate republic."</p> + +<p>"One must make allowances for the excited imagination of an anxious +father," Altiera answered with an indulgent smile. "I deny the plot. +There is no need for one. We have a charming young lady left alone in a +foreign town who finds waiting tedious and determines to join her +relative. This is a simple and satisfactory explanation, without the +other that she forms a romantic attachment for an officer of rank. We +provide an escort because the country is disturbed, and part of the +journey is accomplished. It is not safe for her to go farther, but she +is rash, and, disregarding our advice, ventures too far from the house. +Then she loses her way and is perhaps seized by the rebels, with the +object of embarrassing the Government. We cannot be held responsible, +but we are willing to attempt her rescue when we see an opportunity."</p> + +<p>The explanation was plausible, and could not be disproved until Cliffe +heard his daughter's account. But what he wanted was to find her.</p> + +<p>"The opportunity is now, before the rebels begin to move," he said. "You +refuse to seize it?"</p> + +<p>"You understand why it is impossible. I cannot do anything that might +plunge my country into a conflict, unless you show me some reason that +would justify the risk."</p> + +<p>"I cannot give you such a reason."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>Altiera shrugged.</p> + +<p>"It is for you to decide! We come to a deadlock; our negotiations break +off."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Cliffe. "I leave Villa Paz in an hour, and it wouldn't +be wise of you to interfere with my movements. My business with you is +known to people who have some political influence in the United States, +and if I don't turn up in good time, inquiries will be made."</p> + +<p>He turned abruptly and went out. It seemed safer to move quickly, though +he imagined the hint he had given Altiera would prevent any attempt to +stop him. The President had found a plausible excuse for Evelyn's +disappearance, but he would hesitate about detaining an American citizen +whose friends could bring pressure to bear at Washington. This +supposition was borne out when Cliffe found no trouble in hiring a guide +and mules; but while he made the arrangements his brain was working.</p> + +<p>He would willingly have met the demand for money, only that Altiera had +incautiously admitted that he did not know where Evelyn was. Cliffe had +acted on impulse in refusing to submit to further exaction, but calm +reflection justified the course. Having a deep distrust of the man, he +thought he might take the money and then not undertake the search for +the girl. Cliffe determined to set about it himself and make a bid for +the help of the revolutionaries. This would involve him in a serious +loss, but that did not count. He must rescue his daughter, whatever it +cost.</p> + +<p>Then he remembered that the President had admitted having intercepted a +message to him from the rebel leader. He had meant to insist on learning +what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> it was about, but had somehow omitted to do so, and it was now too +late to reopen the matter. There was, however, a ray of hope in the +thought that Sarmiento had tried to communicate with him.</p> + +<p>When his baggage had been strapped on a pack-mule, he mounted and rode +out of Villa Paz as if making for Valverde, but as soon as they had left +the last of the houses behind he pulled up and quietly studied his +guide. He was a sturdy, brown-faced peon, dressed in ragged white +cotton, with raw-hide sandals and a colored blanket strapped round his +shoulders, but he looked trustworthy. Moreover, Cliffe thought his +willingness to assist a foreigner who was leaving the President's house +without an escort, which must have shown that he had lost the autocrat's +favor, had some significance. It was unfortunate that he could not speak +much Castilian, but he knew that money talks in a language that is +generally understood.</p> + +<p>"I have changed my mind; we will not go to the coast," he said, +stumbling over the words and helping out his meaning by pointing to the +mountains.</p> + +<p>The peon nodded.</p> + +<p>"To me it is equal where the señor goes, so long as I am paid for the +days we spend upon the road."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Cliffe, taking out a handful of silver. "Do you know +Don Martin Sarmiento?"</p> + +<p>The peon looked doubtful, and Cliffe saw that, as he had suspected, the +fellow had some dealings with the President's enemies.</p> + +<p>"Don Martin is known to many," he replied cautiously.</p> + +<p>Cliffe jingled the silver and awkwardly explained<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> that he was no longer +a friend of the President's and wished to see Sarmiento as soon as he +could.</p> + +<p>For a time the muleteer did not speak; then he looked up with an air of +decision.</p> + +<p>"It may be difficult, señor, but we will try," he said, and jerking the +pack-mule's bridle abruptly left the road.</p> + +<p>They passed through a coffee plantation and a field of sugar-cane, and +then as they reached thick forest the muleteer stopped and indicated the +road that wound in loops down the hillside.</p> + +<p>"It is well the President should think we have gone that way," he +remarked with a smile. "He has, no doubt, been told how we left the +town."</p> + +<p>Cliffe looked back across the wide sweep of sun-scorched country to the +shining streak on the horizon. His path led into the mountains and he +longed for the sea. Then he thought of Grahame and wondered where he +was. Cliffe felt sure the man would help him if he knew his need. He was +beginning to suspect what business Grahame had on the coast. He asked +his guide about the <i>Enchantress</i>, but the fellow did not seem to +understand, and it was obvious that he had not heard of Grahame. Then +Cliffe urged his mule on and plunged into the steamy shade.</p> + +<p>Two days later they rode into a deep gorge filled with giant, +creeper-festooned trees, and the guide moved forward slowly, glancing +into the shadow that shut in the winding track. It appeared that his +caution was justified, for presently a hoarse voice bade them halt, and +as they pulled up two men with rifles stepped out into the sunlight.</p> + +<p>For some time the muleteer disputed with them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> using emphatic gestures +and pointing to Cliffe; and then he went on with one while the other sat +down watching the American, with his rifle across his knees. It was very +hot, for the sun struck down through an opening in the branches, but +although the perspiration dripped from him Cliffe did not think it wise +to move. Indeed, he was glad that his mule stood quiet, whisking off the +flies.</p> + +<p>At last some one called in the forest and Cliffe's guard told him to +ride on, though the man followed at a short distance, as if to prevent +his escape. A few hundred yards farther on, the gorge widened into a +level hollow, and Cliffe saw that he was in a camp.</p> + +<p>It was not marked by military order. Men of various shades of color lay +about, smoking cigarettes. Some were barefooted, and most were poorly +dressed, but all wore red sashes, and good rifles lay ready to their +hands. They looked more like brigands than soldiers, and it was hard to +imagine they had been drilled, but while their attitudes were slackly +negligent, their faces were resolute. In the background, climbing +forest, choked with fallen trees and trailing vines, rolled up the steep +hillside. It was very hot, and the hum of insects mingled with the sound +of drowsy voices.</p> + +<p>Two men, better dressed than the others, came forward, and Cliffe +dismounted and followed them to a seat in the shadow, where they gave +him some cigarettes.</p> + +<p>"Now, señor, you will tell us why you came here," said one.</p> + +<p>Cliffe had not expected to be addressed in good English, and he looked +at the man with surprise.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>The Spaniard smiled.</p> + +<p>"With us, the consequences of trying to serve one's country is that one +finds it safer to live somewhere else. But we will keep to the point."</p> + +<p>"I am looking for Don Martin Sarmiento," Cliffe said. "I expect you know +where he is."</p> + +<p>"That is so, but it would be difficult to reach him, and we leave this +place to-night. In fact, it is hard to see what we ought to do with you, +but it might help if you told us what your business is with Don Martin."</p> + +<p>"I guess you're surprised I should want to see him," Cliffe remarked +with some dryness.</p> + +<p>"It is natural," said the other. "We know you are a friend of the +President's, and we suspect that you have been financing him. The money +you gave him would be used to put us down."</p> + +<p>Cliffe thought for a few moments. The man seemed a person of some +consequence, and apparently commanded the band of rebels. His permission +must be obtained before Cliffe could proceed, and since he meant to ask +Don Martin's help there was, perhaps, no cause for reticence.</p> + +<p>"Very well," he said. "I will tell you why I am going to your leader."</p> + +<p>He related what had led to his quarrel with the President, and when he +had finished, the man translated the narrative to his comrade.</p> + +<p>"It is fortunate, señor, you refused the loan, because you will never +get the concessions; Altiera's rule will be over in a day or two. But +you believed him when he said he did not know where your daughter is?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. He seemed to speak without thinking, and was sorry afterward."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span>"Then, as the señorita is not in his hands, she is probably in ours, but +our forces are scattered, and at present we cannot make inquiries. +However, I imagine you will find her quickest by remaining with us—and +you will excuse my saying that it would not suit us to let you go. If +you were seized by the President's soldiers, he might make some use of +you. Have I your promise that you will not try to escape?"</p> + +<p>Although the man was courteous, Cliffe thought an attempt to run away +would lead to trouble, but this was not what decided him to stay. He had +been bred to business, but now deep-rooted impulses were stirring. The +President and Gomez had cheated him, and he felt very sore about it, but +they had, moreover, carried off and, no doubt, terrorized Evelyn. The +thought of this filled him with a fierce desire to get even with them.</p> + +<p>"Señores," he said grimly, "you not only have my word not to attempt to +escape but you have my pledge to help you in every way I can."</p> + +<p>"We start for Rio Frio to-night," the rebel answered in a significant +tone.</p> + +<p>"Good!" Cliffe said, and glanced about at the little groups of +determined looking men. "I'll confess I'm curious to know how you got +such good rifles," he added.</p> + +<p>The rebel studied him keenly for a moment; and seemed satisfied.</p> + +<p>"A countryman of yours bought and landed them for us in small +quantities."</p> + +<p>"Grahame!" Cliffe exclaimed, and laughed, for he found the situation +ironically humorous. He liked Grahame, and suspected that Evelyn was +interested in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> him; and now it was obvious that the man had helped the +revolutionaries to ruin his plans.</p> + +<p>"I know him," he said. "As a matter of fact, he's an Englishman."</p> + +<p>"At present he is Gomez's prisoner. That is one reason we strike the +first blow at Rio Frio."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Well, if you mean to rescue him, you can rely on my doing the best +I can."</p> + +<p>The rebel changed the subject, but Cliffe imagined he had gained his +confidence. He was invited to the officers' frugal four o'clock dinner, +and afterward sat talking with them while the shadows filled the hollow. +Although still anxious about Evelyn, he felt less disturbed, and was +sensible of a strange but pleasant thrill. Feelings he thought he had +long grown out of were reawakening; there would be no more trucking with +the rogues who had cheated him and carried off his daughter. When they +next met, he would demand satisfaction with a rifle in his hands. Cliffe +admitted that there was something rather absurd and barbarous in the +pleasure the thought of the meeting afforded him, but, for all that, the +adventure he was embarking on had a strong attraction.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE PRESIDENT'S DESPATCHES</span></h2> + + +<p>The sun had set when Walthew urged his worn-out mule up a narrow track +that twisted along the hillside through thick timber. The evening was +very dark, and thin mist drifted among the giant trees. Creepers +streamed down from their interlacing boughs, damp brush projected from +the sides of the trail, and Walthew growled savagely when he was +buffeted by clusters of dewy leaves. His head ached, the perspiration +dripped from his hot face, and he was sore in every limb, while he found +the steamy atmosphere almost unbreathable.</p> + +<p>The cut on his head was healing, but after a long, forced march from the +coast, he had at sunrise left the camp where he and the revolutionaries +had spent the night. The country ahead was reported to be watched by the +President's soldiers, and as the party was not strong enough to fight, +they had separated, hoping to slip past the pickets singly and meet at a +rendezvous agreed upon. Walthew reached the spot without being molested, +but although he waited for an hour nobody else arrived. It seemed +possible, however, that he had mistaken the place, and he determined to +push on to Rio Frio, trusting that his companions would rejoin him +there. He had been told that as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> President had dealings with +foreigners he might be allowed to pass by any soldiers he fell in with +when they saw he was an American.</p> + +<p>He was, however, still a long way from Rio Frio, his mule was exhausted, +and he doubted if he were going the right way. There was nothing to be +seen but shadowy trunks that loomed through the mist a yard or two off, +and faint specks of phosphorescent light where the fireflies twinkled.</p> + +<p>Rocking in his saddle with a painful jar, Walthew thought that if the +jaded beast stumbled again as badly it would come down, and he half +decided to dismount. He felt that he would be safer on his feet; but the +mule, recovering, turned abruptly without his guiding it, and a few +moments later the darkness grew thinner.</p> + +<p>The trees now rose on one side in a dense, black mass, the ground was +more level, and Walthew saw that the animal had struck into a road that +led through a clearing. He followed it, in the hope that there was a +<i>hacienda</i> near, and soon a light shone in the distance. The mule now +needed no urging, and in a few minutes a building of some size loomed +against the sky. Walthew rode up to it, and as he reached the arched +entrance to the <i>patio</i> a man appeared, while another man moved softly +behind him as if to cut off his retreat.</p> + +<p>"Can I get a fresh mule here and perhaps something to eat?" he asked as +carelessly as he could.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, señor," said the man. "If you will get down, we will put the +beast in the stable."</p> + +<p>Walthew hesitated. There was no obvious reason why he should distrust +the fellow, but he imagined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> that he had been watching for somebody +coming down the road. The mule, however, was worn out, and he did not +think he had much chance of escaping if treachery was intended.</p> + +<p>"Very well," he said, dismounting, and when another man came up, he +stumbled after the first into the passage.</p> + +<p>"You have ridden far, señor, and will enjoy a rest," his guide remarked. +"One does not lose time by stopping for food on a long journey."</p> + +<p>Walthew felt more suspicious. They were now near a lamp that hung in the +arch, and although his companion was dressed like a peon his voice +suggested some education. The feeling that his arrival had been expected +was stronger, but it was too late to turn back and he went on, +surreptitiously making sure that his automatic pistol was loose. He was +taken across the <i>patio</i>, up an outside staircase, and along a balcony, +where his guide opened a door.</p> + +<p>"The house is at your disposal," he said with Spanish politeness, bowing +to Walthew to enter.</p> + +<p>The door was closed sharply and Walthew wondered if he had been trapped +as he cast a quick glance about. The room was large, badly lighted, and +scantily furnished. Two of its windows were open, but he remembered that +they must be some distance from the ground. There seemed, however, to be +no reason for alarm. At the far end of the room a table was laid for +supper, and a girl and a priest sat near it. They rose as he came +forward.</p> + +<p>Walthew gasped.</p> + +<p>"<i>Blanca!</i>"</p> + +<p>The girl seemed equally astonished.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>"Señor Walthew!" she exclaimed, and her tone indicated both perplexity +and concern. Walthew's clothes were gray with dust, his pose was slack +with fatigue, and a dirty bandage covered his forehead.</p> + +<p>"You seem surprised," he managed to say; "I guess <i>I</i> am." The gleam in +his eyes showed the pleasure he felt. "I didn't expect to find you +here."</p> + +<p>"But where do you come from?"</p> + +<p>"From the San Lucar lagoon; traveled as fast as I could, but lost my +companions in the bush. They belong to your party."</p> + +<p>The priest came forward and Walthew recognized Father Agustin.</p> + +<p>"There has been a mistake," the priest said to Blanca, and bowed to +Walthew. "You will excuse me; I have an order to give."</p> + +<p>Walthew thought it had something to do with his arrival. He was no +longer suspicious, but puzzled. He was among friends, but they had +received him in a curious manner.</p> + +<p>He turned to Blanca with a smile.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if I'm intruding, but I hope you won't turn me out."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," she said with a compassionate glance that thrilled him. "You +seem ill and tired. Are you hurt?"</p> + +<p>"Not much; a scratch on my head. But are you safe here? They told us the +woods were full of the President's soldiers."</p> + +<p>"We shall be gone at daybreak, and we have a guard." Blanca paused and +resumed with an air of relief: "It was fortunate you did not pass the +house."</p> + +<p>"That's a sure thing," Walthew agreed. "However,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> I guess I know what +you mean. When I pulled up I fancied your friends were watching for me, +and I'd have found the road blocked if I'd gone on. Don't you think you +had better tell me what it's all about?"</p> + +<p>Blanca hesitated with some color in her face, but just then Father +Agustin returned.</p> + +<p>"I have warned the men," he informed the girl.</p> + +<p>"Señor Walthew wishes to know what is going on," she said.</p> + +<p>"It might be better that he should know, and he is to be trusted; but +you must decide whether you will tell him or not."</p> + +<p>Blanca was silent for a moment, and then began in a rather strained +voice:</p> + +<p>"We have a spy in the President's household, and word was sent us that a +man would leave Villa Paz with some important despatches for Gomez. We +believe they contain instructions about what he must do when the +fighting begins, but, to avoid suspicion, Altiera is sending a foreign +trader to whom he has given some privileges. We expect him to stop and +change mules here, because the <i>hacienda</i> belongs to one of the +President's supporters."</p> + +<p>"I see!" said Walthew. "He would not have carried the despatches past +this house. But where is its owner?"</p> + +<p>"Hiding at a <i>hacienda</i> some distance off. He is a timid man, and we had +him warned that the rebels were coming to burn the place. An hour after +he left with his family we took possession."</p> + +<p>"But why did Don Martin send you?" Walthew asked sharply. "Hasn't he men +enough?"</p> + +<p>Blanca blushed and looked embarrassed, but the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> next moment she lifted +her head with an air of pride. There was a sparkle in her deep blue +eyes.</p> + +<p>"I am a patriot, señor, and ready to make a sacrifice for my country. We +must seize the despatches, but we do not wish to use force on a +foreigner, because this might lead to trouble. Our plan was to change +the papers for others and send the messenger on without his knowing that +he had lost them. It would not be an easy matter——"</p> + +<p>"In short," Father Agustin interposed with some dryness, "the señorita +thought she might succeed where a man would fail."</p> + +<p>The blood rushed to Walthew's face, for he understood. Blanca meant to +use her personal charm to trick and rob the messenger. It seemed to him +an outrage; but she fixed her eyes on him, and they had a haughty, +challenging look. She was daring him to deny that the course she meant +to take was warranted. He was furiously angry, but he tried to be just, +and he knew that she would not go too far.</p> + +<p>"It seems you do not approve!" she said.</p> + +<p>Walthew felt a thrill. In a sense, she had admitted that his good +opinion was worth something; but he saw that he must be careful. She was +proud and had the fiery Spanish temperament. He might lose her by a hint +of doubt.</p> + +<p>"No," he said, "I don't approve; but I can conquer my prejudices, as you +must have done. It is hateful to think of a woman's doing such work, but +one must admire the courage that has helped you to undertake it. I dare +say the cause demands the sacrifice."</p> + +<p>The girl's expression softened, and she smiled as she turned to the +priest.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>"Do you not think Señor Walthew has answered well?"</p> + +<p>"It is obvious that he has tact, and I think he has feeling," said +Father Agustin. "But has he not some news for us, perhaps?"</p> + +<p>"I have," said Walthew. "I want your help."</p> + +<p>He began with the arrival of Evelyn's message, and Blanca started as if +about to speak, but Father Agustin stopped her by a sign. Her face grew +intent as Walthew told how they had driven the <i>Enchantress</i> before the +gale, and her eyes sparkled when he deprecatingly related the struggle +on the beach.</p> + +<p>"I think you have no reason to apologize," she said. "They must have +sent a strong guard, and you tried to rescue your friend alone. Miguel +was right; there was nothing to be done by two or three men with +knives." Then she paused with a thoughtful look. "It seems you do not +know that Miss Cliffe is safe with us."</p> + +<p>"It is a relief to learn that," Walthew said with feeling.</p> + +<p>"Since she was at Rio Frio when she sent the note, it is plain that +Gomez added the few lines that led you into the trap. But we must think +how we can rescue Mr. Grahame. You suggest that the men who came with +you from San Lucar have no plans?"</p> + +<p>"No. They expected to gather a force on the way, but the peons had +already gone off to join Don Martin. We meant to steal into Rio Frio and +then see what could be done. All I know is that I'm not going back +without my partner."</p> + +<p>"We may find a way to set him free, but it will need some thought," +Father Agustin remarked. "When a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> thing looks difficult, force is not +always the best means."</p> + +<p>"It doesn't seem likely to be of much use now," Walthew gloomily agreed. +"I'd six of your countrymen with me until I lost them, and we were told +that Gomez was filling Rio Frio with soldiers.... But how did you come +to take a part in this affair?"</p> + +<p>Father Agustin's eyes twinkled.</p> + +<p>"I came as duenna. You were surprised when you heard what the señorita +had undertaken, but it appeared that my presence might be something of a +protection and, perhaps, a guarantee. One concludes that this did not +strike you."</p> + +<p>Walthew looked embarrassed, but Father Agustin smiled.</p> + +<p>"You look as if you need refreshment," he said. "We will have our supper +now."</p> + +<p>When the meal was finished, Father Agustin kept Walthew talking while +Blanca leaned back silently in her chair. Her look was strained, and +once Walthew surprised her cautious glance at the clock.</p> + +<p>"I had forgotten the despatch-carrier," he said with some sharpness. "He +doesn't seem to be coming."</p> + +<p>"There is another road; longer and at present dangerous," explained +Father Agustin. "We have had it watched, but this is the obvious way for +a messenger to take."</p> + +<p>"For all that," said Walthew steadily, "I hope the fellow will choose +the other."</p> + +<p>Neither of them answered. Blanca lay back in her chair; the priest sat +with one elbow on the table, his cheek resting on his upturned palm. He +was very tired.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>Walthew studied him for a moment and then put his thoughts into words.</p> + +<p>"It is curious, Father Agustin, that whenever I have met you things +began to happen."</p> + +<p>"It is possible. Perhaps a priest is most needed where there is trouble, +and my mission is not always peace. One looks forward to the time when +lust and greed and cruelty shall no longer rule the hearts of men, but +it has not come yet."</p> + +<p>Walthew lighted the cigarette his host passed over to him. Though Father +Agustin had told him nothing new and his manner was by no means +dramatic, he felt impressed. The quiet priest in his shabby cassock and +clumsy, raw-hide shoes, had somehow a dominating personality. It was +hard to tell what part he took in the revolution, but even if it were +not directly active, Walthew thought him a moral force that must be +reckoned with.</p> + +<p>For a time nothing was said. There was no sound in the room except the +ticking of the clock, and it seemed to Walthew that the house had a +deserted feeling; he imagined that there was nobody in it except +themselves. He grew angry and pitiful by turns as he glanced at Blanca. +It was a hateful task she had been given, but he saw that she meant to +carry it out. He wanted to get on, because Grahame might be in danger, +but he could not leave until the despatch-carrier came. One could trust +Father Agustin, but Walthew felt that he must be on hand.</p> + +<p>It got cooler, and a faint, earthy smell crept in through the windows. +Now and then the lamp flickered in a passing draught, and once or twice +they forced themselves to talk, but the effort was obvious<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> and the +voices presently died away. After this the quietness became oppressive, +and by degrees Walthew grew drowsy. Rousing himself, he felt ashamed as +he glanced at the girl. She did not move, but her pose was tense, and he +knew that she was watchful. He resented the craving for sleep when she +was bearing a heavy strain, but he had traveled fast since he left the +lagoon and his exhausted body demanded rest.</p> + +<p>He would not give in, and at last he started as a faint throbbing sound +reached him from outside. It came from a long way off, but grew plainer, +and he saw Father Agustin lean forward. Then Blanca stood up with a +tinge of color in her face and a tightening of her lips. Somebody was +riding hard down the road. There was a shout and a sharp answer.</p> + +<p>For a few moments the three stood waiting with forced calm, and then a +man hurriedly entered.</p> + +<p>"Pepe is here, señor," he announced.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Father Agustin quietly. "Bring him in." He turned to Walthew. +"It is one of our men who watched the other road. Something has gone +wrong."</p> + +<p>Walthew saw Blanca's expression change. Although she had meant to get +the despatches, he knew she felt relieved.</p> + +<p>Pepe entered. His face was wet with perspiration and he spoke with a +breathless quickness that prevented Walthew's following what he said. +Still, it was plain that his news was bad, for his manner was +apologetic, and Father Agustin looked thoughtful.</p> + +<p>"Wait outside; we may want you," he said and turned to Walthew after +dismissing the fellow. "The messenger must have been suspicious and our +men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> have blundered. It was very dark and he came upon them suddenly. +One was shot as he seized the mule and the messenger escaped before they +could mount, but he was forced to turn back."</p> + +<p>"Could he pass them by making a round?"</p> + +<p>"It is not likely. There is this road and the other, with thick forest +between, and both are guarded. The man must wait for daylight, and I do +not think he will reach Rio Frio. We may turn this to your advantage, +but it needs thought."</p> + +<p>He sat down and lighted a cigarette, and Walthew waited in silence until +he looked up.</p> + +<p>"It is possible that Gomez will offer your comrade his liberty in +exchange for information he can use against Don Martin."</p> + +<p>"Grahame will give him none," Walthew answered emphatically.</p> + +<p>"Then I imagine he is in some danger. You would take a risk to rescue +him?"</p> + +<p>"Of course!"</p> + +<p>"Very well. Gomez is waiting for instructions and probably knows that +the messenger is a foreigner. I suggest that you impersonate him. The +guards will let you pass, and Gomez will, no doubt, receive you alone. +Then you must try to extort an order for your friend's release."</p> + +<p>"I'm a pretty good shot," said Walthew meaningly. "I might get him +covered before I begin."</p> + +<p>Father Agustin made a sign of impatience.</p> + +<p>"Your best argument will be this—if you are detained for more than a +few minutes, there will be a tumult in the town. Gomez will hesitate +about forcing a rising before he gets his orders. Then as soon as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> you +enter the house some of our people will find an excuse for loitering +about the door. The soldiers are not well drilled; it might not be +difficult to surprise and disarm the sentry, and then the house could be +seized. For all that, there is a risk. Success will depend upon your +nerve and coolness."</p> + +<p>"I can't think of any better plan," said Walthew.</p> + +<p>Blanca gave him a quick glance, and he thrilled as he saw a hint of +trouble in her face. He thought she was unwilling that he should run +into danger, but the next moment her eyes sparkled.</p> + +<p>"It will work!" she said. "I am coming to help!"</p> + +<p>Walthew made a sign of protest, but she would not let him speak.</p> + +<p>"I promised to get the despatches, and the messenger may arrive while +you are with Gomez. Then somebody must make arrangements for the door to +be watched, and I am known in Rio Frio. I can find trustworthy men." She +raised her hand imperiously. "You need not object, señor. I am going!"</p> + +<p>Walthew was forced to acquiesce, and an hour afterward they left the +<i>hacienda</i> and rode through the dark bush with two well-armed men behind +them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE PRESIDIO</span></h2> + + +<p>The sun hung low in the western sky, with a peak of the black cordillera +cutting its lower edge, and Rio Frio shone in the glaring light. Seen +from the road across the valley, the town had an ethereal look, for the +tiers of square, white houses rose from a gulf of shadow and clustered +upon the hillside, glimmering with a pearly luster, picked out by clumps +of green. Behind were barren slopes, deepening in color to dusky purple +as they ran back to the foot of the mountain wall.</p> + +<p>Walthew pulled up his mule and sat gazing at the town. He had been +riding beside Blanca, while Father Agustin and two others followed at +some distance.</p> + +<p>"Five minutes ago you could hardly see the place against the background +and now it glows as if it were lighted up inside," he remarked. "Looks +more like an enchanted palace than a collection of adobe houses. One +could imagine that some magician had suddenly conjured it up."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid there's not much enchantment in Rio Frio," Blanca answered. +"It's very prosaic and rather dirty."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't know," said Walthew, looking boldly at her. "I'm not +given to romantic sentiment, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> something very strange happened to me +one night in your town. Must have been glamour in the air, for I've been +a changed man ever since. You wouldn't expect a matter-of-fact American, +who was on the hunt for money, to trail round the country trying to act +like Garibaldi, unless he was bewitched."</p> + +<p>Blanca smiled prettily.</p> + +<p>"You have, at least, chosen to follow a great example, señor."</p> + +<p>"I don't think I chose him," Walthew returned dryly. "I'd have looked +for somebody easier."</p> + +<p>"But you were free to give up the part if you found it too hard for +you."</p> + +<p>"No; that's the trouble. I wasn't free."</p> + +<p>The girl knew that he was not talking at random to hide nervousness. +There was an underlying gravity in his manner and she secretly thrilled +to it. Although he still wore the dirty bandage and was dusty and +unkempt, she thought he had a very gallant air. His eyes were bright and +intent, and his thin face was very resolute. The faint smile with which +he regarded her somehow emphasized his determined, highstrung look.</p> + +<p>"Señor," she said, "it is better to aim high. Achievement is not +everything; the effort counts, and it is a generous errand you go upon +to-night. But we will talk of something else. Look; there is the house +where I spent the only happy years I can remember, until my father heard +the call of duty once more and obeyed. Higher up, you can see the green +gap of the <i>alameda</i>; beyond it the church of San Sebastian." She paused +for a moment with a shiver. "The white line beneath it is the top of the +<i>presidio</i>, where Gomez lives. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> the light fades quickly, and now, +see—everything has gone."</p> + +<p>The sun had sunk behind the cordillera, and the white town, changing +suddenly to gray, melted out of sight as the shadows rolled up the +hillside.</p> + +<p>"You must see that it's enchanted," Walthew remarked. "The magician has +waved his wand and blotted it out."</p> + +<p>"It will shine again to-morrow," Blanca answered in a quiet voice. "The +shadows have long rested on this country of ours, but one looks for the +dawn."</p> + +<p>The others were close behind them, but the party was smaller than it had +been. Ragged men with dark, determined faces had been picked up on the +way, but it would excite suspicion if they entered Rio Frio in a body, +and they had separated during the last hour. Walthew did not know what +their orders were, but he thought they would act upon some plan already +made if he failed to secure Grahame's release; and Blanca presently bore +this conclusion out.</p> + +<p>"You will not be left unsupported, but it will be better if you can make +Gomez set your comrade free without our help," she said. "We do not wish +to strike the first blow to-night, but if it is needful, the <i>presidio</i> +will be attacked. Gomez's position is like ours: he is not quite ready +to force a conflict. You see how that strengthens your hand. He cannot +altogether trust his soldiers, and a shot would rouse the town." Her +voice sounded rather strained as she concluded: "But if you are careful, +the shot will not be fired. Gomez is cruel, but he is a coward, and will +give way if you use moral force."</p> + +<p>"It's a big thing," Walthew answered thoughtfully.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> "Still, I must put +it over somehow. I have to get my partner out."</p> + +<p>Darkness fell before they reached Rio Frio, and Blanca stopped her mule +on the outskirts of the town.</p> + +<p>"We must separate here," she said. "I do not think the entrance is +carefully guarded, because it is not Gomez's policy to admit that an +attack is possible, but there may be spies, and a <i>rural</i> or two on +watch." She paused and held out her hand. "I wish you good fortune, +señor, and I do not think your nerve will fail, but if the worst comes, +we will not leave you in Gomez's power."</p> + +<p>Walthew, bending down, kissed her hand and then lifted his hat.</p> + +<p>"Until I see you again, señorita," he said and quietly rode on.</p> + +<p>There was no moon and the air was still. The town rose before him, vague +and shadowy, with a faint musky smell drifting out from it. As he +reached the first of the houses, a wave of heat, rising from the rough +pavement, surrounded him. The walls looked blank, for there were no +lights behind the lattices, but a ray of brightness fell across the +street a short distance in front. As he crossed the illuminated strip a +man in white uniform stepped forward and seized his bridle.</p> + +<p>"Who comes?" he asked, looking hard at Walthew's face.</p> + +<p>"A messenger for the <i>secretario</i>."</p> + +<p>"Pass, friend," said the other, letting go the bridle.</p> + +<p>Walthew rode on, but checked the mule as soon as he was out of sight. It +looked as if he had been expected, but he had been warned that he must +give<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> the revolutionaries time to communicate with their friends in the +city. They might have some trouble in entering it, although he believed +they meant to do so through the house of some sympathizer on the +outskirts. When he turned a corner he stopped to listen, but heard +nothing behind him, and the street in front was quiet. It seemed that +nobody had been sent to announce his arrival, and he could proceed +slowly without rousing suspicion.</p> + +<p>Leaving the direct line, he wound in and out through narrow streets, the +mule's shoes clanging on the hot stones. He passed one or two dimly +lighted cafés where men, roused by the clatter, looked up, their figures +showing indistinct about the small tables between the pillars. Farther +on, shadowy groups were sitting close together on the pavement, and +though their voices were quiet they had somehow an air of excitement. +Men appeared and vanished in the gloom, moving softly and quickly, as if +afraid of loitering. There was a mysterious hint of tension about all +that Walthew saw, and he felt his heart beat as he rode on.</p> + +<p>Crossing the plaza, he dismounted at the hotel he had previously +visited, and sent for the majordomo when the hostler grumbled something +about the stable's being full.</p> + +<p>"You will remember me," he said. "I want to leave my mule here and +perhaps spend the night."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry, but we have no room; there are a number of strangers in the +town. They are not so full at the Golden Fleece."</p> + +<p>"I'd rather stay here if I have to wait until to-morrow," Walthew +answered. "You take care of the mules well, and I may have a long ride. +Then one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> puts up at a place one knows, with more—confidence."</p> + +<p>The majordomo looked hard at him.</p> + +<p>"We must try to make room, señor, since you have—confidence."</p> + +<p>"Exactly," said Walthew, smiling. "Now I want the mule fed but not +unsaddled. I may perhaps need it in an hour, and it would be an +advantage if you could find me another."</p> + +<p>"It might be possible," the majordomo replied in a thoughtful tone. +"Still, there are spies about and they may watch this house. With +permission, I will send the mule to Ramon Silva in the <i>calle Pinastro</i>. +He is a carrier, and it is known that he buys pack-animals; he will have +both mules ready, if you ask for them with confidence."</p> + +<p>Walthew thanked the man and set off for the <i>presidio</i>. It was a long, +square-fronted building with a sentry-box at the entrance, and an untidy +soldier sat smoking outside. Another stood a little farther on in a +slouching attitude, a rifle raking across his shoulder and his <i>kepis</i> +tilted to one side. Discipline is seldom marked among Spanish-American +soldiers, but Walthew was somewhat surprised to note that the fellow was +bantering a group of loiterers. They were dressed like peons, and one +carried a tray of sweetmeats and another a quantity of cigarettes, +apparently for sale. As Walthew passed, the former hurriedly moved his +tray, as if to prevent its being upset.</p> + +<p>"Be careful, señor!" he exclaimed, giving Walthew a warning glance.</p> + +<p>Walthew understood it. The men were not there by accident, and he saw +that one was within leaping<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> distance of the sentry. He knew that the +Spanish knife is almost as dangerous as the rifle at close quarters; and +can, moreover, be thrown a short distance with effect.</p> + +<p>"I have a message for the <i>secretario</i>," he told the sentry with a +careless air.</p> + +<p>The man let him pass, and he saw that he was expected when a dusky +steward met him at the door. Since the despatch-carrier was known to be +a foreigner, it was easy to enter the <i>presidio</i>, but he wondered what +would happen before he left. Now that the dangerous game was about to +begin, he clearly recognized the risk he ran. For all that, it looked as +if he held the trump cards, and he hoped that he had nerve enough to +play them well. Pulling himself together, he followed his guide across +the <i>patio</i> and up an outer stair, until the man stopped and knocked at +a door.</p> + +<p>"The messenger, señor," he announced.</p> + +<p>Walthew held his breath until he heard the door shut behind him; then he +turned to Gomez, who had risen from his seat at a table. It was a small +room and the table stood between the men. Walthew felt his nerves tingle +and his skin grow damp with perspiration as Gomez looked at him. There +was surprise in the secretary's face and he seemed puzzled, as if he +were trying to revive a memory.</p> + +<p>"You are not the man we were told would come, but I think I have seen +you somewhere," he said.</p> + +<p>Walthew stood still, his hand in his jacket pocket, as if about to take +the despatches from it.</p> + +<p>"The other messenger was detained, but we have met. I once dined at your +table at the International, in Havana."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span>Gomez gave him a quick, suspicious glance.</p> + +<p>"Then there is something I do not understand, but it is not important +now. You bring the President's orders?"</p> + +<p>"No; I bring this."</p> + +<p>He took his hand from his pocket and the barrel of an automatic pistol +glinted in the light.</p> + +<p>Gomez flinched, but recovered his calm with a quickness that showed +Walthew he had a dangerous antagonist.</p> + +<p>"Push your chair back from that open drawer and then keep still!" he +ordered.</p> + +<p>Gomez obeyed, and Walthew sat down on the edge of the table, where, if +necessary, he could spring up more quickly than from a chair. Besides, +the position helped him to keep both Gomez and the door in sight.</p> + +<p>"You are uselessly dramatic, señor," Gomez remarked with a forced sneer. +"You dare not use the pistol, and I am not to be frightened by so cheap +a trick."</p> + +<p>Walthew did not put down the weapon.</p> + +<p>"Rather stale, but it has served its purpose by stopping you from +calling out, and that's all I wanted to begin with. Now I'm going to +show you how we stand."</p> + +<p>"Your position strikes me as very weak."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Walthew coolly, "I don't know. There are some chances in my +favor."</p> + +<p>"Not many, I think. A shot or a call from me would lead to your +immediate arrest."</p> + +<p>Walthew lowered the pistol.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going to shoot and you won't call. One of your sentries is +smoking cigarettes, with a wiry libera<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span>tor ready to put his knife into +him, and something would happen to the other before he could throw up +his rifle. Then, a number of my friends are waiting to seize the gate."</p> + +<p>"What would they gain? They could not hold the building. In a few +minutes the soldiers would arrive."</p> + +<p>"Just so. Still, they'd have a few minutes, and there's reason for +believing they're not fond of you. Then, I don't mean to be made a +prisoner and, if I'm forced to, I'll shoot straight."</p> + +<p>This was not an idle threat. Walthew's nerves were steady, and he felt a +rancorous hatred of the man. He had been guilty of unspeakable +cruelties, he had carried off an American girl, and he now had Grahame +in his power. Walthew's face was pale, but his lips were firmly set, and +there was an ominous gleam in his eyes. Gomez began to grow uneasy.</p> + +<p>"However," Walthew went on, "the important point is that the first shot +starts the revolution. My friends won't have much trouble with the +sentries at the door, but if your soldiers try to break in afterward, it +will rouse the town. You may take this for granted, because you must see +that I'd make sure of being supported outside before I ventured here."</p> + +<p>Gomez pondered. The American's position was certainly strong. The lad +was not a rash fool, and his having made the venture proved his +statement about the likelihood of a revolution to be correct; moreover, +Gomez had other reasons for not questioning it. As he looked up, Walthew +made a warning gesture and Gomez heard footsteps outside.</p> + +<p>"Don't move!" said Walthew in a low, tense voice. "If that fellow comes +in it will make trouble for both<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> of us. You'd better think how you're +going to keep him out!"</p> + +<p>The secretary's lips twitched, but he sat motionless. The steps drew +nearer, echoing down the passage; in another moment the man outside +would reach the door. Walthew held his breath; but the steps continued +and passed. Then they grew fainter, and Walthew saw his antagonist's +pose relax; the strain had told on him. Gomez was weakening and the game +was nearly won.</p> + +<p>"What do you want?" the secretary asked.</p> + +<p>"An order for Grahame's release."</p> + +<p>"Impossible! My signature would make me responsible to the President."</p> + +<p>"You'll take a bigger responsibility if you refuse; the men I left +waiting will begin the trouble if I'm not outside very soon. You haven't +got your master's orders yet, and the liberators have headed his +messenger off. I guess you'll have to answer for it if you spoil his +plans. Remember you'll have to face a revolution unless you let Grahame +out."</p> + +<p>Gomez was silent for a few moments and then made a sign of acquiescence.</p> + +<p>"Very well," he said, and pulling his chair to the table began to write. +Then he gave Walthew the paper. "Are you satisfied?"</p> + +<p>"Not quite," said Walthew, glancing over the message. "Ring for one of +your men and send it off with this note." He handed both papers to +Gomez. "Order him to deliver them at once!"</p> + +<p>When the man came in, Walthew was sitting carelessly in a chair, as if +nothing unusual had been going on. His right hand, however, was gripping +the pistol in his jacket pocket.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span>"I'll wait here for five minutes to give him a start. Seems to me that +would be safer," he said when the orderly had left them.</p> + +<p>He was relieved when he thought he could get up, for the strain had been +heavy, and he was feeling rather limp, but he walked steadily to the +door and did not quicken his steps until he reached the stairs. It was +with tingling nerves that he came to the outer gate; but the sentries +let him pass, and when he had gone a short distance, three or four peons +who were hanging about turned and followed him. He was outside in the +friendly darkness, but he had still to leave the town.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE ESCAPE</span></h2> + + +<p>Walthew waited for the peons, and then turned toward <i>calle Pinastro</i>, +where he had arranged to meet Grahame. He had now three companions whom +he thought he could trust, but they were unarmed, except for their +knives. Gomez had sent the order for Grahame's release, but if he could +rearrest him and seize Walthew without causing a tumult, he would do so. +They had only five or six minutes' start. It did not look as if they +could get out of the town in time, and Walthew felt fiercely impatient. +For all that, he stopped at the corner of a street when one of the +others touched him.</p> + +<p>There was a lighted café near by, and a girl stood on the pavement near +its open front. She was dressed very plainly in white, with a dark shawl +fastened round her head, like a peasant girl, but he felt a sudden +thrill as she turned toward him. Although he could not see her very +well, he knew it was Blanca. When he cautiously crossed the street she +drew him back into the shadow, but he saw her look of relief.</p> + +<p>"You have succeeded!" she said softly. "Where is Mr. Grahame?"</p> + +<p>"I am to meet him at Ramon Silva's."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>"You cannot go this way; there are two <i>rurales</i> farther on. But it +would be dangerous to turn back now."</p> + +<p>She put her hand on his arm, as if to detain him while she considered +what to do, and Walthew looked about, knowing that he could trust her +knowledge of the town. The street was narrow and dark except where the +light from the café shone across it. A few citizens sat round the small +tables, and several shadowy figures loitered in the gloom outside. +Walthew thought they had come with the girl, but there was nothing in +their attitude to suggest that they had any particular business in the +neighborhood, and his own followers had stopped at the corner.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a clatter of hoofs broke out. Some one was riding fast toward +them. Walthew felt Blanca's hand tighten warningly on his arm as she +drew back a pace or two. The sound grew louder; there was a hoarse shout +like a sentry's challenge, and an answer which Walthew imagined +satisfied the <i>rurales</i> on guard; and then a mounted man rode into the +stream of light.</p> + +<p>The mule was foul with sweat and dust, and a trickle of blood ran down +its shoulder; the rider's face was pale and set. Walthew's eyes rested +on him for only a second, but he knew the fellow was English or +American. There was an angry cry in the background, and a stealthy +figure, outlined against a blank, white wall, crossed the street. The +mounted man was obviously the President's messenger; but Walthew, having +seen his grim, tired look, and the way he drove the worn-out mule +furiously down the street, felt a touch of half-admiring sympathy. After +all, the fel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>low was white, and was gallantly doing what he had +undertaken.</p> + +<p>A moment more and Walthew saw something glisten in the hand of the +stealthy figure that seemed ready to spring. He was only a yard away +and, acting on impulse, he stumbled as if by accident and fell against +the man. The knife dropped with a jingle, and the messenger dashed past, +throwing Walthew a quick glance as he went.</p> + +<p>An angry murmur broke out, and several of the loiterers closed in on +Walthew, while men left the café to see what was going on, and there +were quick footsteps farther off in the gloom. Remembering the need for +haste and that Grahame might be in danger, Walthew half regretted his +rashness, but as he wondered what to do Blanca ran to his side.</p> + +<p>"The <i>rurales</i> are coming!" she shouted; and the men about them vanished +as she led him away.</p> + +<p>They turned a corner into a lane between dark houses.</p> + +<p>"Why did you interfere?" she asked breathlessly.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Felt I had to," Walthew answered with some embarrassment.</p> + +<p>"But you know who he is!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; he's carrying the despatches. Still, he looked played out and he +had got through."</p> + +<p>"Through your friends!"</p> + +<p>"I suppose so. It didn't seem to make much difference. Guess I've been +foolish."</p> + +<p>"You were generous, but generosity of that kind must be paid for," +Blanca answered in a hard tone. "It will cost our people something, and, +now that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> Gomez has got his orders, I don't know that we can leave the +town."</p> + +<p>"Grahame and I must find a way. But you'd be safer without us. I can't +let you run into needless danger."</p> + +<p>Blanca laughed.</p> + +<p>"Do you think I would leave you to get into fresh difficulties? With a +temperament like yours, you're not to be trusted alone."</p> + +<p>"I handled Gomez pretty well," Walthew boasted.</p> + +<p>"And you still wear the bandage he saw you with! Is it safe to take it +off?"</p> + +<p>"I'd forgotten it," he admitted.</p> + +<p>He threw the bandage into the lane with some annoyance, for the girl +seemed amused, but she made no remark until they reached a quiet street.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, "perhaps I can excuse you to the others, who haven't +deserted us. But we turn down here and you had better go a few yards in +front."</p> + +<p>Following the directions she gave him, he presently crossed a square and +entered a street where a dim light burned. A man stood near it in a +careless pose, smoking a cigarette, and Walthew's heart beat fast as he +saw him.</p> + +<p>"Grahame!" he said; and the next moment he was shaking his comrade's +hand.</p> + +<p>"Got your note," said Grahame. "Thought I'd better wait here. Silva +can't let us have the mules."</p> + +<p>Walthew understood his brevity: there was no time for questions and +explanations.</p> + +<p>Grahame took off his hat as Blanca joined them.</p> + +<p>"I must see Silva. Wait in the shadow," she said, and moved quickly +away.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>The men stood silent. They had much to say, but it would keep, and the +means of escaping from the town occupied their minds. The street was +deserted and seemed strangely quiet after the girl's footsteps died +away, but indistinct cries came across the flat roofs as if something +were happening. Walthew looked about sharply in tense impatience, but +could see nothing, and Blanca did not return. At last, however, she came +silently toward them through the gloom.</p> + +<p>"It is impossible for Silva to give us the mules," she said. "The +Government has seized all he has, and two <i>rurales</i> guard the stable."</p> + +<p>"Then we must try to get away on foot," Grahame replied. "Would you be +safer, señorita, if you got some of your friends to hide you?"</p> + +<p>"No," she said; "I must take my father some news I have picked up, and +Gomez will leave no place unsearched when he learns that I have been +here. I think we shall be out of danger if we can reach a house I know."</p> + +<p>They went down the street, quickly but silently, and as they turned the +corner a man sprang out from the gloom beside a wall and immediately +afterward disappeared. A few moments later they heard a whistle, and +Blanca led the men into a narrow lane.</p> + +<p>"It is off our way, and we must run!" she said.</p> + +<p>She shook off Walthew when he tried to take her arm; and they had gone +some distance before they heard footsteps behind them. The pursuers did +not seem to gain much ground, but when they slipped round a corner +somebody shouted, and the girl sped across the square they had entered. +A little farther on, they heard a heavier tread on the uneven stones.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>"<i>Rurales!</i>" Grahame whispered.</p> + +<p>Blanca turned off quickly and led them through an archway into a street +where there was a café, which, to Walthew's surprise, she made for. The +pursuers had not come out from the archway yet, and the party, falling +into a slower pace before they reached the café, went in and sat down +calmly at one of the tables. As usual, the front of the café was open to +the pavement, separated from it by only a row of pillars. A few men sat +inside and glanced curiously at the newcomers, but they made no remark.</p> + +<p>"A bottle of vermouth, as soon as you can!" Grahame said to the +landlord.</p> + +<p>The fellow gave him a quick glance, and then his eyes rested for a +moment on the girl; but he did not delay, and was coming back with some +glasses when several barefooted men and two others in uniform ran down +the street. Grahame had taken up a newspaper, but he watched them over +it without turning his head; Walthew pushed his chair back carelessly +into the shadow; and Blanca played with a gaudy fan. The men did not +look into the café, but the landlord, after quietly filling the glasses, +put down the bottle with a meaning smile.</p> + +<p>"They may come back," he said, and moved away.</p> + +<p>Walthew was about to get up, but Blanca coquettishly tapped him with her +fan and, taking the hint, he sat still; they must drink some of the +vermouth before they left. He drained his glass, and insisted on +refilling the girl's. Blanca protested laughingly, but Grahame saw that +she held her fan so that it hid her face from the other customers. She +was playing her part well. Still, he thought that Walthew, knowing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> less +of Spanish conventions, did not understand how daring she was. When +Grahame's eyes rested on her she blushed and quickly turned her head.</p> + +<p>"It seems you have a number of supporters in the town," he remarked in a +low voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said; "you are thinking of the landlord's hint. We hope at +least half the people are on our side.... But we can venture out in a +minute or two."</p> + +<p>She raised her glass, smiling at Walthew, and then hummed a song until +she got up and, standing in front of a dirty mirror, began to arrange +the black mantilla that covered her head. Her pose and movements were +marked by rakish coquetry, and Grahame saw they had deceived the +loungers; but he noticed with a touch of dry amusement that Walthew +looked puzzled and not quite pleased.</p> + +<p>"Now, señores," she said loudly in Castilian, "you have had wine enough +and must not keep me waiting."</p> + +<p>She went out in front of them, flaunting her fan, but when they reached +the pavement her manner changed, and her voice was strained as she +whispered:</p> + +<p>"Follow me close, but quickly! There is no time to lose!"</p> + +<p>They were not molested as they crossed the town, but when they neared +its outskirts, Blanca left the road that led to the open country and +plunged into a network of narrow streets. At last she stopped in front +of a large but dilapidated looking house and, knocking twice, waited a +few moments until her summons was answered. There was no light inside, +and she exchanged a word with a half-seen person at the door before the +party was admitted. The door was shut and bolted, and they were led into +an inner room<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span> where a small lamp burned, and a woman with a frightened +face confronted them.</p> + +<p>"The road is stopped, and you must go at once before the house is +searched!" she said excitedly.</p> + +<p>"Where are the others?" Blanca asked.</p> + +<p>"They lost you and have gone on. You know where they will wait."</p> + +<p>Blanca nodded and beckoned her companions; and they followed her and the +woman to a window at the back. Grahame tactfully sprang out first and +was relieved to find himself outside the town, with a grove of trees +that promised safe concealment not far ahead. He made his way toward +them without looking round. Walthew got out next, but as soon as he +reached the ground he turned and held up his arms to Blanca, who was +sitting on the ledge. As she sprang down he caught her, and holding her +fast kissed her ardently. His feeling of triumph banished all thought of +their danger when he found that she did not resist. Her eyes shone a +deep, mystic blue, and she smiled as she slipped her arm round his neck +for a moment before he set her down.</p> + +<p>Without speaking, they hurried on after Grahame.</p> + +<p>"We have about a mile to go," Blanca said, when they reached him.</p> + +<p>She struck into a path that led them past clumps of trees, rows of +neatly planted bushes, and fields of cane. It was a still, dark night on +which a sound would carry far, but they heard no pursuit, and the town +seemed quiet.</p> + +<p>At last a small building loomed up ahead, and Blanca stopped beside it.</p> + +<p>"We should find the others here," she whispered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> "But you wait. It +would be better for them to see me first."</p> + +<p>They let her go, knowing that she would be easily recognized; but she +came back a few moments later.</p> + +<p>"There is nobody about. Perhaps they have gone on, because they had news +from people in the town, or something may have happened to make them +change their plans."</p> + +<p>Sitting down outside the building, they began to consider what must be +done.</p> + +<p>"We must go on without our mules," Blanca said. "I have information that +my father must get as soon as possible; but we may not be able to join +him until to-morrow night. The road is the nearest way, but now that +Gomez has his orders he may have sent out soldiers to stop all +travelers. Besides, there are <i>rurales</i> about."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll take to the mountains," said Walthew. He did not mean her to +run a risk. "I guess they've disarmed Grahame, and with one pistol among +us we couldn't put up much of a fight."</p> + +<p>"There's another," Blanca returned quietly. "I might let Mr. Grahame +have it, if he is a good shot, but he must give it back to me; and, as +time is important, we will take the road."</p> + +<p>She silenced Walthew's objections and they set off, striking into a +broad track some distance farther on. For a time, it wound, deep with +dust that clung about their feet heavy with the dew, across a belt of +cultivated land where indistinct, orderly rows of coffee bushes ran back +from its edge. Then it plunged into thick forest, where the soil was +soft and the dark<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span>ness impenetrable, and they stumbled along blindly, +trying to feel their way. For all that, Grahame was conscious of keen +satisfaction as he breathed the warm, night air. Heavy as it was, it +seemed strangely invigorating after the foul atmosphere of the <i>carcel</i> +where he had been imprisoned, and it was something to walk at large +again. Walthew, however, felt anxious and limp. He had been highly +strung for several hours, and he held himself responsible for the safety +of the girl he loved. Listening for sounds of pursuit, he tried to +pierce the darkness in front, and started when a leaf rustled or some +animal moved stealthily through the forest. He thought his footsteps +rang down the branch-arched track alarmingly loud.</p> + +<p>They came out into barren, rolling country, where clumps of cactus and +euphorbia grew in fantastic shapes. The track led upward, and it was +obvious that Blanca was getting tired. Unless they are the wives of +peons, Spanish-American women do not lead an active life and, as a rule, +limit their walks to an evening stroll in the plaza.</p> + +<p>For a while Blanca leaned on Walthew's arm, and he winced as he felt her +limping movements, but at last she stopped.</p> + +<p>"I cannot go much farther, but there is a house near here," she said. +"We can rest when we reach it."</p> + +<p>The house proved to be empty and in some disorder, suggesting that its +occupants had hurriedly fled, but on searching it with a light they +found some food, a little charcoal, and an iron cooking pot. Blanca and +Walthew had made a long journey after their last<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> meal and Grahame had +eaten nothing since his very plain breakfast at ten o'clock.</p> + +<p>Following the girl's instructions, he lighted the charcoal and set the +pot near the door while she prepared the food, but Walthew lay down in +the dust outside. He was physically tired, and now, when he imagined +they were comparatively safe, he felt very slack and his mind was dull. +For all that, he lay where he could see the road, and only moved his +eyes from it when he glanced into the small adobe building. The charcoal +made a faint red glow that forced up the face of the stooping girl out +of the darkness and touched her skin with a coppery gleam. Grahame knelt +beside her, a dark, vaguely outlined figure, fanning the fire, and +Walthew felt half jealous that he should help.</p> + +<p>Then he found himself getting drowsy, and, lighting a cigarette, he +fixed his eyes resolutely on the road. All was very quiet, and there was +not a movement anywhere.</p> + +<p>But Blanca was not out of danger yet.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE AMERICAN TRADER</span></h2> + + +<p>Walthew was almost dozing, when he was startled by a sound that came out +of the darkness. It was some distance off, but it had a regular beat in +it, and when it grew louder he could not doubt that some one was riding +fast up the road.</p> + +<p>"Move the fire back—there's somebody coming!" he called quickly. +"Blanca, will you give Grahame your pistol?"</p> + +<p>He used her name for the first time, and it thrilled him, but he had +other things to think about. The faint glow of the charcoal vanished, +and Grahame came out and stood listening.</p> + +<p>"Stay where you are and guard the door!" he said. "I'll drop behind that +bush, and then if the fellow gets down we'll have him between us."</p> + +<p>Throwing away a cigarette he was smoking, he vanished into the gloom, +and Walthew lay still with his heart beating fast. The drumming of hoofs +grew slower as the rider climbed the hill before the house, but Walthew +could not see him until he dismounted and came up the path, leading his +mule. It was some comfort to realize that they had only one man to deal +with, but if he was a spy of the President's, he must not get away. +Walthew, lying at full length, quickly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> worked his elbow into the dust +to steady his pistol hand.</p> + +<p>When the stranger was three or four yards away he stopped and looped the +bridle round his arm. Then he put his hand into his pocket, and Walthew, +with his nerves a-tingle, supposed that the man was searching for a +match. In another moment he might have to shoot, and he held his breath +as his finger tightened on the trigger. He heard the match scrape, a +tiny flame flickered between the stranger's hands, and Walthew started +as he saw his face. It was the man who had carried the President's +orders into Rio Frio.</p> + +<p>The light spread, falling on Walthew's recumbent figure and sparkling on +his pistol, but the messenger did not throw it down as the American had +half expected. Instead, he coolly held it up.</p> + +<p>"I see you have me covered," he said. "Though it's a surprise to find +you here, I'm not going to run away."</p> + +<p>Walthew lowered his pistol.</p> + +<p>"Very well. Leave your mule and go into the house. Will you tie up the +animal, Grahame?"</p> + +<p>"So there are two of you!"</p> + +<p>The man did as he was told, and Walthew, following him, asked Blanca to +get a light.</p> + +<p>The girl had found a lamp which she placed on the ground, and the +stranger looked at her sharply as she bent over it. Nobody spoke until +Grahame came in.</p> + +<p>"Are you alone?" he asked the messenger.</p> + +<p>"Quite."</p> + +<p>"What's your name and business?"</p> + +<p>"Carson, agent for the trading firm, Henniker and Gillatly."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>"Where were you going and why did you come here?"</p> + +<p>Carson turned to Walthew, who had been wondering whether he recognized +him.</p> + +<p>"I imagine this gentleman knows my business," he said. "He did me a +service in Rio Frio which I'm glad to acknowledge. As a matter of fact, +I stopped here to look for something to eat; the owner of this house is +on the President's side. It's pretty plain, though, that he has cleared +out. Taking it all round, I haven't had much luck this trip."</p> + +<p>"Who warned you not to call at the <i>hacienda</i> Perez?" Blanca asked.</p> + +<p>"I don't know his name—he stopped me for a moment in the dark. I'm +sorry I had to put one of your friends out of action, señorita, but I +hadn't much choice, because he struck at me with his knife. For all +that, I hope the man's not badly hurt."</p> + +<p>"We expect him to recover."</p> + +<p>"You seem to know this lady," Walthew broke in.</p> + +<p>Carson smiled.</p> + +<p>"I haven't had the pleasure of being presented, but I've seen Miss +Sarmiento once or twice, and it would be strange if I forgot her."</p> + +<p>His easy good-humor disarmed Walthew.</p> + +<p>"Did you deliver the President's despatches?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes. To tell the truth, I was glad to get rid of them—and I imagine +Miss Sarmiento acted wisely in leaving the town. Now, however, I'm +naturally curious to know what you mean to do with me."</p> + +<p>"Will you give us your word not to tell any of the President's +supporters that you have met us?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span>"I'll promise with pleasure. I feel that I've done enough in carrying +his despatches."</p> + +<p>"Very well," said Grahame. "That clears the ground; but we must talk it +over together."</p> + +<p>"Thanks," Carson said coolly. "I'm not pressed for time—and I notice +that you have been cooking. I wonder if I might ask for some supper?"</p> + +<p>"All we have is at your service, señor," Blanca answered with Spanish +politeness. "But we'd better put out the light."</p> + +<p>She extinguished the lamp, and they gathered round the cooking pot, the +men sitting on the earth floor with the red glow of the burning charcoal +on their faces. It could not be seen many yards away, and Grahame's view +commanded the path to the door. Blanca divided the omelette she had +made, and afterward gave them some black coffee and a bundle of +cigarettes.</p> + +<p>"These are Habaneros and should be good," she said. "As they belong to a +friend of the President's we need not hesitate about using them."</p> + +<p>She sat down beside Walthew, and they smoked in silence for a while. +Blanca was studying Carson's face as it was lighted by the glow from the +charcoal.</p> + +<p>"Why did you help Altiera?" she asked him suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Commercial interest. He has given us one or two trading privileges. And +he seemed to think I had a pretty good chance of getting through."</p> + +<p>"Do you know what his orders to Gomez were?"</p> + +<p>Grahame had wondered when she meant to ask this, and had left it to her, +feeling that she was more likely to catch the messenger off his guard.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span>Carson laughed.</p> + +<p>"Honestly, I don't know; Altiera isn't the man to take an outsider into +his confidence."</p> + +<p>"Still, you know something."</p> + +<p>"Well," Carson said quietly, "I'm sorry I must refuse to tell you my +surmises. No doubt you'll understand my obstinacy."</p> + +<p>"Aren't you rash, señor?" Blanca asked in a meaning tone.</p> + +<p>"On the whole, I think not. Of course, I'm in your hands, but as I've +promised not to give you away, I expect these gentlemen won't take an +unfair advantage of me. Then, from what I know about Don Martin, I feel +that I can trust his daughter."</p> + +<p>Blanca smiled.</p> + +<p>"Well," she said, "I suppose we must let you go. You are at liberty to +leave us when you wish."</p> + +<p>Grahame and Walthew agreed, and Carson shook hands with them.</p> + +<p>"It's evident that your only reason for stopping near Rio Frio is that +Miss Sarmiento finds it impossible to walk any farther," he remarked. +"She's welcome to my mule. Gomez requisitioned it from a man called +Silva, who's suspected of sympathizing with your party. I believe I know +where to find another animal."</p> + +<p>They thanked him and let him go; and soon after he vanished into the +darkness, Blanca mounted the mule and they set off again.</p> + +<p>Pushing on until dawn, they found a small, deserted <i>hacienda</i> standing +back from the road, and as tall forest grew close up to it, offering a +line of retreat, they decided to rest there. The mule looked jaded.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> +Blanca admitted that she could not go much farther, and Walthew was +obviously worn out. They could find nothing to eat; but there was some +furniture in the house, and Blanca found a place to sleep in one of the +rooms, while the men lay down on a rug outside. The sun was now rising +above the high cordillera and, wet with the dew as they were, they +enjoyed the warmth. A few lizards crept about the wall in front of them, +and an archway near by commanded a view of the road. The building was in +good order, and had apparently been abandoned on the approach of the +President's soldiers.</p> + +<p>"These people know what to expect; they must have been ready to light +out," Walthew remarked. "I rather liked that fellow Carson, but it's +curious he didn't ask us anything about our business."</p> + +<p>"He'd take it for granted that we had an active part in the revolution."</p> + +<p>"No doubt the señorita's being with us would suggest something of the +kind, but he seemed surprised at first," Walthew replied with a +thoughtful air. "For all that, I can't quite see——"</p> + +<p>"No," said Grahame; "I don't think you altogether understand the +situation yet. I suppose you mean to marry Miss Sarmiento?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly, if she'll have me," Walthew answered with firmness, though +he looked at his comrade as if he expected something more.</p> + +<p>Grahame smiled.</p> + +<p>"Then you're to be congratulated, because you won't have much trouble in +getting your wish."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" Walthew's tone was sharp, but he remembered an +incident during his escape from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> the town. "I'll admit I wasn't quite +hopeless, but we were both in danger——"</p> + +<p>He broke off, and Grahame regarded him with a friendly laugh.</p> + +<p>"You're modest—and you're more ignorant of Spanish customs than I +thought. However, I'd better explain, so you'll know how Don Martin will +look at it. To begin with, a well-brought-up girl is never permitted to +meet a man unless she is suitably escorted by an older member of the +family, and you have been wandering about with Miss Sarmiento for two or +three days. Now you can understand why Carson was surprised, and I +noticed he was uncertain how to address Miss Sarmiento at first. She +noticed his hesitation, though you did not."</p> + +<p>For some moments Walthew was silent, his brows knitted.</p> + +<p>"No, I never thought of it," he admitted. "But we'll say no more about +it until I've seen Don Martin. Besides, there's another matter. A fellow +who joined us at the lagoon gave me a letter for you. Sorry I forgot it +until now, but I had a good deal to think about."</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose it's important," Grahame replied, and lighted a +cigarette before opening the envelope with an English stamp.</p> + +<p>Then his expression changed, and a few moments afterward he let the +letter drop and sat very still. The cigarette went out, the hot sun +shone upon his uncovered head, and a lizard ran across his leg; but he +did not move. He seemed lost in thought. Walthew, watching with puzzled +sympathy, waited for him to speak.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span>"This letter has been a long time on the way," he explained at last. "It +probably had to wait at our Havana address, and then Don Martin's people +had no opportunity to deliver it."</p> + +<p>"But what's the news?" Walthew asked.</p> + +<p>Grahame answered with a strained laugh.</p> + +<p>"In a sense, it's rather a grim joke. While I've been risking my life +for a few dollars' profit on smuggled guns, and practicing the sternest +self-denial, it seems I've been the owner of an old Border estate."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Walthew. "Then Calder Hall now belongs to you?"</p> + +<p>"What do you know about Calder Hall?"</p> + +<p>"I've known all about it for some time, and I'm very glad. But I +understand that you didn't expect to inherit the estate."</p> + +<p>"No; it seemed impossible. I won't trouble you with family particulars, +but two deaths have occurred in a very short time. The last owner was no +older than I am and married, but his only child is a girl, and he was +killed while hunting. Although he was my cousin, I've rarely seen him."</p> + +<p>He was silent again for some minutes, his mind busy with alluring +visions. He had long struggled with poverty, and had wandered about the +world engaging in reckless adventures, but he had inherited a love for +the old home of his race; and now it was his. But this, while counting +for much, was not the main thing. He had been strongly attracted by +Evelyn Cliffe, but, recognizing his disadvantages, he had tried hard to +hold in check the love for her which grew in spite of him. The obstacles +that had bulked so large were now removed. He was free to win her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> if he +could, and it was comforting to remember that in her urgent need she had +sent for him. But he had work to finish first.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you mean to start home as soon as you can?" Walthew +suggested.</p> + +<p>"No," Grahame answered quietly, "I'm not going yet. For one thing, we +have taken Don Martin's money, and now that he has to meet a crisis we +can't leave him in the lurch. Besides, one day at San Lucar, we promised +some of the leaders of the movement that we'd see them through."</p> + +<p>It was a good reason. Grahame was not the man to do a shabby thing, but +Walthew, remembering that Evelyn was with the rebels, thought his +comrade had a stronger motive for staying.</p> + +<p>"Well," he agreed, "I guess that's so. Anyway, the game can't last much +longer; they'll have to use our guns in the next few days."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and as we don't know what part we'll have in it, you'd better get +some rest. I'll keep watch a while."</p> + +<p>Walthew was glad of the opportunity to sleep; and Grahame, moving back +into the shadow as the sun got hot, sat still, with his mind busy and +his eyes fixed upon the road.</p> + +<p>At noon Blanca came out of the house and stood looking down at Walthew +with a compassionate gentleness that she did not try to hide. The +half-healed cut showed plainly on his forehead, his brown face looked +worn, and he lay in an attitude of deep weariness.</p> + +<p>"It is a pity to wake him, but we must start," she said, and indicated +the scar. "I suppose you can guess<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span> that he has borne something, and he +got that wound for you."</p> + +<p>"I'm not likely to forget it," Grahame answered quietly.</p> + +<p>"No," Blanca said with a curious smile. "You do not make many +protestations, you men of the North, but one can trust you."</p> + +<p>She stooped and touched Walthew gently.</p> + +<p>"It is noon and we must go."</p> + +<p>Her voice was quiet, but Walthew seemed to know it in his sleep, for he +sprang to his feet with a half-ashamed air.</p> + +<p>"I didn't mean to sleep so long," he said, and looked at Blanca +anxiously. "Have you rested enough? Are you quite fit to travel?"</p> + +<p>Blanca smiled; and when Walthew brought up the mule and helped her to +mount she noticed something new in his manner. Hitherto, it had been +marked by a certain diffidence, but now this had gone. He was +assiduously careful of her, but with a hint of proprietary right. +Something had happened since she had last seen him to account for the +change. She gave Grahame a searching glance, but his face was impassive.</p> + +<p>They set off, Walthew walking beside the mule, but it was to Grahame +that the girl spoke as they moved slowly forward in the scorching heat. +He thought he understood, and his eyes twinkled with amusement when she +was not looking. Blanca suspected him, and she did not mean Walthew to +take too much for granted.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">LOVE'S VISION</span></h2> + + +<p>It was late when Walthew led Blanca's mule through the rebel camp to the +table under a tree where Don Martin sat writing. There was a half moon +in the sky, and as they passed between the rows of motionless, dark +figures stretched on the ground, here and there an upturned face caught +the light and shone a livid white. In places a sentry's form was +silhouetted, vague and black, against the sky, but except for this all +was wrapped in puzzling shadow, and silence brooded over the camp.</p> + +<p>One of Don Martin's staff sat beside the table, smoking a cigarette, +another lay asleep near by, but a small lamp burned steadily near the +leader's hand, lighting up his grave face against the gloom. He put down +his pen and waited when Walthew stopped the mule and helped the girl to +dismount.</p> + +<p>"I have had the honor of escorting the señorita from Rio Frio, where +with her help I got my partner out of the <i>carcel</i>," he said.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Don Martin returned in a quiet voice, "I have heard something of +this. I am told that you met my daughter at the <i>hacienda</i> Perez. Was it +by accident?"</p> + +<p>Walthew, remembering Grahame's remarks on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> subject, felt +embarrassed, for the steadiness of Don Martin's glance was significant.</p> + +<p>"Certainly!" he answered. "I had never heard of the <i>hacienda</i> before I +reached it. For all that, I would not have kept away if I had known the +señorita was there."</p> + +<p>"One must acknowledge your frankness," Don Martin remarked. "Well, what +happened afterward?"</p> + +<p>Walthew looked at Blanca, but she seemed to be smiling as she unfolded +her fan, and he began a brief account of their adventures.</p> + +<p>"And your comrade is with you?" asked Don Martin. "I was told of his +escape, but you have been some time on the way. Our friends who lost you +in Rio Frio arrived this morning."</p> + +<p>Blanca laughed.</p> + +<p>"I cannot walk like a peon," she explained.</p> + +<p>"But you came on a mule!"</p> + +<p>"We had gone some distance when Carson, the trader, lent it to us."</p> + +<p>Walthew had not mentioned their meeting with the President's messenger, +and Don Martin looked surprised.</p> + +<p>"Carson!" he exclaimed. "If I did not believe Mr. Grahame was a man of +honor, I should not know what to think."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Walthew also is a man of honor," Blanca retorted in a meaning tone. +"But I have news which you must hear at once."</p> + +<p>Don Martin turned to Walthew.</p> + +<p>"You will give me a few minutes; then I will see you again."</p> + +<p>Taking this as a dismissal, Walthew went back to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> where Grahame was +waiting and smoked a cigarette with him. Soon after he had finished it, +a drowsy soldier beckoned him and he returned to Sarmiento. When he +reached the table Blanca had gone.</p> + +<p>"Señor," he said, "I have a favor to ask; but the accident that I was +thrown into Miss Sarmiento's company at the <i>hacienda</i> and Rio Frio has +nothing to do with it. You must understand that. I want your consent to +my marriage to your daughter."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Don Martin. "You have learned that she is willing?"</p> + +<p>Walthew felt half guilty when he thought of the kiss beneath the +window-sill, but he looked at Don Martin steadily.</p> + +<p>"I thought it better to follow your customs," he explained. "Blanca does +not know I meant to ask you. But I want to say that my mind has been +made up for some time. It was for her sake that I determined to stay on +the coast and give you all the help I could."</p> + +<p>There was a gleam of amusement in Don Martin's eyes.</p> + +<p>"Then my daughter gained us a useful ally. But, so far, you have spoken +for yourself. What about your parents? Blanca Sarmiento is not an +American."</p> + +<p>Walthew hesitated for a moment.</p> + +<p>"They may feel some surprise, but I believe it will vanish when they +have seen her; and I choose my wife to please myself. I think I have +means enough to make my way without any help, though I haven't a great +deal."</p> + +<p>"How much?"</p> + +<p>Sarmiento nodded when Walthew told him.</p> + +<p>"It is enough; you would be thought a rich man in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> this country. Still, +I would prefer to have your father's consent. It is our custom that a +marriage should be arranged with the approval of both families."</p> + +<p>"But you are a progressive and don't count much on customs. I understand +that you mean to cut out all those that stop your people from going +ahead."</p> + +<p>"It is true to some extent," Don Martin admitted with a smile. "For all +that, one may believe in progress in the abstract, and yet hesitate +about making risky experiments that touch one's own family. However, if +Blanca is willing, I can trust her to you."</p> + +<p>"I'll try to deserve your confidence," Walthew answered, and added with +a naïvely thoughtful air: "My people will come round; the only thing +they'll insist on is that I enter the family business, and that's going +to be easier than I thought."</p> + +<p>"Why did you refuse in the beginning?"</p> + +<p>"It's rather hard to explain. I wanted to get into touch with realities, +to learn what I was good for and find my proper level."</p> + +<p>Sarmiento made a sign of comprehension.</p> + +<p>"And in searching for what you call realities, you have found yourself."</p> + +<p>Walthew recognized the truth of this. It was not that in facing danger +and hardship he had gained steadiness and self-control, because he had +never lacked courage, but he had acquired a clearer conception of +essential things. He would no longer be content to accept thoughtlessly +the conventional view. His comrade had taught him much by his coolness +in time of strain and his stubborn tenacity when things went wrong. It +was not for nothing that Grahame<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> had hawk-like eyes: he had the gift of +seeing what must be done. But, after all, it was from hardship itself +that Walthew had learned most, and in the light of that knowledge he +determined to go home. The work he was best fitted for was waiting in +the smoky, industrial town; it was not the task he had longed for, but +it was his, and he would be content now.</p> + +<p>Don Martin smiled.</p> + +<p>"You may try to persuade Blanca to go with you to your country, if you +wish. I want a talk with your comrade now. Will you send him to me?"</p> + +<p>Walthew left him with a light heart, and shortly afterward Grahame +joined Don Martin.</p> + +<p>"Señor," said the leader, "you have kept your agreement with us +faithfully, and I do not know that we have any further claim, but I +understand that you do not mean to leave us yet."</p> + +<p>"No," Grahame replied quietly; "I shall see you through."</p> + +<p>"Good! Another body of our friends is gathering at a village to which I +will send you with a guide. They are well armed and determined. I offer +you command."</p> + +<p>"Where is the señorita Cliffe?" Grahame wanted to know.</p> + +<p>"At a <i>hacienda</i> two or three hours' ride back. She is in good hands, +and at daybreak my daughter leaves to join her."</p> + +<p>Grahame was sensible of keen disappointment.</p> + +<p>"When do you wish me to start?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"As soon as possible; but you'd better take an hour's rest."</p> + +<p>"I'm ready now if you will give me my orders."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>When, a few minutes later, he rode away with the guide, Walthew and +Blanca left the camp and followed a path that led through a field of +rustling sugar-cane.</p> + +<p>"We must not go far," Blanca protested. "This is quite against my +people's idea of what is correct."</p> + +<p>"It's a sign of the change you're going to make for me. You might have +been something like a princess here, and you'll be the wife of a plain +American citizen, instead."</p> + +<p>"I never wanted to be a princess," she said; "and certainly not a +conspirator. All I really hoped for was one faithful subject."</p> + +<p>"You have one whose loyalty won't change. But you mustn't expect too +much, because I'm giving up my adventurous career and turning business +man. Men like Bolivar and the other fellow you wanted me to copy aren't +born every day—and I'm not sure we'd appreciate them if they were."</p> + +<p>Blanca laughed.</p> + +<p>"You are a pessimist, but I will tell you a secret. It needs courage to +be the wife of a great soldier and I am not brave enough." Her voice +fell to a low, caressing note. "One's heart shrinks from sending the man +one loves into danger."</p> + +<p>Walthew stopped in the path and faced the girl. She was smiling. The +half-moon, now high overhead, shed its beams down in a weird light that +lay over everything like a mantle of blue silver. All about them the +tall cane whispered in the wind.</p> + +<p>Walthew opened his arms, and Blanca cuddled to him.</p> + +<p>"It is so wonderful!" he breathed, after the first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> long kiss. "So +wonderful that you are really going back to the States with me!"</p> + +<p>"You are not going back the same," she smiled up at him; and he stooped +and kissed the smile.</p> + +<p>"——You have seen the vision," she finished; "romance has touched you."</p> + +<p>"It was you who opened my eyes. Perhaps now they are dazzled; but we +will never let the vision quite fade. Romance shall spread her bright +wings above the home I'm going to build you on the river bluff——"</p> + +<p>Again he found her mouth, and drank deep.</p> + +<p>The silence was broken by a rattle of leather and a jingle of steel that +startled them, and as they turned quickly and walked up the path a dark +figure rose out of the gloom ahead and stood before them, sinister and +threatening. When Walthew had answered the sentry's challenge, Blanca +shivered.</p> + +<p>"I had forgotten for a few minutes," she said. "Rio Frio is not taken +yet, and you must fight for us."</p> + +<p>"For two or three days, if all goes well. It can't be a long struggle. +Rio Frio is bound to fall."</p> + +<p>Blanca clung closer to him.</p> + +<p>"I cannot keep you," she said; "but how I wish the days were over! There +is nothing of the princess in me; I am only an anxious girl."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE HERO OF RIO FRIO</span></h2> + + +<p>Day was breaking when Cliffe saw Rio Frio loom out above low-lying mist. +There was no perceptible light in the sky, but the scattered clumps of +trees were growing blacker and more distinct, and the town began to +stand out against a dusky background. It had an unsubstantial look, as +if it might suddenly fade away, and Cliffe felt that he was doing +something fantastic and unreal as he watched the blurred forms of his +companions move on. To some extent, want of sleep and weariness +accounted for this, because he had marched all night, but the silence +with which the rebels advanced helped the illusion. A number of them +were barefooted and the raw-hide sandals of the others made no sound in +the thick dust.</p> + +<p>Cliffe marched near the head of the straggling battalion, a +cartridge-belt round his waist and a rifle on his shoulder. His light +clothes were damp and stained with soil. His costly Panama hat hung, +crumpled and shapeless, about his head, and he did not differ much in +external appearance from the men around him. They were a picturesque, +undisciplined band, but Cliffe knew that they meant business. He +recognized that there was something humorous about his marching with +them. He belonged to the orderly cities,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> where he had been treated as a +man of importance, but now he was swayed by primitive impulses and had +cast off the habits of civilization.</p> + +<p>The rebel leader had promised to make inquiries about Evelyn, but had +learned nothing. Cliffe imagined that the man, having other things to +think about, had not been very diligent. He held Gomez accountable for +the distress he felt. The rogue had cheated him and stolen his daughter. +Cliffe sternly determined that he should pay for it. Gomez, however, was +in Rio Frio and, since he could not be reached by other means, Cliffe +was ready to fight his way into the town. The curious thing was that +instead of finding the prospect disagreeable he was conscious of a +certain fierce satisfaction. The commander of the detachment had treated +him well, but his limited knowledge of Castilian had made it necessary +that he should take his place in the ranks.</p> + +<p>The leading files halted, and from their disjointed remarks Cliffe +gathered that a picket of the enemy's had been surprised by the scouts. +He had heard no shots, but he could imagine the dark-skinned men, many +of whom had Indian blood in them, crawling silently through the long +grass with unsheathed knives. It was not a pleasant picture; but the +road was clear.</p> + +<p>The light was growing when they went on, moving faster. The need for +haste was obvious. As they were not numerous, they must enter the town +while darkness covered their approach, and they were late. Another +detachment should have met them, but it had not arrived. On the whole, +Cliffe did not think their chances good, but that did not daunt him, and +he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> trudged on with the rest, the dust rolling like a fog about his +head.</p> + +<p>After a while the advance split up into two streams of hurrying men, +and, going with one body, Cliffe saw the flat-topped houses near ahead. +Stumbling among small bushes, and gazing between the shoulders of the +men in front, he made out a shadowy opening in the line of buildings. A +few minutes later the clatter of sandals rose from slippery stones, +there were blank walls about him, and he was in the town. It was hard to +believe they had entered unopposed, without a shot being fired, but he +supposed the guard had been surprised and overpowered by friends inside.</p> + +<p>The backs of the leading files obstructed his view, but now that they +were moving down a narrow lane the air throbbed with the sound of their +advance. Rifle slings rattled, feet fell with a rapid beat, and now and +then an order broke through the jingle of steel. Then a shot rang out +and the men began to run, two or three falling out here and there, with +the intention, Cliffe supposed, of occupying friendly houses. A little +later, the advance guard swung out into a wider street, and a group of +men began tearing up the pavement; it had been loosened beforehand, and +the stones came up easily. Another group were throwing furniture out of +the houses. They worked frantically, though they were fired at, and +Cliffe could hear the bullets splash upon the stones.</p> + +<p>For the most part, the men were wiry peons, some toiling half naked, but +there were a number who looked like prosperous citizens. The light, +however, was dim and they were hard to distinguish as they flitted to +and fro with their loads or plied the shovel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> A barricade was rising +fast, but the alarm had spread. Detached shouts and a confused uproar +rolled across the town, the call of bugles joined in, and the sharp +clang of the rifles grew more frequent. Cliffe could see no smoke, but +he imagined that the roofs farther on were occupied by the troops Gomez +was no doubt hurrying into action.</p> + +<p>The attack had obviously been well timed and arranged with the +coöperation of revolutionaries in the town, but while the rebels had +gained an entrance, they seemed unable to follow up their success, and +it remained to be seen if they could hold their ground until +reënforcements arrived. Finding no opportunity for doing anything +useful, Cliffe sat down on the pavement and lighted a cigarette. He did +not feel the nervousness he had expected, but he was tired and hungry. +It was four o'clock on the previous afternoon when he shared the +officers' frugal dinner, and he had eaten nothing since. There was no +use in speculating about what was likely to happen in the next few +hours, but he meant to have a reckoning with Gomez if he came through +alive.</p> + +<p>Then, as he watched the blurred figures swarming like ants about the +barricade, he broke into a dry smile, for the situation had an +ironically humorous side. He had thought himself a sober, business man; +and now he was helping a horde of frenzied rebels to overthrow the +government he had supported with large sums of money. This was a novelty +in the way of finance. Moreover, it was strange that he should derive a +quiet satisfaction from the touch of the rifle balanced across his +knees. He was better used to the scatter-gun, and did not altogether +understand the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> sights, but he was determined to shoot as well as he +could.</p> + +<p>An opportunity was soon offered him. Some one gave an order, and after +some pushing and jostling he squeezed himself between the legs of a +table on the top of the barricade. A ragged desperado, who scowled +furiously and used what seemed to be violently abusive language, had +contested the position with him, and it struck Cliffe as remarkable that +he should have taken so much trouble to secure a post where he might get +shot. He was there, however, and thought he could make pretty good +shooting up to a couple hundred yards.</p> + +<p>He had got comfortably settled, with his left elbow braced against a +ledge to support the rifle, when a body of men in white uniform appeared +at the other end of the street. An officer with sword drawn marched at +their head, but they did not seem anxious to press forward, or to be +moving in very regular order. The distances were uneven, and some of the +men straggled toward the side of the street, where it was darker close +to the walls. Cliffe sympathized with them, although he felt steadier +than he had thought possible.</p> + +<p>A rifle flashed on a roof and others answered from the barricade, but +only a thin streak of gray vapor that vanished almost immediately marked +the firing. It looked as if the rebels had obtained good powder. After a +few moments Cliffe heard a shrill humming close above his head, and +there was a crash as a man behind him fell backward. Then he felt his +rifle jump and jar his shoulder, though he was not otherwise conscious +that he had fired. He must have pulled the trig<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span>ger by instinct, but he +did not try to ascertain the result of his shot. He had not come to that +yet.</p> + +<p>There was a sharp patter on the front of the barricade and splinters +sprang from the table legs. Some one near Cliffe cried out, and the +patter went on. Raising his head cautiously, he saw that a number of +soldiers were firing from the roofs, while the rest ran steadily up the +street. They must be stopped. Dropping his chin upon the stock, he +stiffened his arms and held his breath as he squeezed the trigger.</p> + +<p>After this, he was too busy to retain a clear impression of what +happened. His rifle jumped and jarred until it got hot, his shoulder +felt sore, and he found he must pull round his cartridge-belt because +the nearer clips were empty. He did not know how the fight was going; +the separate advancing figures he gazed at through the notch of the rear +sight monopolized his attention, but there was thin smoke and dust +about, and he could not see them well. It seemed curious that they had +not reached the barricade, and he felt angry with them for keeping him +in suspense. Then the firing gradually slackened and died away. +Everything seemed strangely quiet, except that men were running back +down the street in disorder. The rebels had held their ground; the +attack had failed.</p> + +<p>After a few moments, he noticed that the sun shone down between the +houses and it was getting hot. He felt thirsty, and the glare hurt his +eyes, which smarted with the dust and acrid vapor that hung about the +spot. All the soldiers, however, had not gone back; several lay in +strange, slack attitudes near the front of the barricade, and a rebel +who sprang down, perhaps with the object of securing fresh cartridges, +suddenly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> dropped. The rest lay close and left the fallen alone. Then a +tall priest in threadbare cassock and clumsy raw-hide shoes came out of +a house and with the help of two or three others carried the victims +inside. Cliffe heard somebody say that it was Father Agustin.</p> + +<p>Soon afterward a man near Cliffe gave him a cigarette, and he smoked it, +although his mouth was dry and the tobacco had a bitter taste. The heat +was getting worse and his head began to ache, but he was busy wondering +what would happen next. Gomez must have more troops than the handful he +had sent; the rebels could not hold the position against a strong force, +and their supports had not arrived. He hoped Gomez had no machine-guns.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the attack recommenced. There were more soldiers, and a rattle +of firing that broke out farther up the street suggested that the +revolutionaries were being attacked in flank. Some of the men seemed to +hesitate and began to look behind them, but they got steadier when an +officer called out; and Cliffe understood that a detachment had been +sent back to protect their rear. In the meantime, the soldiers in front +were coming on. They were slouching, untidy fellows, but their brown +faces were savage, and Cliffe knew they meant to get in. It was, +however, his business to keep them out, and he fired as fast as he could +load. When the barrel got so hot that he could hardly touch it, he +paused to cool the open breach and anxiously looked about.</p> + +<p>The street seemed filled with white figures, but they had opened out, +and in the gaps he could see the dazzling stones over which the hot air +danced. There<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> was a gleam of bright steel in the sun, and he noticed +that the walls were scarred. Raw spots marked where the chipped +whitewash had fallen off and the adobe showed through. But there was no +time to observe these things; the foremost men were dangerously near. +Finding he could now hold his rifle, Cliffe snapped in a cartridge and +closed the breach. Then he spent a few tense minutes. The enemy reached +the foot of the barrier and climbed up. Rifles flashed from roofs and +windows, streaks of flame rippled along the top of the barricade, and +one or two of the defenders, perhaps stung by smarting wounds or +maddened by excitement, leaped down with clubbed weapons and +disappeared. Cliffe kept his place between the table legs and pulled +round his cartridge-belt.</p> + +<p>The tension could not last. Flesh and blood could not stand it. He +understood why the men had leaped down, courting death. He hoped his own +nerve was normally good, but if the struggle was not decided soon, he +could not answer for himself. He must escape from the strain somehow, if +he had to charge the attackers with an empty rifle.</p> + +<p>There was a sudden change. The climbing white figures seemed to melt +away, and though the rifles still clanged from roofs and windows the +firing slackened along the barricade. The troops were going back, +running not retiring, and trying to break into houses from which men +with rude weapons thrust them out. It looked as if the inhabitants were +all insurgents now.</p> + +<p>Soon the priest reappeared, and Cliffe left his post and sat down where +there was a strip of shade. He had helped to beat off two attacks, but +he was doubtful about the third. While he rested, a fat, swarthy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> woman +brought him a cup of <i>caña</i>, and he was surprised when he saw how much +of the fiery spirit he had drunk. The woman smiled, and went on to the +next man with the cup.</p> + +<p>Cliffe wondered how long he had been fighting, for he found his watch +had stopped; but the sun was not high yet. After all, the reënforcements +he had begun to despair of might arrive in time. While he comforted +himself with this reflection, some of the other men dug a trench behind +the barricade, and citizens, loading the earth into baskets, carried it +off. Cliffe did not know what this was for, but he supposed the baskets +would be used to strengthen defenses somewhere else. It was a long time +since he had handled a spade, but if they needed his help he could dig. +Pulling himself up with an effort, he took a tool from a breathless man +and set to work.</p> + +<p>After a time a citizen appeared with a bundle of papers and a white +flag. An officer signed him to come forward, and taking the papers from +him threw them among the men. Cliffe got one, and finding a man who +spoke a little English, asked him what the notice meant. The man said it +was a proclamation by Gomez, stating that, as the people had serious +ground for dissatisfaction with the President's administration and were +determined to end it, he must accede to the wish of the leading +citizens, who had urged him to form a provisional government. He +promised a general amnesty for past offenses and the prompt redress of +all grievances.</p> + +<p>"So the dog turns on his master!" the translator remarked with bitter +scorn. "Altiera was a tyrant, but this rogue would be worse!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>The insurgent leader, standing on top of the barricade, read the +proclamation in a loud, ironical voice, and when he tore it up with a +dramatic gesture, the roar of mocking laughter that rang down the street +showed what all who heard it thought of Gomez's claim. Then people ran +out of the houses and pelted the messenger with stones as he hurriedly +retired, until a few shots from a roof cleared the street.</p> + +<p>"The dog has bought the soldiers! Altiera should have been his own +paymaster," the man whom Cliffe had questioned remarked.</p> + +<p>For the next half hour everything was quiet, but Cliffe felt uneasy. One +could not tell what Gomez was doing, but it was plain that he must make +a resolute attempt to crush the rebels before he turned his forces +against the President. He must have felt reasonably sure of his ground +when he made his last daring move. As his terms had been scornfully +rejected, the country would soon be devastated by three hostile +factions, which would make Evelyn's danger very grave. Cliffe forgot +that he was thirsty and there was a pain in his left side brought on by +want of food. If help did not come by sunset, his friends would be +overwhelmed by numbers when it was too dark to shoot straight.</p> + +<p>Then he saw that they were threatened by a more urgent danger. The end +of the street opened into the plaza, which had been deserted. The houses +on its opposite side were shuttered, and the sun burned down into the +dazzling square, except for a strip of shadow beneath one white wall. +Now, however, a body of men appeared, carrying something across the +uneven pavement. When they stopped and began to put the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> separate parts +together, Cliffe saw that it was a machine-gun. He wondered why Gomez +had not made use of it earlier, unless, perhaps, it had formed the main +defense of the <i>presidio</i>.</p> + +<p>The barrel, thickened by its water jacket, gleamed ominously in front of +the steel shield as the men got the gun into position; but it was +unthinkable that they should be left to do so undisturbed, and Cliffe +scrambled back to his post when an order rang out. He felt that he hated +the venomous machine, which had perhaps been bought with his money. +Steadying his rifle, he fired as fast as he could.</p> + +<p>Though the smoke was thin, it hung about the rebels' position, making it +hard to see, and Cliffe feared their shots were going wide, but after a +few moments the barricade trembled, and there was a curious, whirring +sound above his head. Dust and splinters of stone were flung up, and +large flakes fell from the neighboring walls. All this seemed to happen +at once, before he was conscious of a measured thudding like a big +hammer falling very fast which drowned the reports of the rifles and +dominated everything. The flimsy defenses were pierced. Gaps began to +open here and there, and men dropped back into the trench. Then a fierce +yell rang across the city, and although Cliffe heard no order the rebel +fire slackened. Peering through the vapor, he saw the soldiers were +frantically dragging the gun into a new position; the shield no longer +hid the men at the breach, but Cliffe did not shoot. He felt paralyzed +as he watched to see what was happening.</p> + +<p>The hammering began again, and flashes that looked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> pale in the sunshine +leapt about the muzzle of the gun. Soldiers lying down behind it were +using their rifles, and another detachment hurriedly came up. Cliffe's +view of the plaza was limited. He could not see one side of it, where an +attack was evidently being made, but presently a mob of running men +swept into sight. A few dropped upon the pavement and began to fire, but +the main body ran straight for the gun, and he noticed with a thrill +that they were led by a light-skinned man. Some of them fell, but the +rest went on, and the rebels behind the barricade began to shout. The +eagerly expected reënforcements had arrived.</p> + +<p>The man with the fair skin was the first to reach the gun. Cliffe saw +his pistol flash; but the struggle did not last. Gomez's men fell back +and the others swung round the gun. Then, as flame blazed from its +muzzle, a triumphant yell rose from the barricade, and Cliffe, springing +up on the table, waved his hat and shouted with the rest. Grahame, with +his handful of peons, had saved the day.</p> + +<p>In a few seconds Cliffe felt dizzy. His head was unsteady, his knees +seemed weak, and as he tried to get down he lost his balance. Falling +from the top of the barricade, he plunged heavily into the trench, where +his senses left him.</p> + +<p>It was some time afterward when he came to himself, and, looking round +in a half-dazed manner, wondered where he was. The big room in which he +lay was shadowy and cool, and he did not feel much the worse except that +his head ached and his eyes were dazzled. A tumult seemed to be going on +outside, but the room was quiet, and a girl in a white dress sat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> near +by. He thought he ought to know her, although he could not see her face +until she heard him move and came toward him.</p> + +<p>"Evelyn!" he gasped.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered, smiling. "How do you feel?"</p> + +<p>"Dizzy," said Cliffe. "But this is Rio Frio, isn't it? How did you get +here?"</p> + +<p>"You mustn't talk," she said firmly, and he saw that she had a glass in +her hand. "Drink this and go to sleep again."</p> + +<p>Cliffe did not mean to go to sleep, although he drained the glass +because he was thirsty. There was much he wanted to know; but he found +it difficult to talk, and Evelyn would not answer. After a futile effort +to shake it off, he succumbed to the drowsiness that was overpowering +him.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> + +<h2 class="newchapter"><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV<br /> +<span class="smalltext">THE COMING DAWN</span></h2> + + +<p>It was getting dark when Cliffe wakened. The windows were open, and a +flickering red glow shone into the room. Footsteps and voices rose from +the street below, as if the city were astir, but this did not interest +him much. Evelyn was standing near, and a man whom he could not see well +sat in the shadow.</p> + +<p>"You must have something to tell me," Cliffe said to the girl. "We seem +to be in safe quarters; but how did we get here?"</p> + +<p>Evelyn knelt down beside his couch and put her hand on his hot forehead. +It felt pleasantly cool, and Cliffe lay still with a sigh of +satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Father Agustin brought you in here several hours ago," she explained; +"but that was before I arrived. I was worried, but the doctor says we +needn't be alarmed."</p> + +<p>"That's a sure thing," Cliffe replied. "I'm feeling pretty well, but +thirsty. What's the matter with me, anyhow?"</p> + +<p>"Exhaustion, and perhaps slight sunstroke and shock. You must have had a +bad fall, because you are bruised."</p> + +<p>"I certainly fell, right down to the bottom of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> trench; but that's +not what I want to talk about. It is a big relief to see you safe, but +where have you been?"</p> + +<p>"It will take some time to tell." Evelyn bent closer over him as she +began an account of her adventures in a low voice, and Cliffe dully +imagined that she did not want the other occupant of the room to hear. +The fellow was no doubt a doctor.</p> + +<p>"I had no difficulty after I reached Don Martin's camp," she finished. +"His daughter, the pretty girl we saw at the International, was with him +most of the time, and afterward her duenna treated me very well. When +the rebels advanced on Rio Frio, Don Martin thought it safer for Blanca +and me to go with them, but they left us outside with a guard until the +town was taken. Then I was told that a priest had picked you up badly +hurt and they brought me here. The house belongs to a merchant who took +some part in the revolution. You can imagine how anxious I was until +Father Agustin sent a doctor."</p> + +<p>"I hate to think of the danger you were in," he said; "though you seem +to have shown surprising grit."</p> + +<p>Evelyn laughed and patted his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Then I must have inherited it. I'm told that you and the others held +the barricade stubbornly for two hours. Don Martin admits that he might +not have taken Rio Frio if it hadn't been for the stand you made."</p> + +<p>"He wouldn't have taken it, and there'd have been very few of us left, +if Grahame hadn't rushed the gun. But I've something else to thank him +for. It seems from your story that he got himself into trouble by going +to your help."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span>"Yes," said Evelyn quietly. "You can thank him now, if you like." She +beckoned the man across the room. "Come and join us, dear."</p> + +<p>The red glow from outside fell on her face as Cliffe gave her a +surprised look, and he noticed that she blushed. Then he held out his +hand to Grahame, because he thought he understood.</p> + +<p>"It seems I owe you a good deal," he said.</p> + +<p>"Well," Grahame returned, smiling, "I suppose my intentions were good, +but I didn't accomplish much, and my partner had to run a serious risk +to get me out of trouble."</p> + +<p>"The way you rushed that gun was great."</p> + +<p>"It might have been better if we had taken the fellows in the rear, but +we were told that they were making things hot for you, and there was no +time to get round."</p> + +<p>"When we met in Havana I'd no idea that you were up against me," Cliffe +said with a laugh. "Curious, isn't it, that we should make friends while +I was backing the President and you the rebels!" He turned to the +window. "What's the fire outside?"</p> + +<p>"The <i>presidio</i> burning. Gomez used it as headquarters and made his last +stand there."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Then your friends have finished him?"</p> + +<p>Grahame nodded.</p> + +<p>"A rather grim business. He had much to answer for, but although half +his troops deserted, he made a gallant end."</p> + +<p>"Where's your partner, and what are the rebel bosses doing now?"</p> + +<p>"Walthew was patrolling the streets with a company of brigands when I +last saw him; he promised<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> to meet me here as soon as he was relieved. +The others are busy forming a provisional government. Don Martin said +he'd call on you soon."</p> + +<p>"I owe him some thanks, but I mean to cut my connection with this +country's affairs. No more political speculations; I've had enough."</p> + +<p>Grahame laughed.</p> + +<p>"I can imagine that. These people are an unstable lot, and it's not +certain that Don Martin, who's much the best man they have, will be the +next president.... But we were told to keep you quiet, and Evelyn is +tired. She had to follow the rebels' march all night, but wouldn't rest +until she was satisfied about you."</p> + +<p>"How long have you called her Evelyn?" Cliffe demanded, looking hard at +him.</p> + +<p>"He will tell you about that to-morrow," Evelyn answered with a blush. +"You must lie still and go to sleep again if you can, but if you give +trouble, we'll leave the señora Rocas, who is deaf and very clumsy, to +look after you."</p> + +<p>When Cliffe fell asleep, Evelyn and Grahame went out on to the balcony +and watched the moonlight creep across the town. There were lights in +the cafés, and excited citizens gathered in the streets. Now and then a +few angry cries broke out, but for the most part the scraps of news that +spread among the crowd were received with exultant cheers.</p> + +<p>The next day Cliffe was much better, and after breakfast Grahame found +him sitting in the shady <i>patio</i>. He listened to the younger man +quietly, and then held out his hand.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad I can agree," he said. "I'll miss her, but I feel that she'll +be safe with you."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span>Ten minutes later Grahame met Walthew, who looked disturbed and +indignant.</p> + +<p>"What are they doing at the council?" Grahame asked.</p> + +<p>"Fooling!" said Walthew fiercely. "Seems to me they're mad! Last night +they were solid for Don Martin, but now a faction that means to make +Castillo president is gaining ground."</p> + +<p>"A number of them must know he gave their plans away to save his skin."</p> + +<p>"They know, all right. One fellow urged that Castillo did so as a matter +of policy, because he meant to force Altiera's hand. Guess the crowd who +want him would believe anything that suited them!"</p> + +<p>"Well," Grahame said thoughtfully, "I've had my doubts whether they'd +get on with Don Martin. His code of political morality's rather high; +they want a man who won't expect too much. I dare say they feel that +after turning out Altiera they're entitled to a few opportunities for +graft themselves and for finding their friends official jobs. I'm sorry +for Sarmiento, though. What does he say?"</p> + +<p>"Haven't seen him this morning. Father Agustin believes he'll respect +the wish of the majority, although the fellows who did the fighting are +all on his side."</p> + +<p>Grahame went to look for Evelyn, and it was noon when Walthew met him +again.</p> + +<p>"After a glorious row, they've chosen Castillo—and I wish them joy of +him!" he said. "Don Martin withdraws his claim, and wants to leave +to-morrow. He's going to live in Cuba, and if Cliffe's fit to travel, we +may as well all clear out. I'm sick of this place.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> Anyway, I'd like to +take Blanca and her father across in the <i>Enchantress</i>."</p> + +<p>"There will be no difficulty about that. I think we can sell the boat at +New Orleans. Have you made any plans?"</p> + +<p>"Sure. I'm going to marry Blanca at Havana and then take her home. She +seemed to think she ought to stay with her father, but Don Martin +convinced her this wasn't necessary. Guess it hurt him, but he told me +the girl had had a pretty rough time wandering about in exile, and he +means to give her a chance of a brighter life."</p> + +<p>"Why did you fix on Havana for the wedding?"</p> + +<p>Walthew laughed.</p> + +<p>"My people will see there is no use in kicking when I take my wife home; +and they've only to give Blanca a fair show to get fond of her. Then +there are a number of Americans in Havana, and I can get the thing +properly registered and fixed up by our consul. Don Martin agreed." He +paused a minute and added: "Don Martin's going to address the citizens +in the plaza at six o'clock, and I think he'd like you and Cliffe to be +there."</p> + +<p>Grahame promised to ask Cliffe; and soon after dinner he found that a +place had been kept for his party on the broad steps of the church of +San Sebastian. The air was cooling and dusk was near, but the light had +not gone, and the square was packed with an expectant crowd, except +where a space was kept. The lower steps were occupied by officials and +leading citizens, but the two highest were empty.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes there was deep silence, and nobody moved in the +crowded plaza. Then a murmur<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> rose as the leather curtain across the +door was drawn back and Don Martin came out, with three priests in their +robes behind him. He stood bareheaded on the second step, very straight +and soldierlike, but plainly dressed in white, with no sash or badge of +office; the priests standing above, with Father Agustin's tall figure in +the middle. As he turned his face toward the crowd a great shout went +up:</p> + +<p>"<i>Viva Sarmiento! Viva el libertador!</i>"</p> + +<p>Don Martin bowed, but did not speak; and a bugle call rang across the +square and was followed by a measured tramp of feet. Men marching in +loose fours swung out of a shadowy opening and advanced upon the church. +A red sash round the waist with the ends left hanging loose was the only +uniform they wore, and Grahame felt a curious, emotional quiver as he +recognized the detachment he had led. He understood that the best of +them had been enrolled for a time as a national guard. Their brown faces +were impassive as they filled the open space, but after they swung into +double line, instead of the conventional salute, they waved their ragged +hats, and a roar broke out:</p> + +<p>"<i>Viva Sarmiento! Viva el maestro!</i>"</p> + +<p>Then some of the group looked anxious, and there was a stir in the crowd +as an officer approached the steps. He had his pistol drawn, but he +lowered it, and stood opposite Don Martin with his hat off.</p> + +<p>"Your comrades salute you, señor," he said. "You have led us to victory, +and if you have fresh orders for us, we obey you still."</p> + +<p>He spoke clearly, in a meaning tone, and there was an applauding murmur +from the crowd that gathered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> strength and filled the square. Everybody +seemed to feel a sudden tension, and Grahame imagined that the +superseded leader had only to give the signal for a counter revolution +to begin; but he saw that Father Agustin wore a quiet smile.</p> + +<p>Don Martin raised his hand.</p> + +<p>"I thank you, and I know your loyalty; but it belongs to your country, +of which I am a private citizen. I can give no orders, but I ask you to +serve the new government as well as you have served me."</p> + +<p>The officer went back to his men with a moody air, and Don Martin turned +to the crowd.</p> + +<p>"In a national crisis, it is a citizen's duty to devote himself to his +country's service, and this I have done; but it is a duty that carries +no claim for reward. Many of you have helped me with effort and money, +and some have given their lives; but the rough work is done and the +crisis is past. Now that I am no longer needed, I lay down my authority, +and it is better in several ways that I should go. But you who remain +have still much to do. It is harder to build than to pull down, and your +task is to establish justice, freedom, and prosperity. The best +foundation is obedience to the new leader the nation has chosen."</p> + +<p>He moved back into the gloom, for darkness was gathering fast, and after +a few words of grave advice Father Agustin blessed the people. Then the +national guard marched away and the crowd broke up; but Grahame and his +party waited, with Don Martin standing behind them by the door of the +church. A smell of incense floated out, and dim lights twinkled in the +building. No one spoke until the measured tramp of feet had died away.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span>Then Grahame put his hand on Don Martin's arm.</p> + +<p>"The sacrifice you have made to-night must have cost you something," he +said in a sympathetic voice.</p> + +<p>"It is seldom easy to do what is best," Don Martin answered, smiling +sadly. "And now, with your permission, I should like to be alone. We +will start for Valverde early to-morrow."</p> + +<p>They left him in the deserted plaza.</p> + +<p>"What a man that is!" Cliffe remarked. "If they were all like him in +Congress, there'd be a big improvement in our politics—and I guess +you'd have some use for a few of his kind at Westminster."</p> + +<p>"That's true," Grahame agreed. "I can't say that such men are scarce, +but as a rule they don't come to the top. They do what's demanded of +them, and then quietly fall out of sight."</p> + +<hr class="thin" /> + +<p>The next morning they set out for the coast. The <i>Enchantress</i> was in +the roadstead when they reached the port, and they went straight on +board. Macallister met them at the gangway, and there was deep feeling +in his face as he shook hands with his comrades; but a few moments later +he surveyed the group with a grin. Walthew had helped Evelyn on board, +and Blanca stood near Grahame.</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking ye're no' sorted right," he said; and when Evelyn blushed +he resumed with a chuckle: "Ye need no' tell me; I kenned what would +happen, and I wish ye all happiness."</p> + +<p>He turned with a flourish to Don Martin.</p> + +<p>"We'd ha' dressed the ship for ye, señor, only our flags are a bit +ragged, and I couldna' find the one ye have served so weel."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span>"Thank you," said Don Martin. "We hope our flag will be better known +before long."</p> + +<p>Macallister hurried below to raise steam, but it was some time before +they got a working pressure, and dusk was falling when the windlass +hauled in the rattling cable and Grahame rang the telegraph. The +propeller churned the phosphorescent sea, the <i>Enchantress</i> forged +ahead, and the white town began to fade into the haze astern.</p> + +<p>Don Martin leaned upon the taffrail, watching the dim littoral, until it +melted from his sight and only the black cordillera in the background +cut against the sky. Then he joined the group about the deck-house and +lighted a cigarette.</p> + +<p>"Another act finished and the curtain dropped, but one looks forward to +the next with confidence," he said.</p> + +<p>"It might have opened better if you had kept the leading part," Grahame +replied, and added meaningly: "You could have kept it."</p> + +<p>"That is possible," Don Martin agreed. "But it might not have been wise. +I fought for peace, and I was satisfied when it was secured."</p> + +<p>"Still, I don't see why you left," Cliffe interposed. "Is Castillo +strong enough to rule your people?"</p> + +<p>"We must give him an opportunity; if he has some failings, his +intentions are good. No rule is free from faults, and when it is +autocratic a possible claimant for the chief post is a danger to the +State. All who love change and turmoil fix their hopes on him."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to live in Cuba?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. I have some skill in organization and a little money left, and +friends wish me to help in the develop<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span>ment of a new sugar estate. It is +not very far from Valverde, and one hears what is going on." Don Martin +paused and spread out his hands. "If all goes well, I shall grow sugar, +but if it happens that my country needs me I will go back again."</p> + +<p>Walthew changed the subject, and presently Evelyn and Grahame strolled +forward to the bow. There was moonlight on the water, and the +<i>Enchantress</i> steamed smoothly up the glittering track while the foam +that curled about her stern shone with phosphorescent flame.</p> + +<p>"I wonder where that path is leading us?" Evelyn said.</p> + +<p>"Toward the dawn," Grahame answered. "There's glamour in moonlight and +mystery in the dark, but we're moving on to meet the sunshine."</p> + + +<p class="theend">THE END</p> + +<hr class="wide" /> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors present in the +original edition have been corrected.</p> + +<p>In Chapter VII, "creeeping past invisible dangers" was changed to +"creeping past invisible dangers".</p> + +<p>In Chapter XV, "ouside this there was only a dim glimmer of foam" was +changed to "outside this there was only a dim glimmer of foam".</p> + +<p>Hyphenation of the words "deckhouse", "deckload", "rawhide", and +"sternsheets", and the use of an accent in the word "Bolivar", was +inconsistent in the original text.</p> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Coast of Adventure, by Harold Bindloss + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COAST OF ADVENTURE *** + +***** This file should be named 37582-h.htm or 37582-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/5/8/37582/ + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Coast of Adventure + +Author: Harold Bindloss + +Release Date: October 1, 2011 [EBook #37582] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COAST OF ADVENTURE *** + + + + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +THE COAST OF ADVENTURE + + + + + BY THE SAME AUTHOR + + ALTON OF SOMASCO + LORIMER OF THE NORTHWEST + THURSTON OF ORCHARD VALLEY + WINSTON OF THE PRAIRIE + THE GOLD TRAIL + SYDNEY CARTERET, RANCHER + A PRAIRIE COURTSHIP + VANE OF THE TIMBERLANDS + THE LONG PORTAGE + RANCHING FOR SYLVIA + PRESCOTT OF SASKATCHEWAN + THE DUST OF CONFLICT + THE GREATER POWER + MASTERS OF THE WHEATLANDS + DELILAH OF THE SNOWS + BY RIGHT OF PURCHASE + THE CATTLE BARON'S DAUGHTER + THRICE ARMED + FOR JACINTA + THE INTRIGUERS + THE LEAGUE OF THE LEOPARD + FOR THE ALLINSON HONOR + THE SECRET OF THE REEF + HARDING OF ALLENWOOD + THE COAST OF ADVENTURE + + + + +[Illustration: "Dropping his chin upon the stock, he stiffened his arms +and held his breath as he squeezed the trigger"--Page 327.] + + + + +The COAST OF +ADVENTURE + +BY HAROLD BINDLOSS + +Author of "PRESCOTT OF SASKATCHEWAN," +"RANCHING FOR SYLVIA," "FOR THE ALLINSON +HONOR," "THE SECRET OR THE REEF," ETC. + +_WITH FRONTISPIECE IN COLOR_ + +[Illustration] + +FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY + +PUBLISHERS NEW YORK + +COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY +PUBLISHED IN ENGLAND UNDER THE TITLE "A RISKY GAME" + +ALL RIGHTS RESERVED + + + + +CONTENTS + + CHAPTER PAGE + I. FATHER AGUSTIN'S SHEEP 1 + II. THE ADVENTURES BEGIN 12 + III. HIGH STAKES 23 + IV. THE "ENCHANTRESS" 32 + V. THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN 43 + VI. ON THE SPANISH MAIN 52 + VII. MANGROVE CREEK 64 + VIII. THE TRAITOR 73 + IX. STRANDED 80 + X. THE PEON PILOT 89 + XI. A MODERN DON QUIXOTE 99 + XII. BAITING THE SMUGGLERS 105 + XIII. THE EMERALD RING 117 + XIV. SMOOTH WATER 126 + XV. THE TORNADO 136 + XVI. THE RUSE 145 + XVII. ELUDING THE GUNBOAT 157 + XVIII. THE TEST OF LOVE 167 + XIX. THE CUBAN SPY 178 + XX. THE ARREST OF CASTILLO 189 + XXI. A HALF-BREED'S TRICK 198 + XXII. HELD FOR RANSOM 209 + XXIII. THE INTERCEPTED NOTE 219 + XXIV. IN THE CAMP OF THE HILLSMEN 229 + XXV. A TRIAL OF SPEED 240 + XXVI. TRAPPED 250 + XXVII. HANDS DOWN 259 + XXVIII. THE PRESIDENT'S DESPATCHES 271 + XXIX. THE PRESIDIO 283 + XXX. THE ESCAPE 294 + XXXI. THE AMERICAN TRADER 305 + XXXII. LOVE'S VISION 315 + XXXIII. THE HERO OF RIO FRIO 322 + XXXIV. THE COMING DAWN 335 + + + + +THE COAST OF ADVENTURE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +FATHER AGUSTIN'S SHEEP + + +High on the sun-scorched hillside above the steamy littoral of the +Caribbean Sea the Spanish-Indian town of Rio Frio lay sweltering in the +heat of afternoon. The flat-topped, white houses surrounding the plaza +reflected a dazzling glare, and the heat shimmered mercilessly upon the +rough paving-stones. Flakes of plaster had fallen from the buildings; a +few of them were mere ruins, relics of a past age; for the town had been +built when _conquistadores_ from Spain first plunged into the tropic +forest to search for El Dorado. Here and there dilapidated green +lattices shaded upper windows, and nearer the ground narrow openings +were guarded by rusty iron bars; but some of the houses showed blank +outer walls, and the plaza had rather an Eastern than an American look. +Spain has set upon the New World the stamp the Moors impressed on her. + +At one end of the plaza stood the Cafe Four Nations, a low, open-sided +room, with a row of decaying pillars dividing it from the pavement. It +was filled with flies, which stuck in black clusters to the papers +hanging from the tarnished lamps and crawled about the dusty tables. The +hot air was tainted with aniseed, picadura tobacco, and the curious +musky smell which is a characteristic of ancient Spanish towns. On the +right-hand side of the square rose the twin towers of the church of San +Sebastian. Wide steps led up to the patch of shadow where a leather +curtain left uncovered part of the door, and a niche above sheltered an +image of the martyr with an arrow in his breast. The figure was well +modeled and grimly realistic. + +Opposite the cafe, the _calle Mercedes_ cut a cool, dark gap through the +dazzling town. On its outskirts, the hillside fell sharply to a wide, +green level. Beyond this a silver gleam indicated the sea. + +The cafe was in shadow, and at its inner end a number of citizens +lounged, half asleep, in low cane chairs. The hour of the siesta had +slipped away, but it was not yet time for dinner, and, having read the +newspaper and guardedly discussed politics, the leading inhabitants of +Rio Frio had nothing else to do. They were men with formal manners, a +few dressed in rusty black, and some in white cotton, but all were not +of pure European blood. One or two, indeed, plainly showed their Negro +descent; others the melancholy of the Indian aboriginal. + +Near the front pillars, a priest and two men of lighter color were +seated at a table. Father Agustin wore a threadbare cassock and clumsy +rawhide shoes, but he had an air of quiet dignity, and his sharply cut +features were of the Gothic type, which is not uncommon in Spain. His +accent was also clean Peninsular. James Grahame, who sat opposite +across the chessboard, wore the same vague but recognizable stamp of +breeding, though his duck suit was getting ragged and his red silk sash +was obviously cheap. He had steady gray eyes, and light hair, a rather +prominent nose and a firm mouth. He looked older than his thirty years. +The lines on his forehead hinted at stern experience, and his alertness +was partly masked by an easy self-control. Walthew was younger, and +dressed with scrupulous neatness in duck, with smart tan shoes. His face +was mobile, his glance quick but open, and his mouth sensitive; he had +the look of an aristocratic American. + +Father Agustin made a deprecatory gesture as his thin, long-nailed hand +moved across the board, and Grahame smiled. + +"Yes," he said, filling the tiny glass before the priest, "it is mate +this time, _padre_. When you had made a few moves I foresaw defeat, but +while the candle burns one plays out the game." + +"It is so, but not with all," Father Agustin replied in his fine +Castilian. "The losing game needs courage." + +"Experience helps. Getting beaten does not hurt so much when one grows +used to it." + +"Ah!" said the priest, "that is the way to the greatest victory man can +win. But I am your guest, and will not moralize. I must compliment you +on the game you play. It is bold and well thought out, but perhaps +somewhat lacking in finesse." + +"I am afraid finesse is not a virtue of mine," Grahame smiled. + +Father Agustin studied him quietly. When the Briton spoke he lost +something of his reserve. His glance got keen, and his eyes had a +curious hawk-like look. The priest could imagine him as swift and +determined in action; quick to seize an advantage, but not a good +plotter. + +"For all that, it is a quality that is useful when one deals with the +Latins, at Rio Frio, or elsewhere," the priest said. + +"With apologies, _padre_, that is certainly true," Walthew agreed. + +"So you have some business here? Perhaps, like the others, you seek a +mineral concession." + +"No. Our host, Don Martin, is of course out of office and doesn't deal +in them." + +"He never will," the priest said quietly. "The natural wealth of this +country belongs to its people, but it is stolen from them, piece by +piece, and given to foreigners." + +"The foreigners pay for what they get." + +"Yes," said the priest; "but where does the money go? If it were spent +on the development of the country, one would not complain; but it is +gamblers and courtezans who benefit. Those who hold office here fill +their pockets from the public purse, and what is left when they are +satisfied is needed to keep the Government in power." + +"Then, why do you not reform your administration and put in straight +men?" + +Father Agustin indicated the drowsy group at the back of the cafe. + +"These are our politicians! They meet every day and ruminate over the +affairs of the nation. Think of it!" + +"Well," said Walthew, "they do not look busy; but things do happen here +now and then." + +"It is true. A clique breaks up, there is a new coalition, and those who +plotted each other's downfall are united again. We Latins have seldom a +continuous policy. Sometimes there is a tumult in the streets and +disaffection among the troops; then the man who rules us uses the whip. +One hears of no trial, but a malcontent is missing, an officer's duty +takes him to the fever jungles, where he cannot live. Sometimes, before +the morning mist has lifted, one is wakened by a volley in the ditch +behind the citadel." + +"You are a patient race," Grahame remarked. + +"Not so," said Father Agustin. "We often dream when we should act, but +sometimes we act too soon. It is our misfortune that we do not know how +to wait for the right moment." He paused and indicated the thinned-out +ranks of pawns on the chessboard. "It is like that in the game of +politics! The fight is between the greater pieces, but these others +fall." + +Grahame lighted a cigarette and glanced about the square, for Rio Frio +was waking up. Here and there a woman of mixed blood crouched beside a +cast-iron pot, fanning the handful of charcoal in it, ready for cooking +the evening meal. A team of mules hauled a heavy load across the hot +paving stones, a gaunt, dark-faced man in ragged cotton walking at the +leaders' heads. Then came a pack train, with jingling bells, a cloud of +flies following the burdened animals, and dusty, barefooted peasants +plodding by their side. A group of women appeared from the mouth of a +narrow street, their faces wet with perspiration and straps across their +foreheads supporting the big cane baskets on their backs. After them +came a negro with a great tray of fruit upon his head. Next, three or +four lean, barefooted fellows with ragged palm-leaf hats seated +themselves on the pavement in a strip of shadow. They sat there, silent +and motionless, contemplating the scene with listless eyes. The crowd +looked dully apathetic, there was languor in the air they breathed; but, +after all, they claimed descent from Spanish stock and Grahame thought +they could be roused. It does not need much fanning to wake the +smoldering fire in the Iberian's veins. + +"My sheep!" said Father Agustin. "But they have other shepherds, who do +not always lead them well." + +"Shear the flock instead of guarding it? One would imagine that there is +not much wool." + +"None is so poor that he has nothing to give; if not goods, his voice, +his sullen clamor and savage rage. The unthinking passion of the mob is +terrible, but it is used by those who must answer for the deed some day. +My people have their wrongs, but one cannot build the State on +foundations of revenge and cruelty." + +"But you have some honest men who hate the present Government." + +"It is possible that their honesty lessens their influence. At Rio Frio +one does not follow the ideal. It is remote and elusive; the feet get +weary, and many things that please the eye lie nearer to hand." Father +Agustin rose and bowed with grave courtesy. "And now I have talked +enough and have some duties. I thank you and take my leave." + +They watched him cross the plaza in his rusty cassock. + +"Guess we've struck the wrong place," Walthew said. "We're more likely +to find trouble than money here. Well, there's a prospect of new +experiences and a little excitement; and, anyway, we can't go back on +our bargain with Don Martin." + +"I never quite understood what led you to join me," Grahame remarked. +"You know the risk we run. If the Government catches us, we'll be hanged +or shot--whichever suits their fancy." + +Walthew laughed. + +"That's the attraction. But we won't be caught. I guess my Yankee +ingenuity will count for something. If these sleepy-looking dagoes +should trap us, we can find a way to give 'em the slip." + +"Optimism is a great asset," Grahame smiled; "but in this country it +must have a handmaiden--a convenient revolver." + +Walthew leaned forward on the table. + +"We've gone into a risky business together. I know nothing about you +except that you seem to understand these dagoes and are a handy man to +have around when they pull their knives. You know almost nothing about +me." + +He paused and smiled, and Grahame stirred uneasily. Walthew looked so +boyish when he smiled like that. Would he have that carefree look in, +say, two months? At times, Grahame regretted letting the boy join him in +a venture that might try the heart of even a very strong man. + +"I say, old chap, you aren't listening!" Walthew expostulated. "I'm +telling you that the pater's a money-making machine. When I left Harvard +he was for working me up into a partnership in the Walthew factory. But +I couldn't stand it--too monotonous. I took ten thousand dollars, +instead, on condition that if I hadn't made good in my own way when two +years were up, I'd go back and start as clerk." + +"Well," Grahame returned with a smile, "I haven't much to tell. I have +no family business to fall back on. As my means were not large enough to +let me live as I liked at home, I went abroad to increase them. So far I +haven't succeeded; but, on the whole, I've had a pretty good time, and I +don't see much reason for grumbling about my luck." + +This was correct, so far as it went, for Grahame did not think it worth +while to explain that the fiery blood of the Borderers ran in his veins +and his people had been soldiers and explorers until economic changes +impoverished the family. Nor could he add that, because his name still +counted for something in the North, he had left home to avoid being +skilfully led into a marriage his friends thought suitable. He had, +indeed, run away from a well-born girl with money, who, he suspected, +was relieved to see him go. Since then he had known trouble, and it had +hardened him. Yet he was honest and was marked by some polish. + +At first sight, and by contrast with his comrade, Walthew looked callow, +but he improved on acquaintance. It was not for nothing that he was the +son of a shrewd manufacturer, who had built up a great business from a +humble beginning. Walthew was cool in a crisis, and though outwardly +careless, he was capable of looking ahead. So far, his talents were +undeveloped, but Grahame suspected them. + +While they sat talking, the scene in the square gained animation. Groups +of men, moving quickly, emerged from the side streets; there was a +murmur of voices; and a crowd began to gather. Women called from the +flat housetops; doors were opened and naked, dark-skinned children +dragged in from the pavement. The concourse thickened about the steps of +the church; gesticulating men chattered in the native patois. + +Grahame's eyes grew keen. + +"Something's going to happen," he said quietly. + +Then he pressed his comrade's arm as a man appeared on the highest step +of the church, and the murmur of the crowd swelled into a roar: + +"_Viva Castillo! Viva el libertador!_" + +The tall figure bowed and held up a hand, and for a moment there was +silence; then a clear voice rang out, and Grahame tried to catch the +sonorous Castilian words. He was too far off, and some escaped him, but +he heard enough to gather that it was a grim indictment of the rulers of +the country. The man spoke with fire and passion, using lavish gestures, +and the cries that answered showed that he could work upon the feelings +of the crowd. + +The cafe had emptied, and its stout proprietor lounged, napkin in hand, +near Grahame's table. + +"Sounds pretty drastic, if I heard him right," Walthew remarked. "It's +obvious that the authorities don't use half-measures. Did he say they +had the deputation arrested and its leader shot?" + +"So I understood," said Grahame. "How did you come to learn Castilian?" + +"A notion of the old man's; he made me study languages. It's his +ambition to ship the Walthew manufactures all over the world, and he got +a footing in Cuba some time ago." + +They were silent for a few minutes, and then Grahame turned to the +landlord. + +"Are these things true?" + +"It is possible," the other answered cautiously. + +"Then are you not afraid of a revolution?" + +"No, senor; why should I fear? When there is a revolution the wine trade +is good." + +"But suppose your customers get killed?" + +The landlord smiled. + +"They are philosophic politicians, senor. It is the untaught rabble that +fights. These others drink their wine and argue over the newspapers. +Besides, there will be no revolution yet. Some talk, perhaps; possibly a +supporter of the Government stabbed in the dark." + +"And that will be all?" Grahame asked with a keen glance. + +"There will be nothing more. The President waits and watches until he +knows his enemies. Then he gives an order and there is an end of them." + +The man turned away, and when, shortly afterward, the plaza rang with +fierce applause, a voice was raised in alarm. Others joined in, the +crowd began to stream back from the steps, and the orator disappeared. +Then the mass broke into running groups, and through the patter of their +feet there came a steady, measured tread. It drew nearer; short, swarthy +men in dirty white uniforms marched into the plaza, the strong light +gleaming on their rifles. They wheeled and stopped in ranks extended +across the square, and the rifles went up to their shoulders. Warning +shouts fell from the roofs, the patter of feet grew faster, the shadowy +streets were choked with fugitives, and the place was empty except for +the line of quiet men. Then an officer laughed and called out, and the +rifles came down with a clang. + +"I suspect that we're up against a big man in the President," Walthew +remarked. "Perhaps we'd better light out before these fellows ask us +questions." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE ADVENTURES BEGIN + + +A half moon hung over the flat roofs and the air was very still. Walthew +and Grahame sat on a balcony surrounding the patio of Don Martin +Sarmiento's house. The lattice windows that opened onto the balcony had +old but artistic hinges of bronze, and the crumbling hardwood rails +showed traces of skilful carving. Below, a small fountain splashed in a +marble basin surrounded by palmettos, and a creeper covered a trellis +with trails of dusky purple. A faint smell of decay mingled with the +more pungent odors of garlic and olive oil from the kitchen in the +courtyard, where a clatter was going on, but no sound from outside broke +the silence. Rio Frio was very quiet now. + +Cups of black coffee and a plate of fruit stood on a table in front of +the men, and the senorita Blanca Sarmiento sat in a low chair opposite, +with her duenna a few yards away. Blanca was then nineteen, and Walthew, +watching her with unobtrusive admiration, wondered how it was that her +relatives had not already arranged a marriage for her, unless, perhaps, +her father's political opinions stood in the way. One ran a risk in +opposing the Government at Rio Frio. The girl was attractive, with a +finely molded figure, the grace of which was displayed by her languid +pose. Her hair was dark and coiled in heavy masses on a small, +well-shaped head; her lips were full and very red, but her eyes were a +deep blue and her skin fairer than that of the Spanish-American women +Walthew hitherto had met. Nor did she use the powder they lavishly +employ. + +With a crimson rose in her hair, and a fine black-lace mantilla draped +about her shoulders and emphasizing the whiteness of her neck and +half-covered arms, she reminded Walthew of Carmen. She had something of +the latter's allurement, but he thought it was an unconscious attraction +that she exercised. The art of the coquette was missing; the girl had a +certain dignity, and there was no hint of sensuality in her beauty. She +had, no doubt, Spanish fire in her blood, but the lad thought it burned +with a clear and pure flame. + +"How do you come to speak English so charmingly?" he asked, in the hope +of satisfying his curiosity about her. + +"Do I speak it charmingly?" She laughed prettily. "Well, the explanation +is that it was my mother's tongue. She was Irish, you must know." + +"Ah!" said Walthew. "Now I understand." + +Blanca gave him a glance of languid amusement. + +"Your interest is flattering, senor; but what is it you understand?" + +"That's an awkward question," Walthew answered, grinning frankly. +"Still, there's something about you that I haven't noticed in +Spanish-American girls, charming as they are." + +"I'm afraid you're evasive. Do you know many of my countrywomen?" + +"I'd like to know more. But I believe I'm good at reading character. It +is a gift I inherited. My father was never mistaken about a man, and he +has made use of a good many." + +Blanca studied him. He had a smooth, fresh face, and looked very young, +but while she thought he was direct and perhaps impulsive, something +suggested that he was shrewd. + +"Women are supposed to be more puzzling," she answered. "Then the +Sarmientos come from Andalusia, and the Peninsulares are complex people. +On the surface, we are often cheerfully inconsequent, but underneath +there's a strain of melancholy. We live in the shadow of a fatalism we +got from the Moors." She glanced at Grahame. "I think you can +understand." + +Grahame made a sign of assent. Sitting thoughtfully silent, his lean but +powerful frame displayed by the thin white duck, and his strong, brown +face impassive, he had a somber look. The man was reckless and sparkled +with gay humor now and then, but it was the passing brightness of the +North. + +"Yes," he said, "I understand. But the Irish are optimists, and you are +Irish too." + +"Then perhaps that's why I keep hopeful. It is not always easy at Rio +Frio, and life was not very joyous when we were exiles in America." + +"You know my country?" Walthew broke in. + +"I know your Southern States. We lived there in poverty, wandering up +and down. My father is what his friends call a patriot, and his enemies +a dangerous agitator. He had to choose between ruin and acquiescence in +corrupt tyranny, and his course was plain. But the seed he had sown +sprouted, the dictator was driven out, and we came back to our own. +Then, for a time, there was rest and safety, until the new ruler began +to follow the old. He tried to bribe my father, who had helped to put +him in power; but our honor was not for sale, and we had to leave the +capital. There are men who trust my father, and look to him for help.... +But I think you know something of this." + +"Yes," said Grahame. "This afternoon we heard Castillo speak in the +plaza." + +The girl's eyes flashed angrily. + +"Castillo is a fool! He pulls down what others have carefully built up." + +"Tries to fire the mine before things are ready?" Walthew suggested. "A +premature explosion's apt to blow up the men who prepared it." + +Blanca gave him a keen glance. + +"That is what nearly happened this afternoon. I believe you are to be +trusted, senores?" + +Grahame bowed. + +"I am an adventurer, not a patriot, and my partner is out for money, but +we made a bargain with Don Martin and we keep our word." + +"Then," said the girl quietly, "Castillo is hiding here." + +"In the _casa Sarmiento_! Isn't that dangerous? Won't the President's +friends suspect?" + +"I think they do, but they are afraid of my father's hold on the people; +and there is only a handful of troops. When it is late they may make a +search, but Castillo will leave soon. It is possible that you are in +some danger." + +Walthew laughed. + +"That makes things interesting; I've never been in serious danger yet. +But I suppose you have Don Martin's permission to be frank with us?" + +"You are shrewd," she answered, smiling. "He has some confidence in my +judgment. I spent the years that should have been happiest in poverty +and loneliness. Are you surprised that I'm a conspirator? If you value +your safety, you will beware of me." + +"You might prove dangerous to your enemies, but I believe you'd be very +staunch to your friends." + +"_Gracias, senor._ I'm sure I can at least hate well." + +A mulatto boy came out on to the balcony, and the girl's stout duenna, +who had been sitting silent and apparently half asleep, rose and +approached the table. + +"Don Martin is disengaged," she said to Blanca; and when the girl waited +a moment Grahame imagined that something had been left for her to +decide. + +He did not see any sign exchanged, but he thought with some amusement +that he and his companion had passed a test when the duenna said to +them: + +"Don Martin would speak with you." + +Walthew turned to Blanca, saying in Castilian: + +"Until our next meeting! I kiss your hands, senorita." + +The girl rose with a grave curtsy and there was a touch of stateliness +in her manner. + +"May you go in safety, senores! We expect much from you." + +The mulatto led them away, and, passing through the house, they found +their host and another man sitting by a dim lamp in a room with the +shutters carefully closed. Don Martin Sarmiento wore an alpaca jacket, a +white shirt, and a black silk sash round the waist of his duck +trousers. He was dark-haired and sallow, lightly built and thin, but his +expression was eager and his eyes were penetrating. One could have +imagined that his fiery spirit had worn down the flesh. + +The other man was of coarser type. His skin was very dark, his face hot +and fleshy, and Grahame noticed that his hands were wet with +perspiration. His glance was restless and he had a rather truculent air, +though there was something in it that hinted at uneasiness. Grahame +thought that while he might show a rash boldness now and then, his nerve +was not very good. + +"With your permission, I present my comrade, Senor Castillo," said Don +Martin. "Should any disaster overtake me, Senor Castillo, or another +whom he appoints, will carry out our contract. Our funds are in safe +hands; the rifles will be paid for." + +"They will be delivered," Grahame answered quietly. + +"Good! The word of a gentleman is sufficient. And now there is something +more to be said. My house is my friend's, particularly if he is in +trouble, but one has higher duties than hospitality." + +"Yes," agreed Grahame, turning to Castillo. "The interests of one's +country come first. There are only three of us, and Don Martin is the +head of an important organization." + +"It was not for my personal safety that I came here," Castillo broke in +hotly. "I carried papers; lists of names, compromising details. It was +unthinkable that they should fall into the President's hands. They must +be made safe, and then it does not matter what happens to me--though I +may, perhaps, claim to have been of some help to the cause of freedom." + +Grahame saw his host's half-impatient smile. + +"And so you gave them to Don Martin!" he remarked dryly. + +"He is not watched as I am," Castillo answered. "I am hunted among the +sierras, I hide in the fever swamps; but where I pass I leave a spark +that tyranny cannot trample out. It burns and spreads; by and by there +comes the purging conflagration." + +"Yes," said Grahame. "I'm told, however, that your President has a keen +scent for smoke, and I don't mean to scatter more sparks than I can +help." He turned to Don Martin. "Since our business is finished, we can +leave Rio Frio in an hour." + +"I, too!" exclaimed Castillo. "It is not good for the cause that the +soldiers find me. But there are difficulties; the house may be watched." + +Don Martin looked thoughtful, but not disturbed; and Grahame saw that he +could calmly take a risk. Danger and his host obviously were old +acquaintances. + +"It is better that you go," he answered. "Sometimes I entertain an +American traveler, and Englishmen now and then visit Rio Frio. I do not +think you are suspected yet, and you may be able to help us by drawing +off the watchers' attention when you leave. We will see what can be +done, but it would be safer for Senor Castillo not to come with us." + +He took the others to the roof, where he walked to the edge and looked +over the low parapet. A narrow, dark street divided Sarmiento's house +from the next, but a lattice in a high wall was open, and Grahame +imagined that he made out a man's head, which was, however, promptly +withdrawn. + +"Once or twice a guest of mine has reached the _calle_ by a rope, but +the President's friends take precautions to-night," Don Martin remarked. +"There remain the windows on the other side, but Castillo is heavy and +fat. I think the door into the plaza would suit him best." + +"Wouldn't the small one at the back be safer?" Walthew suggested. + +"That will be watched, but it might be of some help if you went that +way. Possibly you would not mind wearing a sombrero and a Spanish +cloak." + +"Not at all," Grahame assured him. "Still, there are two of us." + +"That is an advantage. If one leaves shortly after the other, those who +keep watch and expect a single man will be puzzled." + +Walthew chuckled. + +"Good! I'd a hankering after adventures, and now it looks as if I'd be +gratified. But you had better not give us clothes with a name on them." + +"In this country, people out of favor with the Government are modest +about their names," Don Martin rejoined. + +Ten minutes later Grahame, wearing a wide black hat and a dark Spanish +cloak, stepped quietly out into the shadowy street. He had seen that his +automatic pistol was ready to his hand, having had more than one +experience of the half-breed's dexterity with the silent knife. For all +that, his hurried, stealthy gait was assumed and not natural to the man, +whose heart beat calmly, though he cast quick glances about. The houses +were high, and the street seemed to get narrower and darker as he went +on. Then he imagined he heard soft steps behind him. Walking faster, he +stopped at a corner and listened. Somebody was certainly following him. + +Grahame's first impulse was to hide in a dark doorway and wait for his +pursuer, but he reflected that this would not fall in with his host's +plan, and he went on, keeping in the shadow while he made for the hotel +at which he had left his mules. There were, he imagined, two men +following him now. + +A few moments afterward he reached the end of the dark street, and the +empty plaza lay before him. The moon shed a faint light upon the stones +and the high, white walls, and Grahame was glad of this. Now, if it were +needful, he could defend himself: the walk through the shadow had been +trying. Still, he must not hurry, for he never promised more than he +meant to perform, and he knew that Don Martin relied upon his playing +out his part. Perhaps he overdid it when he stopped to light a +cigarette, for, looking up as he dropped the match, he saw two dark +figures stop at the corner he had left. Then there was a low whistle, +and one of them disappeared. Grahame smiled, because he knew that +Walthew had divided the attention of the spies. The remaining man, +however, walked quickly after him, and when Grahame was half way across +the plaza he waited. His pursuer seemed to hesitate, for he came on more +slowly, and stopped a few yards off. + +"The American!" he exclaimed. + +"English," said Grahame calmly. "The difference is, no doubt, not +important." + +The man looked hard at him, and Grahame carelessly dropped his hand upon +his pistol. + +"I am going to the _fonda_; if you are going that way, I would rather +you walked in front. One is careful at night, my friend." + +Though the fellow had a sinister look, he smiled and went off with an +apology, and Grahame, going on to the hotel, waited outside until +Walthew came up. The boy looked hot and breathless, but Grahame noticed +that he had a flower in his hand. + +"I've been followed," Walthew laughed. "The fellows dropped back soon +after I came into the moonlight. Guess they saw they were after the +wrong man." + +"Very possibly. It happened to me. I wonder whether Castillo got away?" + +They listened, but the town was quiet. One or two citizens crossed the +plaza, but no sound that indicated anything unusual going on rose from +the shadowy streets. + +"It seems likely," Walthew replied. "I don't think they could have +arrested him without some disturbance. Why didn't they search +Sarmiento's house?" + +"Perhaps they were afraid of starting a riot that would spread. The +President seems to be a capable man, and Don Martin obviously enjoys the +confidence of the citizens. On the whole, I think he deserves it." + +"So do I," Walthew agreed. "What do you think of the other fellow?" + +"I wouldn't trust him. He's no doubt sincere, but I'm not sure of his +nerve. But where did you get the rose?" + +"On the pavement outside the _casa Sarmiento_," Walthew answered with +some embarrassment. + +"Mmm! Dropped from a window. Such things happen in Spanish-American +towns, and it's possible that the President's spies have noted it +against you. However, you'll be too busy to think of the senorita when +we get back to the coast." Grahame paused and added: "It might be wise +to remember that you're engaged in a dangerous business, and can't run +the risk of any complications. Neither of us can indulge in philandering +until this job's finished." + +"I'll take no risk that could get us into difficulties, but that's all +I'll promise," Walthew said quietly. + +Grahame gave him a steady glance. + +"Well, I suppose I must be satisfied." + +They entered the hotel, and half an hour later they left Rio Frio and +rode down the hillside toward the misty swamps that fringed the coast. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HIGH STAKES + + +The green shutters were half closed to keep the dazzling sunshine out of +Henry Cliffe's private sitting-room at the smart Florida hotel, but the +fresh sea breeze swept in and tempered the heat. The scent of flowers +mingled with a delicate perfume such as fastidious women use, but Mrs. +Cliffe was enjoying an afternoon nap and her daughter had gone out, so +that Cliffe and Robinson had the room to themselves. They sat, opposite +each other, at a small table on which stood a bottle and a cigar box, +but there was only iced water in the tall glass at Cliffe's hand. + +He had lunched sparingly, as usual, and now leaned back in his chair, +looking thoughtful. His hair was turning gray, and his face was thin and +lined, but there was a hint of quiet force about him. His dress was +plain but in excellent taste, and he looked, what he was, a good type of +the American business man, who had, however, as sometimes happens to his +kind, sacrificed his health to commercial success. He was a financier +and a floater of companies which generally paid. + +Robinson was tall, with a high color, a prominent, hooked nose, and a +face of Jewish cast. His clothes were well cut, but their adherence to +the latest fashion was rather pronounced, and he wore expensive +jewelry. He was favorably known on Wall Street and sometimes heard of +when a corner was being manipulated in the Chicago wheat pit. Cliffe had +proposed a joint venture, because he knew that Robinson did not fear a +risk and he had learned that a Jew can generally be relied upon when the +reckoning comes. + +"Well," said Robinson, "I see a chance of trouble. If President Altiera +goes down, we lose our money." + +"A sure thing," Cliffe agreed. "It will be our business to keep him on +his feet, and it may cost us something. In a way, that's an advantage. +He must have our help, and is willing to bid high for it." + +"The revolutionaries may beat him." + +"If he's left alone; but a little money goes a long way in his country, +and the dissatisfied politicians would rather take some as a gift than +risk their lives by fighting for it. Altiera can buy up most of them if +he has the means; and he's capable of quieting the rest in a more +drastic way." Cliffe smiled as he continued: "It's not my habit to plan +a deal without carefully considering what I may get up against." + +"Then it's your honest opinion the thing's a good business chance?" + +"I call it that. One gets nothing for nothing. If you expect a prize, +you must put up the stakes." + +"Very well. Suppose you get the concession? Is there gold worth mining +in the country?" + +"I can't tell," Cliffe answered frankly. "The Spaniards found a good +deal three hundred years ago, and now and then a half-breed brings some +out of the bush. Guess we could get enough to use as a draw in the +prospectus." + +"You'd have to make the prospectus good," Robinson said with a +thoughtful air. "Not an invariable rule, of course, but our names stand +for something with the investing public." + +"I generally do make good. If we don't strike gold, there's rubber, and +the soil will grow high-grade cane and coffee. Give me the concession +and I'll make it pay." + +Robinson nodded. Cliffe's business talent was particularly marked in the +development of virgin territory, though he never undertook the work in +person. He knew where to find the right men, and how far to trust them. + +"I suppose we won't be required to meddle with dago politics?" Robinson +suggested. + +"Certainly not; that's Altiera's affair, and he's capable of looking +after it. A number of his people are getting tired of him, but so long +as he can pay his soldiers up to time and buy support where he can't use +force, he'll keep control." + +"A bit of a brute, I've heard." + +"He's not a humanitarian," Cliffe agreed. "Still, countries like his +need a firm hand." + +"Guess that's so," said Robinson. + +He and Cliffe were respected in business circles. They met their +obligations and kept the rules that govern financial dealings. That they +might now be lending their support to tyrannical oppression, and helping +to stifle the patriotic aspirations of a downtrodden people, did not +enter their minds. That was not their affair; they were out for money, +and their responsibility ended with the payment of dividends to those +who bought their stock. They would fulfill this duty if the thing were +possible; although their standard of morality was not of the highest, +they had prosperous rivals who fell short of it. + +"I'll stand in," Robinson decided after a few moments' silence. "You can +let me know how much you will need to carry you through when you get +your plans worked out." + +"Very well. It's over the first payments we take a risk. The money will, +so to speak, vanish. We'll have nothing to show for it except the good +will of the men in power. Some of it may even get into the wrong hands." + +Robinson made a sign of comprehension. He knew something about official +graft, for he now and then found it needful to smooth the way for a new +venture by judicious bribery. + +"There'll be no trouble after we've bought the concession," Cliffe +continued. "The cash will then go to the treasury, and whichever party +gets control will have to stand to the bargain. And now I guess we can +let the matter drop until I fix things up." + +They went out to a seat on the veranda, which looked across a row of +dusty palmettos and a strip of arid lawn that the glistening showers +from the sprinklers could not keep green. An inlet of blue water ran up +to its edge, and beyond the curve of sheltering beach the long Atlantic +swell rolled into the bay flecked with incandescent foam, for the +sunshine was dazzling and the breeze was fresh. Two or three miles away +there was a stretch of calmer water behind a long point on which the +surf beat, and in the midst of this a small steamer gently rolled at +anchor. Nearer the inlet, a little sailing-boat stood out to sea, her +varnished deck and snowy canvas gleaming in the strong light. + +"Miss Cliffe's boat, isn't it?" Robinson remarked. "Looks very small; I +s'pose she's safe?" + +"New York canoe club model," Cliffe replied. "Had her brought down on a +freight-car. Evelyn's fond of sailing and smart at the helm. She's all +right--though the breeze does seem pretty fresh." + +While they talked about other matters, Evelyn Cliffe sat in the stern of +the tiny sloop, enjoying the sense of control the grasp of the tiller +gave her, and the swift rush of the polished hull through the sparkling +foam. There was also some satisfaction in displaying her nerve and skill +to the loungers on the beach, who were, for the most part, fashionable +people from the Northern States. Among these was a young man upon whom +Evelyn knew her mother looked with approval. + +Though he had much to recommend him, and had shown a marked preference +for her society, Evelyn had come to no decision about Reginald Gore, but +she was willing that he should admire her seamanship, and it was, +perhaps, in the expectation of meeting him afterward that she had +dressed herself carefully. She wore well-cut blue serge that emphasized +her fine pink-and-white color, and matched her eyes; and the small blue +cap did not hide her red-gold hair. + +As the breeze freshened, she forgot the spectators, and began to wish +she had taken a reef in the mainsail before starting. Hitherto she had +had somebody with her when it was necessary to shorten canvas; but it +was unlike a sport to turn back because of a little wind. She would +stand on until she had weathered the point and was out on the open +Atlantic, and then run home. The strain on the helm got heavier, the +foam crept level with the lee deck, and sometimes sluiced along it when +the boat dipped her bows in a sea. Then the spray began to beat upon the +slanted canvas, and whipped Evelyn's face as she braced herself against +the tiller. + +The boat was sailing very fast, plunging through the sparkling ridges of +water; there was something strangely exhilarating in her speed and the +way the foam swirled past. Evelyn had an adventurous temperament, and, +being then twenty-three, was young enough to find a keen relish in +outdoor sport. Now she was matching her strength and skill against the +blue Atlantic combers, which were getting steeper and frothing on their +crests. The point was falling to leeward; it would be a fair wind home, +and she determined to stand on a little longer. Casting a quick glance +astern, she saw that the figures on the beach had grown indistinct and +small. She felt alone with the sea at last, and the situation had its +charm; but when she fixed her eyes ahead she wished that the rollers +were not quite so large. She had to ease the boat over them; sometimes +let the sheet run in the harder gusts, and then it was not easy to get +the wet rope in. + +When the point shut off the beach, she saw she must come round, and, +after waiting for a patch of smooth water, put up the helm to jibe. The +strain on the sheet was heavier than she thought; the rope bruised her +fingers as it ran through them. The boat rolled wildly, and then the big +sail swung over with a crash. Evelyn saw with alarm that the gaff along +its head had stopped at an unusual angle to the canvas. Something had +gone wrong. But her nerve was good. She could lower the mainsail and +run home under the jib. + +When she left the helm the boat shot up into the wind, with the long +boom banging to and fro and the spray flying across her. Evelyn loosed +the halyards, but found that the gaff would not come down. Its end +worked upon a brass slide on the mast, and the grips had bent and +jambed. Things now looked awkward. It was blowing moderately fresh, the +sea was getting up, and the sail she could not shorten might capsize the +boat. + +With difficulty, she got the sloop round, but, as the gaff was jambed, +she would not steer a course that would take her to the inlet, and +Evelyn remembered with alarm that there was some surf on the beach. She +could swim, but she shrank from the thought of struggling ashore from +the wrecked craft through broken water. Still, it was some comfort to +see the point drop astern and the beach get nearer; she was on the way +to land, there were boats on the inlet, and somebody might notice that +she was in difficulties. No boat came off, however, and she realized +that from a distance nothing might appear to be wrong with the sloop. +When she was near enough to signal for help it would be too late. + +A small steamer lurched at anchor not far away; but Evelyn could not +reach her: the sloop was like a bird with a broken wing and could only +blunder clumsily, in danger of capsizing, before the freshening wind. In +another quarter of an hour she would be in the surf, which now looked +dangerously heavy. + +While she was trying to nerve herself for the struggle to land, she saw +a boat leave the steamer's side. It was a very small dinghy, and there +was only one man on board, but he waved his hand as if he understood +her peril, and then rowed steadily to intercept her. This needed +judgment: if he miscalculated the distance it would be impossible for +him to overtake the sloop. And Evelyn could do nothing to help. She must +concentrate her attention upon keeping her craft before the wind. If she +jibed, bringing the big sail violently over with its head held fast +would result in a capsize. + +Five minutes later she risked a glance. The dinghy was close at hand, +lurching up and down, lost from sight at intervals among the combers. +The man, coatless and hatless, seemed to be handling her with caution, +easing her when a roller with a foaming crest bore down on him, but +Evelyn thought he would not miss her boat. Her heart beat fast as she +put the helm hard down. The sloop swung round, slackening speed as she +came head to wind, there was a thud alongside, and the man jumped on +board with a rope in his hand. + +Then things began to happen so rapidly that the girl could not remember +exactly what was done; but the man showed a purposeful activity. He +scrambled along the narrow deck, got a few feet up the mast, and the +sail came down; then he sprang aft to the helm, and the sloop headed for +the steamer, with his dinghy in tow and only the jib set. + +They were alongside in a few minutes, and he seized a rope that some one +threw him. + +"Our gig's hauled up on the beach for painting, and I'm afraid we +couldn't reach the landing in the dinghy, now the sea's getting up," he +said. "You'd better come on board, and I'll see if Macallister can put +your gaff right." + +Evelyn hesitated, for she suspected that it would take some time to mend +the damaged spar. It was not an adventure her mother would approve of, +but as she could see no way of reaching land, she let the man help her +through the gangway. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE "ENCHANTRESS" + + +On reaching the steamer's deck, Evelyn glanced with curiosity at her +rescuer. He was a tall, lightly built man, dressed in an old blue shirt, +paint-stained duck trousers, and ragged canvas shoes, but he had an easy +manner that was not in harmony with his rough clothes. Evelyn liked his +brown face. It had a hint of force in it; though now he was watching her +with a half-amused smile. He fell short of being handsome, but, on the +whole, his appearance made a good impression on the girl. + +Then she looked about the vessel. The deck, finely laid with narrow +planks, was littered with odd spars, rusty chain, coal bags, and pieces +of greasy machinery, as if repairs and refitting were going on. She was +a very small, two-masted steamer, carrying some sail, for smoke-grimed +canvas was furled along the booms, and Evelyn thought she had been built +for a yacht. Her narrow beam, her graceful sweep of teakwood rail, and +the long, tapering counter suggested speed. A low, lead-gray funnel +stood just forward of the mainmast, and a teak house, rising three or +four feet above the deck, occupied part of her length. The brass boss of +the steering wheel bore the name _Enchantress_. The after end of the +house, however, was built of iron, with raised lights in the top, and +the hammering and the pointed remarks that came up indicated that +somebody below was grappling with refractory metal. After one +exclamation, Evelyn's companion walked to the skylights. + +"Mack," he said in a warning tone, "there's a lady on board." + +"One o' they half-dressed hussies from the hotel? Man, I thought ye had +mair taste," a hoarse voice replied. + +Evelyn was glad that her boating costume was not in the extreme of +fashion, for sleeves and skirts were severely curtailed then, but she +waited with some amusement. + +"Come up and don't talk!" said the man who had brought her on board. +"Here's a job for you." + +"That's one thing I'll never die for the want of," the voice below went +on. "I've got jobs enough already, and no help wi' them. Ye cannot make +a mechanic out o' a dago muleteer, and the gangrel son o' a rich +American is no' much better. They're wrecking the bonny mill and when I +had them strike at a bit forging the weariful deevils smashed my finger. +I telt them----" + +"It won't stand for repeating. Let up; you've the voice of a bull," +somebody broke in. "Grahame's waiting with a lady. Can't you get a move +on?" + +"What's the lady wanting--is it her watch mending?" the Scot asked with +a hint of eagerness. A passion for tampering with the works of watches +not infrequently characterizes the marine engineer. + +"Come and see!" called Evelyn's companion; and a few moments later the +mechanic appeared. + +He was big, rather gaunt, and very dirty; but he carried himself well, +and had obviously just put on a smart blue jacket with brass buttons +that bore the crest of an English mail line. Evelyn thought his age was +between forty and fifty, but his eyes had a humorous twinkle and his air +was rakish. Behind him came a much younger man in greasy overalls. + +The engineer bowed to Evelyn with some grace. + +"Ye'll be Miss Cliffe; I ken ye by sight," he said. "They telt me who ye +were in the bar at the hotel." + +"Do they talk about me in such places?" Evelyn asked with a touch of +haughtiness. + +"What would ye expect? When ye're born good-looking, ye must take the +consequences. But, as Grahame has nae manners, I'll present +myself--Andrew Macallister, extra chief's ticket, and noo, through +speaking my mind to a director, engineer o' this barge." He indicated +his greasy companion. "Mr. Walthew, who, though ye might not think it by +his look, was taught at Harvard. If my temper stands the strain, I may +make a useful greaser o' him yet. The other ye nae doot ken." + +"No," said Evelyn, half amused. "He kindly came to my help when I was in +trouble with my boat." + +"Then he's skipper. They call him Grahame, and it's a good Scottish +name. But I was hoping ye had maybe some difficulty with your watch." + +"Why did you hope so?" Evelyn asked, laughing. + +"On no account let him have it," Walthew interposed. "He brought back +the last watch a confiding visitor left him with the gold case badly +crushed. 'I had to screw her in the vice, but a bit rub with a file will +smooth her off,' he told the owner." + +"He was a fastidious beast o' a Custom House grafter," Macallister +explained. "But if it's no' a watch, what way can I serve ye?" + +Grahame took him to the sloop and showed him the gaff, and a few minutes +later he came back with the bent jaws. + +"It's no' a bad piece o' work; your people have an eye for design, but +they make things too light," he said. "Noo I'll cut ye a new grip out o' +solid brass, but it will take an hour." + +"I suppose I must wait; there's no other way of getting back," Evelyn +answered dubiously. + +Macallister went below, and Grahame put a deck chair for Evelyn under +the awning in the stern, where he sat down on a coil of rope, while +Walthew leaned against the rail near by. The girl felt interested in +them all. She had heard that Walthew had been to Harvard, and his +appearance suggested that he belonged to her own world. If so, what was +he doing in the _Enchantress's_ engine room? Then, Macallister's random +talk had some piquancy. His manners were not polished, but they were +good in their way. + +"The steamer is yours, I suppose?" she remarked. + +"Yes," said Grahame. "We bought her cheap, and are getting her ready for +sea. As I dare say you have noticed, she needs refitting." + +"But wouldn't that have been easier at New Orleans or Galveston?" + +"Perhaps, if we were able to hire professional assistance, but we have +to do the work ourselves, and this place is quiet, and clean for +painting." + +"Aren't you painting her an unusual color? White would have been +prettier than this dingy gray." + +"White's conspicuous," Walthew answered, and Evelyn noticed Grahame's +warning glance. "A neutral tint stands better, and doesn't show the +dirt. You see, we have to think of our pockets." + +"Then it isn't to be a pleasure trip. Where are you going?" + +"Up the Gulf Stream. To Cuba first, and then south and west; wherever +there's a chance of trade." + +"But the boat is very small. What do you think of trading in?" + +"Anything that comes along," Walthew answered with a thoughtful air. "We +might catch turtles, for example." + +"One understands that turtles are now farmed for the market." + +"It would be cheaper to catch them. We might get mahogany." + +"But mahogany logs are big. You couldn't carry many." + +"We could tow them in a raft. Then the English and American tourists who +come out in the mail boats might charter us for trips." + +"I'm afraid you'd find them exacting. They'd expect nice berths and a +good table. Do you carry a good cook?" + +Grahame chuckled and Walthew grinned. + +"Modesty prevents my answering, because my partners leave me to put up +the hash. I'll admit it might be better; but our passengers wouldn't +find that out until we got them away at sea." + +Evelyn was frankly amused. She could not imagine his cooking very well, +but she liked his humorous candor. + +"Your plans seem rather vague," she said. + +"They are, but one doesn't want a cut and dried program for a cruise +about the Spanish Main. One takes what comes along; in the old days it +used to be rich plate ships and windfalls of that kind, and I guess +there's still something to be picked up when you get off the liners' +track. One expects to find adventures on the seas that Drake and +Frobisher sailed." + +Evelyn mused. She was shrewd enough to perceive that the men were hiding +something, and they roused her curiosity, but she thought Walthew was +right. Romance was not dead, and the Spanish Main was a name to conjure +with. It brought one visions of desolate keys where treasure was hidden, +the rush of the lukewarm Gulf Stream over coral reefs, of palm-fringed +inlets up which the pinnaces had crept to cut out Spanish galleons, and +of old white cities that the buccaneers had sacked. Tragic and heroic +memories haunted that blue sea, and although luxurious mail boats plowed +it now, the passions of the old desperados still burned in the hearts of +men. + +Walthew was smooth-faced, somewhat ingenuous, and marked by boyish +humor, but Evelyn had noticed his athletic form, and thought he could be +determined. He was no doubt proficient in sports that demanded strength +and nerve. For all that, it was Grahame and his hawk-like look that her +thoughts dwelt most upon, for something about him suggested that he had +already found the adventures his comrade was seeking. He was a soldier +of fortune, who had taken wounds and perhaps still bore their scars. She +remembered the cool judgment he had shown when he came to her rescue. + +Walthew disturbed her reflections. + +"It will be some time before Andrew fixes your gaff, and there's no use +in trying to hurry him," he said. "He's an artist in metal, and never +lets up until he's satisfied with a job. So, as you must wait and we +have a kettle on the forge below, I can offer you some tea and I'd like +your opinion of the biscuit I've been baking for supper." + +Evelyn felt doubtful. She was spending the afternoon in a way her mother +would certainly not approve of, but she could not get ashore until the +gaff was mended. Besides, it was pleasant to sit under the awning with +the fresh sea breeze on her face and listen to the splash of the combers +on the bows. Then she was interested in her companions. They were +different from the rather vapid loungers she would have been talking to +had she stayed at the hotel. + +She let Walthew go and then turned to Grahame. + +"Have you known your partner long?" she asked. + +"No; I met him for the first time in New Orleans a few months ago." + +"I asked because he's a type that I'm well acquainted with," Evelyn +explained. + +"And you would not have expected to find him cooking and cleaning +engines on a boat like this?" + +"No; they're rather unusual occupations for a conventionally brought up +young American." + +Grahame smiled. + +"I understand that Walthew might have enjoyed all the comforts your +civilization has to offer, but he preferred the sea. Perhaps I'm +prejudiced, but I don't blame him. There's a charm in freedom and the +wide horizon." + +"Yes," she agreed thoughtfully, looking across the blue water; "I +suppose that's true. If a man has the courage to break away, he can +follow his bent. It's different with women. We're securely fenced in; +our corral walls are high." + +"They keep trouble out. Hardship and danger aren't pleasant things, and +after a time the romance of the free-lance's life wears off. One +sometimes looks longingly at the sheltered nooks that men with settled +habits occupy." + +"And yet you follow your star!" + +"Star's too idealistic; my bent is better. What's born in one must have +its way. This is perhaps most convenient when it's an inherited genius +for making money." + +"It's useful to oneself and others," Evelyn agreed. "But do these +talents run in the blood?" + +"It seems so," Grahame answered, and was quiet for a time, languidly +watching the girl and wondering how far his statement was true. + +It might be argued that the strongest family strains must be weakened by +marriage, and their salient characteristics disappear in a few +generations, but he felt strangely akin to the mosstroopers of his name +who scourged the Scottish Border long ago. Their restlessness and lust +of adventure were his. This, however, was not a matter of much +consequence. Chance had thrown him into the company of a pretty and +intelligent girl, and he must try to entertain her. + +"You're fond of the sea and adventurous, or you wouldn't have driven +that little sloop so far out under full sail," he said. + +"Oh," she admitted, smiling, "that was partly because I wanted to show +my skill and was ashamed to turn back when the breeze freshened." + +Grahame laughed. He liked her frankness. + +"After all," he said, "it's a feeling that drives a good many of us on. +A weakness, perhaps, but it may be better than excessive caution." + +"A matter of opinion. Of course, if you determine never to do anything +foolish, you're apt to do nothing at all. But I'm afraid I can't throw +much light upon these subjects.... Here comes our tea." + +It was drinkable, but Evelyn thought the biscuit could undoubtedly have +been better. For all that, she enjoyed the meal, and when it was over +Macallister appeared with the mended gaff. + +"I'm thinking yon will never bend or jamb," he said, indicating the +beautifully finished pieces of brass-work. + +Evelyn thanked him, and soon afterward Grahame helped her into the boat +and hoisted the reefed sail. The wind was still fresh, but the sloop ran +shoreward safely, with the sparkling seas ranging up on her quarter, and +Grahame admired the grace of the neat, blue-clad figure at the helm. The +rushing breeze and the flying spray had brought a fine color into the +girl's face and a brightness to her eyes. + +As they neared the beach, a gasolene launch came plunging out to meet +them, and Evelyn laughed as she turned to Grahame. + +"I've been missed at last," she said. "That's my father coming to look +for me." + +The launch swung round close alongside and Grahame recognized that he +was being subjected to a keen scrutiny by a man on board. The broken +water, however, made explanations impossible, and the launch followed +the sloop to the inlet, where Evelyn neatly brought the craft up to the +landing. On getting ashore, she spoke to Cliffe, and he thanked Grahame +and invited him to the hotel. Grahame politely declined, but agreed to +borrow the launch to take him on board. + +As he was leaving, Evelyn held out her hand. + +"It was fortunate that my difficulties began when I was near your boat, +and I don't altogether regret them. I have spent a pleasant afternoon," +she said. + +Grahame bowed and turned away; but somewhat to his surprise, he found +his thoughts return to his guest as the launch carried him back to the +steamer. The girl was cultured and intelligent, perhaps a little +romantic, and unspoiled by luxury; but this was nothing to him. There +were times when he felt lonely and outcast from his kind, for until he +met Walthew his comrades had generally been rough and broken men. Some +years ago he had been a favorite with well-bred women; but he never met +them on terms of friendship now. He was poor, and would no doubt remain +so, since he had not the gift of making money; but an untrammeled, +wandering life had its advantages. + +With a smile at his brief relapse into sentiment, he resolved to forget +Miss Cliffe; but he found it strangely difficult to occupy his mind with +calculations about stores for the coming voyage. + +Evelyn related her adventure to her mother, who listened with strong +disapproval. Mrs. Cliffe was a thin, keen-eyed woman, with social +ambitions and some skill in realizing them. + +"If you hadn't been so rash as to go out alone, this wouldn't have +happened," she remarked. "You must really be more careful." + +"I couldn't prevent the gaff's jambing," Evelyn replied. + +"That is not what I meant. After all, nobody in the hotel knows much +about the matter, and there is, of course, no need to do more than bow +to the men if you meet them at the landing, though it would be better to +avoid this, if possible. A small favor of the kind they did you does not +justify their claiming your acquaintance." + +"Father wanted to bring one of them here." + +"Your father is a man of business, and has very little discretion in +social matters," Mrs. Cliffe replied. "If Reggie cannot go with you, +take the hotel boatman when you next go sailing." + +Evelyn did not answer, but she disagreed with the views her mother had +expressed, and she resolved to leave Reggie ashore. For one thing, he +was not of much use in a boat. Yet it was curious that she had once been +pleased to take him out. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE CALL OF THE UNKNOWN + + +The sea breeze had fallen, and the air was hot and still. A full moon +rested low in the eastern sky, and against its light the tops of the +royal palms cut in feathery silhouette. Evelyn was sitting in the hotel +garden with Reginald Gore. A dusky rose arbor hid them from the veranda, +where a number of the guests had gathered, but Evelyn imagined that one +or two of the women knew where she was and envied her. This once would +have afforded her some satisfaction, but it did not matter now, and +although the spot seemed made for confidential talk, she listened +quietly to the rollers breaking on the beach. The roar of the surf had a +disturbing effect; she felt that it called, urging her to follow her +star and launch out on the deep. Her companion was silent, and she +wondered what he was thinking about, or if, as seemed more likely, his +mind was vacant. She found him irritating to-night. + +Gore was the finished product of a luxurious age: well-bred, +well-taught, and tastefully dressed. His father had made a fortune out +of railroad stock, and although Reginald had not the ability to increase +it, he spent it with prudence. He had a good figure, and a pleasant +face, but Evelyn suspected that his highest ambition was to lounge +through life gracefully. + +Evelyn knew her mother's plans regarding him, and had, to some extent, +fallen in with them. Reggie had much that she valued to offer, but she +now and then found him tiresome. He stood for the luxurious, but, in a +sense, artificial life, with which she was growing dissatisfied. She +felt that she wanted stirring, and must get into touch with the real +things. + +"You're not talkative," she remarked, watching the lights of the +_Enchantress_ that swung and blinked with the tossing swell. + +"No," he agreed good-humoredly. "Doesn't seem to be much to talk about." + +There was silence for a few moments; then Evelyn put into words a train +of thoughts that was forming indistinctly in her mind. + +"You have never done anything very strenuous in life. You have had all +the pleasure money can provide one. Are you content?" + +"On the whole, yes. Aren't you?" + +"No," said Evelyn thoughtfully. "I believe I haven't really been content +for a long time, but I didn't know it. The mind can be doped, but the +effect wears off and you feel rather startled when you come to +yourself." + +Gore nodded. + +"I know! Doesn't last, but it's disturbing. When I feel like that, I +take a soothing drink." + +Evelyn laughed, for his answer was characteristic. He understood, to +some extent, but she did not expect him to sympathize with the +restlessness that had seized her. Reggie would never do anything rash or +unconventional. Hitherto she had approved his caution. She had enjoyed +the comfortable security of her station, had shared her mother's +ambitions, and looked upon marriage as a means of rising in the social +scale. Her adventurous temperament had found some scope in exciting +sports and in an occasional flirtation that she did not carry far; but +she was now beginning to feel that life had strange and wonderful things +to offer those who had the courage to seize them. She had never +experienced passion--perhaps because her training had taught her to +dread it; but her imagination was now awake. + +Her visit to the _Enchantress_ had perhaps had something to do with +these disturbing feelings, but not, she argued, because she was +sentimentally attracted by her rescuer. It was the mystery in which +Grahame's plans were wrapped that was interesting. He was obviously the +leader of the party and about to engage in some rash adventure on seas +the buccaneers had sailed. This, of course, was nothing to her; but +thinking of him led her to wonder whether she might not miss much by +clinging too cautiously to what she knew was safe. + +With a soft laugh she turned to Gore. + +"Tell me about the dance they're getting up. I hear you are one of the +stewards," she said. + +It was a congenial topic, and as she listened to her companion's talk +Evelyn felt that she was being drawn back to secure, familiar ground. + +Cliffe, in the meanwhile, had come out in search of her and, seeing how +she was engaged, had strolled into the hotel bar. A tall, big-boned man, +dressed in blue serge with brass buttons on his jacket, was talking at +large, and Cliffe, stopping to listen, thought the tales he told with +dry Scottish humor were good. + +"You are the engineer who mended the gaff of my daughter's boat," Cliffe +said. "I must thank you for that; it was a first-rate job." + +"It might have been worse," Macallister modestly replied. "Are ye a +mechanic then?" + +"No; but I know good work when I see it." + +"I'm thinking that's a gift, though ye may not use it much. It's no' +good work the world's looking for." + +"True," agreed Cliffe; "perhaps we're too keen on what will pay." + +"Ye mean what will pay the first user. An honest job is bound to pay +somebody in the end." + +"Well, I guess that's so. You're a philosopher." + +Macallister grinned. + +"I have been called worse names, and maybe with some cause. Consistency +gets monotonous. It's better to be a bit of everything, as the humor +takes ye." + +"What kind of engines has your boat?" Cliffe asked. He was more at home +when talking practical matters. + +"As fine a set o' triples as I've clapped my eyes upon, though they have +been shamefully neglectit." + +"And what speed can you get out of her?" + +"A matter o' coal," Macallister answered with a twinkle. "A seven-knot +bat will suit our purse best." + +Cliffe saw that further questions on this point would be injudicious, +but the man interested him, and he noted the flag on his buttons. + +"Well," he said, "the _Enchantress_ must be a change from the liners you +have sailed in." + +"I find that. But there's aye some compensation. I have tools a man can +work with, and oil that will keep her running smooth. Ye'll maybe ken +there's a difference in engine stores." + +"I've heard my manufacturing friends say something of the kind." + +Cliffe ordered refreshment, and quietly studied his companion. The man +had not the reserve he associated with the Scot, but a dash and a +reckless humor, which are, nevertheless, essentially Scottish too. +Cliffe wondered curiously what enterprise he and his companions were +engaged upon, but he did not think Macallister would tell him. If the +others were like this fellow, he imagined that they would carry out +their plans, for he read resolution as well as daring in the Scot's +character; besides, he had been favorably impressed by Grahame. + +After some further talk, Macallister left, and Cliffe joined his wife +and daughter. + +The next morning, Evelyn, getting up before most of the other guests, +went out on the balcony in front of her room and looked across the bay. +The sun was not yet hot, and a fresh breeze flecked the blue water with +feathery streaks of white, while the wet beach glistened dazzlingly. +There was a refreshing, salty smell, and for a few minutes the girl +enjoyed the grateful coolness; then she felt that something was missing +from the scene, and noticed that the _Enchantress_ had vanished. The +adventurers had sailed in the night. On the whole she was conscious of +relief. They had gone and she could now get rid of the restlessness that +their presence had caused. After all, there was peril in the longing for +change; it was wiser to be satisfied with the security and solid comfort +which surrounded her. + +Looking down at a footstep, she saw Gore strolling about the lawn, +faultlessly dressed in light flannel, with a Panama hat. There was not +a crease in his clothes that was out of place; the color scheme was +excellent--even his necktie was exactly the right shade. He stood for +all her mother had taught her to value: wealth, leisure, and cultivated +taste. Reggie was a man of her own kind; she had nothing in common with +the bronzed, tar-stained Grahame, whose hawk-like look had for the +moment stirred her imagination. + +"You look like the morning," Gore called up to her. "Won't you come down +and walk to the beach? The sun and breeze are delightful, and we'll have +them all to ourselves." + +Evelyn noticed the hint of intimacy, but it did not jar upon her mood, +and she smiled as she answered that she would join him. + +A few minutes later, they walked along the hard, white sand, breathing +the keen freshness of the spray. + +"What made you get up so soon?" Evelyn asked. + +"It's not hard to guess. I was waiting for my opportunity. You're in the +habit of rising in good time." + +"Well," she said with a bantering air, "I think waiting for +opportunities is a habit of yours. Of course, you have some excuse for +this." + +Gore looked puzzled for a moment and then laughed. + +"I see what you mean. As a rule, the opportunities come to me." + +"Don't they? I wonder whether you're much happier than the men who have +to make, or look for, them." + +"I can't say, because I haven't tried that plan. I can't see why I +should look for anything, when I don't have to. Anyway, I guess I'm a +pretty cheerful person and easy to get on with. It's the strivers +who're always getting after something out of reach that give you jars." + +"You're certainly not a striver," Evelyn agreed. "However, you seem to +have all a man could want." + +"Not quite," he answered. "I'll confess that I'm not satisfied yet, but +I try to make the most of the good things that come along--and I'm glad +I got up early. It's a glorious morning!" + +Evelyn understood. Reggie was not precipitate and feared a rebuff. She +believed that she could have him when she liked, but he would look for +some tactful sign of her approval before venturing too far. The trouble +was that she did not know if she wanted him. + +She changed the subject, and they paced the beach, engaged in +good-humored banter, until the breakfast gong called them back to the +hotel. + +In the afternoon, however, Evelyn's mood changed again. The breeze died +away and it was very hot. Everybody was languid, and she found her +friends dull. Although Gore tried to be amusing, his conversation was +unsatisfactory; and the girls about the hotel seemed more frivolous and +shallow than usual. None of these people ever did anything really worth +while! Evelyn did not know what she wished to do, but she felt that the +life she led was unbearably stale. + +When dark fell and the deep rumble of the surf filled the air, she sat +with her father in a quiet corner of the garden. + +"Didn't you say you might make a short business trip to the West +Indies?" she asked him. + +"Yes; I may have to spend a week in Havana." + +"Then I wish you would take me." + +"It might be arranged," said Cliffe. He seldom refused her anything. +"Your mother wouldn't come, but she has plenty of engagements at home. +Why do you want to go?" + +Evelyn found this hard to answer, but she tried to formulate her +thoughts. + +"Cuba is, of course, a new country to me, and I suppose we all feel a +mysterious attraction toward what is strange. Had you never a longing +for something different, something out of the usual run?" + +"I had when I was young." + +"But you don't feel it now?" + +"One learns to keep such fancies in their place when business demands +it," Cliffe answered with a dry smile. "I can remember times when I +wanted to go off camping in the Canadian Rockies and join a canoe trip +on Labrador rivers. Now and then in the hot weather the traffic in the +markets and the dusty offices make me tired. I'll confess that I've felt +the snow-peaks and the rapids call." + +"We went to Banff once," said Evelyn. "It was very nice." + +"But not the real thing! You saw the high peaks from the hotel garden +and the passes from an observation car. Then we made one or two +excursions with pack-horses, guides, and people like ourselves, where it +was quite safe to go. That was as much as your mother could stand for. +She'd no sympathy with my hankering after the lone trail." + +Evelyn could see his face in the moonlight, and she gave him a quick +look. Her father, it seemed, had feelings she had never suspected in +him. + +"But if you like the mountains, couldn't you enjoy them now?" + +"No," he said, rather grimly. "The grip of my business grows tighter all +the time. It costs a good deal to live as we do, and I must keep to the +beaten tracks that lead to places where money is made." + +"I sometimes think we are too extravagant and perhaps more ostentatious +than we need be," Evelyn said in a diffident tone. + +"We do what our friends expect and your mother has been accustomed to. +Then it's my pleasure to give my daughter every advantage I can and, +when the time for her to leave us comes, to see she starts fair." + +Evelyn was silent for a few moments, feeling touched. She had formed a +new conception of her father, who, she had thought, loved the making of +money for its own sake. Now it was rather startling to find that in +order to give her mother and herself all they could desire, he had held +one side of his nature in subjection and cheerfully borne a life of +monotonous toil. + +"I don't want to leave you," she said in a gentle voice. + +He looked at her keenly, and she saw that her mother had been speaking +to him about Gore. + +"Well," he responded, "I want to keep you as long as possible, but when +you want to go I must face my loss and make the best of it. In the +meanwhile, we'll go to Cuba if your mother consents." + +Evelyn put her hand affectionately on his arm. + +"Whatever happens," she said softly, "you won't fail me. I'm often +frivolous and selfish, but it's nice to know I have somebody I can +trust." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +ON THE SPANISH MAIN + + +There had been wind, but it had fallen toward evening, and the +_Enchantress_ rolled in a flat calm when her engines stopped. As she +swung with the smooth undulations, blocks clattered, booms groaned, and +the water in her bilges swirled noisily to and fro. It was difficult to +move about the slanted deck, and two dark-skinned, barefooted seamen +were seated forward with their backs against the rail. A comrade below +was watching the engine fires and, with the exception of her Spanish +helmsman, this was all the paid crew the _Enchantress_ carried. + +She drifted east with the Gulf Stream. Around her there hung a muggy +atmosphere pervaded with a curious, hothouse smell. Grahame stood in the +channels, heaving the lead. He found deep water, but white patches on +the northern horizon, where the expanse of sea was broken by spouts of +foam, marked a chain of reefs and keys that rose a foot or two above the +surface. A larger streak of white was fading into the haze astern, but +Grahame had carefully taken its compass bearings, because dusk, which +comes suddenly in the Bahama Channel, was not far away. He dropped the +lead on deck, and joined Macallister, who stood in the engine-room +doorway rubbing his hands with cotton waste. + +"No sign o' that steamboat yet?" the Scot asked. + +"It's hazy to the east," said Grahame. "We mightn't see her until she's +close if they're not making much smoke. Still, she ought to have turned +up last night." + +"She'll come. A tornado wouldna' stop her skipper when he had freight to +collect; but ye were wise in no' paying it in advance." + +"You haven't seen the fellow." + +"I've seen his employers," Macallister replied with a chuckle. "Weel I +ken what sort o' man would suit them. Gang canny when ye meet him, and +see ye get the goods before ye sign the bill o' lading." + +"I mean to take precautions. No first-class firm would touch our +business." + +"Verra true. And when ye find men who're no' particular about one thing, +ye cannot expect them to be fastidious about another. When I deal wi' +yon kind, I keep my een open." + +"Where's Walthew?" + +Macallister grinned. + +"Asleep below, wi' his hair full o' coal-dust, looking more like a +nigger than the son o' a rich American. Human nature's a verra curious +thing, but if he can stand another month, I'll hae hope o' him." + +"I think the lad's right. He wants to run his life on his own lines, and +he is willing to pay for testing them by experience." + +Grahame, glancing forward, suddenly became intent, for in one spot a +dingy smear thickened the haze. It slowly grew more distinct, and he +gave a seaman a quick order before he turned to his companion. + +"That must be the _Miranda_. You can start your mill as soon as we have +launched the dinghy." + +By the time the boat was in the water the steamer had crept out of the +mist. She came on fast: a small, two-masted vessel, with a white wave +beneath her full bows and a cloud of brown smoke trailing across the sea +astern. She was light, floating high above the water, which washed up +and down her wet side as she rolled. A few heads projected over the iron +bulwark near the break of the forecastle, and two men in duck stood on +the bridge. Studying them through the glasses, Grahame saw they had an +unkempt appearance, and he was not prepossessed in favor of the one whom +he took to be the captain. + +He rang the telegraph, and when the engines stopped he jumped into the +dinghy with Walthew and one of the seamen. Five minutes later, they +ceased rowing close to the steamer's side, which towered high above +them, red with rust along the water-line. The black paint was scarred +and peeling higher up, the white deckhouses and boats had grown dingy, +and there was about her a poverty-stricken look. The boat swung sharply +up and down a few lengths away, for the sea broke about the descending +rows of iron plates as the vessel rolled. + +"_Enchantress_, ahoy!" shouted one of the men on her bridge. "This is +the _Miranda_. S'pose you're ready for us?" + +"We've been ready for you since last night," Grahame replied. + +"Then you might have got your gig over. We can't dump the stuff into +that cockleshell." + +"You can't," Grahame agreed. "The gig's hardly big enough either, and I +won't risk her alongside in the swell that's running." + +"Then what do you expect me to do? Wait until it's smooth?" + +"No," said Grahame; "we'll have wind soon. You'll have to take her in +behind the reef, as your owners arranged. It's not far off and you'll +find good anchorage in six fathoms." + +"And lose a day! What do you think your few cases are worth to us?" + +"The freight agreed upon," Grahame answered coolly. "You can't collect +it until you hand our cargo over. I'll take you in behind the reef and +bring you out in three or four hours. There'll be a good moon." + +The skipper seemed to consult with the man beside him, and then waved +his hand. + +"All right! Go ahead with your steamer and show us the way." + +"I'd better come on board," Grahame answered. "It's an awkward place to +get into, but I know it well." + +A colored seaman threw them down a rope ladder, and, pulling in +cautiously, Grahame waited until the rolling hull steadied, when he +jumped. Walthew followed, and in a few moments they stood on the +_Miranda's_ deck. Walthew had been wakened when the boat was launched, +and he had not had much time to dress, but he wore a fairly clean duck +jacket over his coaly shirt. His bare feet were thrust into greasy +slippers, and smears of oil darkened the hollows round his eyes. + +One or two slouching deckhands watched the new arrivals with dull +curiosity, and a few more were busy forward opening the hatch. Grahame +thought the vessel a rather unfavorable specimen of the small, cheaply +run tramp, but when he reached the hatch the skipper came up. He was a +little man with a bluff manner, a hard face, and cunning eyes. + +"They'll have the cover off in a minute and you can see your stuff," he +said, and called to a man with a lantern: "Stand by with the light!" + +When the tarpaulin was rolled back, Grahame went down with a mate and +counted the wooden cases pointed out to him. After this, he examined +their marks and numbers and, going up, declared himself satisfied. + +"Now," said the skipper, "you can take us in; the sooner the better, +because it will be dark before long. Would you like a drink before you +start?" + +Grahame said that he would wait until he had finished his work. He +followed the skipper to the bridge, and rang the telegraph. + +The _Miranda_ went ahead, her propeller hurling up the foam as it +flapped round with half the blades out of the water, while the +_Enchantress_ crept slowly up her froth-streaked wake. Grahame, standing +at the wheel-house door, was glad that Walthew had come with him, +although this reduced his vessel's crew. Macallister, however, was +capable of managing his engines without assistance, for a time, and +could be trusted to take charge of the _Enchantress_ if necessary, for +Grahame did not think the hands would give him trouble. One was a Canary +Spaniard, whom they had picked up at Matanzas, a very simple and, +Grahame thought, honest fellow; the other three were stupid but +apparently good-humored half-breeds. Grahame would have preferred white +seamen but for the danger of their getting into trouble in parts where +wine was cheap and perhaps betraying the object of the voyage in +drunken boasts. His business would not bear talking about--and that was +why he distrusted the _Miranda's_ captain. + +The moon rose before the short twilight had changed to dark, and the +steamer moved on across the dimly glittering sea, until a long white +line grew plainer ahead. As they drew near, the line could be seen to +waver, gaining breadth and distinctness and then fading, while a dull +roar which had a regular beat in it mingled with the thud of the +engines. Though the _Miranda_ rolled and plunged, the surface of the +water was smooth as oil, and in the deep calm the clamor of the surf had +an ominous sound. Then another white patch appeared to starboard, and a +few moments later, a third to port. + +The captain was pacing up and down his bridge. + +"It's a puzzling light," he said, stopping near Grahame with a frown. "I +suppose you do know the place?" + +"Oh, yes," said Grahame carelessly. "We made a rough survey and took +soundings. But slow her down and use your lead if you like." + +"That's what I mean to do," the captain replied. + +He rang the telegraph, and when the beat of engines slackened a man +stood on a footboard outside the bridge, where a broad canvas belt was +fastened round his waist. Whirling the heavy plummet round his head, he +let it shoot forward to the break of the forecastle, and steadied the +line a moment when it ran vertically up and down. + +"By the deep, eight!" he called. + +"Starboard!" said Grahame, and there was silence except for the rumble +of the surf, while the quartermaster turned his wheel in the +glass-fronted house. + +In a few minutes the lead plunged down again. + +"By the mark, seven!" was announced. + +The captain gave Grahame a quick glance, and then looked ahead, where +there was something to occupy him, for at regular intervals the sea was +torn apart and a spout of foam and a cloud of spray shot up. Moreover, +the vessel was heading directly toward the dangerous spot. It was not +needful for Grahame to take her so close as he meant to do, but he had +reasons for letting the nearness of the reef appeal to the captain's +imagination. + +"And a quarter six!" the leadsman called. + +The captain grasped the telegraph. + +"If you mean to go any closer, I'll stop her and back out!" he said. +"Then you can tranship your goods outside or I'll take them on, as you +like." + +"We can let her come round now," Grahame answered, and beckoned to the +quartermaster. "Starboard. Steady at that!" + +The _Miranda_ swung until the frothy confusion on the reef, where the +swell broke in cascades of phosphorescent flame, bore abeam, and then a +similar troubled patch grew plain on the opposite bow. There was, +however, a smooth, dark strip between, and she followed it, shouldering +off a spangled wash, with the propeller beating slow. Ahead, a low, hazy +blur rose out of the sea, and when Grahame spoke to the captain the +windlass began to clank and indistinct figures became busy on the +forecastle. Then a gray strip of sand came into sight, and Grahame +nodded to the anxious captain. + +"You can let go here, but don't give her much cable." + +The anchor splashed from the bows, there was a roar of running chain, +the throb of the screw slowly turning astern, and a screaming of +startled birds. She brought up, the noise died away, and the silence was +emphasized by the clamor of the surf on the opposite shore of the key. +The captain looked about with a frown, for the desolation of the spot +and the nearness of the reefs had their effect on him. + +"Hail them to get your gig over at once, and then we'll have a drink," +he said. + +Macallister answered Grahame's shout, for the _Enchantress_ had anchored +close astern, and the boat was hanging from her davits when he followed +the captain into his room. The vessels rolled lazily and the swell broke +with a languid splash upon the beach, for the bight was sheltered by the +reefs. The small room was lighted by an oil lamp and was very hot. A +pilot coat, damp with salt, and a suit of oilskins swung to and fro +across the bulkhead, and a pair of knee-boots stood in a corner. Two or +three bad photographic portraits were tacked against the teakwood +paneling, but except for these, all that the room contained suggested +stern utility. + +Unlocking a cupboard, the captain took a bottle and some glasses from a +rack, and Walthew coughed as he tasted the fiery spirit. + +"That's powerful stuff, but the flavor's good," he said with an attempt +at politeness. + +A big, greasy man who the captain informed the others was Mr. James, his +chief engineer, came in. He sat down with his feet on the locker, and +helped himself liberally to the spirits. In the meanwhile the captain +put an inkstand on the small folding table. + +"You have the bill of lading; endorse it that you've got delivery, and +I'll give you a receipt for the freight." + +Grahame glanced at Walthew, who sat nearest the door, and the lad looked +out. + +"The gig's alongside, ready for the cases," he said. + +"We'll heave them up as soon as we've finished this business," the +captain replied. + +Grahame wrote a check and put it on the table with some American paper +currency. + +"Your owners have satisfied themselves that this will be met; I thought +I'd better keep the other amount separate." + +"That's all right," the captain returned; "but you're a hundred dollars +short." + +"I guess you're mistaken," Walthew said. "We've paid the freight, and a +bonus to yourself, as we promised because it was an awkward job. What +else do you want?" + +"A bonus for the engineer," the greasy mechanic answered with a grin. + +"Precisely," said the captain. + +"Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," Grahame said, and Walthew +picked up the check, which still lay on the table. + +There was silence for a few moments while the _Miranda's_ officers +looked hard at their visitors. Grahame's face was impassive, but there +was a gleam of amusement in Walthew's eyes. + +"Now, you listen to me," said the captain. "Mr. James is entitled to his +share, and he means to get it. You don't suppose he'd take a hand in a +risky job like this entirely for the benefit of the owners?" + +"Mr. James," said Walthew, "runs no risk that I can see. However, if +you think he has a right to something, you can divide with him." + +"No, sir! What you have given me is mine. But there's another point +you've overlooked. The crew expect a few dollars, and it might be wise +to satisfy them." + +Grahame smiled. + +"They certainly struck me as a hard crowd; but seamen don't rob +cargo-shippers nowadays. Then it's difficult to imagine that you told +them what's in the cases. In fact, the way they obeyed your mate +suggested that there's not much liking between men and officers on board +this packet. If there was any trouble, I don't know that they'd take +your side." + +The captain frowned; and James drained his glass again and then struck +the table. + +"Think something of yourselves, I reckon, but we've come out on top with +smarter folks than you. Put down your money like gentlemen, and say no +more." + +"It's good advice," the captain added meaningly. + +"Guess we disagree," Walthew said, putting the check into his pocket. +"You haven't got your freight payment yet." + +"Do you think you can keep that check?" + +"Well," said Walthew coolly, "we could cable the bank to stop payment +from the nearest port. For that matter, I'm not certain that you could +take it back." + +"We're willing to try," the big engineer scowled. + +"And you don't get the goods until we're satisfied," the captain added. + +"May I ask what you would do with the cases? They're consigned to us, +and you'd have some trouble in passing them through a foreign customs +house. They open things and inspect the contents when the duty's high." + +"We could dump them overboard. Better do the fair thing by us and get +delivery." + +"I don't think we're unfair," Walthew replied. "We engaged with your +owners to pay a stipulated freight, and added a bonus for the skipper. +Now we put down the money and want our goods." + +"The winch that heaves them up doesn't start without my order," James +said with an ugly laugh. + +Grahame turned to the captain with a gesture of weariness. + +"We don't seem to get much farther! I suspect you've forgotten +something. How much a day does it cost you to run this ship?" + +"What has that got to do with it?" the captain asked curtly. + +"Well," said Grahame coolly, "there's a risk of your stopping here for +some time. It's an awkward place to get out of unless you know it well; +particularly when it's blowing fresh. The Northers hardly reach so far, +but they unsettle the weather, and when the wind's from seaward a strong +eddy stream runs through the bight. Perhaps you may have noticed that +the glass is falling fast." + +The captain looked disturbed; but he was not to be beaten so easily. + +"You don't get back on board your boat until you've taken us out!" he +threatened. + +"I can take you out to-night, but if you miss your chance and have to +wait we can afford it best. Our expenses aren't heavy, but you'll have +to account to your owners for the delay that won't cost us much. +Besides, you'd be forced to keep steam up in case she dragged; it's bad +holding ground." + +There was silence for a few moments, and then the captain made a sign of +surly acquiescence. + +"Very well; we won't argue about the bonus. Give me the check." + +"I think we'll wait until the cases are transhipped," Walthew said with +a smile. + +"Give them steam for the winch, Mr. James," the captain ordered; and the +engineer slouched away. + +The winch began to rattle and an hour or two later Grahame went up to +the bridge while the anchor was broken out. When the men were stowing it +the engines throbbed and the _Miranda_ turned her head toward open +water. In another half hour the propeller stopped and the captain turned +to his guests with a grin as the _Enchantress's_ gig came alongside. + +"I expect the dagoes you're shipping those rifles for will find you hard +to beat," he said. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +MANGROVE CREEK + + +There was not a ripple on the sea when the _Enchantress_, steaming +slowly, closed with the coast. The glittering water broke with a drowsy +murmur at her bows and turned from silver to a deep blue in the shadow +of the hull; her wake was marked by silky whirls on the back of the +swell. It was four o'clock in the afternoon, the sea flung back a +dazzling light, and Grahame's eyes ached as he searched the approaching +land with his glasses. + +Far back, blue mountains loomed through haze and the foreground was +blurred and dim. One could not tell where the low expanse began or +ended, though a broad, dark fringe, which Grahame knew was forest, +conveyed some idea of distance. In one or two spots, a streak of white +indicated surf upon a point, but the picture was flooded with a glare in +which separate objects lost distinctness. Blue and gray and silver +melted into one another without form or salient line. + +Grahame put down the glasses and turned to the seaman near him. Miguel +was getting old, but his tall figure was strong, and he stood, finely +posed, with a brown hand on the wheel. His face was rugged, but he had +clear, blue eyes that met one with a curious child-like gaze. He was +barefooted and his thin cotton trousers and canvas jacket were +spotlessly clean, though Grahame imagined he had made the latter out of +a piece of old awning they had meant to throw away. + +"You come from the Canaries, don't you, Miguel?" Grahame asked in +Castilian. "It is not so hot there." + +"From San Sebastian, senor, where the trade-breeze blows and the +date-palms grow. My house stands among the tuna-figs beside the +mule-track to the mountains." + +"Then you have a house? Who takes care of it while you are away?" + +"My senora. She packs the tomatoes they send to England. It is hard work +and one earns a peseta a day." + +"Then why did you leave her?" Grahame asked, for he knew that a peseta, +which is equal to about twenty cents, will not buy much of the coarse +maize-flour the Canary peasants live upon. + +"There came a great tempest, and when my three boats were wrecked +something must be done. My sons were drawn for the navy; they had no +money to send. For years, senor, I was captain of a schooner fishing +_bacalao_ on the African coast, and when I came home to catch tunny for +the Italian factory things went very well. Then the gale swept down from +the peaks one night and in the morning the boats were matchwood on the +reef." + +"Ah!" said Grahame. He could sympathize, for he too had faced what at +the time had seemed to be overwhelming disaster. "So you sailed to look +for better fortune somewhere else? You hope to go back to San Sebastian +some day?" + +"If my saint is kind. But perhaps it is well that he is a very great +angel, for fortune is not always found when one looks for it at sea." + +There was no irony in Miguel's answer; his manner was quietly dignified. +Indeed, though he had been taught nothing except rudimentary seamanship, +he had the bearing of a fine gentleman. + +"Wages are good in English and American ships," Grahame resumed, feeling +that he was guilty of impertinence. "Sometimes you are able to send the +senora a few dollars?" + +"I send all but a little to buy clothes when I go where it is cold, and +my senora buries the money to buy another boat if it is permitted that I +return. Once or twice a year comes a letter, written by the priest, and +I keep it until I find a man who can read it to me." + +Grahame was touched. There was something pathetic in the thought of this +untaught exile's patiently carrying the precious letters until he met +somebody who could read his language. + +"Well," he said, "if things go well with us, you will get a bonus +besides your wages, which should make it easier for you to go home. But +you understand there is danger in what we may have to do." + +Miguel smiled. + +"Senor, there is always danger on the sea." + +Grahame turned and saw Walthew standing in the engine-room door. He wore +dirty overalls and a singlet torn open at the neck, there was a smear of +oil across his face, and his hands were black and scarred. + +"What on earth have you been doing?" Grahame asked. + +"Lying on my back for two hours, trying to put a new packing in the +gland of a pump." + +"Well, who would have predicted a year ago that you would be amusing +yourself this way now!" + +Walthew laughed. + +"Do you know where we are?" he asked. + +"I imagine we're not far off the creek; in fact, we might risk making +the signal smoke. It will be dark enough to head inshore in a few +hours." + +"Then we'll get to work with the fires," said Walthew, promptly +disappearing below. + +Soon afterward, a dense black cloud rose from the funnel and, trailing +away behind the _Enchantress_, spread across the sky. Grahame knew that +it might be seen by unfriendly watchers, but other steamers sometimes +passed the point for which he was steering. After a while he signaled +for less steam, and only a faint, widening ripple marked the +_Enchantress's_ passage through the water as she closed obliquely with +the land. It was still blurred, and in an hour Grahame stopped the +engines and took a cast of the lead. Dark would come before long, when, +if they had reached the right spot, signals would be made. In the +meanwhile it would be imprudent to venture nearer. + +Walthew and one of the seamen set out a meal on deck and when it was +eaten they lounged on the stern grating, smoking and waiting. There was +dangerous work before them; and, to make things worse, it must be done +in the dark, because the moon now shone in the daytime. It was very hot, +and a steamy, spicy smell drifted off the coast, which grew less +distinct as the darkness settled down. A faint rumble of surf reached +them from an unseen beach, rising and falling with a rhythm in it. The +black smoke had been stopped and thin gray vapor rose straight up from +the funnel. The quietness and the suspense began to react upon the men's +nerves; they felt impatient and highly strung, but they talked as +carelessly as they could. + +Then in the quietness the roar of the sea on sandy shoals reached them +ominously clear. Grahame glanced shoreward, but could see nothing, for +the sun had gone and a thin mist was spreading across the low littoral. + +"We're drifting inshore," he said. "As soon as I get four fathoms we'll +steam out. Try a cast of the lead." + +Walthew swung the plummet and they heard it strike the sea. + +"Half a fathom to the good," he called as he coiled up the wet line. +Then he stopped, looking toward the land. "What's that?" he said. +"Yonder, abreast of the mast?" + +A twinkling light appeared in the mist and grew brighter. + +"A fire, I think," Grahame answered quietly. "Still, one's not enough." + +A second light began to glimmer, and soon another farther on. + +Macallister chuckled. + +"Ye're a navigator. Our friends are ready. I've seen many a worse +landfall made by highly-trained gentlemen with a big mail company's +buttons." + +"A lucky shot; but you had better stand by below. Start her easy." + +He blew three blasts on the whistle, and the fires went out while the +_Enchantress_ moved slowly shoreward through the gloom. Miguel held the +wheel and Grahame stood near by, watching the half-breed who swung the +lead. Presently another light twinkled, and, listening hard, Grahame +heard the splash of paddles. Stopping the engines, he waited until a +low, gray object crept out of the mist and slid toward the steamer's +side. Ropes were thrown and when the canoe was made fast the first of +the men who came up ceremoniously saluted Grahame. + +"You bring the goods all right?" he asked. + +"They're ready. If it makes no difference, I'd rather wait until +to-morrow before delivering them. I understand the beach is mostly +mangrove swamp, and it's a dark night to take the steamer up the creek." + +"To-morrow she be seen; the coast is watch by spy," said the other in +his quaint English; then indicated his companion. "Dese man he takes her +anywhere." + +Grahame hesitated. + +Secrecy was essential, and if he waited for daylight and was seen by +watchers who had noticed the smoke in the afternoon he might not have an +opportunity for landing another cargo. For all that, knowing nothing +about his pilot's skill, he imagined he ran some risk of grounding if he +took the steamer in. Risks, however, could not be avoided. + +"Very well," he decided. "Send him to the wheel." + +He kept the lead going as the _Enchantress_ crept forward, and was +relieved to find that the water got no shallower. It looked as if the +pilot were following a channel, for the wash of the sea on hidden shoals +began to rise from both sides. Except for this and the measured throb of +the engines, there was deep silence, but after a while the vessel, which +had been rolling gently, grew steady, and Grahame thought he could hear +the water she threw off splash upon a beach. He looked about eagerly, +but there was nothing to be seen. This creeping past invisible dangers +was daunting, but he felt comforted as he glanced at the motionless, +dark figure at the helm. The fellow showed no hesitation; it was obvious +that he knew his business. + +Through the darkness low trees loomed up ahead, and shortly afterward +another clump abeam. Mist clung about them, there was not much space +between, and the absence of any gurgle at the bows indicated that the +_Enchantress_ was steaming up the inlet with the tide. The lead showed +sufficient water, but Grahame had misgivings, for the creek seemed to be +getting narrower. It was, however, too late to turn back; he must go on +and trust to luck. + +Some time later a light appeared among the trees, and the pilot ordered +the engines to be stopped. Then he pulled the helm over and waved his +hand as the _Enchantress_ swung inshore. + +"_La ancla!_" he cried. "Let her go!" + +There was a splash and a sharp rattle of chain, and when the +_Enchantress_ stopped the beat of paddles came out of the gloom. Then +the cargo-lamp was lighted and in a few minutes a group of men climbed +on board. Some were dusky half-breeds, but two or three seemed to be of +pure Spanish extraction. Grahame took these below, where they carefully +examined the cases. When they were satisfied they followed him to the +deck-cabin, and Walthew brought them some wine. One man gave Grahame a +check on an American bank, and shortly afterward the work of getting up +the cargo began. + +Everybody became suddenly busy. Shadowy figures dragged the cases about +the shallow hold and fixed the slings. Dark-skinned men, dripping with +perspiration, slackened guys and swung the derrick-boom while canoes +crept into the light of the cargo-lamp and vanished, loaded, into the +dark. The stir lasted for some time, and then, after the cases had all +been hoisted over the side, the white men among the shore party shook +hands with their hosts. + +"It is all right," said the spokesman. "We are ready for the next lot +when you get back." + +"I suppose your man will be here in the morning to take us out?" Grahame +asked, because he had been told that it was too late to leave the creek +that tide. + +"If nothing is happen, he certainly come." + +The visitors got on board their canoe, and it slid off into the mist. +When the splash of paddles died away, an oppressive silence settled down +on the vessel, and the darkness seemed very thick, for the big +cargo-lamp had been put out. After the keen activity a reaction had set +in: the men were tired and felt the heat. + +"It's lonesome," Macallister remarked, and sniffed disgustedly. "Like a +hothouse in a botanic garden when they've full steam on, with a dash o' +Glasgow sewer thrown in. In fact, ye might call the atmosphere a wee bit +high." + +"I don't suppose you found it very fresh in West Africa," Walthew +replied. + +"I did not. That's maybe the reason the ague grips me noo and then. +Ye'll learn something about handling engines when it takes me bad. This +is a verra insidious smell." + +"The mosquitos are worse," Grahame said. "I wonder whether there are +many of them about? Anyway, I'd like a warp taken out and made fast to +the trees. There's not much room to swing, and though the flood +generally runs harder than the ebb in these places, one can't count on +that." + +Walthew got into the boat with Miguel and one of the crew, and came back +half an hour later, smeared with mire and wet to the waist. + +"We've made the rope fast, but this creek has no beach," he said. "The +trees grow out of the water, and you slip off their roots into holes +filled with slime. Couldn't feel any bottom in one or two, and I was +mighty glad I caught a branch. In fact, we've had a rather harrowing +experience." + +"Get your wet clothes off and take some quinine before you go to sleep," +Grahame advised; and when Walthew left him he watched the men heave the +warp tight. + +Soon afterward the crew went below, except for one who kept +anchor-watch. The ebb tide was running strong, and Grahame was not quite +satisfied about the way the vessel was moored. It was, however, +impossible to make her more secure in the dark, and, getting sleepy +presently, he left his seat on the stern grating and went to his berth. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE TRAITOR + + +Grahame was awakened by a crash. Springing half asleep from his berth, +he scrambled out on deck. Thick darkness enveloped the steamer and at +first he could see nothing. Then as his eyes grew accustomed to the +gloom, he made out indistinct black trees in the mist. They were sliding +past and he knew the warp had broken and the _Enchantress_ would swing +inshore before her cable brought her up. This must be prevented, if +possible, for the creek was narrow and shoal. + +Jumping on the stern grating he gave his orders, and they were obeyed. +He saw Macallister, in pajamas, dive into the engine-room, and the screw +began to throb; then barefooted men sprang into the boat alongside, and +a heavy rope ran out across the rail. There was nothing more to be done +for a few moments and, lashing the wheel, Grahame hurriedly lighted a +pyrotechnic flare. The strong blue radiance drove back the gloom, and +the water glittered among cakes of floating scum. Then the bright beam +picked out the boat, with Walthew toiling, half-naked, at an oar, and +Miguel's tall figure bending to and fro as he sculled astern. Another +man was rowing forward, and his tense pose told of determined effort, +but he vanished as the light moved on. + +The rope the crew were taking out fixed Grahame's attention. It crawled +through the water in heavy coils, like a snake, holding the boat back +while the stream swept her sideways. He did not think she could reach +the opposite bank, though the _Enchantress_ was sheering that way to +help her. Then the light forced up a patch of greasy mud in which +crawling things wriggled, and, passing on, picked out foul, dark caves +among the mangrove roots. After that, it touched the rows of slender +trunks and was lost in impenetrable gloom. + +A few moments later the flare, burning low, scorched Grahame's fingers +and he flung it over the rail. It fell with a hiss into the creek and +bewildering darkness shut down. There was now no guide but the strain on +the helm, and Grahame began to be afraid of breaking out the anchor. For +a time the splash of oars continued, telling of the tense struggle that +went on in the gloom, but it stopped suddenly and he knew the men were +beaten. Ringing off the engines, he ran forward with a deckhand to drop +the kedge anchor. It was heavy, an arm was foul of something, and they +could not drag it clear, until a dim object appeared close by. + +"Heave!" cried a breathless voice. "Handy, noo! Away she goes!" + +There was a splash and a rattle as the chain ran out, a thud as the +returning boat came alongside, and then the vessel quivered, listed down +on one side, and became motionless. + +"I'm thinking she's hard and fast, but we'll try to shake her off," +Macallister said and vanished, and soon the engines began to turn. + +The _Enchantress_ trembled, straining hard and rattling, but when +somebody lighted the cargo-lamp, which still hung from a boom, it could +not be seen that she moved. The light showed a narrow stretch of water, +sliding past, blotched with foul brown foam. Then it fell upon the +boat's crew, who had come on board, and Grahame saw that Walthew was +gasping for breath. His flushed face was wet and drawn with effort, and +his bare arms and neck were marked by small red spots. + +"Sorry we couldn't manage to reach the bank," he panted. "Warp kept +getting across her and the stream was running fast. But I'd better help +Mack." + +"Sit still a minute," Grahame said. "What are those marks on your neck?" + +"Mosquito bites, I guess. Hadn't time to swat the brutes; they were +pretty fierce." + +The deck was now slanting steeply, and Grahame, looking over the rail, +saw a wet strip a foot broad between the dry planks and the water. + +"You can tell Mack to shut off steam," he said. "She's here until next +tide and I'm not certain we can float her then." + +The engines stopped, there was by contrast a curious stillness, and the +men went below; but Grahame spent some time studying a chart of the +coast and a nautical almanac before he went to sleep. + + * * * * * + +When the cases had been safely landed, the little group of Spaniards and +half-breeds separated, some following the coastline going south, others +finding a narrow path that led through the jungle beyond the +mangrove-trees. Bio, the peon pilot, lingered behind. There was no +moon, but the night was not really dark, for the sky was jeweled with +stars which covered the earth with a soft, mystic radiance. + +When the footsteps of the others had died away and the night was quiet, +Bio started slowly down the jungle path. It opened out into a flat +stretch of sandy land and then was lost in a plantation of coffee-trees. +Beyond the coffee plantation was an uncultivated space known to the +natives as _La colina del sol_ (The Hill of the Sun) because of the many +broad rocks upon which the sun beat down in all its intensity. Here and +there a wild date-palm grew, and an occasional clump of bananas; but +except for that the hill was covered with low shrubbery and a blanket of +trailing vines, which now were wet with the dew. + +Bio went directly to one of the rocks and stood upon it looking upward +at the stars. The warmth that still remained in the rock was pleasant to +his damp, bare feet. The air about him was filled with the soft flutter +of moths and other honey-seekers; the heavy perfume of a white jasmine +came to him, mingled with the sweet odor of the night-blooming cereus. +At his side an insect chirped, and above him a whistling frog gave +answer. + +These wild night sounds found quick response in Bio's Indian blood. With +an odd little smile of content, he stretched out on the rock to +listen--and to sleep. At high tide he would have to return to take the +boat out of Mangrove Creek; what better place to wait than _La colina +del sol_? + +He awakened shortly after daybreak, very hungry; but he knew where he +could get a pleasant breakfast before returning to the boat. With a +comfortable yawn and stretch, he left the rock and pattered off down +the hill to a path that led to the main road. A half mile down this +stood a little adobe house owned by a Spaniard who was suspected of +sympathizing with the revolutionists although he had many friends among +the _rurales_. + +When Bio reached the house he gave his customary signal--a stick drawn +harshly across the iron gratings at the window; and the door was soon +opened by Filodomo himself. A hasty conversation followed, and Bio went +back to the kitchen while Filodomo aroused his daughter. And when the +black-eyed Rosita came tripping out, with the flush of sleep still on +her, Bio all but forgot the _yanqui_ senores and their boat which waited +in Mangrove Creek. + +He was enjoying his breakfast so much, indeed, that he did not hear +Filodomo talking loudly in the front room. Rosita was more alert. She +paused a moment to listen, and then the laughter in her eyes changed to +quick alarm. + +"_Los rurales!_" she whispered. + +Bio was on his feet instantly. The _rurales_ had several counts against +him, and he knew what his life would be worth if he were caught. Rosita, +too, seemed to know. She led him quickly to the low window and pointed +to a narrow path that led through a field of cane. Bio lost no time. As +he disappeared among the green stalks, the girl gave a sigh of relief; +and then hurried into the front room to put the _rurales_ off his path. + +Bio made his way quickly but cautiously through the cane-field, meaning +to double back to _La colina del sol_; but as he left the cane and +rounded a gigantic calabash-tree he ran directly into the arms of two +young _rurales_. + +"Not so fast, my friend," said one of them, grabbing him. + +"Bio!" exclaimed the other. + +And Bio knew there was no hope of escape. The _rurales_ were only too +eager for the credit of capturing him and taking him to headquarters. + +Four days later he found himself in a military camp and was led at once +to the officer in charge. During all the questions of the _rurales_ he +had maintained a sullen silence; but now he was forced to speak. + +"We are told that the revolutionists are getting rifles from a little +boat that lands them at impossible places," the officer said. "Only a +pilot with your knowledge of the coast could bring in such a boat. Tell +us what you know!" + +Bio did not answer. + +The officer leaned forward threateningly. + +"We have enough charges against you to warrant our shooting you on the +spot," he said. "You will never see another sunrise, unless you tell +us--and tell us quickly, and truthfully!" + +A gleam of hope crept into Bio's eyes. + +"And if I tell you--all?" + +"Then, if I believe you, you will be set at liberty." + +There was a sneer in the conditional clause that made Bio's blood run +cold for an instant; but it seemed his only chance of escape, and he +began haltingly but in a tone that they could not doubt was the truth. + +"I left the boat far up in Mangrove Creek," he ended. "I think the +_yanqui_ senores cannot take her out." + +"Tell Morales to have the mules ready at once!" the officer ordered. +"The quickest road?" he asked Bio. + +The pilot answered without faltering. The road he told them was twice as +far as over _La colina del sol_ and through the jungle path. + +The officer consulted a few moments with the _rurales_ who had brought +Bio in, and then gave his decision. + +"My men will not need you. You will be held in camp for one day and then +set at liberty. I am a man of my word!" + +Bio could hardly believe his good luck, although he frowned anxiously at +that one day's detention. Silently he followed his guards; but, as he +expected, he found them very lax after the first hour or two. Long +before midnight he was snaking his way noiselessly through the +underbrush that surrounded the camp. + +And in the meantime the _rurales_ were riding furiously along the road +that led to Mangrove Creek. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +STRANDED + + +The sun was high above the mangroves when Walthew joined Grahame and +Macallister at breakfast the morning after they landed the rifles. No +wind entered the gap in the forest, the smoke went straight up from the +slanted funnel, and the air was still and sour. The steamer lay nearly +dry among banks of mire, though a narrow strip of dazzling water +sluggishly flowed inland past her. Fifty yards outshore, there was a +broader channel and beyond it the dingy, pale-stemmed mangroves rose +like a wall. Some were strangely spotted, and Walthew glanced at them +with disgust as he drank his coffee. + +"I guess I've never seen such repulsive trees," he said. "This place +takes away one's appetite. Even the coffee's bitter; you've been +doctoring it." + +"It's weel to take precautions," Macallister replied. "Ye got a few +nibbles last night from a dangerous bit beastie they ca' _anopheles_." + +"I suppose it doesn't manufacture the malaria germ, and from the looks +of the place one wouldn't imagine there was anybody else about for it to +bite." + +"That's what we're hoping. We're no' anxious for visitors, but when ye +meet a smell like what we noo enjoy, ye take quinine till it makes ye +hear church bells ringing in your head." + +Walthew turned to Grahame. + +"Can you get her off?" + +"We'll try. The sooner we get out the better; but the tides are +falling." + +"Do you reckon the half-breed pilot meant to pile her up?" + +"No," said Grahame thoughtfully. "For one thing, it would be a dangerous +game, because his employers wouldn't hesitate about knifing him. They +gave us a check which I've reason to believe will be honored and they +wouldn't have wasted their money if they'd meant treachery. I imagine +they're all too deep in the plot to turn informer." + +"Do you think the pilot will turn up to take us out then?" + +"I believe he'll be here at high-water, unless he's prevented." + +"What could prevent him?" + +"It's possible that our friends have been followed by the opposition's +spies. The man who rules this country is not a fool." + +"Then it seems to me we must do our best to heave the boat off this +tide." + +"Mack and I agree with you," Grahame said meaningly. + +Breakfast was soon finished, for nobody had much appetite, and they sat, +smoking, in the thin shade while the water got deeper in the creek. When +the _Enchantress_ slowly rose upright, Macallister went down to stir the +fires; but though the others listened anxiously no splash of paddles +broke the silence. + +"Our pilot's not coming," Grahame said at last. "I'll try to take her +out if we can get her afloat." + +"What's likely to happen to him if he's been corralled by the dictator's +rural-guards?" + +"On the whole," said Grahame, "I'd rather not speculate. They have a +drastic way of dealing with rebels here." + +An hour later the screw shook the vessel, while the windlass strained at +the cable. Once or twice a few links of chain ran in and she moved, but +the mud had a firm hold and she stuck fast again. Then the water began +to fall and Grahame reluctantly told Macallister to draw the fires. + +"We're here for the next six days," he said. + +"It's to be hoped the Government's spies don't find us out before we get +her off," Walthew remarked. + +"We could put the coal and heavier stores ashore, if ye can find a bit +dry beach to land them on," Macallister suggested. "It would lighten +her." + +"I thought of that," Grahame answered. "On the other hand, it might be +safer to keep them on board as long as possible. We could strip her and +land everything in a day." + +Macallister agreed, and for four days they lounged in such shade as they +could find. It was fiercely hot, not a breath of wind touched the +dazzling creek, and the sun burned through the awning. The pitch bubbled +up from the deck-seams, the water in the tanks was warm, and innumerable +flies came off from the mangroves and bit the panting men. To make +things worse, there was no coolness after sunset, when steamy mist +wrapped the vessel in its folds, bloodthirsty mosquitos came down in +swarms, buzzing insects dimmed the lamps, and the smell of festering +mire grew nauseating. Sleep was out of the question, and when the +mosquitos drove them off the deck the men lay in their stifling berths +and waited drearily for another day of misery to begin. + +Among other discomforts, Walthew, who was not seasoned to the climate, +was troubled by a bad headache and pains in his limbs, but he said +nothing about this and accompanied Grahame when the latter took the +soundings in the dinghy. At last they rose at daybreak one morning to +lighten the vessel, and although he felt shaky and suffered from a +burning thirst, Walthew took charge of the gig, which was to be used for +landing coal. + +The work was hard, for when they reached a sand bar up the creek they +were forced to wade some distance through mud and shallow water with the +heavy bags on their backs, while the perspiration soaked their thin +clothes and the black dust worked through to their skin. At noon they +stopped for half an hour and Walthew lay in the stern-sheets of the gig +where there was a patch of shade. He could not eat, and after drinking +some tea tried to smoke, but the tobacco tasted rank and he put his pipe +away. Up to the present his life had been luxurious. He had been +indulged and waited on, and had exerted himself only in outdoor sports. +Now he felt very sick and worn out, but knew that he must make good. +Having declined to enter his father's business, he must prove his +capacity for the career he had chosen. Moreover, he suspected that +Macallister and Grahame were watching him. + +When the clatter of the winch began again he hid the effort it cost him +to resume his task and stubbornly pulled his oar as the gig floated up +the creek with her gunwale near awash. His back hurt him almost +unbearably when he lifted a heavy bag, and it was hard to keep upon his +feet while he floundered through the mire. Sometimes his head reeled and +he could scarcely see. The blisters on his hands had worked into +bleeding sores. This, however, did not matter much by comparison with +the pain in his head. + +After the coal was landed they loaded loose ironwork and towed heavy +spars ashore, and Walthew held out somehow until darkness fell, when he +paddled back to the _Enchantress_ with a swarm of mosquitos buzzing +round his face. + +He could not eat when they sat down to a frugal meal, and afterward lay +in his berth unable to sleep, and yet not quite awake, lost in confused +thoughts that broke off and left him conscious of intolerable heat and +pain. When he went languidly on deck the next morning Grahame looked +hard at him. + +"You had better lie down in the shade," he said. + +"I may let up when we reach open water," Walthew answered with a feeble +smile. "There's not much enjoyment to be got out of a lay-off here." + +Grahame reluctantly agreed. He knew something about malaria and Walthew +did not look fit for work; but every man was needed, and this foul swamp +was no place to be ill. The sooner they got out the better. + +Steam was up when the _Enchantress_ rose with the tide, and shortly +afterward the engines began to throb. Muddy foam leaped about the +whirling screw, flame mingled with the smoke that poured from her +funnel, and steam roared from the blow-off pipe. Then the clatter of +winch and windlass joined in, and Grahame stood, tense and anxious, +holding a rope that slipped round the spinning drum. The winch could not +shorten it, though the vessel was shaking and working in her muddy bed. +It was high-water, the tide would soon begin to fall, and the sweat of +suspense and strain dripped from the man as, at the risk of breaking the +warp, he tightened the turns on the drum. It gripped; to his surprise, a +little slack came off, and he nodded to Walthew, who was watching him +eagerly from the windlass. + +"Give her all, if you burst the chain!" he cried. + +The windlass clanked for a few moments, stopped, and clanked again; the +_Enchantress_ trembled and crept a foot or two ahead. Then she stuck +while the cable rose from the water, rigid as a bar, and the +messenger-chain that drove the windlass creaked and strained at breaking +tension. While Grahame expected to see links and gear-wheels fly, there +was a long shiver through the vessel's frame, a mad rattle of liberated +machinery, and she leaped ahead. + +Five minutes later Walthew walked shakily aft, scarcely seeing where he +went because a confused sense of triumph had brought a mist into his +dazzled eyes. This was the first big thing in which he had taken a +leading part. He had made good and played the man; but there was still +much to be done and he pulled himself together as he stopped near +Grahame. + +"She's moored where she won't ground again, but perhaps you had better +see that the chain-compressors and warp fastenings are right." + +"If you're satisfied, it's enough," said Grahame. + +"Then I'll take the gig and get the coal on board." + +"If you feel equal to it," Grahame answered. + +Walthew got into the boat with a sense of elation. His eyes had met +Grahame's while they spoke, and a pledge of mutual respect and trust had +passed between them. But this was not quite all. He felt he had won +official recognition from a leader he admired; he was no longer on trial +but accepted as a comrade and equal. The thought sustained him through a +day of murderous toil, during which his worn-out muscles needed constant +spurring by the unconquered mind. It was not dainty and, in a sense, not +heroic work in which he was engaged, but it must be done, and he dimly +saw that human nature rose highest in a grapple with obstacles that +seemed too great to overcome. Whatever the odds against him were, he +must not be beaten. + +The heat was pitiless in the afternoon, but Walthew pulled his oar and +carried the hundred-pound coal bags across a stretch of mire that grew +broader as the tide ebbed. He could scarcely pull his feet out and keep +the load upon his aching back, and he sometimes sank knee-deep in the +softer spots. The air was heavy with exhalations from the swamps; he had +thrown off his jacket and the coal wore holes in his shirt and rubbed +raw places on his skin. He was wet from the waist downward and black +above, while the gritty dust filled his eyes and nostrils. Still he held +out until the work was finished, when the _Enchantress's_ cargo-light +began to twinkle through the dusk; and then, losing his balance, he fell +forward into the boat with his last heavy load. Miguel pushed her off, +and with oars splashing slackly she moved downstream. When she ran +alongside the steamer, Grahame saw a limp, black figure lying huddled on +the floorings. The others lifted it gently, but Walthew did not speak +when he was laid on deck, and Macallister, bending over him, looked up +at Grahame. + +"Fever and exhaustion! I allow that ye were right about the lad. But we +must do the best we can for him." + +They washed off the coal-dust, and when Walthew, wrapped in thick +blankets, lay unconscious in his berth, they debated earnestly over the +medicine chest before administering a dose that experience in the +unhealthy swamps of the tropics alone justified. They forced it, drop by +drop, between his clenched teeth, and then Macallister waited with a +grimy finger on his pulse, while Grahame sat down limply on the edge of +the berth. His hands were bruised, his thin clothes were torn, and he +felt the reaction after the day's strain. He had now an hour or two in +which to rest, and then he must pull himself together to take the vessel +down the creek. + +When at last Macallister nodded, as if satisfied, Grahame went wearily +up on deck. Except for a faint hiss of steam, everything was quiet. +Tired men lay motionless about the deck, and the mist that clung to the +mangroves did not stir. After a while the lap of the flood-tide against +the planks made itself heard, and the moon, which was getting large, +rose above the trees. + +Grahame, sitting limply on the grating, half dozing while he waited, +suddenly jumped to his feet, startled. Out of the semi-darkness came +distinctly the splash of oars, faint at first and then nearer. + +Miguel lay nearest him. The Spaniard, quickly grasping the danger, +shook his men awake while Grahame ran below to Macallister. + +"The government spies!" he said briefly. "Our pilot's turned traitor!" + + + + +CHAPTER X + +THE PEON PILOT + + +Grahame and Macallister stood on deck, peering into the moonlit jungle +of mangroves. So far as they could judge, there was only one pair of +oars making the splashes that had aroused them; but they could hear the +blades dig deep into the water with an intense effort that could mean +only haste on the part of the boatsman. + +They waited; and presently the small boat appeared in the moonlight and +they saw a single figure, who dropped one oar and crossed himself +religiously. + +"_Gracias a Dios!_" he said. + +"The pilot!" Macallister gasped. + +Grahame waited, tense and alert, until the pilot climbed on board. The +instant the half-breed touched the deck he began gesticulating wildly +and talking so rapidly that Grahame had difficulty in grasping his +meaning. Miguel, who was more at home in the peon Spanish, explained--in +English, for Macallister's sake. + +"The government men catch him; make him tell; he escape; take short +path--Indian _senda_; get here first. _Soldados_ coming. We hurry!" + +Miguel had worked himself up to a state of great excitement, and when he +finished, his bare feet went pattering off across the deck almost before +Grahame could give the order. + +Tired as the men were, they realized the necessity for haste, and they +lost no time in getting under way. There was a clatter in the stokehold +as the fires were cleaned, the dinghy crept across the creek, and +half-seen men forward hurriedly coiled in a wet rope. Then the boat came +back and the windlass rattled while the propeller floundered slowly +round. The anchor rose to the bows and the _Enchantress_ moved away +against the flood tide. + +The pilot took the wheel while Grahame stood beside him. There were +broad, light patches where the water dazzled Grahame's eyes, and then +belts of gloom in which the mangroves faded to a formless blur. Still, +they did not touch bottom; miry points round which the tide swirled, +rotting logs on mud-banks, and misty trees crept astern, and at last +they heard the rumble of the swell on beaten sand. + +She glided on, lifting now and then with a louder gurgle about her +planks. When a white beach gleamed in the moonlight where the trees +broke off, the _Enchantress_ stopped to land the faithful pilot, who had +first betrayed and then saved them. + +"It was a risky thing he did," Grahame said, as the half-breed, standing +easily in his boat, swaying with the rhythm of his oars, rowed off into +the moonlight. "Suppose they had caught him coming to us--or with us!" + +"I'm thinking yon pilot's a bit of a hero," Macallister responded +laconically. "Albeit a coward first!" + +"Oh, it was all for Don Martin's sake that he risked his own hide to +warn us. Don Martin has a wonderful hold on those peons. They'd go +through fire and water for him." + +The _Enchantress_ skirted a point where two sentinel cedar-trees stood +out blackly against the sky; then the spray leaped about the bows as she +dipped to the swell, and the throb of engines quickened as she left the +shore behind. + + * * * * * + +Two weeks later the _Enchantress_ was steaming across a sea that was +flecked with purple shadow and lighted by incandescent foam. Macallister +lounged in the engine-room doorway, Grahame sat smoking on a coil of +rope, and Walthew, wrapped in a dirty blanket, lay under the awning. His +face was hollow, his hair damp and lank, and his hands, with which he +was clumsily rolling a cigarette, were very thin. The deck was piled +with a load of dyewood, which they had bought rather with the object of +accounting for their cruise than for the profit that might be made on +it. + +"It's good to feel alive on a day like this, but I suspect it was +doubtful for a time whether I'd have that satisfaction," Walthew +remarked languidly. "Guess I owe you both a good deal." + +They had stubbornly fought the fever that was wasting him away, and had +felt that they must be beaten, but Macallister grinned. + +"I'll no' deny that ye were an interesting case and gave us a chance o' +making two or three experiments. As ye seem none the worse for them, ye +must be tougher than ye look." + +"I thought tampering with other people's watches was your specialty." + +"What's a watch compared with the human body?" Macallister asked. + +"You do know something about springs and wheels, but it's different +with drugs. I expect you gave way to an unholy curiosity to see how they +would work." + +"Maybe there's something in the notion. An engineer canna help wanting +to find out how things act. It's a matter o' temperament, and there's +no' a great difference between watching the effect o' a new oil on your +piston-rings and seeing what happens when a patient swallows your +prescription. I'll say this for ye: ye were docile." + +"I've survived," said Walthew. "From my point of view, that's the most +important thing." + +"And now you had better think about the future," Grahame interposed. +"Some people are practically immune from malaria; others get it +moderately now and then, and some it breaks down for good. At first it's +difficult to tell which class one belongs to, but you have had a sharp +attack. There's some risk of your spending the rest of your life as an +ague-stricken invalid if you stick to us." + +"How heavy is the risk?" + +"Nobody can tell you that, but it's to be reckoned with. I understand +that your father would take you back?" + +"He'd be glad to do so, on his terms," said Walthew thoughtfully. +"Still, it's hard to admit that you're beaten, and I suspect the old man +would have a feeling that I might have made a better show. He wants me +to give in and yet he'd be sorry if I did." + +"Suppose you go home in twelve months with a profit on the money he gave +you?" Grahame suggested. + +"Then I'm inclined to think he'd welcome me on any terms I cared to +make." + +"Think it over well and leave us out of the question," Grahame said. + +"You can't be left out," Walthew answered with a gleam in his eyes. "But +I'll wait until I feel better. I may see my way then." + +They left him and he lighted his cigarette, though the tobacco did not +taste good. Hardship and toil had not daunted him, the risk of shipwreck +and capture had given the game a zest, but the foul mangrove quagmires, +where the fever lurks in the tainted air, had brought him a shrinking +dread. One could take one's chance of being suddenly cut off, but to go +home with permanently broken health or perhaps, as sometimes happened, +with a disordered brain, was a different thing. Since he took malaria +badly, the matter demanded careful thought. In the meanwhile, it was +enough to lie in the shade and feel his strength come back. + +A few days later they reached Havana, where they sold the dyewood and +had arranged to meet Don Martin Sarmiento, whose affairs occasionally +necessitated a visit to Cuba. + +One evening soon after his arrival, Grahame stood in the _patio_ of the +Hotel International. The International had been built by some +long-forgotten Spanish _hidalgo_, and still bore traces of ancient art. +The basin in the courtyard with the stone lions guarding its empty +fountain was Moorish, the balconies round the house had beautiful bronze +balustrades cast three hundred years ago, and the pillars supporting +them were delicately light. + +The building had, however, been modernized, for part of the _patio_ was +roofed with glass, and wide steps, tiled in harsh colors, led to a +lounge through which one entered the dining-room, where everything was +arranged on the latest American plan. There was a glaring cafe in the +front of the building, and an archway at the back led to the uncovered +end of the _patio_, where porters, pedlers, and the like importuned the +guests. + +Just then this space was occupied by a group of Chinamen, half-breeds, +and negroes, and Grahame was watching them carelessly when he heard a +step behind him. Turning abruptly, he stood facing Evelyn Cliffe. He +imagined that she looked disturbed, but she frankly gave him her hand. + +"You!" she exclaimed. "This is something of a surprise." + +"That's what I felt," he answered. "I hope the pleasure's also mutual. +But you see, I get my meals here and Walthew has a room. He has been +down with fever and isn't quite better yet." + +"And I've just arrived with my father, who has some business in the +town," Evelyn said and laughed. "I nearly missed meeting you, because I +thought you were a stranger and I meant to slip past, but you were too +quick. Do you generally swing round in that alert manner when you hear +somebody behind you?" + +"I admit it's a habit of mine--though I must have been clumsy if you +noticed it. A number of people go barefooted in these countries, and the +business I'm engaged in demands some caution." + +"Then it's lucky you have self-control, because you might run a risk of +injuring a harmless friend by mistake." + +"One does not mistake one's friends. They're not too plentiful," he +replied, smiling. + +"But what is the business that makes you so careful?" + +"I think I could best call myself a general adventurer, but at present +I'm engaged in trade. In fact, I'm living rather extravagantly after +selling a cargo." + +Evelyn gave him a quick glance. His manner was humorous, but she +imagined he wished to remind her that he did not belong to her world. +This jarred, because there was an imperious strain in her, and she felt +that she could choose her acquaintances as she liked. Besides, it was +mocking her intelligence to suggest that the man was not her equal by +birth and education. For all that, she had been disconcerted to find him +in the hotel. He had exerted a disturbing influence when they first met, +and she had had some trouble in getting free from it. That the influence +was unintentional made things no better, because Evelyn did not want her +thoughts to center on a man who made no attempt to please her. Yet she +felt a strange pleasure in his society. + +"I suppose you are waiting for dinner now?" she said. + +"Yes," he answered. "Shall we look for a seat here? A fellow who sings +rather well sometimes comes in." + +He led her to a bench near the marble basin under the broad leaves of a +palm. Evelyn noticed that the spot was sufficiently public to offer no +hint of privacy, and she admired his tact. It got dark while they +engaged in casual talk, and colored servants lighted lamps among the +plants and flowers. Then the soft tinkle of a guitar and a clear voice, +trilling on the higher notes with the Spanish tremolo, came out of the +shadow. One or two others joined in, and Evelyn listened with enjoyment. + +"The _Campanadas_," Grahame said. "It's a favorite of mine. The refrain +states that grapes eaten in pleasant company taste like honey." + +"Isn't that a free translation? I'm not a Spanish scholar, but I imagine +it means something more personal than company in general." + +"Yes," said Grahame slowly. "It really means--with you." + +The music changed to a plaintive strain, which had something seductive +and passionate in its melancholy. + +"_Las aves marinas_," said Evelyn. "That means the sea-birds, doesn't +it? What is the rest?" + +"I won't paraphrase this time. The song declares that although the +sea-birds fly far across the waves they cannot escape the pains of love. +These people are a sentimental lot, but the idea's poetical." + +"I wonder whether it's true," Evelyn said with a smile. "Perhaps you +ought to know." + +"The sea-birds are fierce wild things that live by prey. One associates +them with elemental strife--the white tide-surge across desolate sands +and the pounding of the combers on weedy reefs--and not with domestic +peace. That's the lot of the tame land-birds that haunt the sheltered +copse." + +"And cannot one have sympathy with these?" + +"Oh, yes. I've often stopped to listen while a speckled thrush sang its +love-song among the bare ash-boughs in our rain-swept North. The joyful +trilling goes straight to one's heart." + +"And lingers there?" + +"Where our thrushes sing, you can, if you listen, hear the distant roar +of the sea. It's a more insistent call than the other." + +"But only if you listen! Cannot you close your ears?" + +"That might be wiser. It depends upon your temperament." + +Evelyn was silent for the next minute or two, and Grahame mused. He had +felt the charm of the girl's beauty, and suspected in her a spirit akin +to his. She had courage, originality, and, he thought, a longing, +hitherto curbed by careful social training, to venture beyond the +borders of a tame, conventional life. It was possible that he might +strengthen it; but this would not be playing a straight game. For all +that, he was tempted, and he smiled as he recalled that in earlier days +his ancestors had stolen their brides. + +"Why are you amused?" Evelyn asked. + +"An idle thought came into my mind," he said awkwardly. + +Evelyn smiled. + +"My father has come to look for me; but I shall see you again. You will +be here some time?" + +"A few days." + +He watched her join Cliffe in the archway that led from the _patio_, and +then he sat down again on the bench under the palm-tree. But he no +longer heard the strum of the guitars nor the tinkle of the mandolins: +he was thinking of Evelyn. There seemed to be some peculiar bond of +sympathy between them; he felt that she understood him even when nothing +much was said. + +"Mooning all alone?" came Walthew's voice. + +Grahame laughed, and joined his comrade and Macallister, who had entered +the _patio_ with Don Martin and Blanca. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A MODERN DON QUIXOTE + + +The dining-room of the International Hotel was modern, but while noisy, +power-driven fans stirred the heavy air and the decoration was profuse, +traces of more austere ancient art remained. Stone pillars and the +fretted arch at one end had an Eastern grace and lightness; among the +gaudy modern lamps hung one or two finely-modeled in copper and burning +scented oil. The glass and nickeled knives were American, but curious +old carafes filled with red and yellow wine stood among the flowers and +fruit on the long table. + +Evelyn, looking down the room from its opposite end, was conscious of +faint displeasure when Grahame entered with a very attractive girl. The +feeling could not be jealousy, but she studied Blanca with a curiosity +that was half hostile. The girl was dressed in Parisian fashion, but she +walked with a grace that only Spanish women show. There was no fault to +be found with her supple figure, but her black hair was rather coarse +and her blue eyes too languishing. Yet she was well bred, and the man in +dark clothes who followed and was, no doubt, her father had an air of +dignity. Grahame seemed to be on friendly terms with them, for they +talked and laughed when they sat down and Evelyn noticed that the girl +sometimes touched him coquettishly with her fan. + +Walthew sat opposite with a thoughtful expression; and soon Macallister +joined in the talk. It was obvious that he was amusing, for Evelyn saw +those who sat near smile and then hearty laughter rose from his end of +the table. The Spanish girl and Grahame no longer spoke to each other, +and the engineer's voice came up through the clink of glass and the hum +of conversation, sometimes in broad Scots and sometimes in stumbling and +uncouth Castilian. + +When the guests were leaving the dining-room Grahame met Cliffe in the +corridor. + +"Glad to see you. I didn't expect to find you in Havana," the American +said cordially. "I want a smoke. Will you come along?" + +They found a seat in the _patio_, and Cliffe gave Grahame a cigar. + +"How's business?" he asked. + +"We can't complain, so far," Grahame answered cautiously. "The boat, of +course, does not carry much, but her light draught allows her to get +into harbors that larger vessels can only enter on big tides, and we +sold our last cargo at a satisfactory price. Just now I'm looking out +for a few passengers to Kingston; there's no boat across for some time." + +"I might go with you, if you have two good rooms to spare. There's a +fruit-growing estate I want to look at in Jamaica." + +The suggestion was welcome to Grahame. He promised to give Cliffe part +of the deckhouse, and they afterward talked of something else. + +In the meanwhile, Walthew was sitting with Blanca Sarmiento. He was +quiet, for he still felt languid and the _patio_ was hot; but he was +conscious of his companion's charm. Indeed, he had thought of her often +since he left Rio Frio, and she had had a place in the fantastic dreams +the fever brought him. + +"You do not speak much, but you have been ill," she said presently, with +a sympathetic glance. "It was a grief to us to hear it; but you have +suffered in a good cause." + +"I'm not sure of that," Walthew answered. "You see I was out for money." + +"And that was all!" Blanca exclaimed in a half-contemptuous tone. + +"I think so," Walthew admitted. "My people are traders and I suppose +money-making runs in the family. Still, I might claim to be a soldier of +fortune, if you like that better. It's more romantic, anyhow." + +"Ah!" she said with a sparkle in her eyes. "There were great soldiers of +fortune among the liberators; one thinks of Bolivar, Lafayette, and +Garibaldi. But the brave Italian had wounds and prison, not money, for +his reward." + +"These fellows are too near the top notch for me to follow. I know my +limits," Walthew modestly owned. + +"One should follow the highest, and chivalry is not dead; even commerce +cannot kill it. There are still knights errant, who see visions and +leave everything, to right the wrong and help the downtrodden. It has +been my good fortune to meet one or two." + +"Your Cervantes wrote about one such. Seems to me that although he meant +well, Don Quixote did more harm than good." + +"Ah, the sad, sad book! But you think like Cervantes? You sneer at +romance?" + +"I'm young, senorita, but I try to keep my head." He gave her a steady +glance. "Sometimes I find it difficult." + +She laughed with a sparkle of coquetry, and touched him with her fan. + +"Then there is hope for you, and we will labor for your conversion. The +man who always keeps his head never does anything great; the power that +moves the world comes from the heart." Lowering her voice, she went on: +"Our cause is just, senor, but we need trustworthy friends, even if they +are not idealists. Quixote failed because he used rusty armor and the +lance; we will use rifles." + +Walthew was trying to be cautious, but was swept away. He had been +attracted by the girl at their first meeting, though he had then felt +something of the Anglo-Saxon's prejudice against the southern races, +which is not unmarked in the United States. This had gone, however, and +he now wondered whether Blanca meant to use him only to further her +father's objects, or if she had any personal interest in him. Her +patriotism was, he thought, a burning flame, and she would not stick at +trifles where she saw a chance of serving her country. Still, it would +be his fault if she were willing to get rid of him when he had done his +work. + +"I wonder why you thought I could be trusted?" he said. + +"It is difficult to explain, senor, but one can tell, perhaps by +instinct, when a man rings true." + +"It would hurt to find you had been deceived?" + +"It might be so," she answered slowly. + +Walthew wondered if this were mere flirtation, designed to gain an end. +Blanca was playing with her fan, which lay in her lap. He could not see +her eyes. He felt that he had been given an opportunity, however, and he +meant to seize it. Leaning forward toward her, he waited until she +raised her eyes to his, and then he spoke in a low, tense voice. + +"When I was leaving Rio Frio, I found a crimson rose on the pavement. I +picked it up because I ventured to think it was meant for me." + +Blanca was again playing with her fan, opening and shutting it slowly. + +"Senor, it is possible the flower was dropped by mistake," she said, +giving him a sidewise glance that made his heart beat fast. + +"How--if it was really meant for me?" + +She hesitated a moment, and then, raising her head, she met his +insistent look with a curious smile. + +"It was given because I thought you were perhaps, in a way, and as far +as it was possible for you, like the great soldiers of fortune we talked +about." + +Walthew made her a ceremonious bow. + +"You set me a pretty big task, senorita, but, as far as it's possible +for me, I will try to make good." + +He was thrilled by the look she gave him as she rose and held out her +hand. + +"Your conversion begins," she said, with a strange, new note in her +voice. "It is a chivalrous resolve, and--you will live up to it, senor." + +When she left him, Walthew found Grahame alone in the hotel lounge. + +"I promised to let you know whether the malaria would send me home or +not," he said. "I've made up my mind to see the business through." + +Grahame grasped his hand cordially. + +"I don't know that you are wise, old man; but I am glad to have you, +just the same." He gave Walthew a whimsical look. "Haven't you come to a +decision rather suddenly?" + +"That doesn't matter," said Walthew, "I mean to stick to it." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +BAITING THE SMUGGLERS + + +It was late, and the dew was heavy. Macallister's thin clothes were +getting damp as he walked impatiently up and down the mole. The +_Enchantress's_ gig lay near the steps, but her crew had not arrived, +although Macallister had waited half an hour for them. This by no means +pleased him, because, while not a tyrant, he expected his orders to be +obeyed. Besides, he resented the ingratitude of the men. He had agreed +with Grahame that it was prudent to moor the _Enchantress_ out in the +harbor and keep the crew short of money. They had behaved well, and +during the afternoon Macallister had given them a few pesetas and +allowed them a run ashore, although he imagined he had kept within a +limit that would ensure their sobriety. + +They had, however, not returned, and he felt disturbed as he watched the +twinkling anchor-lights and the ripples flash in the silvery track the +moon cast across the water. Boats were coming and going, and when one +approached the landing Macallister drew back into the shadow. He had +made the acquaintance of the captain and the engineer of the vessel from +which the boat came, and he did not want to be found waiting for his +unpunctual crew. The footsteps of those who landed were growing faint +when he heard singing farther up the mole. The voice was unsteady, and +the patter of bare feet that accompanied it suggestively uneven. + +Macallister knew the song, and was not surprised that his men, who were +obviously coming back the worse for liquor, should show a taste for good +music, for this is common among Spanish-Americans. It was, however, +difficult to understand how they had made the money he had given them go +so far. + +"Where kept ye, ye drunken swine?" he asked when they lurched into +sight. + +"No savvy," answered his fireman, Pepe, and Macallister explained what +he thought of them in the most virulent epithets used along the Clyde. + +This relieved his feelings and satisfied his sense of discipline, but he +did not think it wise to translate his remarks: Spanish half-breeds have +fiery tempers and carry knives. + +"Get into the boat before I kick ye off the mole!" he concluded when he +was breathless, and the men clumsily obeyed, though one came near to +falling into the water. They had some trouble in getting out the oars, +but at last they rowed away. Macallister noted that one man placed a +small cane basket under a thwart, and he suspected what was inside. + +When they reached the _Enchantress_ he was first on deck, but he waited +by the gangway until the man who carried the basket climbed up. +Macallister held out his hand for the basket, and when the fellow gave +it to him confidingly he hurried aft to examine it by the engine lamp. +It contained two bottles of _anisado_, a spirit flavored with aniseed in +favor in Spanish countries. He felt tempted to throw them overboard, +but refrained because such waste went against the grain, and the liquor +might be doled out when the men had been forced to work unusually hard. +He imagined they had forgotten the matter, and was lighting his pipe +when he heard them coming, and stepped out of the engine-room to meet +them. + +"There was a small basket, senor," one said civilly, though his voice +was thick. + +"It is possible you dropped it overboard," Macallister suggested in his +best Castilian--which was very bad. + +"No, senor. One does not drop such baskets over." + +"What was in it, then?" + +The man was obviously not sober, but it looked as if he had not lost his +senses. + +"A small present to me and the others, Don Andres. You will give it back +to us." + +"No," said Macallister sternly. "Presents of that kind are not allowed +on board this ship." + +He watched them while they murmured together. They were active, wiry +fellows, obedient as a rule, but liable to passionate outbreaks, like +most of their mixed race. Now they looked drunkenly determined, and he +knew the strength of his fireman, Pepe. + +"The basket is ours," said one. "We will take it." + +"I think not," said Macallister shortly. "Stand back!" + +Their half-respectful mood changed in a flash and they came at him with +a rush. They could wrestle and use the knife, and Macallister knew that +Pepe, who came first, must be stopped. He supposed that Miguel, whom he +had left on board, was asleep; but to summon help would be subversive +of authority and the affair would be over before Miguel arrived. Lunging +forward, he put the weight of his body into his blow, and Pepe reeled +when it landed on his jaw. Before he could recover, Macallister sprang +upon him, and with a strenuous effort flung him backward through the +gangway. + +There was a splash in the water and the others stopped, daunted by the +vigor of the attack; but Pepe did not strike out for the gig as +Macallister expected. Indeed, for there was shadow along the vessel's +side, he did not seem to come up, and after a moment's pause Macallister +jumped into the sea. The water closed above him, but when he rose a +white-clad figure was struggling feebly near by and he seized it. Pepe +seemed unable to swim, and Macallister had some trouble in dragging him +to the gig, into which the others had jumped. They pulled both men out +of the water, and in another few minutes Macallister stood, dripping, on +board the _Enchantress_, sternly regarding his fireman. The shock had +apparently sobered him, and the others, with the instability of their +kind, had become suddenly docile. + +"Now," said Macallister, "where did you get the _anisado_?" + +"A gentleman gave it to us in a cafe." + +Macallister shook his head. + +"Try again! A gentleman does not give drunken sailors bottles of +liquor." + +"We were not drunk then," one of them answered naively. "And he was a +gentleman: he spoke Castilian like the Peninsulares." + +"Ah," said Macallister thoughtfully, for the use of good Peninsular +Spanish indicates a man of education. "So he gave you all some wine and +put the bottles in the basket!" + +"It was so, Don Andres," another answered with a readiness that invited +belief. + +"But why?" + +"Who can tell?" Pepe rejoined. "Perhaps the senor was generous; then he +said he liked sailors and tales of the sea." + +"You told him some, no doubt," Macallister remarked dryly. + +"We did, Don Andres. Herman told him of the great shark that bites off +the fishermen's oars at Punta Anagan, and I about the ghost _caravela_ +that beats to windward in Jaurez Strait." + +"And what else?" + +Pepe shook his head. + +"Then there was some cognac and afterward--I do not remember." + +"Get below, except the anchor-watch!" Macallister said sternly. "We'll +consider what's to be done with you to-morrow." + +They slouched away, and while Macallister was talking to Miguel a splash +of oars grew louder, and presently Grahame clambered up from a shore +boat. He heard what had happened and then, sitting down, thoughtfully +lighted his pipe. + +"You must see what this points to," he remarked. + +"It's no' difficult. Somebody has made the wasters drunk, and I ken what +sea stories he would start them telling. A _gran senor_, they said!" + +"One of President Altiera's spies! But why do you think he gave them the +_anisado_ afterward?" + +"He might have wanted them to make trouble, so we'd put them ashore and +he could get hold o' them again. Then it's possible it would have suited +him if they'd knifed you or me." + +"There may be something in that. Anyhow, your going overboard after Pepe +ended the matter well. They're not ungrateful; it gives us a hold on +them." + +"I see that noo, but I did no' stop to think before I jumped," +Macallister modestly admitted. "It was what ye might call a stroke o' +natural genius. Then, ye see, I threw him in." + +Grahame laughed. + +"Well, we must keep our eyes open, and get away as soon as we can. I +expect to finish with Don Martin to-morrow." + + * * * * * + +On the following evening Cliffe was sitting with Evelyn in his private +room at the International when a mulatto boy brought him in a card. + +"Senor Gomez!" he remarked. "The fellow has kept me hanging round three +days, and I'd made up my mind to sail with Grahame to-morrow, whether he +came or not." + +"Who is Senor Gomez?" Evelyn asked. + +"I understand his official title is _Secretario General_, and he's next +in power to the President of the country I'm trying to do business with. +My opinion is that they're both slippery rascals." + +He broke off as the door opened and a dark-skinned gentleman came in. +Gomez bowed ceremoniously to Evelyn and Cliffe, and then waited with his +hat in his hand. He was dressed all in black except for his spotless +linen. He wore a number of valuable rings, and Evelyn noticed that his +nails were unusually curved and long. She shrank from the glance of bold +admiration he gave her, but resentment and half-instinctive dislike +conquered this feeling, and she returned his greeting politely when +Cliffe presented him. She thought no better of him when she withdrew +after some general talk. + +"Now," Cliffe said when Evelyn had left them, "we'll get down to +business. I've been waiting three days for you, and am not sure the deal +is worth it." + +Gomez spread out his hands with a deprecatory air. + +"It was impossible to come sooner; affairs of state, you understand! May +I suggest that the concessions we offer you are valuable?" + +"So it seems!" Cliffe rejoined bluntly. "The price you asked was high +enough, and now, when we have half fixed things, you want to raise your +terms." + +Gomez looked pained. He was rather stout and greasy, but his dress and +manners were unexceptionable. + +"Senor, that is a grief to us, but the affairs of my country necessitate +the change. We only ask for a little more money in advance. It is to the +advantage of all parties that you agree." + +"I can't see how it is to my advantage to part with money I can make a +good use of," Cliffe replied. + +"I must speak frankly, senor." Gomez's manner became confidential. +"These concessions have already cost you something, and there are +dissatisfied people who are anxious to rob the President of his power." + +"I've heard that some of them are anxious to shoot him; but that's not +my business." + +"With your pardon, senor, we must disagree. If the President loses +office before the papers are signed, the concessions go. I imagined you +understood this." + +"I suppose I did understand something of the kind," Cliffe admitted. +"Still, if the revolutionists prove too strong for you, I'll lose any +additional money I may let you have." + +Gomez smiled, a slow and rather cruel smile. + +"If we can get the money there will be an end of the discontent; we know +how to deal with it. And now, with apologies, I must remark that while +we give you the first opportunity, there are others----" + +"Ah!" said Cliffe sharply. "I'd thought this business wouldn't have much +attraction for my rivals. Whom am I up against?" + +Gomez gave him a letter from a German syndicate, and Cliffe examined it +closely. He knew the principal, and recognized the signature. + +"I see; they're bolder than I thought," he said. "If I don't come up to +the line, you'll make the deal with them." + +"We should be forced. The political situation demands it." + +"You mean you must have the money. Well, you have got a good deal of +mine already. What becomes of it if the thing falls through?" + +"It was a gift," Gomez answered with an apologetic smile. "Your +generosity will be gratefully remembered." + +Cliffe was silent for a few minutes. He had not been tricked, because he +had known that when one negotiates a transaction of that sort with a +Spanish-American country, a certain amount of money must first be spent +in clearing the ground, and this, going into the pockets of venal +officials, offers no direct return. Gomez and his master had, however, +been smarter than Cliffe thought, for, after exacting all they could +from him, they had opened negotiations with another party, and would +force him to come up to his rival's bid. They could do so, because if he +drew back he would lose the money he had already put in. He distrusted +them, but he thought he would be safe when he secured the concessions. + +"I guess I'll have to meet you," he said, "but we'll get everything +fixed up now." + +Half an hour afterward he lighted a fresh cigar, and put some papers +into his pocket. He was not altogether satisfied, and neither was Gomez, +but they had by mutual compromise arrived at a workable arrangement and +each had some respect for the other's astuteness. + +"How will you get across to Jamaica?" Gomez asked. + +"A little boat sails in the morning." + +"The very small, lead-colored steamer? The senorita may find the +accommodation rude. Why not wait for a passenger boat?" + +"It's fine weather, and the man who owns her is a friend of mine." + +Gomez was puzzled. He was suspicious of the _Enchantress_, and had taken +trouble to find out something about her. It surprised him to learn that +her owner and Cliffe were friends. + +"Then he is in Havana?" + +"He's in this hotel. I noticed him sitting, half asleep, in the far +corner of the lounge just before you came in. Do you want to see him?" + +"Oh, no," Gomez said in a careless tone, for he feared he had been +incautious. "I imagined you meant he was somebody you knew in America." + +He made an excuse for leaving, but Cliffe, noticing his interest, was +not satisfied, and went out to the landing with him. Gomez, however, did +not go straight to the lounge. He was afraid of rousing Cliffe's +curiosity, and men of his stamp are seldom direct in their methods. It +seemed wiser to spend a while sauntering about the _patio_, where Cliffe +could see him. But Grahame in the meantime came up the stairs, and +Cliffe beckoned him. + +"Do you know Senor Gomez?" he asked. + +"No," said Grahame, immediately on his guard. "I've heard about him. +Clever politician, but a bit of a rogue, I believe." + +Cliffe gave him a keen glance. + +"I thought he was interested in you, but I may have been mistaken. +Anyway, I told him you were taking a _siesta_ in a corner of the +lounge." + +Grahame smiled carelessly. + +"Inquisitiveness becomes a habit with fellows like Gomez, and I dare say +it's needful. The cafes in these ports are full of political refugees +and intriguers." + +Seeing Macallister in the hall below, Grahame went down to him and told +him what he had learned. + +"Weel," said the engineer, dryly, "after that present o' _anisado_ to +the men, I'm thinking it would no' be desirable that ye should meet +Senor Gomez. For a' that, I would not have him disappointed, and I'll +daunder along to the lounge." + +"It would be almost as bad if he saw you." + +Macallister chuckled. + +"He'll have hard work to recognize me afterward. Come away to the +hat-rack." + +Grahame followed him, feeling puzzled but suspecting that his comrade +had some ingenious plan. Seeing nobody about, Macallister borrowed one +or two articles from the rack; but neither he nor Grahame noticed that +Miss Cliffe watched the proceedings with interest from a shadowy +passage. + +Shortly afterward, Gomez entered the lounge and saw only one person +there, but this individual's appearance surprised him. As the light was +not good, he strolled toward the drowsy gentleman who lay negligently in +a big chair with a newspaper dangling from his hand. He wore a soft hat, +pulled down upon his forehead as if to shade his eyes, and a loose dark +cloak hung over his shoulder. He looked like a Cuban and although Gomez +noticed that his nails were short and broken, this might be accounted +for by his having something to do with sugar-making machinery. + +"Perhaps you are not using the _diario_?" Gomez said. + +The man did not look up, but held out the paper with a drowsy grunt. + +Gomez was too clever to make a poor excuse for starting a conversation +with a man who obviously did not wish to be disturbed, and, taking the +paper, he moved away. After a few minutes he put it down and strolled +out of the room. When he had gone, Macallister left by another door, +and, replacing the things he had borrowed, rejoined Grahame in the +_patio_. + +"It worked," he said, chuckling. "If Senor Gomez was on our track, he's +weel off it noo. But it's fortunate we sail the morn." + +"He mustn't meet Don Martin," Grahame answered thoughtfully. "I'll go to +his room and warn him." + +He found that Sarmiento was out, and none of the hotel servants knew +where he had gone. Grahame felt disturbed by this; but there was nothing +he could do. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE EMERALD RING + + +Grahame went in to dinner feeling anxious. Sarmiento had not returned, +but he would probably come in before the meal was over, and Gomez was +sitting by Cliffe near the head of the table. Blanca sat opposite +Walthew, and Grahame found a place next to Evelyn, who had not joined +Cliffe because she disliked Gomez. Though his manners were polished, +there was something sinister about him, a hint of craft and cruelty, and +she did not approve of his association with her father. + +"Have you met the gentleman yonder?" she asked Grahame. + +"Senor Gomez? I know who he is, but have not spoken to him." + +"That's curious, because he has been looking at you as if he were +interested." + +This confirmed Grahame's suspicion, and he felt uneasy. He did not want +Gomez to study him, and he would not have come in to dinner only that he +must warn Sarmiento. If he and his friends were to succeed in their +undertaking, their connection with Don Martin must remain unknown; for +it would not be difficult to catch them landing arms should their object +be suspected. He wondered where Macallister was, for the engineer could +be trusted in an emergency, and presently he saw him coming in. There +was no vacant place near Grahame, and Macallister sat down some distance +off. + +"You may have been mistaken, Miss Cliffe," Grahame suggested. "Somehow, +I imagine that Gomez is not a favorite of yours." + +"That's true, though I hardly know him," she answered with a smile. "One +is now and then seized by a quick prejudice, and I think the reason I +mentioned the man was because I wanted your opinion." + +"Did you think it worth having?" + +"I can't judge. Perhaps I really wanted to be agreed with. When you have +no good ground for making up your mind about a thing, it's pleasant to +find your conclusions confirmed." + +"Well, I believe you can trust your feelings. Gomez can't be a nice man +if all one hears is true. But what turned you against him--the dash of +dark blood?" + +"No, not altogether. I felt repelled, as one feels repelled by a snake +or a toad." + +Grahame made a sign of understanding. There was, he thought, something +very refined in the girl's character; an instinctive fastidiousness. She +walked in the light and shrank from all that lurked in the shadow. It +was her inner self that had recoiled from the swarthy politician and +reason had nothing to do with the matter. + +"Your father seems to be on good terms with the fellow," he remarked. + +"Yes; it puzzles me. However, I suppose he is forced to deal with all +kinds of people----" + +She paused, and Grahame changed the subject. He might have obtained some +information by judicious questions, but he could not take advantage of +the girl's frankness by leading her to reveal anything she knew about +her father's affairs. This would taint their friendship, which he +valued. + +After a time, she looked at him with a twinkle of amusement. + +"I watched a little comedy shortly before dinner." + +"Did you?" said Grahame. "Comedies are not unusual when one knows how to +look for them, but they don't catch everybody's eye." + +"This one was rather obvious; I mean the transformation of a staid +Scottish engineer into a Cuban sugar-planter of convivial habits." + +"Mack isn't really staid. It looks as if you didn't quite understand the +Scottish character. Under its surface sobriety one's apt to find a very +reckless humor. I'm a Borderer, and rather proud of it, you know. But +how did the beginning of the first act strike you?" + +"It seized my interest. The plot was not unusual; confused identity is a +favorite theme, but I noticed some histrionic cleverness. The rake of +the _sombrero_ and the hang of the big cloak were good. They carried a +hint of mild dissipation; one recognizes artistic talent in these light +touches." + +Grahame laughed. + +"I'm not sure it was all art; experience may have had something to do +with it. Mack's not an ascetic." + +"But how did the play go off?" + +"It was a success, I think." + +"In one act?" + +"No," said Grahame thoughtfully. "I imagine it isn't played out yet, and +the other acts may not be in so light a vein." + +"As you didn't expect an audience, perhaps I'd better promise not to +talk about your play. You may have felt some diffidence about asking +that." + +"Thank you," said Grahame quietly. "You're very quick." + +Evelyn smiled. There was something about the man which appealed to her. +Perhaps it was the mystery that seemed to shroud him and the +_Enchantress_. She noticed now that he was casting furtive glances about +the dining-room. + +As a matter of fact, Grahame was worried about Don Martin. The flowers, +plates of fruit, and tall wine carafes obstructed his view, but he could +see that Sarmiento had not come in. Gomez was talking to Cliffe, but his +eyes wandered about the table. For a moment they rested on Blanca, and +Grahame felt angry, as if the fellow's glance were an insult to the +girl. Then it was fixed observantly upon himself, and he hid his +antagonism. + +Dinner was a lengthy function, but the last course was served, and some +of the guests were smoking and some leaving their places to speak to +their friends, when Sarmiento came in. He walked toward Grahame, who was +glad of the general movement, which might help him to deal with the +situation. Looking round quickly, he noted that Gomez had turned to +Cliffe; and then, getting up carelessly, he stood between the secretary +and Don Martin. He faced Sarmiento, and the latter stopped when he saw +Grahame's frown. A life of political intrigue had made him keen-witted, +and with a negligent movement he turned and went back, speaking to a +waiter as he passed. + +Evelyn rose and waited by her chair. Something she did not understand +was going on, and the hint of intrigue excited her. She trusted Grahame, +and she thought his object was good. Moreover, she guessed that it had +something to do with thwarting Gomez, and she meant to help him if she +had an opportunity. + +The secretary suddenly pushed back his chair, and Grahame felt his heart +beat. Sarmiento was not far from the door, and his back was toward his +enemy, but he would have to turn at the end of the table, and that would +bring his profile into view. It seemed that he recognized the danger, +though Grahame did not think he had seen Gomez, for he bent down, +turning his head as he tightened his sash. His face was still hidden +when he reached the door, but Grahame, looking round, saw Gomez walk +quickly down the room. Other people were now leaving, and Grahame joined +them, hoping that he might get out before his antagonist. He was unaware +that Evelyn, who guessed his intention, was close behind him. + +There was more room on Gomez's side of the table, and Grahame was +delayed by several ladies whom he could not push aside. He would have +risked some apparent rudeness, but dared not make a disturbance. Gomez +had almost reached the door when a man collided with him and barred the +way, and Grahame smiled as he heard an apology in bad Castilian, for he +saw that Macallister had given Sarmiento a few more seconds' start. + +Evelyn had slipped round the group of women while Grahame was trying to +avoid one of them, and she was now in front of Gomez, who was hurrying +along the passage. The man was close to her when she stopped and bent +down with a warning cry. + +"Take care, senor! I have dropped a ring." + +Gomez could not get past her, and his eyes blazed with fury. His polish +was superficial, and Evelyn saw something of the savagery beneath. She +flinched, but plucked up her courage. + +"It is a valuable ring, and will break if you tread on it," she said. + +"Move then!" Gomez commanded harshly; and when she stepped back her +dress uncovered the ring. Its setting was of small emeralds and +diamonds, and might easily have been crushed. + +Gomez picked up the ring and gave it to her with a bow. Then he hurried +on; but when he reached the _patio_ it was empty, and Grahame, standing +at the other end of the passage, heard his ugly exclamation. The next +moment Evelyn passed him, coming back, but her manner indicated that she +did not wish to speak. + +After a time Grahame strolled out from the front of the hotel, and +looked round as he turned a corner. Nobody followed him; and, as he +expected, he found Sarmiento waiting in the shadow some distance farther +on. + +"What was the danger?" the Spaniard asked. + +"Gomez was in the dining-room." + +"Ah!" said Sarmiento. "Did he recognize me?" + +"I don't think so, but I can't be sure. He was suspicious. But it's +hardly prudent to stand talking in the street." + +They entered a shabby cafe, and, choosing a quiet corner, ordered wine. + +"If our friend's suspicions are aroused, he'll lose no time in following +them up," Sarmiento said; and Grahame noticed that although the cafe was +almost empty he avoided the secretary's name. "A Pinillo boat sails at +daybreak and passengers go on board to-night. It seems to me that I'd +better embark." + +"But the Pinillo liners don't call at your port!" Grahame said. + +Sarmiento smiled. + +"It may puzzle our friend if he watches the mole. When I have been on +board I will return quietly, but not to the hotel. I know this city, +where I have trustworthy acquaintances. I may be able to learn the +business that has brought him here." + +"But what about your daughter?" + +"I do not think our friend knows her, and our name is not on the hotel +book. There is a Cuban lady I can leave her with." + +"One would imagine that watching the fellow might be dangerous. There +are half-breed rascals in the port who wouldn't hesitate about +sandbagging or stabbing you for a few dollars. But, after all, you run +some risk at Rio Frio." + +"I am safe there, for a time," said Sarmiento. "The opposition dare not +arrest me, and the citizens would have to be satisfied if I disappeared. +There would be a riot, and the Government is not ready to use force +yet." + +"I see," said Grahame. "It's evident that you are popular; but the +leaders of movements like yours are sometimes willing to sacrifice a +comrade for the good of the cause. It might not suit them to have their +hand forced by a tumult." + +"Such things happen. But my hold is on the people. They would not be +appeased." + +"May I ask how you got that hold?" + +"I will tell you, senor. My family is of some importance, and at first I +was not an active liberator. The peons on my father's estate were, in a +sense, his subjects: ignorant, superstitious people with childish +passions; but they trusted him, and it was our tradition that they +should be treated well. As I grew up, however, I saw that much had not +been done. They wasted effort, suffered needless pains, and died of +diseases that might be stamped out. In my inexperience I resolved that I +would teach them to live healthily and well." + +"I dare say you found it hard." + +Sarmiento smiled. + +"That is very true. I was young and an enthusiast, and it hurts to be +misunderstood. Even the poor I tried to benefit regarded me with +suspicion; but this was not the worst. One is not supposed to be +disinterested in my country; the man who works for others is a dangerous +person. His aim is to gain power, and those who have it watch him with a +jealous eye. Well, I found my schemes thwarted by corrupt officials, +money one could do much good with must be spent in bribes, and at last I +saw that before improvement was possible our government must be +reformed. I am not naturally a politician, senor; I was forced to become +one." + +Grahame made a sign of agreement. + +"I think I understand," he said. + +"It was uphill work, but the peasants I had helped began to trust me, +thoughtful men gave me their support, and some joined because they hated +all in authority. I was becoming an influence, and it was supposed I +could be bought. Petty honors were offered and an official post. When it +was found that these things did not tempt me, I became a danger to the +State." + +"And the President tried a different plan!" + +"Sometimes I feared for my liberty, and sometimes for my life. I have +had to take refuge in Cuba and the United States; much of my money has +been spent. But the determination to win freedom and good government +spreads. We are growing strong, and soon the reckoning with our +oppressors will come." + +"Will things be very much better afterward?" + +Sarmiento spread out his hands. + +"Who can tell? One strives and hopes for the best. It is all that is +possible. Some day, perhaps, comes a small instalment of what one fights +for." + +Grahame did not answer, and his companion sank into the melancholy that +often characterized him. He was engaged in an arduous struggle, and +Grahame suspected that disappointment would meet him even in hardly won +victory. The man was sincere, and had sacrificed much for his country's +sake; but he could not work alone, and it might happen that his helpers, +tasting power, would restore the abuses he had destroyed. It looked as +if he knew this, but did not let it daunt him. + +After a long silence Sarmiento took out his watch. + +"I think I had better go on board the Pinillo boat now," he said. "Our +business is done, and it is well that you sail to-morrow. When we are +ready for the next cargo, you will hear from us." + +Pulling down his hat, he left the cafe with his cloak thrown loosely +over his shoulder, but Grahame noticed that he was careful to keep his +right hand free. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +SMOOTH WATER + + +There was no wind except the draught the steamer made as she lurched +across the dazzling swell. Cuba floated like a high, blue cloud over the +port hand, cut off from the water by a blaze of reflected light, and the +broad Yucatan Channel, glimmering like silver, stretched ahead. The deck +had been holystoned and well sluiced before sunrise and was not quite +dry, and there was a slight coolness in the air where Evelyn Cliffe sat +under the awning. + +Macallister leaned on the rail near by, wearing a white cap with a mail +company's badge, and a blue jacket over his greasy duck. He had given +his dress some thought since the passengers came on board. Miguel stood +at the wheel, barefooted, tall, and picturesque in spotless white, with +a red cap and a red sash round his waist. A few big logs of hardwood +that gave out an aromatic smell were made fast amidships. + +"I suppose that lumber's valuable," Evelyn remarked. + +"It depends upon whether ye want to buy or sell," Macallister replied. +"They telt us good logs were scarce in Cuba, but I doubt we'll find +demand is slack when we come to part wi' them." + +"Then the trade can't be very profitable." + +"It's just changing a shilling. Sometimes ye get a ha'penny over." + +Evelyn laughed. + +"Which one of you looks after business matters?" + +"I'm thinking it will have to be Walthew. The lad shows a natural +ability." + +"But he's younger than Mr. Grahame--and probably has not had as much +experience." + +Macallister gave her a half-amused glance. + +"The skipper's no' a fool, but when he makes a bargain he's frank and +quick. States the fair price and sticks to it. He will not spend time in +scheming how he can screw a few more dollars out o' the other man. Yon's +a gift ye must be born with." + +"Do you mean Mr. Grahame rather despises money-making?" + +"No' that exactly," Macallister replied in a confidential tone. "But, ye +see, he's a Grahame o' Calder Ha'." + +"Oh! Is that a great distinction?" + +"It depends on how ye look at things. His branch o' the family is maybe +no' o' much importance noo, but in the old wild days the lairds o' +Calder Ha' were chiefs on the Border. They guarded the moss roads, they +kept the fords, and the kings at Stirling and Westminster noo bought +their goodwill with presents and noo hanged a few o' the clan." + +"And Calder Hall? Is it one of the rude stone towers you see pictures +of?" + +Macallister smiled. + +"Calder Ha's bonny. The old tower stands, with the coat o' arms above +the door, but a low, gray house with stone-ribbed windows runs back +where was once the bailly wall. Below's a bit ragged orchard, the bent +trees gray with fog, and then the lawn dropping to the waterside. Nae +soft Southern beauty yonder; but ye feel the charm o' the cold, rugged +North." He paused, and resumed with a reminiscent air: "I mind how I +went to Calder Ha' when I was a young and romantic laddie fired by Scott +and him who taught the wandering winds to sing; the tales o' the Ettrick +shepherd were thought good reading then. After a bit plain speaking to +the foreman o' a Clydeside engine shop, I was fitting spinning gear in a +new woolen mill, and I left the narrow Border town on a holiday dawn. + +"There was mist along the alders and a smell o' wet dust where the white +road followed the waterside, but as the sun came ower the hills I took +to the moor. Red it was like crimson velvet with the light upon the +ling, rolling on to Cheviot-foot, with the brown grouse crying and the +clear sky above. At noon I came down a bit water that tumbled in a linn, +where rowans grew among the stones and the eddies were amber with the +seeping from the peat. The burn got wider, the bare hills closed in; and +then I came on Calder Ha' at a turning o' the glen. Black firs behind +it, standing stiff like sentinels; the house with the tower in the +middle on the breast o' the brae, and the lawn running doon to a pool. +Then I kent why the Grahames loved it and would never sell, though many +a rich man would have bought the place from them." + +"Did you tell Mr. Grahame this?" Evelyn asked. + +"Maybe it makes things easier that he thinks I dinna ken," said +Macallister. + +Evelyn agreed, for she saw that his reticence was caused by tactful +sympathy. Afterward she was silent for a time. The Scot's admiration for +the old Border house appealed to her. He had shown a taste and a +half-poetical imagination that she had not suspected when they first +met; but it was not of Macallister she was thinking. After all, it must +be something to belong to a family with such traditions as clung about +Calder Hall; but she must not dwell too much on this. + +"Aren't we going slowly?" she asked. + +"Coal's dear in the West Indies, and the slower ye go the less ye use. +But if ye are tiring o' the trip, I might drive her a bit faster." + +Evelyn glanced across the long undulations that were deep-blue in the +hollows, and touched upon their summits with brilliant light. She liked +to feel the easy lift as the _Enchantress_ shouldered off the swell; the +drowsy murmur at the bows and the rhythmical throb of engines were +soothing. Then there was a pleasant serenity in the wide expanse. But +she was honest with herself, and she knew that the beauty of the calm +sea did not quite account for the absence of any wish to shorten the +voyage. + +"Oh," she said, "please don't burn more coal than is necessary. I'm +quite content. I love the sunshine and the smooth water." + +Macallister strolled away, but she saw his twinkling smile and wondered +whether he was satisfied with her excuse. + +Evelyn lay back in her steamer-chair, looking out over the glistening +water and idly watching the white-caps far out at sea. She felt, rather +than saw, Grahame approach. When she turned to him, smiling, he was +close beside her, leaning against the rail. His pose was virile, and his +expression marked by the quiet alertness she had learned to know. It +suggested resolution, self-reliance, and power of command. These +qualities were not obtrusively indicated, but Evelyn recognized them and +wondered how much he owed to his being a Grahame of Calder Hall. +Hereditary influences must be reckoned on. + +"This is the first chance I've had to see you alone," he said. "I want +to thank you for your help at the International." + +"Was it useful?" + +"Very useful. Your quickness and resourcefulness were surprising." + +"That's a doubtful compliment," she laughed. "To me the affair was quite +exciting. To feel that you're engaged in a conspiracy gives you a +pleasant thrill." + +"I wonder!" Grahame remarked rather grimly. "But may I ask----" + +"Oh, I can't dissect the impulses that prompted me. No doubt, the hint +of intrigue was attractive--and perhaps friendship counted too." + +"And you took the excellence of my intentions on trust?" + +"Well, there really was no time to question you, and judge if they were +good. As a matter of fact, I'm no wiser now." + +"No," he said. "On the whole, I think it's better that you shouldn't +know." + +"It looks as if I'm more confiding than you." + +Grahame, studying her face, suspected disappointed curiosity and a touch +of pique. + +"Your confidence is yours, to give or withhold as you think best. Mine, +however, belongs to others." + +"Then there are a number of people in the plot!" + +Grahame laughed. + +"If it's any comfort for you to know, when you came to our rescue that +night in Havana you helped a man who has made many sacrifices for a good +cause." + +"As you're too modest to mean yourself, you must be speaking of the +gentleman with the pretty daughter." + +"Yes, Dona Blanca is pretty; but I prefer the Anglo-Saxon type. There's +a charm in tropical languor, but one misses the bracing keenness of the +North." He quoted with a smile, + + "Oh, dark and true and tender----" + +"We may be true; one likes to think so. But I'm not sure that tenderness +is a characteristic of ours." + +"It's not lightly given, but it goes deep and lasts," Grahame answered. + +When he left her a few minutes afterward, Evelyn sat thinking languidly. +She found him elusive. He was frank, in a way, but avoided personal +topics. Then, remembering the scrap of verse he had quoted, she +reflected that he was certainly a Northerner in feeling; but was truth, +after all, an essential feature of the type? To be really true, one must +be loyal to one's inner self and follow one's heart. But this was risky. +It might mean sacrificing things one valued and renouncing advantages to +be gained. Prudence suggested taking the safe, conventional course that +would meet with the approval of one's friends; but Romance stood, +veiled and mysterious, beckoning her, and she thrilled with an +instinctive response. Now, however, she felt that she was getting on to +dangerous ground, and she joined Cliffe, who sat in the shade of the +deckhouse, talking to Walthew; but they did not help her to banish her +thoughts. Her father was a practical business man, and Walthew had +enjoyed a training very similar to hers. It was strange that he should +now seek adventures instead of riches, and stranger still that her +father should show some sympathy with him. + +An hour later Grahame found Macallister leaning on the rail, contentedly +smoking his pipe. + +"She's only making seven knots; you're letting steam down," he said. + +"Weel," rejoined Macallister, "we're saving coal, and we'll be in +Kingston soon enough. Then, Miss Cliffe's no' in a hurry. She's enjoying +the smooth water; she telt me so." + +Grahame looked hard at him. + +"You have a dangerous love of meddling, Mack," he said. + +"I'll no' deny it. For a' that, I've had thickheaded friends who've been +grateful to me noo and then. What ye have no' is the sense to ken an +opportunity." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +Macallister's manner grew confidential. + +"She's thinking about ye and when a lassie goes so far----" + +Grahame stopped him with a frown. + +"I'd sooner you dropped this nonsense. It's a poor joke." + +"Weel, if ye have no ambition! Selling guns to revolutionists is no' a +remarkably profitable business, particularly if ye're caught, and I was +thinking ye might do better. The girl's no' bad to look at; I've seen ye +watching her." + +"Not bad to look at!" Grahame checked himself. "We'll talk about +something else." + +"As ye like!" + +Macallister took out a small, tapered piece of steel. + +"This, ye ken, is a cotter, and the dago from the foundry put it in. He +was a good fitter, but the pin's a sixty-fourth too small for the slot. +Maybe it was carelessness; but there would have been trouble when the +cotter shook out if Walthew hadna' heard her knocking. Yon lad has the +makings o' an engineer." + +Grahame looked thoughtful. + +"Gomez was in Havana, and I dare say he has his agents and spies. Still, +if he suspected anything, it would have been a better stroke to have +watched and seized us when we had the arms on board. I'd expect him to +see it." + +"Weel," said Macallister grimly, "if I meet yon dago another time, I'll +maybe find out something before I throw him off the mole. A good +engine's nearer life than anything man has made, and wrecking her is as +bad as murder." + +"I don't think our opponents would stick at that," Grahame replied as he +turned away. + +Toward evening the barometer fell, and it grew very hot. There was no +wind, the sky was cloudless, and the sea rolled back to the horizon +without a ripple. For all that, there was a curious tension in the +atmosphere, and Evelyn noticed that soon after Macallister came up for +a few minutes and looked carefully about, thick smoke rose from the +funnel. The girl's head felt heavy, and her skin prickly; and she saw +that Grahame's hawk look was more noticeable than usual. He was, +however, not fidgety, and after dinner he sat talking to her and Cliffe +under the awning. The air was oppressively still, and a half-moon hung +like a great lamp low above the sea. + +About nine o'clock Cliffe went to his cabin to look for a cigar, and +Evelyn and Grahame sat silent for a while, wrapped in the mystery of the +night. + +Evelyn was the first to speak. + +"I suppose you don't expect this calm to last?" she asked in a hushed +voice. + +"I'd like it to last while you're with us. But I can't promise that," +Grahame answered. "If we do get a breeze it will probably soon blow +itself out." + +Evelyn glanced at the sea. + +"It doesn't look as if it could ever be ruffled," she said. "One likes +smooth water--but it's apt to get monotonous." + +"That's a matter of temperament, or perhaps experience. When you've had +to battle with headwinds, you appreciate a calm." + +"I don't know. So far, I've had only sunshine and fine weather, but then +I've always clung to the sheltered coast. It's nice to feel safe, but +one sometimes wonders what there is farther out." + +"Breaking seas and icy gales that drive you off your course. Now and +then islands of mystic beauty, but more often surf-beaten reefs. On the +whole, it's wiser to keep in smooth water." + +"Perhaps," Evelyn said skeptically. "Still, there's a fascination in +adventure, if it's only as a test of courage, and one feels tempted to +take a risk." + +She rose with a laugh. + +"I don't know why I talk like this! I'm really a very practical +girl--not a sentimentalist." + +She moved away, and Grahame, calling one of the men to furl the awning, +went into the deckhouse and deliberately pored over a chart. There were +times when it was not safe to permit himself to think of Evelyn. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +THE TORNADO + + +Evelyn was wakened by a peal of thunder, and as she drowsily lifted her +head a blaze of lightning filled the narrow room. It vanished and there +was another deafening crash. The darkness was now impenetrable, but the +startled girl had seen that the deck was sharply slanted and her clothes +hung at a wide angle to the paneling of the bulkhead. It was obvious +that the _Enchantress_ was listed down nearly on her beam ends. A +confused uproar was going on, and Evelyn thought she could distinguish +the beating of heavy rain upon the deckhouse. This, however, was only +for a few moments, because the other noises swelled into an overwhelming +din. + +Dropping from her berth, she began to dress in the dark, but found it +difficult to keep her footing on the slanted deck, which lurched and +threw her against the lockers, while the planking worked and shook with +the throb of engines. Evelyn could not hear them, but the strong +vibration showed that they were running fast. + +It cost her an effort to refrain from rushing out on deck. Buttons +baffled her nervous fingers, the pins she tried to use instead doubled +up, but she persevered. She would not leave her room until she was +ready: if the worst came, she could not make an open-boat voyage in a +disheveled state. That this should seem of importance did not strike her +as curious then, but she afterward blushed as she remembered her +determination to look as well as possible. + +At last she opened the door and stepped out, ankle-deep in water. She +was to lee of the deckhouse, and, seizing the hand-rail, tried to look +about. The rain did not seem so heavy now, and the house sheltered her, +although clouds of spray were flying across its top. A few feet away, +the low bulwark was faintly distinguishable, but outside this there was +only a dim glimmer of foam in the dark. The _Enchantress_ had the wind +and sea on her broadside. This surprised Evelyn, because it was not a +safe position if the gale were as bad as it seemed. Then a shower of +sparks leaped from the funnel and by the momentary light they gave she +saw a white streak, cleanly cut off and slanting downward, at the crown +of the escape pipe. Evidently, Macallister had raised more steam than he +could use. + +Wondering why Grahame had not brought the vessel head to wind, she moved +aft cautiously, clinging to the rail, until she saw that the awning had +broken loose from its lashings. Part of it thrashed about the deck, +making a furious noise, but the rest, blown forward, had fouled the +foresail boom, and was stretched tight, but distended like a half-filled +balloon. Acting as a sail, it prevented the steamer from answering her +helm. One or two very indistinct figures struggled with the canvas, but +they seemed unable to master it, and Evelyn crept on until she could +look through the skylight into the engine-room. It was here the real +battle must be fought, for the cylinders that strained under top +pressure were the vitals of the ship. She could see them shake, as if +about to burst their fastening bolts and leap from the columns, as the +big cross-heads banged up and down. + +The iron room was well lighted, though the lamps hung at an alarming +angle to the beams, and there was a confused glimmer of steel that +flashed through the light and plunged into shadow. A half-naked man lay +on a narrow grating, leaning down and touching a ponderous mass of metal +as it swept past. In the momentary intervals before it came back he +rubbed the bright slide it traveled on with a greasy swab, and the girl +knew how important it was that nothing should get hot. The work was +dangerous, because the least clumsiness might cost him his arm. When he +stopped and turned sideways on the grating the light touched his face, +and Evelyn started as she recognized Walthew. + +He had enjoyed all the comforts and refinements to which she was +accustomed, and it was from choice and not necessity that he was doing +this rough, hazardous work. There were obviously people who did not +attach an undue value to the ease that wealth could buy; this boy, for +example, had left the safe, beaten track, and now, when still weak from +fever, was taking the consequences without dismay. It looked as if there +might be something wrong with her mother's philosophy; but she could +think of this better when there was less risk of the steamer's +foundering. + +A man came along the deckhouse and put his arm round her waist as the +ship gave a wild lurch. Evelyn laughed as she recognized her father. For +a moment she had thought it was Grahame. Holding her tight, Cliffe +moved on a yard or two, and then stopped at the corner of the house, +where they could see something of what was going on. + +It was lighter now that the rain had stopped, and presently a ray of +moonlight traveled across the sea and touched the laboring vessel. Hove +down by the pressure of the wind on deckhouse and awning, she had buried +her lee bulwarks and lifted her weather side. Sheets of water blew +across her, and the sea looked white as snow. It was not running high: +the heavy rain had beaten down the swell; but it would soon rise, and +unless the vessel could be brought head to wind the combers would sweep +her deck. + +As the beam of moonlight widened, the figures of the toiling men grew +clear. One was clinging to the top of a tall stanchion in a grotesque +monkey-like attitude, trying to cut loose the awning, for a knife +sparkled in his hand. Another crouched on the deck with folds of the +canvas in his arms. Miguel was bent over the wheel. The tenseness of his +pose and his hard-set face suggested heavy muscular strain. + +Grahame stood near by, his hand on a stay, swaying with the movement of +the steamer. He was bareheaded and the spray lashed his face, but there +was something that reassured the girl in his tranquillity. + +It was useless to speak. The voice would have been drowned by the roar +of the gale, while wire-shroud and chain-guy shrilled in wild harmonies. +Evelyn stood fascinated, watching the quick, tense movements of the +crew. + +Presently Grahame turned his head, and, seeing them against the +deckhouse, pointed toward the sea. Following his gesture, Evelyn saw a +blurred object leap out of the dark. It grew suddenly into definite +form as it drove across the belt of moonlight: a small wooden barque +with a deck-load of timber, staggering before the hurricane. + +Fluttering rags showed where her maintopsail had blown from the ropes; +curved ribands, held fast at head and foot, marked what was left of her +fore-course, and puny figures dotted the yards, struggling futilely with +clewed-up canvas that bulged out as if inflated hard. She had a torn jib +and topsails set--strips of sail that looked absurdly small by +comparison with the foam-lapped hull, but they were bearing her on at +tremendous speed. Caught, no doubt lightly manned, by the sudden gale, +they had had no time to shorten sail and bring her head to sea. She must +run with what canvas was left her until the tornado broke, unless she +broached to and her heavy deckload rolled her over. + +So far, Evelyn had not felt much fear. There was something in the mad +fury of the elements that, for a time, banished thought of personal +danger. She was overwhelmed and yet conscious of a strange excitement; +but the sight of the helpless ship had a daunting effect. Belted with +leaping foam, bows up, poop down, the dripping hull drove by, plowing a +snowy furrow through the tormented sea. When she plunged into the dark +Evelyn was glad that she had gone. She wondered what could be done in +this wild weather if the _Enchantress_ would not come round. But she had +confidence in Grahame. As she looked at him he commandingly raised his +hand. + +Two men scrambled forward and a dark patch rose at the bows. It swelled +and emptied, but the canvas held, and Grahame struggled forward to help +the others. The sail might stand if they could hoist it before it split. +It ran higher up the stay; the _Enchantress_ slowly fell off before the +wind, and then leaped ahead with her bows lifted out of the foam. + +Evelyn drew a deep breath of relief, for the immediate danger was over, +and the vessel might run out of the worst of the storm. Cliffe nodded +when she looked at him, and with some trouble they made their way into +the house, where, with the door shut, they could hear themselves speak. +Evelyn was wet with spray, but there was a high color in her face and +her eyes shone. As she sat down, the house shook beneath a blow, and +there was a savage flapping on the roof. Then something seemed driven +across it, and they could hear only the wind and the sea again. + +"The awning!" Cliffe said. "They've managed to cut it loose now that +she's before the wind. I guess Grahame would rather have brought her +head-on, but he won't have much trouble if they can keep her from +broaching to. Were you scared?" + +"No," Evelyn answered thoughtfully. "I suppose it was so appalling that +I couldn't realize the danger. I really feel that I'd be sorry if I'd +missed it." + +Cliffe made a sign of comprehension. + +"Well, this is the first time you've seen men hard up against a big +thing. It's an illuminating experience; though a large number of people +never get it. Some of them seem to imagine things go right of +themselves, and there's no call now for strength and nerve. Anyhow, I +was glad to feel that Grahame knew his business." + +Evelyn was silent for a few moments. Her clothes were wet and ought to +be changed, but the tension on her nerves had not slackened much, and +she felt restless and unwilling to be alone. Besides, there was a mild +satisfaction in doing something imprudent, and she thought the storm had +roused her father into a talkative mood. While indulgent to her, he was +often marked by a certain reserve, which she had noticed her mother +never tried to penetrate. + +"I wonder why you decided to cross in this little boat, when we could +have gone by one of the big passenger liners?" she said. + +"Saved waiting, for one thing," Cliffe answered in a deprecatory tone. +"Then I'll confess that I felt I'd like to do something that wasn't +quite usual." + +Evelyn laughed. + +"It isn't a wish one would suspect you of." + +"Well," Cliffe said with a twinkle, "I guess it was boyish, but we all +have our weaknesses, though I don't often indulge mine. I find it +doesn't pay. I'm a sober business man, but there's a streak of +foolishness in me. Sometimes it works out and I feel that I want a +frolic, for a change." + +"Then you must have exercised some self-control." + +"When I was a young man, I found my job square in front of me. I had to +sit tight in the office, straighten out a business that had got rather +complicated, and expand it if possible. It wasn't quite all I wanted to +do, but I'd a notion that I could make my pile and then let myself go. +It took me some years to get things straight, the pile was harder to +make than I reckoned, and your mother had a use for all the money I +could raise. Her ambition was to put the family high up in the social +scale--and she's done it." + +"So you stifled your longings and went on making money that we might +have every advantage!" Evelyn said with a guilty feeling. "I feel +ashamed when I realize it." + +"I've been repaid," Cliffe replied. "Then, after a time, my job became +congenial and got hold of me. The work became a habit; I didn't really +want to break away." He paused and resumed with a humorous air: "It's +only at odd moments I play with the notion that I'd like something +different. I know it would jar me if I got it; and I'm getting old." + +Evelyn mused. Her father's story had its pathetic side. Though they had +not much in common, he had been her mother's willing slave: toiling in +the city to further plans which Evelyn suspected he would not have made. +In a sense, his life had been bare and monotonous; there was something +he had missed. Evelyn thought that he recognized this, though not with +regret. + +She started as Grahame came in. Salt water dripped from him and gathered +in a pool on the floor, but he turned to them with a smile. + +"The wind is dropping fast, and the sea hadn't time to get up. We had +some trouble at first when the awning blew out of its lashings and +stopped her coming round, but she steered all right as soon as we got +her before the sea." + +"We were on deck most of the time," Evelyn said. + +Grahame laughed as he recalled their conversation in the early evening. + +"After what you must have seen," he asked, "don't you agree that there +are advantages in keeping in smooth water?" + +"Oh, one can't deny it. For all that, my experience to-night strengthens +my belief that there's something very exhilarating in taking a risk." + +She went out on deck and stood for a minute or two, holding on by a +shroud. There was now no fury in the wind, and the moon was bright. The +swell had gathered itself up into tumbling combers that shook their +crests about the rail as the _Enchantress_ lurched over them. A few torn +clouds drove across the southern sky, but the rest of the wide sweep was +clear and the scene was steeped in harmonies of silver and dusky blue. +By daybreak the vessel would be steaming on an even keel, but Evelyn +knew that she would not again be content with glassy calm and languorous +tranquillity. The turmoil of the storm had made a subtle change in her; +it was as if she had heard a call in the elemental clamor and her heart +had answered. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +THE RUSE + + +Cliffe and his daughter were landed at Kingston, and three weeks later +Grahame put into a Central-American port. The propeller was not running +well, and Macallister, suspecting it was working loose on the shaft, +declared that he must put the vessel on a beach where she would dry at +low-water. Grahame had a few days to spare, for he could not land his +cargo before the time Don Martin had fixed; but as the arms were on +board he would have preferred to wait at sea, outside the regular +steamers' track. + +It happened that there was no repair-shop in the town, but while +Macallister thought over the difficulty a tramp steamer dropped anchor, +and he went off to her, remarking that he might find a friend on board. +In an hour or two the gig came back, and Grahame, hearing _My boat rocks +at the pier o' Leith_ sung discordantly, saw that Macallister's +expectations had been fulfilled. This did not surprise him, for the +Scots engineer is ubiquitous and to have "wrought" at Clydebank or +Fairfield is a passport to his affection. + +Macallister's face was flushed and his air jaunty, but the tall, gaunt +man who accompanied him looked woodenly solemn. He began by emptying a +basket of greasy tools on the _Enchantress's_ white deck with the +disregard for the navigating officers' feelings which the engine-room +mechanic often displays. After this, he went down a rope and sat on the +sand under the boat's counter, studying the loose screw while he smoked +several pipes of rank tobacco, but without making any remark. Then he +got up and slowly stretched his lanky frame. + +"Weel," he said, "we'll make a start." + +It was eleven o'clock on a very hot morning when he and Macallister +lighted a blow-lamp, the flame of which showed faint and blue in the +strong sunshine, and they labored on until dusk fell between six and +seven in the evening. Offers of food and refreshment were uncivilly +declined, and Watson ignored Grahame's invitation to spend the evening +on board. + +"I'll be back the morn," was all he said as he was rowed away. + +"A new type!" Grahame laughed. + +"He's unique," Walthew agreed. "Only addressed me twice, and then in a +very personal strain. But the fellow's an artist in his way. Spent two +hours softening and filing up a taper key, but it fitted air-tight when +we drove it in. Something Roman about that man; means his work to last +forever." + +Operations were resumed the next morning, and Grahame had no doubt of +the excellence of the job when the Scots seemed satisfied late in the +afternoon. Then Watson said he would come back to dine when he had +cleaned himself and would bring his skipper, and Grahame dubiously +inspected his small stock of wine. He imagined it had not sufficient +bite to please his guests. + +The tramp skipper presently arrived: a short, stout man, with a humorous +eye. When dinner was over and the wine finished, the party adjourned to +the cafe Bolivar, but Grahame went with misgivings. He knew something +about the habits of tramp captains, and had seen trouble result from the +eccentricities of Scotch engineers. The garrison band was playing in the +plaza they crossed, and citizens promenaded up and down with their wives +and daughters. The clear moonlight fell upon gayly-colored dresses and +faces of various shades, while here and there a jingling officer, +lavishly decorated with gold-lace, added an extra touch of brightness. +Nobody, however, showed a friendly interest in Grahame's party, for +Americans and English were not just then regarded with much favor in the +ports of the Spanish Main. Indeed, Grahame fancied that a group of +slouching soldiers meant to get into his way, but as a brawl was not +desirable, he tactfully avoided them. + +The cafe was situated at the end of the square, and the party, sitting +at a small table among the pillars that divided its open front from the +pavement, could look down upon the moonlit harbor. The inlet was long +and shallow, with an old Spanish fort among the sands at its outer end +and another commanding it from a height behind the town. A cathedral +stood opposite the cafe; and narrow, dark streets, radiating from the +plaza, pierced the square blocks of houses. + +Walthew and Grahame drank black coffee; but this had no attraction for +the rest. The tramp captain, soon becoming genial, put his feet on a +chair and beamed upon his neighbors, while Macallister, as usual, +entered into talk with them. He discoursed at random in very bad +Castilian, but his remarks were humorous and in spite of the citizens' +prejudices, laughter followed them. Watson sat stonily quiet, drinking +fiery _cana_ and frowning at the crowd. + +"Ye were aye a dumb stirk at Clydebank," Macallister said to him. "Can +ye no' talk instead o' glowering like a death's-head?" + +"I can when I'm roused," Watson replied. "Maybe ye'll hear something +frae me when I'm through wi' this bottle." + +"It's the nature o' the man," Macallister informed the others and then, +addressing the company, asked if anybody could sing. + +No one offered to do so, and, beckoning a dark-complexioned lounger who +had a guitar hung round his neck, he brought him to their table and gave +him wine. Then he borrowed the guitar, and, somewhat to Grahame's +surprise, began a passable rendering of a Spanish song. + +The captain beat time with a bottle, some of the company sang the +refrain, and, after finishing amidst applause, Macallister tried the +music of his native land. In this he was less successful, for the wild +airs, written for the bagpipes, did not go well upon the melancholy +guitar. + +"It's no' the thing at all," Watson remarked. "Ye're just plodding +through it like a seven-knot tramp against the tide. Can ye no' open the +throttle and give her steam?" + +Before Macallister could answer, a neatly dressed gentleman brought a +bottle of vermouth from a neighboring table and joined the group. + +"You like a drink?" he asked politely. + +Watson nodded, and, taking the small bottle, emptied half of the liqueur +into his glass. + +"Yon's no' so bad," he commented when he had drained the glass. + +The stranger smiled as he poured out the rest of the vermouth for +Watson. + +"You mend the steamboat screw?" he asked carelessly. + +"Yes, my friend," Watson replied, regarding the stranger out of sleepy +looking eyes. + +"How it come loose?" + +"Tail-nut slacked up when the engines ran away in heavy weather." + +"You get bad weather, then?" + +"Bad enough," Watson answered. + +Grahame gave him a cautious glance, but his face was expressionless. It +was obvious that the stranger had mistaken him for the _Enchantress's_ +engineer. Watson must have realized this, but he had given the fellow +misleading answers, and Grahame thought he need not run the risk of +trying to warn him. He wondered, though, how far Macallister had taken +Watson into his confidence. + +"Small boat," said the stranger; "you find her wet when it blow. What +you load?" + +"Mahogany and dyewood, when it's to be got." + +"Then you go to Manzanillo; perhaps to Honduras. But she not carry much; +not room for big logs below." + +"The big ones sit on deck," said Watson stolidly. + +The man ordered some cognac, but Grahame imagined that he was wasting +his hospitality. Though the Scot's legs might grow unsteady, his head +would remain clear. + +"There is cargo that pay better than wood," his companion suggested with +a meaning smile. + +"Maybe," agreed Watson. "But ye run a risk in carrying it." + +"Ver' true. And when you go to sea?" + +"I canna' tell. The high-press' piston must come up. She's loosened a +ring." + +The stranger made a few general remarks and then strolled away. He had +learned, at the cost of a bottle of vermouth and some brandy, that +Watson was the _Enchantress's_ engineer, and the vessel would not sail +for a day or two. + +Grahame chuckled. He meant to leave port the next morning. + +Having spent some time at the cafe, he felt that he could now leave his +guests. They might, perhaps, indulge in boisterous amusements but he did +not think they would come to harm. Indeed, if anybody were hurt in a row +it would more likely be the citizens who came into collision with them. + +"All right; I've had enough," Walthew said when Grahame touched him. +"Mack's going to sing again, and I can't stand for that." + +The moon had sunk behind the white houses as they crossed the plaza, and +Grahame kept down the middle, avoiding the crowd near the bandstand and +the narrow mouths of the streets. + +"Who was that fellow talking to Watson?" Walthew asked. + +"I don't know, but he was interested in our affairs. They have a good +secret service in these countries, and we're open to suspicion. We're +obviously not yachtsmen, and the boat's too small for a regular +trader." + +"Do you think the man's an agent of the government we're up against?" + +"I don't know. I'd hardly expect them to send their spies along the +coast; but, then, these States may keep each other informed about the +movements of dangerous people. Anyway, there'd be an excuse for trouble +if they searched us and found the rifles." + +"Sure," said Walthew thoughtfully. "It's fortunate we light out +to-morrow." + +He looked round as they reached the end of the plaza. The band had +stopped, and the ring of lights round its stand was broken as the lamps +went out, but a broad, illuminated track extended from the front of the +cafe. The thinning crowd moved across it: a stream of black figures +silhouetted against the light. Everything else was dark, and except for +the soft patter of feet the city was quiet; but it had a sinister look, +and Walthew instinctively kept away from the trees in the small +_alameda_ they skirted. He was an Anglo-Saxon, and would not shrink from +a danger that could be faced in daylight, but he hated the stealthy +attack in the dark and the hidden intrigues the Latin half-breeds +delight in. + +When they reached the beach he stumbled over a small anvil lying near +high-water mark, and after another few steps trod upon a hammer. + +"They have left all their tools about," he said. "Shall we call the boys +and put the truck on board?" + +"I think not," Grahame replied. "It's the marine engineer's privilege to +make as much mess as he likes, and he generally resents its being +cleaned up without his permission. Besides, their leaving the things +suggests that the job's not finished." + +They pushed off the dinghy and boarded the steamer. The tide had flowed +round her, but she would not float for an hour or two, and Walthew, +sitting on the rail, glanced down the harbor. It was now very dark, but +the water had a phosphorescent gleam. The _Enchantress's_ cable was +marked by lambent spangles, and there was a flicker of green fire along +the tramp's dark side. Her riding-lights tossed as she swung with the +languid swell, and away at the harbor mouth two bright specks pierced +the dark. A small gunboat had anchored at dusk, and as the fort had +fired a salute she was evidently a foreigner. Walthew felt curious about +her nationality, and wondered why she lay where she commanded the +entrance instead of mooring near the town. Grahame, however, did not +seem disturbed, and they presently sat down to a game of chess in the +saloon. + +Although the ports were open, it was very hot, and when the kerosene +lamp flickered in the draughts an unpleasant smell filled the room. The +men felt languid and their attention wandered from the dragging game. At +last Walthew threw the pieces roughly into the box. + +"You'd have seen what I was getting after with the bishop if you hadn't +been thinking of something else," he said. "It's been a mighty long +game; Mack ought to have come back." + +Grahame nodded agreement, and they went out on deck. The town was quiet, +and, so far as they could see, only one light burned in it, between the +plaza and the _alameda_. Then an uproar broke out, the clamor reaching +them distinctly over the night water. Grahame, running to the +engine-room, shook the drowsy half-breed on watch and ordered him to +stir the fires, which had been lighted and damped. Then he dropped over +the rail into the dinghy with Walthew, and as soon as they jumped ashore +they started for the plaza on a run. + +"Sounds like a _jamboree_," Walthew said. "When things begin to hum +you'll find Mack somewhere around; and that tramp captain looked as if +he could get on a jag." + +"He had a wicked eye," Grahame breathlessly agreed. + +As they entered the plaza, a noisy crowd, which seemed to be getting +larger rapidly, surged toward them. In the background the cafe Bolivar +was still lighted, and close at hand a lamp burned at the top of a tall +pole. For all that, it was difficult to make out anything except a mass +of people pressing about a smaller group, and Grahame roughly flung two +or three excited citizens aside before he could see what was going on. +Then he was not surprised to note a party of three Britons retreating in +good order before an obviously hostile mob. The tramp captain had lost +his hat and his jacket was torn, but he carried a champagne bottle like +a club, and his hot, red face had a pugnacious look. Macallister trailed +the leg of a broken iron chair, and Watson seemed to have armed himself +with part of the chair's back. He was hurling virulent epithets at the +throng, while Macallister sang a sentimental ballad in an unsteady +voice. + +As Grahame and Walthew drew nearer, the crowd closed in as if to cut off +the others' retreat, but a shout from Watson dominated the growing +uproar. + +"Oot o' the way, ye dirt! Drap yon deevil wi' the knife!" + +Macallister, still singing, swung the leg of the chair and a man went +down upon the stones, the knife he held flying from his hand. There was +a thud as the captain's champagne bottle descended on somebody's head; +and Watson sprang forward, whirling the broken casting. The crowd gave +back before his rush and then scattered as Grahame and Walthew appeared +in the gap. The fugitives stopped; and during the moment's breathing +space Grahame noticed that a smashed guitar, adorned with gaudy ribbons, +hung round Macallister's neck. + +"It was yon fool thing made the trouble," Watson explained. "He racked +her till she buckled, but she would not keep the tune, and we had to pit +her owner below the table. Then an officer wi' a sword would interfere +and when he got a bit tap wi' a bottle we were mobbed by the roomful o' +swine." + +He paused as somebody threw a stone at him, and then addressed the crowd +in warning: + +"We'll no' be responsible for what may happen til ye if we lose our +tempers!" + +The mob had been closing in again, but it fell back when two +white-uniformed rural guards with pistols drawn pushed through. Grahame +spoke to them in Castilian, and they stopped. While they asked him +questions, another man, whom they saluted with respect, joined them. + +"It is not permitted to make a disturbance in this city," the official +said to Grahame. "We will inquire into the matter to-morrow. You will go +on board your vessel now." + +"I'm no' going," Watson declared when Grahame translated the order. +"Took a room at Hotel Sevillana, and I want to see the dago who would +pit me oot." + +"Better humor him," advised the captain. "Obstinate beast when he gets a +notion into his head. If he's not on board in the morning, I'll send a +boatful of deckhands for him." + +Grahame explained that the engineer wished to spend the night ashore, +and the official looked thoughtful. + +"Very well," he said. "One of the guards will see him to his hotel. It +is necessary for him to go now." + +"Ye can tell him I'm ready," Watson replied, and added in a low voice as +he passed Grahame: "Get away to sea as soon as she floats!" + +He went off with his escort and the official said something aside to the +remaining guard, who saluted and told the others to follow him. The +crowd had scattered, and nobody interfered with the party on their way +to the harbor. + +"I will wait until I see you go on board," the guard said when they +reached the beach. "You will be called upon some time to-morrow." + +"They'd have been wiser if they had begun their investigations now," +Grahame remarked as they launched the dinghy. "She'll be afloat in half +an hour. Do you feel up to running the engine, Mack? If not, Walthew +must do the best he can." + +"I could take her oot if I was drunk and I'm far frae that," Macallister +declared. "Looks as if ye had no' allooed for the steadiness o' the +Scottish head. Noo, there's Watson, and I'll no' say he was quite +sober, but he could spoil yon dago's game. Maybe ye're beginning to +understand why he would sleep ashore. They think ye canna' get away +withoot him." + +"I see that," said Grahame. "Better send your fireman to collect your +tools when Miguel looses the stern mooring. And try to restrain your +feelings if things are not quite right below. It's important that we +should get away quietly." + +They reached the _Enchantress_, and preparations for departure were +silently begun. + +They must first slip past the watching fort, and then elude the foreign +gunboat. They knew the consequences if they were caught. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +ELUDING THE GUNBOAT + + +The night was very dark. Here and there a lone star peeped out bravely, +but it could shine but faintly through the heavy mist that was settling +down over the _Enchantress_. + +Grahame, the leadline in his hand, leaned anxiously on the rail, +watching the foam boil about the vessel's side. Her keel stirred in the +sand and the propeller was beating hard; but she did not move. To make +things worse, the disturbed water broke noisily on the beach and the +thud of engines could be heard at some distance. Grahame had not +complied with the formalities required before leaving port, but he +carried a dangerous cargo and he feared that he might be detained unless +he got away at once. The _Enchantress_, however, was not yet afloat, and +he reluctantly signaled for steam to be shut off. + +Walthew came up when the engines stopped, and Grahame sat down on the +ledge of the door. It was very quiet when the splash of water died away, +and the darkness and silence reacted upon the men's tense nerves. They +found inaction singularly hard. + +"You have got to take her out the minute she's off the ground," Walthew +said. "To be caught getting ready to leave would give us away." + +"Sure thing! The Port Captain's guard watches the beach; they've +sentries at the fort and a wire to the town; and there's a gunboat in +the entrance. Our job doesn't look easy." + +"Ye have quarter o' an hour yet, but that's all," Macallister said as he +joined them. "If I canna' give the engines steam then, she'll blow off +and rouse the town." + +They waited anxiously, Grahame glancing at his watch and walking to the +rail, where he felt the leadline; but the water rose with exasperating +slowness. Then suddenly a jet of steam broke with a muffled throb from +the escape-pipe, and Macallister jumped up. + +"Ye have got to start her noo!" he said. + +Walthew followed him below; the engines clanked; the propeller spun; and +Grahame hauled the lead in with a breath of relief, for the line grew +taut as the vessel moved. Then he stood in the main rigging, where he +could see better and where Miguel, at the helm, could watch his +signaling hand. With screw throbbing gently, the _Enchantress_ crept +away into the dark. Her gray hull would be invisible from the shore, but +phosphorescence blazed about her bows and her wake was a trail of fire. + +The tramp steamer rode not far ahead, a mysterious shadowy bulk, with +the gleam of her anchor-lights on the water, but as the _Enchantress_ +stole past a voice called out to her: + +"Good luck!" + +Grahame did not answer, but he was grateful. The tramp captain +understood why his engineer had stayed ashore. Macallister's friends +were staunch; the Scots stood by one another. + +The light in the plaza grew dim astern, and the blurred, dark beach was +rapidly slipping by. There was a lift on the water as they drew near the +harbor mouth; but the fort had yet to be passed, and Grahame searched +the shore with his glasses. Little by little he made out a formless +mound, which grew more distinct. There was no light in the building, but +he knew that sentries were supposititiously keeping watch beside the +guns. One or two of these were modern and no vessel was allowed to leave +port at night without official permission and a notification to the +commandant. If the steamer were seen, refusal to stop would be followed +by the roar of a gun. But Grahame did not mean to stop so long as she +was not struck. + +For the next few minutes he felt his nerves tingle, but the fort was +dark and silent and only the soft splash along the beach broke the +stillness. The shadowy building dropped astern and he turned his glasses +upon the harbor mouth. Two lights showed where the gunboat lay, and, +some distance beyond them, a dim, pulsating radiance glimmered. This +marked where the open water swell broke upon the shoals. Grahame hoped +that it would cover the _Enchantress's_ luminous wake; besides, the roar +of the surf might drown the thud of engines, which carries far on a calm +night. + +Jumping down from the rigging, he rapped sharply on the engine-hatch, +and Walthew ran quickly up the ladder. + +"Throttle her down," Grahame said. "If I knock once, stop her; if twice, +give her all the steam you can." + +Walthew nodded to show that he understood, for it might be dangerous to +use the telegraph gong; and then he disappeared below while Grahame +stood still, steadying the glasses on the deckhouse top. + +With screw spinning slowly, the _Enchantress_ glided on, and the +gunboat's hull grew into shape against the sky. Grahame was glad that he +had the land behind him and his vessel was small, but he beckoned Miguel +to let her swing inshore. There was a shoal on that side, marked by a +line of foam; but he must take the risk of going too close. + +A phosphorescent flicker played about the vague blackness of the +gunboat's bows; the light from the lamp on her forestay showed part of +the deck, and then receded as she rolled. Grahame could make out an +anchor hanging ready to let go and a man standing by her rail, until the +light reeled and the figure was lost in gloom. It seemed to him that the +_Enchantress_ must be seen, and he wondered whether the other vessel had +her boats in the water. He suspected that she belonged to the government +which Don Martin meant to overthrow, and it would be difficult to get +away from her if she had steam up. She was now abreast of him, but there +was no sign of activity on board. The _Enchantress_ crept on. The +gunboat dropped back to her quarter. Then there was a sudden harsh +rattle, and Grahame gasped. But a splash relieved the tension, because +he knew it was only the ash-hoist bringing up furnace cinders. + +She drew further aft and began to fade; but Grahame now saw danger +ahead. The _Enchantress_ was throwing fiery spray about her bows and +rolling as she forged slowly through broken water. The shoal was close +ahead and, taking a sounding, he found scarcely a fathom under the keel. +This was enough, however, and, beckoning to Miguel, he let her go until +the darkness astern was broken only by the gunboat's lights. Then, +finding deeper water, he struck the engine-hatch. + +"We're clear!" he called down in an exultant voice. "Drive her, but make +no sparks!" + +The _Enchantress_ began to tremble, and a few moments later loose +stanchions rattled and deck-planks shook as she leaped through the long +swell with green fire blazing in the wake of her thudding screw. Grahame +laughed softly, and sat down to light a cigarette. He imagined that when +morning came there would be several badly disappointed intriguers in the +port he had left. + +He thought it best, however, not to proceed directly to his destination, +and it was three days later when he ran in behind a point, and anchored +in shallow water. It was daylight, but the _Enchantress's_ gray hull and +slender spars would be hard to see against the land, and there was no +sign of habitation on the sweep of desolate coast. A cliff rose behind +the steamer, and then for some miles the dazzling sea broke in a fringe +of lace-like foam on a beach of yellow sand. On the landward side of +this, glossy-green jungle rolled away and merged into taller forest that +was presently lost in haze. No smoke streaked the horizon, and there was +not a boat on the beach, but while Grahame carefully watched, two +appeared from behind a reef, and he put down his glasses with a smile. + +"Our friends!" he said to Walthew. "You might get the winch ready while +we take the hatches off." + +An hour later a small party sat in the shade of the new stern awning. +The boats had gone away loaded, but they had left Don Martin and three +companions on board. Father Agustin, whose rusty black cassock jarred +upon the blaze of light and color, leaned back in a canvas chair with a +wineglass in his olive-tinted hand. + +"I'm surprised to find you in such company, Father," Grahame said to +him. + +The priest's eyes twinkled. + +"It is not only the rich and respected we are sent out to seek, though I +think they need us as much as the others." + +"You might find their help useful," Walthew suggested. + +"True, if one could buy it! As a rule, they do not give, but sell, and +the price they ask is often high." + +"Some bribes are hard to resist when they are offered in the name of +charity; for example, hospitals founded and new churches built," Grahame +interposed. "These are things you can make good use of." + +Father Agustin looked at him steadily. + +"An honest man does not take a bribe, as you, my son, should know," he +said. + +"Ah!" Grahame returned carelessly. "I did not think you had heard of--a +certain affair." + +Walthew gave him a surprised glance, but Father Agustin smiled. + +"I hear many curious things. Besides, my companions take precautions. +Sometimes they find them needed." + +"I suppose if I had done what I was asked and pocketed the reward, I +should have met with an accident shortly afterward?" Grahame suggested. + +"One does not talk of such matters, senor, among trusted friends," one +of the men interposed. + +"Your intelligence department seems to be well organized, but there's +ground for believing the opposition's is quite as good," Grahame said, +and related what had happened at their last port. + +"Care will be needed after this," said Don Martin. "Now that they know +your boat, it is fortunate we changed the landing place; but you are +safe here. This coast is low and unhealthy; the President's friends are +prosperous and do not live in the swampy jungle." + +"One can understand that," Grahame responded. "Your appeal is to those +who must live how and where they can. No doubt, they suffer now and then +for helping you." + +"Ah!" exclaimed one of the Spaniards, "_how_ they suffer! If you give me +leave, senores, I can tell you startling things." + +They listened with quickening interest, and he kept his promise well, +for there is in southern peoples, contaminated by darker blood, a vein +of sensual cruelty that sometimes leads to the perpetration of +unutterable horrors. Grahame's face grew quietly stern, Walthew's hot +and flushed, and Macallister clenched his hand, for the tales they heard +fired their blood. + +"You have told us enough," Walthew said at last. "I went into this +business because I was looking for adventure and wanted to make some +money--but I mean to see it through if it costs me all I have!" He +turned to his comrades. "How do you feel about it?" + +"Much as you do," Grahame answered quietly, and Macallister put his hand +on Sarmiento's arm. + +"I'm with ye, if ye mean to make a clean sweep o' yon brutes." + +"I believe their reckoning will come, but our bargain stands," said Don +Martin. "We need arms, and will pay for all you bring. Still, I am glad +your hearts are with us. It is sentiment that carries one farthest." + +"How have you been getting on since we last met?" Walthew asked. + +"We make progress, though there are difficulties. One must fight with +the purse as well as the sword, and the dictator's purse is longer than +ours. Of late, he has been getting money and spending it with a free +hand." + +"Do you know where he gets it?" Grahame asked thoughtfully. + +"So far, we have not found out. But it is foreign money, and he must +give what belongs to the country in exchange." + +"An easy plan!" Walthew said. "Makes the country pay for keeping him in +power. I guess you'll have to meet the bill when you get in." + +"That is so," Don Martin agreed. "It forces our hand. We must get in +before he leaves us no resources at all." + +Grahame thought of Cliffe, and wondered about his business with Gomez; +but he decided to say nothing of this. + +"Is Castillo still at liberty?" he asked. + +"He is watched, but we have been able to protect him. A man of passion +and fervor who will rouse the people when the right time comes." + +"But perhaps not a good plotter?" + +Father Agustin gave Grahame a shrewd glance. + +"We do not all possess your northern self-restraint, though one admits +its value. Senor Castillo follows a poetical ideal." + +"So I imagined. Cold conviction sometimes leads one farther." + +They were silent for a minute or two, and then one said: + +"We have been anxious about Castillo. It is not that we doubt his +sincerity." + +"You doubt his staying power?" + +Father Agustin made an assenting gesture. + +"Our friend is ardent, but a fierce fire soon burns out. The danger is +that when warmth is needed there may be no fuel left." + +"I think you should try to guard him from pressure he is unfit to +stand," Grahame suggested. "One cannot always choose one's tools, but if +you are careful he may last until his work is done." + +"It is so," Father Agustin agreed. "One loves the ring of fine, true +steel, but it is fortunate that metal of softer temper has its use, +though it sometimes needs skillful handling." + +"He kens!" exclaimed Macallister. "Ye may rake stuff that will serve ye +weel from the scrap heap o' humanity, and there's times when it's a +comfort to remember that. But I'm surprised to find ye meddling with +politics." + +"I am not a politician; it is not permitted. But I may hate injustice, +and there is no canon that bids me support what is evil. I came here as +your guest with other friends, and if they honor me with their +confidence I cannot refuse; nor do I think it a grave offense to give +them a word of advice." + +"Good advice may prove more dangerous to their enemies than rifles," +Grahame said. + +Father Agustin mused for a few moments. + +"Our friends' real task begins with their triumph," he said gravely; +"for that, at best, can but mean a clearing of the ground. Man builds +slowly, but to destroy is easy, and many see no farther." + +"But when the building is tottering and rotten?" + +"Sometimes it may be repaired, piece by piece, but that is not your +plan." Father Agustin spread out his hands. "If you build on a sound +foundation, your new work will stand; but the edifice of the State +cannot be cemented with hatred and envy. This responsibility is yours +and not your enemies'. But one looks to the future with hope as well as +doubt." + +They then discussed the landing of the next cargo, and the general +course of operations, but while they plotted with Spanish astuteness +Grahame imagined that the quiet priest was the brain of the party. + +After a time, the boats came back for another load, and when sunset +streaked the water with a lurid glow the guests took their leave and the +_Enchantress_ steamed out to sea. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +THE TEST OF LOVE + + +The hot summer day was over and the light beginning to fade when Evelyn +came down the steps of a country house in northern Maine. Banner's Post +stood at the foot of a hillside among the dark pines, and the murmur of +running water echoed about its walls. It belonged to Mrs. Willans, Mrs. +Cliffe's sister, for Willans, who had bought the house at his wife's +command, seldom came there and did not count. Mrs. Willans wanted a +peaceful retreat where she and her friends, when jaded by social +activities, could rest and recuperate in the silence of the woods. She +had many interests and what she called duties, but she had of late felt +called upon, with her sister's full approval, to arrange a suitable +marriage for her niece. Henry Cliffe was not really rich. + +Evelyn was dressed in the latest summer fashion, and the thin, light +clothes became her. The keen mountain breezes had given her a fine +color, and she looked very fresh and young by contrast with the jaded +business man at her side. Cliffe wore an old gray suit that Evelyn had +never seen and shabby leggings. A creel hung round his shoulders, and he +carried a fishing-rod. His face was lined and pale, but when they left +the garden and entered the woods Evelyn was surprised to note that his +thin figure harmonized with the scattered boulders and the ragged pines. +To some extent, this might be accounted for by the neutral tint of his +clothes, but he somehow looked at home in the wilderness. Though he had +once or twice gone off with an old friend on a shooting trip, she had +never thought of her father as a sport. + +"It is curious that you make me feel you belong to the bush," she said. + +"I used to go fishing when I was a boy," Cliffe replied with a +deprecatory smile. "I've never had much time for it since; but there's +nothing I'm fonder of." + +Evelyn found something pathetic in his answer. He had very few +opportunities for indulging in the pastimes he liked, and now he was +going out to fish with a keen eagerness that showed how scarce such +pleasures were. His enjoyment was essentially natural; her friends' +enthusiasm for the amusements Mrs. Willans got up was artificial and +forced. They had too much, and her father not enough. + +"I hope the trout will rise well," she said. "We were surprised to hear +that you were coming down." + +"I found I could get away for the week-end. Have you been having a good +time?" + +"Yes, in a way. I have everything I ought to like; something amusing to +do from morning to night, the kind of people I've been used to about me, +and Aunt Margaret sees that nobody is dull." + +She had had more than she mentioned, for Gore was staying at Banner's +Post, and had devoted himself to her entertainment with a frank +assiduity that had roused the envy of other guests. Evelyn admitted +feeling flattered, for Gore had many advantages, and his marked +preference had given her an importance she had not always enjoyed. + +"And yet you're not quite satisfied?" Cliffe suggested with a shrewd +glance. + +"Perhaps I'm not, but I don't know. Is one ever satisfied?" + +"One ought to be now and then when one is young. Make the most of the +pleasures you can get, but aim at the best." + +Evelyn mused for a few minutes. She could treat her father with +confidence. He understood her, as her mother seldom did. + +"What is the best?" she asked. + +"To some extent, it depends on your temperament; but it goes deeper than +that. There's success that palls and gratification that doesn't last. +One soon gets old and the values of things change; you don't want to +feel, when it's too late, that there's something big and real you might +have had and missed." + +"Have you felt this?" + +"No," Cliffe answered quietly; "I get tired of the city now and then and +long for old clothes, a boat, and a fishing-rod, but these are things it +doesn't hurt a man to go without. I have a home to rest in and a wife +and daughter to work for. An object of that kind helps you through +life." + +"My trouble is that I don't seem to have any object at all. I used to +have a number, but I'm beginning now to doubt whether they were worth +much. But I'm afraid you have made a sacrifice for our sakes." + +Cliffe looked at her thoughtfully. + +"My belief is that you always have to make some sacrifice for anything +that's worth while." He laughed. "But right now fishing is more in my +line than philosophy!" + +He followed the little path that led to the stream, and Evelyn turned +back slowly through the quiet woods. Her father's remarks had led her +into familiar but distasteful thought. It was perhaps true that one must +make some sacrifice to gain what was best worth having; but she had been +taught to seize advantages and not to give things up. Now she could have +wealth, a high position, and social influence, which were of value in +her world, and in order to gain them she had only to overcome certain +vague longings and the rebellious promptings of her heart. Gore wanted +her, and she had been pleasantly thrilled to realize it; perhaps she +had, to some extent, tried to attract him. It was foolish to hesitate +when the prize was in her reach; but she did not feel elated as she went +back to the house. + +She lingered among the last of the trees. They lifted their black spires +against the sky, the air was filled with their resinous scent, and +faint, elfin music fell from their tops. Far above, the bald summit of +Long Mountain shone a deep purple, though trails of mist that looked +like lace were drawn about its shoulders. Then the pines rolled down, +straggling at first, but growing thicker and taller until they merged +into the dark forest that hid the giant's feet. The wild beauty of the +scene and the calm of the evening reacted upon the girl; she felt it was +a trivial life that she and her friends led. + +Rousing herself with an effort, she left the woods and entered the +well-kept garden. It had an exotic look; the bright-colored borders +that edged the lawn jarred upon the austere beauty of the wilderness. +Banner's Post was tamely pretty, and Nature had meant the spot to be +grand. Still, the nickeled sprinklers that flung glistening showers +across the smooth grass, and the big gasolene mower, belonged to her +world, in which Nature was kept in her place by civilized art. + +She saw Gore at the bottom of the steps in the midst of a group which +included two attractive girls, and she was conscious of some +satisfaction when he left his companions and came toward her. + +"Luck has been against me all day," he said when he came up. "It seemed +impossible to find you except in the center of what was going on. Now +we'll run away for a little while." + +His manner suggested a right to her society, and he turned toward the +woods without waiting for her consent, but Evelyn thought he would have +acted more wisely had he chosen a quiet nook on the veranda. Reggie was +a product of his luxurious age; he was in his right place in a +comfortable chair or moving gracefully about a polished floor with +smartly dressed people in the background. Though not wholly artificial, +and having some force of character, he failed to harmonize with the note +of primitive grandeur struck by the rugged pines. + +It was different with Evelyn when they sat down on a boulder. Her dress +was in the latest fashion, but she had the gift of revealing something +of her real personality through her attire. Its blue-gray tint matched +the soft coloring of the lichened rock, and the lines of her tall figure +were marked by a classical severity of grace. Then, her eyes were grave +and her face was calm. It was her misfortune that she had not yet +realized herself, but had accepted without much question the manners of +her caste and the character Mrs. Cliffe had, so to speak, superimposed +upon her. + +"It's good to be quiet for a change," Gore said. "When I'm with you I +feel that I needn't talk unless I want to. That's a relief, because it's +when I feel least that I talk the most. You're tranquilizing." + +"I'm not sure you're complimentary. Nowadays a girl is expected to be +bright if she can't be brilliant." + +"That's not your real line. Brilliance is often shallow, a cold, +reflected sparkle. One has to get beneath the surface to understand +you." + +"Perhaps it's true of everybody," Evelyn answered with a smile. "Still, +we're not taught to cultivate virtues that can't be seen." + +"You can't cultivate the best of them; they've got to be an inherent, +natural part of you. But I'm getting off the track--I do now and then." + +Evelyn guessed what he meant to say, but although it would mark a +turning-point in her life, and she did not know her answer, she was very +calm. While she had, for the most part, allowed her mother to direct her +actions, she had inherited Cliffe's independence of thought and force of +will. So far, she had not exerted them, but she meant to do so now. + +Looking up, she saw Long Mountain's towering crest cut in lonely +grandeur against the fading green and saffron of the sky. The mist upon +its shoulders shone faintly white against blue shadows; the pines had +grown taller and blacker, and the sound of running water alone broke the +silence. The resinous smells were keener, and there was a strange +repose in the long ranks of stately trees. Nature had filled the stony +wilds with stern beauty, and Evelyn instinctively felt the call of the +strong, fruitful earth. One must be real and, in a sense, primitive, +here. + +"This," she said, indicating the shadowy landscape, "is very grand. We +don't give much thought to it, but it has its influence." + +"I guess it's all quite fine," Gore agreed absently. "It would make a +great summer-resort if they ran in a branch-railroad. In fact, I've +imagined that Willans had something of the kind in view; he has a genius +for developing real estate." + +"An unthinkable desecration!" Evelyn exclaimed. + +"Well," he said in a quiet voice, "if it would please you, I'd buy +Banner's Post and all the land back to the lake, and nobody but my +game-wardens should disturb it except when you let me come up here with +you. Then you could teach me to appreciate the things you like." + +The girl was touched, for he belonged to the cities, and had nothing in +common with the rocky wilds, but she knew that he would keep his word +and indulge her generously. Nor was she offended by the touch of +commercial spirit, though she would rather he had offered something that +would cost him effort of body or mind. + +"I'm afraid you wouldn't find me worth the sacrifice you would have to +make," she said. "Your tastes don't lie that way." + +He made a gesture of dissent. + +"None of them are very strong, and I know that you go farther in +everything than I can. You're elusive, but I've felt, for a long time, +that if I could reach and win you, you'd help me along. That's my +strongest argument and what I really meant to say. Surely, you have seen +that I wanted you." + +Evelyn felt guilty, because she had seen this and had not repulsed him. +She did not love the man, but love was not thought essential in her +circle and she had never been stirred by passion. + +"I felt that I couldn't get hold of you," he went on; "you were not +ready. We were friends and that was something, but I was looking for a +change in you, some hint of warmth and gentleness." + +"And do you think I am ready now?" + +"No; I only hoped so. I feared I might be wrong. But I began to find +holding myself back was getting too hard, and I was afraid somebody else +might come along who had the power to rouse you. I believe you can be +roused." + +"I wonder!" she said in a curious tone. + +"You make people love you," he broke out. "That's a proof that when the +time comes you're capable of loving. But I only ask to be near you and +surround you with what you like best. There's a rare aloofness in you, +but you're flesh and blood. When you have learned how I love you, you +can't hold out." + +Evelyn was silent, hesitating, with a troubled face. She liked him; he +was such a man as her mother meant her to marry and, until the last few +weeks, she had acquiesced in her obvious fate. Now, however, something +prompted her to rebel, although prudence and ambition urged her to +yield. + +As he watched her in keen suspense, Gore suddenly lost his head. The +next moment his arm was round her and he drew her forward until she was +pressed against him with her face crushed against his. At first she did +not struggle, and he thought she was about to yield, until he felt her +tremble and her face was suddenly turned away. Then she put her hand on +his shoulder and firmly held him back while she slipped from his +relaxing grasp. Gore knew that he had blundered. Letting his arms drop, +he waited until she turned to him, without anger, although her eyes were +very bright and her color was high. + +"I'm sorry, Reggie, but it's impossible for me to marry you." + +"You are sure?" he asked rather grimly. "This is important to me, you +know." + +"Yes," she said with signs of strain; "I am sure. I think I wish it had +been possible, but it isn't. You have convinced me." + +He was silent for a moment. + +"It cuts pretty deep," he said slowly. "I've been afraid all along that +even if you took me you'd never be really within my reach. I guess I've +got to bear it and let you go." + +He rose and stood looking at her irresolutely, and then, with a gesture +of acquiescence, abruptly turned away. + +When he had gone, Evelyn sat still in the gathering dusk. She had, at +first, submitted to his embrace, because she wished to find in any +emotion he was capable of arousing an excuse for marrying him. But she +had felt nothing except repulsion. Then in a flash the truth was plain; +any closer relationship than that of friend would make her loathe the +man she in some ways admired. This was disturbing, but little by little +she began to realize that his touch had a strange after-effect. It had +stirred her to warmth, but not toward him. Longings she had not thought +herself capable of awoke within her; she was conscious of a craving for +love and of a curious tenderness. Only, Reggie was not the man. He had +roused her, but she did not know whether she ought to be grateful for +that. She blushed as she struggled with her rebellious feelings, and +then resolutely pulled herself together. Her mother must be told. + +Mrs. Cliffe was resting before dinner when Evelyn entered her room and +sat down without speaking. + +"What is the matter?" Mrs. Cliffe asked with a premonition that +something had gone wrong. "Why do you come in, in this dramatic way?" + +"I didn't mean to be dramatic," Evelyn answered quietly. "Still, perhaps +I was rather highly strung. Reggie asked me to marry him, and I told him +I could not." + +Mrs. Cliffe sat up suddenly, and there was an angry sparkle in her eyes. + +"Then I think you must be mad! What led you to this absurd conclusion?" + +"It's hard to explain," Evelyn answered with a faint smile. "I suppose I +couldn't give you any very logical reasons." + +"Then it may not be too late to put things right!" Mrs. Cliffe saw a ray +of hope. + +"I'm afraid it is. I think Reggie knows that--he was very considerate. +There is no use in your trying to do anything; I must have my own way in +this." + +Mrs. Cliffe was painfully surprised. The girl had suddenly developed and +revealed unsuspected capacities. She had grown like her father, who, +for all his patience, was sometimes immovable. There was inflexibility +in Evelyn's attitude; her face was hard and determined. + +"Very well," she acquiesced. "Your father must be told, and I don't know +what he will do about it." + +"I would rather tell him myself," Evelyn said. + +This was not what Mrs. Cliffe wanted, but the girl moved to the door as +she finished speaking, and her mother sat down, burning with +indignation. Her authority had been outraged, she felt overcome, and did +not leave her room all evening. + +Evelyn found Cliffe on the veranda, and took him down the steps before +she told him what she had done. He listened without surprise; indeed, +she thought his manner was rather curiously sympathetic. + +"Well," he said, "in a way I'm sorry. Reggie's a good fellow as far as +he goes. But I imagined you liked him. Why did you refuse?" + +"It isn't very plain," Evelyn answered. "I felt I had to. Perhaps Long +Mountain had something to do with it." + +Cliffe smiled, but not with amusement, and Evelyn saw that he +understood. Somehow she had expected him to do so and she was touched +when he gently pressed her arm. + +"After all, you're the person most interested, and you must please +yourself--though your mother will be badly disappointed," he said. "It's +possible we're wiser in the woods than in the city. One sees the things +that matter more clearly away from the turmoil." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +THE CUBAN SPY + + +Gore left Banner's Post abruptly, to Evelyn's relief, and on the morning +after his departure she and Cliffe stood on the steps before the other +guests had come down to breakfast. It had rained all night, the mist +hung low about Long Mountain's side, and a fresh wind woke waves of +sound from the rustling pines. A creel hung round Cliffe's shoulders, +and he contemplated the dripping woods with a smile of half-apologetic +satisfaction. + +"The fishing should be great to-day!" he exclaimed. "But I feel that I'm +playing truant. I ought to be back at the office. Guess the trout I +catch will cost me high; but the temptation is pretty strong when I see +the water rise." + +"I'm glad you have been rash for once," Evelyn replied. "Besides, you +have an office full of people who can look after things for you." + +Cliffe shook his head. + +"That's the excuse I tried to make, but it won't quite work. If you want +to be a successful operator, you have to sit tight with your finger on +the pulse of the market. A beat or two more or less makes a big +difference. Finance soon gets feverish." + +"And you are one of the doctors who send its temperature up or down." + +"No; that's a wrong idea. Once on a time the big men did something of +the kind, but now the dollar's a world-force that's grown too strong for +them. We gave it a power we can't control; it drives us into combines +and mergers we didn't plan. It's a blind force that rolls along +undirected, over our bodies if we get in its way. All we can do is to +try to guess its drift. The successful man is the one who does so +first." + +"I wonder whether you're to be pitied or envied. The work must be +absorbing, and it's simple, in a way." + +"Simple!" Cliffe exclaimed. + +"Well, you have an object; your aims are definite and you know, more or +less, how to carry them out. We others, who have no purpose in life, +spend our time in amusements that leave us dissatisfied. When we stop to +think, we feel that we might do something better, but we don't know what +it is. The outlook is blank." + +Cliffe gave her a sharp glance. Evelyn had changed in the last few +months, and she had been strangely quiet since her refusal of Gore. +Seeing his interest, she laughed. + +"I'm not asking for sympathy; and I mustn't keep you from the trout. Go +and catch as many as you can. It must be nice to feel that you have only +to pick up a fishing-rod and be young again." + +She walked to the gate with him, but Cliffe stopped when they reached +it, for a big automobile was lurching down the uneven road. The mud +splashed about the car indicated distance traveled at furious speed, but +it slowed at the bend near the gate, and Cliffe sighed as he recognized +Robinson. + +"I guess this stops my fishing," he said in a resigned tone. Dropping +his rod and creel, he jumped on to the footboard as the driver +cautiously took the gate, and Evelyn smiled as the car rolled up the +drive. She was sorry that her father had lost his favorite sport, but +his prompt surrender of it was characteristic. He was first of all a man +of business. + +"Wired for an auto' to meet me when I left the train," Robinson told +him. "It was raining pretty hard, and they don't do much grading on +these mountain roads, but I made the fellow rush her along as fast as he +could." He took some letters from his wallet. "Read these and think them +over while I get breakfast." + +Half an hour afterward they sat in a corner of the veranda, where Mrs. +Willans' guests left them alone. These quiet, intent men of affairs +obviously did not belong to their world. + +"Well?" Robinson said. + +"One of two things has got to be done; there's no middle course." + +Robinson nodded. + +"That's true. Middle courses generally lead to nothing." + +"Very well. We can cut out our deal with President Altiera, lose the +money we have spent, and let the concessions go; or we can pay up again, +hang on, and put the matter through." + +"What's your opinion? The fellow asks for more." + +"Do you mean to be guided by me?" + +"Yes," Robinson said. "Take which you think is the right line; I'll +stand in." + +"It's pretty hard to see. We'll make good if we get the concessions; +but the President's up against a bigger thing than he thought. It's +going to cost him and us some money to head off the revolutionists, but +if we don't drop out right now, we've got to brace up and put it over. +Well, as I'm fixed, it's a big risk. My money's making good interest, +and if I go on, I've got to sell out stock I meant to hold. A set-back +would be a serious thing for me. I want a few minutes to think it over." + +Robinson had confidence in Cliffe's integrity and judgment. + +"An hour, if you like," he said; "then we'll have to pull out, whatever +you decide." + +For a long while Cliffe sat silent with knitted brows. His wife made +claims upon his means that he sometimes found it hard to satisfy; and it +was his ambition that his daughter should be rich. After carefully +pondering the letters, he saw that he might be involved in a conflict +with forces whose strength he could not estimate, and defeat would cost +him the fruit of several years' labor. Yet the prize to be won was +tempting, and he could take a risk. Besides, they already had put a good +deal of money into it. + +"Well," he said at last, "I've made up my mind." + +"To hold on, I guess," Robinson suggested with a smile. + +"That's so," Cliffe answered in a quiet voice. "What's more, I'm going +out to look into things myself. We can talk it over on the way to town. +I'll be ready as soon as I've told my wife." + +Robinson took out his watch. + +"Give you half an hour if we're to catch the train," he said. + +Cliffe met Evelyn in the broad hall, and told her that he would have to +go south at once. + +"Take me with you, won't you?" she begged. "I want to get away from +Banner's Post." + +Cliffe hesitated a moment. + +"Why, yes," he then said; "I see no reason why you shouldn't +go--particularly as your mother means to stay with Margaret Willans." + +When, a half hour later, the car started from the bottom of the steps +and Mrs. Cliffe turned away with a wave of her hand, Evelyn stood in the +drive, asking herself bluntly why she wished to accompany her father. A +longing for change had something to do with it; she was getting tired of +an aimless and, in a sense, uneventful life, for it was true that +occupations that had once been full of pleasurable excitement had begun +to pall. But this was not her only object. Grahame was somewhere on the +coast she meant to visit, and she might meet him. Evelyn admitted with a +blush that she would like to do so. + +The next morning a telegram arrived from Cliffe, directing her to join +him in town, and ten days later she stood, at evening, on a balcony of +the Hotel International, in Havana. It was getting dark, but a few lamps +were lighted in the _patio_, and the moonlight touched one white wall. +The air was hot and heavy, and filled with exotic smells, and the sound +of alien voices gave Evelyn the sense of change and contrast she had +sought. Yet she knew that, so far, the trip had been a failure. It had +not banished her restlessness; Havana was as stale as New York. She +remembered with regret how different it had been on her first visit. +Grahame and his companion had been with her then, and she knew that she +missed them. + +She turned as a man came out on the balcony that ran along the end of +the house. He did not look like a Cuban, and she started when the +moonlight fell upon him, for she saw that it was Grahame. He was making +for the stairs at the corner where the two balconies joined and did not +notice her. Evelyn realized that, as she wore a white dress, her figure +would be indistinct against the wall, and, if she did not move in the +next few moments, he would go down the stairs and disappear among the +people in the _patio_. If he had meant to enter the hotel, he would not +have come that way. + +She felt that if she let him go they might not meet again. After all, +this might be wiser. Yet her heart beat fast, and she thrilled with a +strange excitement as she stood irresolute, knowing that the choice she +had to make would be momentous. + +Grahame reached the top of the stairs without turning, and was going +down when she leaned over the balustrade. She did not consciously decide +upon the action; it was as if something had driven her into making it. + +"Mr. Grahame!" she called softly. + +He looked up with the moonlight on his face and she saw the gleam she +had expected in his eyes. Then he came swiftly toward her, and her +indecision vanished when she gave him her hand. + +"This is a remarkably pleasant surprise, but I didn't see you until you +spoke," he said. "Have you just come out of one of the rooms?" + +"No; I've been here some time. I saw you as soon as you appeared on the +balcony." + +Grahame gave her a quick look, and she knew he was wondering why she had +waited until the last moment. He was shrewd enough to see that the delay +had some significance, but this did not matter. + +"Well," he said, "I'm glad you didn't let me pass, because I was going +out into the street, and it's doubtful if I'd have come back." + +"Yes," said Evelyn; "I seemed to know that." + +He was silent for a moment, but his expression was intent and a faint +glow of color showed in his brown face. Evelyn let him make what he +liked of her admission. She had not been influenced by coquetry, but by +a feeling that it was a time for candor. + +"I was thinking about an interview I'd just finished--that is why I +didn't look round," he explained. "I came from Matanzas this afternoon." + +"Then the _Enchantress_ isn't here?" + +"No; she's at Matanzas, but I can't get back to-night. Will you be here +long?" + +"A day or two, waiting for a boat. I wonder whether you would stay and +dine with us this evening?" Then a thought struck Evelyn, and she added: +"That is, if it isn't undesirable for you to be seen here." + +She had not expected him to hesitate and was prepared for his reckless +twinkle. + +"Of course I'll stay! But did you mean--if it was not unsafe?" + +"I suppose I did," she admitted with a smile. "You know I helped you in +a mysterious plot the last time I was here. Now it would be selfish of +me to ask you to wait if you think you'd better not." + +"There's no risk worth counting, and I'd take it if there was. When you +have a temperament like mine it's hard to deny yourself a pleasure." + +"I shouldn't have thought you self-indulgent," Evelyn smiled. + +"Well," he said, "one's fortitude has its limits. I suppose it depends +upon the strength of the temptation." + +He had answered in a light vein, and Evelyn followed his lead. + +"It's a relief to know you mean to stay. My father will be pleased to +see you; but he may not have finished his business when dinner is ready, +and I rather shrink from going down alone." + +They talked about matters of no importance for a time, and then went +through the _patio_ to the dining-room. It was not full, and Evelyn +imagined that Grahame was glad there were several unoccupied chairs +between them and the rest of the company. She noticed, moreover, that +when people came in he glanced up quietly, as if he did not want her to +notice his action, and she had a guilty feeling that she had made him +take a risk that was greater than he would own. Yet she was glad that he +had taken it. + +"Where are you going when you leave Havana?" he asked presently. + +"To Valverde, and afterward perhaps to Rio Frio." + +Grahame looked thoughtful, and Evelyn quietly studied him. Her training +had made her quick at guessing what lay behind the reserve of people +who were not quite frank with her, and she saw that he was disturbed. + +"Why should I not go there?" she asked. + +"I don't know any good reason if your father's willing to take you, but +the country's in a rather unsettled state just now." Grahame paused for +a moment and added earnestly: "Don't trust Gomez." + +"Do you think we shall meet him?" + +"Yes," he said with a dry smile; "I think it very likely." + +"Then you must know something about my father's business, and what is +going on in the country." + +"I believe I know more about the country than your father does. In fact, +I'd like to warn him against Gomez, only that I imagine he's a good +judge of character and already knows his man." + +Grahame wrote an address on a leaf of a small notebook and, tearing it +out, put it on her plate. + +"I'm going to ask a favor. If you should meet with any difficulty at Rio +Frio, will you send me a message through the man whose name I've written +down? I might, perhaps, be of some use." + +"Do you expect us to get into any difficulty?" + +"No; but one can't tell--trouble might arise." + +"And, if it did, you could help us?" + +"Well," he said gravely, "I'd do my best." + +Evelyn's eyes sparkled. + +"I know you could be trusted! But all this mystery gives the trip an +extra interest. Then, you have made it obvious that the _Enchantress_ +will be on the coast." + +"May I hope that this adds to your satisfaction?" Grahame said, smiling. + +"Now you're frivolous, and I was pleasantly excited! However, I'll +promise that if anything very alarming seems to threaten us I'll send +you word." + +Grahame looked up. An elderly Cuban gentleman, three or four places off, +had once or twice glanced at them carelessly and then resumed his +conversation with a lady beside him, but Grahame noticed that he stopped +when Evelyn spoke. + +"Am I to tell my father what I have promised?" she asked. + +"You must use your own judgment about that." + +Evelyn understood him. He would not ask her to keep a secret from her +father, and she liked his delicacy; but he looked thoughtful. She did +not know that the Cuban gentleman engaged his attention. + +"Well," she said, "I'll tell him if it seems necessary; that is, if +there's any reason for sending you word. Otherwise, of course, there +would be no need to mention it." + +"No," he agreed with a smile that seemed to draw them closer because it +hinted at mutual understanding. + +"One doesn't feel forced to explain things to you," Evelyn said +impulsively. + +"That's an advantage. Explanations are a nuisance, and sometimes +dangerous when they're important. I find them easiest when they don't +matter." + +Cliffe came in and greeted Grahame cordially; and Grahame, glancing down +the table without turning his head, saw the Cuban studying them. +Something in the man's manner suggested that Cliffe's friendliness had +surprised him. He made a few hasty pencil marks on the back of an old +letter and then, looking up suddenly, caught Grahame watching him +curiously. The Cuban pushed back his chair and left the room, although +Grahame suspected that his dinner was not more than half finished. + +Evelyn, surprising the alert look on Grahame's face, was now more +disturbed than ever on his account. Evidently there was danger for him +here. + +Her fears would have been increased had she known the few words the spy +wrote on his envelope. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +THE ARREST OF CASTILLO + + +On a hot evening not long after he left Havana, Cliffe sat in a room of +the old Spanish _presidio_ at Valverde. The building was in harmony with +the decayed town, for it had been begun in more prosperous times, and +its lower courses were solidly laid with stone. Molded doors and windows +spoke of vanished art, and the gallery round the central _patio_ was +raised on finely carved pillars, but Valverde had fallen on evil days +and the _presidio_ had been finished with adobe mud. It had served at +different times as the seat of the government, the barracks, and the +jail, and now, when part had fallen down, the rest had been rudely +repaired, and Gomez was quartered there when he visited the port. + +Outside, the ruinous building still retained a certain dignity, but this +was not so within, where degenerate taste was shown in the tawdry +decoration, and Gomez's sitting-room frankly offended Cliffe with its +suggestion of effeminate luxury. Gaudy silk hangings hid the old adobe +walls, a silver lamp with a smoked chimney hung from the ceiling by +tarnished chains, and highly colored rugs were spread upon the dirty +floor. There were inartistic but heavily gilded French clocks and +mirrors; and over all a sickening scent of perfume. + +Cliffe found it more pleasant to look out through the open window at the +town, which lay beneath him, bathed in moonlight. The close-massed, +square-fronted houses glimmered white and pink and yellow, with narrow +gaps between them where a few lights burned; a break, from which dusky +foliage rose, marked the _alameda_. In front ran a curving beach where +wet sand glistened below a bank of shingle and a fringe of surf broke +with a drowsy roar. Though it was not late, there was no stir in the +streets; an air of languorous depression brooded over the town. Gomez +seemed to feel that it needed an explanation. + +"Our trade," he said, "is prosperous, but we do not encourage the people +to gather in the plaza, and the cafes are watched. They are the storm +centers: it is there the busybodies talk. The man who stays at home and +minds his business is seldom a danger to the State. He dislikes change, +and has no time to waste on idealistic theories." + +"I guess that's true, up to a point," Cliffe agreed. "The industrious +citizen will stand for a good deal, but he's a man to reckon with when +things get too bad. He doesn't talk, like the others; he's been trained +to act, and there are developments when he makes up his mind about what +he wants. However, this is not what we're here to discuss." + +"No; but the state of the country has something to do with the matter. +We admit that there have been manifestations of discontent, and +disturbances caused by mischievous persons who love disorder, and we +must enforce quietness and respect for authority. This, you will +understand, costs some money." + +"I've subscribed a good deal," Cliffe reminded him. "I'm anxious to +learn when I'm going to get it back." + +"The wish is natural. May I point out that in generously offering help +you threw in your lot with the Government and made our interests yours?" + +"I see that pretty clearly," Cliffe replied with a touch of grimness, +for he recognized the skill with which he had been led on until he could +not draw back without a heavy loss. "Anyway, as you seem to have +weathered the storm, I want my reward. In short, I've come to find out +when your President means to sign the concessions." + +"It will be as soon as possible; there is a small difficulty. We have an +elective legislature; an encumbrance, senor, which hampers the +administration, but in times of discontent it has some influence. Our +people are jealous of foreigners, and there are interested persons ready +to work upon their feelings. This is why the President hesitates about +granting fresh concessions until he has found a way of silencing his +enemies among the representatives. You perceive that I am frank with +you." + +"It's what I like; but you haven't told me yet what I want to know. Now, +unless I can find out exactly when I may expect the papers signed, I'll +feel compelled to shut off supplies. I'd rather cut my loss than go on +enlarging it." + +Gomez looked pained. + +"I must remind you, with some diffidence, that others have offered their +help," he said. + +"They offered it; they haven't paid up. I expect you'll find they'll +insist on knowing when you mean to deliver the goods. That's my +position; I stand firm on it." + +"Very well. Before answering, I must inform the President." + +"You needn't. I'm going to take this matter to headquarters." + +"Unfortunately, the President has gone to Villa Paz for a short rest. I +fear he would not like to be disturbed." + +"He will see me; he has to," Cliffe declared. + +"After all, it is possible, but I see a difficulty. There is no inn at +Villa Paz where the senorita could find accommodation and the President +is, like myself, a bachelor. He could receive you, but not the senorita. +Our conventions are antiquated, but they must be considered. It is this +which prevents me from offering my hospitality." + +Cliffe pondered for a few moments. The conventions Gomez mentioned were +justified, because women are not treated in his country as they are in +the United States, and Cliffe could not leave Evelyn alone in the +Valverde Hotel. For all that, he must see the President, and he imagined +that although Gomez had made some difficulties the fellow was willing +that he should go. Gomez was a clever rogue, but Cliffe thought he could +be trusted so long as their interests did not clash. + +He looked up sharply, for there was a sudden stir in the town. Cliffe +was conscious of no definite sound, but he felt that the quietness had +been broken and he saw that Gomez was listening. The man's fleshy face +was intent; the stamp of indulgence had gone and given place to a look +of fierce cruelty. He had become alert and resolute; this struck Cliffe +as significant, as there was, so far, nothing to cause alarm. + +In a few moments a murmur broke out, and swelled while Gomez walked to +the open window. The streets were suddenly filled with the patter of +hurrying feet, and the confused outcry became a menacing roar. Cliffe +jumped up. He had heard something like it when a mob of desperate +strikers drove the police through an American manufacturing town; and +now his daughter was alone at the hotel. + +"What is it?" he asked. + +"A tumult," Gomez answered. "I do not think it will be serious. We have +placed a guard about the hotel, so the senorita is safe. But you will +excuse me for a few minutes." + +He went into an adjoining room, and Cliffe, standing by the window, +heard a telephone call. After this, all sounds inside the house were +drowned by the growing uproar outside. Cliffe could see nothing of the +riot, but he thought he could locate it in one of the dark gaps that +pierced a block of houses some distance off. The clamor gained in effect +from the mystery that surrounded its cause. + +Two pistol shots rang out and there was a wild shouting, but the note of +fury had changed to alarm. Cliffe thought he could hear men running, and +he pictured the mob pouring down the narrow street in flight, for the +cries grew less frequent and receded. At last they died away, and a +group of men moving in regular order came out of the mouth of a street. +They seemed to have a prisoner in their midst, and four peons plodded +behind, carrying something on a shutter. Then they all vanished into +the gloom, and when their measured steps were getting faint Gomez +returned with an unpleasant smile. + +"It is nothing," he said. "We had planned the arrest of a troublesome +person called Castillo, who is a favorite with the mob. There was some +excitement, and a few stones were thrown, but only one attempt at a +rescue, the leader of which was shot by the rural guards. As he was a +man we suspected of sedition, this has saved us some trouble." + +Cliffe looked at him, as one who might study a new species of animal or +some rare and ugly plant. + +Gomez spread out his hands. + +"It is worth noting that the affair proves our strength," he said +gloatingly. "We have seized a popular leader of the discontented, and +there was no determined resistance. One may consider it an encouraging +sign." + +Cliffe nodded agreement, and Gomez changed the subject. + +"I have been thinking," he said. "If you are resolved to see the +President, Senora Herrero, wife of the _alcalde_, whom you have met, +would take care of the senorita while you are away. They are people of +some importance, and she would be safe with them." + +This struck Cliffe as a good suggestion, and when Gomez accompanied him +to the _alcalde's_ house the matter was arranged with Evelyn's consent. +The next morning Cliffe set off with a relay of mules and three or four +days later was received by the President at a little town among the +hills. Nothing was said about business until he had rested and dined, +and then he sat with his host on a veranda half hidden by +bougainvillea, looking down on the dim littoral that ran back to the +sea. + +President Altiera differed from his secretary. He looked more of an +autocratic soldier than a diplomatist. There was a hint of brutality +about him, and Cliffe thought he would rather use force than guile. The +man had a coarse, strong face, and his eyes were stern, but he was +rather reserved than truculent. + +"Senor," he said, "since I understand you were determined to see me, it +is an honor to welcome you, and my house and self are at your command. I +imagine, however, that neither of us often wastes much time on +compliments." + +"My excuse is that I find one does best by going to headquarters when +any difficulties arise. It seemed possible that your secretary might +smooth down my remarks before transmitting them." + +"And you do not wish them smoothed down," Altiera dryly suggested. + +"I think it best that we should understand each other." + +"That is so. What do you wish to understand?" + +"When I may expect the sealed grant of the concessions." + +"In two months, provided that my enemies do not kill me first, which I +think is hardly probable." + +"One hopes not, but there is another risk; not large, perhaps, but to be +reckoned with." + +Altiera laughed. + +"That the people may choose another President? No, senor. I rule this +country. When I cease to do so it will be because I am dead. Let us be +candid. Your concessions depend upon the luck that may attend some +assassin's attempt, and I take precautions." + +Cliffe thought this was true. Altiera carried a pistol, and could use it +remarkably well, and two armed guards were posted outside the veranda. + +"There is a condition," Altiera said. "The concessions will be yours in +two months, but payment of the money my secretary asked for must be made +in a fortnight, or, if this is impossible, as soon as you get home." + +"It would suit me better to take the concessions in a fortnight and pay +in two months," Cliffe retorted coolly. + +"I am not a trader, senor; I do not dispute and haggle over a bargain." + +"Neither do I," said Cliffe. "Still, it's necessary for a trader to +state his terms." + +There was silence for a few moments, and Cliffe, studying his +antagonist's face, thought his statement justified. The man might use +brutal means to gain his end, but he would not contend about a small +advantage. + +"Very well," the President conceded. "Though it will cause me some +embarrassment, I make another offer. You shall have the grant in a +month." + +"A month is too long to wait." + +Altiera rose and stood with his brown hand clenched upon the back of his +chair and his brows knitted. It seemed to cost him an effort to maintain +his self-control, and Cliffe saw that he had pressed him hard. For all +that, he did not mean to yield. He had gone farther than was prudent, +and knew when to stop. + +"You understand what you risk by your exactions?" Altiera asked +menacingly. + +"Senor Gomez made that plain. I have no security for the money already +paid, except your honor." + +Altiera bowed. + +"Though the situation is difficult and you make it worse, I believe your +confidence is not misplaced. Well, since one or two of my ministers must +be consulted, I cannot give you an answer for a week; but the country is +healthful in this neighborhood, and you may be interested in studying +its resources. My house is at your disposal, and your comfort will be +provided for while I see what can be done." + +It took Cliffe a minute or two to make up his mind. He would rather have +gone back to Valverde at once; but he felt that he must finish his +business before returning. Although he had some misgivings, he agreed to +stay. + +In reaching his decision he thought Evelyn safe with the _alcalde_; but +he had not reckoned on the cunning of Secretary Gomez. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +A HALF-BREED'S TRICK + + +Evelyn found the time pass heavily at Valverde. The town was hot and +uninteresting, although she did not see much of it, for it was only when +the glaring sunshine had faded off the narrow streets that she was +allowed a leisurely stroll in company with the _alcalde's_ wife. Senora +Herrero, who was stout and placid, and always dressed in black, spoke no +English, and only a few words of French. After an hour's superintendence +of her half-breed servants' work, she spent most of the day in sleep. +Yet she was careful of her guest's comfort, and in this respect Evelyn +had no cause for complaint. + +It was the monotony the girl found trying. After the ten o'clock +breakfast there was nothing to be done until dinner was served at four. +The adobe house was very quiet and was darkened by lattices pulled +across the narrow windows; and there was no stir in the town between +noon and early evening. Evelyn patiently tried to grasp the plot of a +Spanish novel, and when she got tired of this sat in the coolest spot +she could find, listening to the drowsy rumble of the surf. Hitherto her +time had been occupied by strenuous amusements, and the lethargic +inaction jarred. + +It was better when the shadows lengthened, because there were then +voices and footsteps in the streets. One could watch the languid +traffic; but when night came Valverde, instead of wakening to a few +hours' joyous life, was silent again. Sometimes a group of people went +by laughing, and now and then a few gathered round a singer with a +guitar, but there was no noisy talk in the cafes and no band played in +the _alameda_. An ominous quietness brooded over the town. + +All this reacted on Evelyn's nerves, and one hot afternoon she felt +ready to welcome any change as she sat in a shaded room. Her hands were +wet with perspiration, the flies that buzzed about her face exasperated +her, and she found the musky smell that filled the house intolerable. +Senora Herrero lay in a big cane chair, looking strangely bulky and +shapeless in her tight black dress, with her eyes half closed and no +sign of intelligence in her heavily powdered face. Evelyn longed to wake +her and make her talk. + +Then there were steps outside and Gomez came in. He bowed, and Senora +Herrero grew suddenly alert. Indeed, it struck Evelyn that her hostess +felt disturbed, but she paid no attention to this. She was glad of a +break in the monotony, and it was not until afterward her mind dwelt +upon what took place. + +"Senor Cliffe's business with the President will keep him longer than he +thought. He may be detained for a fortnight," Gomez said. + +Evelyn had no reason for being on her guard, and her disappointment was +obvious. + +"I was looking forward to his return in a day or two," she answered. + +"The senor Cliffe is to be envied for having a dutiful daughter," Gomez +smiled. "Still, I need not offer my sympathy, because it is his wish +that you should go to him." + +"When?" Evelyn asked eagerly. + +"As soon as you are ready. I have ordered the mules, and you can bring +what you think needful. We could start after dinner, and I offer myself +as escort for part of the way." + +"But this is impossible!" Senora Herrero exclaimed in horrified protest. + +Gomez spread out his hands deprecatingly. + +"With apologies, senora, I think not. My plan is that you should go with +your guest until I can place her in some other lady's hands." + +"But it is years since I have ridden a mule, and exercise makes me ill! +Besides, I cannot leave my husband and my household." + +Evelyn remembered afterward that her hostess's indignant expression +suddenly changed, as if Gomez had given her a warning look; but he +answered good-humoredly: + +"I have seen Don Jose. He feels desolated at the thought of losing you +for two or three days, but he agrees that we must do all we can to suit +the wishes of our American friends. Besides, you can travel to Galdo, +where we stay the night, in a coach. I will see that one is sent, but it +may take an hour or two to find mules." + +"They must be good," said the senora. "I am heavy, and the road is bad." + +"We will pick the best; but until you overtake us the senorita Cliffe +will, no doubt, be satisfied with my escort. We should reach Galdo soon +after dark. The senora Romanez will receive us there, and we start +early the next morning on our journey to the hills." + +Gomez turned to Evelyn. + +"This meets with your approval?" he asked suavely. + +"Oh, yes," she agreed; though she afterward realized that there was no +obvious reason why she should not have waited for the coach, and that it +was curious her hostess did not suggest this. + +Gomez returned after dinner before Evelyn was quite ready, and she was +somewhat surprised that he made no remark about the luggage she wished +to take. It was skilfully lashed on the broad pack-saddles, and they set +off when she mounted a handsome mule. There were two baggage animals, +driven by dark-skinned peons, and two mounted men brought up the rear. +Gomez said this explained the delay in getting mules for the coach, but +added that the girl would find the journey pleasanter in the saddle. + +Evelyn agreed with him as they rode down the roughly paved street. It +was a relief to be moving, and the air had got pleasantly cool. +Half-breed women with black shawls round their heads looked up at her +from beside their tiny charcoal cooking fires, and she saw dark eyes +flash with hostility as her escort passed. Here and there a woman of +pure Spanish blood stood on a balcony and glanced down with shocked +prudery at the bold American, but Evelyn smiled at this. She distrusted +Gomez, who obviously was not a favorite with the poorer citizens, but as +a traveling companion she did not find much fault with him. + +After a while they left the houses behind and turned into a dusty, +rutted track. The murmur of the sea followed them until they reached a +belt of forest where the sound was cut off, and Evelyn felt as if she +had lost a friend. The measured beat of the surf and the gleam of spray +were familiar things; the forest was mysterious, and oppressively +silent. In places a red glow shone among the massive trunks, but, for +the most part, they were hung with creepers and all below was wrapped in +shade. The track grew soft and wet; the air was steamy and filled with +exotic smells. Evelyn felt her skin get damp, and the mules fell into a +labored pace. + +Strange noises began to fill the gathering gloom; the air throbbed with +a humming that rose and fell. Deep undertones and shrill pipings that it +was hard to believe were made by frogs and insects pierced the stagnant +air. Specks of phosphorescent light twinkled among the leaves, but the +fireflies were familiar and Evelyn welcomed them. She felt suddenly +homesick, and wished they were not leaving the coast; but she remembered +that her father had sent for her, and brushed her uneasiness away. + +After a time, Gomez stopped. + +"We have not gone fast, and the senora ought to overtake us soon," he +said. "Will you get down and wait for her?" + +The forest, with the thin mist drifting through it, had a forbidding +look, and, for the first time that she could recollect, Evelyn felt +afraid of the dark. + +"Let us go on," she said. + +Gomez hesitated a moment and then acquiesced. + +The road got steep and the mist thicker. Drooping creepers brushed them +as they passed, and now and then Evelyn was struck by a projecting +branch. Her mule, however, needed no guidance, and she sank into a +dreamy lethargy. There was something enervating and soporific in the +steamy atmosphere. + +At last the gloom began to lighten and they came out into the luminous +clearness of the tropic night. In front lay a few flat blocks of houses, +surrounded by fields of cane, and here and there a patch of broad-leafed +bananas. Passing through the silent village they reached a long building +which Gomez said was the Romanez _hacienda_. + +Lights gleamed in the windows, but they knocked twice before a strong, +arched door was unfastened, and they rode through into the _patio_. It +was obvious that they were expected. A gentleman dressed in white, his +stout wife in black, and a girl who wore a thin, yellow dress, came down +to welcome them. They were hospitable, but Evelyn, speaking only a few +words of Castilian, and feeling very tired, was glad when her hostess +showed her to her room. + +She soon went to sleep, and, wakening early, felt invigorated by the +cool air that flowed in through the open window and the sight of the +blue hills that rose, clean-cut, against the morning sky. Then she had a +drowsy recollection of something being wrong, and presently remembered +that the senora Herrero had not arrived. This, however, was not +important, because Gomez could no doubt arrange for her hostess to +accompany them on the next stage of their journey. + +Evelyn found Gomez apologetic when they met at breakfast. He was much +vexed with the _alcalde's_ wife, but the senorita Romanez and her duenna +would take her place, and he expected to put Evelyn in her father's care +in two more days. This, he added, would afford him a satisfaction that +would be tempered by regret. + +They started after breakfast, but Evelyn did not feel drawn to her new +companion. Luisa Romanez was handsome in a voluptuous style, with dark +hair, a powdered face, and languishing black eyes, but so far as she +could make her meaning clear, she banteringly complimented Evelyn on +having won the admiration of a distinguished man. Evelyn declared that +this was a mistake, and Gomez had offered his escort as a duty, to which +Dona Luisa returned a mocking smile. Her amusement annoyed Evelyn. On +the whole, she was glad that conversation was difficult. The sour, +elderly duenna who rode behind them said nothing at all. + +After traveling all day, they stopped at a lonely _hacienda_, where +Evelyn soon retired to rest. She slept well, and, wakening rather late +the next morning, found that Dona Luisa and her duenna had left an hour +before. This was embarrassing, because Evelyn knew something about +Spanish conventions; but, after all, she was an American, and they did +not apply to her. + +Gomez appeared annoyed and extremely apologetic. + +"There has been a misunderstanding," he explained. "I thought the +senorita Romanez would go with us to Rio Frio, but she told me last +night that she must return early this morning. I expostulated and +implored, but the senorita was firm. She declared she had not promised +to come farther than the _hacienda_. You see my unfortunate position. +One cannot compel a lady to do what she does not wish." + +"When shall we reach Rio Frio?" Evelyn asked. + +"If all goes well, late this afternoon." + +Evelyn thought for a moment. She was vexed and vaguely alarmed, but her +father was waiting for her at Rio Frio. + +"Then let us start as soon as possible," she said. + +Gomez bowed. + +"When breakfast is over. I go to give my men their orders." + +Leaving the _hacienda_, they rode by rough, steep tracks that wound +through belts of forest and crossed sun-scorched slopes. Although it was +hot, the air was clear, and Evelyn was pleased to see that Gomez kept +the mules at a steady pace. At noon they reached a cluster of +poverty-stricken mud houses, and Gomez called one of the ragged, +half-breed peons. They talked for some time in a low voice, and then +Gomez turned to Evelyn. + +"I am afraid we shall have to wait here for two or three hours," he +said. "It might be dangerous to go any farther now." + +"But I must get on!" Evelyn answered sharply. + +"Your wishes would be a command, only that I must think of your safety +first. There is an inn in the village, and while you rest I will explain +why we cannot go forward." + +Evelyn found the small _fonda_ indescribably dirty, but it offered +shelter from the sun. Openings in its bare walls let in puffs of breeze, +and decaying lattices kept out the glare, but the room was full of +flies, and rustling sounds showed that other insects lurked in the +crevices. The place reeked with the smell of _cana_ and kerosene, and +Evelyn had to force herself to eat a little of the greasy mess that was +set before her in rude, sun-baked crockery. When the meal was over +Gomez began his explanation. + +"You have heard that the country is disturbed. There are turbulent +people who want a revolution, and I am not popular with them." + +Evelyn smiled, for she had learned something about the country's +politics and she thought he had expressed the feeling of its +discontented citizens very mildly. She distrusted him, but, so far, his +conduct had been irreproachable. + +"I see you understand," he resumed. "The worst is that you too are an +object of suspicion; it is known that your father is a friend of the +President and has business with him. Well, I have been warned that some +of our enemies are in the neighborhood, and they might rouse the peons +to attack us. They will know when we left the _hacienda_ and watch for +us, but we can outwit them by waiting a while and then taking another +road." + +This was plausible, and Evelyn agreed to the delay, although she did not +feel quite satisfied when Gomez left her. The dirty room was very hot +and its atmosphere unspeakably foul, but she could not sit outside in +the sun, and, taking up a soiled newspaper, she tried to read. Her +knowledge of Castilian did not carry her far, but she made out that the +Government was being urged to deal severely with a man named Sarmiento. + +Evelyn put down the paper, feeling that she ought to know the name. +Sarmiento had some connection with Grahame and his friends; perhaps they +had spoken of him. This led her to think of them. It looked as if +Grahame were interested in the country's politics. Remembering the +promise she had made, she wondered whether the _Enchantress_ was then on +the coast. As he seemed to be opposing Gomez, he must be helping the +revolutionaries, while her father had business with the President. This +was puzzling, and she sat thinking about it for some time; and then +looked up with a start as Gomez came in. + +"So you have been reading the _diario_!" he remarked. + +"I don't understand very much; but who is Don Martin Sarmiento?" + +"A dangerous person who goes about making trouble." + +"It's curious, but I think I have met him." + +Gomez gave her a searching glance and then smiled. + +"He is not worth remembering, but you did meet him at Havana." + +"Ah!" said Evelyn sharply. + +Gomez laughed. + +"Must I remind you, senorita, of a little affair at the Hotel +International?" + +Evelyn remembered it well and guessed that it was Sarmiento whom Gomez +had been pursuing when she stopped him by dropping her ring. She could +now understand his look of baffled rage, and she recalled her shrinking +from the savagery it displayed. + +"One imagines that you did not know Don Martin," Gomez said lightly, +although there was a keen look in his narrowed eyes. + +"No," Evelyn answered; "I only saw him at dinner." + +"Then perhaps you have heard your father speak of him?" + +"I am not sure; I have heard his name somewhere; but I don't think my +father ever met him." + +"Well, I don't know that it is of much importance. I came to tell you +that I think we can start." + +They set off and reached Rio Frio without trouble some time after dark. +People in the streets turned and gazed at them, and although some +saluted Gomez, Evelyn thought that, for the most part, they watched the +party with unfriendly curiosity. She was eager to meet her father, but +when they dismounted in the _patio_ of a large white house she got a +shock. A dark-skinned woman and several half-breed servants came down +from a gallery to welcome them, but Cliffe was not there. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +HELD FOR RANSOM + + +Gomez once more apologized. The senor Cliffe had not yet arrived from +Villa Paz, he explained, but was expected in the morning. In the +meantime the good senora Garcia would look after the senorita's comfort. + +Evelyn had to be content with that. Indeed, she was too tired to feel +much disturbed. On getting up the next morning, however, she was +troubled by unpleasant suspicions. It had been a shock to find Cliffe +absent, and she began to review the misadventures which had marked her +journey. To begin with, it now seemed curious that her father had not +written instead of sending a message; then, the senora Herrero had not +kept her promise to overtake them, and Luisa Romanez had unexpectedly +gone back. While she wondered whether all this had any sinister meaning, +Evelyn felt for a packet of paper currency which she had, at her +father's advice, sewn into her dress. She found that it was gone. A +hurried search showed that the stitches had been neatly cut. + +For a few moments she felt unnerved, and then resolutely pulled herself +together. This was no time for hysteria. It was obvious that she had +been duped. The lost sum was not large, but with the exception of a few +coins it was all she had, and it had not been stolen by a common thief. +Somebody had searched her clothes while she slept and taken the money +with the object of embarrassing her. + +Going to the window, she looked out at the town. It had a mean, +dilapidated air; the few inhabitants she saw slowly moving about looked +poverty-stricken and furtive. Their harsh voices jarred; one could +expect no sympathy or help from these foreigners. Hitherto she had been +indulged and carefully protected, but she was now alone and in danger, +and the novel experience was daunting. Still, she saw that it was unwise +to give her imagination rein. She must keep her head and try to grapple +with the situation. + +She finished dressing and without waiting for the morning chocolate +found her way to the room in which she had been received on the previous +evening. It stretched across one end of the house on the second floor +and was furnished in rather barbarous taste. Although there was a +profusion of colored silk and a hint of sensual luxury, it was obviously +a man's room, and Evelyn studied the woman who joined her when the +majordomo brought in breakfast. + +Senora Garcia was coarsely handsome, but she had not the easy manners of +a lady of rank and her dark color hinted at Indian blood. Her expression +was arrogant, and Evelyn felt that she was hostile. Besides, she spoke +an uncouth Spanish that the girl could not understand at all. Breakfast +was a trial of nerve, but Evelyn knew that she must eat and hide her +fears. When breakfast was over she would have a talk with Gomez. + +He soon came in, and dismissed the senora Garcia with a commanding +glance. Her servile obedience was significant. + +"_Buenos dias, senorita_," he greeted Evelyn smilingly. + +"When do you expect my father?" she asked bluntly. + +"I regret that I cannot answer positively. It may be a week before he +comes--perhaps longer." + +"But you brought me here to meet him!" + +Gomez smiled, and spread out his hands in a way that always irritated +Evelyn. + +"It now appears that the senor Cliffe's business with the President is +not finished," he said. + +"It would not prevent his coming to meet me if he had promised." + +"You should know best," Gomez answered with a shrug. "Still, it looks as +if the senor Cliffe put his business first and is not very anxious about +you." + +"That is not true!" Evelyn said vehemently. "If he had any cause to be +anxious, he would let no business stand in the way!" + +"Ah! I admit I find this interesting." + +Gomez looked so satisfied that Evelyn feared she had blundered, though +she could not see how. Her heart beat fast and her nerves were tensely +strung, but she knew that she must be calm. The man was her antagonist +and she was fighting in the dark. + +"Well," she said, "since my father has not arrived, I will go to him." + +"I am afraid that is impossible. It is a long way to Villa Paz and the +country is disturbed." + +"Do you mean to prevent my going?" + +"Far from it, senorita. You are at liberty to do what you wish; but +unfortunately, I cannot provide mules and an escort. There are some +dangerous revolutionaries among the hills. Then, I must remind you that +our people dislike foreigners, and a lady cannot travel alone and +without money." + +Evelyn felt trapped. + +"How do you _know_ I haven't money? Because it was stolen in this house! +You must lend me some--my father will repay it." + +"Your pardon, senorita, but you are mistaken; I can answer for the +honesty of my servants. I would lend you money, only that I cannot +permit you to make a journey I know is dangerous." + +The girl sat still and there was silence for a few moments while she +tried to brace herself. She felt that she was at the man's mercy, for +there was something threatening behind his suave politeness, and his +smile indicated that he was amused by her futile struggles. For all +that, she must keep up the fight. + +"Then what is to be done?" she asked. + +"I suggest that you write to the senor Cliffe and tell him where you +are. If you add that you do not feel safe, he will, no doubt, join you +as soon as possible. Although it may reflect upon our care of you, we +will see that he gets the letter." + +It seemed a simple course, but Evelyn was on her guard. She must match +her wits against the man's, and he had shown a hint of eagerness that +she thought suspicious. Having brought her to Rio Frio by trickery, why +did he wish her father to know that she felt alarmed? + +"I should be glad to write to him, but I do not see why I should make +him uneasy on my account," she said. + +There was something in Gomez's expression which indicated that he felt +baffled, and she knew it might be dangerous to provoke him; but he +exercised self-control. + +"That is for you to judge, but are you not inconsistent, senorita? You +show some anger and alarm when you do not find your father here, and now +when I suggest an easy way of bringing him, you will not take it." + +"Do you want him to come here?" Evelyn asked bluntly. + +Gomez gave her a steady, thoughtful look. + +"On the whole, that would suit us." He paused and added in a meaning +tone: "It would facilitate your return to the coast." + +Evelyn knew she had been given a hint that was half a threat and it cost +her something to refuse it, although she felt that to do what the man +wished might not be the safest plan. + +"After all, it might interfere with his business if I made him leave +Villa Paz before he is ready." + +Watching Gomez closely she thought his calm was forced, but he bowed. + +"As you wish, senorita, but you will think over it. And now I must leave +you." + +For some minutes after he had gone Evelyn sat with relaxed muscles and +vacant mind, for the strain had told; then by degrees her courage came +back. She was an American and must show no weakness to an antagonist of +alien and, she felt, baser blood. Besides, it looked as if she had won +the first encounter and she had resources which should prove useful. She +had inherited her father's intelligence, and her social training had +given her restraint and the power to conceal her thoughts, while a +woman's quick, instinctive perception was an advantage. + +All this, however, was not directly to the point. She had been decoyed +to Rio Frio for some purpose. She shrank as she remembered Luisa +Romanez's hints; still, she did not think Gomez was in love with her. +The fellow was a sensualist, but he had some advantage in view, and she +had already suspected what it was. Now she began to understand the +matter more clearly. Gomez and the President meant to use her as a means +of getting her father into their power. She did not think his personal +safety was threatened, but they would insist on his agreeing to their +terms as the price of restoring her to him, and it was plain that she +would play into their hands by writing a letter that would cause him +anxiety. Evelyn determined that they should not have her help, but +although she sat for some time with brows knitted and hands clenched, +she could make no better plan than to remain quietly obstinate. + +It was impossible to reach Villa Paz without money, and although she +shrank from being left in the power of a man like Gomez, she thought his +self-interest would secure her safety. She might, perhaps, get some one +to carry a message to Grahame if he were on the coast, but she was +reluctant to do so unless the need were urgent. + +After a while she got up and went out into the plaza. People gazed at +her curiously; some smiled at one another as she passed, and a number of +the women looked suspicious and hostile. For all that, she was neither +molested nor followed, and when the sun got hot she returned to the +house, where she spent the day drearily improving her knowledge of +Castilian. It promised to become useful, but the fine language jarred +her long afterward. + +The week that followed tried her courage. She was, in reality, a +prisoner, though subject to no open restraint and treated well, except +that the senora Garcia regarded her with badly disguised hatred. Now and +then she saw Gomez, but he was suavely courteous and said nothing of +importance. She got nervous and lost her color and her appetite, but +there was nothing to do but wait until Gomez, who apparently meant to +wear her out, made some fresh demand. + +One evening he came into the room where she sat and after a ceremonious +greeting stood with his head slightly bent in an attitude of respect. He +was dressed in a white uniform which emphasized his stoutness and the +dark color of his greasy skin. + +"You look tired, senorita," he remarked. + +"I am very tired of Rio Frio. Have you come to tell me that I can go +away?" + +"That you should be eager to do so grieves me, but I can, perhaps, make +it possible. There is a proposal I wish to make." + +"Yes?" Evelyn answered as carelessly as she could. + +"You may find what I propose surprising; but I must beg you to think +over it and you will see that it is not so strange as it seems. I have +the honor to ask you to be my wife." + +Evelyn shrank back in horror, as if he had struck her, and then with an +effort recovered her self-control. + +"This is impossible, senor; indeed, it is absurd." + +"Your pardon," he said with ominous grimness; "I cannot agree. It is, I +think, the best way out of an embarrassing situation, but this is an +argument I do not wish to use. I would rather speak of the charm you +exercise and my respectful admiration." + +"We can leave that out. I do not value nor desire it." + +The man's dark eyes flashed, and Evelyn knew the danger of rousing him. +His Spanish polish was only skin-deep, and the savage lurked beneath. +For all that, she was desperate and meant to force the conflict. + +"Very well," he said; "I must take another course. To begin with, it +looks as if your father did not care what became of you. It is now some +time since he left you at Valverde and he has not troubled to inquire if +you are safe." + +"I do not believe that!" + +"Well, we will let it go. The rest is more important. It is known in +Valverde that you did me the honor to run away with me." + +Evelyn jumped up, with the color rushing to her face and her hands +clenched. The prudence she tried to exercise had given place to +imperious anger. + +"You scoundrel!" she cried. "Do you think it matters to me what your +black-blooded countrymen and women think! Your Moorish customs may be +necessary for them, but I am an American!" + +Gomez chuckled. + +"There were two American _comisionistas_ at Valverde and they must have +heard the story in the cafes. It is, you understand, a romantic episode: +the daughter of a well-known financier elopes with a foreign soldier. +The _comisionistas_ talk about it when they return and your newspapers +make the most of the tale. Some of them are not reserved or fastidious. +It is possible they print your portrait. One can imagine the +astonishment of your friends, but the story would be incomplete if it +did not end with a romantic wedding." + +The girl drew back in horror. If the tale reached home, the shock would +break her mother down; but it was possible that Gomez was lying. She had +heard of no American drummers in the town. + +He gave her no time to recover. + +"Then I must show you how what followed our flight from Valverde fits +in. We arrive together at Rio Frio after dark; you find shelter in my +house." + +Evelyn started, for this was worse. + +"Your house!" she exclaimed. "Then who is Senora Garcia?" + +Gomez smirked in an ugly manner. + +"A woman of the town who comes at my bidding." + +The jealous hatred of the coarse but handsome woman was now explained +and Evelyn grew hot with humiliation as she saw that the senora Garcia +regarded her as a favored rival. It was unendurable; but in spite of her +anger she was getting calm. Besides, there was some hope in the thought +that Gomez could not be moved by passion. He was a sensual brute, and +her beauty had perhaps caught his roving eye, but it was some material +advantage he sought. + +"It was a clever plot; one that only a mind like yours could conceive," +she said with quiet scorn. + +"The important thing is that it succeeded. But may I ask why you object +to me? I am a man of influence--in reality, the second in power. The +country is disturbed and discontented; before long I may be first." + +"Your hopes would probably come to a sudden end, if your master guessed +them," Evelyn answered with a mocking smile. + +She saw that she had touched him, for he cast a quick glance at the +door, as if to make sure that nobody had heard his boast. As he did so, +Evelyn thought she heard a faint movement outside, but she knew she +might be mistaken, and Gomez did not seem to notice anything. To +distract his attention, she flung another jibe at him. + +"Senor," she said, "though you think I am in your power, I will never +marry you. It is an insult to suggest it. Even if you were not repulsive +in person and character, you are not a white man." + +The blood rushed to his face and his eyes flashed. + +"You are rash, senorita, in trying to provoke me, but you may take a +wiser course before I have finished with you. It pains me deeply to be +compelled to remind you that you are in my house, in my power. I repeat +to you my offer, senorita; I give you one more chance to marry me _of +your own free will_. And now I leave you to think it over." + +Before Evelyn could more than gasp he was gone. She fell limply into a +chair and dropped her head into her hands. She must think, _think_; but +the strain had been unbearable and the reaction threatened to overwhelm +her. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE INTERCEPTED NOTE + + +When she was able to think calmly, Evelyn found herself confronted by +familiar troubles. She was not a prisoner and yet she could not run +away, because she had no money and could not understand the barbarous +Castilian spoken among the hills. Moreover, she could not appeal, even +by signs, for help, for it was generally believed that she had eloped +with Gomez. His friends would, no doubt, send her back to him. His +enemies would treat her with rude contempt. Sooner than be forced to +marry him, she would steal away and starve; but she had a conviction +that things would not come to the worst. It would suit Gomez best to +break down her resistance by moral pressure. + +She was young, but not altogether inexperienced, and during the past +week her mental powers had suddenly developed; besides, she was +supported by a deep-rooted national pride. It was a privilege to be an +American, or, as her countrymen sometimes expressed it, to be white. The +sentiment might not be quite free from prejudice, but it was founded on +truth and carried an obligation. One must respect one's birthright and +never submit to be trampled on by a foreigner. + +It was, however, obvious that she must seek outside help, and in her +need she thought of Grahame. He would come if she sent for him, and she +knew now that he would be welcome if he came as her lover. He was a +white man; it was an unspeakable relief to dwell upon his fine, athletic +symmetry and his strong, brown face with its stamp of semi-ascetic +restraint, after the tainted grossness of her persecutor. She had +thought of him often, and had indeed found it hard not to do so oftener, +but the turning-point had come and, flinging aside ambition, she opened +her heart to the love that had been waiting. This was not because she +was in danger, although danger had hastened the crisis. + +For a time she forgot Gomez, and listened vacantly to the patter of feet +in the hot streets while she sat quietly in a corner of the shaded room, +lost in alluring dreams. Then she roused herself, and going to her +apartment wrote a short message, stating that she needed help. She could +not find an envelope and dare not ask for one, so she folded the note +and wrote across it the address Grahame had given her. Then she stole +from the house. + +No one interfered with her as she went up a street that led to the +outskirts of the town, where she was less likely to be watched. The +unsealed note could not be posted, because it would no doubt be given to +Gomez, but she might find somebody who would arrange for its conveyance +by hand. It would be better if the person were a revolutionary, but she +imagined that the President's enemies would not make themselves +conspicuous. Some risk must be taken, but, after all, very few people +could read English. + +After a time she met a peon and showed him the note. He seemed surprised +to see the Spanish name on the back, and at first vigorously shook his +head, but when Evelyn held out two or three coins he began to ponder, +and presently made a sign of understanding and took the note. Evelyn +felt reckless as he moved away, for she had given him all her money and +had no resource left. + +Returning by a different way, she entered the house. Gomez did not seem +to be about, but the building was large and she seldom saw him except +when he paid her a formal visit. The man was a ruffian, but it was her +money he wanted, and he would act discreetly. His boast had thrown some +light upon his treacherous schemes: he meant to make himself President, +if he could compel her father to provide the necessary funds. + +The peon carrying the note set out on foot for the next village, where +he had a friend who sometimes went to the coast. The friend, however, +was not at home, and Evelyn's messenger, being tired and in possession +of more money than usual, entered a little wine-shop and ordered +refreshment. The _cana_ was strong and after drinking more than was good +for him he forgot his caution when one of the villagers asked what had +brought him there. To satisfy the fellow's curiosity, he produced the +note, and the loungers in the wine-shop grew interested, for the man to +whom it was addressed was known as an enemy of the Government. + +One tried to take it from the peon, another interfered, and as both +political parties were represented, a tumult broke out. It was stopped +by the arrival of two rural guards, the note was seized, and one of the +guards set off for Rio Frio at dawn the next morning. + +Gomez started when he was given the note, for Evelyn had made an +unexpected move; but he saw the importance of what it implied and +lighted a cigarette while he thought the matter out. He had suspected +the _Enchantress_ for some time and knew that Grahame was her owner. +Since the _yanqui_ was in communication with a dangerous revolutionist, +he must be engaged in smuggling arms, and if he had landed many, the +rebels would be ready to fight. For all that, Gomez was puzzled. Grahame +was a friend of the senorita Cliffe's--perhaps even her lover--and he +was helping the rebels, while her father had spent a good deal of money +to support the President. This suggested that Cliffe might be playing a +crooked game, and bore out some suspicions Gomez had entertained. The +President must be informed at once; but in the meantime Gomez saw how +the note could be made use of. + +After some thought, he summoned a confidential clerk who had learned +English in the United States, and gave him the note. + +"It seems that the senorita does not like Rio Frio and means to leave +us," he remarked. + +The clerk discreetly contented himself with a sign of agreement. + +"Well," Gomez resumed, "I think we will let her message go." + +"Would that be wise?" the other ventured. "We do not know when and which +way the Englishman will come, and he may be joined by some of +Sarmiento's followers." + +Gomez smiled. + +"The senorita Cliffe is artless and has made a mistake. Her note covers +only half the paper and leaves room for something to be added +underneath." + +"Ah!" The clerk was a skillful penman and had once or twice successfully +imitated the signatures of hostile politicians. + +"You understand!" said Gomez. "The writing must not look different and +you must use the same kind of pencil. Now give me some paper." + +He smoked a cigarette before he began to write, for the space at the +foot of Evelyn's note was limited. Grahame probably knew the girl's +hand, but would be deceived by a clever imitation of it in the form of a +postscript under her signature. The note was dated at Rio Frio and left +it to be understood that Evelyn expected him there, but the postscript +directed him to land on the beach near Valverde, where a guide would +look out for him for several nights. + +"There are two words we had better alter; the Americans do not often use +them," said the clerk cautiously, and Gomez agreed to the change. + +"You will have it sent off and make arrangements for the Englishman to +be met," he added with a smile. "And now I must start for Villa Paz to +tell the President." + +Half an hour later he mounted in the _patio_, and Evelyn, hearing the +clatter of hoofs, looked out through the half-opened lattice and watched +him ride away. As he had an armed escort and a spare mule, she imagined +he meant to make a long journey, and Grahame might arrive before he +returned. + +Soon after the party had gone, the senora Garcia came in and stood +looking at the girl as if she had something to say. Her air of sullen +dislike was less marked than usual, and Evelyn, remembering the sound +she had heard during her interview with Gomez, suspected that she had +listened at the door. Now the woman looked anxious and embarrassed, and +while she hesitated Evelyn studied her. The senora must have possessed +unusual beauty and was handsome yet, although she was getting stout and +losing her freshness, as women of Spanish blood do at an early age in +hot climates. Her skin had been spoiled by cosmetics and her face was +clumsily touched with paint and powder. Evelyn felt a half contemptuous +pity; there was something pathetic in her crude attempts to preserve her +vanishing charm. + +The senora made signs which Evelyn supposed to mean that Gomez had gone +away, and then she took out some silver and paper currency. Putting it +into the girl's hand, she pointed to the door. + +Evelyn started, for the hint was plain; the senora was anxious to get +rid of her rival. Evelyn grasped at the chance to go. The money could be +repaid; it might be some time before Grahame arrived, and the woman +could be trusted to convey a note to him, because she could not give it +to Gomez without betraying her complicity in the girl's escape. + +For a time they struggled to grasp each other's meaning, but at last the +senora Garcia showed she understood that she was to deliver a note to an +Englishman who would come in search of the girl. Evelyn was to find a +peon who lived outside the town and would put her on the way to Villa +Paz. It would, no doubt, prove a difficult journey, but she was +determined to make it. + +She was soon ready, and walked carelessly across the plaza as if she had +no object. The townspeople knew her, and she met with no troublesome +curiosity. After a time, she entered a shady street, where she stopped +once or twice to look into a shop. Leaving it at the other end, she came +out into a hot, stony waste, dotted with tall aloes and clumps of +cactus, and presently reached a dilapidated adobe hut. + +As she stood, hesitating, before it a man came out to meet her and she +felt her heart beat fast, for she was now confronted by her first +danger. The fellow might rob her or perhaps take her back. His white +clothes were threadbare, but they were clean, and on the whole she liked +his look; and the sight of a woman peeping through the door was somehow +reassuring. + +It was not easy to make him understand what she wanted, but he looked +thoughtful when she repeated a word the senora Garcia had taught her. +Then he went in, apparently to consult the woman, and, returning, +signified that he would do what she wished. She must, however, go on +alone to a village some distance off; on the way he would overtake her +with a mule. Evelyn thought it curious that he had not asked for money, +but as he seemed anxious that she should not delay she set off. So far, +her escape had proved easier than she had imagined. + +The sun was at its highest, and it was very hot; the road was a rough +track where loose stones lay among the heavy dust. Where water ran down +the hillside in artificial channels, there were palms and belts of +foliage; elsewhere outcropping rock and stones flung up a dazzling +brightness. In the background, rugged peaks rose against a sky of +intense blue, and far off on the opposite hand a misty gleam indicated +the sea. + +Evelyn soon began to get tired, and she found her thin shoes badly +suited to the roughness of the ground. The dust that rose about her +gathered on her skin; she got hot and thirsty; but the water she tried +to drink was slimy and she toiled on. It seemed wiser to press forward +while she could, for there was nobody at work in the scattered fields. +Her eyes ached with the glare and her feet were sore, but the peon did +not come, and when she looked back the road wound along the hillside, +white and empty. Here and there tall trees filled the hollows among the +rocks, but the country seemed deserted and she could not see a house +anywhere. + +At last, when the sun was low and the shadows were long and cool, she +saw a cluster of small white patches shining amid a belt of green ahead, +and supposed this was the _aldea_ the peon had meant. Limping on +wearily, she came within half a mile of it, and then, finding a place +where she was hidden by a clump of cactus, she sat down to watch the +road. She might run some risk of being robbed or stopped if she entered +the village alone, for it was obvious that a well-dressed foreigner +traveling on foot could not hope to escape notice, and the hill peasants +would probably not understand her few words of Castilian. + +The shadows lengthened until they covered the hillside, and the air got +cool, but her guide did not come, and Evelyn began to wonder what had +delayed him. He had seemed willing to assist in her escape, and she +suspected that he must sympathize with the revolutionaries; but, if so, +it was strange that the senora Garcia should have known the password +which had apparently decided him. She had, however, been told that these +people were fond of intrigue, and that a general plot was often +accompanied by minor conspiracies, so to speak, one inside the other. +The senora Garcia had perhaps some object of her own to serve; but this +did not matter--it was more important that the peon did not arrive. + +It began to get dark. The dew soaked Evelyn's thin dress, and she felt +hungry and achingly tired. Then a light or two twinkled among the trees +and some one began to sing to a guitar. The lights and the music, with +their suggestions of home and rest after the day's toil, troubled the +girl. She was alone and apparently deserted, with enemies behind her and +the way ahead unknown. For a few minutes her courage failed and she was +in danger of breaking down; then, with a determined effort, she +recovered her calm and roused herself to listen. + +The music had grown plainer, and she recognized an air she had heard +when she sat with Grahame in the _patio_ of the International. The +contrast was too great, and brought her poignant memories. She was no +longer a person of consequence, indulged in every wish, but a homeless +fugitive. Then she thought of Grahame, who had translated the song they +were singing, for the plaintive refrain of _Las Aves Marinas_ carried +clearly through the cooling air. Had the wild sea-hawk got her message, +and was he already coming to her rescue? But even this was not of first +consequence. What about the peon? Had he betrayed her? + +Everything was silent upon the hillside, but a faint breeze was getting +up and sighed among the stones. There was a splash of water in the +distance, but no sound came from the road. It ran back, a dim white +streak, into the deepening gloom, and then faded out of sight upon the +shoulder of a hill. There was no movement on it as far as the girl could +see. + +She waited what seemed an interminable time, and then a faint drumming +caught her attention, and grew into a welcome beat of hoofs. Some one +was coming along the road. She watched eagerly, straining her eyes to +catch a glimpse of the rider. At last an object emerged from the shadow, +and as it drew nearer she could see that it was a man riding a mule. + +With her nerves at high tension and her heart beating fast, Evelyn left +her hiding place in the cacti and stepped out into the middle of the +road. The man must see her now, and she had involved herself in fresh +difficulties if he were not the peon she expected. + +He came on fast; he had caught sight of her and was urging his mule. +When he pulled up beside her and dropped from the animal, muttering +exclamations in an unknown tongue, Evelyn staggered. It was an Indian +from the hills. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +IN THE CAMP OF THE HILLSMEN + + +Evelyn instinctively drew back a few paces. Through her brain was +beating insistently the admonition that had helped her much in the past +few days: + +"_Keep calm! Don't let him think you are afraid!_" + +Her first thought had been flight, to the village; but reason told her +that was impossible. Here alone on the silent hillside, in the early +night, a white woman with this strange Indian, there came over her again +a pride in her American blood. She felt that she was a match for him, in +wits if not in strength. And with the thought came courage. + +She pointed to the mule, then to herself, then to the village; and +explained in Spanish. + +The Indian shook his head, and stood stolidly beside his mount. After +his first exclamations he had remained silent, watching Evelyn intently; +but she felt reassured when he made no move to approach her. As a matter +of fact, his mind at that moment was a chaos of conjectures and +possibilities; and while he hesitated Evelyn gasped with relief. Down +the road, carrying distinctly over the night air, came the sound of +furious riding--faint at first and then growing nearer, quickly nearer. +Even if it were not the peon, at least two strangers would be safer than +one. + +With a guttural grunt that might have meant anything, the Indian jumped +upon his mule and started off toward the village, urging the animal +along; and Evelyn stepped farther back into the shadow of the cacti. She +felt that she had reached the breaking-point. Yet she must nerve herself +this once more, for without her guide she could not go on. + +The hoof-beats drew near; in a minute they would pass and the rider be +swallowed up in the gloom beyond. Evelyn opened her mouth and tried to +call to him; but her voice failed her. Her worn-out body and her +overtaxed nerves were holding her powerless to move or cry. She could +only stand, helpless, and watch him sweep past. + +But the peon's keen eyes had caught sight of the white dress fluttering +against the dark outline of the cacti, and even as he passed he reined +in his mule. A few moments later he was beside her, holding his battered +hat in his hand. + +"Your servant, senorita," he said courteously. + +Evelyn never could remember distinctly what happened after that. She had +only a hazy recollection of climbing upon the mule and trying to cling +there, while the man trotted beside her carrying a long, iron-pointed +staff. Somewhere near the village they had turned off the main road and +followed a rough path that led up into the hills. And there they had +stopped at a small _hacienda_, where Evelyn was hospitably received. + +When she woke the next morning, in a clean little adobe room, and found +a neat-looking Spanish woman smiling upon her, Evelyn smiled in return. +Every muscle in her body ached, and the soles of her feet were +blistered, but, for the first time in many days, she felt a sense of +perfect security. Still smiling, she murmured the password of the +revolutionaries. It meant much to her now. + +"_Confianza!_" + + * * * * * + +They had a hasty breakfast and started again, but rested for some time +in a belt of forest during the heat of the day. In the early evening +they approached a white _aldea_ perched high upon the edge of a ravine. +Evelyn's guide made her understand that they might not be allowed to +pass. He implied that she was in no danger, but it was with some anxiety +that she rode toward the village. + +They skirted the side of the ravine, which was fretted with tumbling +cataracts. Steep rocks ran up from the edge of the trail and were lost +in climbing forest a hundred feet above, but after a time the chasm +began to widen, and small, square houses straggled about its slopes. A +barricade of logs, however, closed the road, and as Evelyn approached +two men stepped out from behind it. They were ragged and unkempt, but +they carried good modern rifles. + +"Halt!" ordered one of them. + +"_Confianza!_" the guide answered, smiling, and they let him pass. + +Beyond the barricade, the guide stopped in front of an adobe building +that seemed to be an inn, for a number of saddled mules were tied around +it. Men were entering and leaving and a hum of voices came from the +shadowy interior, but the peon motioned to Evelyn that she must get down +and wait. Finding a stone bench where she was left undisturbed, she sat +there for half an hour while it grew dark, and then a man came up and +beckoned her to enter. She went with some misgivings, and was shown into +a room with rough mud walls, where a man sat under a smoky lamp at a +table upon which a map and a number of papers were spread. He wore +plain, white clothes, with a wide red sash; and two others, dressed in +the same way, stood near, as if awaiting his orders. Evelyn knew the +man, for she had seen him at the International. + +"_Confianza!_" she said. "I believe you are Don Martin Sarmiento." + +He gave her a quick glance, and answered in good English: + +"It is a surprise to receive a visit from Miss Cliffe. But I must ask +who gave you the password?" + +"Senora Garcia at Rio Frio." + +"That sounds strange. But sit down. There is something we must talk +about." + +He waited until one of the men brought her a chair. + +"I understand you were going to Villa Paz," he then said. + +"Yes; I am anxious to join my father." + +"I am not sure that will be possible; but we will speak of it again. +First of all, I must know why you left Valverde." Sarmiento indicated +the others. "These are officers of mine, but they do not speak English, +and it is not necessary that you should know their names. You have +nothing to fear from us, but I must urge you to be frank." + +Evelyn tried to think calmly. She was in the man's power, and he wore +the stamp of command, but she liked his look and did not feel afraid of +him. It might be wiser to be candid; but she had an embarrassing story +to tell and she began with some hesitation. Sarmiento helped her, now +with a nod of comprehension as she slurred over an awkward passage, and +now with a look of sympathy, while the others stood silent with +expressionless faces. + +"Gomez is, of course, a scoundrel, and you were wise to run away," he +commented when she stopped. "There are, however, matters I do not quite +understand. For example, it would not be to the President's interest +that he should quarrel with your father; nor do I think Altiera would +approve of an alliance between his secretary and you." + +Evelyn blushed and tried to meet the man's searching look. + +"I cannot explain these things. I have told you what happened, and I +came to you with--confidence." + +Sarmiento bowed. + +"We respect our password. You are safe with us; but you cannot continue +your journey. The roads will be closed before you get through, and there +will be fighting in the next few days. When it seems less dangerous, we +must try to send you on, but in the meantime I must put you into my +daughter's hands." + +He gave one of the officers some instructions, and the man beckoned +Evelyn, but she hesitated. + +"I must pay my guide and send him back." + +"We will give him the money, but he will not go back. We shall, no +doubt, find a use for him." Sarmiento smiled meaningly as he added: "It +looks as if he could be trusted." + +Evelyn followed the officer to the back of the house where creepers +trailed about a rude pergola. A sheet of cotton had been stretched among +the poles, making a tent in which a light burned. Her companion, saying +a few words in Castilian, motioned to Evelyn to go in. She did so, and +then stopped abruptly. + +The lamp was small and the light was dim; loops of vines falling about +it cast puzzling shadows, but Evelyn knew the girl who rose to meet her. +She had seen her talking confidentially to Grahame at the International, +and was seized by jealous suspicion. A stout, elderly lady in a black +dress, who was apparently the girl's duenna, sat farther back in the +shadow. Blanca gave Evelyn a friendly smile of recognition, but it cost +her an effort to respond. The Spanish girl seemed to understand that +something was wrong, and there was an awkward silence while they stood +with their eyes fixed on each other. Then Blanca said with a touch of +haughtiness: + +"I have been told to make you as comfortable as possible, but I am sorry +there is not much comfort here. One cannot expect it in a camp." + +She presented Evelyn to her duenna, and the senora Morales indicated a +folding chair. + +"You come at a bad time," she remarked in awkward French, languidly +opening a fan. "It seems we are to have more fighting; it is the way of +men." + +"They must fight," said Blanca. "The cause is good." + +The senora Morales waved her fan. She wore a black silk mantilla +fastened tightly round her head like a cowl, and her dark, fleshy face +was thickly smeared with powder. Her eyes were lazily contemptuous. + +"There are two causes, _nina_, and it is hard to see how both can be +right. But, since men quarrel about them, it is not impossible that both +may be wrong." + +Evelyn smiled. The duenna's remarks saved the situation from becoming +strained; the woman was obviously shrewd in spite of her heavy face. + +"They are always quarreling in this country," the senora continued. +"Those who will not pay their taxes call themselves Liberators; those +who expect favors from the President are Patriots. If he does not give +them enough, they conspire with the others to turn him out. Since +everybody cannot be satisfied, there is always trouble." + +"But our friends are not fighting for rewards!" Blanca objected +indignantly. + +"A few are disinterested," the senora conceded. She paused, and turned +to Evelyn with an authoritative air. "You must tell me why you ran away +from Rio Frio. I can guess something, but want to know the rest." + +After a moment's hesitation, Evelyn thought it prudent to comply, and +the senora seemed to listen with sympathy. + +"To run away was the simplest plan, but sometimes the simplest plan is +not the best," she said. "Did you think of nothing else?" + +"I sent a message to Mr. Grahame of the _Enchantress_, telling him I was +in difficulties," Evelyn replied, watching Blanca. + +The girl looked up with quick interest, but there was no hint of +jealousy in her expression. + +"You thought he would come to help you?" + +"I knew he would come if it was possible," Evelyn answered. + +Blanca looked her in the face with a smile of understanding, and Evelyn +saw that her suspicions had been unfounded. Grahame was nothing to the +girl. + +"My father must know this at once!" she said, and hurried away. + +Don Martin came back with her and questioned Evelyn, and then he stood +thoughtfully silent for some moments. + +"It is fortunate I heard this news," he said. "Your message may be +intercepted, and we must try to warn Grahame that you are in our hands." +He gave Evelyn a steady look. "I believe he will be satisfied with +that." + +"You can tell him that I feel safe," Evelyn answered. + +Don Martin left her with a bow, and shortly afterward they heard +somebody riding hard along the edge of the ravine. When the beat of +hoofs died away Blanca touched Evelyn's arm. + +"There will be some supper after a while, but let us walk a little way +up the path." + +They went out into the dark, passing slowly between shadowy rows of +bushes which Evelyn thought were young coffee plants. She waited, +believing that her companion meant to take her into her confidence. + +"You were rash in sending for Mr. Grahame," Blanca began. "We must hope +our messenger arrives in time to stop him, but for all that----" + +"Do you wish him to come?" Evelyn asked. + +Blanca smiled. + +"In a sense, it does not matter to me whether he comes or not, though I +would not wish him to run into danger. But he would not come alone." + +Evelyn started. It was not Grahame, but Walthew, in whom Blanca was +interested. Somehow she had not thought of that. + +"Of course, you met Mr. Walthew in Havana," she said. + +"And at Rio Frio!" There was a hint of triumphant coquetry and something +deeper in Blanca's voice. "Indeed, Mr. Grahame should be grateful to me, +because it was I who kept him his companion. Mr. Walthew had been +dangerously ill, and was thinking of going home--though of course he did +not tell me this----" + +"But if he did not tell you!" + +"How did I know?" Blanca laughed. "_Carina mia_, how do we know such +things? Is a man's face a mask? Have we no guide except what he says?" + +Evelyn thought of Carmen, for Blanca had something of the great +coquette's allurement and power. It was not an unconscious attraction +she exercised, but the skill with which it was directed was primitive +and instinctive rather than intelligent. + +"And you persuaded Mr. Walthew to stay!" she said. "Did you find it +hard?" + +"Hard? Oh, no! It is not hard to persuade a young man, unless one is a +fool. A word or two is enough, and I told him he might become a great +_libertador_ like Bolivar and Garibaldi." + +Evelyn laughed. She liked Walthew, but he was a very modern American, +and the thought of his emulating Garibaldi tickled her. Then, although +it was dark, she was aware of a change in her companion's mood. Blanca's +pose was different, it had somehow hardened, and her head was lifted +high. + +"You find this amusing?" she asked in a haughty tone. + +"I suppose I do, in a way," Evelyn admitted deprecatingly. "You see, I +know my countrymen, and we're not romantic, as a rule." + +"Then it is clear you do not know Mr. Walthew. He is young, but he has +the spirit of these others, the great _libertadores_." + +"I've no doubt that's true," Evelyn agreed, putting her hand on Blanca's +arm. "Indeed, I like and admire him very much." + +They turned back to the house presently, on friendly terms, for the +Spaniard's anger flares up quickly but soon burns down. Evelyn, however, +saw that matters had gone farther than she thought, and she imagined +that Walthew would have some trouble with his relatives when he went +home. + +"But how did you and your father come to meet Mr. Walthew, and what is +the _Enchantress_ doing on the coast?" she asked. + +"You do not know?" There was a hint of gratified superiority in the +girl's tone. "She is bringing us the rifles that we need." + +Evelyn asked no more questions, because her talk with Blanca had given +her much to think about, and when supper was over she sat outside the +tent alone. The moon was rising above the tall sierra that ran in a +rugged line across the sky. The air was warm and still, and she could +hear water splashing down in the bottom of the ravine. Now and then +there was a clatter of hoofs as a messenger rode up, and sometimes an +order was followed by a patter of feet. Then for a time everything was +silent except for a murmur of voices in the inn. + +The girl noticed this vacantly, for her mind was busy, and she was +filled with a strange excitement. For the last week or two she had borne +a heavy strain, and her thoughts had been concentrated on finding a +means of escape. Now they were free to dwell upon a greater matter. The +struggle that began when she boarded the _Enchantress_ was ended, and +she could rejoice in her own defeat, as she had not been quite able to +do when, on first surrendering, she had written her note at Rio Frio. +Prudence, ambition, and self-interest were driven from the field; love +had utterly routed them. She loved Grahame, and she knew that he loved +her, though he had not avowed it yet. Blanca had spoken truly: words +were not needed: it was easy to read a man's heart. + +Evelyn knew what he thought. He was a poor adventurer, and she was rich. +She blushed with shame, remembering how this had once weighed with her. +Now it did not matter at all. Nothing mattered except that he belonged +to her; but while this had never been so plain, it had not dawned on her +with a sudden flash. The light had been steadily creeping in for a long +time, while she stubbornly tried to shut it out, until she abandoned her +futile efforts and let the warming brightness flood her. + +Then she thought of Grahame's danger. Don Martin had not received the +note. Suppose it had fallen into Gomez's hands. What use might not that +half-breed make of it! + +Evelyn shuddered, and breathed a half-conscious prayer that Don Martin's +messenger might reach her lover in time. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +A TRIAL OF SPEED + + +Night was falling over the troubled water, and there were threats of a +tropical storm. The _Enchantress_, with her anchor down, rolled uneasily +on the broken swell. A sandy point ran out to windward, but the combers +that beat upon its seaward side with a thunderous roar swirled in a +white turmoil round its end and filled the lagoon with an angry heave. +The palms on the landward shore bent in the wind and the dense green +jungle behind them rolled in tossing waves of green. To the north, the +sky was barred by leaden clouds and the sea-tops cut against it, lividly +white. + +A trail of smoke whirled about the funnel, now streaming out to lee, now +eddying down, for a quantity of ammunition and contraband material had +just been landed, and Grahame was ready to go to sea again. There was +some danger in remaining, but the weather was bad, and he half expected +fresh instructions from Don Martin. + +While he sat smoking in the lee of the deck-house and Walthew leaned +against the rail, Macallister looked out of the engine-room door. + +"I can give ye steam enough to take her out at half an hour's notice, +but if ye're no' likely to need it, I'll bank my fires," he said. + +"We won't heave anchor unless we're forced to; it's not an enticing +night," Grahame replied, and Walthew nodded, as in the pause that +followed he heard the rumble of the surf upon the shoals. + +"What do you reckon has been going on inland?" he asked. "The fellows +who took the guns ashore didn't seem to have much news, but they +believed you were right in thinking this might be the last important +cargo we'd have to run." + +"The Government has arrested Castillo, and no doubt brought pretty +strong pressure to bear on him. I'm afraid he couldn't stand up against +it, and has given his fellow conspirators away. The President seems no +fool, and Gomez is a cunning rascal, but I'm not sure they could keep +their plans dark because the opposition have their spies and +sympathizers everywhere. The consequence is that both parties may be +driven into prompt action instead of quietly finishing their +preparations." + +"I expect that's so," said Walthew thoughtfully. "I wish I knew, because +I must see Don Martin and make a trip to Rio Frio before we leave the +coast for good." + +"You know best; but I imagine it means trouble with your people when you +go home." + +"It may, for a time," Walthew answered with a dogged look. "Still, +they'll come round, and I'm glad to think that, considering this job as +a business proposition, we have done pretty well. That will appeal to +the old man. Gun-running's not the line he wanted me to take, but he'll +be tickled when he sees that I've made good at it." + +"I wouldna' say but he might like Miss Sarmiento as weel as yin o' they +hussies at the Florida hotel," Macallister remarked encouragingly. +"There was yin in blue, but no' much o' it, with a flagpole in her hat, +that gave me what I've heard ye call the googly eye----" + +Walthew chuckled. + +"That girl has roomsful of money." + +"Then she might hae bought some clothes," the Scotsman retorted. + +They were silent for a few minutes, and through the quietness they heard +the splash of canoe paddles. + +"We may get some news," Walthew said. + +The canoe ran alongside, and a half-breed handed up a dirty note. +Grahame opened it, and his jaws set and a curious glint came into his +eyes when he read Evelyn's message. + +"Where did this come from?" he called sharply to the waiting half-breed. +In his anxiety he had spoken in English. + +The messenger shook his head. + +"_No entiendo._" + +Grahame repeated the question in Spanish, and added: "Tell me quickly!" + +"A man brought it down from the hills a half-hour ago. That's all I +know," the half-breed explained. + +"All right; you may go." + +Grahame turned to Walthew and Macallister and showed them the crumpled +note. + +"I don't think our partnership agreement covers a risky private +undertaking of this kind, and you can turn me out, if you like, but I'm +going," he said. + +"And I'm coming with you," Walthew replied cheerfully. "I've some +business of my own at Rio Frio." + +"You can't come! How is Mack to run the boat alone?" + +"Weel," said Macallister, "I'm thinking that's no' impossible. Onyway, +ye'll take him. We'll quarrel about who's to command her if ye leave him +on board." + +Grahame saw they were both determined; his comrades meant to stand by +him, if it cost them the vessel. He was touched, but there was no time +to indulge in sentiment. + +"We'll talk of it later. Start the windlass and stir the fires. I'll +want all the steam you can give me." + +"Ye'll get it," Macallister replied, and vanished below, while Grahame +went forward when the windlass began to clank and the cable tightened. + +Speed was urgently needed. It was several days since the note had been +written, and he dared not speculate about what might have happened in +the meanwhile. Evelyn was not easily frightened; she would not have sent +for him unless the danger was imminent. Then, the postscript stated that +a guide would look out for him between midnight and three o'clock in the +morning, at a place mentioned, and the _Enchantress_ must be driven hard +to get there in time. If she arrived too late, he must steam out to sea +before dawn broke and wait for another night. + +The windlass rattled faster, the chain ran in as the anchor left the +ground, and, seeing Miguel ready with the tackle at the cathead, Grahame +went aft to the wheel. The gong clanged the signal "Full ahead," and the +screw began to throb. There was a crash forward as the swinging anchor +struck the bow, but Miguel had men enough to stow it, and Grahame fixed +his eyes ahead as he turned his wheel. Rolling across the broken swell, +the _Enchantress_ stemmed the strong flood-tide; bending palms and +shadowy beach were sliding past, and the turmoil on the shoals drew +nearer. Ahead was a narrow channel with about a fathom of water to the +good, but the leading marks were obscured and Grahame doubted if he +could find it. If the boat struck, she would be washed up, badly +damaged, among the sands; but the tide was rising, and before long +Macallister would have raised full steam. It was unthinkable that they +should lose time, and Grahame meant to take his chance. + +Spray flew about her forward; as the swell got steeper she dipped to the +knightheads, and Miguel, running aft, began to use the lead. Grahame did +not stop him, although sounding was a matter of form, because she would +drive aground before he could bring her head round if he missed the +narrow deep. + +She crept past the point, rolling wildly and lifting out her screw, +while the air got thick with spray and the thud of engines was drowned +by the turmoil of the sea. Some distance off, white ridges leaped out of +the gathering dark, but nearer at hand they were broken by the shoals +and raged in foaming confusion. The _Enchantress_ must cross this belt +without much steam to help her, but it was obvious that Macallister was +hard at work below, for thick smoke with fiery sparks in it poured from +the funnel. + +Miguel's white-clad figure, swaying in the channels, cut against the +gloom, but Grahame could not hear his hail. Though he glanced at the +compass now and then, he was feeling his way rather by instinct than +definite guidance, and so far the upward sweep of the bows showed there +was sufficient water under the vessel. Sometimes a sea came on board and +poured aft in a frothing flood, but she was steadily forging ahead, and +a few minutes would take her across the worst of the shoals. + +Suddenly she stopped with a crash, lurched sideways, and lay still while +a foam-tipped mass of water rolled up ahead. It broke on board, burying +her forward half, and the next moment Grahame was wet to the waist; but +she lifted as the roller surged by; and then struck the shoal again. A +few more blows of that kind would crush in her bilge, but Grahame set +his teeth and clung grimly to his wheel. There was nothing to be done +but wait; the crash would warn Macallister what was required of him, and +if he could not drive her off, they must cut the boats adrift and leave +her to her fate. + +Another sea came tumbling in, but while its crest broke across the rail +it picked her up and she moved on slowly with the water sluicing aft +down her inclined deck. For a few seconds Grahame held his breath, +waiting for the shock; but she went on, and lifted her head buoyantly as +the next comber rolled up. When she had lurched over it and the spray +had blown away, he saw that the sea was more regular and the worst of +the turmoil lay astern. Five minutes afterward, she reeled out into open +water, and Macallister came on deck. + +"We've started the bilge-pump, but it's no' drawing much," he said. "I +dinna think she's the waur for the knocks she got." + +"That's satisfactory. You know what you have to do." + +Macallister smiled with quiet enjoyment. + +"We've no' had the need to drive her yet, but noo I'll let ye see." + +He went below, and Grahame gave Miguel an order, for in swinging round +after leaving the lagoon the _Enchantress_ had brought the wind on her +quarter, and she carried a good spread of sail. He would not, however, +luff her off her course to make the work easier; the crew must hoist the +canvas as best they could, and there was a furious banging and clatter +of flying blocks as fore-staysail, foresail, and mainsail went up. Then +she listed down with her rail in the white surges that boiled up to lee, +while tall, hollow-fronted combers ranged up astern and sped after her. + +Wire shrouds, strung to the breaking-point, shrieked in wild harmonies +as the blasts struck them; chain funnel-guys roared in deeper tones, and +there was a confused groaning of masts and booms. Spray swept her, +lashing Grahame's back and blowing past his head in clouds, and now and +then a sea-top broke on board; but she drove on furiously before the +wind. + +After a while Grahame called Miguel to the helm and stood in the lee of +the deckhouse, pipe in mouth, for he had now time to think. He could +make no plans until he landed, but it was plain that he must go to Rio +Frio; and, if possible, he must leave Walthew behind. He could not allow +the lad to run the risk, and Macallister would need him. Some help might +be had from the revolutionaries, and he must try to find Don Martin. If +he failed to do so, much would have to be left to chance. + +Grahame looked at another side of the matter. Suppose he rescued Miss +Cliffe, what then? Though the gun-running had been profitable, he was an +adventurer with very limited means. He could not trade upon Cliffe's +gratitude, though he loved the girl. He did not know when he began to +love her, but he had for some time made stern efforts to drive the +thought of her out of his mind. Perhaps he might have succeeded had +nothing unusual happened, for he knew his disadvantages; but now his +determination suddenly had been swept away. Evelyn was in danger; +somehow this made clear the strength of the feelings with which he had +grappled. The future was clouded; there were difficulties to be faced; +but he felt that if she had any love for him he could not give her up. + +The gale freshened; but Grahame would not shorten sail. There was not +much time to spare, and the gear was standing well. He could trust the +helm to Miguel and might have slept, but, although he imagined his +strength might be severely taxed during the next few days, it was +impossible for him to rest. In spite of his anxiety, he was sensible of +an exultant excitement. The girl he loved was in danger, but she had +sent for him. Then, the adventure he was embarking on had a fascination +of its own, and he smiled as he remembered that his ancestors had often +in past days ridden across the dark marches, leading the Border Spears. +It was not for nothing the hot blood of the old mosstroopers ran in his +veins. + +Swept by the seas on her quarter, the _Enchantress_ drove on, and +Grahame lurched about the slanted deck and stood amidst the spray that +whirled across her stern. She was going fast; his glances at the +recording log astonished him, for he had not believed her capable of +the speed it showed. His fierce impatience seemed to have inspired +thudding engines and quivering hull, and he thrilled when a great, +white-topped comber rolled up and swept her on. Flame blew from the +funnel, wet canvas, straining in black curves, reeled through the dark, +and the sea sped back, snowy white, toward the plunging bows. + +At last, however, lights shone in the gloom, and Grahame ordered the +canvas to be lowered. It cost the crew an arduous struggle, but they +made all fast, and Grahame, ringing for half-speed, took the wheel. +There was a point a short distance from the town that would break the +sea, and by steaming in behind it he might get a boat away. Landing +would be difficult, and it was important that he should find the right +spot. + +He watched the beach with his glasses as the _Enchantress_ swung +inshore, and when presently the combers changed to a steep, troubled +swell that ended in a white band of surf, he stopped the engines and +told Miguel to hoist out the gig. The navigation lights had been +extinguished, but he thought that anybody carefully watching for the +steamer could see her. The men had some trouble in lowering the boat, +but as soon as she was in the water Grahame jumped on board and told the +men to push off. Then, as they got out their oars, a dark figure leaped +from the steamer's rail and Walthew, alighting in the sternsheets, +turned to his comrade with a grin. + +"I'm here, and you'll smash the boat if you try to send me back," he +said. "You see, I suspected what you were getting after when you put me +at a job it was awkward to leave." + +"Well, I did my best, anyway," Grahame laughed. + +Walthew took an oar, for the swell was high enough to make progress +difficult, but they found smoother water near the land, and stopped +pulling just outside the fringe of surf. Waiting for a slacker interval +in the shoreward rush of hissing rollers, they drove her in as fast as +she could go, and jumped overboard when she touched the sand. A wave +broke into her, but they ran her up safely, and Grahame turned to +Walthew after they had emptied the water out. + +"I don't think I'm straining my authority by telling you to go off with +Miguel," he said. + +"Anyhow, I'm not going," Walthew replied doggedly. "Our association is a +partnership, and I mean to come along. I don't know that I'll be of much +help to you, but the job you've undertaken is too big for one." + +Grahame saw that objections would be useless, and, feeling that his +pistol was loose, he walked up the beach, with Walthew following a few +yards behind. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +TRAPPED + + +For a few minutes the men toiled silently across loose, wet sand, and +then, on reaching a belt of shingle near high-water mark, stopped to +look about. Lights gleamed in the town across the bay, but except for +that it was very dark. A clump of trees that fringed the end of a ridge +of higher ground could barely be distinguished, but Grahame decided that +this must be the spot Evelyn had mentioned in her note. Though the +shingle rolled beneath his feet, the sound it made was lost in the roar +of the surf upon the point. Dry sand blew past, pricking his face, and +when he turned toward the sea he saw a group of indistinct objects still +standing about the boat. + +"What are they waiting for?" he asked. "I told them to push off." + +"I guess old Miguel takes an interest in us and wants to see we're all +right. He knows something about these fellows' tricks, and may not share +our confidence." + +"Well, I guess those are the trees where we should meet our guide." + +"The fellow might have come down to the beach," Walthew remarked. "I was +busy helping Mack during the run and hadn't much time to think, but it +now strikes me as curious that Miss Cliffe was able to send the note and +arrange for a guide when she was a prisoner." + +"She must have got into touch with some of Don Martin's spies, and his +friends would be ready to help. But we had better get on." + +They crossed the shingle, seeing nothing that suggested there was +anybody about, but Walthew grew uneasy as they approached the trees. The +belt of timber was wrapped in gloom, and rolled back up the rising +ground in shadowy masses that rustled in the wind. It had somehow a +forbidding look, and the nearer he got the less he liked it. He was not +daunted, and meant to go on, but his nerves were highly strung and his +glances suspicious as he tried to pierce the dark. + +They found a trail through tall grass and reeds, and followed it across +a patch of boggy soil until it led them to an opening in the trees. Here +a shadowy object rose out of the gloom, and Walthew instinctively felt +for his pistol. The abrupt movement dislodged a small bundle of clothes +which he carried by a strap across his shoulder, and it fell to the +ground. Then he saw the man come forward, waving his hand. + +"This way, senor!" he called to Grahame, who was some yards in front. + +Walthew felt tempted to leave the bundle. He wanted to watch the man; +but there was a packet of cartridges among the clothes he had dropped, +and he thought they might prove useful. Stooping down, he felt among the +grass, but had to move once or twice before he found the bundle; then, +springing to his feet, he saw that Grahame and the other had vanished. +The next moment his comrade's voice reached him, hoarse and breathless: + +"Run!" + +That Grahame said nothing more was ominous; but Walthew did not run back +to the boat. Drawing his pistol, he plunged in among the trees, but as +he reached them he felt a stunning blow on his head. He staggered and +fell into a thicket, blinded by blood that ran into his eyes. A struggle +seemed to be going on near by, and, getting upon his knees, he fired at +random. He thought a man ran toward him, and he fired again, but his +mind was confused and he could hardly see. For all that, he got upon his +feet and stumbled forward, dazed but determined to rescue his comrade. + +A few moments afterward it dawned on him that he was going the wrong +way, for he seemed to have come out on the beach. Two or three men were +hurrying toward him, but the pistol would not go off. Stumbling on with +his hand clenched on the barrel, ready to use the butt, he tripped and +fell among the rattling shingle. Then his senses left him. + +The next thing of which he was conscious was a cool splash on his face, +and while he wondered what it was, he felt that he lay upon something +that moved in an erratic manner. It was not shingle, for it was smooth +when he touched it, but a minute or two passed before he realized that +he was lying in the sternsheets of the gig. She was plunging sharply, +the spray flew aft in showers, and when he wiped his eyes he saw that +the men were pulling hard. With some trouble he got to his knees, and +the top of a wave that washed across the gunwale struck his face. + +"Where is the senor Grahame?" he asked faintly. + +"Who knows!" somebody answered. "It seems the _rurales_ have him. We +came too late." + +Walthew groaned, for his head was getting clearer. His comrade had +fallen into a trap. + +"Pull her round," he said. "We're going back!" + +For a moment or two nobody replied. The gig lurched wildly, and a +sea-top broke on board. Walthew dimly saw the men swing to and fro at +the oars. Their blurred figures cut the sky as the bow went up, and then +stood out against white foam as the craft plunged into a hollow. + +"It is not possible, senor," Miguel said breathlessly. + +Walthew scrambled to his feet, and stood swaying awkwardly with the +violent motion, in danger of going overboard. The sea had got worse, and +the savage wind lashed his wet face. It was blowing very hard, and the +turn of the tide had brought broken water nearer inshore; he could hear +the roar of the surf upon the beach. It would now be dangerous to land; +but he must try to rescue his comrade. He seized the oar the man nearest +to him pulled. The fellow pushed him back and, losing his balance as the +boat plunged over a comber, he fell heavily upon the floorings. + +"We will smash the boat if we land, and there are _rurales_ on the +beach," he heard Miguel say. "The sea is bad; perhaps we cannot reach +the steamer." + +Walthew realized that Miguel was right. The men were unarmed, except for +their knives, and something had gone wrong with his pistol. Even if they +escaped being swamped by the surf, it would be impossible to cross the +beach in face of a hostile force. He lay still with a groan. He felt +faint, his head ached excruciatingly, and blood still trickled into his +eyes. He had not seen the _Enchantress_ when he stood up, and the +desperate way the men were rowing showed that they found it hard to +drive the boat offshore. + +After a while, however, a hail came out of the dark, the men pulled +furiously, and then threw down their oars. There was a crash and a rope +fell into the boat, which surged violently forward, grinding against the +steamer's side. Walthew did not know how he got on board, and he +imagined that he fainted soon afterward, for the next thing he +remembered was trying to get up from the top grating in the engine-room, +where Macallister sat beside him, holding a rag and a can of hot water. + +"Keep still while I tie up the cut," he said. + +"But they've got Grahame!" Walthew exclaimed, trying to rise. + +Macallister gently pushed him back. + +"I ken. A bad job, but we might have lost ye both." Then he took up a +piece of linen. "It's lucky ye'll no' need stitching, but maybe this +will nip." + +Walthew's head smarted intolerably after the bandage was applied, but +the dazed feeling left him when Macallister gave him something to drink, +and he began to ask questions. + +"Miguel heard a shot and ran back up the beach with the others," +Macallister told him. "They found ye reeling aboot and brought ye down +to the gig, with two or three _rurales_ no' far behind; the rest must +have gone off with Grahame before our men came up. They had just time +to launch her before the _rurales_ began to shoot, but nobody was hit. +Looks as if ye had been knocked oot with a carbine butt." + +"Where are we now?" Walthew asked. + +"Steaming back to the lagoon as fast as I can drive her, and that's +aboot four knots against the gale. The best thing we can do is to send +Don Martin word, but ye'll go to sleep in the meanwhile. I canna' look +after ye; I hae my hands full." + +The clanging of hard-driven engines, which quickened to a furious rattle +when the screw swung out, made the need for watchfulness plain, and +Walthew crept away to his berth. He wanted to help, but knew that to +attempt this would probably result in his falling among the machinery. +Dazed by the blow on his head, he soon fell asleep, and when he wakened +the vessel was at rest. There was no pounding of engines, and the water +no longer gurgled along her side, but he heard voices behind the +bulkhead. + +Scrambling awkwardly out of the berth, he made his way on deck with some +difficulty. The fresh air revived him, and he saw that the _Enchantress_ +was anchored in the lagoon, but he opened a door close by instead of +stopping to look about. Two or three of the revolutionaries whom he knew +were sitting round a table in the saloon, and as Walthew came in, +white-faced, with staring eyes and a red bandage round his head, one of +them threw up his hands. + +"_Ave Maria!_" he exclaimed. + +Walthew sat down with a jerk and nodded to Macallister. + +"I'm better." + +Then he turned to the others. + +"What are we going to do?" + +"Nothing, until to-night," said one. "We must wait for dark before it is +safe to move. They will not keep your comrade at Valverde, and we must +try to find out where they have taken him." + +"I'll be quite well in a few hours," Walthew declared. "But what is +likely to happen to Grahame?" + +The man shrugged. + +"Who knows! The regular course would be to try him for smuggling arms, +but I do not think the President will follow that plan. They may send +him to Rio Frio, because it is some distance from the coast, and it is +possible he will be given a chance of escaping on the way." + +"Do you mean that they may let him go?" Walthew asked eagerly. + +"He would not go very far. You must understand that the _rurales_ have +authority to shoot a prisoner who tries to escape, and the Government +finds this useful. Sometimes they arrest a man whom they think the court +could not convict, and an excuse is found for not watching him very +closely when he is being taken to the nearest jail; perhaps a guard is +called away when they stop for food. There is cover near, and the +prisoner makes a dash for freedom; then the guard, who has been hiding, +fires and the administration is rid of an enemy. Sometimes the _rurales_ +break into the house of an obnoxious person and, taken by surprise, he +gets angry. A threatening movement is enough; he is shot down. It is +simpler than taking him before a judge who may be bribed to let him go." + +"A gang o' bloodthirsty scoundrels! I'm thinking it's time ye turned on +them," Macallister said, while Walthew sat silent with a tense face and +fury in his eyes. "But, so far as we ken, they havena' shot Mr. +Grahame." + +"No, senor," said another. "I think he is safe, for a time. He might +prove too useful for them to shoot, at least, not until they have tried +other means." + +"If ye believe they can frighten or buy him----" Macallister began +savagely; but the man waved his hand. + +"Senor, I only think we must set him free as soon as possible, and you +will agree about the need for that." + +"I'm coming with you," said Walthew grimly. "If I'm not satisfied with +your plans, I'll do the thing in my own way." + +Macallister gave him a sharp glance. Walthew did not look fit to travel, +but Macallister knew that objections would be futile. The boy had grown +older and sterner in a night. + +The revolutionaries began to talk about what had better be done, and it +was decided that Macallister must remain in charge of the vessel, which +he would hide in a creek, so as to provide a means of escape, if this +should be needed. The others would start for Rio Frio as soon as it was +dark and, if they could gather a strong enough force, try to overtake +and attack Grahame's escort on the march. Failing this, they would +follow the _rurales_ to Rio Frio, and be guided by circumstances when +they got there. Walthew took no part in the discussion, but when it was +finished he got up and stood looking at the others sternly. + +"We are going to save my partner, and not to do something that may help +you in your political schemes," he said. "It may save trouble if you +bear this in mind." + +They assured him that Grahame's rescue was a matter of importance to +them; and when, shortly afterward they left the ship, Walthew went to +his berth and slept until the afternoon. He was getting better, for it +was not the cut but the jar on his skull that had dazed him, and the +effect of this was passing. + +When the evening mist began to creep across the lagoon a canoe came off +and a half-breed stood up in her as she approached the gangway. + +"The senores are waiting," he announced. + +Walthew shook hands with Macallister. + +"I'll either bring him back or stop with him," he said grimly. "Your +business is to be ready to take us off." + +"Good luck to ye!" returned Macallister in a rather hoarse voice. "If +ye're long aboot it, I'll come after ye myself!" + +When Walthew got into the canoe and vanished in the haze, Macallister +went down to his engine-room and fiercely set about some work that might +as well have been left undone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +HANDS DOWN + + +Cliffe had spent some time at Villa Paz when President Altiera sent for +him one morning. It was with mixed feelings that Cliffe obeyed the +summons, for his business had proved longer and more difficult than he +expected, and he was anxious about Evelyn. Indeed, he wondered whether +he should let the concessions go and return to the coast; but he +determined to be guided by what took place during the interview. + +It was getting hot when Altiera received him, and a glare of reflected +light shone through the unshuttered window. Cliffe, looking out over the +little town, thought there was an ominous quiet. An hour earlier he had +watched a company of slouching, dusty soldiers, equipped as if for +service, march through the narrow streets; but there was now no one +about. It struck him as significant that all the green shutters were +closed and the entrances to the _patios_ barred. This might have some +bearing on his business, but it was not of the first importance, and he +turned to the President and studied him closely. + +There was a subtle change in Altiera since their last meeting. His +manner was somehow less cordial, and suspicion seemed to lurk in his +dark eyes. When he had indicated a chair he looked at Cliffe steadily. + +"You have, no doubt, thought over the matter we talked about not long +ago," he began. "It is necessary that I should know when we may expect +the loan." + +"That, as I think you understand, depends on when I may expect the +concessions." + +"I cannot sign the papers yet. It would provoke a storm of indignation +that I cannot risk. My enemies have taught the people that I am robbing +them when I make a grant to foreigners." + +"In short, you mean to put down the rebels before you conclude the deal +with me." + +"You have guessed right. There will be no complaints when I have shown +that I have the upper hand." + +"If I had known your plans at the beginning, I'd have acted +differently," Cliffe said. + +Altiera gave him a piercing glance. + +"Senor, I do not think you are justified in charging us with a want of +candor, because there is evidence that you have not been quite honest +with us. Our most dangerous enemy is Martin Sarmiento, and we find him +staying at your hotel in Havana, where the senorita Cliffe helps him in +an attempt to escape observation." + +"I do not know the man," Cliffe protested with a puzzled air. + +"Then it is strange that we should have caught a messenger bringing you +a note from him," Altiera answered. "I think we shall gain nothing by +fencing, senor." + +Cliffe frowned. + +"I've just got to say that I've never, to my knowledge, met Don Martin. +What was the note about?" + +"We will talk of that later. In the meanwhile, I understand you have +decided not to let me have the money that we need?" + +"Not without a written promise that the papers will be signed and handed +to me in a fortnight. Unless you consent, I must start for Valverde at +once." + +Altiera pondered for a few moments, knitting his brows. + +"You are, no doubt, anxious to rejoin your daughter," he said slowly. +"Perhaps I had better tell you that she is not at Valverde." + +"Not at Valverde!" Cliffe exclaimed. "Then where has she gone?" + +"I cannot tell you." + +Cliffe clenched his hand, but would not let his alarm master him. He +suspected treachery and knew that he must be cool. + +"Your secretary assured me that Miss Cliffe would be safe with the +_alcalde's_ wife; I shall hold him responsible. Why did she leave +Valverde?" + +"It seems the senorita got tired of waiting, and set off to rejoin you. +This is most likely, but it is said in the cafes that she ran away with +the senor Gomez." + +Cliffe looked up with his face set and an ominous sparkle in his eyes. + +"That is a lie!" + +"Personally, I think so; but having some knowledge of the sex, I would +not care to predict what a romantic young woman might do." + +"Get on with your tale!" + +Altiera regarded Cliffe calmly. + +"The senorita had my secretary's escort, but, finding the road +dangerous, he made for Rio Frio, where he put her in safe hands. Her +liberty was not interfered with and one morning she left the house and +did not come back." + +Cliffe got up and advanced a yard or two across the floor. + +"You mean she ran away? Why did she do so?" + +"Your pardon, senor!" Altiera spread out his hands with a mocking smile. +"There is no reason to believe she had any cause to run away; but, not +knowing your daughter's character, I cannot tell you why she went." + +"Very well," said Cliffe, restraining himself with an effort. "I must +ask you for an armed escort to Rio Frio, where I will make inquiries. I +want the men at once!" + +"I am afraid that is impossible. We have news that there are rebels in +the mountains. If I gave you a guard, the peons might be incited to +attack you, and the trouble would spread before we are ready to deal +with it. As President of this country, it is my business to think of its +welfare first." + +"I understand," Cliffe said very dryly. "If I promised to let you have +the money you want, you might see your duty differently." + +Altiera looked at him with thoughtful eyes. The American was shrewd, but +did not seem as eager as he had expected. + +"Senor, the need of funds that would ensure the maintenance of order and +firm government justifies a risk one would not take without such a +reason. I will give you a guard and send soldiers to make a thorough +search for the senorita if we can agree about the loan." + +"This means you really do not know where my daughter is. I was not sure +of it until now." + +Altiera saw he had blundered in admitting that the girl was no longer +in his hands; but while he considered how his mistake could be covered +Cliffe resumed: + +"It was a cunning plot, but you put it through clumsily, and you're +going to find that kidnapping an American woman is a dangerous game for +the President of a third-rate republic." + +"One must make allowances for the excited imagination of an anxious +father," Altiera answered with an indulgent smile. "I deny the plot. +There is no need for one. We have a charming young lady left alone in a +foreign town who finds waiting tedious and determines to join her +relative. This is a simple and satisfactory explanation, without the +other that she forms a romantic attachment for an officer of rank. We +provide an escort because the country is disturbed, and part of the +journey is accomplished. It is not safe for her to go farther, but she +is rash, and, disregarding our advice, ventures too far from the house. +Then she loses her way and is perhaps seized by the rebels, with the +object of embarrassing the Government. We cannot be held responsible, +but we are willing to attempt her rescue when we see an opportunity." + +The explanation was plausible, and could not be disproved until Cliffe +heard his daughter's account. But what he wanted was to find her. + +"The opportunity is now, before the rebels begin to move," he said. "You +refuse to seize it?" + +"You understand why it is impossible. I cannot do anything that might +plunge my country into a conflict, unless you show me some reason that +would justify the risk." + +"I cannot give you such a reason." + +Altiera shrugged. + +"It is for you to decide! We come to a deadlock; our negotiations break +off." + +"Very well," said Cliffe. "I leave Villa Paz in an hour, and it wouldn't +be wise of you to interfere with my movements. My business with you is +known to people who have some political influence in the United States, +and if I don't turn up in good time, inquiries will be made." + +He turned abruptly and went out. It seemed safer to move quickly, though +he imagined the hint he had given Altiera would prevent any attempt to +stop him. The President had found a plausible excuse for Evelyn's +disappearance, but he would hesitate about detaining an American citizen +whose friends could bring pressure to bear at Washington. This +supposition was borne out when Cliffe found no trouble in hiring a guide +and mules; but while he made the arrangements his brain was working. + +He would willingly have met the demand for money, only that Altiera had +incautiously admitted that he did not know where Evelyn was. Cliffe had +acted on impulse in refusing to submit to further exaction, but calm +reflection justified the course. Having a deep distrust of the man, he +thought he might take the money and then not undertake the search for +the girl. Cliffe determined to set about it himself and make a bid for +the help of the revolutionaries. This would involve him in a serious +loss, but that did not count. He must rescue his daughter, whatever it +cost. + +Then he remembered that the President had admitted having intercepted a +message to him from the rebel leader. He had meant to insist on learning +what it was about, but had somehow omitted to do so, and it was now too +late to reopen the matter. There was, however, a ray of hope in the +thought that Sarmiento had tried to communicate with him. + +When his baggage had been strapped on a pack-mule, he mounted and rode +out of Villa Paz as if making for Valverde, but as soon as they had left +the last of the houses behind he pulled up and quietly studied his +guide. He was a sturdy, brown-faced peon, dressed in ragged white +cotton, with raw-hide sandals and a colored blanket strapped round his +shoulders, but he looked trustworthy. Moreover, Cliffe thought his +willingness to assist a foreigner who was leaving the President's house +without an escort, which must have shown that he had lost the autocrat's +favor, had some significance. It was unfortunate that he could not speak +much Castilian, but he knew that money talks in a language that is +generally understood. + +"I have changed my mind; we will not go to the coast," he said, +stumbling over the words and helping out his meaning by pointing to the +mountains. + +The peon nodded. + +"To me it is equal where the senor goes, so long as I am paid for the +days we spend upon the road." + +"Very well," said Cliffe, taking out a handful of silver. "Do you know +Don Martin Sarmiento?" + +The peon looked doubtful, and Cliffe saw that, as he had suspected, the +fellow had some dealings with the President's enemies. + +"Don Martin is known to many," he replied cautiously. + +Cliffe jingled the silver and awkwardly explained that he was no longer +a friend of the President's and wished to see Sarmiento as soon as he +could. + +For a time the muleteer did not speak; then he looked up with an air of +decision. + +"It may be difficult, senor, but we will try," he said, and jerking the +pack-mule's bridle abruptly left the road. + +They passed through a coffee plantation and a field of sugar-cane, and +then as they reached thick forest the muleteer stopped and indicated the +road that wound in loops down the hillside. + +"It is well the President should think we have gone that way," he +remarked with a smile. "He has, no doubt, been told how we left the +town." + +Cliffe looked back across the wide sweep of sun-scorched country to the +shining streak on the horizon. His path led into the mountains and he +longed for the sea. Then he thought of Grahame and wondered where he +was. Cliffe felt sure the man would help him if he knew his need. He was +beginning to suspect what business Grahame had on the coast. He asked +his guide about the _Enchantress_, but the fellow did not seem to +understand, and it was obvious that he had not heard of Grahame. Then +Cliffe urged his mule on and plunged into the steamy shade. + +Two days later they rode into a deep gorge filled with giant, +creeper-festooned trees, and the guide moved forward slowly, glancing +into the shadow that shut in the winding track. It appeared that his +caution was justified, for presently a hoarse voice bade them halt, and +as they pulled up two men with rifles stepped out into the sunlight. + +For some time the muleteer disputed with them, using emphatic gestures +and pointing to Cliffe; and then he went on with one while the other sat +down watching the American, with his rifle across his knees. It was very +hot, for the sun struck down through an opening in the branches, but +although the perspiration dripped from him Cliffe did not think it wise +to move. Indeed, he was glad that his mule stood quiet, whisking off the +flies. + +At last some one called in the forest and Cliffe's guard told him to +ride on, though the man followed at a short distance, as if to prevent +his escape. A few hundred yards farther on, the gorge widened into a +level hollow, and Cliffe saw that he was in a camp. + +It was not marked by military order. Men of various shades of color lay +about, smoking cigarettes. Some were barefooted, and most were poorly +dressed, but all wore red sashes, and good rifles lay ready to their +hands. They looked more like brigands than soldiers, and it was hard to +imagine they had been drilled, but while their attitudes were slackly +negligent, their faces were resolute. In the background, climbing +forest, choked with fallen trees and trailing vines, rolled up the steep +hillside. It was very hot, and the hum of insects mingled with the sound +of drowsy voices. + +Two men, better dressed than the others, came forward, and Cliffe +dismounted and followed them to a seat in the shadow, where they gave +him some cigarettes. + +"Now, senor, you will tell us why you came here," said one. + +Cliffe had not expected to be addressed in good English, and he looked +at the man with surprise. + +The Spaniard smiled. + +"With us, the consequences of trying to serve one's country is that one +finds it safer to live somewhere else. But we will keep to the point." + +"I am looking for Don Martin Sarmiento," Cliffe said. "I expect you know +where he is." + +"That is so, but it would be difficult to reach him, and we leave this +place to-night. In fact, it is hard to see what we ought to do with you, +but it might help if you told us what your business is with Don Martin." + +"I guess you're surprised I should want to see him," Cliffe remarked +with some dryness. + +"It is natural," said the other. "We know you are a friend of the +President's, and we suspect that you have been financing him. The money +you gave him would be used to put us down." + +Cliffe thought for a few moments. The man seemed a person of some +consequence, and apparently commanded the band of rebels. His permission +must be obtained before Cliffe could proceed, and since he meant to ask +Don Martin's help there was, perhaps, no cause for reticence. + +"Very well," he said. "I will tell you why I am going to your leader." + +He related what had led to his quarrel with the President, and when he +had finished, the man translated the narrative to his comrade. + +"It is fortunate, senor, you refused the loan, because you will never +get the concessions; Altiera's rule will be over in a day or two. But +you believed him when he said he did not know where your daughter is?" + +"Yes. He seemed to speak without thinking, and was sorry afterward." + +"Then, as the senorita is not in his hands, she is probably in ours, but +our forces are scattered, and at present we cannot make inquiries. +However, I imagine you will find her quickest by remaining with us--and +you will excuse my saying that it would not suit us to let you go. If +you were seized by the President's soldiers, he might make some use of +you. Have I your promise that you will not try to escape?" + +Although the man was courteous, Cliffe thought an attempt to run away +would lead to trouble, but this was not what decided him to stay. He had +been bred to business, but now deep-rooted impulses were stirring. The +President and Gomez had cheated him, and he felt very sore about it, but +they had, moreover, carried off and, no doubt, terrorized Evelyn. The +thought of this filled him with a fierce desire to get even with them. + +"Senores," he said grimly, "you not only have my word not to attempt to +escape but you have my pledge to help you in every way I can." + +"We start for Rio Frio to-night," the rebel answered in a significant +tone. + +"Good!" Cliffe said, and glanced about at the little groups of +determined looking men. "I'll confess I'm curious to know how you got +such good rifles," he added. + +The rebel studied him keenly for a moment; and seemed satisfied. + +"A countryman of yours bought and landed them for us in small +quantities." + +"Grahame!" Cliffe exclaimed, and laughed, for he found the situation +ironically humorous. He liked Grahame, and suspected that Evelyn was +interested in him; and now it was obvious that the man had helped the +revolutionaries to ruin his plans. + +"I know him," he said. "As a matter of fact, he's an Englishman." + +"At present he is Gomez's prisoner. That is one reason we strike the +first blow at Rio Frio." + +"Ah! Well, if you mean to rescue him, you can rely on my doing the best +I can." + +The rebel changed the subject, but Cliffe imagined he had gained his +confidence. He was invited to the officers' frugal four o'clock dinner, +and afterward sat talking with them while the shadows filled the hollow. +Although still anxious about Evelyn, he felt less disturbed, and was +sensible of a strange but pleasant thrill. Feelings he thought he had +long grown out of were reawakening; there would be no more trucking with +the rogues who had cheated him and carried off his daughter. When they +next met, he would demand satisfaction with a rifle in his hands. Cliffe +admitted that there was something rather absurd and barbarous in the +pleasure the thought of the meeting afforded him, but, for all that, the +adventure he was embarking on had a strong attraction. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +THE PRESIDENT'S DESPATCHES + + +The sun had set when Walthew urged his worn-out mule up a narrow track +that twisted along the hillside through thick timber. The evening was +very dark, and thin mist drifted among the giant trees. Creepers +streamed down from their interlacing boughs, damp brush projected from +the sides of the trail, and Walthew growled savagely when he was +buffeted by clusters of dewy leaves. His head ached, the perspiration +dripped from his hot face, and he was sore in every limb, while he found +the steamy atmosphere almost unbreathable. + +The cut on his head was healing, but after a long, forced march from the +coast, he had at sunrise left the camp where he and the revolutionaries +had spent the night. The country ahead was reported to be watched by the +President's soldiers, and as the party was not strong enough to fight, +they had separated, hoping to slip past the pickets singly and meet at a +rendezvous agreed upon. Walthew reached the spot without being molested, +but although he waited for an hour nobody else arrived. It seemed +possible, however, that he had mistaken the place, and he determined to +push on to Rio Frio, trusting that his companions would rejoin him +there. He had been told that as the President had dealings with +foreigners he might be allowed to pass by any soldiers he fell in with +when they saw he was an American. + +He was, however, still a long way from Rio Frio, his mule was exhausted, +and he doubted if he were going the right way. There was nothing to be +seen but shadowy trunks that loomed through the mist a yard or two off, +and faint specks of phosphorescent light where the fireflies twinkled. + +Rocking in his saddle with a painful jar, Walthew thought that if the +jaded beast stumbled again as badly it would come down, and he half +decided to dismount. He felt that he would be safer on his feet; but the +mule, recovering, turned abruptly without his guiding it, and a few +moments later the darkness grew thinner. + +The trees now rose on one side in a dense, black mass, the ground was +more level, and Walthew saw that the animal had struck into a road that +led through a clearing. He followed it, in the hope that there was a +_hacienda_ near, and soon a light shone in the distance. The mule now +needed no urging, and in a few minutes a building of some size loomed +against the sky. Walthew rode up to it, and as he reached the arched +entrance to the _patio_ a man appeared, while another man moved softly +behind him as if to cut off his retreat. + +"Can I get a fresh mule here and perhaps something to eat?" he asked as +carelessly as he could. + +"Certainly, senor," said the man. "If you will get down, we will put the +beast in the stable." + +Walthew hesitated. There was no obvious reason why he should distrust +the fellow, but he imagined that he had been watching for somebody +coming down the road. The mule, however, was worn out, and he did not +think he had much chance of escaping if treachery was intended. + +"Very well," he said, dismounting, and when another man came up, he +stumbled after the first into the passage. + +"You have ridden far, senor, and will enjoy a rest," his guide remarked. +"One does not lose time by stopping for food on a long journey." + +Walthew felt more suspicious. They were now near a lamp that hung in the +arch, and although his companion was dressed like a peon his voice +suggested some education. The feeling that his arrival had been expected +was stronger, but it was too late to turn back and he went on, +surreptitiously making sure that his automatic pistol was loose. He was +taken across the _patio_, up an outside staircase, and along a balcony, +where his guide opened a door. + +"The house is at your disposal," he said with Spanish politeness, bowing +to Walthew to enter. + +The door was closed sharply and Walthew wondered if he had been trapped +as he cast a quick glance about. The room was large, badly lighted, and +scantily furnished. Two of its windows were open, but he remembered that +they must be some distance from the ground. There seemed, however, to be +no reason for alarm. At the far end of the room a table was laid for +supper, and a girl and a priest sat near it. They rose as he came +forward. + +Walthew gasped. + +"_Blanca!_" + +The girl seemed equally astonished. + +"Senor Walthew!" she exclaimed, and her tone indicated both perplexity +and concern. Walthew's clothes were gray with dust, his pose was slack +with fatigue, and a dirty bandage covered his forehead. + +"You seem surprised," he managed to say; "I guess _I_ am." The gleam in +his eyes showed the pleasure he felt. "I didn't expect to find you +here." + +"But where do you come from?" + +"From the San Lucar lagoon; traveled as fast as I could, but lost my +companions in the bush. They belong to your party." + +The priest came forward and Walthew recognized Father Agustin. + +"There has been a mistake," the priest said to Blanca, and bowed to +Walthew. "You will excuse me; I have an order to give." + +Walthew thought it had something to do with his arrival. He was no +longer suspicious, but puzzled. He was among friends, but they had +received him in a curious manner. + +He turned to Blanca with a smile. + +"It looks as if I'm intruding, but I hope you won't turn me out." + +"Oh, no," she said with a compassionate glance that thrilled him. "You +seem ill and tired. Are you hurt?" + +"Not much; a scratch on my head. But are you safe here? They told us the +woods were full of the President's soldiers." + +"We shall be gone at daybreak, and we have a guard." Blanca paused and +resumed with an air of relief: "It was fortunate you did not pass the +house." + +"That's a sure thing," Walthew agreed. "However, I guess I know what +you mean. When I pulled up I fancied your friends were watching for me, +and I'd have found the road blocked if I'd gone on. Don't you think you +had better tell me what it's all about?" + +Blanca hesitated with some color in her face, but just then Father +Agustin returned. + +"I have warned the men," he informed the girl. + +"Senor Walthew wishes to know what is going on," she said. + +"It might be better that he should know, and he is to be trusted; but +you must decide whether you will tell him or not." + +Blanca was silent for a moment, and then began in a rather strained +voice: + +"We have a spy in the President's household, and word was sent us that a +man would leave Villa Paz with some important despatches for Gomez. We +believe they contain instructions about what he must do when the +fighting begins, but, to avoid suspicion, Altiera is sending a foreign +trader to whom he has given some privileges. We expect him to stop and +change mules here, because the _hacienda_ belongs to one of the +President's supporters." + +"I see!" said Walthew. "He would not have carried the despatches past +this house. But where is its owner?" + +"Hiding at a _hacienda_ some distance off. He is a timid man, and we had +him warned that the rebels were coming to burn the place. An hour after +he left with his family we took possession." + +"But why did Don Martin send you?" Walthew asked sharply. "Hasn't he men +enough?" + +Blanca blushed and looked embarrassed, but the next moment she lifted +her head with an air of pride. There was a sparkle in her deep blue +eyes. + +"I am a patriot, senor, and ready to make a sacrifice for my country. We +must seize the despatches, but we do not wish to use force on a +foreigner, because this might lead to trouble. Our plan was to change +the papers for others and send the messenger on without his knowing that +he had lost them. It would not be an easy matter----" + +"In short," Father Agustin interposed with some dryness, "the senorita +thought she might succeed where a man would fail." + +The blood rushed to Walthew's face, for he understood. Blanca meant to +use her personal charm to trick and rob the messenger. It seemed to him +an outrage; but she fixed her eyes on him, and they had a haughty, +challenging look. She was daring him to deny that the course she meant +to take was warranted. He was furiously angry, but he tried to be just, +and he knew that she would not go too far. + +"It seems you do not approve!" she said. + +Walthew felt a thrill. In a sense, she had admitted that his good +opinion was worth something; but he saw that he must be careful. She was +proud and had the fiery Spanish temperament. He might lose her by a hint +of doubt. + +"No," he said, "I don't approve; but I can conquer my prejudices, as you +must have done. It is hateful to think of a woman's doing such work, but +one must admire the courage that has helped you to undertake it. I dare +say the cause demands the sacrifice." + +The girl's expression softened, and she smiled as she turned to the +priest. + +"Do you not think Senor Walthew has answered well?" + +"It is obvious that he has tact, and I think he has feeling," said +Father Agustin. "But has he not some news for us, perhaps?" + +"I have," said Walthew. "I want your help." + +He began with the arrival of Evelyn's message, and Blanca started as if +about to speak, but Father Agustin stopped her by a sign. Her face grew +intent as Walthew told how they had driven the _Enchantress_ before the +gale, and her eyes sparkled when he deprecatingly related the struggle +on the beach. + +"I think you have no reason to apologize," she said. "They must have +sent a strong guard, and you tried to rescue your friend alone. Miguel +was right; there was nothing to be done by two or three men with +knives." Then she paused with a thoughtful look. "It seems you do not +know that Miss Cliffe is safe with us." + +"It is a relief to learn that," Walthew said with feeling. + +"Since she was at Rio Frio when she sent the note, it is plain that +Gomez added the few lines that led you into the trap. But we must think +how we can rescue Mr. Grahame. You suggest that the men who came with +you from San Lucar have no plans?" + +"No. They expected to gather a force on the way, but the peons had +already gone off to join Don Martin. We meant to steal into Rio Frio and +then see what could be done. All I know is that I'm not going back +without my partner." + +"We may find a way to set him free, but it will need some thought," +Father Agustin remarked. "When a thing looks difficult, force is not +always the best means." + +"It doesn't seem likely to be of much use now," Walthew gloomily agreed. +"I'd six of your countrymen with me until I lost them, and we were told +that Gomez was filling Rio Frio with soldiers.... But how did you come +to take a part in this affair?" + +Father Agustin's eyes twinkled. + +"I came as duenna. You were surprised when you heard what the senorita +had undertaken, but it appeared that my presence might be something of a +protection and, perhaps, a guarantee. One concludes that this did not +strike you." + +Walthew looked embarrassed, but Father Agustin smiled. + +"You look as if you need refreshment," he said. "We will have our supper +now." + +When the meal was finished, Father Agustin kept Walthew talking while +Blanca leaned back silently in her chair. Her look was strained, and +once Walthew surprised her cautious glance at the clock. + +"I had forgotten the despatch-carrier," he said with some sharpness. "He +doesn't seem to be coming." + +"There is another road; longer and at present dangerous," explained +Father Agustin. "We have had it watched, but this is the obvious way for +a messenger to take." + +"For all that," said Walthew steadily, "I hope the fellow will choose +the other." + +Neither of them answered. Blanca lay back in her chair; the priest sat +with one elbow on the table, his cheek resting on his upturned palm. He +was very tired. + +Walthew studied him for a moment and then put his thoughts into words. + +"It is curious, Father Agustin, that whenever I have met you things +began to happen." + +"It is possible. Perhaps a priest is most needed where there is trouble, +and my mission is not always peace. One looks forward to the time when +lust and greed and cruelty shall no longer rule the hearts of men, but +it has not come yet." + +Walthew lighted the cigarette his host passed over to him. Though Father +Agustin had told him nothing new and his manner was by no means +dramatic, he felt impressed. The quiet priest in his shabby cassock and +clumsy, raw-hide shoes, had somehow a dominating personality. It was +hard to tell what part he took in the revolution, but even if it were +not directly active, Walthew thought him a moral force that must be +reckoned with. + +For a time nothing was said. There was no sound in the room except the +ticking of the clock, and it seemed to Walthew that the house had a +deserted feeling; he imagined that there was nobody in it except +themselves. He grew angry and pitiful by turns as he glanced at Blanca. +It was a hateful task she had been given, but he saw that she meant to +carry it out. He wanted to get on, because Grahame might be in danger, +but he could not leave until the despatch-carrier came. One could trust +Father Agustin, but Walthew felt that he must be on hand. + +It got cooler, and a faint, earthy smell crept in through the windows. +Now and then the lamp flickered in a passing draught, and once or twice +they forced themselves to talk, but the effort was obvious and the +voices presently died away. After this the quietness became oppressive, +and by degrees Walthew grew drowsy. Rousing himself, he felt ashamed as +he glanced at the girl. She did not move, but her pose was tense, and he +knew that she was watchful. He resented the craving for sleep when she +was bearing a heavy strain, but he had traveled fast since he left the +lagoon and his exhausted body demanded rest. + +He would not give in, and at last he started as a faint throbbing sound +reached him from outside. It came from a long way off, but grew plainer, +and he saw Father Agustin lean forward. Then Blanca stood up with a +tinge of color in her face and a tightening of her lips. Somebody was +riding hard down the road. There was a shout and a sharp answer. + +For a few moments the three stood waiting with forced calm, and then a +man hurriedly entered. + +"Pepe is here, senor," he announced. + +"Ah!" said Father Agustin quietly. "Bring him in." He turned to Walthew. +"It is one of our men who watched the other road. Something has gone +wrong." + +Walthew saw Blanca's expression change. Although she had meant to get +the despatches, he knew she felt relieved. + +Pepe entered. His face was wet with perspiration and he spoke with a +breathless quickness that prevented Walthew's following what he said. +Still, it was plain that his news was bad, for his manner was +apologetic, and Father Agustin looked thoughtful. + +"Wait outside; we may want you," he said and turned to Walthew after +dismissing the fellow. "The messenger must have been suspicious and our +men have blundered. It was very dark and he came upon them suddenly. +One was shot as he seized the mule and the messenger escaped before they +could mount, but he was forced to turn back." + +"Could he pass them by making a round?" + +"It is not likely. There is this road and the other, with thick forest +between, and both are guarded. The man must wait for daylight, and I do +not think he will reach Rio Frio. We may turn this to your advantage, +but it needs thought." + +He sat down and lighted a cigarette, and Walthew waited in silence until +he looked up. + +"It is possible that Gomez will offer your comrade his liberty in +exchange for information he can use against Don Martin." + +"Grahame will give him none," Walthew answered emphatically. + +"Then I imagine he is in some danger. You would take a risk to rescue +him?" + +"Of course!" + +"Very well. Gomez is waiting for instructions and probably knows that +the messenger is a foreigner. I suggest that you impersonate him. The +guards will let you pass, and Gomez will, no doubt, receive you alone. +Then you must try to extort an order for your friend's release." + +"I'm a pretty good shot," said Walthew meaningly. "I might get him +covered before I begin." + +Father Agustin made a sign of impatience. + +"Your best argument will be this--if you are detained for more than a +few minutes, there will be a tumult in the town. Gomez will hesitate +about forcing a rising before he gets his orders. Then as soon as you +enter the house some of our people will find an excuse for loitering +about the door. The soldiers are not well drilled; it might not be +difficult to surprise and disarm the sentry, and then the house could be +seized. For all that, there is a risk. Success will depend upon your +nerve and coolness." + +"I can't think of any better plan," said Walthew. + +Blanca gave him a quick glance, and he thrilled as he saw a hint of +trouble in her face. He thought she was unwilling that he should run +into danger, but the next moment her eyes sparkled. + +"It will work!" she said. "I am coming to help!" + +Walthew made a sign of protest, but she would not let him speak. + +"I promised to get the despatches, and the messenger may arrive while +you are with Gomez. Then somebody must make arrangements for the door to +be watched, and I am known in Rio Frio. I can find trustworthy men." She +raised her hand imperiously. "You need not object, senor. I am going!" + +Walthew was forced to acquiesce, and an hour afterward they left the +_hacienda_ and rode through the dark bush with two well-armed men behind +them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE PRESIDIO + + +The sun hung low in the western sky, with a peak of the black cordillera +cutting its lower edge, and Rio Frio shone in the glaring light. Seen +from the road across the valley, the town had an ethereal look, for the +tiers of square, white houses rose from a gulf of shadow and clustered +upon the hillside, glimmering with a pearly luster, picked out by clumps +of green. Behind were barren slopes, deepening in color to dusky purple +as they ran back to the foot of the mountain wall. + +Walthew pulled up his mule and sat gazing at the town. He had been +riding beside Blanca, while Father Agustin and two others followed at +some distance. + +"Five minutes ago you could hardly see the place against the background +and now it glows as if it were lighted up inside," he remarked. "Looks +more like an enchanted palace than a collection of adobe houses. One +could imagine that some magician had suddenly conjured it up." + +"I'm afraid there's not much enchantment in Rio Frio," Blanca answered. +"It's very prosaic and rather dirty." + +"Well, I don't know," said Walthew, looking boldly at her. "I'm not +given to romantic sentiment, but something very strange happened to me +one night in your town. Must have been glamour in the air, for I've been +a changed man ever since. You wouldn't expect a matter-of-fact American, +who was on the hunt for money, to trail round the country trying to act +like Garibaldi, unless he was bewitched." + +Blanca smiled prettily. + +"You have, at least, chosen to follow a great example, senor." + +"I don't think I chose him," Walthew returned dryly. "I'd have looked +for somebody easier." + +"But you were free to give up the part if you found it too hard for +you." + +"No; that's the trouble. I wasn't free." + +The girl knew that he was not talking at random to hide nervousness. +There was an underlying gravity in his manner and she secretly thrilled +to it. Although he still wore the dirty bandage and was dusty and +unkempt, she thought he had a very gallant air. His eyes were bright and +intent, and his thin face was very resolute. The faint smile with which +he regarded her somehow emphasized his determined, highstrung look. + +"Senor," she said, "it is better to aim high. Achievement is not +everything; the effort counts, and it is a generous errand you go upon +to-night. But we will talk of something else. Look; there is the house +where I spent the only happy years I can remember, until my father heard +the call of duty once more and obeyed. Higher up, you can see the green +gap of the _alameda_; beyond it the church of San Sebastian." She paused +for a moment with a shiver. "The white line beneath it is the top of the +_presidio_, where Gomez lives. But the light fades quickly, and now, +see--everything has gone." + +The sun had sunk behind the cordillera, and the white town, changing +suddenly to gray, melted out of sight as the shadows rolled up the +hillside. + +"You must see that it's enchanted," Walthew remarked. "The magician has +waved his wand and blotted it out." + +"It will shine again to-morrow," Blanca answered in a quiet voice. "The +shadows have long rested on this country of ours, but one looks for the +dawn." + +The others were close behind them, but the party was smaller than it had +been. Ragged men with dark, determined faces had been picked up on the +way, but it would excite suspicion if they entered Rio Frio in a body, +and they had separated during the last hour. Walthew did not know what +their orders were, but he thought they would act upon some plan already +made if he failed to secure Grahame's release; and Blanca presently bore +this conclusion out. + +"You will not be left unsupported, but it will be better if you can make +Gomez set your comrade free without our help," she said. "We do not wish +to strike the first blow to-night, but if it is needful, the _presidio_ +will be attacked. Gomez's position is like ours: he is not quite ready +to force a conflict. You see how that strengthens your hand. He cannot +altogether trust his soldiers, and a shot would rouse the town." Her +voice sounded rather strained as she concluded: "But if you are careful, +the shot will not be fired. Gomez is cruel, but he is a coward, and will +give way if you use moral force." + +"It's a big thing," Walthew answered thoughtfully. "Still, I must put +it over somehow. I have to get my partner out." + +Darkness fell before they reached Rio Frio, and Blanca stopped her mule +on the outskirts of the town. + +"We must separate here," she said. "I do not think the entrance is +carefully guarded, because it is not Gomez's policy to admit that an +attack is possible, but there may be spies, and a _rural_ or two on +watch." She paused and held out her hand. "I wish you good fortune, +senor, and I do not think your nerve will fail, but if the worst comes, +we will not leave you in Gomez's power." + +Walthew, bending down, kissed her hand and then lifted his hat. + +"Until I see you again, senorita," he said and quietly rode on. + +There was no moon and the air was still. The town rose before him, vague +and shadowy, with a faint musky smell drifting out from it. As he +reached the first of the houses, a wave of heat, rising from the rough +pavement, surrounded him. The walls looked blank, for there were no +lights behind the lattices, but a ray of brightness fell across the +street a short distance in front. As he crossed the illuminated strip a +man in white uniform stepped forward and seized his bridle. + +"Who comes?" he asked, looking hard at Walthew's face. + +"A messenger for the _secretario_." + +"Pass, friend," said the other, letting go the bridle. + +Walthew rode on, but checked the mule as soon as he was out of sight. It +looked as if he had been expected, but he had been warned that he must +give the revolutionaries time to communicate with their friends in the +city. They might have some trouble in entering it, although he believed +they meant to do so through the house of some sympathizer on the +outskirts. When he turned a corner he stopped to listen, but heard +nothing behind him, and the street in front was quiet. It seemed that +nobody had been sent to announce his arrival, and he could proceed +slowly without rousing suspicion. + +Leaving the direct line, he wound in and out through narrow streets, the +mule's shoes clanging on the hot stones. He passed one or two dimly +lighted cafes where men, roused by the clatter, looked up, their figures +showing indistinct about the small tables between the pillars. Farther +on, shadowy groups were sitting close together on the pavement, and +though their voices were quiet they had somehow an air of excitement. +Men appeared and vanished in the gloom, moving softly and quickly, as if +afraid of loitering. There was a mysterious hint of tension about all +that Walthew saw, and he felt his heart beat as he rode on. + +Crossing the plaza, he dismounted at the hotel he had previously +visited, and sent for the majordomo when the hostler grumbled something +about the stable's being full. + +"You will remember me," he said. "I want to leave my mule here and +perhaps spend the night." + +"I am sorry, but we have no room; there are a number of strangers in the +town. They are not so full at the Golden Fleece." + +"I'd rather stay here if I have to wait until to-morrow," Walthew +answered. "You take care of the mules well, and I may have a long ride. +Then one puts up at a place one knows, with more--confidence." + +The majordomo looked hard at him. + +"We must try to make room, senor, since you have--confidence." + +"Exactly," said Walthew, smiling. "Now I want the mule fed but not +unsaddled. I may perhaps need it in an hour, and it would be an +advantage if you could find me another." + +"It might be possible," the majordomo replied in a thoughtful tone. +"Still, there are spies about and they may watch this house. With +permission, I will send the mule to Ramon Silva in the _calle Pinastro_. +He is a carrier, and it is known that he buys pack-animals; he will have +both mules ready, if you ask for them with confidence." + +Walthew thanked the man and set off for the _presidio_. It was a long, +square-fronted building with a sentry-box at the entrance, and an untidy +soldier sat smoking outside. Another stood a little farther on in a +slouching attitude, a rifle raking across his shoulder and his _kepis_ +tilted to one side. Discipline is seldom marked among Spanish-American +soldiers, but Walthew was somewhat surprised to note that the fellow was +bantering a group of loiterers. They were dressed like peons, and one +carried a tray of sweetmeats and another a quantity of cigarettes, +apparently for sale. As Walthew passed, the former hurriedly moved his +tray, as if to prevent its being upset. + +"Be careful, senor!" he exclaimed, giving Walthew a warning glance. + +Walthew understood it. The men were not there by accident, and he saw +that one was within leaping distance of the sentry. He knew that the +Spanish knife is almost as dangerous as the rifle at close quarters; and +can, moreover, be thrown a short distance with effect. + +"I have a message for the _secretario_," he told the sentry with a +careless air. + +The man let him pass, and he saw that he was expected when a dusky +steward met him at the door. Since the despatch-carrier was known to be +a foreigner, it was easy to enter the _presidio_, but he wondered what +would happen before he left. Now that the dangerous game was about to +begin, he clearly recognized the risk he ran. For all that, it looked as +if he held the trump cards, and he hoped that he had nerve enough to +play them well. Pulling himself together, he followed his guide across +the _patio_ and up an outer stair, until the man stopped and knocked at +a door. + +"The messenger, senor," he announced. + +Walthew held his breath until he heard the door shut behind him; then he +turned to Gomez, who had risen from his seat at a table. It was a small +room and the table stood between the men. Walthew felt his nerves tingle +and his skin grow damp with perspiration as Gomez looked at him. There +was surprise in the secretary's face and he seemed puzzled, as if he +were trying to revive a memory. + +"You are not the man we were told would come, but I think I have seen +you somewhere," he said. + +Walthew stood still, his hand in his jacket pocket, as if about to take +the despatches from it. + +"The other messenger was detained, but we have met. I once dined at your +table at the International, in Havana." + +Gomez gave him a quick, suspicious glance. + +"Then there is something I do not understand, but it is not important +now. You bring the President's orders?" + +"No; I bring this." + +He took his hand from his pocket and the barrel of an automatic pistol +glinted in the light. + +Gomez flinched, but recovered his calm with a quickness that showed +Walthew he had a dangerous antagonist. + +"Push your chair back from that open drawer and then keep still!" he +ordered. + +Gomez obeyed, and Walthew sat down on the edge of the table, where, if +necessary, he could spring up more quickly than from a chair. Besides, +the position helped him to keep both Gomez and the door in sight. + +"You are uselessly dramatic, senor," Gomez remarked with a forced sneer. +"You dare not use the pistol, and I am not to be frightened by so cheap +a trick." + +Walthew did not put down the weapon. + +"Rather stale, but it has served its purpose by stopping you from +calling out, and that's all I wanted to begin with. Now I'm going to +show you how we stand." + +"Your position strikes me as very weak." + +"Well," said Walthew coolly, "I don't know. There are some chances in my +favor." + +"Not many, I think. A shot or a call from me would lead to your +immediate arrest." + +Walthew lowered the pistol. + +"I'm not going to shoot and you won't call. One of your sentries is +smoking cigarettes, with a wiry liberator ready to put his knife into +him, and something would happen to the other before he could throw up +his rifle. Then, a number of my friends are waiting to seize the gate." + +"What would they gain? They could not hold the building. In a few +minutes the soldiers would arrive." + +"Just so. Still, they'd have a few minutes, and there's reason for +believing they're not fond of you. Then, I don't mean to be made a +prisoner and, if I'm forced to, I'll shoot straight." + +This was not an idle threat. Walthew's nerves were steady, and he felt a +rancorous hatred of the man. He had been guilty of unspeakable +cruelties, he had carried off an American girl, and he now had Grahame +in his power. Walthew's face was pale, but his lips were firmly set, and +there was an ominous gleam in his eyes. Gomez began to grow uneasy. + +"However," Walthew went on, "the important point is that the first shot +starts the revolution. My friends won't have much trouble with the +sentries at the door, but if your soldiers try to break in afterward, it +will rouse the town. You may take this for granted, because you must see +that I'd make sure of being supported outside before I ventured here." + +Gomez pondered. The American's position was certainly strong. The lad +was not a rash fool, and his having made the venture proved his +statement about the likelihood of a revolution to be correct; moreover, +Gomez had other reasons for not questioning it. As he looked up, Walthew +made a warning gesture and Gomez heard footsteps outside. + +"Don't move!" said Walthew in a low, tense voice. "If that fellow comes +in it will make trouble for both of us. You'd better think how you're +going to keep him out!" + +The secretary's lips twitched, but he sat motionless. The steps drew +nearer, echoing down the passage; in another moment the man outside +would reach the door. Walthew held his breath; but the steps continued +and passed. Then they grew fainter, and Walthew saw his antagonist's +pose relax; the strain had told on him. Gomez was weakening and the game +was nearly won. + +"What do you want?" the secretary asked. + +"An order for Grahame's release." + +"Impossible! My signature would make me responsible to the President." + +"You'll take a bigger responsibility if you refuse; the men I left +waiting will begin the trouble if I'm not outside very soon. You haven't +got your master's orders yet, and the liberators have headed his +messenger off. I guess you'll have to answer for it if you spoil his +plans. Remember you'll have to face a revolution unless you let Grahame +out." + +Gomez was silent for a few moments and then made a sign of acquiescence. + +"Very well," he said, and pulling his chair to the table began to write. +Then he gave Walthew the paper. "Are you satisfied?" + +"Not quite," said Walthew, glancing over the message. "Ring for one of +your men and send it off with this note." He handed both papers to +Gomez. "Order him to deliver them at once!" + +When the man came in, Walthew was sitting carelessly in a chair, as if +nothing unusual had been going on. His right hand, however, was gripping +the pistol in his jacket pocket. + +"I'll wait here for five minutes to give him a start. Seems to me that +would be safer," he said when the orderly had left them. + +He was relieved when he thought he could get up, for the strain had been +heavy, and he was feeling rather limp, but he walked steadily to the +door and did not quicken his steps until he reached the stairs. It was +with tingling nerves that he came to the outer gate; but the sentries +let him pass, and when he had gone a short distance, three or four peons +who were hanging about turned and followed him. He was outside in the +friendly darkness, but he had still to leave the town. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +THE ESCAPE + + +Walthew waited for the peons, and then turned toward _calle Pinastro_, +where he had arranged to meet Grahame. He had now three companions whom +he thought he could trust, but they were unarmed, except for their +knives. Gomez had sent the order for Grahame's release, but if he could +rearrest him and seize Walthew without causing a tumult, he would do so. +They had only five or six minutes' start. It did not look as if they +could get out of the town in time, and Walthew felt fiercely impatient. +For all that, he stopped at the corner of a street when one of the +others touched him. + +There was a lighted cafe near by, and a girl stood on the pavement near +its open front. She was dressed very plainly in white, with a dark shawl +fastened round her head, like a peasant girl, but he felt a sudden +thrill as she turned toward him. Although he could not see her very +well, he knew it was Blanca. When he cautiously crossed the street she +drew him back into the shadow, but he saw her look of relief. + +"You have succeeded!" she said softly. "Where is Mr. Grahame?" + +"I am to meet him at Ramon Silva's." + +"You cannot go this way; there are two _rurales_ farther on. But it +would be dangerous to turn back now." + +She put her hand on his arm, as if to detain him while she considered +what to do, and Walthew looked about, knowing that he could trust her +knowledge of the town. The street was narrow and dark except where the +light from the cafe shone across it. A few citizens sat round the small +tables, and several shadowy figures loitered in the gloom outside. +Walthew thought they had come with the girl, but there was nothing in +their attitude to suggest that they had any particular business in the +neighborhood, and his own followers had stopped at the corner. + +Suddenly a clatter of hoofs broke out. Some one was riding fast toward +them. Walthew felt Blanca's hand tighten warningly on his arm as she +drew back a pace or two. The sound grew louder; there was a hoarse shout +like a sentry's challenge, and an answer which Walthew imagined +satisfied the _rurales_ on guard; and then a mounted man rode into the +stream of light. + +The mule was foul with sweat and dust, and a trickle of blood ran down +its shoulder; the rider's face was pale and set. Walthew's eyes rested +on him for only a second, but he knew the fellow was English or +American. There was an angry cry in the background, and a stealthy +figure, outlined against a blank, white wall, crossed the street. The +mounted man was obviously the President's messenger; but Walthew, having +seen his grim, tired look, and the way he drove the worn-out mule +furiously down the street, felt a touch of half-admiring sympathy. After +all, the fellow was white, and was gallantly doing what he had +undertaken. + +A moment more and Walthew saw something glisten in the hand of the +stealthy figure that seemed ready to spring. He was only a yard away +and, acting on impulse, he stumbled as if by accident and fell against +the man. The knife dropped with a jingle, and the messenger dashed past, +throwing Walthew a quick glance as he went. + +An angry murmur broke out, and several of the loiterers closed in on +Walthew, while men left the cafe to see what was going on, and there +were quick footsteps farther off in the gloom. Remembering the need for +haste and that Grahame might be in danger, Walthew half regretted his +rashness, but as he wondered what to do Blanca ran to his side. + +"The _rurales_ are coming!" she shouted; and the men about them vanished +as she led him away. + +They turned a corner into a lane between dark houses. + +"Why did you interfere?" she asked breathlessly. + +"I don't know. Felt I had to," Walthew answered with some embarrassment. + +"But you know who he is!" + +"Yes; he's carrying the despatches. Still, he looked played out and he +had got through." + +"Through your friends!" + +"I suppose so. It didn't seem to make much difference. Guess I've been +foolish." + +"You were generous, but generosity of that kind must be paid for," +Blanca answered in a hard tone. "It will cost our people something, and, +now that Gomez has got his orders, I don't know that we can leave the +town." + +"Grahame and I must find a way. But you'd be safer without us. I can't +let you run into needless danger." + +Blanca laughed. + +"Do you think I would leave you to get into fresh difficulties? With a +temperament like yours, you're not to be trusted alone." + +"I handled Gomez pretty well," Walthew boasted. + +"And you still wear the bandage he saw you with! Is it safe to take it +off?" + +"I'd forgotten it," he admitted. + +He threw the bandage into the lane with some annoyance, for the girl +seemed amused, but she made no remark until they reached a quiet street. + +"Well," she said, "perhaps I can excuse you to the others, who haven't +deserted us. But we turn down here and you had better go a few yards in +front." + +Following the directions she gave him, he presently crossed a square and +entered a street where a dim light burned. A man stood near it in a +careless pose, smoking a cigarette, and Walthew's heart beat fast as he +saw him. + +"Grahame!" he said; and the next moment he was shaking his comrade's +hand. + +"Got your note," said Grahame. "Thought I'd better wait here. Silva +can't let us have the mules." + +Walthew understood his brevity: there was no time for questions and +explanations. + +Grahame took off his hat as Blanca joined them. + +"I must see Silva. Wait in the shadow," she said, and moved quickly +away. + +The men stood silent. They had much to say, but it would keep, and the +means of escaping from the town occupied their minds. The street was +deserted and seemed strangely quiet after the girl's footsteps died +away, but indistinct cries came across the flat roofs as if something +were happening. Walthew looked about sharply in tense impatience, but +could see nothing, and Blanca did not return. At last, however, she came +silently toward them through the gloom. + +"It is impossible for Silva to give us the mules," she said. "The +Government has seized all he has, and two _rurales_ guard the stable." + +"Then we must try to get away on foot," Grahame replied. "Would you be +safer, senorita, if you got some of your friends to hide you?" + +"No," she said; "I must take my father some news I have picked up, and +Gomez will leave no place unsearched when he learns that I have been +here. I think we shall be out of danger if we can reach a house I know." + +They went down the street, quickly but silently, and as they turned the +corner a man sprang out from the gloom beside a wall and immediately +afterward disappeared. A few moments later they heard a whistle, and +Blanca led the men into a narrow lane. + +"It is off our way, and we must run!" she said. + +She shook off Walthew when he tried to take her arm; and they had gone +some distance before they heard footsteps behind them. The pursuers did +not seem to gain much ground, but when they slipped round a corner +somebody shouted, and the girl sped across the square they had entered. +A little farther on, they heard a heavier tread on the uneven stones. + +"_Rurales!_" Grahame whispered. + +Blanca turned off quickly and led them through an archway into a street +where there was a cafe, which, to Walthew's surprise, she made for. The +pursuers had not come out from the archway yet, and the party, falling +into a slower pace before they reached the cafe, went in and sat down +calmly at one of the tables. As usual, the front of the cafe was open to +the pavement, separated from it by only a row of pillars. A few men sat +inside and glanced curiously at the newcomers, but they made no remark. + +"A bottle of vermouth, as soon as you can!" Grahame said to the +landlord. + +The fellow gave him a quick glance, and then his eyes rested for a +moment on the girl; but he did not delay, and was coming back with some +glasses when several barefooted men and two others in uniform ran down +the street. Grahame had taken up a newspaper, but he watched them over +it without turning his head; Walthew pushed his chair back carelessly +into the shadow; and Blanca played with a gaudy fan. The men did not +look into the cafe, but the landlord, after quietly filling the glasses, +put down the bottle with a meaning smile. + +"They may come back," he said, and moved away. + +Walthew was about to get up, but Blanca coquettishly tapped him with her +fan and, taking the hint, he sat still; they must drink some of the +vermouth before they left. He drained his glass, and insisted on +refilling the girl's. Blanca protested laughingly, but Grahame saw that +she held her fan so that it hid her face from the other customers. She +was playing her part well. Still, he thought that Walthew, knowing less +of Spanish conventions, did not understand how daring she was. When +Grahame's eyes rested on her she blushed and quickly turned her head. + +"It seems you have a number of supporters in the town," he remarked in a +low voice. + +"Yes," she said; "you are thinking of the landlord's hint. We hope at +least half the people are on our side.... But we can venture out in a +minute or two." + +She raised her glass, smiling at Walthew, and then hummed a song until +she got up and, standing in front of a dirty mirror, began to arrange +the black mantilla that covered her head. Her pose and movements were +marked by rakish coquetry, and Grahame saw they had deceived the +loungers; but he noticed with a touch of dry amusement that Walthew +looked puzzled and not quite pleased. + +"Now, senores," she said loudly in Castilian, "you have had wine enough +and must not keep me waiting." + +She went out in front of them, flaunting her fan, but when they reached +the pavement her manner changed, and her voice was strained as she +whispered: + +"Follow me close, but quickly! There is no time to lose!" + +They were not molested as they crossed the town, but when they neared +its outskirts, Blanca left the road that led to the open country and +plunged into a network of narrow streets. At last she stopped in front +of a large but dilapidated looking house and, knocking twice, waited a +few moments until her summons was answered. There was no light inside, +and she exchanged a word with a half-seen person at the door before the +party was admitted. The door was shut and bolted, and they were led into +an inner room where a small lamp burned, and a woman with a frightened +face confronted them. + +"The road is stopped, and you must go at once before the house is +searched!" she said excitedly. + +"Where are the others?" Blanca asked. + +"They lost you and have gone on. You know where they will wait." + +Blanca nodded and beckoned her companions; and they followed her and the +woman to a window at the back. Grahame tactfully sprang out first and +was relieved to find himself outside the town, with a grove of trees +that promised safe concealment not far ahead. He made his way toward +them without looking round. Walthew got out next, but as soon as he +reached the ground he turned and held up his arms to Blanca, who was +sitting on the ledge. As she sprang down he caught her, and holding her +fast kissed her ardently. His feeling of triumph banished all thought of +their danger when he found that she did not resist. Her eyes shone a +deep, mystic blue, and she smiled as she slipped her arm round his neck +for a moment before he set her down. + +Without speaking, they hurried on after Grahame. + +"We have about a mile to go," Blanca said, when they reached him. + +She struck into a path that led them past clumps of trees, rows of +neatly planted bushes, and fields of cane. It was a still, dark night on +which a sound would carry far, but they heard no pursuit, and the town +seemed quiet. + +At last a small building loomed up ahead, and Blanca stopped beside it. + +"We should find the others here," she whispered. "But you wait. It +would be better for them to see me first." + +They let her go, knowing that she would be easily recognized; but she +came back a few moments later. + +"There is nobody about. Perhaps they have gone on, because they had news +from people in the town, or something may have happened to make them +change their plans." + +Sitting down outside the building, they began to consider what must be +done. + +"We must go on without our mules," Blanca said. "I have information that +my father must get as soon as possible; but we may not be able to join +him until to-morrow night. The road is the nearest way, but now that +Gomez has his orders he may have sent out soldiers to stop all +travelers. Besides, there are _rurales_ about." + +"Then we'll take to the mountains," said Walthew. He did not mean her to +run a risk. "I guess they've disarmed Grahame, and with one pistol among +us we couldn't put up much of a fight." + +"There's another," Blanca returned quietly. "I might let Mr. Grahame +have it, if he is a good shot, but he must give it back to me; and, as +time is important, we will take the road." + +She silenced Walthew's objections and they set off, striking into a +broad track some distance farther on. For a time, it wound, deep with +dust that clung about their feet heavy with the dew, across a belt of +cultivated land where indistinct, orderly rows of coffee bushes ran back +from its edge. Then it plunged into thick forest, where the soil was +soft and the darkness impenetrable, and they stumbled along blindly, +trying to feel their way. For all that, Grahame was conscious of keen +satisfaction as he breathed the warm, night air. Heavy as it was, it +seemed strangely invigorating after the foul atmosphere of the _carcel_ +where he had been imprisoned, and it was something to walk at large +again. Walthew, however, felt anxious and limp. He had been highly +strung for several hours, and he held himself responsible for the safety +of the girl he loved. Listening for sounds of pursuit, he tried to +pierce the darkness in front, and started when a leaf rustled or some +animal moved stealthily through the forest. He thought his footsteps +rang down the branch-arched track alarmingly loud. + +They came out into barren, rolling country, where clumps of cactus and +euphorbia grew in fantastic shapes. The track led upward, and it was +obvious that Blanca was getting tired. Unless they are the wives of +peons, Spanish-American women do not lead an active life and, as a rule, +limit their walks to an evening stroll in the plaza. + +For a while Blanca leaned on Walthew's arm, and he winced as he felt her +limping movements, but at last she stopped. + +"I cannot go much farther, but there is a house near here," she said. +"We can rest when we reach it." + +The house proved to be empty and in some disorder, suggesting that its +occupants had hurriedly fled, but on searching it with a light they +found some food, a little charcoal, and an iron cooking pot. Blanca and +Walthew had made a long journey after their last meal and Grahame had +eaten nothing since his very plain breakfast at ten o'clock. + +Following the girl's instructions, he lighted the charcoal and set the +pot near the door while she prepared the food, but Walthew lay down in +the dust outside. He was physically tired, and now, when he imagined +they were comparatively safe, he felt very slack and his mind was dull. +For all that, he lay where he could see the road, and only moved his +eyes from it when he glanced into the small adobe building. The charcoal +made a faint red glow that forced up the face of the stooping girl out +of the darkness and touched her skin with a coppery gleam. Grahame knelt +beside her, a dark, vaguely outlined figure, fanning the fire, and +Walthew felt half jealous that he should help. + +Then he found himself getting drowsy, and, lighting a cigarette, he +fixed his eyes resolutely on the road. All was very quiet, and there was +not a movement anywhere. + +But Blanca was not out of danger yet. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +THE AMERICAN TRADER + + +Walthew was almost dozing, when he was startled by a sound that came out +of the darkness. It was some distance off, but it had a regular beat in +it, and when it grew louder he could not doubt that some one was riding +fast up the road. + +"Move the fire back--there's somebody coming!" he called quickly. +"Blanca, will you give Grahame your pistol?" + +He used her name for the first time, and it thrilled him, but he had +other things to think about. The faint glow of the charcoal vanished, +and Grahame came out and stood listening. + +"Stay where you are and guard the door!" he said. "I'll drop behind that +bush, and then if the fellow gets down we'll have him between us." + +Throwing away a cigarette he was smoking, he vanished into the gloom, +and Walthew lay still with his heart beating fast. The drumming of hoofs +grew slower as the rider climbed the hill before the house, but Walthew +could not see him until he dismounted and came up the path, leading his +mule. It was some comfort to realize that they had only one man to deal +with, but if he was a spy of the President's, he must not get away. +Walthew, lying at full length, quickly worked his elbow into the dust +to steady his pistol hand. + +When the stranger was three or four yards away he stopped and looped the +bridle round his arm. Then he put his hand into his pocket, and Walthew, +with his nerves a-tingle, supposed that the man was searching for a +match. In another moment he might have to shoot, and he held his breath +as his finger tightened on the trigger. He heard the match scrape, a +tiny flame flickered between the stranger's hands, and Walthew started +as he saw his face. It was the man who had carried the President's +orders into Rio Frio. + +The light spread, falling on Walthew's recumbent figure and sparkling on +his pistol, but the messenger did not throw it down as the American had +half expected. Instead, he coolly held it up. + +"I see you have me covered," he said. "Though it's a surprise to find +you here, I'm not going to run away." + +Walthew lowered his pistol. + +"Very well. Leave your mule and go into the house. Will you tie up the +animal, Grahame?" + +"So there are two of you!" + +The man did as he was told, and Walthew, following him, asked Blanca to +get a light. + +The girl had found a lamp which she placed on the ground, and the +stranger looked at her sharply as she bent over it. Nobody spoke until +Grahame came in. + +"Are you alone?" he asked the messenger. + +"Quite." + +"What's your name and business?" + +"Carson, agent for the trading firm, Henniker and Gillatly." + +"Where were you going and why did you come here?" + +Carson turned to Walthew, who had been wondering whether he recognized +him. + +"I imagine this gentleman knows my business," he said. "He did me a +service in Rio Frio which I'm glad to acknowledge. As a matter of fact, +I stopped here to look for something to eat; the owner of this house is +on the President's side. It's pretty plain, though, that he has cleared +out. Taking it all round, I haven't had much luck this trip." + +"Who warned you not to call at the _hacienda_ Perez?" Blanca asked. + +"I don't know his name--he stopped me for a moment in the dark. I'm +sorry I had to put one of your friends out of action, senorita, but I +hadn't much choice, because he struck at me with his knife. For all +that, I hope the man's not badly hurt." + +"We expect him to recover." + +"You seem to know this lady," Walthew broke in. + +Carson smiled. + +"I haven't had the pleasure of being presented, but I've seen Miss +Sarmiento once or twice, and it would be strange if I forgot her." + +His easy good-humor disarmed Walthew. + +"Did you deliver the President's despatches?" he asked. + +"Yes. To tell the truth, I was glad to get rid of them--and I imagine +Miss Sarmiento acted wisely in leaving the town. Now, however, I'm +naturally curious to know what you mean to do with me." + +"Will you give us your word not to tell any of the President's +supporters that you have met us?" + +"I'll promise with pleasure. I feel that I've done enough in carrying +his despatches." + +"Very well," said Grahame. "That clears the ground; but we must talk it +over together." + +"Thanks," Carson said coolly. "I'm not pressed for time--and I notice +that you have been cooking. I wonder if I might ask for some supper?" + +"All we have is at your service, senor," Blanca answered with Spanish +politeness. "But we'd better put out the light." + +She extinguished the lamp, and they gathered round the cooking pot, the +men sitting on the earth floor with the red glow of the burning charcoal +on their faces. It could not be seen many yards away, and Grahame's view +commanded the path to the door. Blanca divided the omelette she had +made, and afterward gave them some black coffee and a bundle of +cigarettes. + +"These are Habaneros and should be good," she said. "As they belong to a +friend of the President's we need not hesitate about using them." + +She sat down beside Walthew, and they smoked in silence for a while. +Blanca was studying Carson's face as it was lighted by the glow from the +charcoal. + +"Why did you help Altiera?" she asked him suddenly. + +"Commercial interest. He has given us one or two trading privileges. And +he seemed to think I had a pretty good chance of getting through." + +"Do you know what his orders to Gomez were?" + +Grahame had wondered when she meant to ask this, and had left it to her, +feeling that she was more likely to catch the messenger off his guard. + +Carson laughed. + +"Honestly, I don't know; Altiera isn't the man to take an outsider into +his confidence." + +"Still, you know something." + +"Well," Carson said quietly, "I'm sorry I must refuse to tell you my +surmises. No doubt you'll understand my obstinacy." + +"Aren't you rash, senor?" Blanca asked in a meaning tone. + +"On the whole, I think not. Of course, I'm in your hands, but as I've +promised not to give you away, I expect these gentlemen won't take an +unfair advantage of me. Then, from what I know about Don Martin, I feel +that I can trust his daughter." + +Blanca smiled. + +"Well," she said, "I suppose we must let you go. You are at liberty to +leave us when you wish." + +Grahame and Walthew agreed, and Carson shook hands with them. + +"It's evident that your only reason for stopping near Rio Frio is that +Miss Sarmiento finds it impossible to walk any farther," he remarked. +"She's welcome to my mule. Gomez requisitioned it from a man called +Silva, who's suspected of sympathizing with your party. I believe I know +where to find another animal." + +They thanked him and let him go; and soon after he vanished into the +darkness, Blanca mounted the mule and they set off again. + +Pushing on until dawn, they found a small, deserted _hacienda_ standing +back from the road, and as tall forest grew close up to it, offering a +line of retreat, they decided to rest there. The mule looked jaded. +Blanca admitted that she could not go much farther, and Walthew was +obviously worn out. They could find nothing to eat; but there was some +furniture in the house, and Blanca found a place to sleep in one of the +rooms, while the men lay down on a rug outside. The sun was now rising +above the high cordillera and, wet with the dew as they were, they +enjoyed the warmth. A few lizards crept about the wall in front of them, +and an archway near by commanded a view of the road. The building was in +good order, and had apparently been abandoned on the approach of the +President's soldiers. + +"These people know what to expect; they must have been ready to light +out," Walthew remarked. "I rather liked that fellow Carson, but it's +curious he didn't ask us anything about our business." + +"He'd take it for granted that we had an active part in the revolution." + +"No doubt the senorita's being with us would suggest something of the +kind, but he seemed surprised at first," Walthew replied with a +thoughtful air. "For all that, I can't quite see----" + +"No," said Grahame; "I don't think you altogether understand the +situation yet. I suppose you mean to marry Miss Sarmiento?" + +"Certainly, if she'll have me," Walthew answered with firmness, though +he looked at his comrade as if he expected something more. + +Grahame smiled. + +"Then you're to be congratulated, because you won't have much trouble in +getting your wish." + +"What do you mean?" Walthew's tone was sharp, but he remembered an +incident during his escape from the town. "I'll admit I wasn't quite +hopeless, but we were both in danger----" + +He broke off, and Grahame regarded him with a friendly laugh. + +"You're modest--and you're more ignorant of Spanish customs than I +thought. However, I'd better explain, so you'll know how Don Martin will +look at it. To begin with, a well-brought-up girl is never permitted to +meet a man unless she is suitably escorted by an older member of the +family, and you have been wandering about with Miss Sarmiento for two or +three days. Now you can understand why Carson was surprised, and I +noticed he was uncertain how to address Miss Sarmiento at first. She +noticed his hesitation, though you did not." + +For some moments Walthew was silent, his brows knitted. + +"No, I never thought of it," he admitted. "But we'll say no more about +it until I've seen Don Martin. Besides, there's another matter. A fellow +who joined us at the lagoon gave me a letter for you. Sorry I forgot it +until now, but I had a good deal to think about." + +"I don't suppose it's important," Grahame replied, and lighted a +cigarette before opening the envelope with an English stamp. + +Then his expression changed, and a few moments afterward he let the +letter drop and sat very still. The cigarette went out, the hot sun +shone upon his uncovered head, and a lizard ran across his leg; but he +did not move. He seemed lost in thought. Walthew, watching with puzzled +sympathy, waited for him to speak. + +"This letter has been a long time on the way," he explained at last. "It +probably had to wait at our Havana address, and then Don Martin's people +had no opportunity to deliver it." + +"But what's the news?" Walthew asked. + +Grahame answered with a strained laugh. + +"In a sense, it's rather a grim joke. While I've been risking my life +for a few dollars' profit on smuggled guns, and practicing the sternest +self-denial, it seems I've been the owner of an old Border estate." + +"Ah!" said Walthew. "Then Calder Hall now belongs to you?" + +"What do you know about Calder Hall?" + +"I've known all about it for some time, and I'm very glad. But I +understand that you didn't expect to inherit the estate." + +"No; it seemed impossible. I won't trouble you with family particulars, +but two deaths have occurred in a very short time. The last owner was no +older than I am and married, but his only child is a girl, and he was +killed while hunting. Although he was my cousin, I've rarely seen him." + +He was silent again for some minutes, his mind busy with alluring +visions. He had long struggled with poverty, and had wandered about the +world engaging in reckless adventures, but he had inherited a love for +the old home of his race; and now it was his. But this, while counting +for much, was not the main thing. He had been strongly attracted by +Evelyn Cliffe, but, recognizing his disadvantages, he had tried hard to +hold in check the love for her which grew in spite of him. The obstacles +that had bulked so large were now removed. He was free to win her if he +could, and it was comforting to remember that in her urgent need she had +sent for him. But he had work to finish first. + +"I suppose you mean to start home as soon as you can?" Walthew +suggested. + +"No," Grahame answered quietly, "I'm not going yet. For one thing, we +have taken Don Martin's money, and now that he has to meet a crisis we +can't leave him in the lurch. Besides, one day at San Lucar, we promised +some of the leaders of the movement that we'd see them through." + +It was a good reason. Grahame was not the man to do a shabby thing, but +Walthew, remembering that Evelyn was with the rebels, thought his +comrade had a stronger motive for staying. + +"Well," he agreed, "I guess that's so. Anyway, the game can't last much +longer; they'll have to use our guns in the next few days." + +"Yes; and as we don't know what part we'll have in it, you'd better get +some rest. I'll keep watch a while." + +Walthew was glad of the opportunity to sleep; and Grahame, moving back +into the shadow as the sun got hot, sat still, with his mind busy and +his eyes fixed upon the road. + +At noon Blanca came out of the house and stood looking down at Walthew +with a compassionate gentleness that she did not try to hide. The +half-healed cut showed plainly on his forehead, his brown face looked +worn, and he lay in an attitude of deep weariness. + +"It is a pity to wake him, but we must start," she said, and indicated +the scar. "I suppose you can guess that he has borne something, and he +got that wound for you." + +"I'm not likely to forget it," Grahame answered quietly. + +"No," Blanca said with a curious smile. "You do not make many +protestations, you men of the North, but one can trust you." + +She stooped and touched Walthew gently. + +"It is noon and we must go." + +Her voice was quiet, but Walthew seemed to know it in his sleep, for he +sprang to his feet with a half-ashamed air. + +"I didn't mean to sleep so long," he said, and looked at Blanca +anxiously. "Have you rested enough? Are you quite fit to travel?" + +Blanca smiled; and when Walthew brought up the mule and helped her to +mount she noticed something new in his manner. Hitherto, it had been +marked by a certain diffidence, but now this had gone. He was +assiduously careful of her, but with a hint of proprietary right. +Something had happened since she had last seen him to account for the +change. She gave Grahame a searching glance, but his face was impassive. + +They set off, Walthew walking beside the mule, but it was to Grahame +that the girl spoke as they moved slowly forward in the scorching heat. +He thought he understood, and his eyes twinkled with amusement when she +was not looking. Blanca suspected him, and she did not mean Walthew to +take too much for granted. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +LOVE'S VISION + + +It was late when Walthew led Blanca's mule through the rebel camp to the +table under a tree where Don Martin sat writing. There was a half moon +in the sky, and as they passed between the rows of motionless, dark +figures stretched on the ground, here and there an upturned face caught +the light and shone a livid white. In places a sentry's form was +silhouetted, vague and black, against the sky, but except for this all +was wrapped in puzzling shadow, and silence brooded over the camp. + +One of Don Martin's staff sat beside the table, smoking a cigarette, +another lay asleep near by, but a small lamp burned steadily near the +leader's hand, lighting up his grave face against the gloom. He put down +his pen and waited when Walthew stopped the mule and helped the girl to +dismount. + +"I have had the honor of escorting the senorita from Rio Frio, where +with her help I got my partner out of the _carcel_," he said. + +"Yes," Don Martin returned in a quiet voice, "I have heard something of +this. I am told that you met my daughter at the _hacienda_ Perez. Was it +by accident?" + +Walthew, remembering Grahame's remarks on the subject, felt +embarrassed, for the steadiness of Don Martin's glance was significant. + +"Certainly!" he answered. "I had never heard of the _hacienda_ before I +reached it. For all that, I would not have kept away if I had known the +senorita was there." + +"One must acknowledge your frankness," Don Martin remarked. "Well, what +happened afterward?" + +Walthew looked at Blanca, but she seemed to be smiling as she unfolded +her fan, and he began a brief account of their adventures. + +"And your comrade is with you?" asked Don Martin. "I was told of his +escape, but you have been some time on the way. Our friends who lost you +in Rio Frio arrived this morning." + +Blanca laughed. + +"I cannot walk like a peon," she explained. + +"But you came on a mule!" + +"We had gone some distance when Carson, the trader, lent it to us." + +Walthew had not mentioned their meeting with the President's messenger, +and Don Martin looked surprised. + +"Carson!" he exclaimed. "If I did not believe Mr. Grahame was a man of +honor, I should not know what to think." + +"Mr. Walthew also is a man of honor," Blanca retorted in a meaning tone. +"But I have news which you must hear at once." + +Don Martin turned to Walthew. + +"You will give me a few minutes; then I will see you again." + +Taking this as a dismissal, Walthew went back to where Grahame was +waiting and smoked a cigarette with him. Soon after he had finished it, +a drowsy soldier beckoned him and he returned to Sarmiento. When he +reached the table Blanca had gone. + +"Senor," he said, "I have a favor to ask; but the accident that I was +thrown into Miss Sarmiento's company at the _hacienda_ and Rio Frio has +nothing to do with it. You must understand that. I want your consent to +my marriage to your daughter." + +"Ah!" said Don Martin. "You have learned that she is willing?" + +Walthew felt half guilty when he thought of the kiss beneath the +window-sill, but he looked at Don Martin steadily. + +"I thought it better to follow your customs," he explained. "Blanca does +not know I meant to ask you. But I want to say that my mind has been +made up for some time. It was for her sake that I determined to stay on +the coast and give you all the help I could." + +There was a gleam of amusement in Don Martin's eyes. + +"Then my daughter gained us a useful ally. But, so far, you have spoken +for yourself. What about your parents? Blanca Sarmiento is not an +American." + +Walthew hesitated for a moment. + +"They may feel some surprise, but I believe it will vanish when they +have seen her; and I choose my wife to please myself. I think I have +means enough to make my way without any help, though I haven't a great +deal." + +"How much?" + +Sarmiento nodded when Walthew told him. + +"It is enough; you would be thought a rich man in this country. Still, +I would prefer to have your father's consent. It is our custom that a +marriage should be arranged with the approval of both families." + +"But you are a progressive and don't count much on customs. I understand +that you mean to cut out all those that stop your people from going +ahead." + +"It is true to some extent," Don Martin admitted with a smile. "For all +that, one may believe in progress in the abstract, and yet hesitate +about making risky experiments that touch one's own family. However, if +Blanca is willing, I can trust her to you." + +"I'll try to deserve your confidence," Walthew answered, and added with +a naively thoughtful air: "My people will come round; the only thing +they'll insist on is that I enter the family business, and that's going +to be easier than I thought." + +"Why did you refuse in the beginning?" + +"It's rather hard to explain. I wanted to get into touch with realities, +to learn what I was good for and find my proper level." + +Sarmiento made a sign of comprehension. + +"And in searching for what you call realities, you have found yourself." + +Walthew recognized the truth of this. It was not that in facing danger +and hardship he had gained steadiness and self-control, because he had +never lacked courage, but he had acquired a clearer conception of +essential things. He would no longer be content to accept thoughtlessly +the conventional view. His comrade had taught him much by his coolness +in time of strain and his stubborn tenacity when things went wrong. It +was not for nothing that Grahame had hawk-like eyes: he had the gift of +seeing what must be done. But, after all, it was from hardship itself +that Walthew had learned most, and in the light of that knowledge he +determined to go home. The work he was best fitted for was waiting in +the smoky, industrial town; it was not the task he had longed for, but +it was his, and he would be content now. + +Don Martin smiled. + +"You may try to persuade Blanca to go with you to your country, if you +wish. I want a talk with your comrade now. Will you send him to me?" + +Walthew left him with a light heart, and shortly afterward Grahame +joined Don Martin. + +"Senor," said the leader, "you have kept your agreement with us +faithfully, and I do not know that we have any further claim, but I +understand that you do not mean to leave us yet." + +"No," Grahame replied quietly; "I shall see you through." + +"Good! Another body of our friends is gathering at a village to which I +will send you with a guide. They are well armed and determined. I offer +you command." + +"Where is the senorita Cliffe?" Grahame wanted to know. + +"At a _hacienda_ two or three hours' ride back. She is in good hands, +and at daybreak my daughter leaves to join her." + +Grahame was sensible of keen disappointment. + +"When do you wish me to start?" he asked. + +"As soon as possible; but you'd better take an hour's rest." + +"I'm ready now if you will give me my orders." + +When, a few minutes later, he rode away with the guide, Walthew and +Blanca left the camp and followed a path that led through a field of +rustling sugar-cane. + +"We must not go far," Blanca protested. "This is quite against my +people's idea of what is correct." + +"It's a sign of the change you're going to make for me. You might have +been something like a princess here, and you'll be the wife of a plain +American citizen, instead." + +"I never wanted to be a princess," she said; "and certainly not a +conspirator. All I really hoped for was one faithful subject." + +"You have one whose loyalty won't change. But you mustn't expect too +much, because I'm giving up my adventurous career and turning business +man. Men like Bolivar and the other fellow you wanted me to copy aren't +born every day--and I'm not sure we'd appreciate them if they were." + +Blanca laughed. + +"You are a pessimist, but I will tell you a secret. It needs courage to +be the wife of a great soldier and I am not brave enough." Her voice +fell to a low, caressing note. "One's heart shrinks from sending the man +one loves into danger." + +Walthew stopped in the path and faced the girl. She was smiling. The +half-moon, now high overhead, shed its beams down in a weird light that +lay over everything like a mantle of blue silver. All about them the +tall cane whispered in the wind. + +Walthew opened his arms, and Blanca cuddled to him. + +"It is so wonderful!" he breathed, after the first long kiss. "So +wonderful that you are really going back to the States with me!" + +"You are not going back the same," she smiled up at him; and he stooped +and kissed the smile. + +"----You have seen the vision," she finished; "romance has touched you." + +"It was you who opened my eyes. Perhaps now they are dazzled; but we +will never let the vision quite fade. Romance shall spread her bright +wings above the home I'm going to build you on the river bluff----" + +Again he found her mouth, and drank deep. + +The silence was broken by a rattle of leather and a jingle of steel that +startled them, and as they turned quickly and walked up the path a dark +figure rose out of the gloom ahead and stood before them, sinister and +threatening. When Walthew had answered the sentry's challenge, Blanca +shivered. + +"I had forgotten for a few minutes," she said. "Rio Frio is not taken +yet, and you must fight for us." + +"For two or three days, if all goes well. It can't be a long struggle. +Rio Frio is bound to fall." + +Blanca clung closer to him. + +"I cannot keep you," she said; "but how I wish the days were over! There +is nothing of the princess in me; I am only an anxious girl." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + +THE HERO OF RIO FRIO + + +Day was breaking when Cliffe saw Rio Frio loom out above low-lying mist. +There was no perceptible light in the sky, but the scattered clumps of +trees were growing blacker and more distinct, and the town began to +stand out against a dusky background. It had an unsubstantial look, as +if it might suddenly fade away, and Cliffe felt that he was doing +something fantastic and unreal as he watched the blurred forms of his +companions move on. To some extent, want of sleep and weariness +accounted for this, because he had marched all night, but the silence +with which the rebels advanced helped the illusion. A number of them +were barefooted and the raw-hide sandals of the others made no sound in +the thick dust. + +Cliffe marched near the head of the straggling battalion, a +cartridge-belt round his waist and a rifle on his shoulder. His light +clothes were damp and stained with soil. His costly Panama hat hung, +crumpled and shapeless, about his head, and he did not differ much in +external appearance from the men around him. They were a picturesque, +undisciplined band, but Cliffe knew that they meant business. He +recognized that there was something humorous about his marching with +them. He belonged to the orderly cities, where he had been treated as a +man of importance, but now he was swayed by primitive impulses and had +cast off the habits of civilization. + +The rebel leader had promised to make inquiries about Evelyn, but had +learned nothing. Cliffe imagined that the man, having other things to +think about, had not been very diligent. He held Gomez accountable for +the distress he felt. The rogue had cheated him and stolen his daughter. +Cliffe sternly determined that he should pay for it. Gomez, however, was +in Rio Frio and, since he could not be reached by other means, Cliffe +was ready to fight his way into the town. The curious thing was that +instead of finding the prospect disagreeable he was conscious of a +certain fierce satisfaction. The commander of the detachment had treated +him well, but his limited knowledge of Castilian had made it necessary +that he should take his place in the ranks. + +The leading files halted, and from their disjointed remarks Cliffe +gathered that a picket of the enemy's had been surprised by the scouts. +He had heard no shots, but he could imagine the dark-skinned men, many +of whom had Indian blood in them, crawling silently through the long +grass with unsheathed knives. It was not a pleasant picture; but the +road was clear. + +The light was growing when they went on, moving faster. The need for +haste was obvious. As they were not numerous, they must enter the town +while darkness covered their approach, and they were late. Another +detachment should have met them, but it had not arrived. On the whole, +Cliffe did not think their chances good, but that did not daunt him, and +he trudged on with the rest, the dust rolling like a fog about his +head. + +After a while the advance split up into two streams of hurrying men, +and, going with one body, Cliffe saw the flat-topped houses near ahead. +Stumbling among small bushes, and gazing between the shoulders of the +men in front, he made out a shadowy opening in the line of buildings. A +few minutes later the clatter of sandals rose from slippery stones, +there were blank walls about him, and he was in the town. It was hard to +believe they had entered unopposed, without a shot being fired, but he +supposed the guard had been surprised and overpowered by friends inside. + +The backs of the leading files obstructed his view, but now that they +were moving down a narrow lane the air throbbed with the sound of their +advance. Rifle slings rattled, feet fell with a rapid beat, and now and +then an order broke through the jingle of steel. Then a shot rang out +and the men began to run, two or three falling out here and there, with +the intention, Cliffe supposed, of occupying friendly houses. A little +later, the advance guard swung out into a wider street, and a group of +men began tearing up the pavement; it had been loosened beforehand, and +the stones came up easily. Another group were throwing furniture out of +the houses. They worked frantically, though they were fired at, and +Cliffe could hear the bullets splash upon the stones. + +For the most part, the men were wiry peons, some toiling half naked, but +there were a number who looked like prosperous citizens. The light, +however, was dim and they were hard to distinguish as they flitted to +and fro with their loads or plied the shovel. A barricade was rising +fast, but the alarm had spread. Detached shouts and a confused uproar +rolled across the town, the call of bugles joined in, and the sharp +clang of the rifles grew more frequent. Cliffe could see no smoke, but +he imagined that the roofs farther on were occupied by the troops Gomez +was no doubt hurrying into action. + +The attack had obviously been well timed and arranged with the +cooeperation of revolutionaries in the town, but while the rebels had +gained an entrance, they seemed unable to follow up their success, and +it remained to be seen if they could hold their ground until +reenforcements arrived. Finding no opportunity for doing anything +useful, Cliffe sat down on the pavement and lighted a cigarette. He did +not feel the nervousness he had expected, but he was tired and hungry. +It was four o'clock on the previous afternoon when he shared the +officers' frugal dinner, and he had eaten nothing since. There was no +use in speculating about what was likely to happen in the next few +hours, but he meant to have a reckoning with Gomez if he came through +alive. + +Then, as he watched the blurred figures swarming like ants about the +barricade, he broke into a dry smile, for the situation had an +ironically humorous side. He had thought himself a sober, business man; +and now he was helping a horde of frenzied rebels to overthrow the +government he had supported with large sums of money. This was a novelty +in the way of finance. Moreover, it was strange that he should derive a +quiet satisfaction from the touch of the rifle balanced across his +knees. He was better used to the scatter-gun, and did not altogether +understand the sights, but he was determined to shoot as well as he +could. + +An opportunity was soon offered him. Some one gave an order, and after +some pushing and jostling he squeezed himself between the legs of a +table on the top of the barricade. A ragged desperado, who scowled +furiously and used what seemed to be violently abusive language, had +contested the position with him, and it struck Cliffe as remarkable that +he should have taken so much trouble to secure a post where he might get +shot. He was there, however, and thought he could make pretty good +shooting up to a couple hundred yards. + +He had got comfortably settled, with his left elbow braced against a +ledge to support the rifle, when a body of men in white uniform appeared +at the other end of the street. An officer with sword drawn marched at +their head, but they did not seem anxious to press forward, or to be +moving in very regular order. The distances were uneven, and some of the +men straggled toward the side of the street, where it was darker close +to the walls. Cliffe sympathized with them, although he felt steadier +than he had thought possible. + +A rifle flashed on a roof and others answered from the barricade, but +only a thin streak of gray vapor that vanished almost immediately marked +the firing. It looked as if the rebels had obtained good powder. After a +few moments Cliffe heard a shrill humming close above his head, and +there was a crash as a man behind him fell backward. Then he felt his +rifle jump and jar his shoulder, though he was not otherwise conscious +that he had fired. He must have pulled the trigger by instinct, but he +did not try to ascertain the result of his shot. He had not come to that +yet. + +There was a sharp patter on the front of the barricade and splinters +sprang from the table legs. Some one near Cliffe cried out, and the +patter went on. Raising his head cautiously, he saw that a number of +soldiers were firing from the roofs, while the rest ran steadily up the +street. They must be stopped. Dropping his chin upon the stock, he +stiffened his arms and held his breath as he squeezed the trigger. + +After this, he was too busy to retain a clear impression of what +happened. His rifle jumped and jarred until it got hot, his shoulder +felt sore, and he found he must pull round his cartridge-belt because +the nearer clips were empty. He did not know how the fight was going; +the separate advancing figures he gazed at through the notch of the rear +sight monopolized his attention, but there was thin smoke and dust +about, and he could not see them well. It seemed curious that they had +not reached the barricade, and he felt angry with them for keeping him +in suspense. Then the firing gradually slackened and died away. +Everything seemed strangely quiet, except that men were running back +down the street in disorder. The rebels had held their ground; the +attack had failed. + +After a few moments, he noticed that the sun shone down between the +houses and it was getting hot. He felt thirsty, and the glare hurt his +eyes, which smarted with the dust and acrid vapor that hung about the +spot. All the soldiers, however, had not gone back; several lay in +strange, slack attitudes near the front of the barricade, and a rebel +who sprang down, perhaps with the object of securing fresh cartridges, +suddenly dropped. The rest lay close and left the fallen alone. Then a +tall priest in threadbare cassock and clumsy raw-hide shoes came out of +a house and with the help of two or three others carried the victims +inside. Cliffe heard somebody say that it was Father Agustin. + +Soon afterward a man near Cliffe gave him a cigarette, and he smoked it, +although his mouth was dry and the tobacco had a bitter taste. The heat +was getting worse and his head began to ache, but he was busy wondering +what would happen next. Gomez must have more troops than the handful he +had sent; the rebels could not hold the position against a strong force, +and their supports had not arrived. He hoped Gomez had no machine-guns. + +Suddenly the attack recommenced. There were more soldiers, and a rattle +of firing that broke out farther up the street suggested that the +revolutionaries were being attacked in flank. Some of the men seemed to +hesitate and began to look behind them, but they got steadier when an +officer called out; and Cliffe understood that a detachment had been +sent back to protect their rear. In the meantime, the soldiers in front +were coming on. They were slouching, untidy fellows, but their brown +faces were savage, and Cliffe knew they meant to get in. It was, +however, his business to keep them out, and he fired as fast as he could +load. When the barrel got so hot that he could hardly touch it, he +paused to cool the open breach and anxiously looked about. + +The street seemed filled with white figures, but they had opened out, +and in the gaps he could see the dazzling stones over which the hot air +danced. There was a gleam of bright steel in the sun, and he noticed +that the walls were scarred. Raw spots marked where the chipped +whitewash had fallen off and the adobe showed through. But there was no +time to observe these things; the foremost men were dangerously near. +Finding he could now hold his rifle, Cliffe snapped in a cartridge and +closed the breach. Then he spent a few tense minutes. The enemy reached +the foot of the barrier and climbed up. Rifles flashed from roofs and +windows, streaks of flame rippled along the top of the barricade, and +one or two of the defenders, perhaps stung by smarting wounds or +maddened by excitement, leaped down with clubbed weapons and +disappeared. Cliffe kept his place between the table legs and pulled +round his cartridge-belt. + +The tension could not last. Flesh and blood could not stand it. He +understood why the men had leaped down, courting death. He hoped his own +nerve was normally good, but if the struggle was not decided soon, he +could not answer for himself. He must escape from the strain somehow, if +he had to charge the attackers with an empty rifle. + +There was a sudden change. The climbing white figures seemed to melt +away, and though the rifles still clanged from roofs and windows the +firing slackened along the barricade. The troops were going back, +running not retiring, and trying to break into houses from which men +with rude weapons thrust them out. It looked as if the inhabitants were +all insurgents now. + +Soon the priest reappeared, and Cliffe left his post and sat down where +there was a strip of shade. He had helped to beat off two attacks, but +he was doubtful about the third. While he rested, a fat, swarthy woman +brought him a cup of _cana_, and he was surprised when he saw how much +of the fiery spirit he had drunk. The woman smiled, and went on to the +next man with the cup. + +Cliffe wondered how long he had been fighting, for he found his watch +had stopped; but the sun was not high yet. After all, the reenforcements +he had begun to despair of might arrive in time. While he comforted +himself with this reflection, some of the other men dug a trench behind +the barricade, and citizens, loading the earth into baskets, carried it +off. Cliffe did not know what this was for, but he supposed the baskets +would be used to strengthen defenses somewhere else. It was a long time +since he had handled a spade, but if they needed his help he could dig. +Pulling himself up with an effort, he took a tool from a breathless man +and set to work. + +After a time a citizen appeared with a bundle of papers and a white +flag. An officer signed him to come forward, and taking the papers from +him threw them among the men. Cliffe got one, and finding a man who +spoke a little English, asked him what the notice meant. The man said it +was a proclamation by Gomez, stating that, as the people had serious +ground for dissatisfaction with the President's administration and were +determined to end it, he must accede to the wish of the leading +citizens, who had urged him to form a provisional government. He +promised a general amnesty for past offenses and the prompt redress of +all grievances. + +"So the dog turns on his master!" the translator remarked with bitter +scorn. "Altiera was a tyrant, but this rogue would be worse!" + +The insurgent leader, standing on top of the barricade, read the +proclamation in a loud, ironical voice, and when he tore it up with a +dramatic gesture, the roar of mocking laughter that rang down the street +showed what all who heard it thought of Gomez's claim. Then people ran +out of the houses and pelted the messenger with stones as he hurriedly +retired, until a few shots from a roof cleared the street. + +"The dog has bought the soldiers! Altiera should have been his own +paymaster," the man whom Cliffe had questioned remarked. + +For the next half hour everything was quiet, but Cliffe felt uneasy. One +could not tell what Gomez was doing, but it was plain that he must make +a resolute attempt to crush the rebels before he turned his forces +against the President. He must have felt reasonably sure of his ground +when he made his last daring move. As his terms had been scornfully +rejected, the country would soon be devastated by three hostile +factions, which would make Evelyn's danger very grave. Cliffe forgot +that he was thirsty and there was a pain in his left side brought on by +want of food. If help did not come by sunset, his friends would be +overwhelmed by numbers when it was too dark to shoot straight. + +Then he saw that they were threatened by a more urgent danger. The end +of the street opened into the plaza, which had been deserted. The houses +on its opposite side were shuttered, and the sun burned down into the +dazzling square, except for a strip of shadow beneath one white wall. +Now, however, a body of men appeared, carrying something across the +uneven pavement. When they stopped and began to put the separate parts +together, Cliffe saw that it was a machine-gun. He wondered why Gomez +had not made use of it earlier, unless, perhaps, it had formed the main +defense of the _presidio_. + +The barrel, thickened by its water jacket, gleamed ominously in front of +the steel shield as the men got the gun into position; but it was +unthinkable that they should be left to do so undisturbed, and Cliffe +scrambled back to his post when an order rang out. He felt that he hated +the venomous machine, which had perhaps been bought with his money. +Steadying his rifle, he fired as fast as he could. + +Though the smoke was thin, it hung about the rebels' position, making it +hard to see, and Cliffe feared their shots were going wide, but after a +few moments the barricade trembled, and there was a curious, whirring +sound above his head. Dust and splinters of stone were flung up, and +large flakes fell from the neighboring walls. All this seemed to happen +at once, before he was conscious of a measured thudding like a big +hammer falling very fast which drowned the reports of the rifles and +dominated everything. The flimsy defenses were pierced. Gaps began to +open here and there, and men dropped back into the trench. Then a fierce +yell rang across the city, and although Cliffe heard no order the rebel +fire slackened. Peering through the vapor, he saw the soldiers were +frantically dragging the gun into a new position; the shield no longer +hid the men at the breach, but Cliffe did not shoot. He felt paralyzed +as he watched to see what was happening. + +The hammering began again, and flashes that looked pale in the sunshine +leapt about the muzzle of the gun. Soldiers lying down behind it were +using their rifles, and another detachment hurriedly came up. Cliffe's +view of the plaza was limited. He could not see one side of it, where an +attack was evidently being made, but presently a mob of running men +swept into sight. A few dropped upon the pavement and began to fire, but +the main body ran straight for the gun, and he noticed with a thrill +that they were led by a light-skinned man. Some of them fell, but the +rest went on, and the rebels behind the barricade began to shout. The +eagerly expected reenforcements had arrived. + +The man with the fair skin was the first to reach the gun. Cliffe saw +his pistol flash; but the struggle did not last. Gomez's men fell back +and the others swung round the gun. Then, as flame blazed from its +muzzle, a triumphant yell rose from the barricade, and Cliffe, springing +up on the table, waved his hat and shouted with the rest. Grahame, with +his handful of peons, had saved the day. + +In a few seconds Cliffe felt dizzy. His head was unsteady, his knees +seemed weak, and as he tried to get down he lost his balance. Falling +from the top of the barricade, he plunged heavily into the trench, where +his senses left him. + +It was some time afterward when he came to himself, and, looking round +in a half-dazed manner, wondered where he was. The big room in which he +lay was shadowy and cool, and he did not feel much the worse except that +his head ached and his eyes were dazzled. A tumult seemed to be going on +outside, but the room was quiet, and a girl in a white dress sat near +by. He thought he ought to know her, although he could not see her face +until she heard him move and came toward him. + +"Evelyn!" he gasped. + +"Yes," she answered, smiling. "How do you feel?" + +"Dizzy," said Cliffe. "But this is Rio Frio, isn't it? How did you get +here?" + +"You mustn't talk," she said firmly, and he saw that she had a glass in +her hand. "Drink this and go to sleep again." + +Cliffe did not mean to go to sleep, although he drained the glass +because he was thirsty. There was much he wanted to know; but he found +it difficult to talk, and Evelyn would not answer. After a futile effort +to shake it off, he succumbed to the drowsiness that was overpowering +him. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + +THE COMING DAWN + + +It was getting dark when Cliffe wakened. The windows were open, and a +flickering red glow shone into the room. Footsteps and voices rose from +the street below, as if the city were astir, but this did not interest +him much. Evelyn was standing near, and a man whom he could not see well +sat in the shadow. + +"You must have something to tell me," Cliffe said to the girl. "We seem +to be in safe quarters; but how did we get here?" + +Evelyn knelt down beside his couch and put her hand on his hot forehead. +It felt pleasantly cool, and Cliffe lay still with a sigh of +satisfaction. + +"Father Agustin brought you in here several hours ago," she explained; +"but that was before I arrived. I was worried, but the doctor says we +needn't be alarmed." + +"That's a sure thing," Cliffe replied. "I'm feeling pretty well, but +thirsty. What's the matter with me, anyhow?" + +"Exhaustion, and perhaps slight sunstroke and shock. You must have had a +bad fall, because you are bruised." + +"I certainly fell, right down to the bottom of the trench; but that's +not what I want to talk about. It is a big relief to see you safe, but +where have you been?" + +"It will take some time to tell." Evelyn bent closer over him as she +began an account of her adventures in a low voice, and Cliffe dully +imagined that she did not want the other occupant of the room to hear. +The fellow was no doubt a doctor. + +"I had no difficulty after I reached Don Martin's camp," she finished. +"His daughter, the pretty girl we saw at the International, was with him +most of the time, and afterward her duenna treated me very well. When +the rebels advanced on Rio Frio, Don Martin thought it safer for Blanca +and me to go with them, but they left us outside with a guard until the +town was taken. Then I was told that a priest had picked you up badly +hurt and they brought me here. The house belongs to a merchant who took +some part in the revolution. You can imagine how anxious I was until +Father Agustin sent a doctor." + +"I hate to think of the danger you were in," he said; "though you seem +to have shown surprising grit." + +Evelyn laughed and patted his shoulder. + +"Then I must have inherited it. I'm told that you and the others held +the barricade stubbornly for two hours. Don Martin admits that he might +not have taken Rio Frio if it hadn't been for the stand you made." + +"He wouldn't have taken it, and there'd have been very few of us left, +if Grahame hadn't rushed the gun. But I've something else to thank him +for. It seems from your story that he got himself into trouble by going +to your help." + +"Yes," said Evelyn quietly. "You can thank him now, if you like." She +beckoned the man across the room. "Come and join us, dear." + +The red glow from outside fell on her face as Cliffe gave her a +surprised look, and he noticed that she blushed. Then he held out his +hand to Grahame, because he thought he understood. + +"It seems I owe you a good deal," he said. + +"Well," Grahame returned, smiling, "I suppose my intentions were good, +but I didn't accomplish much, and my partner had to run a serious risk +to get me out of trouble." + +"The way you rushed that gun was great." + +"It might have been better if we had taken the fellows in the rear, but +we were told that they were making things hot for you, and there was no +time to get round." + +"When we met in Havana I'd no idea that you were up against me," Cliffe +said with a laugh. "Curious, isn't it, that we should make friends while +I was backing the President and you the rebels!" He turned to the +window. "What's the fire outside?" + +"The _presidio_ burning. Gomez used it as headquarters and made his last +stand there." + +"Ah! Then your friends have finished him?" + +Grahame nodded. + +"A rather grim business. He had much to answer for, but although half +his troops deserted, he made a gallant end." + +"Where's your partner, and what are the rebel bosses doing now?" + +"Walthew was patrolling the streets with a company of brigands when I +last saw him; he promised to meet me here as soon as he was relieved. +The others are busy forming a provisional government. Don Martin said +he'd call on you soon." + +"I owe him some thanks, but I mean to cut my connection with this +country's affairs. No more political speculations; I've had enough." + +Grahame laughed. + +"I can imagine that. These people are an unstable lot, and it's not +certain that Don Martin, who's much the best man they have, will be the +next president.... But we were told to keep you quiet, and Evelyn is +tired. She had to follow the rebels' march all night, but wouldn't rest +until she was satisfied about you." + +"How long have you called her Evelyn?" Cliffe demanded, looking hard at +him. + +"He will tell you about that to-morrow," Evelyn answered with a blush. +"You must lie still and go to sleep again if you can, but if you give +trouble, we'll leave the senora Rocas, who is deaf and very clumsy, to +look after you." + +When Cliffe fell asleep, Evelyn and Grahame went out on to the balcony +and watched the moonlight creep across the town. There were lights in +the cafes, and excited citizens gathered in the streets. Now and then a +few angry cries broke out, but for the most part the scraps of news that +spread among the crowd were received with exultant cheers. + +The next day Cliffe was much better, and after breakfast Grahame found +him sitting in the shady _patio_. He listened to the younger man +quietly, and then held out his hand. + +"I'm glad I can agree," he said. "I'll miss her, but I feel that she'll +be safe with you." + +Ten minutes later Grahame met Walthew, who looked disturbed and +indignant. + +"What are they doing at the council?" Grahame asked. + +"Fooling!" said Walthew fiercely. "Seems to me they're mad! Last night +they were solid for Don Martin, but now a faction that means to make +Castillo president is gaining ground." + +"A number of them must know he gave their plans away to save his skin." + +"They know, all right. One fellow urged that Castillo did so as a matter +of policy, because he meant to force Altiera's hand. Guess the crowd who +want him would believe anything that suited them!" + +"Well," Grahame said thoughtfully, "I've had my doubts whether they'd +get on with Don Martin. His code of political morality's rather high; +they want a man who won't expect too much. I dare say they feel that +after turning out Altiera they're entitled to a few opportunities for +graft themselves and for finding their friends official jobs. I'm sorry +for Sarmiento, though. What does he say?" + +"Haven't seen him this morning. Father Agustin believes he'll respect +the wish of the majority, although the fellows who did the fighting are +all on his side." + +Grahame went to look for Evelyn, and it was noon when Walthew met him +again. + +"After a glorious row, they've chosen Castillo--and I wish them joy of +him!" he said. "Don Martin withdraws his claim, and wants to leave +to-morrow. He's going to live in Cuba, and if Cliffe's fit to travel, we +may as well all clear out. I'm sick of this place. Anyway, I'd like to +take Blanca and her father across in the _Enchantress_." + +"There will be no difficulty about that. I think we can sell the boat at +New Orleans. Have you made any plans?" + +"Sure. I'm going to marry Blanca at Havana and then take her home. She +seemed to think she ought to stay with her father, but Don Martin +convinced her this wasn't necessary. Guess it hurt him, but he told me +the girl had had a pretty rough time wandering about in exile, and he +means to give her a chance of a brighter life." + +"Why did you fix on Havana for the wedding?" + +Walthew laughed. + +"My people will see there is no use in kicking when I take my wife home; +and they've only to give Blanca a fair show to get fond of her. Then +there are a number of Americans in Havana, and I can get the thing +properly registered and fixed up by our consul. Don Martin agreed." He +paused a minute and added: "Don Martin's going to address the citizens +in the plaza at six o'clock, and I think he'd like you and Cliffe to be +there." + +Grahame promised to ask Cliffe; and soon after dinner he found that a +place had been kept for his party on the broad steps of the church of +San Sebastian. The air was cooling and dusk was near, but the light had +not gone, and the square was packed with an expectant crowd, except +where a space was kept. The lower steps were occupied by officials and +leading citizens, but the two highest were empty. + +For a few minutes there was deep silence, and nobody moved in the +crowded plaza. Then a murmur rose as the leather curtain across the +door was drawn back and Don Martin came out, with three priests in their +robes behind him. He stood bareheaded on the second step, very straight +and soldierlike, but plainly dressed in white, with no sash or badge of +office; the priests standing above, with Father Agustin's tall figure in +the middle. As he turned his face toward the crowd a great shout went +up: + +"_Viva Sarmiento! Viva el libertador!_" + +Don Martin bowed, but did not speak; and a bugle call rang across the +square and was followed by a measured tramp of feet. Men marching in +loose fours swung out of a shadowy opening and advanced upon the church. +A red sash round the waist with the ends left hanging loose was the only +uniform they wore, and Grahame felt a curious, emotional quiver as he +recognized the detachment he had led. He understood that the best of +them had been enrolled for a time as a national guard. Their brown faces +were impassive as they filled the open space, but after they swung into +double line, instead of the conventional salute, they waved their ragged +hats, and a roar broke out: + +"_Viva Sarmiento! Viva el maestro!_" + +Then some of the group looked anxious, and there was a stir in the crowd +as an officer approached the steps. He had his pistol drawn, but he +lowered it, and stood opposite Don Martin with his hat off. + +"Your comrades salute you, senor," he said. "You have led us to victory, +and if you have fresh orders for us, we obey you still." + +He spoke clearly, in a meaning tone, and there was an applauding murmur +from the crowd that gathered strength and filled the square. Everybody +seemed to feel a sudden tension, and Grahame imagined that the +superseded leader had only to give the signal for a counter revolution +to begin; but he saw that Father Agustin wore a quiet smile. + +Don Martin raised his hand. + +"I thank you, and I know your loyalty; but it belongs to your country, +of which I am a private citizen. I can give no orders, but I ask you to +serve the new government as well as you have served me." + +The officer went back to his men with a moody air, and Don Martin turned +to the crowd. + +"In a national crisis, it is a citizen's duty to devote himself to his +country's service, and this I have done; but it is a duty that carries +no claim for reward. Many of you have helped me with effort and money, +and some have given their lives; but the rough work is done and the +crisis is past. Now that I am no longer needed, I lay down my authority, +and it is better in several ways that I should go. But you who remain +have still much to do. It is harder to build than to pull down, and your +task is to establish justice, freedom, and prosperity. The best +foundation is obedience to the new leader the nation has chosen." + +He moved back into the gloom, for darkness was gathering fast, and after +a few words of grave advice Father Agustin blessed the people. Then the +national guard marched away and the crowd broke up; but Grahame and his +party waited, with Don Martin standing behind them by the door of the +church. A smell of incense floated out, and dim lights twinkled in the +building. No one spoke until the measured tramp of feet had died away. + +Then Grahame put his hand on Don Martin's arm. + +"The sacrifice you have made to-night must have cost you something," he +said in a sympathetic voice. + +"It is seldom easy to do what is best," Don Martin answered, smiling +sadly. "And now, with your permission, I should like to be alone. We +will start for Valverde early to-morrow." + +They left him in the deserted plaza. + +"What a man that is!" Cliffe remarked. "If they were all like him in +Congress, there'd be a big improvement in our politics--and I guess +you'd have some use for a few of his kind at Westminster." + +"That's true," Grahame agreed. "I can't say that such men are scarce, +but as a rule they don't come to the top. They do what's demanded of +them, and then quietly fall out of sight." + + * * * * * + +The next morning they set out for the coast. The _Enchantress_ was in +the roadstead when they reached the port, and they went straight on +board. Macallister met them at the gangway, and there was deep feeling +in his face as he shook hands with his comrades; but a few moments later +he surveyed the group with a grin. Walthew had helped Evelyn on board, +and Blanca stood near Grahame. + +"I'm thinking ye're no' sorted right," he said; and when Evelyn blushed +he resumed with a chuckle: "Ye need no' tell me; I kenned what would +happen, and I wish ye all happiness." + +He turned with a flourish to Don Martin. + +"We'd ha' dressed the ship for ye, senor, only our flags are a bit +ragged, and I couldna' find the one ye have served so weel." + +"Thank you," said Don Martin. "We hope our flag will be better known +before long." + +Macallister hurried below to raise steam, but it was some time before +they got a working pressure, and dusk was falling when the windlass +hauled in the rattling cable and Grahame rang the telegraph. The +propeller churned the phosphorescent sea, the _Enchantress_ forged +ahead, and the white town began to fade into the haze astern. + +Don Martin leaned upon the taffrail, watching the dim littoral, until it +melted from his sight and only the black cordillera in the background +cut against the sky. Then he joined the group about the deck-house and +lighted a cigarette. + +"Another act finished and the curtain dropped, but one looks forward to +the next with confidence," he said. + +"It might have opened better if you had kept the leading part," Grahame +replied, and added meaningly: "You could have kept it." + +"That is possible," Don Martin agreed. "But it might not have been wise. +I fought for peace, and I was satisfied when it was secured." + +"Still, I don't see why you left," Cliffe interposed. "Is Castillo +strong enough to rule your people?" + +"We must give him an opportunity; if he has some failings, his +intentions are good. No rule is free from faults, and when it is +autocratic a possible claimant for the chief post is a danger to the +State. All who love change and turmoil fix their hopes on him." + +"Do you mean to live in Cuba?" + +"Yes. I have some skill in organization and a little money left, and +friends wish me to help in the development of a new sugar estate. It is +not very far from Valverde, and one hears what is going on." Don Martin +paused and spread out his hands. "If all goes well, I shall grow sugar, +but if it happens that my country needs me I will go back again." + +Walthew changed the subject, and presently Evelyn and Grahame strolled +forward to the bow. There was moonlight on the water, and the +_Enchantress_ steamed smoothly up the glittering track while the foam +that curled about her stern shone with phosphorescent flame. + +"I wonder where that path is leading us?" Evelyn said. + +"Toward the dawn," Grahame answered. "There's glamour in moonlight and +mystery in the dark, but we're moving on to meet the sunshine." + + +THE END + + + + +Transcriber's Note: The following typographical errors present in the +original edition have been corrected. + +In Chapter VII, "creeeping past invisible dangers" was changed to +"creeping past invisible dangers". + +In Chapter XV, "ouside this there was only a dim glimmer of foam" was +changed to "outside this there was only a dim glimmer of foam". + +Hyphenation of the words "deckhouse", "deckload", "rawhide", and +"sternsheets", and the use of an accent in the word "Bolivar", was +inconsistent in the original text. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Coast of Adventure, by Harold Bindloss + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE COAST OF ADVENTURE *** + +***** This file should be named 37582.txt or 37582.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/5/8/37582/ + +Produced by Steven desJardins and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was +produced from scanned images of public domain material +from the Google Print project.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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