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| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-03 05:44:13 -0800 |
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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-03-03 05:44:13 -0800 |
| commit | da96137903750dce5195d9c26c815815b1e605c9 (patch) | |
| tree | 38d00dc28809019d5a8843680facecec656f26f0 /39151-h/39151-h.htm | |
| parent | 5fe2a89b9a9188a158cf73183df08483a2ef4ebb (diff) | |
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+ float: left; + margin-right: 1em } + +.align-right { clear: right; + float: right; + margin-left: 1em } + +.align-center { margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto } + +div.shrinkwrap { display: table; } + +/* SECTIONS */ + +body { margin: 5% 10% 5% 10% } + +/* compact list items containing just one p */ +li p.pfirst { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0 } + +.first { margin-top: 0 !important; + text-indent: 0 !important } +.last { margin-bottom: 0 !important } + +span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 1 } +img.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.5em 0 0; max-width: 25% } +span.dropspan { font-variant: small-caps } + +.no-page-break { page-break-before: avoid !important } + +/* PAGINATION */ + +@media screen { + .coverpage, .frontispiece, .titlepage, .verso, .dedication, .plainpage + { margin: 10% 0; } + + div.clearpage, div.cleardoublepage + { margin: 10% 0; border: none; border-top: 1px solid gray; } + + .vfill { margin: 5% 10% } +} + +@media print { + div.clearpage { page-break-before: always; padding-top: 10% } + div.cleardoublepage { page-break-before: right; padding-top: 10% } + + .vfill { margin-top: 20% } + h2.title { margin-top: 20% } +} + +</style> +<title>SWIFT AND SURE</title> +<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> +<meta name="PG.Title" content="Swift and Sure" /> +<meta name="PG.Producer" content="Al Haines" /> +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/img-cover.jpg" /> +<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Herbert Strang" /> +<meta name="DC.Created" content="1910" /> +<meta name="MARCREL.ill" content="J. Finnemore" /> +<meta name="PG.Id" content="39151" /> +<meta name="PG.Released" content="2012-03-14" /> +<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> +<meta name="DC.Title" content="Swift and Sure" /> + +<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> +<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> +<meta content="Swift and Sure" name="DCTERMS.title" /> +<meta content="swift.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> +<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> +<meta content="2012-03-15T03:18:25.372222+00:00" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.modified" /> +<meta content="Project Gutenberg" name="DCTERMS.publisher" /> +<meta content="Public Domain in the USA." name="DCTERMS.rights" /> +<link href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/39151" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> +<meta content="Herbert Strang" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> +<meta content="J. Finnemore" name="MARCREL.ill" /> +<meta content="2012-03-14" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> +<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> +<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> +<style type="text/css"> +.pageno { position: absolute; right: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } +.pageno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.lineno { position: absolute; left: 95%; font: medium sans-serif; text-indent: 0 } +.lineno:after { color: gray; content: '[' attr(title) ']' } +.toc-pageref { float: right } +pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39151 ***</div> +<div class="document" id="swift-and-sure"> +<h1 class="document-title level-1 pfirst title">SWIFT AND SURE</h1> +<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 4em"> +</div> +<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> +<div class="noindent vspace" style="height: 1em"> +</div> +<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> +</div> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 66%" id="figure-26"> +<img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> +<div class="caption"> +Cover art</div> +</div> +<hr class="docutils" /> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 59%" id="figure-27"> +<span id="in-the-nick-of-time"></span><img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-front.jpg" /> +<div class="caption"> +IN THE NICK OF TIME</div> +</div> +<div class="center large line-block noindent outermost"> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">SWIFT AND SURE</div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block medium noindent outermost"> +<div class="line">The Story of a Hydroplane</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost small"> +<div class="line">By</div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block medium noindent outermost"> +<div class="line">HERBERT STRANG</div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost small"> +<div class="line">Author of 'King of the Air,' 'Barclay of the Guides,' etc., etc.</div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost small"> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">ILLUSTRATED BY J. FINNEMORE</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block medium noindent outermost"> +<div class="line">LONDON</div> +<div class="line">HENRY FROWDE</div> +<div class="line">HODDER AND STOUGHTON</div> +<div class="line">1910</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost small"> +<div class="line">RICHARD CLAY AND SONS, LIMITED,</div> +<div class="line">BREAD STREET HILL, E.C., AND</div> +<div class="line">BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block medium noindent outermost"> +<div class="line">PREFACE</div> +</div> +<p class="pfirst">Exactly a century has passed since the French invasion of Spain gave +the signal for a general revolt of the Spanish-American Colonies. In +the twenty years' struggle that ensued, Spain paid in kind for more +than three centuries of Colonial misrule. Her garrisons, again and +again reinforced from the mother country, fought a losing fight, with +the old-time Spanish gallantry that had won for Ferdinand the Empire of +the West. But the tide of freedom swept them remorselessly from one +province after another, and with them went the swarms of corrupt +officials who since the days of Cortes and Pizarro had plundered the +colonies for the benefit of the Spanish treasury.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the northern provinces the leading spirit of revolt was Simon +Bolivar, a man whose many faults of character were obscured by an +extraordinary energy and enthusiasm. He is said to have fought four +hundred battles; his victories were sullied by inhuman barbarities; his +defeats were retrieved by unconquerable perseverance. Bolivar was +instrumental in founding five republics, among them that of his native +province of Venezuela, of which he was the first President.</p> +<p class="pnext">Ten years of one of the grimmest struggles known to history gave +freedom to Venezuela and her sister republics; but in the north, as in +many other parts of the Continent, freedom has for the past century +spelt, not liberty, but licence. Centuries of slavery, in fact if not +in name, had rendered the mixed races of South America unfit for +self-government. The mass of the people merely exchanged one set of +corrupt rulers for another; the history of the South American Republics +has been for the most part a chronicle of incessant civil war between +the partisans of rival dictators. Venezuela has in this respect one of +the saddest records. Since Bolivar, her first liberator, died in exile +eighty years ago, she has enjoyed scarcely five consecutive years of +peace. Although blessed with boundless natural resources, the country +is probably the most backward of all states that can claim a place +among civilized nations. The population of Venezuela is believed to be +less at the present time than during the Spanish domination; and it is +doubtful whether the condition of the people has been sensibly bettered +by a hundred years of self-government.</p> +<p class="pnext">The best hope for this and other South American republics seems to be +in the gradual opening up of the Continent by the capital and +enterprise of more progressive communities. This movement has hitherto +been checked by the insecurity of life and property due to constantly +recurring revolutions. But sooner or later trade and commerce, one of +the greatest of civilizing agencies, must bring the nations of South +America into such close relationship with Europe and the United States +that they cannot fail to recognize the value of stable political +institutions. This recognition will be the first step towards what the +wars of independence should have given, but did not give them--liberty.</p> +<p class="pnext">HERBERT STRANG.</p> +<hr class="docutils" /> +<div class="level-2 section" id="id1"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title">CONTENTS</h2> +<div class="container contents"> +<ul class="compact simple toc-list"> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-i-jaguar-and-hydroplane" id="id2">CHAPTER I--JAGUAR AND HYDROPLANE</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-ii-the-hacienda" id="id3">CHAPTER II--THE HACIENDA</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-iii-an-armed-party" id="id4">CHAPTER III--AN ARMED PARTY</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-iv-simple-subtraction" id="id5">CHAPTER IV--SIMPLE SUBTRACTION</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-v-a-scrap-of-paper" id="id6">CHAPTER V--A SCRAP OF PAPER</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-vi-the-hole-in-the-wall" id="id7">CHAPTER VI--THE HOLE IN THE WALL</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-vii-carabano-s-plans" id="id8">CHAPTER VII--CARABAÑO'S PLANS</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-viii-a-race-against-time" id="id9">CHAPTER VIII--A RACE AGAINST TIME</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-ix-the-attack-on-ciudad-bolivar" id="id10">CHAPTER IX--THE ATTACK ON CIUDAD BOLIVAR</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-x-scouting" id="id11">CHAPTER X--SCOUTING</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xi-a-leap-in-the-dark" id="id12">CHAPTER XI--A LEAP IN THE DARK</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xii-the-kidnappers" id="id13">CHAPTER XII--THE KIDNAPPERS</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xiii-a-snag" id="id14">CHAPTER XIII--A SNAG</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xiv-repairs" id="id15">CHAPTER XIV--REPAIRS</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xv-hydroplane-versus-locomotive" id="id16">CHAPTER XV--HYDROPLANE <em class="italics">VERSUS</em> LOCOMOTIVE</a></p> +</li> +<li class="level-2 toc-entry"><p class="first pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#chapter-xvi-the-end-of-a-revolution" id="id17">CHAPTER XVI--THE END OF A REVOLUTION</a></p> +</li> +</ul> +</div> +</div> +<hr class="docutils" /> +<div class="center line-block medium noindent outermost"> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</div> +</div> +<div class="left line-block medium outermost"> +<div class="line"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-the-nick-of-time">In the Nick of Time</a></div> +<div class="line"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-scrimmage-at-railhead">A Scrimmage at Railhead</a></div> +<div class="line"><a class="reference internal" href="#assault-and-battery">Assault and Battery</a></div> +<div class="line"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-race-to-the-swift">The Race to the Swift</a></div> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-i-jaguar-and-hydroplane"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id2">CHAPTER I--JAGUAR AND HYDROPLANE</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The level rays of the early sun were struggling with the mist that +lingered upon a broad full river, like a sluggard loth to quit his bed. +As yet the contest was unequal, for the banks of the stream were +covered with trees and shrubs, crowding upon one another as if in +competition for elbow-room, through whose thick ravelled foliage the +sunbeams could not clear a way. Here and there, however, the dense +screen was parted by little alleys or open spaces carpeted with grass +or moss, and through these a golden radiance shone, dispersing the +mist, and throwing a glistening pathway across the river.</p> +<p class="pnext">At one such glade, withdrawn a little from the brink, stood a jaguar, +which, from moment to moment, lifted its head and gave utterance to a +roar. It faced the stream: its tail lashed its flanks, to the +annoyance of countless flies which would fain have found a temporary +lodgment in its sleek and glossy coat. It roared, and roared again, +with curious persistence, for the mere pleasure of roaring, an observer +might have thought. And yet such a person, had he been worthy of the +name observer, would have detected a reason for this strange behaviour. +Had he watched the surface of the water opposite to where the jaguar +stood, he would have marked a gradual assembling of greenish-yellow +objects, scaly and hard; and, set in each, two glassy leering eyes. +They were in fact the snouts of alligators, or caymans as they are +known in Venezuela.</p> +<p class="pnext">Moment by moment the assemblage increased, the hideous creatures gaping +at the jaguar like an enraptured audience at a popular baritone. The +quadruped, indeed, was executing his solo for their amusement, though +hardly for their benefit. One could have fancied, as the audience +grew, that he derived encouragement from their presence, and exerted +himself with ever greater abandon. The performance, however, came to +an end surprisingly abrupt. Suddenly the roarer turned his head +up-stream and set off with lolloping gait along a winding track that +led among the trees. The observer, following him, would have seen him +force his way through the undergrowth, now leaping a fallen trunk that +lay across his path, now pressing his body through a tangle that might +have seemed impenetrable.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile the caymans also had turned upstream, and swam after the +jaguar, like an idle crowd following at the heels of a street singer. +But though their movements were rapid, they had to stem the current, +and the object of their solicitation drew away from them. Nor did he +stop to practise his vocal powers again. Steadily he pursued his way +until he had left them a mile or more behind. Then, compelled to +strike off to the left by a peculiarly dense mass of thorn, he quitted +the brink of the stream for a few yards. Coming upon it again through +a glade, he looked warily about him, advancing with slow and stealthy +tread. It was at this spot that he purposed to cross the river. All +at once he stopped short, and sinking to the ground, lay motionless, +scarcely distinguishable from the jungle around him, so closely did his +colouring harmonize with it. In a few moments, with the silent +undulating movement of a cat stalking a bird, he crept forward. No +caymans were near; having attracted them by his vocalization he had +left them in the lurch, and was content. But on a branch of a tree +overhanging the river he had spied the form of a dark-skinned man +stretched at full length. The hunted was now the hunter. The reptiles +had lost their victim; he in his turn was intent on seizing his prey.</p> +<p class="pnext">The man lay close upon the branch, his eyes fixed upon some object on +the farther bank, a little distance up-stream. The tree being rooted +in the base of the bank, which here rose a few yards above the river, +the jaguar was somewhat higher than the man, stretched all unsuspecting +upon a lower bough. Noiselessly, without so much as a rustle, the +animal glided down the face of the bank, and coming to the tree, began +to climb up the slanting trunk behind his destined victim. No ear +could have detected his furtive movements; the man's attention was +absorbed by the object of his gaze; yet, when the beast was only a few +feet from him, some instinct warned him of impending danger. He turned +his head, and beheld the savage creature crouching for a spring. Quick +as thought, the man rolled himself round the branch, and dropped with a +heavy splash into the river. The jaguar was already launched in air +when the man let go his hold, but instead of striking his prey, he +lighted on the vacant branch. The force of his spring was too great to +be checked by the grip of his claws upon the bark. He lost his +footing, and fell plump into the water where it still eddied from the +plunge of the man.</p> +<p class="pnext">A hundred yards up the river, moored to a tree-stump in the further +bank, lay a motor-boat of unusual shape. Its only occupant, a young +white man, in the act of casting off, had looked up when he heard the +first splash. Before he could see what had caused it, the jaguar +tumbled headlong from the branch. With the instinct of a sportsman, +the young man instantly stretched his hand towards the rifle that lay +at his side, only to draw it back as he remembered that the charge was +small shot. The head of the jaguar appeared above the surface; the +white man wondered what had caused the first splash, but seeing the +animal swimming downstream he was not specially interested, and was on +the point of lifting his mooring-rope on board when he suddenly caught +sight of a black head on the surface, a little beyond the jaguar. It +was the head of a man swimming desperately towards the nearer bank.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will Pentelow was interested enough now. The jaguar also had seen the +swimming man, and with a low snarl started in pursuit. There was +little chance of the swimmer gaining the bank before the beast. Even +if he did, it would merely be to fall a prey. Flinging the rope into +the bottom of the boat, Will pressed the lever. The little vessel +started, and, assisted by a four-knot current, rapidly gathered way. +But the man and the jaguar were also helped by the current, though they +were swimming diagonally across the stream. They were so near to each +other now that Will doubted whether, at the full speed of the engine, +he could overtake them in time to intervene. If he fired, the +spreading of the shot would injure the man as well as the beast. Our +observer would certainly have concluded that the swimmer was doomed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly, however, the boat shot forward with marvellous velocity. The +bow, or rather the platform at the forepart, rose clean out of the +water, and the vessel seemed to skim along the surface. Fast as the +jaguar was overhauling the man, the vessel was still faster closing in +upon the jaguar. Will steered straight upon the tawny head. The boat +appeared to fly along.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hitherto the jaguar had been so intent upon his victim as to be +oblivious of all else. Even the whirring of the propeller had not +struck upon his senses. But when no more than three yards separated +him from the man, he became suddenly aware that he in his turn was +pursued. He turned half round, to see a rushing monster almost upon +him. In another instant there was a heavy thud; the boat quivered from +stem to stern, but with no perceptible slackening of speed passed clean +over the spot where the animal had been.</p> +<p class="pnext">A few moments more, and the hydroplane was floating on the water like +an ordinary boat. Looking back, Will saw the swimmer scramble up the +bank. Almost opposite him was the jaguar's head, bobbing up and down +on the surface. The impact of the vessel had broken the creature's +back. Immediately the Indian caught sight of it, he rushed along the +bank in pursuit. The animal disappeared, but emerged again a few yards +lower down. Then the man drew a knife from his belt, and plunged into +the river. A few strokes brought him level with the carcase, and +catching it by the ear, he drew it after him to the bank.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile Will Pentelow had turned his vessel round, and, driving her +against the current, came opposite to the Indian just as he reached the +bank. The ground was steep and slippery, and the man was unable to +drag the huge body out of the water. Will glanced all round with a +caution born of familiarity with this haunt of caymans; but reflecting +that the hydroplane would have scared away any of the dread reptiles +that might have been lurking near, he threw out an anchor, and waded to +the assistance of the Indian. Together they heaved the carcase out of +the water and threw it on the bank. Then they looked at each other.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ii-the-hacienda"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id3">CHAPTER II--THE HACIENDA</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">William Pentelow was one of those boys who make up their mind early +what they are going to be, and work steadily towards this settled aim. +The son of a professional man of moderate income, he was sent to a +well-known London day-school, showed no special promise for a year or +two, but after his first lesson in mechanics declared that he must be +an engineer, and from that time made rapid progress in science. His +father recognized his bent, and sent him to the Heriot Watt College, +where he was thrown among young fellows of many different +nationalities, a circumstance that had two results: it caused him to +think for the first time of going abroad, and it gave him opportunities +of picking up a certain knowledge of foreign tongues. With French and +Spanish he was soon at home; German bothered him; he was making strides +in Hindostani when a sudden offer launched him on his career.</p> +<p class="pnext">A friend of his father was superintending the building of a railway in +Venezuela, for a British company engaged in working asphalt mines. +Originally they had sent their products by barge along a tributary of +the Orinoco, down that great river itself, and thus to sea. But after +the company had been in existence for some years, the Jefe of the +province of Guayana, by indirect means in which the South American +official is an adept, secured a monopoly of the navigation of the +tributary in question, and at once levied exorbitant transit dues on +the only people who used it as a commercial waterway--the asphalt +company.</p> +<p class="pnext">The directors put up with this extortion for a time. Then the +accession of a new president drove matters to a climax. This +President, unlike almost every other ruler of Venezuela from the time +of Bolivar, aimed, not at enriching himself and his clique, but at +purifying the public life of the country. One of his first +administrative acts was to dismiss the Jefe of Guayana, a notoriously +corrupt official, who immediately set about making good his loss of +income by doubling his fees to the asphalt company. This was more than +the Company could stand. The directors made a vigorous protest to +Government, but the Jefe was acting strictly within his legal rights, +and there was no redress. The upshot was that the Company obtained a +concession for a branch railway line, to run from their mines, along +the right bank of the Jefe's river, to a junction with the trunk line +about fifty miles distant. The work was immediately put in hand; the +services of Mr. Pentelow's friend, Mr. George Jackson, were engaged as +chief of the construction staff; and just before sailing, Mr. Jackson +bethought himself of young Pentelow, now near the end of his pupilage, +and offered him his first job. Will accepted with alacrity. The +opportunity of gaining experience and at the same time seeing a foreign +country was too good to be neglected. He sailed with Mr. Jackson, and +had been several months in Venezuela when our story opens. Forty miles +of the railway had already been completed, and was in use for the +carriage of asphalt, this being conveyed to railhead from the mines on +mules. The Company had ceased to pay dues to the ex-Jefe of Guayana, +whose monopoly was now not worth an old song.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will's only regret in leaving England was the interruption of his +hobby. He had been for some time enthusiastically interested in +motor-boats, and when Mr. Jackson's sudden offer came, was in the midst +of experimenting with a hydroplane. This he had to leave behind. But +he had not been long in Venezuela before he found an opportunity of +taking up his hobby again. The labourers on the railway, a strangely +assorted crowd of Spaniards, Spanish-Indians, Indo-negroes and other +mongrels, were scrupulous in one matter: the observance of holidays. +Saints' days and festivals were numerous, and on these all work +stopped. Finding himself thus with plenty of spare time on his hands, +Will turned it to account. In Caracas one day he picked up a petrol +engine, very light and at the same time of considerable horse-power. +It was part of a motor-car which a wealthy Venezuelan had imported from +New York. One break-down after another, imperfectly repaired--for the +Venezuelans are notoriously bad mechanicians--had disgusted the owner +of the car, who was glad to sell it for a mere trifle. Since the car +was useless outside Caracas--and indeed inside the city, for the matter +of that, the paving of the streets being remarkably primitive--Will +removed the engine, conveyed it to the head-quarters of the branch +railway, and with the assistance of a handy man on the staff, by name +Joe Ruggles, adapted it to a hydroplane which he built himself. The +basin of the Orinoco is so much intersected by rivers and streams of +all sizes that the new railway was at no point very far from a +watercourse deep enough to float the vessel. The constantly recurring +fête days gave Will many opportunities of indulging his hobby, on which +he was the object of much good-humoured banter among his colleagues.</p> +<p class="pnext">The boat, as Will had to confess, was a somewhat rough and ready +affair. It was not the kind of thing that would be turned out at +Thorneycroft's, and it would no doubt have been regarded with a sniff +of contempt by a professional boat-builder. In its essentials it was a +kind of punt, the flat bottom being fitted with planes inclined at an +angle, so that when the propelling force was sufficient, the forward +part of the boat was raised out of the water, skimming along the +surface instead of cutting through it like an ordinary boat. The crew +and engines were accommodated aft, this disposition of the weight +facilitating the skimming action on which the speed of the vessel +depended. Although some twenty-four feet long and eight feet in beam, +her draft at rest was only a few inches. As Ruggles was accustomed to +say, she could go anywhere if the dew was heavy enough. For the hull +Will used a light steel framework covered with very thin planking. A +boat-shaped windscreen, pierced for two ventilators intended to cool +the engines, gave shelter to the crew, a very necessary precaution when +the boat was moving at high speed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will's principal difficulty lay in converting his engine to this new +use. The driving shaft he found answered admirably as a propeller +shaft, the bevel wheels he melted in a crucible to form a propeller. +The latter he had to cast himself, making a pattern, moulding it in +sand, and pouring the melted brass into the mould.</p> +<p class="pnext">The petrol was stored in a tank accommodated under the back seat. Will +found that some twelve gallons gave him a speed of about forty knots +for a four hours' run, which was quite enough for any ordinary +expedition.</p> +<p class="pnext">For a hundred and fifty miles above Ciudad Bolivar, Will soon knew most +of the principal tributaries of the Orinoco. In fact the only limit to +his expeditions lay in the capacity of his petrol tank, but even this +he could supplement on occasion by taking with him a number of extra +cans. He had of course one or two exciting experiences; these were +inevitable in navigating tropical rivers at a speed of forty knots. +More than once the blades of his propeller were injured by +half-submerged logs. After tinkering at them some hours on the bank of +a creek or river, he would return at four knots to the place from which +he had started at forty. These, however, were merely exhilarating +incidents; they lent just that spice of risk that made the sport +thoroughly enjoyable.</p> +<p class="pnext">Such risks were due to great speed, but there were occasions when in +this very speed lay safety from disaster. One day, having a longer +holiday than usual, Will ran down nearly to the mouth of the Orinoco. +While going easy at some twenty knots he saw what looked like a bank of +water stretching right across the river ahead of him. It did not need +a second glance for him to recognize that a tidal wave was sweeping up +the river, and threatening to engulf him within a few moments. Before +he could bring the hydroplane round, the mass of water, moving at +tremendous speed, was almost upon him. He had perhaps five seconds to +spare, and drove the hydroplane at its hardest. For a moment it seemed +to him that the issue hung in doubt, a very unpleasant moment, as he +afterwards confessed. Then the vessel began to draw away, and the +immediate danger was over. But for ten or fifteen miles he thought it +wise to keep a respectful distance between himself and the tidal wave, +which followed him, although at a gradually diminishing speed. Since +then he had avoided the Orinoco itself, and limited his excursions to +the tributaries within easy distance of the advancing railway.</p> +<hr class="docutils" /> +<p class="pfirst">We left Will on the bank of the river, the Indian before him, the dead +jaguar at his feet. The Indian glanced at his rescuer with a timid, +hunted look; then, as if reassured, began to thank him in harsh +imperfect Spanish. Will had perceived at once that the man was not one +of the workers on the railway.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where do you come from?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">The hunted look returned to the man's eyes. He glanced nervously up +and down the river, and towards the opposite bank. Lifting his hand, +he described a half-circle with it in the air.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But where is your home?" Will asked again.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have no home, señor," muttered the Indian. "It was burnt with fire."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How was that?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The man hesitated, then mumbled something which Will failed to catch. +Evidently he was suspicious, and did not wish to be communicative. +Will noticed scars on the upper part of his body; and from other slight +indications, as well as the man's manifest nervousness, guessed that he +was a fugitive.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, you had better go," he said, "and keep out of the way of tigers. +Here, take this beast if it's any good to you."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is yours, señor," said the man, surprised.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't want it; you may have it."</p> +<p class="pnext">He had seen that the animal's skin was ruined by the impact of the +hydroplane. The Indian, however, was delighted with the gift; the +claws would be valuable to him. He thanked Will with servile +effusiveness, and stooped to the animal. Will stood watching him for a +few moments, then got into his vessel and started it down-stream, +increasing the speed until it reached at least thirty knots. In about +a quarter of an hour he came to a tributary entering the river on the +right bank. He had already slowed down, and steering the vessel round, +he made his way up the smaller stream. In parts it was very narrow, +and so closely overhung by trees on both banks that Will more than once +had to bend to avoid the branches. Here and there the stream was +shallow; but the hydroplane drew so little water that she was nowhere +in danger of running aground.</p> +<p class="pnext">Following its winding course for some two miles, Will came to a +straight canal scarcely twenty feet broad, running into the stream on +the left. He steered his vessel into this, and arrived in a few +minutes at a small lake. On the further shore, some feet above the +water-level, stood a fine hacienda--a sort of superior +bungalow--surrounded by luxurious gardens. It was a long, broad +dwelling of one storey, with verandas, the door, which was open, +leading through a light hall into the patio--a spacious court, with a +flowerbed in the centre, on which all the rooms of the house opened. +Below, at the foot of a terrace, a small jetty projected into the lake. +Will steered the hydroplane to this, and moored her beside a diminutive +sailing yacht that already lay there. Then he made his way towards the +house, giving a loud coo-ee.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was half-way to the door when a young man, a few years older than +himself, came to meet him. He was dressed in white drill, with a +brilliant sash or cummerbund about his waist, a white sombrero on his +head, and a long cigarro in his mouth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hullo, old chap!" he said, with a scarcely noticeable accent. "I +wondered when you would come again. I was just thinking of coffee: +come along!"</p> +<p class="pnext">He linked his arm with Will's, and led him towards the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I say, can you lend me some slippers? I can't appear before the +ladies like this."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will glanced down at his long boots, which had dried green after their +immersion.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Don't worry, my dear boy, I'm alone: the ladies aren't here."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will looked disappointed rather than relieved. The two went together +into the patio; a servant placed chairs for them at a little round +table, upon which coffee, bread, cheese, and fruit had already been +laid.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes," continued Antonio de Mello, speaking now in Spanish, "I thought +I had better send my mother and sister away. There's a storm brewing."</p> +<p class="pnext">"A revolution?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Undoubtedly a revolution, my friend. The President has made an enemy +of every villain in the country, and General Carabaño, who is as big a +rascal as Venezuela has ever known--and that's saying a good deal--is +beginning to make things lively."</p> +<p class="pnext">"In Caracas?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, not yet. He has raised his flag about fifty miles from here, and +if he can get a big enough army together he'll make for the capital and +try to overthrow the Government. And I tell you, my friend, there's +trouble ahead for your railway. Carabaño is hand in glove with the +late Jefe, who doesn't love your Company."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But why did you think it necessary to send the ladies away?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Because Carabaño is a particularly offensive person. He has an old +grudge against me, and if the railway brings him in this direction, he +will not be able to deny himself the pleasure of a visit. I do not +care that my mother and sister should meet him; nor shall I meet him +myself if I can avoid it. I have made arrangements for a hasty +departure if I hear that he is in the neighbourhood.... But come and +see my new stables. They're finished since you were here last, and +I've got a new hunter you'd give your eyes for. Come along!"</p> +<p class="pnext">Antonio de Mello was very proud of his new stables. He had lived for +some time in England, whence he returned with a pretty taste in +horseflesh and an ambition to start a stud. Like many of his +countrymen he was a good linguist, being equally at home in English, +French, and Spanish, and having some knowledge also of the native +dialects of his district. He had met Will one day when riding in the +neighbourhood of the railway, and struck up a friendship with him. +Will had been several times to his house, where the señora and señorita +had made him very welcome.</p> +<p class="pnext">He accompanied Antonio to the stables, just completed, and duly admired +their up-to-date appointments and the new hunter. He thought it a +little odd that the old stables were still left standing. They were +very tumbledown; indeed, an English gentleman who owned a house and +gardens like the hacienda would have regarded them as an eyesore which +it behoved him to remove as soon as possible. But the typical +Venezuelan is not fastidious, and though Antonio had acquired some of +the manners and something of the outlook of Englishmen, he still +retained much of the careless and happy-go-lucky traits of the South +American, and was quite content to allow his old stables to fall to +pieces within a few yards of his front door.</p> +<p class="pnext">After strolling round for half-an-hour, Will declared that it was time +to be off. Antonio went down with him to the jetty; and, promising to +repeat the visit before long, Will set the hydroplane skimming down the +canal until he came to the stream again. Then, turning to the left, he +went on for three or four miles, until the silence of the forest was +broken by a low humming sound, in which, as it grew louder, it was +possible to distinguish the blows of hammers, the thuds of spades, and +the shouts of men. The labourers were not in sight, being concealed by +the high bank and its dense vegetation.</p> +<p class="pnext">Bringing his vessel to a stop, Will gave a low whistle. Instantly a +dark face appeared in the mass of foliage on the bank, and a negro boy, +about sixteen years of age, slid down towards the brink of the stream. +To him Will flung the painter; the boy caught it and, plunging back +among the bushes, began to haul in, Will lying at full length on the +deck. The hydroplane passed through the screen of foliage into a +shallow recess in the bank, where it was completely hidden from view, +either from the stream or from the ground above. Owing to the constant +shifting of the camp as the railway lengthened, Will had had some +trouble in finding harbourage at once secure and convenient for his +vessel. The labourers were a rough lot, and though it was unlikely +that any of them would have been able to work the engine, it was always +possible that one of them, if feloniously inclined, or perhaps simply +bent on mischief, might paddle or pole the vessel down the river, or at +any rate do a good deal of damage to it. Will therefore always sought +for some secret place in which he might lay it up.</p> +<p class="pnext">The recess into which it had now been hauled was discovered a few days +before. It struck Will as a very suitable place for mooring the +vessel, though it cost him and the negro boy some hours of hard work to +clear it of frogs and other old inhabitants. The water was only about +two feet deep, so that there was little fear of encountering +alligators; but it was swarming with electric eels, one of which gave +Will a severe shock as he waded in with his vessel. He was very +careful not to give the creatures another chance.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why weren't you here when I started this morning?" said Will as he +made the hydroplane fast.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very sorry, señor," replied the boy, "but señor did not wish the place +to be known. I was coming, as señor ordered, but I met Señor Machado, +who walked by my side. What could I do? I walked round about, but +Señor Machado kept with me a long time, and when he left me alone, and +I came here, your excellency was gone."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You did very well, José. Señor Machado is a friend of yours, eh?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, señor, but very friendly."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah! a distinction and a difference. He asked you questions, no doubt?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, señor, no questions, but he would have liked me to give answers."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And got none. Very well, José; always keep your mouth shut. I don't +want Señor Machado or any one else to meddle with my boat."</p> +<p class="pnext">He unscrewed the throttle and put it into his pocket. Then, having +seen that the painter was securely wound about an iron stake driven +into the ground, he scrambled up the bank, walked along for a few +yards, shoving aside the entangling undergrowth with his arms, and came +to a spot whence he could overlook the scene from which the sounds +proceeded. Several hundreds of dusky labourers were engaged in +constructing an embankment along the edge of a wood nearly a quarter of +a mile away. To the left, the railway line disappeared among the +trees. A small engine was drawing a train of trucks filled with earth +towards the partly built embankment. Below this, on a stretch of +sward, were the tents of the engineering staff; at a considerable +distance to the left were those of the coolies. Will forced his way +through the trees, remaining out of sight from the encampment, and +approached the tents by a circuitous route. The sudden friendliness of +Señor Machado for his boy José confirmed him in his determination to +keep the whereabouts of the hydroplane a profound secret. True, Señor +Machado had hitherto seemed a quiet inoffensive fellow, attentive to +his duty as telegraphist; but the telegraph was not constantly in use, +and Will thought it just as well to keep temptation out of Señor +Machado's way.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iii-an-armed-party"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id4">CHAPTER III--AN ARMED PARTY</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Will went to his tent, washed and changed into his working clothes, and +then set off to report himself to Mr. Jackson, known among the staff as +the Chief. Work had been going on since shortly after daybreak, and as +a rule Will would have been in charge of a squad; but the Chief had +told him the night before that he need not come on duty until ten +o'clock, when he wished to see him about a special job. It was just +ten when he came to Mr. Jackson, who was perched on a goods wagon, +watching the jointing of the rails some distance from the encampment.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here you are," said the Chief, taking his watch from his pocket. +"I'll say this for you, that you're punctual, in spite of your toy. +Broke down yet?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not yet, but I broke a jaguar down this morning: came smack on him +just as he was going to get his claws into an Indian."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not one of our men?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh no! It was some miles from here, beyond De Mello's place. I heard +a splash, and there was the jaguar, full pelt after the man, who was +swimming his hardest. It was a near thing, and----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, I dare say, but I'm not particularly anxious to get a fellow to +fill your place just as you're becoming useful. Your hydroplane is all +very well as a plaything for your spare time; but it's no earthly use, +and I only hope it won't lead you into scrapes. A stitch in time saves +nine."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will's eyes twinkled, and the ghost of a smile played about his lips. +The Chief had a habit of finishing his little speeches with a proverb, +not always appropriate to the occasion.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well now, this job," continued Mr. Jackson. "I want you to check some +calculations of level about six miles up. Here you are, on the plan: +that's the section. You've been over the ground before; it's the most +difficult part of the track. You can take Ruggles as rodman. You'll +be some time over the job, so take some grub with you, and be as quick +as you can. Time and tide waits for no man."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can I have the plan?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No. Trace a copy of the section: it won't take you twenty minutes. +And, I say, make sure your level's in order; it won't do to get there +and find there's a screw loose. Look before you leap, you know."</p> +<p class="pnext">Having traced the plan of the section he was to survey, Will got his +instruments (a hand-level, a surveyor's camera, and a pocket compass), +his revolver, and a note-book, sent José to find Ruggles and saddle a +couple of ponies, and in half-an-hour set off on his task. The +country, as the Chief had said, was the worst bit of the whole line. +It was much broken by hills and ravines, and the surveyor, choosing the +easiest way for the iron road, had been compelled to trace out a rather +tortuous course, which was indicated by stakes driven into the ground +at intervals. The line would twice cross the little stream which Will +had recently navigated in his hydroplane. Fortunately it was fordable +at both points.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will rode on with his companion at a steady trot. Ruggles was a sturdy +grizzled veteran of about fifty years of age. He was the handy man of +the staff. He could act as rodman, chainman or slopeman as +circumstances required. He could build a boat, repair an engine, and +cook a dinner with equal facility, and once he surprised Will by +helping him out in a knotty calculation in trigonometry. It had been a +source of wonder to Will that a man whose attainments were so various +should have risen no higher than the humble situation he at present +occupied. One day he ventured delicately to hint at the matter.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll never earn more than two pound a week as long as I live," said +Ruggles.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But why? I earn more than that, and you could do my work better than +I can."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Drink--that's why. Every sixpence I earned above two pound would go +in drink, and so, to be on the safe side, I'm never going to earn a +penny more, that's flat."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will could not help feeling amused at the old fellow's emphatic +declaration, more especially because the man was not a teetotaller, but +drank his glass of ale at dinner like the rest, and was never known to +exceed. He guessed that there was some story in the background, and +hoped that some day Ruggles would tell it; but the man was reserved +about his own affairs, though as sociable and cheerful a man as any on +the staff.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was near midday when they reached the section Will was to level, and +as the sun was high they decided to eat their lunch in the shade of the +trees and begin work later. Ruggles produced bread and cheese and a +bottle of beer, and when this had been disposed of, filled an enormous +pipe and lay on his back contentedly puffing away, throwing out a +remark occasionally. At last Will sprang up, saying they must set to +work. For several hours they walked over the ground, making +calculations which Will entered in his notebook, and taking photographs +for after use. Will often found that such photographs when developed +disclosed features of the country that had escaped notice. The ground +he was now working over was very rough, and even in the few weeks that +had elapsed since his predecessor visited the spot the track which had +been partially cleared had become overgrown with tropical weeds. +Ruggles found plenty of work for his knife and the axe he carried in +his belt.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will proved in course of time that the previous calculations had been +very accurately made. In some cases he found lateral deviations of six +or seven feet on a ten-degree slope; these he corrected. In one case +he saw reason to suggest a slackening of grade on a curve in a long +gradient; and he noted an alternative means of crossing a small stream, +for the consideration of the Chief. It was tiring work, done in the +heat of the sun, and both were glad when it was finished. They +returned to the spot where they had left their ponies tethered to two +of the surveyor's stakes, and were on the point of mounting when +Ruggles drew Will's attention to a number of horsemen crossing an open +space between two belts of woodland about two miles away. Will looked +at them through his field-glass.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They're coming this way, in single file. Wonder who they are," he +said. "Have a look, Ruggles."</p> +<p class="pnext">"About thirty of 'em, as near as I can count," said the man, after a +long look. "I can't make anything of 'em."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are they muleteers?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps they are soldiers."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Don't look like it. I can't see any uniform, nor rifles either. We'd +better make tracks."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What's the hurry? I've seen nothing to be afraid of in the natives; +they're a pretty poor lot so far as I have come across them."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's a fine healthy English way of looking ac things, but if you'd +lived in this country as long as I have you'd know that when you spot +such a troop in the distance the best thing you can do is to clear +out--unless, that is, you have any particular wish for trouble."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But why on earth should you suppose they're not peaceable folk--a +hunting-party, perhaps?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Supposing's neither here nor there. Hunters don't ride in a line, +without hounds. My belief is that they're brigands, and we shan't have +much to say to them with one revolver between the two of us."</p> +<p class="pnext">"They may be soldiers."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's only another name for brigands here. The only difference is +that a soldier is a brigand in office, and a brigand is a soldier out +of office. And, by Jeremy! they've got a prisoner. There's a man +trotting a-foot beside one of the horses; ten to one he's tied to the +stirrup. Take a look, Mr. Pentelow."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You're right; and I can see now they've got rifles slung to their +backs. They're making a bee-line this way. What's their game, I +wonder?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Shouldn't be surprised if they've paid a visit to the mines, to begin +with."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think I've got it," said Will, the recollection of what Antonio de +Mello had said flashing across his mind. "There's a revolution +brewing: these fellows are either Government troops or rebels. We had +better get back and tell the Chief."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I said so five minutes ago, if you recollect, Mr. Pentelow. In this +country there are always plots against the Government, whether it's +good, bad, or indifferent--and it's mostly bad. Revolution is always +on the simmer, you may say, and every few years it boils over. It's +the curse of the country. Any big job like this railway of ours is +like sitting on a powder-barrel: any moment you may be blown sky high, +in a manner of speaking. If Government don't interfere with you, then +Revolutionists will; and I'll lay ten to one those horsemen are one or +the other, beating up recruits. They haven't seen us yet or they'd be +coming faster, so we had better slip in among the trees and gallop for +railhead. We can at least put the Chief on his guard."</p> +<p class="pnext">They led the ponies into the wood, then mounted and set off at full +speed. Mr. Jackson looked grave when he heard their report, to which +Will added the information given him by Antonio de Mello in the +morning. He at once whistled up the other European members of his +staff from the scattered points at which they were engaged. When they +came up he explained the position to them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They mayn't bother us," he said, "but if they're making for railhead, +as Mr. Pentelow says, we must be prepared for squalls. There's no +highway in this direction, and if they're not making for us, where are +they bound for?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps they're going to pay a visit to De Mello," suggested Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Maybe. Well, forewarned is forearmed: the question is, what's to be +our line if they show up here? Ruggles, you know the country better +than the rest of us: what do you say?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Speak 'em fair, sir, but have your rifles ready."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How many do they muster?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"There seemed about thirty, but may be more. If they're +revolutionaries they'll have plenty of cheek, and think themselves more +than a match for our handful."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What will our men do?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing but look on. My notion is that they're after recruits, and +the men won't join them unless they're obliged. They know they'd only +be food for powder. But they've got no arms except machetes and their +tools, and they won't run the risk of being shot at."</p> +<p class="pnext">A tall engineer of about thirty, who had been leaning against a tree, +with crossed legs, a pipe in his mouth, then quietly made a suggestion.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If I were you, Chief," he said, "I'd try a little stratagem."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How do you mean, O'Connor?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The man took the pipe from his mouth and pointed with it towards the +embankment, thirty yards from the Chief's tent.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Line that with rifles," he said. "We muster fifteen all told, +counting in the foremen, who'll stick by us, I fancy. We've got four +or five revolvers, too. Well, my notion is to post our rifles out of +sight on the reverse slope, just behind those trucks. The beggars will +have to pass on this side, and they won't see us. It's about time to +knock off work, and they won't be surprised if they see you on a +camp-stool at the door of your tent reading. I can lend you a +month-old <em class="italics">Times</em>."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What then?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why, they'll speak to you, I suppose, and you'll soon see if they're +bent on mischief. Then you can give us a sign and we'll empty a few +saddles."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rather strong measures, O'Connor."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why not try bluff first?" said Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You've got an idea, have you? Come into my tent, and we'll talk it +over. You too, O'Connor. You others, go and get the rifles; and, +Ruggles, tell the men that a small armed party is coming this way, but +they needn't be alarmed. They can get their suppers and keep out of +the way."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Chief, accompanied by Will and O'Connor, walked to his tent. It +was separated by a few yards from the embankment on one side, and the +tents of the European staff on the other. There was a broad open space +in front of these, with a large tree standing in the middle. The +approaching horsemen, if they came from the expected direction, would +pass between two groups of tents occupied by the labourers, into the +compound, as it might be called, of which the tree marked the centre.</p> +<p class="pnext">The colloquy in the Chief's tent did not last long. O'Connor came out +first, still puffing at his pipe. Nobody in the camp was aware of it, +but Jerry O'Connor had once held the King's commission in the Royal +Engineers. There had been no more popular or capable officer in the +corps than Jerry, and many were grieved when he had to leave the army, +under a cloud. He was the best-liked member of the engineering staff +of the new railway, and none get more work out of his men. He was soon +joined by the other Europeans and the Venezuelan foremen, all armed +with rifles. Knocking the ashes from his pipe, he put it into his +pocket, and led his little company of thirteen to the rear of the +embankment, where they lay flat on their faces just below the top, +perfectly screened from observation on the other side.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile Will also had left the Chief's tent, and made his way quickly +towards a little wooden cabin that stood a few yards from the end of +the railway line. As he approached, a slight young man with a swarthy +sallow face came out of the cabin and walked towards the embankment. +Will hailed him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The Chief wants you, Machado," he said.</p> +<p class="pnext">"At once, señor? I was going to watch the horsemen who are said to be +approaching. Perhaps I might be able to reassure the Chief."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You had better come and see what he wants first."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Venezuelan gave way with a shrug, and walked by Will's side to the +tent, at the door of which Mr. Jackson was standing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Señor Machado," said the Chief, who was always scrupulously polite to +the Spaniards on his staff, "I shall be glad of your assistance. These +horsemen will be here in a few minutes, and I want you to remain here +as a witness of what passes. Mr. Pentelow will remain also. We shall +then have one of their own countrymen and one of mine, a useful +precaution, you will agree."</p> +<p class="pnext">Señor Machado smiled his assent. Mr. Jackson knew that, in dealing +with revolutionaries in Venezuela, foreigners, and even peaceable +natives, were, as he put it, between the devil and the deep sea. If he +should be suspected of giving aid or countenance to the rebels he would +be hauled over the coals by the Government. If he refused such aid he +might be held in durance or perhaps attacked by the rebels. Whichever +party proved victorious in the struggle would refuse to make good any +loss he might sustain, while if either could foist upon him any charge +of assisting the enemy he would lose all his property, and suffer +imprisonment or fine. No evidence would probably be of any immediate +avail if matters were brought to extremities; but it would be useful to +have such evidence to lay before the British consul.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You left a man at the cabin to call you if any message comes through?" +said the Chief.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Assuredly, señor; I think always of my duty."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's right. Just keep within easy reach. Here's a cigar."</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado strolled up and down, smoking energetically. Will shot a +glance at him. The man was a good telegraphist, and he had nothing +against him; but he was not quite pleased to know that he had been so +affable with José.</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Jackson sat down at the door of the tent, and began to discuss with +Will the entries the latter had made in his note-book.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think we look pretty easy," he said. "Still waters run deep.... +Ah! here they are."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-iv-simple-subtraction"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id5">CHAPTER IV--SIMPLE SUBTRACTION</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The cavalcade came at a walk into the compound. They were a very +nondescript troop: men of all ages, tall and short, stout and thin, +variously clad, but all wearing high riding-boots and a green feather +in their sombreros. There were more of them than Will had supposed, +numbering nearly fifty. The greater part of the troop halted when they +came to the tree, but two rode forward, the first a thick-set man with +bushy black eyebrows and heavy moustache. He pulled up within a few +feet of Mr. Jackson, and making a military salute, said--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good-evening, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">Mr. Jackson got up and returned the salutation. Will stood at his +side, and the telegraphist remained a little in the rear.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I introduce myself, señor, as Captain Felipe Espejo, of the army of +General Carabaño, liberator of Venezuela, and in his name I have the +honour or requesting that you will of your great courtesy furnish my +troop with refreshments."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do me the favour to enter my tent, Señor Capitan," said Mr. Jackson +pleasantly. "No doubt you are weary after your ride."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Captain hesitated for a moment, darting a glance around. Then he +dismounted, and leaving his horse with his orderly, followed Mr. +Jackson into the tent. Will entered after him, and Machado stood in +the entrance.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Be seated, señor," said Mr. Jackson, offering him a cigar. "I am of +course aware of the excellent custom of your country, which never +refuses refreshment to the traveller, and speaking for myself and my +staff, it would give us the greatest pleasure to entertain you and your +men. But you will see, I am sure, that I am placed in a somewhat +awkward position."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Explain yourself, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think I am right in believing that the noble liberator has not yet +assumed the reins of government? In that case any voluntary service to +you on my part, even though dictated solely by courtesy, is likely to +be sadly misconstrued by the present Government, is it not? I am +responsible for the interests of the Company employing me to build this +railway, and I must take care that no action of mine shall prejudice +them. You will agree, then, señor, that I cannot undertake to provide +refreshment for so large a party as yours unless formal demand is made, +which, backed by the armed force at your distinguished disposal, would +undoubtedly exonerate my Company from all responsibility."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You express yourself admirably, señor," said the visitor with a smile. +"May I compliment you on your command of our language? As to a formal +demand, I oblige you with the greatest pleasure. I demand now, +formally, that you supply my troop with food."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is sufficient, Señor Capitan," said Mr. Jackson, returning the +smile. "Pentelow," he added in English, "go and see to this. Don't be +long.... I was about to have my own evening meal," he went on in +Spanish, "and if the caballero would honour me by sharing the repast, I +shall be delighted, though I fear it may not be so excellent in quality +as the caballero is accustomed to."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Captain cordially accepted the invitation. He felt that things +were going extremely well. Mr. Jackson summoned his servant, and +ordered him to lay for four. Machado was edging away, but Mr. Jackson +called him into the tent.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You will join us this evening," he said. "Señor Machado, telegraphist +on my staff."</p> +<p class="pnext">The two Venezuelans exchanged salutations, the Captain somewhat +superciliously. The meal was soon ready; Will returned; and the four +sat down at the table, Mr. Jackson opening a bottle of +champagne--villainous stuff, which he kept by him expressly for native +guests, who relished it as though it had been the finest vintage from +Rheims or Vevay.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Captain was an excellent table companion, and a man of quite +charming manners. He did full justice to the food and drink. When the +meal was over, and, provided with a good cigar, he lay back in a lounge +chair, he said--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Truly, señor, it gives me the greatest annoyance to have to requite +your excellent hospitality by making a further request--or, to adopt +the term you prefer, a formal demand. My noble superior, General +Carabaño, unfortunately lacks two things requisite to complete his +success in the glorious task of liberating his beloved country from the +yoke of a tyrant. These two things, señor, are men and money. General +Carabaño has laid upon me the duty--never more irksome than in the +present circumstances--of inviting, or, again accepting your term, of +demanding, a small loan from your Company in both kinds, namely, money +and men. The money shall be returned when the new Government is +thoroughly established--I need not say, with accrued interest. The men +also, when that glorious day arrives, will be again at the disposal of +the Company, to which, in view of the goodwill displayed by its +distinguished representative, a concession shall in due time be made, +on terms afterwards to be decided, for the furtherance of its business."</p> +<p class="pnext">The tone in which the Captain made this long speech was as pleasant and +courteous as though he were announcing the conferment of a favour. Mr. +Jackson was only surprised that the real purpose of his visit had not +been disclosed before.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I regret extremely, señor," he said, "that in my position I cannot +take upon myself to make a loan of money. In doing so I should be +acting entirely beyond my powers. But I will of course forward the +request to my directors."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Pardon me, señor," said the Captain suavely, "that is of course +absurd. General Carabaño cannot delay the completion of his great work +while time is wasted in such formalities. He must have men and money +at once. I have no doubt that you have a considerable balance in your +hands, beyond the immediate wages of your labourers. You will +therefore be good enough to order the whole of your workers to be drawn +up, so that I may select recruits, and at the same time count out a sum +of five thousand pesos."</p> +<p class="pnext">"With great respect, señor, I have to say that is my duty to protect +whatever funds may be my charge, and also the peons who have been +engaged by my Company under the laws of the State."</p> +<p class="pnext">At this Captain Espejo's politeness fell from him like a cloak. He +sprang up, threw his half-smoked cigar through the doorway of the tent, +and cried--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Enough of this folly! I offer you an amicable arrangement. You +decline it. Then I take what I want by force."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And may I ask how the caballero proposes to take what he wants by +force?" said Mr. Jackson quietly.</p> +<p class="pnext">All four men were now on their feet. Machado was restless with +excitement. Will stood rigid, looking with admiration at his chief, +whom he had never credited with such <em class="italics">sang froid</em> as he now displayed. +When Mr. Jackson asked his question the Captain stared at him as though +he had not heard him aright; then, motioning with his hand towards the +men lounging beneath the tree, he said, with a laugh--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Two score of my men, señor, could shepherd a thousand peons."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Possibly, señor, but your number is really twenty."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Captain stared again. What was this mad Englishman talking about?</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are pleased to jest, señor," he said impatiently. "My troop +numbers exactly forty-two."</p> +<p class="pnext">"The matter is too serious for jesting, señor. I repeat, that for the +purpose of enforcing your demand your troop is effectively less than a +score. Be so good as to accompany me for a few yards and I will +explain myself."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Captain eyed his host suspiciously. Was it possible that he was to +be led into some trap? But the Englishman looked perfectly +inoffensive. He was unarmed; his thumbs were thrust into his arm-pits, +presumably a habit of Englishmen. And there were the forty men, within +pistol shot: there was really no reason why he should not humour the +eccentric.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Chief strolled along, towards the rear of the embankment. He led +the Captain up the plank along which barrows were wheeled up the slope. +Coming to the top, he pointed to the row of figures lying prone just +below the crest, each man holding a rifle.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You see there, señor, fourteen first-rate shots. At the least sign of +hostility on the part of your troop, these men will fire. Each rifle +covers a man. You will confirm my remark that, for the purpose of +enforcing your demands, you have less than a score of men. At the +first volley fourteen will be <em class="italics">hors de combat</em>; the second will account +for as many more before they have recovered from their surprise; at the +third you will have none left."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Captain was speechless with fury. He looked at the men motionless +on the embankment, at his unconscious troopers laughing and jesting +below. He turned about and saw Will, smiling, at his elbow. The Chief +stood in the same easy attitude of unconcern. With a muttered oath +Captain Espejo turned on his heel, and strode down the embankment. +Half-way down he wheeled about, and sputtered--</p> +<p class="pnext">"You, Señor Inglese, have not seen the last of me. General Carabaño +shall hear of this impertinence--this unparalleled atrocity; and he +will exact a heavy retribution, I promise you."</p> +<p class="pnext">He completed the descent, summoned his orderly and threw himself into +the saddle, and then, riding up to his men, curtly ordered them to +mount and follow him. The troop rode away in the direction whence they +had come.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm most terribly stiff," cried O'Connor, springing up. "I'm sorry +you've done it, Chief; I should have liked a scrap with the beggars; +but you're a wonderful man."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Chief smiled.</p> +<p class="pnext">"First catch your hare, then cook him," he said.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-v-a-scrap-of-paper"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id6">CHAPTER V--A SCRAP OF PAPER</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Watching the horsemen as they rode away, Will suddenly remembered the +prisoner whom he had seen running beside one of them. The man was now +gone. Perhaps he had slipped away; perhaps the horseman at whose +stirrup he had been tied had not accompanied the rest to the camp. He +spoke of it to the Chief. The latter suggestion deepened the look of +gravity on Mr. Jackson's face.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I hope to goodness there are no more of them," he said. "We had +better send a native to shadow them."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll do that, Chief," said O'Connor, "with Ruggles. I wouldn't trust +a native."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well. Don't go too far. It'll be dark soon."</p> +<p class="pnext">When O'Connor had set off with Ruggles on horseback, Mr. Jackson asked +Will to go with him to his tent to talk things over.</p> +<p class="pnext">"This is serious," he said. "I'm afraid we've only postponed the evil +day. Whether this revolution succeeds or not we shall hear more of the +rebels. The Government can't help us."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Still, we couldn't be much worse off than if you had given in to the +fellow. They'd have collared all our cash; and all our peons would +have mutinied--all they didn't impress, that is."</p> +<p class="pnext">"True. It would have meant a complete smash here. The peons would +have made off to the woods, carrying their machetes with them, you may +be sure, and they're worth two dollars apiece. We should never have +seen them again: it would have brought our work to a standstill; and as +the funds of the Company are rather low I shouldn't wonder if it had +been crippled beyond hope of recovery. The business has suffered +enough already. The worst of it is that we've still got that to look +forward to."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What can we do?" asked Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing, except stick on. I'll not budge till I'm compelled for all +the Carabaños and Espejos in Venezuela. We'll go about our work as +usual and keep our eyes open. Our contract with the Government +requires us to carry Government troops, but I'll refuse point-blank to +carry any other armed force, and neither Government nor rebels will get +any money out of me willingly."</p> +<p class="pnext">They were still talking when O'Connor and Ruggles returned.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We saw them cross the river about two miles up," said O'Connor, coming +into the tent, "and they were joined by three more of the same kidney. +It didn't seem worth while going any farther. But we haven't come back +empty-handed."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What have you got?" asked the Chief.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing very valuable: a poor wretch of an Indian. Ruggles is +bringing him along. We found him hiding in the trees, and thought he +might be a spy of theirs; but he turned out to be a runaway servant of +the Captain's. He told Ruggles some story which I couldn't make +out--here he is."</p> +<p class="pnext">Ruggles entered, bringing with him a wretched-looking object. Will +recognized him instantly as the man he had saved from the jaguar in the +early morning. The Indian's face brightened as he saw his rescuer. He +fell on his knees before him and begged for food. When he had eaten, +with the ferocity of a starving man, what was given him, he said in +answer to Will's questions that he had run away from Captain Espejo, +who treated him cruelly. After the adventure with the jaguar he had +recrossed the river, and unluckily stumbled upon the very man he had +most wished to avoid. The Captain had thrashed him and tied him to the +stirrup of one of his men; but taking advantage of a dense clump of +forest through which they passed, he had wrenched his hands free and +fled into the bush. Three of the party had dismounted and tried to +track him, but he was more at home in the woodland than they, and had +been able to elude them. These were the three men who, after their +vain search, had rejoined the main party returning from their equally +unsuccessful expedition.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, he's another mouth to feed," said the Chief, "but I suppose we +had better keep him and find something for him to do. What's your +name?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Azito, señor," said the man humbly.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Chief called up his servant, and ordered him to arrange a +sleeping-place for the Indian. Then he dismissed him, and the four +Englishmen, by the light of a lamp hanging from the roof of the tent, +sat discussing the affair of the day and the steps to be taken on the +morrow.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I think we had better put the camp in a state of defence," said +O'Connor. "If we don't protect ourselves, nobody will."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That won't be much good," said the Chief, "we shall be shifting camp +soon, and it'll be more than life's worth to attempt to fortify +ourselves every time. Nothing short of a wall all round would be any +good, and it would be tremendous work to build that: there's such a lot +of us."</p> +<p class="pnext">"As to shifting camp, we might put that off for a while--until next +pay-day at any rate; though it will mean a tramp for the men at night +after work is done. If you'll leave the defences to me I'll see what +can be done."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But the camp might be raided while we are miles away at railhead," +said Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We can put outposts out to give us notice of any armed party +approaching; that might give us time to get back."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You ought to have been a soldier, O'Connor. Cobbler, stick to your +last, eh?"</p> +<p class="pnext">O'Connor smiled.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Leave it to me, Chief," he said. "I would just relish a brush with +those ruffians."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's rather curious they came just after pay-day," said Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Oh! I dare say they know what our arrangements are," replied Mr. +Jackson. "It's no secret that we get our pay once a fortnight from +Bolivar. We may expect a visit from them next pay-day, if not before. +I only hope they won't bother us as they did the French company some +years ago: they broke 'em, with the assistance of floods and +earthquakes. Ah well! every cloud has a silver lining."</p> +<p class="pnext">Next day O'Connor devoted himself to the fortification of the camp, +employing a hundred men--a fourth of the whole company of peons--on the +work. To lessen the labour, he took the embankment as one wall, and +palisaded the top for about a hundred yards. Then he made a rough +circular wall around the camp enclosure, using rails and sleepers and a +number of trucks, defending the whole circuit with a chevaux-de-frise +made of branches lopped from the neighbouring woods. Mr. Jackson +doubted whether the terms of their concession from the Government +admitted the use of timber for this purpose, but O'Connor made the very +pertinent answer that permission to build a railway was of little value +unless it included the right to defend the line and those employed on +it; upon which the Chief said no more.</p> +<p class="pnext">These defensive works occupied several days. Before they were +completed a muleteer came from the mines to report that Captain Espejo +had visited them and demanded money from the manager. Luckily the +fortnight's pay had not arrived, and his cash-box was almost empty; but +the Captain had seized all the money that was left, and also impressed +a score of the miners, who had been marched away, presumably to the +head-quarters of General Carabaño.</p> +<p class="pnext">During these days news was brought in by several of the haciendados of +the neighbourhood, from whom the Chief obtained supplies of food, that +General Carabaño had captured two or three small towns to the eastward, +and recruited a considerable number of men, who were for the most part +poorly armed, and still worse equipped. The workers on the railway +were delighted at the discomfiture of Captain Espejo; none of them had +any wish to share the unenviable lot of men impressed in the +revolutionary cause. At present they had hard work, but good pay; as +hirelings of General Carabaño they would lead the life of dogs, liable +to be whipped or slashed or even shot if they chanced to offend their +officers, and to get no pay at all.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the day after Captain Espejo's visit Mr. Jackson wrote to the +Provincial Jefe at Ciudad Bolivar, with whom he was on good terms, +relating what had happened, and asking for the protection of Government +troops. He sent the letter by mounted messenger to the junction about +fifty miles off, whence it was conveyed by rail. In two days he +received a reply, in which the Jefe sympathized with his position, but +said that he had just been obliged to dispatch the greater part of the +force under his command to Caracas, which was threatened by a rising in +Valencia. He could not further deplete his garrison without +endangering Bolivar. His letter concluded with a strong warning to Mr. +Jackson against affording any assistance to the rebels.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We're between the devil and the deep sea," said the Chief, discussing +the letter with his staff. "The Government can't help us, and leaves +us at the mercy of the rebels; and yet it will punish us if we help +them, which they may force us to do. What a country!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why didn't you stay at home, Chief?" asked O'Connor.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Because I didn't want to run the risk of clerking at thirty bob a +week," replied Mr. Jackson. "That's the fate of many good men in the +old country, worse luck."</p> +<p class="pnext">Azito, the Indian, had attached himself to Will, constituting himself +an additional servant, much to the disgust and jealousy of the negro +José. The two quarrelled so frequently that Will thought it advisable +to separate them. Accordingly he got Mr. Jackson to make use of Azito +as a scout. He gave him a pony and sent him to learn what he could of +the revolutionaries: where General Carabaño had fixed his +head-quarters, how many men he had with him, and what his intentions +were. The Indian was at first very reluctant to venture within reach +of his late master; but on Will promising that he should be well paid +and provided for, the man consented, rather from blind devotion to his +rescuer than from any other motive.</p> +<p class="pnext">Returning after two days' absence, he reported that General Carabaño +was quartered in a hill-village about twenty-five miles north-east of +railhead. His force, as estimated by the Indians of the neighbourhood, +consisted of some five hundred men. It was rumoured that the General, +when he considered himself strong enough, intended to attack Ciudad +Bolivar, on the Orinoco about forty-five miles farther to the +north-east. His numbers were being continually increased, but he was +obviously in great need of money, and had already begun to make forced +requisitions on the haciendados and the Indians. Mr. Jackson devoutly +hoped that money would not be forthcoming. A leader of strong +personality could easily and at any time gather a large army of +desperadoes in Venezuela if he had the money to pay them.</p> +<p class="pnext">The day after Azito's return the camp suffered from one of the +periodical disasters which it was impossible to foresee or to guard +against. A violent tornado swept over the district, uprooting immense +trees, whirling the tents away, and scattering their contents in all +directions. It was all over in a few minutes, but the mischief done +would take days to repair. Will was walking over the ground, seeking +to recover his possessions among the litter, when he happened to find a +sheet of the Company's official paper on which he saw that a rough plan +was drawn. He picked it up, thinking it might be one of the Chief's +papers; but on further examination he was surprised to find that it was +a sketch of the encampment, or rather of that part of it occupied by +the engineering staff. The position of each tent was marked, and +distinguished by a letter of the alphabet. Will thought the paper must +belong to O'Connor, and took it to him. At the moment O'Connor had his +arms full of pyjamas and underwear which he had just collected from the +havoc of the storm. His inseparable pipe was in his mouth.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is this yours?" asked Will, showing him the paper.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Never saw it before," mumbled O'Connor. "What is it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"A plan of part of the camp."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What would I want with a plan of the camp? Perhaps the Chief has been +amusing himself. Try him."</p> +<p class="pnext">But the Chief denied all knowledge of the paper.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've got something better to do than draw unnecessary plans. What's +the good of it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing, except as information to an enemy."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah! that's an idea now. 'A chiel amang us takin' notes,' eh? A wolf +within the fold. I'll skin him if I catch him. Do you suspect any +one?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sangrado's got a shifty eye."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Which of 'em hasn't!" said the Chief grimly. "I don't trust any of +these Venezuelans beyond eyeshot. Well, he's had his trouble for +nothing. There's no camp left, and we'll take care to arrange things +differently now. Get a gang to move the safe, there's a good fellow: +hanged if it isn't about the only thing left standing."</p> +<p class="pnext">The safe was conveyed on trolleys to another part of the enclosure, and +the Chief's tent was reerected around it. During the next few days he +watched the native foremen narrowly, but saw nothing to lead him to +suspect any one of them to be the traitor. They appeared indeed to be +in good spirits over the news which had just come in through Antonio de +Mello, who visited the camp one day and reported that the Government +had made some progress in stamping out the revolt in Valencia. Free +from danger in that quarter, it might be expected that the Government +troops would soon be at liberty to deal with the outbreak in Guayana; +and if General Carabaño had not succeeded in capturing Bolivar before +there was a movement against him, his chance of ultimate success was +very small. De Mello confirmed Azito's information as to the General's +lack of money, which was the strongest weapon the Government possessed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Sangrado, the foreman whom Will had mentioned, declared that the rebuff +Captain Espejo had suffered would prove to be the ruin of the +revolution. It had not merely deprived the General of the sinews of +war on which he had no doubt confidently reckoned, but had so much +damaged his prestige that he would find great difficulty in obtaining +recruits.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A courier will come one day, señor," said the man, "with the thanks of +the Government. You will be a great man in Venezuela."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We won't hallo until we are out of the wood," replied the Chief. "You +don't want a revolution, then, Sangrado?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Certainly not, señor, nor any of us. We know which side our bread is +buttered."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Honesty is the best policy," remarked the Chief to the Englishmen of +his staff afterwards. "I think the men are all right as long as they +get their pay. But I'm not so sure they'd stick to us if a higher +bidder came along."</p> +<p class="pnext">The disorder in the camp was repaired: the work went steadily on: and +as the line advanced, and the distance between railhead and the camp +increased, Mr. Jackson began to think of shifting to another site, and +questioned whether it would be worth while to spend time in fortifying +it. He decided to remain in his present quarters until after next +pay-day. The money would arrive by train from Bolivar, together with a +large quantity of stores, the wages of the peons being paid partly in +kind.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the morning of the day when the train was expected, Machado handed +the Chief a telegraphic message to the effect that the agent of the +Company in Bolivar had sent six extra trucks with rails just landed +from a steamer that had arrived from Antwerp, the contract for rails +being in the hands of a Belgian firm.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They're a few weeks before they are due," said the Chief, "but that's +a fault on the right side. When will the train arrive?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"About two, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That means four, I suppose. No doubt we shall get a wire from the +junction as usual."</p> +<p class="pnext">Just after twelve o'clock Machado reported that the train had left the +junction, and might be expected in about three hours. The arrival of +the fortnightly train was always a matter of interest in the camp. It +had become the custom for the peons to strike work and crowd about +railhead on these occasions. Mr. Jackson and several of his staff were +always present to take formal receipt of the consignment of goods and +money, the latter being escorted from the lock-up van to the safe in +the Chief's tent.</p> +<p class="pnext">About four o'clock Mr. Jackson took up his position with the three +Englishmen beside the line. Several of the peons stood at hand, ready +to transfer the cash to a trolley. The rest of the labourers +congregated noisily close by. The appearance of the engine among the +trees far away was hailed with a loud shout. In a few minutes the +train, longer than usual, drew up; Mr. Jackson stepped forward to the +lock-up van, with his duplicate keys of the two huge padlocks on the +door. The six trucks behind, covered with canvas, would not be +unloaded until the money had been bestowed in the safe.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 60%" id="figure-28"> +<span id="a-scrimmage-at-railhead"></span><img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-068.jpg" /> +<div class="caption"> +A SCRIMMAGE AT RAILHEAD</div> +</div> +<!-- --> +<p class="pfirst">He had just thrown the door open, and ordered the peons to lift out the +bags of money, when there was a sudden outcry. Looking round, he was +amazed to see a swarm of armed men rushing upon him, the nearest no +more than two yards away. Before he or any other of the staff could +lift a hand to defend himself, he was hurled to the ground, O'Connor +and Ruggles lying beside him. Will, who happened to be a little nearer +to the engine, made an attempt to bolt, and succeeded in springing down +the embankment, only to find himself in the midst of a score of the +assailants. He dodged two or three of them, with the agility of an old +Rugby player, but was then tripped up and fell headlong, being +immediately pounced on and held. The first man he saw when he +collected himself was Machado the telegraphist, who had seized one of +his arms and looked at him with a smile of malicious triumph.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are the traitor, then," thought Will. "I might have known it, +after your sniffing round after my hydroplane."</p> +<p class="pnext">In a few minutes all the European members of the staff lay trussed up +on the slope of the embankment, Captain Espejo himself superintending +the operation. The money had been seized. The native foremen, +accepting their fate with the Spaniard's usual nonchalance, stood idly +by, puffing at their cigarros. Many of the peons had taken to their +heels and fled into the woods. But the majority had been too much +cowed even to run, especially when several shots were fired among the +fugitives as a warning. Captain Espejo summoned them to stand, +declaring that they were now in the service of his excellency General +Carabaño, the new President, and that any man who resisted would be +instantly shot. Then, seeing that the four Englishmen were securely +bound, he made his way to the Chief's tent among a group of his +officers, ordering his men, who numbered nearly a hundred, to find +quarters for themselves and take what they required from the stores in +the train.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vi-the-hole-in-the-wall"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id7">CHAPTER VI--THE HOLE IN THE WALL</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">It would not be becoming to record the exact words used by O'Connor as +he lay, within a few feet of Will, on the slope of the embankment. +They were very expressive, and very warm, so warm indeed that Mr. +Jackson just beyond him suggested that he should "draw it mild." +Ruggles, a little farther away, did not utter a word, and for some +moments Will simply listened sympathetically to O'Connor, who +undoubtedly expressed the feelings of them all.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was Machado, after all," said Will at length.</p> +<p class="pnext">This provoked another explosion from O'Connor, who said a great deal as +to what he would do to Machado when he got him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, the scoundrel!" said Mr. Jackson. "He and his telegraph have +done it. I'll take care another time to have an English telegraphist."</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado had in fact telegraphed in the Chief's name to Bolivar, asking +that six empty trucks should be coupled to the usual train. He had +further instructed that the train should stop at a place about twenty +miles from railhead to load up sleepers, which were cut from the forest +for use on the railway. When the train pulled up at the appointed spot +there was no load of sleepers, but a company of armed rebels, who +sprang into the empty trucks, and covered themselves with canvas, +Captain Espejo having ordered the driver, a Spaniard, to take them on +to railhead, threatening him with instant death if he attempted to give +warning.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I wonder what they will do with us," said Mr. Jackson.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I hope they'll take us away from this pretty soon," said Will. +"There's a fly on my nose, and I can't shake it off."</p> +<p class="pnext">"My throat is like an oven," growled O'Connor.</p> +<p class="pnext">"One glass of beer!" sighed Ruggles: "just one: there's no harm in one."</p> +<p class="pnext">Their plight was indeed desperately unpleasant. They were laid on the +sunny side of the embankment. The afternoon sun beat full upon them, +and before long they were subject to the pressing attentions of +innumerable insects, which, their arms being bound, they were unable to +drive away. They got some relief by turning over on their faces, but +as time went on the heat, the insects, and their thirst made them +thoroughly wretched. More than once O'Connor yelled for some one to +bring him a drink; but no attention was paid to him, and it seemed as +if Captain Espejo, for all his charming manners, was bent on slowly +grilling them to death.</p> +<p class="pnext">Just before sunset, however, a bugle sounded. Sitting up, the +prisoners witnessed the arrival of General Carabaño himself. He rode +in amid a group of twenty officers, who formed a sort of guard of +honour. Captain Espejo had paraded his men to welcome the General, +whom they received with a volley of sounding vivas. Behind rode a long +line of cavalry in all sorts of costumes, many of them having a led +horse, no doubt the steeds of Captain Espejo's party. Behind these +came a long procession of animals and men, the latter the most motley +collection of ruffians Will had ever seen. Some were mounted on mules, +some on donkeys; some had saddles, some rode bare-backed. There were +bridles of leather, of rope, of bejuco, a climbing plant that grows +plentifully in the forests. Some had no bridles at all, but clung to +the donkey's mane, guiding it by a slap on the right or left ear, or a +thump on the flank.</p> +<p class="pnext">When Will thought he had seen the last of them enter, he was amazed to +find that they were followed by a regiment of Caribbee infantry, who +had already earned from the Government troops the name of Carabaño's +bloodhounds. Their only clothing was a narrow strip about the waist +and the feathers in their hair. Each had a lance, and a bow and quiver +slung over the back.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A dashed fine-looking lot," said O'Connor, admiring these muscular +redskins. "You could make something of those fellows."</p> +<p class="pnext">"The General looks a Tartar," said Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's a good deal of the negro in his composition, I'll swear," +remarked Mr. Jackson. "That's a bad look-out for us; there's no more +insufferable brute than your negro in authority."</p> +<p class="pnext">General Carabaño in truth looked an unpleasant man to deal with. He +was very big and tall, with a large fat face, a wide nose and thick +lips, and woolly hair. He sat his horse in the middle of the compound +by the tree until his men had all marched in. Then, after a few words +with Captain Espejo, he rode towards the prisoners. Halting opposite +them, he told his orderlies to stand them on their feet, and then, +assuming a haughty demeanour, he demanded to know what they meant by +rebelling against his Government. None of them replied. Enraged at +their silence, he declared that he would shoot them. On this, however, +Captain Espejo deferentially suggested that the penalty might be at +least deferred.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They are Englishmen, Excellency," he said, "and if you treat them as +they undoubtedly deserve there will be trouble with their Government, +which may seriously embarrass the consolidation of your administration."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Caramba!" cried the General: "their Government is thousands of miles +away."</p> +<p class="pnext">"True, Excellency; but it is above all things essential that the lives +of foreigners should be spared if you wish your Government to be +recognized."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, we will think of it. Set a guard over them to-night, Señor +Capitan, and take care that none of them escapes. Where is that loyal +friend of the State, Señor Machado?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The prisoners' feet were unbound, and they were led away to one of the +tents, so that they did not hear the conversation between the General +and Machado. The upshot of this was that the telegraphist flashed a +message to Bolivar in Mr. Jackson's name, saying that the engine had +broken down, and asking for another train to be dispatched with +bridging materials and other things which he found himself in need of. +The General's aim was to get possession of as much rolling stock as +possible for the transport of his troops to Bolivar when the time +arrived. The city was a hundred and thirty miles distant by rail, +though less than half that distance across country, and the junction +was fifty miles from railhead, so that with care and the assistance of +Machado it would be easy to prevent news of what had happened from +reaching the Jefe. The camp was situated in a part of the country +remote from highways, and the mounted men whom the General had placed +at various points would prevent any messengers from getting through in +either direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">The prisoners were given a meal; then they were bound again and left in +the tent, a strong guard being posted outside. They spent a most +uncomfortable night. After Captain Espejo's remonstrance they did not +suppose the General would shoot them; but uncertainty as to their fate +and distress at the ruin of the Company's business worried them, and +they were sleepless during the greater part of the night, discussing +their situation in low tones.</p> +<p class="pnext">Next day they were not allowed to leave the tent. They saw nothing of +the General, who was in fact busy following up his operations of the +previous evening. He got Machado to telegraph to head-quarters for +more money. The reason given was that a wash-out--one of the sudden +floods to which the country is subject--had destroyed a large quantity +of stores, which must be replaced on the spot by purchases from the +neighbouring haciendados. He impressed into his service such of the +peons and foremen as he thought worthy of it, and drove the rest from +the camp, no doubt feeling confident that by the time any of them could +make their way over difficult country to Bolivar that town would have +fallen into his hands.</p> +<p class="pnext">The supplies and money requisitioned arrived late on the following day. +The General had now two locomotives and thirty wagons, including those +that were permanently at railhead for construction purposes. The +personnel of the two trains were kept under guard, to prevent them from +making off with the engines.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile the General, finding the rough camp at railhead little to his +taste, had shifted his quarters to Antonio de Mello's residence about +five miles below. The news of the coup had been conveyed to De Mello +instantly by some of the Indians who had fled from the camp, and he had +hurriedly quitted the place for another estate of his many miles to the +south, where his mother and sister were living. The hacienda was left +in charge of the servants. De Mello knew that he could make no +resistance to the appropriation of his house by the revolutionary +leader; the utmost he could do was to remove his horses. It was not +very patriotic conduct; but patriotism is not a common virtue in that +land of revolution.</p> +<p class="pnext">The General took up his quarters in the hacienda with some of his +staff, including Captain Espejo, their horses being placed in the new +stables. The sight of the old stables suggested to Espejo that the +prisoners might be conveyed thither, so that they should be constantly +under the General's eye. Accordingly they were marched in under escort +of cavalry, O'Connor fuming at the indignity, which gave the others a +little amusement. Will even cracked a joke when each was given a +loose-box, remarking that it was the first time he had been in a box, +the dress circle having been hitherto the height of his attainment.</p> +<p class="pnext">Unknown to the prisoners, a telegraph cabin had been hurriedly rigged +up for Machado at the railway line within a short distance of the +house. The General had found the man so useful that he deemed it +convenient to have him close at hand. It seemed advisable also that +his troops should be more closely in touch with him than they could be +in the old camp, so he ordered the tents to be struck, and all the +stores and other things that would be useful to be transferred to a new +camp about half-a-mile in the rear of the hacienda.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will's box was in the centre, and through the open door he could see +two sentries marching to and fro. Another sentry was posted at the +door of the hacienda. He could see also the comings and goings of the +General and his staff. They often walked up and down on the terrace in +front of the house. The door of the stables was usually open during +the day-time, but it was closed at night, and a sentry came on guard +within. General Carabaño had given orders that the prisoners were to +be prevented from communicating with one another. At first they +disregarded the command, but when Captain Espejo threatened to gag them +if they persisted they thought it best to remain silent, irksome though +the restriction was. One of the annoyances of their situation was the +impertinent curiosity of the officers and such of the men as came on +various errands to the hacienda. The former sometimes lolled at the +door, smoking their long cigarros, and jesting among themselves at the +four prisoners, who sat in enforced silence in the mangers. When the +officers were not present, their servants copied them, and drove +O'Connor almost frantic with their insulting remarks. The other three, +not so sensitive as the fiery Irishman, accepted their lot more +philosophically.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile General Carabaño's force was increasing. News of his exploit +had been carried through the neighbourhood, and since nothing succeeds +like success, it had had the effect of bringing to his flag many who +hoped to share in his expected triumph. There was at present plenty of +provisions in the camp, and with the serviceable Machado at his elbow, +the General could always telegraph for further supplies. Will hoped +that De Mello would have informed the authorities at Caracas of what +had occurred, and that a Government force would be dispatched to deal +with the General; but De Mello had gone in the opposite direction. +Moreover, the Government had its hands full in the north, and there was +no chance of present assistance from that quarter.</p> +<p class="pnext">On the second day of the imprisonment, Will, looking through the +doorway, caught sight of a black figure lurking among some bushes on +the farther side of the lake, not far from the house. It seemed very +much like his negro boy José, and to assure himself on the point, he +walked as far as the sentry would allow him towards the door. As he +came into the light the negro apparently recognized him and impulsively +started forward: then, fearing discovery, slipped back again into the +bushes.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I wonder what he is after," thought Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">At that moment he saw Machado leave the house, and walk slowly round +the margin of the lake as if going for an aimless stroll. All at once +he sprang forward, and before the negro could get away, Machado pounced +on him and hauled him to the house. They disappeared through the +doorway, and though Will kept a pretty careful watch on it for the rest +of the day, he did not see the boy come out again.</p> +<p class="pnext">That night it occurred to him that, though speaking was forbidden, he +might yet communicate with the Chief, whose box was next to his own. +They both knew the Morse code, though neither had any expert knowledge +of telegraphy, and Will experimented by tapping gently on the +partition, spelling out the words, "Are you awake?" For some time he +received no reply, and thought that the Chief must either be asleep or +did not understand that the taps had any meaning. By and by, however, +when the question was repeated for the fourth time, Will was delighted +to hear answering taps, which he made out to be, "All right: I twig: be +careful."</p> +<p class="pnext">The conversation that ensued was a very laborious one. The prisoners +were afraid of attracting the attention of the sentry, and sometimes +tapped so gently that neither could understand the other. At the best, +spelling a message by means of dots and dashes is a lengthy process. +But by and by the snores of Ruggles and the incessant croaking of the +bullfrogs that infested the canal and lake covered the slight sounds on +the partition, and the prisoners conversed more freely. What they said +to each other in this way is as follows--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Machado has caught my boy José and lugged him into house."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ware hydroplane."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I shall be sick if they find it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"They'll make the boy tell."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wish I could get away."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wishing won't do it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Door locked, sentry inside and out: no go."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wish I could, though."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Impossible."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nothing's impossible."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rubbish!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"If I can!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"You can't."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I might get to Bolivar."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No good if you could."</p> +<p class="pnext">"They'd send help."</p> +<p class="pnext">"They wouldn't. Country disturbed: would have sent escort with train +if could."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't we do anything?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No: go to sleep."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Can't sleep."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No such word as can't."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I can escape then."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rubbish."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rotten business."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Go to sleep."</p> +<p class="pnext">But Will remained awake for some hours, beating his brains for some +means of breaking prison. With a brick wall behind him, a sentry at +the door inside, another outside, he had to confess at length that the +idea seemed hopeless, and gave it up in despair.</p> +<p class="pnext">Next night again, after a fruitless conversation with the Chief, he lay +awake still pondering the problem. All at once he thought he heard a +slight scratching on the wall behind him. Before he could assure +himself that he was not mistaken the sound ceased. He waited +anxiously. Yes: without doubt some person or animal was scratching on +the bricks, and judging by the sound the wall must be very thin. He +tapped gently with his finger-nail on the brickwork. The scratching +ceased for a considerable time; then began again. Once more he tapped, +wondering whether a friend outside was trying to communicate with him: +once more the sound stopped; it seemed as though the scratcher had +given a hint that he should discontinue tapping. He lay listening. By +and by the scratching recommenced, and went on continuously. Will fell +asleep with the sound in his ears, and when he was waked by the sentry +opening the door, he almost believed he had heard it in a dream.</p> +<p class="pnext">The prisoners were taken out for an airing each day, being carefully +kept apart. Will looked around eagerly as he walked along by the side +of the sentry, to see if there was any clue to the proceedings of the +night. Passing along the side of the stables, he glanced at the back +wall, but there was nothing to indicate the presence of any one. +Tropical weeds grew in profusion behind the stables, nothing having +been done to clear the ground since they had been disused. All day he +kept his eye on the front of the house. There was the usual coming and +going of the inmates, but never a sign that any one of them was a +friend.</p> +<p class="pnext">Shortly after nightfall, the scratching began. It was so quietly done +that there was no danger of the sentry hearing it through the croaking +of the frogs. Will could no longer doubt that some one was trying to +get through the wall. He tapped on the partition.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you hear scratching?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No. Mosquitoes or ants?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Some one trying to make hole in wall."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rubbish."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Fact."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Must be a fool."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will did not attempt further to convince this doubting Thomas, but +listened hopefully to the continuous scratching. It went on for hours, +and by and by, as it seemed to be coming nearer, he thought of passing +his hand over the surface of the brickwork. It touched, just below +him, the point of a sharp instrument, and he discovered that the whole +of the mortar above two bricks had been scraped away. He wished that +he could have helped his unknown friend, but he had neither knife nor +any other implement. The knowledge that some one was trying to release +him kept him awake all that night, and he perspired with anxiety lest +when morning came the work should be discovered. But the sentry did +not approach the wall. The day seemed to drag terribly, even though he +slept a good part of it. Never in his life had he been so eager for +night to come.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before the next dawn there was a gap in the wall almost large enough +for him to crawl through. He bent down to it, and spoke in a whisper; +but the only answer was the thrusting back of the bricks into their +place. Hearing the Chief grunting in the next box, Will resolved to +acquaint him with the progress the unknown worker had made.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's hole in wall nearly big enough to squeeze through."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Honest Injun?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes. One more night's work will finish it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who's doing it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Don't know. Shall I ask him to make one for you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The Chief did not immediately reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Shall I?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've been thinking. No."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why not?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'd want four. Take a fortnight."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Couldn't we overpower sentry and all get away through this hole?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No: too risky. Fellow outside would hear scuffle. Certain to. Sure +you can get out?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"To-morrow or next day."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Make for hydroplane. Less risk for one. Go to Bolivar and get help +if you can. Most likely you can't."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Pity we can't tell others. They don't understand code."</p> +<p class="pnext">"They'll know soon enough. There'll be a fine hullabaloo when the +sentry misses you. Don't go without saying good-bye."</p> +<p class="pnext">In the middle of the next night Will found that the opening was large +enough to admit his body. He tapped on the partition. There was no +answer. He tapped again: still no answer. The Chief was asleep. +Fearing to let his chance slip, Will determined to go at once. Slowly +and cautiously he wriggled through to the outside. A dark form was +crouching among the weeds close to the opening. It gave a low grunt as +Will appeared. Azito rose from his kneeling posture and began to move +away, creeping like a shadow along the wall. Will stole after him.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-vii-carabano-s-plans"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id8">CHAPTER VII--CARABAÑO'S PLANS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Azito after a few steps turned aside from the stables, from the other +side of which came the heavy tramp of the sentry's feet, and struck +into the undergrowth towards a small plantation about three hundred +yards from the house. They bent low to avoid observation, but the +night was so dark that they must have been invisible at the distance of +ten feet. Not till they were safe among the trees did either speak a +word; then Will asked the Indian to stop. They looked back towards the +house. Several of the rooms were lit up, and broad beams of light +threw a ghostly radiance on the gardens around.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thank you, Azito," said Will in low tones.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I did it, señor, not José," replied the man.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah! what do you know of José?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We wanted, both of us, señor, to make a hole in the wall, but we did +not know where the señor was in the stables. José tried to find out, +but Señor Machado caught him."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And where were you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I was in the wood on the other side of the lake. I saw all that +happened, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where is José now?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I do not know, señor. I did not see him come out of the house."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will wished that his rescuer had been José rather than the Indian, for +the negro boy had been his servant for many months, and had often +helped him with the hydroplane. To find the hydroplane and set off in +it to Bolivar was the immediate duty of the moment. It would be no +easy matter to find his way to it in the dark, and he felt the lack of +José's guidance; but since it seemed impossible to have José, he +determined to do his best with Azito.</p> +<p class="pnext">They had not gone far, however, when Azito remarked that when hiding in +the wood he had heard José cry out, as if he were being whipped.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why didn't you tell me before?" demanded Will, stopping short.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was so little to tell, señor," replied the man.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was indeed a trifling matter to Azito. The Indians were accustomed +to being struck, sometimes in punishment for faults, sometimes in +wanton mischief and delight in witnessing pain. But it was no trifling +matter to Will, and remembering the Chief's suggestion that Machado had +captured José in order to discover from him the whereabouts of the +hydroplane, Will resolved to retrace his steps, go to the house, and at +least try to find out what was happening to the boy. When he told +Azito this, the Indian said the señor was not wise.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It must be done," replied Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I will go, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, no; stay where you are. You have done enough. Lend me your +knife, and wait for me here."</p> +<p class="pnext">He took the Indian's long knife, and having no belt, had to carry it in +his hand.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Which room did José's cries come from?" he asked.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A room in the front, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">This was awkward. In order to get to the front of the house he must +either go past the stables or make a long circuit through the gardens. +Since there were lights in the side of the house visible to him, it was +very probable that the rooms in the front were also lit up. This would +make it difficult to approach unseen, and he thought for a moment of +waiting until the lights were put out for the night; but he saw on +reflection that his chance of discovering the negro in the dark would +be very small. He decided therefore to make for the back of the house, +and to let his future proceedings be guided by circumstances.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he left the shelter of the plantation he saw to his right the lights +of the camp, from which came a continuous hum. It was long past the +time for "lights-out" with any well-disciplined force; but discipline +was lax in the army of General Carabaño, liberator of Venezuela. Will +moved along rapidly, keeping at a distance from the house until he had +assured himself as to the extent to which the back was illuminated. +There was a dim light in one room: the rest were in darkness. Then he +struck directly towards the house, avoiding, as he drew nearer, the +triangle of ground illuminated by the light in the room, and so came to +the veranda.</p> +<p class="pnext">The general construction of the house was familiar to him through +having been several times the guest of De Mello. The rooms opened on +to the patio within, and several had doors of communication between +them. The only door to the outside besides that of the main entrance +led from the servants' quarters on the right-hand side looking towards +the lake. De Mello's own sanctum was the centre room on the left-hand +side opposite the stables. To reach it from the back of the house one +had either to go along the patio until one came to the door, or to +enter from the bedroom adjoining. It struck Will as probable that +General Carabaño would have appropriated the private den of the owner, +as it was certainly the most comfortable room in the house, and +convenient in having the bedroom next to it. The important matter at +the moment, however, was not General Carabaño's quarters, but José's.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will stood in the darkness under the veranda, considering what he had +better do. He peeped into the lighted room: it was a small +bed-chamber. A candle-lamp was burning on a bracket. The next room +was in darkness, but the French window was open, and from the patio +beyond came the muffled hum of voices. Evidently some of the officers +were taking their ease there. Listening to make sure that no one was +approaching, Will stepped into the room, stole to the door, and gently +opened it an inch, so that he could see into the patio. It was cloudy +with tobacco smoke. Half-a-dozen officers sprawled in comfortable +chairs, within easy reach of small tables on which stood bottles and +glasses. But Will could not see General Carabaño or Captain Espejo.</p> +<p class="pnext">He felt himself at a check. Certainly he could not venture into the +patio; the room in which he stood did not communicate with those on +either side of it. He went out again: it occurred to him to try De +Mello's dressing-room, which was on the left-side of the house, next to +the bedroom. From the plantation he had seen that the bedroom itself +was lit up, but he did not remember whether there had been a light in +the dressing-room also. Stealthily creeping round the wall, he came to +the window of the dressing-room, and found that it was itself in +darkness, though a light came through from the bedroom, the door being +slightly ajar. He tried the catch of the French window: it was not +fastened, so that he could enter the room. His heart almost failed him +at the thought of the risk of being discovered, but having come so far +he was not disposed to return without making an attempt to discover +what had happened to José. He noiselessly opened the window and +stepped in.</p> +<p class="pnext">Now he heard muffled voices. He peeped into the bedroom: it was empty. +A lamp stood on a table. The door opening into De Mello's sanctum was +partly open, and it was from this room that the voices proceeded. +There being no sound of movement, he stole across the room on tiptoe +and peeped into the room beyond. A screen stood just within, +completely hiding the occupants. He now distinguished General +Carabaño's fruity voice, and it suddenly flashed upon him that he might +discover something even more important than José's whereabouts. +Slipping back into the bedroom, he glanced quickly round to learn the +position of the articles of furniture in case he had to escape +suddenly; then he turned out the light and crept back to the door. The +General was still speaking.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The only doubtful point, Espejo, is whether we can time our attack +from the railway so that it is simultaneous with Colonel Orellana's +from the south-east. The Jefe at Bolivar has no doubt received the +message recalling the reinforcements that have just reached him--that +is to say, if your friend at the central telegraph office is as clever +as you were, Señor Machado. He has something to work for, and be sure +neither you nor he shall be forgotten when Caracas is in our hands."</p> +<p class="pnext">"If any one can pull off your little plan, Excellency," said Machado's +smooth voice, "it is my friend Pereira."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good. Now this is the only doubtful spot." Will heard the crackle of +paper: the General had apparently unfolded a map. "Colonel Orellana +should be through the swamps south of Bolivar by mid-day to-morrow. If +our good fortune holds he may get close to the city unobserved. At any +rate, as he will be marching for the greater part of the night, his +movement will scarcely be discovered before the Government troops leave +on their return journey in the early morning. At that time Colonel +Orellana should be about twenty-five kilometres from the city. His +attack from the south-east will be commenced at noon, a good time to +catch them napping. If we start before eight we can run through in +four hours provided the line is clear, and I think we can trust the +signalman at the junction: he has too much at stake to fail me. The +only doubtful point, as I say, is here--Santa Marta. All depends on +our surprising the man there. How much of the line is visible from the +station at Santa Marta, Señor Machado?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"About three kilometres, Excellency."</p> +<p class="pnext">"A pity. If anything arouses the suspicion of the man there he can +send a message to Bolivar in a few seconds and wreck the whole scheme. +How is it he also is not a friend of yours?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"His mother's cousin holds a good position in the administration, +Excellency."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That place shall be yours when I form my administration."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is it certain, Excellency," asked Espejo, "that the bridge beyond +Santa Marta is mined?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I can trust my information on that point, and I am pretty sure that +our coup here has not leaked through, thanks to Señor Machado's friend +at the junction and our other precautions. There is one risk: that +Señor de Mello has given information. It was a bad mistake of yours +not to secure him, Espejo, and I am annoyed with you. But it cannot be +helped. The only thing wanted to complete the perfection of our +arrangements is to surprise the station at Santa Marta. How is it, +Señor Machado, that you cannot find the hydroplane about which we have +heard so much? If we had it, it would be quite easy to approach Santa +Marta from the river; they would think it was the mad Englishman on one +of his jaunts. If we could only capture the signalman there, and you +took his place, we could quite rely on your ability to keep the people +at Bolivar from becoming suspicious. I compliment you, señor, on your +extreme ingenuity in conducting the communications with Bolivar during +the past few days. It required a man of genius to prevent the railway +people from smelling a rat."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You do me too much honour, Excellency," said Machado, his +gratification manifest in his tone of voice. "But I fear I can't keep +it up for another day. I have to make so many excuses and +explanations; and from the last two or three messages that have come +through from Bolivar I can't help feeling that the people there are +becoming uneasy."</p> +<p class="pnext">"The more reason for striking at once. Why can't you find the +hydroplane?" asked the General with some impatience.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have done my best, Excellency. I believe the negro knows where it +is, but he is a perfect mule, and neither starvation nor whipping has +any effect upon his stubbornness."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Caramba! are there not other means of taming mules? Fetch the boy. +We'll see."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will heard Machado rise from his chair and open the door leading to the +patio. José was staunch, then. Will set his teeth at the thought of +the ill-usage the boy had had to endure. His clutch tightened on +Azito's knife, and he scarcely heeded what passed between Carabaño and +his lieutenant during the few seconds of Machado's absence.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here he is, Excellency."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah! this is the mule. Now, mule, answer my question: where is your +master's boat?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Will waited tensely: not a word came from the boy's lips. There was +the sound of a blow.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Answer me," shouted the General, "or I will have you flogged. Where +is the boat?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I cannot tell, señor," said the boy.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Dog, do you call his Excellency 'señor'!" cried Espejo; and again +there came the sound of a blow. "Where is the boat?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have a thought? Excellency," said Machado suddenly, as the boy was +silent. "I will try the electric battery: that will make him speak."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Caramba! you had better make him speak somehow, or I'll flay him +alive. Are my plans to be ruined by a dog of a negro? Take him away, +and shock it out of him."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will quivered as he heard the boy cry out: one of the three had struck +him again. But Machado was dragging José from the room: where was he +taking him? Will did not know of the temporary cabin erected for the +telegraphist at the railway line a few hundred yards away: surely, he +thought, Machado did not intend to convey the boy at this time of night +to the old camp five miles distant. Yet he had seen no wire connecting +the line with the house. It flashed upon him that if Machado left the +house, and was not accompanied by any of the officers, an opportunity +of rescue might offer. Quick as thought he slipped across the bedroom +into the dressing-room and out on to the veranda. Running round to the +back of the house, he stood in a dark corner to watch. Presently he +saw Machado issue forth with José from the door in the servants' +quarter. The boy's hands were tied.</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado dragged him across the garden towards the railway line. +Waiting a few moments to make sure that no one was accompanying them, +Will followed quietly, losing them from sight as they passed through a +shrubbery. He could not risk discovery by Machado yet, for a cry would +bring a crowd in pursuit. Quickening his steps, he saw the two +proceeding towards a cabin just below the railway embankment. A light +shone through a small square opening in the wall. Machado lifted the +rough latch, pushed his victim into the cabin, entered after him, and +shut the door. Will hurried to the unglazed window, and just as he +reached it heard Machado say--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Has there been a signal?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, señor," was the reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">Peeping in cautiously, Will saw one of General Carabaño's men, left +there, no doubt, to summon Machado if there should come a call on the +wires.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hold this brute," said Machado.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What are you going to do, señor?" asked the man.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Make a pig squeal. Now, you mule, one more chance before I prick you +with a thousand pins. Where is that boat?"</p> +<p class="pnext">José was evidently terrified at the unknown torture before him. He +looked wildly around for a chance of escape, and struggled in the hands +of his captor, who, however, held him fast. Meanwhile Machado had +disconnected a couple of wires, and reached up to a shelf to take down +a bottle of acid for re-charging the battery. Clearly he was for no +half measures now.</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 60%" id="figure-29"> +<span id="assault-and-battery"></span><img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-098.jpg" /> +<div class="caption"> +ASSAULT AND BATTERY</div> +</div> +<!-- --> +<p class="pfirst">"What's that?" asked the man.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stuff to strengthen the battery," replied Machado. "I'm going to put +a wire on each side of him, and add cells--there are plenty of +them--until he owns up."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Will it kill him?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I shouldn't wonder."</p> +<p class="pnext">He laughed as he poured acid into the cell. Meanwhile Will had been +worked up to a white heat of indignation. Without stopping to measure +the risk, he slipped the knife into his pocket, sprang noiselessly to +the door, threw it open, and in two strides came within arm's length of +Machado just as he was replacing the bottle. A blow with the right, +and one with the left almost at the same instant, hurled the +telegraphist to the ground. The man holding José was for the moment +paralyzed with astonishment. Before he could recover himself, a heavy +blow somewhere about his middle sent him to join Machado. Then Will, +catching José by the arm, dragged him through the door and to the rear +of the cabin, where with one stroke of Azito's knife he severed the +cords binding the boy's wrists.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had scarcely done so when he heard one of the men run shouting from +the cabin. But, as Will had expected, the man made straight towards +the house. Hurrying along the foot of the embankment for a few yards, +Will struck to the right towards the plantation where he had left +Azito, both he and José bending low to get what cover was possible from +the long grass and occasional bushes. Before they reached the +plantation they heard shouts from the house, which were soon answered +from the camp some distance to their left. They ran as swiftly as +possible, and Will gave a low whistle as he approached the trees. It +was answered by Azito. They waited but a few moments, to see whether +any of the figures which could be descried moving near the house were +coming in their direction. Then all three plunged into the depths of +the plantation, José leading in as straight a course as he could +towards the recess where the hydroplane was hidden.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-viii-a-race-against-time"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id9">CHAPTER VIII--A RACE AGAINST TIME</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Dark though it was, José led the way with complete confidence. But +Will noticed that in a few minutes he left the heart of the wood and +returned to the edge, where it bordered the plain. General Carabaño's +camp was now behind them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We might tread on a snake or stumble on a tiger, señor," said the boy. +"It is not safe to go through the wood at night."</p> +<p class="pnext">These were perils which had scarcely occurred to Will, but he +recognized that the negro was right. Progress along the edge of the +wood, however, was hardly easier than it had been in the wood itself, +for long grass, bushes, and briars obstructed them at every few steps. +After covering rather more than a mile, as Will guessed, it struck him +that they would get along faster if they mounted the railway embankment +and walked along the straight track. It was unlikely that pursuit +would be carried far that night, since the direction of their flight +could not be traced in the darkness. But there would be danger if the +old camp was still occupied, or if any guards had been posted along the +railway. He asked his companions whether they had any information on +these points. Both assured him that the camp was deserted, and that no +sentinels were posted on the railway, at any rate between their present +position and the junction. Will remembered that the signalman at the +junction was in the pay of General Carabaño, so that the omission of +what would otherwise have been an essential precaution was explicable.</p> +<p class="pnext">The coast being clear, the travellers struck to the left, and came in +ten minutes to the embankment.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Creep up and look along the line," said Will to Azito. "You can see +better in the dark than I."</p> +<p class="pnext">The man returned after a few minutes and said that he saw the lights of +the new camp twinkling among the trees, but nothing else was in sight +in either direction. The rim of the moon which was just showing above +the horizon would assist their march, but at the same time reveal their +moving forms to any one who might be in the neighbourhood.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where are all the peons from the old camp?" asked Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All run away, señor," replied Azito.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We ran away too, señor," added José, "but came back to find our +master."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Have you had anything to eat lately, either of you?" asked Will, a +thought striking him.</p> +<p class="pnext">José had eaten nothing all the previous day; Azito nothing but some +fruit he had picked in the garden of the house after nightfall.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We must get some food to-morrow, or we shall be fit for nothing," said +Will, "though I don't know where it is to come from."</p> +<p class="pnext">They were now walking along the railway track, stepping from sleeper to +sleeper. Every now and then they stopped to look behind, but though +they could see farther as the moon rose, nothing was visible along the +line. As they marched along in silence, Will thought over the +conversation he had heard in the house. An attack was to be made on +Bolivar at noon next day, from two quarters simultaneously. Machado's +confederate in the telegraph office had invented a telegram from +Caracas demanding the instant dispatch of reinforcements, so that the +garrison at Bolivar would be much reduced, and the Jefe would be at a +disadvantage. If Will could only get the hydroplane and bring it +safely past the enemy, he would have time at least to warn the Jefe. +The distance by water was about a hundred and sixty miles, thirty miles +more than by rail; but General Carabaño did not intend to start before +eight o'clock, by which time, all being well, the hydroplane would be a +considerable distance on the way to Bolivar. As soon as he got to +Santa Marta, a little station twenty miles beyond the junction, he +could telegraph a warning to the Jefe, the signalman being loyal. +Everything depended on his reaching Santa Marta undetected.</p> +<p class="pnext">They came at length to the site of the old camp. It was a picture of +desolation. The tents had been removed to the new camp near the +hacienda. A great quantity of débris was littered all over the +enclosure. Tools, barrows, fragments of boxes that had been broken +open; the Chief's safe, which, having been rifled, had been left +standing as too cumbersome for removal: these relics of the raid filled +Will with indignation. He had returned the knife to Azito, and being +unarmed, he picked up a crowbar to serve as a weapon in case of +emergency, and told José to do the same. Then, descending the +embankment, all three hurried towards the river.</p> +<p class="pnext">Just before they reached it, Will suddenly remembered that the supply +of petrol on board was running short when he made his last trip. This +was a very serious matter. There was no chance of his carrying out his +plan without an adequate quantity of petrol. There had been plenty in +a godown in the camp, it having been used for driving a small electric +engine as well as the hydroplane. Had the cans been carried off with +the other stores to the new camp? If so, the game was up. But Will +hoped that the rebels had not thought them worth removing. The petrol +would be of no use to an army in the field; they were not near a town +where it might be turned into money: the chief danger was that Machado, +who had clearly thought of making use of the hydroplane, would not have +neglected to furnish himself with the necessary fuel. Will wished that +he had thought of reassuring himself on this all-important point before +leaving the camp; but being now so near the recess in which the +hydroplane was laid up, he decided to make sure first that the vessel +was still where he had left it.</p> +<p class="pnext">Having come now into the wood, the natives were again afraid of +encountering danger in the shape of reptiles or wild beasts. +Fortunately Will had some matches in his pocket. He got Azito and José +to collect some dry grass and twist it up into a couple of rough +torches, and setting light to one of these they hurried to the bank +above the recess. The wood was so thick and the enemy's camp so far +away that there was no danger of the light being seen. Kindling the +second torch, Will dropped the first into the water. The glare caused +a great commotion among the inhabitants; he saw frogs hopping about in +all directions, and eels darting away towards the river. At the +further end of the recess, just beyond the stern of the hydroplane, a +cayman slipped off the bank into the water and swam away. A cursory +inspection of the vessel assured Will that it had not been tampered +with. Relieved on this score, he determined to return at once to the +old camp and make a search for the petrol.</p> +<p class="pnext">They lighted their way back through the wood, but extinguished the +torch before emerging into the open. Then, aided by the rays of the +rising moon, they groped towards the godown, a temporary wooden hut, in +which the petrol with other stores had been kept. Just in front of the +door was a petrol can, which Will proved by shaking it to be half +empty. Apparently the rebels had been examining the contents and left +it as worthless to them. Within the hut stood two cans which had not +been touched. All cause for anxiety was removed.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will ordered the two men to carry the cans down to the hydroplane. On +the Orinoco petrol was a commodity hard to come by, and though he would +rather not have loaded his light craft with more than was immediately +needed, he thought it advisable to take all that he had while there was +opportunity. The cans were so heavy that only one could be carried at +a time. When they came to the wood Will preceded the two men with a +torch, at a safe distance. On his second return to the camp he sought +everywhere in the hope of finding food; but all the useful stores had +been removed, and he had to resign himself to the prospect of fasting +until he reached Santa Marta.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was three o'clock in the morning before Will had overhauled and +oiled the machinery and got the hydroplane ready for starting. He had +five hours before the train conveying General Carabaño and his troops +would leave, and since the hydroplane at full speed would travel faster +than the train, he would have had no anxiety about reaching Santa Marta +first if he could have gone at full speed all the way. But the +distance to the junction was not only twenty miles farther by water +than by rail: for the first seven or eight miles he would have to go +very slowly, because it would be impossible to make pace in the +darkness on the narrow, shallow stream that ran past the hacienda. +There would be the danger of striking snags, and the further danger of +the throbbing of the engine being heard in the camp. The second danger +was so serious that Will decided to trust to the current alone until he +was safely past the rebel army. As soon as he should come into the +broader stream, which ran into the Orinoco near the railway junction, +he might make full use of his motor; but the rate of the current was +probably not more than three miles an hour, so that it might be full +daylight before he emerged into the tributary. He would then be only +about an hour and a half in advance of the train, a rather narrow +margin when the windings of the stream were considered.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last all was ready. Will had given careful instructions to his +companions as to what they were to do. José would remain with him in +the stern of the vessel; Azito was to stand as far forward as possible, +holding a pole in readiness to fend off obstructions. While they were +going slowly he could take up his position at the extreme forepart of +the screen, but when it was necessary to make the vessel "plane"--that +is, rise out of the water and skim along the surface, which was its +special function--he would have to draw back, so that his weight should +not interfere with the planing. José was to be ready to oil the engine +whenever his master gave the word.</p> +<p class="pnext">They went on board. Will poled the vessel out of the recess into the +little stream, turned her head towards the hacienda, and let her float +on the current. For hundreds of yards at a time she moved in inky +darkness. The trees on both banks, growing far over the narrow +channel, sometimes indeed meeting and forming a tunnel so low that +Azito had to stoop, shut out all light of moon and stars. Now and then +they came into a bright patch where a gap in the foliage let the +moonlight through. At such points Will more than once saw the snout of +a cayman; but there was no fear of molestation from any of the wild +denizens of the stream: the passage of so strange a monster would imbue +them with a wholesome terror.</p> +<p class="pnext">As they floated slowly down, Will became possessed with a new anxiety. +Would Machado suspect that he had got out the hydroplane and be on the +watch for him where the canal entered the stream? If that should prove +to be the case he might have to run the gauntlet of hundreds of rifles, +with the smallest chance of getting through alive. Two considerations +gave him hope that he might be spared this ordeal. In the first place, +Machado could not know that he had overheard the conversation with +General Carabaño, and might suppose that his first move would be an +attempt to release his friends. In the second place the Venezuelans +are not early risers, and Machado would hardly expect to see the +hydroplane before daylight. Of course, with a momentous expedition +afoot, the Spanish sluggishness might be temporarily overcome: Will +could only hope for the best. If he should be discovered, he +determined to set the vessel going at full speed and take his chance.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were already signs of dawn when the hydroplane came silently to +the opening of the canal. The frogs had ceased to croak; but birds +were piping in the trees. From the house, too, and the adjacent camp, +came sounds of bustle. Preparations were evidently being made for the +raid on Bolivar. Will looked round anxiously, half expecting to see, +through the haze, hundreds of rifles pointed at him from the bank. But +he passed the canal in safety; no one challenged him; and he felt a +wonderful relief and hopefulness in the knowledge that the first of the +expected dangers had turned out to be a chimera.</p> +<p class="pnext">Day broke when the vessel had reached a spot about a mile below the +hacienda. It was possible now to increase the speed by punting, and +Will ordered Azito to employ his pole in this way. After another mile +he ventured to set the motor going, at first at low speed, since he was +still anxious that the sound of the engine should not be carried to the +camp. If the train had started now, it would have reached a point +where fifty men with rifles, posted on the bank of the stream, could +have made the passage impossible. Will looked at his watch; he had +still nearly an hour to spare, unless General Carabaño had altered his +plans.</p> +<p class="pnext">In a few minutes he came into the stream which ran into the Orinoco +nearly fifty miles beyond. Now with a sense of gladness and +exhilaration he set the motor at full speed, at the same time ordering +Azito to withdraw a few feet towards the stern. In a few seconds the +forepart of the vessel lifted; it skimmed along the surface of the +stream; and the banks began to whizz past at twenty, thirty, and +presently forty miles an hour. At first Azito was somewhat scared at +the pace, but after a few minutes he became possessed by the excitement +of it, and behaved as if he had been born on a hydroplane. The task +Will set him was to keep a good look-out ahead, and give warning by a +gesture of either hand of any obstruction in the river, so that Will, +who from his position in the stern could not see so well, might steer +the vessel, and keep it going at a greater speed than would otherwise +have been possible. Will felt that he was running very considerable +risks, but speed was of the highest importance. If the train got ahead +of him all would be lost: so he cheerfully took chances which he might +have shrunk from at another time.</p> +<p class="pnext">To steer the vessel demanded the utmost watchfulness from both Will and +Azito. The river, though broad in parts, was narrow and tortuous at +others, and was here and there intersected by rocks and islands, and +snags in the shape of waterlogged trees. It was these latter that gave +Will the most anxiety. But Azito, who like most Indians was expert in +canoeing, and had keen eyesight and a perfect acquaintance with rivers, +kept a sharp look-out and proved to have great judgment in detecting +snags. With a movement of the right hand or the left he indicated to +which side the hydroplane should be steered, and soon Will trusted his +guidance implicitly, putting the helm to port or starboard in response +to the slightest gesture. Once or twice also, when the rocks were +numerous, Azito cried that it would be dangerous to go so fast, and +Will immediately slowed down, loth though he was to lose a minute. The +engine worked magnificently. The greatest danger to be feared was +overheating; but thanks to the ventilators and José's constant +attention in oiling, Will found that even after a good spell at full +speed there was no sign of a breakdown.</p> +<p class="pnext">For a long distance they were not in sight of the railway line, which +followed a more direct course than the river, and, even when it +approached it, was concealed by the thick vegetation on the banks. But +they came at length to a more open stretch of country where the line +ran for miles at an average distance of less than a quarter-mile from +the stream. Here Will, slowing down a little, looked anxiously down +the track. There was no sign of the train, which, if it started at the +time arranged, was certainly due to pass within half-an-hour or less. +Again the river wound away from the line, making a bend which involved +probably an extra mile. When they again came in view of the track, +Will could see along it for two or three miles; still there was no sign +of the train.</p> +<p class="pnext">For the next ten miles railway and river ran almost parallel; then the +river passed under the bridge carrying the main railway line and joined +the Orinoco. Here the branch line saved two or three miles. When the +hydroplane came into the broad stream of the Orinoco Will kept as close +as possible to the right bank. He was now able to steer a straighter +course than on the tributary, and had no need to slacken speed on +account of bends. Although he believed that he must be still +considerably in advance of the train he kept up full speed for almost +an hour more, and then arrived at a point where he could see the little +station of Santa Marta nearly a mile away to his right. A narrow +canal, just wide enough for the hydroplane, connected the station with +the river. It was used for carrying goods to the railway, and had been +found very serviceable by Mr. Jackson in his work on the branch line, +some of his material having been brought up the river and landed there, +thus saving the heavy port dues that would have been demanded in +Bolivar itself.</p> +<p class="pnext">Swinging round into the canal, Will saw that there was no barge either +coming or going on it. If there had been, it would have been +impossible to run the hydroplane to the station. In a few minutes he +brought the vessel to the side of the little wharf below the railway +line, and leaving it in charge of the two natives, hurried on by +himself.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-ix-the-attack-on-ciudad-bolivar"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id10">CHAPTER IX--THE ATTACK ON CIUDAD BOLIVAR</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The station of Santa Marta was so small that its only permanent staff +was the station-master and a boy, the former being also signalman. +Will had seen him several times, and had once before visited the place +in his hydroplane, so that the man was not at all surprised when he +entered his room.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good-morning, señor," said Will, knowing that, however urgent his +mission was, the Spaniard would not pardon a neglect of the customary +civilities.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good-morning, señor," returned the man. "I have easy work to-day. +All traffic is suspended. It would give me great pleasure to be +permitted to enjoy a ride in your wonderful vessel."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am afraid your information is imperfect, señor. General Carabaño +has seized railhead, and is coming before long with a train full of +soldiers to make an attack on Bolivar. I have come to warn the Jefe. +Will you send a wire at once giving him information?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"This is surprising, señor. I had word from Bolivar that all traffic +was suspended, but no explanation. When will General Carabaño arrive?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Really, señor, there is no time for particulars. He is coming now; he +is on the way; he may be here at any minute; and he intends to seize +the station and flay you alive if you don't join him."</p> +<p class="pnext">This had the intended effect of overcoming the Spaniard's habitual +sluggishness. He quickly flashed a message to Bolivar, giving Will's +name (ludicrously misspelt) as his informant. In a few minutes he +received an answer, saying that the message was received, and bidding +him secure what cash and valuables he had and leave the station. +Meanwhile his wife, to whom he had explained the situation, got a few +things together, dressed her child, and hurried down to the hydroplane, +Will having offered to give them all a passage to the city. It +occurred to him that the General would be delayed if the train could be +switched into a siding adjoining the station. While the Spaniard was +engaged at the telegraph instrument, Will ran on to the line, rushed to +the hand-switch, pulled it over, and locked it. Just as he was +mounting the platform again, he saw the smoke of the engine about two +miles down the line.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There is no time to be lost, señor," he said, running into the +station-master's room. "The train will be here in four minutes or +less. There'll be a smash if it runs into the siding at speed, but the +engine-driver may see that the lever points the wrong way, and that +will give us time to get to the river."</p> +<p class="pnext">The two hurried out, and boarded the hydroplane, which José and the +Indian had turned round within the narrow limits of the canal so that +its head pointed towards the Orinoco. Will felt that his little vessel +was much overloaded, especially as the forepart could not be used, or +planing would be impossible. He set off down the canal, and was +half-way to the river before the train arrived. The engine-driver had +slackened speed; evidently the General intended to stop and seize the +station, and probably also to question the station-master. A shout +from the train warned Will that he had been seen, and he smiled to +think of Machado's rage and mortification. "He will wish he hadn't +said so much to Carabaño," he thought.</p> +<p class="pnext">The changing of the points escaped the engine-driver's notice until he +was nearly on the siding. He jammed on the brakes, but was unable to +avoid being switched off the main track; then he had to back out and +alter the points. This took three or four minutes, so that by the time +the train had started again the hydroplane had turned into the Orinoco +and was almost level with it. Will felt all the excitement and +enjoyment of a race, though he was not now specially concerned to get +far ahead of the train: the warning had been given. The train followed +the more direct course, and the smoke of the engine was only +occasionally visible among the trees. Will, overladen as the little +craft was, managed to keep abreast of the train, and so they ran on, +neck and neck, until they were within seven or eight miles of Bolivar. +Then Will heard a muffled explosion. He guessed what it meant, and +found a mile farther on that he was right. One of the arches of a long +culvert had been blown up. There was a six or seven-mile march before +General Carabaño.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will pushed on. As he drew nearer to the city he heard the sound of +firing. Apparently Colonel Orellana had already developed his attack +on the south-east. "He wants to get in first, and turn liberator of +the Republic instead of Carabaño," thought Will. In a few minutes he +ran the hydroplane alongside of the landing-stage, unchallenged: +clearly no attack had been expected on this quarter. He left the +vessel in charge of the two natives and hastened along the Calle de +Coco with the station-master to seek the Jefe. He had already been +introduced to that worthy official; indeed, he had thoroughly enjoyed +himself at a ball given by the Jefe during a short stay in the city +with Mr. Jackson.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was a great commotion in the streets. Officers and orderlies +were galloping in all directions, troops hastening from one part of the +city to another, many of the men being civilians armed for the nonce. +Shopkeepers were barricading their windows; peons were throwing +barricades across the principal streets; here and there were the +inevitable loafers, lolling against the walls and smoking as if all was +peaceful and serene. Will hurried along, towards the Alameda, and came +to the Town Hall, the portico of which was thronged. He pushed his way +in, with the station-master, and sent up his name. He waited for some +time; nobody came to fetch him; and in fact, the Jefe was so busily +engaged in arranging for the defence of the city that he had scarcely +heeded the functionary who informed him of Will's presence. It was +doubtful whether his name was properly pronounced. Will was, however, +determined to see him. He felt a certain compunction in leaving his +friends captive at the hacienda while he occupied himself with the +affairs of a State to which he owed nothing. He reflected that if he +had lain low until the rebels had started, he might have found an +opportunity of releasing them--unless perchance General Carabaño had +brought them with him. Certainly he owed it to them to make an +immediate application to the Jefe on their behalf.</p> +<p class="pnext">At last he grew impatient, and asked a passing official whether he +could not go up to the Jefe.</p> +<p class="pnext">"His Excellency is too much engaged to give audience, señor," was the +reply, and the man passed on without waiting for more.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly remembrance came to Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Isn't your aunt's uncle engaged in the administration?" he asked the +station-master.</p> +<p class="pnext">"My mother's cousin, señor. I was not aware that you knew it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then please will you send a message to your mother's cousin and see +whether he cannot bring us to the Jefe," said Will, stifling a +temptation to shake the man.</p> +<p class="pnext">"But he is a high official, señor; he may be displeased."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good heavens! Don't you see it's the chance of your life! You are +the man who sent the warning telegram from Santa Marta. Get your +mother's cousin to take you to the Jefe: he may make you superintendent +of the line."</p> +<p class="pnext">This vision of glory was sufficiently dazzling to overcome the +station-master's reluctance to trouble his relative. Mentioning the +official's name, he was led along a corridor and ushered into his +presence. A few words explained his errand; then the assistant +secretary said he would certainly introduce him to the Jefe as the man +whose timely warning had been so valuable. Will accompanied them to +the room in which the Jefe sat, among a throng of officers. The +assistant secretary presented his relative, magnifying his promptitude +and zeal for the State. The Jefe embraced him: then, recognizing Will, +gave him a finger.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The Republic thanks you, señor," he said to the station-master; "the +President will reward you. Your warning gave us time to blow up the +culvert, and if I can hold the rebel Colonel Orellana at bay, I may be +able to vanquish General Carabaño himself. By a malign stroke of fate, +scarcely an hour before I received your message, three hundred of my +best troops left by steamer for Caracas, sadly reducing my garrison."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Did you not receive a telegram from Caracas ordering the dispatch of +these reinforcements, Excellency?" asked Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is true, señor," replied the Jefe, with a look of surprise.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The order was fabricated, Excellency," said Will at once. "It was +part of General Carabaño's plan, managed with the connivance of one of +your telegraph staff. His name is--let me think: Perugia--no, Pereira."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do you say so, señor?" cried the Jefe, springing up in agitation. +"How do you know it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I overheard a conversation between General Carabaño and my Company's +telegraphist, who has joined the rebels."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Caramba! could anything be more unfortunate--or more atrocious! +Captain Guzman, be so good as to have this Pereira instantly arrested. +Would that I could recall the troops! But by this time they are twelve +miles down-stream."</p> +<p class="pnext">An idea struck Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have my hydroplane at the quay, Excellency," he said, "and if the +steamer left only an hour ago I can easily overtake it if you will give +me an order recalling the troops. In less than three hours they will +be at your Excellency's disposal."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Jefe grasped both his hands and shook them warmly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I cannot sufficiently thank you, señor. You will do the State a great +service. If the troops return within that time they will be here +almost as soon as General Carabaño; it may be our salvation. Do not +delay, I beg you."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I must have a written order, Excellency."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Assuredly. Señor Crespo" (addressing the assistant secretary), +"kindly make out the order for my signature at once."</p> +<p class="pnext">He turned to speak to his officers. The station-master, finding +himself forgotten, stood looking very ill at ease. In a few moments +the order was signed, and Will took his leave. Hurrying through the +streets, he remembered that he was hungry and stopped at a shop to buy +bread and cheese. But putting his hand into his pocket for the money, +he discovered that he was without a single peseta.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I came away in a hurry," he said to the scowling shopkeeper. "Look, +here is an order signed by the Jefe; my mission is urgent, I will pay +you when I get back, at the offices of the British Asphalt Company of +Guayana."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well, señor," said the man, to whom the name of the Company was +well known: and Will hurried off, carrying enough food to provide +himself and his two companions with a substantial meal.</p> +<p class="pnext">Five minutes afterwards he sprang on board the hydroplane, cast off, +and set her going at full speed. The current was with him, and the +vessel whizzed along at forty knots, Azito standing with his pole a few +feet from the wind screen, holding in his left hand a hunch of bread +from which he took a bite occasionally. Will employed his left hand in +the same way, steering with the right.</p> +<p class="pnext">Caracas, he knew, was several hundreds of miles distant from Ciudad +Bolivar by water. The steamer would run with the tide to the mouth of +the river, or strike out by one of its arms to the sea, and then follow +the coast-line. Will knew that he could overtake it long before it +reached the mouth. Indeed, in less than half-an-hour Azito reported +that he saw its smoke in the distance. Five minutes afterwards it was +clearly visible as a spot on the river's broad expanse, and in yet +another five minutes the hydroplane was alongside, Will shouting to the +crowded deck that he had a message of recall from the Jefe. The +steamer slowed down and stopped: Will clambered on board and handed the +order to the officer in command. The vessel was instantly put about; +the engines were forced to their utmost, and huge volumes of black +smoke poured from the funnels, the hydroplane being made fast with a +rope and towed.</p> +<p class="pnext">The steamer was now moving against the current, and it seemed to Will +to go at a snail's pace in comparison with the hydroplane. He became +so bored with the slow progress and the officer's questions about his +vessel that he made up his mind to quit the steamer and hasten back in +advance, to inform the Jefe that the troops were on the way to his +relief. He called to José to start the motor and drive the hydroplane +alongside, slipped over by means of a rope, and was soon careering +ahead of the steamer at three times its speed.</p> +<p class="pnext">When he arrived within a few miles of the city he heard heavy firing, +and as he drew nearer he recognized that the attack was being pressed +in two quarters. Evidently General Carabaño had made a very rapid +march from the broken culvert. On reaching the quay, he left José and +Azito in charge of the hydroplane as before, and hurried along the +deserted streets to the Town Hall. The Jefe was absent. He had taken +the command against General Carabaño on the south-west, while Captain +Guzman was engaged with Colonel Orellana on the south-east. Will +hastened on to find the Jefe. He discovered him a short distance south +of the town, on rising ground, his front protected by the walls of two +or three gardens.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Jefe was decidedly flurried. He had only three or four hundred men +against a force which he estimated to number nearly eight hundred. +Will wondered how so many had been squeezed into the train. They must +have been packed like sardines. Three guns had been drawn to the spot +and unlimbered behind the walls; but the Jefe, when Will told him that +the steamer was coming down at full speed, explained with much +vehemence that when his artillerymen tried to fire the guns they found +that the powder was mixed with sand. Will was not surprised. Some +official had no doubt made a little fortune out of the contract.</p> +<p class="pnext">General Carabaño's attack had been twice rolled back, but he had now +divided his force into two portions. One threatened the front of the +Jefe's position, from the reverse slope of a hill about a quarter of a +mile distant; the other was working through a small wood to the west, +with the evident intention of taking the position in flank. Indeed, +just after Will arrived, an enfilading fire broke out on the right, and +began to thin the ranks of the men holding the gardens, for the wood +through which the enemy was approaching was at a somewhat higher level, +so that the defenders lost the protection of the wall running at right +angles to their front. The position was already no longer tenable, and +the Jefe, who had no great confidence in his men's steadiness, began to +withdraw them by twenties behind barricades thrown up at the end of two +streets leading towards the middle of the city. The retirement was +hailed with loud shouts by the enemy, who, emboldened by their success, +came pouring out of the wood, pressing the Government troops hard. The +last of these to leave the gardens were closely followed by the main +body of the enemy under General Carabaño himself. They came yelling +forward right up to the barricades. Then, however, they were met by a +galling fire from the men already in position; and the General's voice +could be heard ordering them to scatter and take refuge in the gardens +which had lately sheltered their opponents.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was obvious that the barricades could not be taken by direct assault +without heavy loss, but the General was equal to the difficulty. While +his men kept up a dropping fire from the garden, the flanking force, +under Captain Espejo, skirmishing along under cover of broken country, +gained a point some hundred yards beyond the barricades, and then, +swinging to their right, charged through a cross lane, a movement which +threatened the rear of the defenders and placed them between two fires. +The Jefe saw his peril in time, and withdrew his men hurriedly from the +barricade, occupying houses commanding the intersection of the streets +with the lane.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had barely completed this operation when he saw his mistake. He was +in a trap. His force was no longer mobile. The enemy, protected by +the barricades which he himself had raised, could prevent him from +leaving the houses, while he, though the buildings to some extent +commanded the barricades, was quite unable to bring to bear upon the +enemy a fire destructive enough to drive them away. General Carabaño's +intentions were soon clear. He ordered up Captain Espejo, and left him +to hold the Jefe in check, while preparing himself to detach the rest +of his men and press on by a flank march towards the centre of the +city, which was practically undefended. This division of his force, +which would have been hazardous in face of superior numbers, was +perfectly safe in the unfortunate situation in which the Jefe was +placed.</p> +<p class="pnext">During these exciting moments Will had remained with the Jefe. That +poor harassed man was in great distress of mind at having allowed +himself thus to be cut off.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How long will the steamer be?" he asked Will anxiously, standing at a +window.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It can't be far off, Excellency," replied Will. "Shall I go and hurry +up the reinforcements?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is a generous offer, señor, but impossible to carry out. You would +certainly be shot."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am not so sure, Excellency. Captain Espejo's men are all beyond the +barricades: the General is now some distance away; if you pour in a hot +fire on the barricades when I slip out I think I might escape."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are a stranger, señor. You have no reason to imperil your life in +our unhappy cause."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But the very existence of my Company depends on your crushing General +Carabaño, Excellency. I am willing to take the risk."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I can say no more, señor. Give me a signal when you reach the door +and I will do my best for you."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will instantly ran down the stairs. He stood at the door for a moment +to make sure that the street to the right was clear; then, shouting to +the Jefe, he sprinted away. Instantly there was a rattle of musketry +from the windows above. Will ran a few yards up the street, one or two +bullets whizzing perilously close, then darted into an alley on his +right and made at full speed towards the river.</p> +<p class="pnext">The city seemed to be deserted. All the civilians had barricaded +themselves in their houses. When Will reached the quay, he saw the +smoke of the steamer about a mile away. Springing into the hydroplane, +he started it down-stream, and on meeting the vessel, swung round and +explained in a few hurried sentences to the officer in command what was +happening. The officer, who appeared to be a capable soldier, was +alive to the situation. If General Carabaño swooped down on the rear +of Captain Guzman's force, engaged in an unequal struggle with Colonel +Orellana in the south-east of the city, he might easily crush the +defence in that quarter. He could then join hands with Captain Espejo +and sweep the city from end to end. It was obviously the first duty of +the reinforcements to save the garrison on the southeast from being +crushed, and there was no time to be lost.</p> +<p class="pnext">Accordingly the steamer went on until it reached the quay. The troops +were landed, hastily formed up, and led up the steep hill streets +towards the danger point, from which the sound of continuous firing, +now much louder than when Will came through the city, showed that +Captain Guzman was being hard pressed.</p> +<p class="pnext">The reinforcements had barely begun the advance when a loud outburst of +firing was heard, apparently not more than a few hundred yards away. +There could be no doubt that General Carabaño had crossed the city and +was now falling on the rear of the garrison. Will had had no military +training or experience, but he realized how critical the situation was. +If Captain Guzman's defence was broken, it was doubtful whether, even +with the aid of the reinforcements, the city could be saved. The +officer, Colonel Blanco, ordered his men to double and to refrain from +shouting.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Go back, señor," he cried to Will: "you will be in danger."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not a bit of it," replied Will, in the grip of intense excitement.</p> +<p class="pnext">He ran along beside the Colonel, wishing that he had had the +forethought to borrow a rifle before he left the Jefe. He did not +pause to consider that he was properly a non-combatant; he was in fact +too much excited to think of his own position at all.</p> +<p class="pnext">The head of the little column soon came in view of a large plaza, so +full of smoke that it was impossible to see whether the men firing were +friends or foes. But in a few moments Will caught sight of a number of +Indians, wearing green feathers, swarming out of one of the streets +opening on the plaza.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They are General Carabaño's bloodhounds," cried Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Charge!" shouted the Colonel.</p> +<p class="pnext">With a great shout the men sprang impetuously forward. Behind the +Indians Will saw General Carabaño's towering form. He was evidently +taken by surprise at the sudden appearance of a force from an +unexpected quarter; but he called to his men to swing round, and with +wild cries, in no order, Indians and Venezuelans charged straight for +the head of the column. There was no time to fire. The two bodies +came together with a shock, and then began a desperate hand to hand +fight in which bayonets, clubbed rifles, lances, machetes, swords, +revolvers, all played a part.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will began to wish he had not been so impetuous. He was in the thick +of it now, pressed upon so closely that it was impossible to escape +from the mellay. For some minutes he dodged this way and that, with no +other thought than to avoid the enemy's weapons. He was in some +measure protected by the very denseness of the struggling mass, which +was jammed so tight that there was little room for wielding arms of any +kind. But presently, as the swaying throng thinned a little, a furious +llanero lunged at him with his bayonet. It shaved his shoulder almost +by a hair's-breadth, only missing his chest because the man stumbled +over one of Blanco's soldiers who had just fallen. Will's blood was +up. Before the llanero recovered his footing, Will let drive at him +with his right fist, at the same time gripping his rifle by the barrel +with the left. A vigorous wrench forced it from the man's hand. Will +had just time to change it to his right hand when two yelling Indians +sprang at him with machetes. He parried the stroke of one, catching it +on the barrel, and dropped on his knee, in the nick of time to evade a +sweeping blow from the weapon of the other, which shaved the top clean +off his sun-helmet.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Bravo!" shouted Colonel Blanco, felling the first man with his +revolver. Then Will, springing up as the second Indian stumbled past +him, brought the stock of the rifle down on the man's head, and he fell +like a log.</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time the rest of Colonel Blanco's column had forced its way +into the plaza and closed round the surging mass of men. Their rifles +were loaded; they fired one volley into the rear ranks of the enemy, +careful not to hit their friends; then they too clubbed their rifles +and joined doughtily in the fray. They were fresh; General Carabaño's +men were weary with their forced march and the ensuing struggle. The +General's loud voice could be heard above the din, shouting to his men +to reform their ranks. But he might as well have harangued a flock of +sheep. Nor was there more order in Colonel Blanco's force. There was +not so much method in the fighting as in a Rugby scrimmage.</p> +<p class="pnext">Numbers began to tell. There were signs of wavering among the enemy. +Colonel Blanco seized the moment to shout to his men to press home the +charge. Some of the Indians were seen making across the plaza, almost +sweeping the General off his feet. He slashed at them as they passed, +commanding them to stand; but his men were falling back; Colonel Blanco +had succeeded in forming a line; and the General, recognizing that the +game was up, ordered the retreat. Will was amazed to see how fast so +big a man could run. Colonel Blanco set off at the head of his men in +pursuit, but the enemy scattered, running like hares into the various +streets on the south side of the plaza. Several were overtaken and cut +down, but the remainder made good their escape and fled from the city +into the open country.</p> +<p class="pnext">There were still sounds of firing to the southeast, and Colonel Blanco +swung his column round to go to the relief of Captain Guzman. He +reached him at a moment when his men, exhausted with their long +struggle, were giving way before the superior numbers of Colonel +Orellana. The sudden appearance of the reinforcements turned the tide. +Seeing Government troops instead of those of General Carabaño, which he +had expected, Colonel Orellana recognized that their plan had in some +way miscarried, and drew off his men in good order. Colonel Blanco +deemed it inadvisable to pursue until he had assured himself of the +relinquishment of the attack on the Jefe. Hurrying back across the +city, he found that Captain Espejo had learnt of his chief's +discomfiture, and was already in full flight. The raid had failed +utterly; and Colonel Blanco, joining hands with the Jefe, declared that +the revolution was snuffed out.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-x-scouting"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id11">CHAPTER X--SCOUTING</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The guest of honour at the Jefe's banquet that evening was not the +station-master of Santa Marta, who, it is to be feared, was left out in +the cold, but William Pentelow. His health was drunk (in very bad +wine), and he had to listen, as comfortably as he could, to some very +high-flown speeches, in which he was hailed as the true Liberator of +Venezuela. Will, who was a modest fellow, took all this for what it +was worth, which, he was inclined to think, was very little.</p> +<p class="pnext">The truth is that he was not in the mood for junketing. Before the +banquet the Jefe had granted him a private audience, and he related +full particulars of what had happened at railhead. He ended by asking +the Jefe to use his influence and authority to procure the liberation +of Mr. Jackson and his subordinates. The Jefe was very sympathetic, +but confessed frankly that he saw no present means of helping the +Englishmen.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is most distressing, señor," he said, "but you see my unfortunate +position. I am not strong enough to follow up the defeated rebels. I +cannot leave the city totally unguarded, and my whole force is inferior +in numbers to those of General Carabaño and Colonel Orellana. I can +expect no help from Caracas at present, and, as you are doubtless +aware, there are no garrisons in the smaller towns touched by the +railway. Besides, I have no doubt that General Carabaño has entrained +his men, and returned to the place from which he started, and since the +culvert is broken, it is impossible to follow him up by train. As soon +as the revolt in Valencia is suppressed, the President will certainly +take strong measures against General Carabaño, who until then must, I +fear, be left unmolested. A mere remonstrance with him on the +treatment of your colleagues, unbacked by force, would be futile. I +will certainly telegraph to Caracas, giving the particulars I have +learnt from you, and asking for instructions; but I do not expect that +anything practical will come of it immediately. At present I can only +hold this city for the Government. If I may counsel you, I say, remain +here for the present. I do not anticipate that your friends will +suffer personal harm; General Carabano will certainly have a wholesome +respect for the far-reaching arm of your great country. I shall not +fail to represent your distinguished services in the highest quarters, +and without doubt the President will know how to recognize them +adequately. In the meantime I shall be honoured by your presence at +the banquet I am giving to-night in celebration of our victory."</p> +<p class="pnext">This was very cold comfort; but Will was not unreasonable, and on +reflection he acknowledged that the Jefe could not very well take any +active steps on behalf of his friends. He decided at any rate to wait +until an answer had been received from Caracas, which might be expected +during the following day.</p> +<p class="pnext">Scouts who had been sent out to watch the retreating columns reported +that the retirement was definitive. Colonel Orellana had marched +southward round the swamps, while General Carabaño had entrained his +men beyond the culvert and started down the line, presumably to return +to his camp at De Mello's hacienda.</p> +<p class="pnext">Next morning the Jefe decided to send a portion of his troops by +steamer to the junction, to capture the station staff, who had clearly +espoused the rebels' cause. When Colonel Blanco returned in the +evening, he reported that he had found the station deserted. Since the +destruction of the culvert six miles west of Bolivar had rendered the +line useless at present for Government troops, the Colonel had thought +it wise to prevent General Carabaño from attempting another dash on the +city. Accordingly he had torn up a hundred yards of the track on this +side of the junction. This left the rebels in possession of the branch +line, which would, however, be of little use to them. The Colonel had +not broken the telegraph wires. The traitor Pereira in Bolivar had +been flung into jail, so that there was no danger of further mischief +concerted between him and his friend Machado.</p> +<p class="pnext">Meanwhile Will had spent an unhappy day. Some of the younger officers +seemed disposed to continue indefinitely the revellings of the previous +night, and he had great difficulty in excusing himself from +participation in them without appearing discourteous. He took the +opportunity of paying a visit to the offices of the Company. The +agent, an Englishman, was greatly distressed at what had occurred, and +cabled information to the head offices in London, leaving it to the +directors to make representations to the Foreign Office. He advanced a +quarter's salary to Will, who bought a revolver and a supply of petrol, +together with a considerable quantity of food which he stored in the +hydroplane.</p> +<p class="pnext">An hour before Colonel Blanco's return from the junction, the Jefe sent +for Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have disagreeable news for you, señor," he said. "This afternoon I +received a telegram from General Carabaño saying that your superior, +having taken arms against the Liberator, is now held to ransom. He +threatens that unless he receives within three days 60,000 pesos for +Señor Jackson and 12,000 for each of his subordinates they will be +shot."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will gasped. He knew without telling that to raise so large a sum as +£7,000 would be impossible.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I telegraphed this demand to Caracas, having already informed the +President of what you told me yesterday," continued the Jefe. "I have +his reply here. He says that he deeply regrets the outrage to which +your friends have been subjected, but the permanent interests of your +Company will be better served by strengthening my position here than by +attempting a rescue with a totally inadequate force. He adds that the +payment of a ransom is out of the question. It would merely strengthen +General Carabaño's position, and his demand must be resisted on public +grounds ay in the highest degree dangerous."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Surely he will not allow three inoffensive Englishmen to be shot," +exclaimed Will, indignantly.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is deplorable," replied the Jefe, "but what can be done? General +Carabaño will hesitate before taking so extreme a step, which would +utterly ruin any chance he may have of usurping authority, even if he +could overcome us by force of arms."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am not so sure of that," said Will bitterly. "From what I have seen +and heard of the General I believe him to be utterly unscrupulous and +capable of any atrocity, to satisfy his spite if for no other reason, +for you remember, Excellency, that it was my Chief's firmness that +prevented him from vastly increasing his resources."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Señor Jackson indeed merits the thanks of the Republic, señor, and I +am greatly concerned at his unfortunate position. But, as you see, I +am helpless, and I can only hope that General Carabaño will be +restrained by considerations of prudence from committing what would +undoubtedly be a most heinous crime."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will saw that, had he been in the Governor's place, he could hardly +have done otherwise. But though official action was impossible, he +felt that he could not himself remain securely in Bolivar while his +friends were in dire peril. He was at a loss to think of any effectual +means of helping them, but he could at least return to the hacienda on +the chance, small though it must be, of intervening in their behalf. +It flashed upon him--and the thought was a ray of hope--that the +General had possibly been bluffing, and that the Englishmen were no +longer his prisoners. He could not have left a large guard over them; +they might have escaped. At any rate, Will decided that he must return +at once and see for himself how matters stood.</p> +<p class="pnext">Twenty minutes after his interview with the Jefe he was again on board +the hydroplane with José and Azito. A few miles up the river he met +Colonel Blanco's steamer returning, and learnt what had been done at +the junction. Then he set off again, hoping to reach the neighbourhood +of the hacienda soon after dark. But reflecting that his supply of +petrol was limited, and he would have no chance of replenishing it, he +contented himself with an average speed of some twenty knots, and it +was dark before he reached the junction. Just at this time it happened +that something went wrong with the engine, and since he did not care to +risk an absolute breakdown, and could not discover the defect in the +darkness, he felt it necessary to lie up until morning. Accordingly he +ran the vessel into a small secluded creek, well sheltered by trees, +and made his way with José and the Indian to the deserted station, +where they ate a meal and fixed their quarters for the night, each +taking a turn to watch.</p> +<p class="pnext">As soon as it was light they returned to the hydroplane. To repair the +defect was the work of half-an-hour. They were eating their breakfast +on board the vessel when Azito declared that he heard a train +approaching. The creek was so well screened by the foliage that there +was no fear of their being seen from the railway line; but it was +possible to observe through the leaves what happened when the train +drew level. It consisted of three trucks filled with men, and Will +felt sure he saw the burly form of Captain Espejo standing beside the +engine-driver on his cab. He wondered whether they had got wind of the +coming of the hydroplane, and had come to intercept it. This seemed +very unlikely, for the news would not have reached them by telegraph +now that Pereira had been removed and the staff at the junction had +decamped. True, the hydroplane had been seen as it passed river-side +villages, and it had met and overtaken several craft on the +way--barges, skiffs, and Indian canoes. But it had outstripped all +vessels going in the same direction, and it must have been impossible +for any of their occupants to have given information to the rebels. A +more reasonable explanation was that they had heard of the visit of +Colonel Blanco, and Captain Espejo had come to discover what had +happened at the junction, and whether any movement was being made from +Bolivar. General Carabaño was probably unaware of the exact strength +of the reinforcements to which he owed his defeat, and would naturally +be somewhat nervous lest he should be followed up.</p> +<p class="pnext">The train came to a standstill where the line had been torn up. +Captain Espejo descended from the engine and some of his men from the +trucks, and they walked along the track and into the station. Will had +already decided that it would be inadvisable to continue his journey +until the approach of evening. He chafed at the delay, but there would +be too great a risk of being seen, or of the throbbing of the engine +being heard, to venture further in the daylight, especially as the line +was being used. After the train had returned, therefore--the engine +running backwards, the siding at the station having been destroyed--he +settled himself in the boat to make up for the broken sleep of the +night.</p> +<p class="pnext">When he awoke, he thought over what was before him. It was impossible +to prepare a definite plan of operations. His first object must be to +discover whether the three Englishmen were still in the camp, and still +imprisoned in the stables. This seemed to him unlikely. His own +escape would probably have led to a change of quarters, unless indeed +the General had adopted the precaution of patrolling all sides of the +stables to prevent a repetition of Will's exploit. He thought with +compunction of the additional rigours the prisoners might have had to +suffer through him. What he should do when he had discovered their +whereabouts must be left to circumstances. He would only have a little +more than one clear day to effect their release before the period named +by General Carabaño expired, and he fretted a good deal as he thought +of the possibility that all his efforts might fail.</p> +<p class="pnext">After a tedious and anxious day, he ventured to set off a little before +dusk. It was dark when he came into the stream running past the +hacienda. Finding that the wind was blowing strongly from the +direction of the hacienda, he continued to use the engine for a time, +not, of course, planing, but contenting himself with a bare two or +three knots. When this was no longer safe, he stopped the engine and +with Azito's assistance began to pole the vessel up-stream. It was +slow and fatiguing work. But there was no help for it. The hydroplane +was too valuable an accessory to be left where it might be discovered. +The first necessity was to lay it up in security. Then they might go +ashore feeling confident that, however protracted their absence might +be, the vessel would be safe and always available.</p> +<p class="pnext">As it passed within sight of the hacienda and the camp Will saw lights, +and suspected from their position that the camp had been shifted. He +would have liked to land and steal up to the stables; Azito offered to +do so: but Will, after a little hesitation, stuck to his resolution to +risk nothing until the hydroplane was in safety. It was fully four +hours before he reached the hollow in the bank. Once or twice in the +darkness the vessel ran aground, and the fear of lurking caymans made +them careful how they moved to get her off. When, shortly after one +o'clock, she was at last moored in the recess, Will was tired out. He +was five miles from the hacienda: by the time he could reach it there +would only be two or three hours of darkness before day broke. It +would be difficult enough to make any discovery at all in the darkness: +how much more difficult when time was limited! In spite of the further +delay involved, Will thought it wise to rest for the remainder of the +night, and to start fresh next morning on whatever course then offered +itself.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will had never before spent a night in the hydroplane. Owing perhaps +to his fatigue and his anxieties he felt a little reluctant to do so +now, for though the water in the recess was very shallow, there was a +possibility that a cayman might wander in from the stream, a prospect +not to be thought of without shuddering. Azito and the negro refused +point-blank to sleep in the vessel. The wood had its perils, but they +preferred to rest in a tree. To guard against any danger for himself +Will hit on the plan of tying a string across the entrance of the +recess about a foot above the surface of the water. An empty petrol +can was attached to one end of this, and so carefully balanced that the +least touch on the string would cause it to fall against the bank. The +sound would, he hoped, not only give him warning, but scare away any +unwelcome visitor. However, the night passed without disturbance, and +Will, when he awoke, was ready for anything the day might bring forth.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was the third day, the last, of the time allowed by General Carabaño +for the ransom of his prisoners. Anything that could be done for them +must be done at once.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You and I will go to the hacienda," said Will to the Indian, "and see +if we can find out where the señores are."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I go alone, señor," replied Azito. "I can move as quietly as a snake. +No one will hear me. Was it not I that made the hole in the wall? Let +the señor stay here until I bring him word."</p> +<p class="pnext">Anxious and impatient though he was, Will had to confess to himself +that Azito's suggestion was reasonable. The Indian was accustomed to +the woods: he might evade observation by a hundred artifices of which +Will was ignorant. In any case one would go more safely than two.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well," said Will. "Be as quick as you can."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Indian slipped noiselessly away. Will spent the first part of the +morning in cleaning the engine. When this was done he moved restlessly +about among the trees, worried because he could do nothing, nor even +form any plans until he had more information. He watched the +bright-coloured birds flitting among the foliage, caught a tree frog, +and examined it with a naturalist's curiosity, followed a cayman as it +hunted for food along the bank; but all this palled upon him after a +time, and as hour after hour passed, and Azito did not return, he +became more and more uneasy. What had happened to the man? Had he +fallen into the clutches of his old master? At the best he would be +unmercifully thrashed; and if by any chance Captain Espejo had learnt +of his association with the Englishmen, as he might do from one of the +railway peons who had been impressed, Will trembled for the poor +Indian's fate.</p> +<p class="pnext">As the sun rose higher, it became oppressively hot in the moist +atmosphere of the wood. At noon Will and José ate a simple dinner; +then the former lay down in the hydroplane to snatch a nap. But the +air of the recess was so stuffy, and insects bit him so ferociously, +that at last he could endure his inactivity no longer. José had been +several times to the edge of the wood to watch for Azito's return. +When he came back after one of these excursions, and reported that +there was still no sign of him, Will sprang up.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am going after him, José," he said. "You stay here and watch the +boat. Do not leave it until I come."</p> +<p class="pnext">He climbed up the bank and set off through the wood. If he went +straight through it, he would emerge almost within bowshot of the +hacienda. It occurred to him that he would run less risk if he came +down on the camp from the opposite side rather than from the river +front. Accordingly he struck off to the right, and presently reached +the margin of the wood near the deserted railway camp. Looking around +to make sure that no one was in sight, he ran across the open space, +still littered with the débris of the camp, and crawled over the +embankment. A few hundred yards on the other side of this was a long +stretch of forest. He entered this, and then turning to the left, +hurried on as fast as he could through the clinging tangled +undergrowth. Here and there the trees thinned and he bent low so that +his form should not show above the vegetation. Sometimes too he came +to an expanse of bare rising ground, and had to go a long way round to +avoid it. But the embankment always served as a screen, and about +three o'clock he arrived at a point where he could hear the distant +sounds of the camp and knew that he was coming within reach of danger.</p> +<p class="pnext">Leaving the wood, he climbed the embankment, and lay down at the top to +view the camp. He saw that, as he had guessed when passing it on the +stream, it had been removed, and was now established nearly half-a-mile +away in the grounds of the hacienda, which the tents practically +encircled. He surmised that his escape from the stables had made +General Carabaño anxious about his own safety. If a man could get out, +a man could get in, and the General had many enemies. Difficult as +access had been before, it was now immeasurably more difficult, and +Will felt with a sinking heart that his friends' plight was even more +serious than he had believed.</p> +<p class="pnext">He was still lying on the embankment, wondering what had become of +Azito, and how he was to do anything for the prisoners, when he +suddenly became aware that he was not alone. He had heard no sound +except the distant hum from the camp. Turning quickly and whipping out +his revolver, but still having the prudence not to rise to his feet, he +was confronted by Azito himself, who had crawled up to his side. He +was conscious now that his heart was thumping wildly against his ribs.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am here, señor," whispered the Indian, unnecessarily.</p> +<p class="pnext">The two quickly slid down the embankment and entered the wood.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I had given you up," said Will breathlessly. "What have you done?"</p> +<p class="pnext">The Indian's story was a very simple and natural one, and Will saw that +his anxiety had been quite baseless. Azito had approached to within a +quarter-mile of the hacienda, and then found himself checked. The camp +was astir; sentries were placed at several points of its circuit; it +was impossible to get in undetected. There was no alternative but to +wait. Will could imagine Azito sitting with the stolid patience of the +Indian, clasping his knees, indifferent to the passage of time. His +opportunity came at noon, when, after the midday meal, everybody but +the sentries retired for a siesta, and even they were drowsy. Slipping +round the camp, he wormed his way through the undergrowth to the back +of the stables. The hole in the wall had not been filled up. There +was no sound from within. Wriggling through the hole, he found that +the stables were deserted. The door was open. All was quiet before +the hacienda. He peeped round to the right. No sentry was posted at +the new stables. Evidently the prisoners had not been transferred to +them. It was impossible to search for them through the camp. +Stealthily he made his way back as he had come, and going a long way +round, crossed the embankment and drew near to the camp again, to view +it from the other side. There was nothing to indicate the whereabouts +of the prisoners.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Did you see any one you knew?" asked Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Señor Machado, señor. I saw him go in and out of the house. Once he +came out with General Carabaño."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are there any special guards set in the camp itself?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"None, señor, except the sentry at the door. He was asleep against the +wall when I looked out from the stables."</p> +<p class="pnext">The absence of special guards in the camp or at the house seemed to +indicate that the prisoners had been removed elsewhere. A horrible +fear that they had already been shot seized upon Will. For a moment he +shuddered in a cold sweat of doubt and dread. But then he remembered +that the period of grace had not yet expired. Furthermore, the +prisoners would be more valuable alive than dead. While they still +lived there was a chance of their being ransomed. General Carabano +would surely, as the Jefe had suggested, hesitate to involve himself in +serious complications with the British Government. A revolutionary +leader can hardly play the remorseless tyrant until success has placed +him beyond criticism.</p> +<p class="pnext">But if the prisoners, then, were still alive, as seemed probable, where +were they? So far as Will knew, there was no place in the immediate +neighbourhood to which they could have been taken. He was at a loss +how to make any discovery on this matter without revealing his presence +to the enemy. The camp was astir. To enter it now was impossible. It +seemed that the only thing to do was to return to the recess, and +remain there until night, trying meanwhile to think out some course of +action.</p> +<p class="pnext">Before he left, however, he determined to climb the embankment once +more for a final look round. Choosing for his ascent a spot a little +nearer to the camp, on gaining the top he caught sight of the small +wooden cabin which had been erected for the telegraphic apparatus. +Before, it was concealed from him by a row of bushes. For a moment he +wondered whether the prisoners had been locked up there, but the notion +was negatived immediately by the absence of a sentry. And then he +laughed inwardly at the idea of the prisoners being within reach of +Machado. The telegraphist would hardly feel safe to perform his +duties, if they were still required of him, with O'Connor near at hand, +even though he was bound.</p> +<p class="pnext">There was nothing to be gained by remaining longer, so Will, very +despondent, made his way back with Azito through the wood to the recess +in the bank. José reported that nothing had happened during their +absence. They all had a meal; then Will went up the bank and strolled +along where the vegetation did not impede walking, gloomily pondering +his apparent helplessness.</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly he heard a slight warning sound from Azito. He stepped +hastily back among the trees, and looked up-stream, the direction in +which the Indian was pointing. Coming round a bend some distance away +was an object that looked like a cage or a basket. There was a man in +it, standing in the middle, steering the strange vessel with a short +pole as it drifted down the stream. Azito declared that he was a white +man. Will gazed at him searchingly; then almost shouted for joy. The +newcomer was Joe Ruggles.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xi-a-leap-in-the-dark"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id12">CHAPTER XI--A LEAP IN THE DARK</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">When Ruggles came within a few yards of the spot where the two watchers +stood, Will softly hailed him. He looked round in alarm, and made as +though to beat a summary retreat. Then, lifting his eyes and seeing +Will among the trees, he steered towards the bank, saying--</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's you, is it? I say, do you happen to have a glass of beer?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, I haven't."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perhaps it's as well, but I am powerful dry."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I say, I am awfully glad to see you. Hold on! I'll come down and +show you the entrance to my garage. Are the others safe too?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not that I know of. I wish they were. Where have you been +skylarking?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Skylarking! Good heavens! I've been worried out of my life. I'll +tell you all about it, but first tell me where the others are, and how +you came here."</p> +<p class="pnext">The raft was drawn into the recess, and Ruggles was soon seated beside +Will in the hydroplane, eating bread and cheese, and sighing for his +one glass of beer and a pipe to follow.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not but what it's as well to do without 'em," he said. "If I began +life over again I'd avoid beer and tobacco; at least, I would if I +could. Well, the morning after you went there was a rare shindy, as +you may imagine, when they found your manger empty. They hauled us out +and questioned us, and General Carabaño looked as if he could have made +a meal of us. O'Connor and I were as much surprised as he was, and +wild with the Chief for not telling us. However, the General got +nothing out of us, and within an hour we were put on horses and marched +up-country with a strong escort of those ruffians. Our hands were tied +behind us, and our horses were led, the escort being mounted too.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I made out from what some of 'em said that their General was going to +make a dash on Bolivar, and didn't think we'd be safe at the hacienda. +He wanted all his men for the raid, you see, and intended to leave only +a few peons to look after the camp and the horses. He couldn't trust +them, of course, and I reckon we'd have got away pretty soon if he had +left us there. I didn't hear where they were taking us, and when I +asked the fellow who led my horse, he only grinned at me like an ape."</p> +<p class="pnext">"O'Connor was mad, no doubt," said Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You'd have thought so, wouldn't you? But he wasn't, a bit; or didn't +show it. He tried to crack jokes with his man, and it was amusing, +though not as he intended, for, as you know, his Spanish wouldn't cover +a half-sheet of note-paper. But all the time I could see he was +looking round for a chance of escape. However, I managed it, and so +far as I know, he didn't. In my case it was sheer luck. Most of the +escort were llaneros, fine fellows, too, as near gentlemen as any +Venezuelan can be. But the fellow who tied me up was a bumpkin, who +made a bungle of the job. I held my wrists so that by giving them a +twist afterwards I could loosen the knots: you know the trick."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Rather! I should have thought O'Connor would have known it too."</p> +<p class="pnext">"He may or may not. Anyway, we came to a part where the path had a +sheer cliff on the one side and a precipice on the other; a sort of +steep dell, you know, overgrown with trees and shrubs. The path was so +narrow that we had to go in single file, and, as luck would have it, I +came last, except one man riding free behind me. Just as we came to +the precipice I kind of saw there might be half a chance, so as my +bumpkin drew ahead of me--he'd lengthened the leading-rein--I managed +to give his horse accidentally a kick in the flank that rather upset +his temper. The fellow was in a fright; it looked a nasty drop to the +left. Being busy with his horse he dropped the leading-rein. I +wrenched my hands free, brought my horse round on his hind legs--for an +instant his forelegs were fairly dangling over the precipice--and then +drove him straight for the man behind, wedging in between him and the +cliff.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The path was narrow, as I said. There wasn't room for two, and as I'd +got the inside, the other fellow simply had to go over the precipice. +He went. There was plenty of green stuff to break his fall, and I +don't wish him any particular harm. You may guess I didn't wait to +give him my kind regards, but made off like the wind. The Chief gave +me a cheer. Before I turned the corner that would hide me from the +rest, half-a-dozen shots were flying after me, and one of them struck +my horse. But he kept on. I got safe to the end of the ledge, and +then dived into the forest, where they might have hunted for a month of +Sundays without finding me.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I dismounted as soon as I was pretty safe, and led the horse, but the +poor beast was done, and dropped after a few miles. I didn't feel very +happy. You know what these forests are. Let alone the chance of +losing yourself, there are too many jaguars and pumas and snakes to +make travelling on foot very pleasant. All I'd got to defend myself +with was--what do you think?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"What was it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"A two-bladed pen-knife, one blade broken, that had slipped into the +lining of my pocket and wasn't discovered when they searched us before +tying us up. It wouldn't have scared a toad. However, I've roughed it +all over the world too long to grizzle over what can't be helped. My +game clearly was to make for the Orinoco. All roads lead to Rome, they +say: it's certain that all streams in these parts lead to the Orinoco. +It struck me I'd be safest on water, so I made up my mind to stop at +the first stream I came to and build myself a raft. Floating down with +the current I couldn't fail to strike the Orinoco sooner or later."</p> +<p class="pnext">"A queer thing, this raft of yours."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It served my turn. You see, I was in a quandary. When I came to a +stream it was swarming with caymans, and, what's worse, watersnakes. I +dursn't make a raft in their company, and yet I must make it on the +brink of the stream, for I couldn't have carried down one big enough to +float me. There was plenty of material, of course--dead branches, and +bejuco for fastening them together. After a power of thought I hit on +the notion of rigging up a sort of cage in which I could make the raft +without the risk of having reptiles closer than I liked. I did that on +the bank out of range of the caymans--they're not partial to journeys +on land. I pushed the cage--it was light enough--down to the edge of +the stream, and brought down my materials, and put the raft together +inside the cage, where I was safe. It was a longish job. I had to +push it out into the stream bit by bit as I finished it, and was always +in a stew when I left it in case the current carried it away before I +was ready. However, the current was sluggish at the bank, so I was +spared that calamity."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But how have you lived? It's four days since you went away."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've lived in this country long enough to know what forest plants are +good for food. Not that they're very staying, nor to be compared with +bread and cheese. I slept in trees, and here I am, thank God! though I +hadn't a notion I had got into this particular stream."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How far away were you when you escaped?" asked Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thirty or forty miles at a guess. We marched all the first day and +bivouacked for the night at a deserted estancia. I made a bolt for it +about ten next morning, struck the stream in the afternoon, and got +together the material for the raft before nightfall. I finished it +next day, but had to spend another night in a tree, and the stream +winds about so much that it has taken me all day to get here."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm glad you've come, but it's a bad look-out for the others. General +Carabaño has threatened to shoot you all to-morrow if he doesn't +receive £7,000."</p> +<p class="pnext">"The villain! He won't get it. I don't know what you think, but we're +not worth all that. How do you know?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Will then related all that had happened to him since he left the +stables. When Ruggles heard of General Carabaño's defeat he looked +very grave.</p> +<p class="pnext">"He'll be in a beastly temper," he said. "You and the Chief have +dished him between you. He's not the man to have any mercy on folks +who have stood in his way, and if he hears that I've escaped he'll be +madder than ever. I don't fancy they'll let him know, though."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But he'll find out when he sends the order to shoot you, if he doesn't +go himself. Time's up to-night. If he means what he says it'll be all +up to-morrow, unless we can do something. Do you think we could go up +in the hydroplane to the place where you struck the stream and then +track them across country?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I doubt whether we could do it. You see, I wandered about in the +forest, and it might take us a week to find the precipice, even with +your Indian."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Did you follow a road when you went off?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not so much as a bridle-path."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Could we lie in wait for the General's messenger to-morrow?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We might do that. I know the main direction from the camp. But where +should be we if the General goes himself? He's pretty sure to, and of +course he would take an escort. We couldn't tackle a crowd."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've got a revolver."</p> +<p class="pnext">"One revolver wouldn't be much good. You might bring down the General +and another, but then you'd be set on and done for. No: that's no +good, and I can't see for the life of me that we can do anything."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But we must, Ruggles. Isn't there some way of finding out where the +Chief is?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"You can go and ask the General, and then he'd raise his terms to +£12,000."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will was silent. It seemed, as Ruggles said, that the case was +hopeless. For some time he sat thinking, thinking hard. Suddenly he +got up.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ruggles, I'm going to the hacienda."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Nonsense! I didn't mean it," said the man.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I shall go. I got into the house before; I'll do it again."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But what if you do?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I might hear Carabaño talking."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And you might not. It was a pure fluke before: luck won't play into +your hands again."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Wait a bit. There's Machado. Ten to one he'll be at his cabin +sometime to-night waiting for an answer. The General demanded a reply +by midnight. If we could only catch Machado we could wring out of him +where the Chief is, and I wouldn't stick at a trifle in dealing with +the wretch. He's the worst of the lot, playing the traitor in our +camp, and torturing José. He deserves to be paid back in his own coin. +I'll do it, Ruggles. It's a mercy you are here. I'll take Azito; you +bring the hydroplane down with José, and wait at the end of the canal +in case we have to dash for it. Once on board the hydroplane we might +defy them and chance snags."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's dangerous, but if you're set on it I'm not the man to stay you. +I've been in tight corners myself, and I'd stretch a good many points +for the Chief and O'Connor. But for any sake be careful. If they are +to be shot we can't alter it, and what's the good of three being +murdered instead of two?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"All right. I won't run my head into a noose if I can help it. I'll +start just before dark. You'll take care how you go down, won't you? +It would be a disaster if you were wrecked."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Trust me, Mr. Pentelow. I hope you'll have as easy a job as I shall."</p> +<p class="pnext">In half-an-hour Will set off with Azito. They went, as they had gone +in the morning, across the old camp to the farther side of the railway +line, but instead of plunging into the forest, ventured to steal along +at the foot of the embankment. It was pitch dark by the time they +arrived opposite the new camp. Crawling up the embankment, they lay on +the top to take a good look around before going farther. There were +fires in the camp, but these were beginning to die down: apparently the +men had already cooked their evening meal. They could see the dark +forms of the sentries as they passed between the tents. The house was +lit up.</p> +<p class="pnext">They crept along the embankment until they came to the spot below +which, about twenty yards from the line, stood the telegraph cabin. +Will told Azito to go forward until he could see the side in which the +window was. In a few minutes the Indian returned and reported that +there was no light in the cabin. Will supposed that he had come too +early: the message was not expected before midnight. Yet it was +strange that a man had not been left at the cabin to give Machado +notice if any communication was made. It was strange, indeed, that +Machado himself, considering the importance of the expected message, +had not thought it worth while, or been ordered by the General, to +remain constantly on duty. Will was so much surprised that he +determined to creep down to the cabin and see for himself. Perhaps +Machado might be taking a nap in the dark. If he were not there, Will +thought it possible to remain in hiding between the cabin and the line, +seize Machado when he arrived, and wring out of him the information he +desired.</p> +<p class="pnext">Bidding Azito remain on guard and warn him if he saw any sign of +danger, Will descended the embankment on hands and heels and stole +forward to the cabin. He listened at the wall. There was no sound +from within. The door faced the hacienda. Will peeped round the +corner. The nearest tents were at least a hundred yards distant, and +the fires were so low that they seemed to make the darkness only the +more intense where their light did not directly fall. He crept round +to the door, noiselessly lifted the latch, and, listening with his +heart in his mouth, stepped in. It was pitch dark. There was not a +sound. Grasping his revolver, he moved forward on tip-toe. He +remembered clearly the position of the table and chair, and groped +towards them, putting out his feet stealthily so that he should not +knock against them and make a noise. The table and chair were not +where they had been. He touched the wall, and moved along inch by +inch. To his amazement, the cabin was bare. Table, chair, telegraph +instrument--all had been removed.</p> +<p class="pnext">What could be the meaning of this? Moving now without such extreme +care, Will passed out again and looked up to see if the wire still ran +into the cabin. He could just distinguish it against the starlit sky. +He crept back towards the embankment, following the wire to the place +where it left the telegraph line; and then he saw that another wire had +been connected, and ran across the gardens. Evidently after what had +happened at the cabin, General Carabaño had taken the precaution of +removing the instrument. Will peered into the darkness to see if the +wire entered a tent or another cabin, but after a few yards he lost +sight of it. Returning to the spot where he had left Azito, he asked +him if he, with his sharper sight, could follow the course of the wire. +The Indian stood looking for a few seconds: then he said that he saw a +pole about thirty yards from the house. It had not been there before. +He went a few yards farther along the embankment, and declared that the +wire stretched from the pole to the house, where it ran through one of +the windows in a room at the side just behind the servants' quarters. +The window was half-closed, and within the room was a light. Will +could no longer doubt that this was the place where Machado was +awaiting the message from Bolivar.</p> +<p class="pnext">Difficult as Will had known his task to be, it now seemed impossible. +On the former occasion of his nocturnal visit to the house the camp was +half-a-mile distant. Now the tents formed the arc of a circle about +it, the nearest of them being not more than a dozen yards away. Only +through the camp could the house be approached. Sounds of laughter and +conversation could be distinctly heard: it was clear that the men were +as yet very lively. Even had they turned in for the night there were +still the sentries to elude. But when Will thought of Machado sitting +at his instrument in that little room, almost within stone's throw of +him, he could not bring himself to give up all hope of helping his +friends. Five minutes with Machado, unless he had entirely mistaken +his man, would be enough to wring out of him the information he so +earnestly desired. Failing that information, he felt that the Chief +and Jerry O'Connor were doomed. Was there not, even now, a chance?</p> +<p class="pnext">He resolved to wait. Nothing could be attempted while the camp was +still awake. Perhaps when the men had gone into their tents for the +night an opportunity for slipping past the sentries might offer. So he +lay down on the embankment, with Azito beside him, to keep vigil.</p> +<p class="pnext">Waiting is always tedious, and Will's impatience was such that he found +the enforced delay almost unendurable. It was too dark for him to see +his watch, and he durst not strike a light. The fires sank lower and +lower, but it seemed hours before there was any sensible diminution of +the sounds in the camp. It was, in fact, nearly half-past ten before +silence reigned and Will thought it possible to leave his post. +Bidding Azito in a whisper to follow him, he crawled down the +embankment with great caution, so as not to disturb a single stone or +clod of earth, and stole as softly as a cat to the part of the +encampment nearest to the house.</p> +<p class="pnext">When within a few yards of the tents, he lay on the ground to watch his +opportunity. He could just see the dark form of the sentry passing to +and fro beyond the line of tents. The man's beat appeared to extend +for about fifty yards, and at the end of it farthest from the house he +stopped to talk to the sentry next him. Will heard the low hum of +their voices. All was quiet within the house. To get into it he must +pass the lighted window of Machado's room. The sentries were bound to +see him. What could he do?</p> +<p class="pnext">He lay for some minutes in sheer perplexity. The sentry passed more +than once. Suddenly he made up his mind to a desperate venture. The +room next to Machado's was in darkness. It was, he knew, a cloak-room. +There was a door between them. He would enter the enclosure boldly +between the nearest tent and the house, when the sentries were next +engaged in chatting. They would never dream that an unauthorized +person had dared to come into the very jaws of the lion. There were +many Indians among General Carabaño's men, so that the sight of Azito +would not necessarily alarm the sentries. He would walk with Azito +openly along the back of the house, get beneath the veranda, where it +was even darker than in the camp enclosure, and by hook or by crook +find an entrance.</p> +<p class="pnext">He explained his plan softly to Azito. The Indian was timorous, but +after a few moments' thought he agreed to accompany his master. They +crawled to the right until they came just behind the last tent of the +line, and waited until they heard the low hum of the sentries' voices. +Then they stepped round the tent, and walked slowly towards the house. +Will's heart was thumping violently, but he walked steadily on until he +reached the steps leading up to the veranda. He saw with joy as he +passed the lighted window that a thin curtain hung across it. The +sentries gave no sign. He mounted the steps, Azito close behind, and +stood by the window of the room next to Machado's. He waited for a +moment, then gently tried the latch of the French window. It was not +secured. He opened the door, and they stepped noiselessly in.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xii-the-kidnappers"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id13">CHAPTER XII--THE KIDNAPPERS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The door between the two rooms was closed. That into the patio was +ajar. Will stole across the room and peeped into the patio. A small +lamp was burning at the farther end, near the front door. A man sat +dozing on a chair outside De Mello's room, which was no doubt occupied +by Carabaño. Another lay fast asleep on the floor at the patio door of +Machado's room. But for these the patio was empty. To enter it seemed +too risky; Will stepped back into the cloak-room and listened at the +door of communication. There was no sound. He waited, pressing his +ear against the door. Now he heard slight snores: somebody was in the +farther room, asleep. He gently tried the handle. The door was not +locked. Grasping his revolver, Azito having his machete, he quickly +opened the door and went in. Machado was asleep on a long cane chair. +The telegraphic instrument stood on a table at his left hand. Will +softly closed the door behind him, and motioned to Azito to stand at +the door opening into the patio. A clock on a shelf told the hour: it +was five minutes past eleven.</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado was fast asleep and did not stir. Was it possible to wake him +without causing him to cry out or make some sound that would alarm the +men in the patio? Will went to the foot of the cane chair, and +pointing his revolver full at Machado's head, he gently touched him. +The man moved uneasily. Will touched him again. He drew up his legs +slightly. Another touch, and his eyes opened. For a moment Will +thought that the shock would itself force a cry from him, but at a +warning hiss his jaw dropped, and a look of terror distorted his face +as he saw the shining barrel of the revolver within two feet of his +eyes. With a gesture of warning Will allowed him a few seconds to +collect himself: then in tones so low that they could scarcely have +been heard outside he said--</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are awake?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado's swarthy face had gone grey with fear. He did not reply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It depends on yourself whether you awake again. Do as I bid you and +your life is safe. At the least sign of treachery I shoot you like a +dog. You understand?"</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado's lips moved, but no sound came from them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I have some questions to ask," Will continued rapidly, but in the same +quiet tone. "If your answers are contrary to what I know to be fact +you are a dead man. Where is Señor Jackson?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"At Las Piedras," said the man in a whisper.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will started. This was the name of General Carabaño's hacienda nearly +fifty miles away.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is to be done with him and Señor O'Connor?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"They are held at ransom."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And if ransom is refused?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then they will be shot."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How do you know?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"The General says so."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Will he keep his word?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How do you know?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"He has sworn it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"When is it to be?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"To-morrow."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Why are you here?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am waiting."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What for?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"A message."</p> +<p class="pnext">"From where?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ciudad Bolivar."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What message?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"A reply."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"To the General's."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What was his message?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"If the ransom is not promised by midnight the prisoners will be shot +to-morrow."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Has he had no message before?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What was it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"The President refused to pay a ransom."</p> +<p class="pnext">"The General repeated his demand?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Does he expect consent?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No; it is a last attempt."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are speaking the truth?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes."</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no doubt of it. The man's terror was so evident that he +would scarcely have had the wits to invent a falsehood. Nor could he +know what information Will already had. His answers indeed gave Will +nothing of which he was not already aware, except the whereabouts of +the prisoners.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will stood for a moment thinking, still pointing his revolver at the +abject Spaniard. A desperate scheme had suggested itself. He had +already risked much: was it not possible to risk still more? His task +with Machado had been unexpectedly easy: might not a greater task prove +feasible? It was clear that unless the ransom was agreed to by the +time stated, the fate of the prisoners was sealed. It was clear also +from what the Jefe at Bolivar had told him that there was not the +slightest likelihood of the Government yielding on this point. He knew +roughly the direction of General Carabaño's hacienda, but recognized +how little chance there was of doing anything to help his friends. He +could not reach them during the night: the journey was long and +dangerous. There remained, as it seemed, one chance: that of +intercepting the General's messenger in the morning. He asked another +question.</p> +<p class="pnext">"If the reply from Ciudad Bolivar is unsatisfactory, the General will +send a messenger to Las Piedras?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"He will go himself."</p> +<p class="pnext">The answer disposed of Will's last hope. The only means of saving the +prisoners was to deal with the General himself. It was a desperate +game to play in the midst of a hostile camp, but his first move, with +Machado, had been successful, and the man was so cowed and +terror-stricken that he might prove a serviceable instrument in the +larger scheme. Time was running short; it was a quarter past eleven. +Will made up his mind to risk all.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Dismiss the man at your door," he said. "Tell him that you need him +no longer. You will take the message to the General yourself. Attempt +no treachery. I will keep my word."</p> +<p class="pnext">He motioned to Azito, of whose presence Machado seemed to become aware +for the first time, to stand behind a clothes-press near the camp-bed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Open the door only a few inches," he continued. "Now!"</p> +<p class="pnext">He stepped behind the door, allowing room for it to open about twelve +inches. He could not be seen by the man in the patio, but was able to +cover Machado with his revolver. The telegraphist lay for a few +moments as though hesitating.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Quick!" said Will in a fierce whisper.</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado rose unsteadily and, walking to the door, opened it. In a low +voice he called to the sleeping man. There was no reply or movement.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Kick him!" whispered Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado touched the man with his foot. He started up. Machado gave +him the instruction Will had dictated, and he went off at once, glad +enough, no doubt, to find a more comfortable bed. When he was gone, +Will closed the door.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now, the password," he said.</p> +<p class="pnext">"<em class="italics">Bolivar</em>," replied Machado.</p> +<p class="pnext">But Will marked a slight hesitation before the answer was given.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are you sure?" he said fiercely. "A mistake will cost you dear."</p> +<p class="pnext">"A slip, señor," said Machado, quailing. "Bolivar was last night's +password: to-night's is Libertad."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Make no more slips. Now go to your table."</p> +<p class="pnext">On the table, close to the instrument, lay a number of telegram forms +plundered from the railway, and a pencil. Pointing to these, Will +said--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Write what I say. 'Release prisoners: will send----' Stop there, and +add, 'Message interrupted.'"</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado wrote the words. His fingers trembled so violently that the +strokes were like those of an old man. Then Will, telling Azito to +stand over Machado with his knife and to kill him if he moved, he +turned the handle at the side of the instrument that switched off the +current, and worked the operating handle for half-a-minute. The clicks +could be distinctly heard in the patio, but the current being switched +off, no effect was produced at the other end of the wire.</p> +<p class="pnext">Giving the telegraph form to Machado, he said--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Where does the General sleep?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"In a room on the other side of the patio, near the door."</p> +<p class="pnext">"The man outside the door is an orderly?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You will take this slip and hand it to the orderly. Say you must +hurry back, and return here."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will thought he detected a gleam of relief and hope in the man's eyes. +But if Machado fancied he saw a chance of escape, he was disappointed +by the next words.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I shall stand near this door, with my revolver. It has six chambers. +Beware how you hurry or stumble. If you delay one instant longer than +is required to repeat what I have said----"</p> +<p class="pnext">He looked significantly into Machado's eyes. The man opened the door +and went along the patio. Once he half turned, as if to see whether he +was watched, but thought better of it and went on: it was nervous work, +walking with a revolver pointed at his back. He reached the door, +handed the slip to the orderly, said a few words, and returned at once. +Will saw the orderly knock at the General's door, and just as Machado +came into the room, the General called to the man to enter.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will closed the door. There was no time to be lost if the effect of +the message was what he hoped it would be. The clock said twenty +minutes to twelve.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sit in your chair," he said to Machado, "and occupy yourself with your +instrument. Make believe that you are sending a message and awaiting +the answer."</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado sat as directed, with his back to the door. Then Will took +Azito's knife and cut down the cord that drew the jalousies across the +window.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Tie his legs to the chair," he said to the Indian, adding to Machado: +"You will suffer no harm if you do not resist. Work the instrument."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will was now in a fever of uncertainty and apprehension. Would the +fish rise to the bait? He knew the cupidity of the Liberator. If he +was the man Will believed him to be, he would not wait to receive the +completed message in writing, but would come across the patio to be at +hand when the instrument spelled out the words promising the addition +of 60,000 pesos to his chest. There was one thing to fear: that he +would not come alone. He might waken his lieutenants on the way; then +the game would be up. But Will reflected that a refusal had already +come from Bolivar. Probably neither General Carabaño nor any of his +officers expected a favourable reply, otherwise they would not all have +gone to bed. Machado had been left on the chance of the Government +relenting, and he had done his duty, the General would think.</p> +<p class="pnext">For a few moments there was no sign. Will began to fear that the trap +would not work. He said a few words to Azito, who tore a long strip +from the bottom of the curtain and rolled it up. The instrument +clicked on, Machado never turning his head, but looking out of the +corners of his eyes. At last there was a footfall along the patio. +Will slipped behind the door. Immediately afterwards it was burst open.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, what do they say?"</p> +<p class="pnext">General Carabaño took two strides into the room. Noiselessly closing +the door with his foot, Will sprang to the Liberator, threw his arms in +a strangling embrace about his neck, and pulled him backwards to the +floor. The General struggled and spluttered, half-choked. He was a +powerful man, and in a wrestling match on even terms Will would have +come off badly. But while the General was striving to regain his +footing Azito glided from his place of concealment, forced a gag +between his teeth and helped Will to bear him to the floor. Then, +while Will held him firmly, the Indian deftly bound his arms and feet +with the remainder of the cord. By the time this was done the General +was black in the face with his frantic efforts to rise and to cry out. +Meanwhile Machado, who had stopped the clicking when he heard the +General enter, had watched with a look of horror all that went on. He +dared not raise his voice, knowing full well that before he could +release himself one or other of these desperate visitors would be free +to deal with him.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Liberator of Venezuela was now in bonds. There had been so little +sound that the orderly at the farther end of the patio could have heard +nothing. The other officers in the house were asleep. If only Fortune +would smile a little longer, Will felt that the game would be +absolutely in his hands.</p> +<p class="pnext">Bidding Azito keep guard over the General, prostrate on the floor, Will +went to the chair and released Machado.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stand up, señor," he said. "I have to ask a little more of you, and +so long as you do exactly as I tell you, you will come to no harm from +me."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I had no hand in this, Excellency," the unhappy man blurted out, +addressing the General.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Silence!" said Will. "I will make that clear. You shall be released +presently beyond the reach of General Carabaño or any of his officers. +You shall not suffer for double treachery. Stand still!"</p> +<p class="pnext">He quickly tied Machado's ankles together with a short piece of cord, +so that he could walk but not run.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Now listen very carefully. We are going to pass out of the camp. We +shall probably come to the front of the house. The sentry will +challenge you. You will give the password, and your name. He will ask +you what we are carrying. You will say: 'His Excellency sends a spy to +feed the caymans.' Say it now."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But--but--" stammered the man, "you will not----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, I shall not harm his Excellency. Repeat what I said."</p> +<p class="pnext">"'His Excellency sends a spy to feed the caymans,'" said Machado.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is right. The sentry may ask questions. You must answer him: +say what you please, but do not play me false. The sentry may wish to +see the spy. You must keep him off. If you cannot do so, so much the +worse for you. You cannot run, you are unarmed--I will make sure of +that; and if you attempt to give the alarm be sure that you, at any +rate, will not escape. You understand? Your safety depends on ours. +And it will be well to remember, too, that if we fail, nobody will +believe all this was done without your connivance. Is it clear?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, señor," murmured the man.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will searched his pockets for arms. He had none. But he shot a +momentary glance towards a long cape hanging from a peg on the wall. +Will saw the glance, and feeling the garment, discovered a revolver. +This he put in his pocket. Then, opening the door into the adjoining +cloak-room, he ordered Machado to take the General's head and Azito the +legs. The General writhed and heaved, until Will slipped under his +knees a short board that held his legs stiff. The two men lifted him. +When they stood in the doorway Will turned out the light. Then he bade +them carry their bulky burden into the next room.</p> +<p class="pnext">From the window Will saw that the camp was in utter darkness. No +lights from the back of the house shone upon the ground. He opened +both leaves of the window and passed on to the veranda. The others +followed him slowly as he made his way to the right-hand corner. There +he stopped and peeped round. The stables were opposite this face of +the house, and a light shone upon them from the General's bedroom. It +would be unsafe to pass that way. They must descend from the veranda, +cross a few yards of ground, and come to the rear of the stables. +Between these and the last of the line of tents, on this side, there +was a gap of perhaps fifteen yards. Will listened for the footfall of +a sentry. All was silent save slight sounds from the stables: probably +the man was asleep. Bidding the others follow him he went down the +steps and walked on. It was very dark: their forms could scarcely have +been seen if the sentry had been alert.</p> +<p class="pnext">They came to the back of the stables, and, striking to the right, +reached the end of the wall. Here they halted for a moment, while Will +glanced around. A light through the open door of the house was +reflected on the surface of the lake. To his joy he saw that De +Mello's little sailing yacht lay at the jetty. He had feared it might +have been removed. Creeping along by the front wall of the stables he +came to a spot whence he could see the door. A sentry was sitting on +the ground, leaning against the wall, his head bent forward as in +slumber. It might be possible to get to the jetty without waking him. +Will returned to the men, and whispering "Remember!" to Machado, he led +the way towards the terrace whence a few steps led down to the jetty.</p> +<p class="pnext">They were half-way there when, just as they came within the illuminated +space, the sentry in a sleepy voice cried, "Who goes there?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"A friend!" answered Machado at once.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The word?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Libertad!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The General began to struggle, and Will pressed the cold muzzle of the +revolver to his brow.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Who is it?" said the sentry.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stop, and answer him," whispered Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Miguel Machado: you know me," said Machado.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah, Señor Machado, it is you. What have you got there?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"His Excellency sends a spy to feed the caymans."</p> +<p class="pnext">"A spy!" cried the man, more wakefully. "Who is it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"A wretched Indian, once in the service of the Englishman."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is that all? I hoped it was the Englishman who escaped. I was coming +to have a look at him, but if it is an Indian it is not worth while. I +shall hear him squeal. Is there any news from Bolivar, Señor Machado?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"None."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then the Englishmen will be shot to-morrow," said the man. "A good +riddance. Come and have a chat on your way back."</p> +<p class="pnext">During this conversation Will had stood behind Machado so that his face +could not be seen. The lamp in the hall was a small one, and the light +revealed little. They moved on again, came to the steps, and +descending these reached the end of the jetty. The General had been +passive since he felt the cold steel against his brow; but now, feeling +that his last chance had come, he gave a sudden jerk with his legs +which threw Azito down. Instantly Will was upon him, but he was a very +powerful man, and, bound though he was, he wriggled and heaved his body +with such violence that it was difficult to hold him. In the struggle +he managed by some means to get rid of the gag, and shouted at the top +of his voice--</p> +<p class="pnext">"Help! help! I am General Carabaño."</p> +<p class="pnext">His voice was of peculiar timbre, and even the slowest-witted sentry +could not have failed to recognize it. A moment after he had cried +out, the sentry fired off his rifle and shouted into the hall of the +house. At once Will and Azito caught the General by the feet and began +to drag him as fast as possible along the jetty, Machado still holding +his head. They were below the level of the terrace, so that none of +them was at present in danger of being shot. The General was still +shouting; the sentry, having given the alarm, was reloading as he ran +towards the terrace.</p> +<p class="pnext">The fugitives had now reached the yacht. Will released his hold of the +General, and drew in the painter. While he was doing this, the sentry +reached the head of the steps and fired. But the darkness and his +flurry combined to spoil his aim. Realizing that he had missed, he +sprang down the steps, and ran along the jetty, clubbing his rifle. +Machado saw him coming, and shrank away; but Azito, dropping the +General's feet, waited in a crouching posture, and, parrying the blow +with his machete, drove at the man with his head and butted him into +the water.</p> +<p class="pnext">The General, left thus momentarily unguarded, struggled vehemently to +break or shake off his bonds. His wriggling brought him to the edge of +the narrow jetty, and when Will, having loosed the painter, turned to +secure his prisoner, he saw him roll over into the lake on the opposite +side. Instantly he flung himself at full length on the jetty, peering +into the water for the prize he was determined not to lose. The lake +was shallow. In a few moments the General rose spluttering from his +immersion, and yelled again for help. Will grabbed him by his wholly +hair: Azito plunged into the water, and together they hauled him on to +the jetty and threw him into the yacht. Machado had already jumped +into it. Will and the Indian followed. The latter seized a paddle, +Will pushed off, and the little vessel began to move down the lake +towards the canal.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiii-a-snag"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id14">CHAPTER XIII--A SNAG</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The kidnappers were not a moment too soon. The sentry, dazed and +half-drowned, struggled from the muddy bottom of the lake just as the +yacht put off. Scrambling on to the jetty, he filled the air with his +cries. While Azito paddled the boat towards the canal, Will looked +back towards the house. Figures were pouring out, some in their night +attire, others pulling on their coats as they ran. The air rang with +their shouts. They all made for the jetty. One or two fired +aimlessly; the little vessel must now be invisible to them in the +darkness, and until they inquired of the sentry they would not know +what had happened. There were no other boats at the jetty, so that +pursuit by water was impossible, but Will wondered anxiously whether he +could reach the stream at the end of the canal before the men could +gain it by running along the banks. If they posted themselves on the +banks of the narrow canal, he would be at their mercy.</p> +<p class="pnext">The boat was small. It would carry no more than two comfortably. +Overloaded as it now was--the General alone was no light weight--it +could not make anything like the speed of a man running. But it was +taking the diameter of the lake; the pursuers would have to run round +the circumference: and Will remembered that when they reached the canal +they would find their course checked by the vegetation, the banks +having been allowed to return to their primitive wildness. This would +give the boat a little time.</p> +<p class="pnext">It entered the canal from the lake. The shouts of the men drew nearer. +They came from both sides. General Carabaño cried out continually. +The gag was lost, and Will had nothing at hand with which to silence +him. Azito plied his paddle desperately, and Machado, as anxious now +as Will himself to escape, seized a second paddle and helped to propel +the boat.</p> +<p class="pnext">Had Ruggles brought the hydroplane to the end of the canal? What would +happen if he was not there? The pursuers were probably numbered by +hundreds, and even if they fired at random across the stream, so many +could hardly fail to hit one or other of the occupants of the boat. +Will peered anxiously into the darkness. If Ruggles had come, surely +he must have heard the noise. Then why had he made no sign? Had the +hydroplane broken down? All at once from down the canal came the throb +of the engine. Will looked over the bow of the boat. He could just +see, on the faintly shimmering surface of the water, a dark shape +approaching.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ruggles!" he shouted.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ahoy!" came the reply. "Look out, Mr. Pentelow, I'm stern foremost."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good man! Catch the painter when I throw it. Don't come any farther."</p> +<p class="pnext">Azito was paddling more slowly now, fearful of dashing into the +hydroplane in the darkness. The shouts of the pursuers sounded nearer +than ever: Will heard the men crashing through the undergrowth, +regardless of snakes, as of all the dangers that beset the unwary by +night in tropical jungle. The boat came to a stop within a yard of the +hydroplane. Will flung the painter on board: Ruggles seized it and +instantly started the motor. At the same moment a shot rang out from +the right; another on the left; then there was a fusilade, and Will +heard the bullets splashing into the water and singing through the air. +The pace of the vessel was quickening; but Ruggles could not drive the +hydroplane at speed, for though he was able to steer safely between the +banks of the canal, it was so short, and the stream beyond so narrow, +that there was a danger of running the vessel against the farther bank +if he went too fast. But the speed was great enough to shake off the +pursuers, and in another minute the hydroplane swept round the corner +of the canal, her head turned in the direction of the tributary of the +Orinoco.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Go on slowly," cried Will to Ruggles. "They won't dare to pursue us +now. We are safe till the morning."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Will you come aboard?" asked Ruggles.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not at present. I have got a prisoner."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Machado?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"He has been my right-hand man." He was speaking in English, so that +Machado did not understand him.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You don't say so! Who's your prisoner, then?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"His Excellency the Liberator of Venezuela, General Carabaño."</p> +<p class="pnext">"By gosh! this beats cock-fighting. How on earth did you do it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'll tell you all by and by. It's the greatest piece of luck. We'll +hold him as hostage for the Chief and O'Connor."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Did you find out where they are?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"At the General's own hacienda, Las Piedras, fifty miles up-country."</p> +<p class="pnext">"In any danger?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not now. He was going to shoot them to-morrow--to-day, I should say. +But nobody will touch them while we have the General in our hands. +We've smashed this revolution, Ruggles."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Don't hallo till we're out of the wood, as the Chief would say. +They'll come after us in the morning."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll be out of their reach. We can go faster as soon as we reach the +tributary--but not too fast, for goodness' sake: we don't want to +strike a snag. At ten miles an hour we shall be at the junction by the +time it's light, and then we shall have a straight run to Bolivar."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But suppose they run to the junction by train and get there before us?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I hadn't thought of that. What a fool I am! That would be the end of +us. We shall have to go pretty fast after all. Not yet; this stream's +dangerous. It's lucky we haven't far to go before we get to the +tributary."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Look out!" cried Ruggles. "I've just got a whack in the eye from a +branch."</p> +<p class="pnext">His warning came too late. The yacht stopped with a jerk as its mast +came into contact with an overhanging mass of foliage. The light pole +snapped and fell into the bottom; at the same time the painter broke.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It doesn't matter, luckily," said Will. "We can drift down-stream. +When it begins to get light we'll all board the hydroplane, though it +will be a tight fit. Have you got a match?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not one. Why?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I wanted to see the time. We ought to get into the tributary by about +half-past one. There's plenty of time."</p> +<p class="pnext">General Carabaño had been very quiet since the boat left the jetty. +But while Will talked to Ruggles, he had been speaking in a low tone to +Machado.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You shall rue this, Señor Machado," he said fiercely.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Excellency, I am not to blame."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You expect me to believe that? Could these villains have committed +this outrage upon me without your help?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"They stole into the house, Excellency----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"What were you about?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I was at my instrument, according to your instructions, Excellency. +They came in when I was taking the telegram to you."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is a lie," said Azito, with a grunt.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What do you say, dog?" demanded the General.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I say nothing," replied the Indian. "This man lies: that is all I +say."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You will tell me the truth, Señor Machado. You played the traitor to +the Englishmen; if you have also played the traitor to me I vow you +shall pay for it."</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado hesitated. On the one hand the General was a prisoner, on his +way to Ciudad Bolivar, where unsuccessful revolutionist leaders usually +had short shrift. So far as appearances went, he had nothing to fear. +On the other hand, prisoners sometimes escaped; it had occurred to him, +as it had to Ruggles, that a train might be sent in pursuit: it might +reach the junction first. General Carabaño at large would be a foe +whose revenge it would be wise to shun.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I will tell you the whole truth, Excellency," he said. "I was asleep +in my chair: a click would have awakened me. These villains stole upon +me, threatened me with death, and forced me to invent the telegram to +decoy you from your room."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It was false?" cried the General.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Every word of it, Excellency."</p> +<p class="pnext">The General gave a gasp of relief. One of his bitterest reflections +had been that he had lost 60,000 pesos. Then his anger blazed against +Machado.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You are a cur as well as a traitor, I see," he said. "A man of any +courage would have defied these wretches. If I had my hands free I +would whip you like a dog."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It is easy to talk like that," said Machado, stung by the General's +contemptuous tone. "Would you have done otherwise with a pistol at +your head? At least our lives are safe, and I may yet do you a +service."</p> +<p class="pnext">"How?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Captain Espejo will certainly send a train in pursuit, Excellency. +Even now I doubt not the engine is getting up steam. The hydroplane +cannot go fast in the dark. The train will be first at the junction. +We shall be rescued."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That will be Captain Espejo's service, not yours."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But we shall be taken on board the hydroplane, Excellency. The +painter is broken; they cannot tow us, or if they can, they will not +wish so to check their speed. Suppose I am able to damage the engine, +Excellency?" he whispered, so that Azito could not hear him. "Then +their chance of outstripping the train is gone."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Could you do it?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I could try, Excellency. Such engines are very delicate; a trifle +puts them out of order; and we shall have several hours."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Do it, Señor Machado," whispered the General eagerly; "and when I make +myself President you shall be--yes, you shall be my postmaster-general. +Say no more: the Englishman has stopped talking."</p> +<p class="pnext">Hydroplane and yacht drifted down on the slow current through the +darkness. Now and then one or the other would run aground, which +caused delay, but no danger, the speed being so low. None of the party +knew what hour of the night it was when they came into the tributary, +the scene of Will's first meeting with Azito. It was, in fact, nearly +two o'clock--time to transfer the prisoner to the hydroplane and +increase the speed. Ruggles threw out the little anchor, to allow the +yacht to draw alongside.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There are six of us. We can never all squeeze into the hydroplane," +he said, when Will was only a foot or two away. "General Carabaño will +take room for two."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm afraid you're right," replied Will. "We shall have to make a +hawser out of the halyards, and tow as before. It will put more work +on the engine, but I think it can stand it, and if we can get to the +narrows safely we shall be all right."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Won't it take longer to plane?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"It won't be safe to plane at all, but that won't matter. The current +is with us."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Have you got enough petrol?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, I bought some in Bolivar. I came up very slowly, so as not to +use too much, and there should be enough to carry us to Bolivar, or at +least to the broken culvert, especially as we needn't go fast when we +are past the junction."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's all right, then. My notion is that I had better board the +yacht and look after the General. You will want Azito to pole, and you +had better have Machado with you. I wish I had a pistol: it might come +handy."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've got a spare one: took it from Machado's room. Here you are. +Your plan's all right. We must take care that the hawser is firmly +fixed."</p> +<p class="pnext">"All right. I'll keep my eye on the General. He shan't slip his +bonds, and won't want to: he could only escape by swimming, and I guess +he's too scared of caymans to try that."</p> +<p class="pnext">The transfers were soon affected. Machado exchanged a meaning glance +with the General as he left him. The General for the first time made a +formal protest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I warn you," he said to Ruggles as that worthy stepped to his side. +"You have committed an unpardonable atrocity in laying violent hands on +the Liberator of Venezuela. I demand that you set me ashore at the +earliest possible moment, otherwise you will have a heavy reckoning to +pay when I establish my authority."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Don't you worry, General," said Ruggles consolingly. "You wanted to +get into Bolivar, I understand. Well, we'll take you there, free of +charge. Couldn't be a fairer offer."</p> +<p class="pnext">The General muttered an oath and relapsed into silence.</p> +<p class="pnext">The hawser having been made fast, Will started the motor and set the +hydroplane going at a speed of about ten miles an hour. To go faster +while it was still dark was unwise: he hoped also unnecessary. Azito +stood forward with his pole: José was at the engine with his oil-can; +Machado, to his disappointment, was given a seat beside Will at the +steering-wheel. In that position he was unable to interfere with the +machinery. But he still hoped that an opportunity might offer before +the night was over.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was more than fifty miles by river to the junction. Will had +pondered his task as the yacht drifted down the smaller stream, and +recognized the dangers. First, there was the navigation of the river +in the darkness; but the danger of this might be avoided with Azito's +care, and by maintaining only a moderate speed. The second danger was +that Captain Espejo might run a train to the narrowest part of the +river some forty miles away, where the bank was fairly clear of +vegetation and the railway line was near the stream. That spot would +be reached about dawn. If the enemy got there first and lined the +bank, they could riddle the hydroplane with bullets, and a single +well-planted shot would cripple the engine, to say nothing of the risks +to which the occupants of the vessel would be exposed. The third +danger was that Captain Espejo might run the train beyond the narrows +to the junction. At this part of its course the river made a wide +bend, while the railway ran fairly straight; so that if the hydroplane +got safely past the narrows there was still a possibility of the train +outstripping it before the junction was reached. But the train, +consisting as it must do of heavy goods wagons, could not approach +without noise, which would give warning of the necessity of increasing +speed. Nor did Will suppose that the Captain would venture to drive +the train at full speed in pitch darkness over a new track, in which +there were many awkward curves before it reached the straight run to +the junction. On the whole, Will felt fairly easy in mind, and since +the safety of the hydroplane was all-important, he contented himself +with the moderate speed of ten knots.</p> +<p class="pnext">The voyage had been in progress little more than an hour when Azito +suddenly turned round, and said--</p> +<p class="pnext">"I hear a train, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will instantly stopped the engine. While it throbbed he could hear +nothing else. The hydroplane drifted silently on the current. From +the far distance, on the right bank, came the characteristic rumble of +a heavy train--a sound impossible to mistake. Ruggles heard it at the +same moment.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We must cut and run for it now," he said, "and no mistake."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, and we must have the General aboard. It will be a near thing at +the best. We must make room for him somehow."</p> +<p class="pnext">As he said this he backed the vessel to allow the yacht to come +alongside. Then he gave the wheel to José, turning to help Ruggles to +lift the General on board. Machado thought his chance was come. He +took up the light anchor, as though to throw it over and hold the +vessel while the transfer was made. He really intended to dash it into +the machinery. But just as he was on the point of hurling it, Azito +sprang at him and brought his pole down with tremendous force on his +forearm. He dropped the anchor with a howl of pain. At the same +moment the General was hauled over the side and laid just in front of +the engine. Ruggles cast off the hawser and stowed himself near José; +Will returned to his seat; and opening the throttle little by little he +set the hydroplane going, at ten, fifteen, and finally twenty knots. +The extra weight she carried depressed her in the water, and more power +than usual was necessary before she would plane.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will had heard Machado's cry, but was too intent upon his task to pay +any heed to it. He knew full well the frightful risks he was running +in pressing the engine so hard in the darkness, but there was no +alternative. He must reach the junction before the train. Alarmed at +the speed, Ruggles suggested that it would be better to lie up until +the morning, but Will would not hear of it.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We couldn't get past them. It's neck or nothing," he said shortly.</p> +<p class="pnext">The vessel whizzed along. The rumble of the train seemed to draw no +nearer. Azito stood forward, but the pace was so great that in the +darkness it was tremendously difficult to give the course. Suddenly +there was a jolt and a jar. Azito shot forward on to the wind-screen; +those who were seated were jostled violently against one another, and +Will narrowly escaped a collision with the steering-wheel. After the +momentary jerk the hydroplane rushed on, but only for a few seconds. +Then the engine stopped dead, and the vessel was once more drifting at +three knots down the stream.</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xiv-repairs"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id15">CHAPTER XIV--REPAIRS</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">"What's happened?" asked Ruggles anxiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We struck a snag: goodness knows what damage is done. We shall have +to run into the bank and wait till morning. Can't see to do anything +in the dark. Was there ever such beastly bad luck!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, you couldn't expect everything to go smoothly. You haven't had +much to complain of so far."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's true; but just at this moment, when everything depended on our +keeping ahead of the train! Listen to it. We must be close on the +narrows, to judge by the row it's making."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's lucky we hadn't got any farther, then."</p> +<p class="pnext">By this time Will had steered the vessel to the left bank, running +under the overhanging branches of a large tree. Before it came to +rest, Azito beat the bank with his pole to scare away any alligator +that might lurk there.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Water's coming in," said Will. "But I'm afraid that's not the worst. +We can stop a leak, but we are done if there's anything seriously wrong +with the engine. We haven't even got the yacht now."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Better lift the craft on to the bank, so that she doesn't become +absolutely waterlogged," Ruggles suggested.</p> +<p class="pnext">Everybody got out, Azito removing the small stock of food left in the +vessel, and Ruggles and José lifting the General between them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Shall we untie his cords?" said Will. "He must be pretty stiff and +uncomfortable."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It depends what you mean to do. Will you still have a try at getting +him to Bolivar?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Without a doubt. There's the Chief to consider."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Then you mustn't loose him. It won't be safe. By the way, what was +that howl I heard as we hauled him into the boat?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't know."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Señor, it was this man," said the Indian, pointing to Machado. "He +was going to hurt the engine."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's a lie!" cried Machado, in abject fear.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Tell us what he did, Azito," said Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Indian explained that Machado and the General had conversed in low +tones while on the yacht, arousing his suspicion. He told how he had +prevented the man from carrying out his intention when the Señor's back +was turned. Will caught Machado's arm, and he winced.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Tie him up," said Will. "He shan't have another chance."</p> +<p class="pnext">Machado was bound and laid beside the General. Food was distributed, +but sparingly; the supply brought from Bolivar would soon be exhausted. +Then they sat down to wait for daylight, not daring to sleep, in case +danger in the shape of beast or man should come. They heard the train +rumbling along to their left, until by and by the sound died away.</p> +<p class="pnext">The dawn stole upon them. They all presented a sorry and woe-begone +appearance, none more than General Carabaño. When captured he was +wearing a long flowered dressing-gown, the colours of which had "run" +through his immersion in the lake. He had lost the well-fed and +arrogant look which he habitually wore. He made no further protest, +but accepted in sullen silence the meagre portion of food allotted to +him, and meekly allowed his arms to be rebound when the brief meal was +finished.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will and Ruggles lost no time in making an examination of the +hydroplane. They found that a sharp branch of a submerged tree had +penetrated the bottom and pierced the petrol-tank, where it had snapped +off. The pressure which usually fed the petrol up to the engine had +forced it out of the tank, and Will realized with despair that the +hydroplane was now of no more use to them than a raft. All the petrol +that was left was about a gallon in one of the cans.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We are clean done, Ruggles," he said. "There's not the ghost of a +chance of our getting to Bolivar."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Except at three miles an hour," said Ruggles.</p> +<p class="pnext">"With the river closely watched, as it will be, we can't even drift +down. Espejo will know we can't have passed. No one but a madman +would attempt to go at any pace in the dark, and then he'd come to +grief. I was a fool not to take your advice."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's no good crying over spilt milk, as the Chief would say. I can +manage to patch up the hole, if that's any good."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, it would keep the thing afloat, but that won't help us much. +Without petrol we're stuck."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Is there none left at the camp?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not a cupful. I brought away the last cans before I went down to +Bolivar."</p> +<p class="pnext">"This is a real fix. That Espejo fellow will begin to search the river +when he finds we don't pass; he can easily get canoes from some of the +natives down the Orinoco. He's bound to find us if we're still on the +river, and then with only two revolvers and a couple of knives between +us we shall be at his mercy. Seems to me, as soon as I've patched up +the hole, we'd better pole up the river and go straight on instead of +turning up the stream towards the hacienda. They might not look for us +there."</p> +<p class="pnext">"There seems nothing else. But it'll take a week to get so far. We've +got the current against us, and with our load we should do about one +mile an hour. Besides, what's to happen then? They can search for us +and keep a watch on the river for any length of time, and our food +won't last more than two days on the shortest commons, and precious +stale it will be, too."</p> +<p class="pnext">"The only other plan would be to march along this left bank till we +come to a village, and then promise the natives a reward to guide us to +Bolivar."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And let Espejo collar my hydroplane! Not if I can help it. Besides, +we've got to rescue the Chief."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, you can think it over while I am stopping the leak."</p> +<p class="pnext">There were a few simple tools on board, and Ruggles, not belying his +reputation as handy man, succeeded after an hour's work in making what +he called a good temporary job of it. Will watched him for a time; +then, seeing from the General's look that he had taken the full measure +of the situation, and expected to be rescued by his lieutenant before +long, he said to himself fiercely that he would not be bested, and +walked away to think quietly how the disaster might be retrieved.</p> +<p class="pnext">The want of petrol was the only difficulty. When Ruggles had finished +his task the hydroplane would be quite capable of continuing the voyage +if fuel could be got. He would, of course, not again attempt to +proceed by night; and by day Azito could be trusted to avoid snags. +But petrol he had none, nor could he get any; and without it he saw no +possible way of working the engine. Was there a substitute?</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly he remembered that the Indians were accustomed to use for +their torches a resinous liquid made from a kind of pine-tree that grew +in certain districts. Would not such a wood-spirit be quite as good +for his purpose as petrol? Full of the idea, he hastened back to +consult Ruggles. Ruggles shook his head.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I am up to most things in the machine line," he said, "but don't know +more than a baby about distilling or chemistry and such. Still, it's a +fact, what you say. The Indians do get a sort of benzine from the +trees, and benzine and petrol are first cousins, at any rate. There's +no harm in trying. But do you know whether these trees grow +hereabouts?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, I don't," confessed Will, with misgiving. "I'll ask Azito."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Indian's reply was cheering. There was a forest of the right kind +of trees some miles inland from the left bank of the river. It could +be approached by a creek, not very far from the scene of his adventure +with the jaguar. This was fortunate. The spot was a good many miles +from their present position, and if Captain Espejo did undertake a +systematic search of the river, it would be long before he came to the +upper reaches. Will decided to set off at once. The petrol tank +having been repaired, he could make use of the last gallon of spirit +contained in the almost empty can. It would suffice to carry the +hydroplane at a low speed perhaps a dozen miles up-stream; then they +must trust to their poles. Will made sure that the sparking apparatus +was in good order; the whole party went aboard, with two prisoners now +instead of one; and while the morning was still young the hydroplane +started for the upper river. At first Will hesitated to set the engine +going, in case it was heard by the enemy; but reflecting that they had +almost certainly run on to the junction several miles below, and would +scarcely have begun to search yet, he decided to get as far from them +as he could. There would probably be greater danger if the throbbing +were heard as they approached the neighbourhood of the hacienda.</p> +<p class="pnext">A few miles up Azito caught sight of the little yacht, which on being +cast off had drifted for some distance and then run into the bank, +where it had wedged itself among the lower boughs of a large tree. +Will hailed this as a fortunate discovery. By dividing the party the +labour of ascending against the current would be considerably lessened. +The boat was hauled off and towed until the petrol gave out; then once +more General Carabaño was transferred to it, with Ruggles as punter and +guardian. Keeping both vessels as near to the left bank as was safe, +in order to avoid the full force of the current, Ruggles in the yacht +and José and Azito by turns in the hydroplane steadily poled along. It +was slow and tiresome work. In two hours they covered a distance less +than the hydroplane in good trim would have accomplished in ten +minutes. Indeed, it was late in the afternoon when they came to the +little stream, running into the left bank, from which they could gain +the creek that Azito had mentioned.</p> +<p class="pnext">They made their way slowly up this stream for some three miles, passing +many small creeks on both sides. At last they reached that which would +bring them to the spirit-yielding trees. Their progress now was even +slower than it had been. The creek was shallow and very weedy. More +than once the vessels were brought up by clinging masses of aquatic +vegetation. Not till the short dusk was beginning did they reach the +neighbourhood of the wood. Here they found a little sandy strip on +which they ran the vessels and disembarked, tired out. After a meagre +supper they lay down on a stretch of green sward to pass the night, +Will arranging that they should take turns to watch against intrusion +by wild beasts.</p> +<p class="pnext">Early next morning Azito led Will and Ruggles into the wood, and showed +them the trees to tap for the spirit. Then he said that he would +paddle himself some miles further up the creek in the yacht, until he +reached an Indian village where he might obtain food. The others set +about rigging up a benzine distillery. This was naturally of the most +primitive description. Will first made a clay crucible in which he +collected the liquid obtained from the trees; then, connecting this by +means of a metal pipe from the engine with a water-bottle he was +accustomed to take with him on the hydroplane, he lit a small fire, +borrowing a box of matches from Machado, and distilled over the vapour +from the crucible to the bottle. It occurred to him to hasten the +condensation by placing the bottle in the flowing water of the stream, +propping it up with two stones. As soon as he had collected a small +quantity of the spirit he tested it, and found that it had all the +volatile and inflammable qualities of petrol.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'd never have believed it," said Ruggles; "but it will take a month +before we get enough to carry us to Bolivar."</p> +<p class="pnext">"So it will if we don't make more crucibles. There's plenty of clay."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But what about pipes and bottles?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"There are plenty of reeds at the edge of the creek: they'll do for +pipes. As for bottles, we've got two petrol cans, and we shall have to +make some clay bottles. The sooner the better."</p> +<p class="pnext">They set to work at once with José to make, first, crucibles out of the +white clay which formed the subsoil, and as these were finished, they +took them into the forest and set them down at the trees they tapped. +While the liquid was collecting they gathered reeds from the border of +the stream, and fashioned clumsy clay bottles as receptacles of the +vapour. By the afternoon they had a dozen pieces of apparatus at work, +and Will was in high spirits at the prospect of filling his tank with +the all-important fuel. He found the moist heat of the forest very +trying, but willingly endured the discomfort and fatigue.</p> +<p class="pnext">In the evening Azito returned, staggering under a basket loaded with +yuca, a root from which a capital bread could be made, and a goat-skin +filled with resinous liquid, purchased in the Indian village. He +reported that he had seen, as he came by the edge of the forest, a +sloth clinging to the branch of a tree, and several tapirs grubbing for +roots, and wished Will to return with him and kill one of the animals +for supper; but Will did not care to risk a revolver shot, which might +be heard by the enemy if they were coming up the river, and so he +decided to make a meal of yuca bread alone.</p> +<p class="pnext">Next day he set up more crucibles, and then, having at work as many as +could be conveniently tended, he adopted Ruggles' advice and rested +during the hottest hours. But he grew restless in inaction, and by and +by strolled into the forest, whose gloomy depths had a fascination for +him. He marked signs of the great struggle for life going on all +around. Innumerable creeping plants twined about the trees, striving +to force a way to the sunlight in which their gorgeous blossoms might +expand, and stifling the vitality out of the forest giants. Beetles +and termites scurried hither and thither: birds flitted from bough to +bough, pecking at the ripe berries, and carrying away seeds which would +germinate in some other part, to be strangled ere they came to +maturity, or to grow into stranglers in their turn. Among the other +trees the palms rose straight and lofty, their branchless trunks +defying the murderous creepers, their leafy crowns dominating as if in +contempt the lowlier competitors beneath.</p> +<p class="pnext">Here he caught sight of a cavy nibbling a nut, there a peccary hunting +among the undergrowth for seeds. Moving cautiously among the trees, he +had a glimpse of a labba peeping out of a hollow trunk, and disturbed a +deer which was lying amid the bushes, its colour harmonizing so well +with them that he had not distinguished it until it moved, though it +was within a few feet of him. In the foliage overhead howling monkeys +kept up their resounding notes, and tree-frogs boomed and whistled +incessantly. As evening drew on, the forest was filled with the +continuous hum of multitudinous insects; owls hooted, goatsuckers +flitted from bough to bough uttering their weird cry, and snakes +uncoiled themselves from the branches on which they had taken their +siesta. Will would have liked to spend days in studying these +creatures of the forest.</p> +<p class="pnext">Returning to the camp, he discussed with Ruggles what should be done +when the cans were filled.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It will be two days more before we have enough spirit," he said. "I +think we should start from here in the early afternoon, run down to the +narrows at half-speed, and try to rush them at dusk. No more night +running for me. We might strike a snag again, and we can't risk it a +second time."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Couldn't we simply drift?" suggested Ruggles.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Too risky--not from the river, but you may be sure that Espejo will +watch it day and night. He will know we haven't got past him."</p> +<p class="pnext">"You had better send Azito out to scout, then, before we start."</p> +<p class="pnext">"A good idea. But I am sure we shall have to trust to our speed alone. +We can't fight them with only two revolvers between us. Our only +chance is to get to the narrows before we are seen, and then go at top +speed. A quarter of an hour would do it."</p> +<p class="pnext">On the second night thereafter the petrol tank was full, and there was +a considerable quantity of spirit left over in one of the cans. Will +ordered Azito to go out in the yacht as soon as it was light, and see +if he could discover the movements of the enemy. While the Indian was +absent the others prepared for the adventurous voyage. The two +prisoners, who had sullenly watched the making of the benzine, were +laid in the bottom of the hydroplane: Will and Ruggles thoroughly +overhauled and oiled the engine, and cleaned the planes and the +propeller of the weeds which had already begun to cling about them.</p> +<p class="pnext">About nine o'clock Azito returned. His report was that he had seen a +boat filled with armed men coming slowly up the stream, searching the +creeks on either side. There were twelve men, all armed with rifles.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We must get out before they come up here," said Will. "Otherwise we +shall be like rats in a trap. How far are they down, Azito?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"About three twists, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">This was not very enlightening. The Indian's "twist" may be of any +length, according to circumstances. But Azito went on to explain that +the enemy were not far below a creek that ran into the stream from the +opposite side, which, as nearly as Will could recollect, was about +half-a-mile from that up which the hydroplane had come. He had little +doubt that if the enemy were proceeding systematically they would +search the opposite creek first. Accordingly he ordered all on board. +The yacht was left. Will promised it as a present to Azito when his +work was over, having no doubt that Mr. Jackson would purchase it of De +Mello. Then they poled the hydroplane down the creek until they came +within a few yards of the point where it entered the stream. There +they drew into the bank, where they could not be seen until the enemy +came right opposite the mouth.</p> +<p class="pnext">Many tall trees grew at the edge of the stream.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Climb up, Azito," said Will, "and tell us when the boat enters the +creek on the opposite side."</p> +<p class="pnext">In a few minutes the Indian was snugly perched among the thick foliage +at the top of one of the loftiest trees.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll start as soon as we know they're in the creek," said Will to +Ruggles. "That may give us time to get several miles down before we're +discovered."</p> +<p class="pnext">Several minutes passed. Then they saw Azito sliding down the tree with +the agility of a monkey.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They have gone into it, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very well. Pole us out. It's neck or nothing, Ruggles. Have you got +your revolver handy?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Trust me. You'd better give me yours. You can't use it and steer +too, and I'm rather a dab with my left hand."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Here you are, then," said Will, smiling as he handed the weapon to +him. "But I hope we shan't come to close enough quarters for you to +use it. We're off, and good luck to us."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xv-hydroplane-versus-locomotive"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id16">CHAPTER XV--HYDROPLANE <em class="italics">VERSUS</em> LOCOMOTIVE</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">Captain Espejo thought himself to be very hardly used. He had expected +to be by this time Jefe of Guayana. That was the office promised him +by General Carabaño in reward for his services in the "liberation" of +Venezuela. The General had not kept his promise. That was a clear +breach of faith. Nay more, so far was he from acting up to his +self-assumed title of Liberator, that he himself needed liberating. +That was most annoying. Really, he ought to have been more careful. +His capture was a malign stroke of Fate, but since Fate was +inaccessible, Captain Espejo vented his annoyance and disappointment on +his subordinates, which did not improve matters.</p> +<p class="pnext">Success is the best credential of a revolutionist, and the General's +want of success bid fair to ruin his cause. There was no moral +enthusiasm to buoy up the spirits of his men. Quite the contrary, +indeed: the triumph of General Carabaño would be the triumph of +corruption. The bonds linking them to him were of the slightest, and +when with his disappearance their prospects of sharing the spoils of +victory vanished into thin air, they began to ask themselves whether it +was not time to disband. Perhaps in a few years another Liberator +might arise who would not so easily be snuffed out. That was how the +Venezuelans looked at the situation. The Indians of the force had +already made up their minds that General Carabaño was a bladder, and +betaken themselves to their own place.</p> +<p class="pnext">Captain Espejo was worried as well as annoyed. Food was running short; +the exchequer was empty; the men had not received the pay promised +them; and the Captain was not at all happy at the prospect of having to +deal with a mutiny. He had declared, to be sure, with great vehemence, +that the audacious kidnappers of the Liberator had not gone +down-stream; he had no doubt that the detestable machine which had +proved such a troublesome instrument in the hand of Fate had broken +down, and the Englishman was hiding somewhere in the neighbourhood. +But machines could be repaired, and when the repairs were made the +Englishman would probably make another attempt to carry off his +captive. If he could be intercepted all might yet be well. Captain +Espejo used this argument to some effect with his men, and they had +agreed to wait a week, and to keep a careful watch on the river +meanwhile. The locomotive was kept constantly under steam, so that, +immediately the discovery of the fugitives was signalled, the train +might start for the junction. It could surely outstrip an overladen +hydroplane, and then the Englishman might think himself lucky if he +escaped a bullet through the head. It would give the Captain great +pleasure to accompany the Liberator-General to his hacienda of Las +Piedras, and witness the shooting of that impertinent engineer who had +dared to flout him.</p> +<p class="pnext">The Captain was ruminating thus when there fell upon his ear the report +of two rifles, fired in quick succession. Springing up from the chair +which the General had lately filled, he ran into the camp, summoned a +hundred men from their <em class="italics">dolce far niente</em>, and with much excitement +ordered them to board the three wagons coupled to the engine.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They are discovered!" he cried. "We have them!"</p> +<p class="pnext">He climbed into the cab beside the engine-driver.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A thousand pesos," he shouted, "if you reach the junction before the +Englishman!"</p> +<p class="pnext">The driver opened the throttle, the wheels spun round, and when they +held the rails the train started with a great rumbling and clanking +towards the junction.</p> +<hr class="docutils" /> +<p class="pfirst">The hydroplane had floated only a few yards down the stream when there +was a shout from the bank opposite. Looking round, Will saw, at the +embouchure of the creek, a man wearing General Carabaño's green feather +in his sombrero. He held a rifle. The enemy had clearly taken the +precaution to post a look-out, so that while their boat was searching +the creek, the hydroplane should not pass undiscovered.</p> +<p class="pnext">One glance, then Will started the engine, and the hydroplane shot +forward.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not too fast," said Ruggles anxiously.</p> +<p class="pnext">"All right. Ten miles an hour till we see how she goes. Keep your +eyes open, Azito."</p> +<p class="pnext">The Indian grunted. He stood as far forward as was convenient, holding +his pole, and fixing his eyes on the course. He meant to earn the +little yacht that lay snugly beached in the creek behind.</p> +<p class="pnext">The man on the bank shouted again. In less than two minutes the +hydroplane was level with him. He knelt on one knee, lifted his rifle, +and fired.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Through the wind-screen," said Will, not turning his head. "No harm +done. I'll make it fifteen."</p> +<p class="pnext">The hydroplane swept round the first "twist" in the stream, and passed +from the sight of the look-out. Another shot rang out, and +half-a-minute later two more.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A waste of ammunition," said Will, smiling.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Stop, señor!" cried Machado in terror, from his place in the bottom. +"We shall all be killed. His Excellency will be shot."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hold your tongue," growled Ruggles, "or we'll set you and his +Excellency up as targets."</p> +<p class="pnext">From some spot down-stream came the crack of another rifle, and then a +second. Half-a-minute later there seemed to be an echo from a point +still lower, and Azito declared that he heard two more shots even +farther away.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They're signals," said Ruggles. "Confound 'em, why are they so +careful?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I daren't go any faster yet," said Will. "The stream's too narrow. +We shall get to the tributary directly, and then I'll make her go."</p> +<p class="pnext">A few minutes brought them to the broader stream. Then Will opened the +throttle further, increasing the speed to twenty miles an hour. More +shots sounded faintly in several directions. Ruggles turned his head +and glanced up-stream.</p> +<p class="pnext">"There's a canoe after us," he cried. "Indians paddling like mad, and +half-a-dozen fellows with rifles."</p> +<p class="pnext">"They can't hurt us," said Will, and laughed as he heard the rattle of +an ineffective volley behind.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It'll be a near thing, though, if they've got other canoes waiting for +us down-stream. Is she going all right?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perfectly. Twenty-five now, and planes beautifully. They won't hit +us unless they've had practice with partridges, and if they get in the +way they'll come off no better than the jaguar I ran down."</p> +<p class="pnext">The vessel was skimming along as lightly as a bird. Ruggles gripped +the side; he had no experience of this kind of navigation.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The canoe's out of sight," he said, looking round. "We're level with +the hacienda now. Two shots again. They've put a chain of lookouts +all down the river."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thirty," replied Will, his eyes fixed on Azito, his hands firmly +gripping the steering-wheel.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A canoe putting off from the bank, señor," cried Azito. "Four men in +her."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Right bank?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll go straight at her. Revolver ready, Ruggles?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"For goodness' sake be careful!" gasped Ruggles. "She may capsize us."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thirty-five," said Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">On flew the hydroplane.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Are we near the canoe, Azito?" asked Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"She goes back, señor: better get out of the way."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Very sensible. Duck, Ruggles: they may send a shot at us."</p> +<p class="pnext">Next moment four bullets whizzed overhead.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A thousand pesos if you stop!" cried the General, terrified alike by +the speed of the hydroplane and the risk of being shot by his own men.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not for a million," said Will. "Are we near the narrows, Azito?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not yet, señor."</p> +<p class="pnext">"By Jove!" exclaimed Ruggles, "they've sent the train after us. I can +see smoke through the trees."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Forty," said Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">He had now attained the maximum speed. He had seldom ventured to keep +it up for more than a quarter of an hour at a stretch, but he was +grimly determined to beat the train. No engine had yet run over the +newly-laid track at a greater speed than twenty-five miles an hour: +surely the driver would not risk a smash. But Captain Espejo was at +the man's elbow, continually urging him to go faster. The heavy wagons +rattled on behind, the men swaying this way and that, shouting, peering +through the trees to the left to catch a glimpse of the hydroplane.</p> +<p class="pnext">The sun beat down fiercely. Hot though the air was, it blew cold upon +the occupants of the hydroplane as she whizzed along. Will and Ruggles +were bathed in perspiration. José was oiling the engine.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How are we now?" asked Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I can't see for the trees. Aren't we near the narrows?"</p> +<p class="pnext">He was answered by a volley from the bank. He ducked instinctively. +Will did not budge; his whole mind was given to the hydroplane. Would +the engine stand the strain? He heard bullets slap into the +wind-screen, and trembled lest one should strike the engine or find its +way into the petrol tank.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The train's almost level with us," said Ruggles. "Not more than a +hundred yards behind."</p> +<p class="pnext">At this point the railway track emerged upon the river, coming to +within a quarter of a mile of it. Here the bank was clear of trees.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How many trucks?" asked Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Three, full of men. They're levelling rifles at us."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Won't there be a smash when they come to the curve!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We're gaining a little, but they'll make up on us when we come to the +bend."</p> +<p class="pnext">"We must go faster. I can't leave the wheel. Ruggles, go to the +exhaust valve and double the pressure."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Good heavens! It won't stand it."</p> +<p class="pnext">"It must! Hurry up, man."</p> +<p class="pnext">Ruggles, as an expert mechanician, knew the risk involved. By +adjusting the valve admitting pressure from the exhaust to the petrol +tank it could show double the pressure on the tank gauge. By this +means the explosive mixture would be enriched and more power gained. +But there would be an immense risk of over-heating the cylinders.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I don't think----" he began.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Quick! quick, man!" said Will.</p> +<p class="pnext">Hesitating no longer, Ruggles did what was required of him. The +hydroplane flew on. In half-a-minute it had gained a furlong on the +train. Fearing that their prey was escaping them, the men on the +trucks fired a volley, some resting their rifles on the sides, others +even venturing to mount, being held up on the jolting vehicles by their +comrades. More bullets struck the windscreen; Will did not notice that +Azito's right arm dropped by his side. The Indian did not utter a +sound.</p> +<p class="pnext">With every second the hydroplane increased its lead. At last it came +to the bend, which made its course longer by over a mile than the +straight track of the railway. This was the critical part of the race. +Will knew that, if the train maintained its speed, he could not expect +to reach the farther end of the curve before his pursuers. It was +impossible to increase the pressure by an ounce. His only hope was +that the train would not have time to pull up, so that the men could +steady themselves for firing, before he shot past.</p> +<p class="pnext">As he rounded the bend into the straight again, he saw that the train +was leading by about two hundred yards. It did not appear to be +slackening speed. And here he recognized with a throb of delight that +there was a point in his favour that had not occurred to him. For +nearly a mile the bank of the river was lined with a thin fringe of +trees. This explained the fact that the train had not pulled up. Even +if the men could alight in time, the trees must completely spoil their +chance of pouring in an effective volley. The hydroplane was skimming +along at such an enormous speed that they could no more have taken good +aim at it through the trees than if they had been park palings. In +half-a-minute the hydroplane was once more forging ahead. A scattered +volley flashed from the trucks; Will paid no heed to it; he did not +even notice that a bullet had flown up from the wind-screen and struck +his cheek. All that he knew was that the hydroplane was drawing away, +and that in another mile or so the train would arrive at a dangerous +curve.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They're putting on more steam," cried Ruggles, "and coaling like the +very dickens."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Shall we do it? I can't keep this up for more than another minute."</p> +<p class="pnext">"In another minute they'll come to the curve in the cutting," said +Ruggles, "and then nothing can save them if they don't slacken."</p> +<p class="pnext">A few seconds later a loud grinding shriek came from the right.</p> +<p class="pnext">"They've clapped on the brakes," said Will. "'Twas time. Reduce the +pressure, Ruggles, or the whole concern will burst up. There's no +hurry now."</p> +<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure" style="width: 61%" id="figure-30"> +<span id="the-race-to-the-swift"></span><img style="display: block; width: 100%" alt=" " src="images/img-226.jpg" /> +<div class="caption"> +THE RACE TO THE SWIFT</div> +</div> +<!-- --> +<p class="pfirst">Ruggles screwed back the valve. Will gradually closed the throttle +until the speed was reduced to twenty miles an hour. The bridge was in +sight. Just as they reached it there came a crash from the line. Will +reduced the speed still further, and looked round. The driver had put +on his brakes too late. Rounding the curve, the engine had left the +rails and the wagons were overturned.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not much harm done," said Ruggles. "Lucky she slowed down when she +did, or there'd have been a horrible mess."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Thank goodness we've got through in time," said Will, mopping his +steaming brow. "We can take it easy now, and get to Bolivar before +it's dark."</p> +</div> +<div class="level-2 section" id="chapter-xvi-the-end-of-a-revolution"> +<h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><a class="toc-backref" href="#id17">CHAPTER XVI--THE END OF A REVOLUTION</a></h2> +<p class="pfirst">The hydroplane was now on the broad bosom of the Orinoco, floating down +with the tide. Will thought it time to stop for a meal.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll run into the bank, and Azito can cook us some yuca," he said.</p> +<p class="pnext">"A glass of beer, just one, would satisfy me," said Ruggles. "But, +bless us! you've got blood on your cheek."</p> +<p class="pnext">"So I have!" cried Will, brushing his hand over it. "Any one else +hurt?"</p> +<p class="pnext">There was no answer, but looking round, he noticed that Azito's right +arm hung limp at his side. As soon as the vessel was beached, he +examined the wound.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You're a plucky fellow," he said. "Do you know that your arm's +broken?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's nothing, señor," replied the Indian simply.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Isn't it? We'll see what the surgeon says when we get to Bolivar. +Ruggles, you can do most things: can you make a bandage?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I've washed and dressed a week-old baby," said Ruggles, "and there's a +bit of bandaging in that."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, see what you can do for Azito. José must bake our bread, and I +think we might release our prisoners now, don't you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"You won't let the General go, surely?" said Ruggles.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not I. But we can untie him now. He must be pretty uncomfortable."</p> +<p class="pnext">The two prisoners were released from their bonds. They looked very +woebegone. Machado began to protest.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You said no harm should come to me if I did your bidding, señor," he +said. "This is how an Englishman keeps his word!"</p> +<p class="pnext">"You haven't much to complain of," said Will bluntly. "Many a man +would have shot you for your treachery."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But you will not take me to Ciudad Bolivar?" said the man, beginning +to whine. "They will shoot me there."</p> +<p class="pnext">"And you would deserve it. But since it was by your help that I +secured the person of your General, I'll see what I can do for you. +Perhaps they won't trouble about you when they have the arch-rebel in +their hands."</p> +<p class="pnext">Then General Carabaño thought it time to say a word.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You have no right to meddle in the affairs of Venezuela, señor," he +said. "My cause is a good one: I have half the country at my back: +and----"</p> +<p class="pnext">"We won't go into that, General," interrupted Will. "You ventured to +meddle with the servants of a Company protected by the laws of your +State. You have got the worst of it, and that's all there is to be +said."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Not all, señor," said the General, changing his tone. "You forget +that your friends are still in captivity, and be sure that if any harm +befall me, my adherents will exact retribution."</p> +<p class="pnext">"I doubt whether you have any adherents now," replied Will. "At any +rate you will go with us to Ciudad Bolivar."</p> +<p class="pnext">"If you release me, señor, I will undertake that your friends shall +rejoin you in three days, and your Company shall be no further +molested."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Sorry I can't oblige you, General. You can't repay my Company for +their loss of business: you can't repair the railway line that your +adherents have smashed up. The less said the better, I think."</p> +<p class="pnext">The General glared at him, but seeing that there was no hope of his +relenting he held his peace.</p> +<p class="pnext">After a meal, Will started the hydroplane, and ran down the river at a +speed of about fifteen knots.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What about the Chief and Jerry O'Connor?" said Ruggles, sitting at his +side.</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm rather bothered about them," replied Will, "though it wouldn't do +to let the General think so. They're out of reach, and we can't get at +them easily. But I hope they won't come to any harm. It is quite +clear we can do nothing at present. We can't go across country while +Espejo and his crew are still at large. Perhaps the Government will do +something for them in return for our capture of Carabaño: that's my +hope."</p> +<p class="pnext">Suddenly there was a loud splash. Looking round, Will saw that the +General had flung himself overboard. No doubt he expected to meet the +fate of rebels when he came into the President's hands, and preferred +to seek his own death. Will instantly stopped the engine and sprang +into the river. For a few moments the General did not reappear, and +Will feared that he had gone to the bottom; but swimming along, he +caught sight of the woolly head emerging a few yards away, and three or +four swift strokes brought them together. The General fought +stubbornly until Will in desperation called Ruggles to his assistance. +Between them they managed to haul their prisoner to the vessel, by +which time he was almost unconscious. Again his hands and feet were +bound, and Will set the engine going at a higher speed.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was near dusk when they came in sight of the white cathedral tower +of Ciudad Bolivar. Soon after they entered the narrow part of the +river. There was the row of black rocks rising out of the water near +the right bank. There was the Piedra del Medio--the large rock rearing +itself in the middle of the stream. And there at last was the stone +quay, not deserted, as it had been at his last visit to the city, but +now thronged with idlers watching the progress of the strange vessel +about which their curiosity had long been unsatisfied.</p> +<p class="pnext">Will steered the hydroplane alongside the quay, and sprang out. +Ruggles untied the bonds about the General's feet, and together they +lifted him on to the quay. The onlookers were at first silent in sheer +amazement; then the cry arose that the rebel General had been brought a +prisoner to the city. Each taking an arm, Will and Ruggles marched the +General along the Calle de Coco.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What about Machado?" said Ruggles a few seconds after they had started.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll let him go," answered Will. "I fancy he has had a lesson. +He'll keep out of the way of the authorities, and after what has +happened he'll beware of the rebels. Perhaps he'll try to earn an +honest living."</p> +<p class="pnext">Followed along the street by an ever-growing crowd, mocking and jeering +at the General, they came at length to the Town Hall. The Jefe was +beyond measure amazed and delighted when he saw his prisoner.</p> +<p class="pnext">"The President shall hear of this at once, señor," he said, shaking +Will warmly by the hand. "It is you, señor, that are the Liberator of +Venezuela, and your name will be honoured in the annals of my country. +You must tell me at leisure how you succeeded in capturing this +notorious enemy of the State. I will at once issue invitations for a +banquet."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Pardon me, Excellency; as you perceive, I am not presentable."</p> +<p class="pnext">The rough life of the past few days and his immersion had indeed given +him a disreputable appearance.</p> +<p class="pnext">"That is a trifle, señor," said the Jefe. "My own tailor shall provide +you with garments within an hour or two. The whole city will be eager +to hear your story, and I cannot be denied."</p> +<p class="pnext">Will accepted his fate philosophically. The General was put into safe +quarters in the city jail: a telegram was immediately sent to the +President at Caracas, telling him the news and asking for instructions: +and then the Jefe himself took Will to his tailor's, and gave orders +that he should be becomingly arrayed. He would have done the same for +Ruggles; but that worthy, at the first mention of a banquet, had +quietly slipped away. He told Will next day that he couldn't trust +himself at such a festivity.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You see, they wouldn't have beer," he said, "and wine would bowl me +over in no time. Besides, their champagne is filthy stuff."</p> +<p class="pnext">There is no need to relate what happened at the Jefe's hospitable +table. Will was the hero of the hour, and supremely uncomfortable. It +was very late before the party broke up, and it is a regrettable fact +that the Jefe, when he took Will home as his guest for the night, +talked a great deal of nonsense.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Ah!" said Ruggles, when Will hinted at this next day, "there's nothing +keeps a man so safe as having two pounds a week and no more."</p> +<p class="pnext">In the morning an order came from the President that General Carabaño +should be immediately sent to Caracas. He gave at the same time a +cordial invitation to Señor Pentelow to visit him. This Will promptly +and gratefully declined by telegraph. He had had a conversation with +the Jefe. It appeared that a few days before, scouts had reported that +Colonel Orellana's force had broken up. No doubt news of General +Carabaño's abduction had reached them, and they recognized that the +revolution had fizzled out. Being relieved of further anxiety on this +score, the Jefe readily acceded to Will's request that he would send a +small force by steamer up the Orinoco, in order to effect the release +of the prisoners. General Carabaño's hacienda was about a hundred +miles from the junction, and remote from the railway. It could best be +reached by ascending the tributary until it ceased to be navigable, a +few miles beyond De Mello's hacienda, and then by riding across +country. The journey would be too hazardous for Will and Ruggles to +attempt alone while Captain Espejo still had any force at command; but +a small party under Colonel Blanco could no doubt easily dispose of +them, and then the way would be open.</p> +<p class="pnext">Accordingly a steamer left Bolivar at ten o'clock, carrying Colonel +Blanco and fifty well-armed men, together with the two Englishmen and +their native helpers. Will had not forgotten to have Azito's arm +properly attended to by a surgeon, nor to buy a good supply of petrol. +The hydroplane was towed. With some difficulty Will had persuaded the +doctor to accompany the expedition in order to assist the men who had +been injured when the train was thrown off the rails. The doctor was +doubtful of getting his fees.</p> +<p class="pnext">At the junction Colonel Blanco disembarked with Will and some of his +officers to view the scene of the smash. Engine and trucks lay, of +course, where they had fallen, with broken rifles and other evidences +of the catastrophe. Steaming along the river again, they came to a +halt where there was no longer sufficient draught for the vessel, and +marched over the few miles to the hacienda. Here they found all the +rooms occupied by a score of injured men, attended only by Indians. +They had been brought in a few hours before, after a terrible night in +the woods. Captain Espejo was one of the most seriously injured, as +was only to be expected from his perilous position on the cab of the +engine. All the men who were able to ride had decamped. Colonel +Blanco was much interested in seeing the hole in the stable wall by +which Will had escaped, and the room where General Carabaño was +captured.</p> +<p class="pnext">Next morning Will and Ruggles set off on horseback with a dozen of the +Colonel's men, under Azito's guidance, for the General's hacienda. It +was a long and fatiguing journey, through woods, across streams, now on +bare rock, now in swamp whose squelching ground covered the horses' +fetlocks. When they arrived at the precipice where Ruggles had +escaped, nothing would satisfy him but to halt and scratch his initials +on the cliff.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Just like a tripper," said Will, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Well, as your name is to be written in full in the State records, you +won't grudge me my simple initials on the rock," replied Ruggles. "And +I shouldn't wonder if they last longer."</p> +<p class="pnext">They had ridden but a few miles farther when Azito pointed to the +right, and declared that he had seen three horsemen coming towards +them. Nobody else could distinguish the figures. Colonel Blanco +decided to halt in a clump of trees until the strangers came up. Will +thought they might bring news of the prisoners, or that two of them +might be the prisoners themselves; but Azito said they were coming from +the wrong direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">In twenty minutes the three riders came clearly into view. Then Will +saw that one of them was Antonio de Mello. The others were strangers +to him. He went out to meet them.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Hallo, old chap!" said De Mello. "What are you doing here?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"I'm going to pay a visit to General Carabaño's hacienda."</p> +<p class="pnext">De Mello laughed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"What is this I hear about the Liberator?" he said. "My Indians--I +have had spies at my place all along--told me that he was abducted in +the middle of the night. Is it true?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Perfectly," said Will. "Your place is just now a hospital."</p> +<p class="pnext">"What! Has there been a fight?" asked De Mello, grimacing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"No: a smash on the line. I suppose you are on your way there?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Yes. With Carabaño gone I thought I might venture back to my own, and +two friends accompanied me to see fair play." He introduced the +strangers. "But why are you going to the General's house?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"To release a couple of friends of mine. Didn't your Indian tell you +what happened to us?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"They told me a great deal that I didn't believe. What's the truth of +the matter?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's a long story, and if you don't mind I'll keep it till I get back. +Colonel Blanco is waiting in the wood yonder, and we want to get to Las +Piedras before night."</p> +<p class="pnext">"Colonel Blanco! The revolution is broken, then?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Smashed."</p> +<p class="pnext">"That's good news. I hope they haven't damaged my stables."</p> +<p class="pnext">"No, your stables are all right," said Will with a laugh, wondering at +his friend's strange lack of patriotism. "No Englishman," he thought, +"would think first of his stables." Was he right?</p> +<p class="pnext">Having been introduced to Colonel Blanco, De Mello rode on with his +friends towards his hacienda. The others resumed their journey in the +opposite direction.</p> +<p class="pnext">It was getting dark when they reached General Carabaño's estate. The +house was lit up. Passing the window of the dining-room, and looking +in, they saw the Chief and O'Connor seated at table with half-a-dozen +Venezuelans. They were talking cheerfully, and seemed to be in the +best of spirits. Hearing the jingle of bridles, the whole party +started up and came to the window. The Venezuelans looked alarmed.</p> +<p class="pnext">"How are you, Chief?" Will called through the window.</p> +<p class="pnext">"It's the boy!" cried Mr. Jackson. "It's all right, O'Connor. Come +in, Pentelow; you'll find the door open. Who've you got with you?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"Colonel Blanco, of the State army."</p> +<p class="pnext">He entered the house with Ruggles and the Colonel.</p> +<p class="pnext">"You don't look much like prisoners," said Will, laughing.</p> +<p class="pnext">"Prisoners? We're gentlemen at large. We've heard all about it. A +messenger came up the day after the General disappeared, and we guessed +you were at the bottom of it. These gentlemen here offered to escort +us to Bolivar, but it's two hundred miles and a trying journey; and as +we're living on the fat of the land and having a better time than we've +had for months, we decided to stay here until we got word of you."</p> +<p class="pnext">"But I don't understand," said Will. "Aren't these gentlemen +revolutionists?"</p> +<p class="pnext">"No longer, my boy. They threw over the General at once, and are now +the loyalest citizens of the Republic. That's revolution in Venezuela."</p> +<p class="pnext">Colonel Blanco was chatting very amiably to the Venezuelans. It was +all very amazing to Will, whose knowledge of the revolutions of history +included recollections of bitter enmity, murderous passions, +proscriptions, massacres.</p> +<p class="pnext">He told the whole story, to which his friends listened with as much +amusement as surprise. O'Connor sighed because he had not been with +Will in the race with the train, but the Chief looked grave when he +heard of the smash on the line.</p> +<p class="pnext">"We'll get no compensation," he said. "However, all's well that ends +well. We shall no doubt get the line finished before the next +revolution."</p> +<p class="pnext">Next day they all returned to railhead. Already the scattered peons +were flocking back, and in the course of a week work was in full swing +again.</p> +<p class="pnext">When De Mello heard all that had happened he was inclined to be envious +of Will. It occurred to him apparently for the first time that he had +played a rather sorry part in deserting his hacienda, and leaving to +strangers the task of making head against the rebels. In course of +time, perhaps, men of his class, who at present look on matters of +State with indifference, will learn to take an interest in them, and +develop a patriotism which will raise their country to its fitting rank +among the nations of the world.</p> +<p class="pnext">A fortnight after his return to the camp, Mr. Jackson was informed by +his new telegraphist, an Englishman, that General Carabaño had not been +shot, the President having commuted his sentence to permanent exile. +Will received an autograph letter from the President thanking him for +the great services he had rendered to the Republic, and some weeks +later the secretary of the Company in London cabled to the effect that +the Board of Directors had unanimously resolved to grant him an +honorarium of a hundred pounds in consideration of his zeal for their +interests. His hydroplane became the talk of the country, and an +enterprising Yankee in Bolivar organized weekly trips by steamer to the +scene of his adventures for the benefit of curious sightseers, and +incidentally for his own.</p> +<p class="pnext">Of all the actors in this little drama, Azito was perhaps the best +satisfied at its conclusion. In De Mello's yacht, purchased for him by +Mr. Jackson, he often sailed on the creeks and streams in the +neighbourhood. His wants were simple and few, and he earned the little +that sufficed to supply them by occasional attendance upon the señor +who had saved him from the jaws of a jaguar, and whose hydroplane was +only second in his estimation to his own yacht.</p> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost small"> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line">THE END</div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<div class="center line-block noindent outermost small"> +<div class="line"><em class="italics">Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, London, and Bungay.</em></div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +<div class="line"> </div> +</div> +<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> +<div class="backmatter"> +</div> +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 39151 ***</div> +</body> +</html> |