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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 */ - -.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 } - -@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% } -} - -/* DIV */ -pre { font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.9em; white-space: pre-wrap } - -</style> -<title>THE MOTOR SCOUT</title> -<meta name="PG.Rights" content="Public Domain" /> -<meta name="PG.Title" content="The Motor Scout" /> -<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="1913" /> -<meta name="MARCREL.ill" content="Cyrus Cuneo" /> -<meta name="PG.Id" content="42953" /> -<meta name="PG.Released" content="2013-06-15" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="The Motor Scout A Story of Adventure in South America" /> - -<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel="schema.DCTERMS" /> -<link href="http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators" rel="schema.MARCREL" /> -<meta content="The Motor Scout A Story of Adventure in South America" name="DCTERMS.title" /> -<meta content="motor.rst" name="DCTERMS.source" /> -<meta content="en" scheme="DCTERMS.RFC4646" name="DCTERMS.language" /> -<meta content="2013-06-15T17:33:31.585529+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/42953" rel="DCTERMS.isFormatOf" /> -<meta content="Herbert Strang" name="DCTERMS.creator" /> -<meta content="Cyrus Cuneo" name="MARCREL.ill" /> -<meta content="2013-06-15" scheme="DCTERMS.W3CDTF" name="DCTERMS.created" /> -<meta content="width=device-width" name="viewport" /> -<meta content="EpubMaker 0.3.20a7 by Marcello Perathoner <webmaster@gutenberg.org>" name="generator" /> -</head> -<body> -<div class="document" id="the-motor-scout"> -<h1 class="center document-title level-1 pfirst title"><span class="x-large">THE MOTOR SCOUT</span></h1> - -<!-- this is the default PG-RST stylesheet --> -<!-- figure and image styles for non-image formats --> -<!-- default transition --> -<!-- default attribution --> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="clearpage"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="align-None container language-en pgheader" id="pg-header" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the </span><a class="reference internal" href="#project-gutenberg-license">Project Gutenberg License</a><span> -included with this eBook or online at -</span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a><span>.</span></p> -<p class="noindent pnext"></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container" id="pg-machine-header"> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>Title: The Motor Scout -<br /> A Story of Adventure in South America -<br /> -<br />Author: Herbert Strang -<br /> -<br />Release Date: June 15, 2013 [EBook #42953] -<br /> -<br />Language: English -<br /> -<br />Character set encoding: UTF-8</span></p> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-start-line"><span>*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>THE MOTOR SCOUT</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst" id="pg-produced-by"><span>Produced by Al Haines.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span></span></p> -</div> -<div class="align-None container coverpage"> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 77%" id="figure-73"> -<img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Cover" src="images/img-cover.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Cover</span></div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container frontispiece"> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 92%" id="figure-74"> -<span id="the-gobernador-rides"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="THE GOBERNADOR RIDES" src="images/img-front.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">THE GOBERNADOR RIDES</span></div> -</div> -</div> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<div class="align-None container titlepage"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="x-large">THE MOTOR SCOUT</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><em class="italics large">A STORY OF ADVENTURE IN SOUTH AMERICA</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">BY</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">HERBERT STRANG</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><em class="italics medium">ILLUSTRATED BY CYRUS CUNEO</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 3em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="medium">LONDON -<br />HENRY FROWDE -<br />HODDER AND STOUGHTON -<br />1913</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<div class="align-None container verso"> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="small">RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, -<br />BRUNSWICK STREET, STAMFORD STREET, S.E., -<br />AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">CONTENTS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE FIRST</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#bombastes-furioso">BOMBASTES FURIOSO</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE SECOND</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#comings-and-goings">COMINGS AND GOINGS</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE THIRD</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#benevolences">BENEVOLENCES</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE FOURTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#gas">GAS</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE FIFTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#pardo-dismisses-himself">PARDO DISMISSES HIMSELF</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE SIXTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#tim-is-held-to-ransom">TIM IS HELD TO RANSOM</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE SEVENTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-prefect-moves">THE PREFECT MOVES</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE EIGHTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#suspense">SUSPENSE</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE NINTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#flight-to-the-hills">FLIGHT TO THE HILLS</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE TENTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#cincinnatus-o-hagan">CINCINNATUS O'HAGAN</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE ELEVENTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-motor-cycle">THE MOTOR-CYCLE</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE TWELFTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#free-wheel">FREE WHEEL</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE THIRTEENTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-commission">A COMMISSION</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE FOURTEENTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#his-father-s-house">HIS FATHER'S HOUSE</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE FIFTEENTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-raid-on-san-rosario">THE RAID ON SAN ROSARIO</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE SIXTEENTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-siege-and-a-sortie">A SIEGE AND A SORTIE</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE SEVENTEENTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#in-possession">IN POSSESSION</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE EIGHTEENTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-order-of-the-nasturtium">THE ORDER OF THE NASTURTIUM</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE NINETEENTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#pardo-scores-a-trick">PARDO SCORES A TRICK</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE TWENTIETH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#pardo-loses-a-trick">PARDO LOSES A TRICK</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIRST</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#run-to-earth">RUN TO EARTH</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SECOND</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-puncture">A PUNCTURE</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE TWENTY-THIRD</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-leap-for-life">A LEAP FOR LIFE</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FOURTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#from-dan-to-beersheba">FROM DAN TO BEERSHEBA</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE TWENTY-FIFTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-ravine">THE RAVINE</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SIXTH</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#handsome-acknowledgments">HANDSOME ACKNOWLEDGMENTS</a></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst"><span class="large">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-gobernador-rides">THE GOBERNADOR RIDES</a><span> (</span><em class="italics">see page</em><span> </span><a class="reference internal" href="#id1">10</a><span>) . . . </span><em class="italics">Frontispiece</em></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#captured-by-brigands">CAPTURED BY BRIGANDS</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#horsemen-on-the-track">HORSEMEN ON THE TRACK</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#tim-leads-a-charge">TIM LEADS A CHARGE</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#the-hole-in-the-floor">THE HOLE IN THE FLOOR</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#a-check-at-the-cave">A CHECK AT THE CAVE</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><a class="reference internal" href="#map">MAP</a></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="bombastes-furioso"><span class="medium">CHAPTER I</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">BOMBASTES FURIOSO</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>One hot sultry afternoon in June, the -population of the little town of San Rosario -in the Peruvian Andes was struck with -sudden amazement at the sight of a -motor-bicycle clattering its way through the main -street with some risk to the dogs, poultry, -and small boys who had been lazily disporting -themselves there. It was not the bicycle -itself that evoked their wonder: that was -an object familiar enough. Nor was it the -youth seated in the saddle, and steering it -deftly past all obstacles. It was a second -figure, mounted uneasily on the carrier -behind: a rotund and portly figure, which -shook and quivered with the vibration of -the machine as it jolted over the ill-paved -road, maintaining its equilibrium with -obvious difficulty. Children and women -shrieked; the men leaning against the walls -took their cigars from their lips and gasped; -and the noise of the engine was almost -smothered by the mingled din of barking -dogs and screaming fowls. It was the -figure of the gobernador himself: land-owner, -chief magistrate, and father of a family.</span></p> -<p class="pnext" id="id1"><span>The wondering populace might have -supposed that the gentleman had taken -leave of his senses--for surely no one of his -mature years and serious responsibilities -would have risked so much if he had been -sane--had it not been plain to them that -he was in desperate distress. His head was -bare; his swarthy cheeks were shining with -perspiration; his eyes rolled with fright; -and his fat hands were clasped about the -waist of the boy in the saddle with the -convulsive grip of a man clinging for dear life. -The face of the boy was, on the contrary, -beaming with delight. His lips were parted -in a wide smile; his blue eyes were dancing; -and his mop of tow-coloured hair waved -joyously in the breeze that the motion of -the vehicle created.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The street filled, and soon there was a -mingled crowd pouring in full cry behind -the bicycle. There were young fellows in -black coats and spotless collars--the -well-to-do Peruvian is something of a dandy; -men in white ducks and Panama hats; -ladies in mantillas; Indians in -bright-coloured ponchos; rough-clad muleteers; -bare-legged Indian children. The rider -waved his hand and grinned at a stripling -who ran, pen in hand, from an office, to -see the cause of the uproar, and smilingly -watched the bicycle as it bowled along -over the cobbles of the plaza, with much -clamorous outcry from the hooter, finally -coming to rest before a large house there. -The perspiring passenger having descended -from his uneasy perch, the rider dismounted -and offered his arm as a support to the -magistrate, whose legs, cramped by their -unwonted strain, moved very stiffly as he -approached his door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Young Tim O'Hagan and his motor-bicycle -had been for some time the talk of San -Rosario. Tim was sixteen, but he was -called "Young Tim" to distinguish him -from his father, and also, perhaps, in the -spirit of kindly tolerance with which elders -sometimes regard their high-spirited juniors. -Young Tim had always been what his father's -English friends called a "pickle," and old -Biddy Flanagan, the family maidservant, -a "broth of a boy." As a small boy he had -been in frequent scrapes, and a cause of -bewilderment and trouble to the grave -householders of the town. More than once -they had politely complained to Mr. O'Hagan -of his escapades: scrambling over their roofs, -hunting for lost balls in their gardens without -much regard for their carefully tended -flower-beds, and engaging in many other nimble -exercises which are natural enough to an -English--or Irish--boy, but are rare with the less -active Latins. Thrashings and admonitions -were equally ineffective; he would promise -not to repeat a certain offence, and keep -his word, but only to break out in a new -direction. Mr. O'Hagan at last despaired -of further correction, and yielded to his -wife's advice, to leave Tim to the sobering -hand of time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he grew older Tim became less -mischievous, without losing his wild spirits and -love of frolic. To see him coast down the -hills on his free-wheel bicycle with no hold -upon the handle-bar filled the Peruvian -boys with fear and amazement. And when, -on his sixteenth birthday, his father -surrendered to his importunities, and presented -him with a motor-bicycle, there were not -wanting many who foretold that young Tim -would sooner or later break his neck. Tim -laughed at them. He had come through his -most daring exploits without any hurt more -serious than scratches and bruises; and -being very clear-headed and possessed of -iron nerves he was accustomed to scoff at -the warnings of timid people.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In spite of his prankishness, there was no -more popular person in San Rosario. -Nobody could dislike the boy with his fair -Irish face, his honest eyes twinkling with -fun, and the shaggy head that scorned hats -and defied sunstroke. The Peruvian ladies -would have made a pet of him if he would -have allowed them; and their husbands, -in a country where everybody, man, woman, -and child, smokes, often made him presents -of cigars, which he accepted gratefully, and -dutifully handed over to his father.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His was the only motor-bicycle in the -province, an object of a fearful awe to the -young Peruvians. A crowd of these would -surround him as he prepared to mount, and -scatter with shrieks when they heard the -clatter of the engine. Elderly ladies crossed -themselves and drew their mantillas closer -as they saw him flashing by, and the authorities -of San Rosario were thinking of framing -a bye-law for the protection of the -inhabitants from furious driving. But they were -slow to move; to-morrow would do; and -Biddy Flanagan declared that no action -would be taken until the gossoon had killed -somebody dead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On this June day, Tim had left home -early in the afternoon for a twenty-mile -trip into the hills. He was returning, and -had just run down a steep and winding -declivity which joined the highroad to San -Juan, the provincial capital, when he caught -sight of the gobernador, Señor José Fagasta, -ambling ahead on his mule in the homeward -direction. In half a minute he overtook the -magistrate, and being always very sociably -inclined, and having a certain liking for the -large good-tempered gentleman, he stopped -his machine, dismounted, and after a salutation -in Spanish stepped on beside the rider, -not finding it easy to keep pace with the -mule's rapid march.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The gobernador was returning from the -capital to his own little township, and it -was not long before he confided to the boy -the object and result of his visit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Brigands, my young friend," he said amiably.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Are they caught, señor?" asked Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no; but they soon will be, the rascals!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim pricked up his ears. Of late the -so-called brigands had been very troublesome. -They swept down from their unknown lairs -in the mountains, falling unawares on some -remote hacienda, and waylaying the trains -of pack-mules on the roads. Tim, like many -another honest boy, felt a sneaking -admiration for these lawless adventurers, and was -not wholly displeased that they had hitherto -defied all attempts to track them and bring -them to book. Besides, they were "against -the government"; and there were many -good Peruvians who had reason to abhor -the officials under whose exactions they were -then suffering.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is going to be done, señor?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What am </span><em class="italics">I</em><span> going to do, you should have -said," replied the magistrate. "You will -see, my boy. They sent for me to-day at -San Juan, and I have had a long consultation -with his excellency the Prefect. 'Señor -Doctor,' said he, 'you are the man to catch -these ruffians. I leave it to you.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was an accent of pride in the -gobernador's tone, and he looked at Tim -with the air of a man demanding admiration.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why do they call you doctor, señor?" -asked Tim. "You don't attend us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, my son. I am a Doctor of Laws -of San Marcos University. Yes, they have -confidence in me," he continued. "And -the brigands will soon have me to reckon -with." He touched significantly the butt of -his revolver. "I will hunt them down; I -will catch them; I shall have no mercy on -them, and they will find that such villainy -is not to be allowed to go unpunished within -twenty miles of Señor Doctor José Fagasta. -I am a man of peace; nobody could be more -mild and humane; but when I see the -beneficent laws of our republic transgressed -and defied, then I remember that I am chief -magistrate; I become severe; I may even -be called terrible."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What will you do with them?" asked -Tim, impressed by the gobernador's vigorous -words, and fascinated by the shining weapon -that peeped out of his pocket, and the long -sword that dangled from his belt.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They shall be shot, my boy. Not without -trial, no; we shall be just even to the -most villainous desperado. We shall catch -them, and bring them in irons to the town. -We shall give them a fair trial, and condemn -them: that goes without saying; then we -shall place them blindfolded in the plaza, -and----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shoot them!" added Tim, as the magistrate -paused mysteriously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Señor José nodded with official gravity, -and for a little there was silence between the -two, Tim conjuring up the anticipated scene, -and wondering what the sensations of a man -about to be shot must be.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 86%" id="figure-75"> -<span id="captured-by-brigands"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="CAPTURED BY BRIGANDS" src="images/img-016.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">CAPTURED BY BRIGANDS</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Suddenly, from behind a cluster of rocks -at their left hand, there sprang into the road -four men, who without a moment's warning -flung themselves on the travellers. Two -seized Tim, the other two dragged the -gobernador from his mule, and in a trice -had him on the ground at their feet. The -attack was so sudden and unexpected that -there had not been time even to cry out; -but now the gobernador raised his voice in -horrified protest, and Tim regained his wits -and took stock of the situation. The men -were attired in ragged tunics and breeches, -with sashes about their waists, and feathered -hats of varied hue. They were swarthy -wild-eyed fellows; mestizos--men of mixed -Spanish and Indian blood; and Tim knew -at a glance that they must be members of -the very gang of outlaws whom the -magistrate had so valorously undertaken to -extirpate. They began to talk to one another -rapidly in a jargon which Tim, familiar as -he was with Spanish, could not understand. -But the upshot of their consultation was seen -in a minute. One of the men who held -the lad brought his face close to his, and said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You go home! We have nothing to -do with you. Take your machine and go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim glanced at the gobernador, who lay -motionless in the hands of his captors, -mingling protests, threats, and offers of -money. The brigand cursed, and declared -that the boy had better take his chance of -escaping before they changed their mind. -It was clear that nothing could be done for -the gobernador; the brigands had him at -their mercy; and Tim considered that there -was nothing to be gained by remaining. -Indeed, it must be confessed that he was a -good deal afraid of these ferocious-looking -fellows, and desired nothing better than to -escape from their clutches. So he caught -the handle-bar, ran a few feet with his -bicycle, then sprang to the saddle, and in a -few seconds was riding at full speed along -the road.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At first he was conscious of nothing but -relief and joy at his own lucky escape. But -he had not ridden far before he began to -think of the gobernador. His conscience -pricked him. He felt like a deserter. He -owed nothing, it was true, to Señor Fagasta, -who, while genial enough in private life, had -always struck Tim as a ridiculous, pompous -kind of person in his public capacity. But -it seemed rather mean to ride away and -leave the magistrate to his fate. There -was not time to reach the town and bring -back help; he could not himself do anything -for the gobernador; and he began to wonder -what the brigands would do with him. -Perhaps they would rob him of what valuables -he had, and let him go. Surely they would -not hurt him! But when Tim remembered -stories of the lengths to which these outlaws -sometimes went he grew more and more uneasy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a few minutes he slowed down, -considered for a little, then dismounted and -pushed his bicycle into a thick clump of -bushes, where it was well hidden. He durst -not ride back, for though his machine was -furnished with a silencer, it did not run so -quietly as not to be heard. He had made -up his mind to retrace his path on foot, and -see for himself what had happened. It -was a long tramp uphill in the heat, and it -took him nearly an hour to walk the distance -which on the cycle he had covered in six or -seven minutes. Fortunately the track wound -so frequently that he ran no risk of being -seen by the brigands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he approached the spot, he moved -slowly and warily, peeping from behind -bushes along straight stretches of the track, -and glancing up into the hills to right and -left. On reaching the scene of the capture -he found that it was deserted. Nobody -was in sight. He looked this way and that, -and stooped to the ground to see if he could -discover by their footmarks the direction in -which the brigands had gone. But the -ground was hard; he could scarcely discern -the tracks of his own tyres. A trained scout -might perhaps have noticed some slight -indication, but Tim had had no such training.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They've hauled him away," he thought, -and there flashed into his mind recollections -of fairy stories, in which ogres had carried -human beings to their dens to make a meal -of them. Tim had a vivid imagination.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was on the point of returning when a -sudden loud buzzing struck his ear. He -listened: it was like the sound made by -swarms of insects in the forest. And yet -it was different--hoarser, less musical. -Somehow it reminded Tim of the gobernador's -speeches on great occasions in the plaza, -He left the path, still on his guard, and -scouted to the right among the trees, from -which the humming seemed to come. And -guiding himself by the sound, he presently -started back when he saw Señor Fagasta -himself, bound upright to a trunk, -bare-headed, his mouth gagged.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The humming became very violent when -Tim appeared. He noticed that the -gobernador had managed to shift the gag a little. -None of the brigands being in sight, he ran -to the tree, removed the gag altogether, slit -the cords about the señor's limbs, and was -immediately embarrassed by two stout arms -flung around him, and two hot lips pressing -kisses on one cheek after the other.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Oh, I say!" he exclaimed, wriggling. -"Steady on, señor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, my dear friend! My preserver! -my deliverer!" Here there was another -hug, but Tim evaded the kiss. "Tell me!" -whispered the gobernador, "have those -wretches gone away?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed they have," said Tim. "You -had better come away too."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But they have taken my mule! I am -not accustomed to walking. I shall faint: -I shall be seized with apoplexy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have left my cycle two or three miles -away, señor. If you can manage to walk to -that you can mount behind me, and we'll -be home in no time."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, I will do so. Assist me with your -arm. I am on thorns until I am on the -machine; till then I am not safe. Hasten, -my son. I have not walked a mile for twenty -years, though in my youth--but no matter: -I will do my best."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They set off, Tim linking arms with the -gobernador, who marched down the track -with the rolling gait of a sailor. Every now -and then he stopped to rest and recover -breath, and as at these moments he showed -signs of repeating his embraces, Tim edged -away until he was ready to start again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, my preserver!" said the gobernador -once, "you have laid a debt upon me which -a lifetime of gratitude will not liquidate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed it's nothing at all," said Tim. -"You would have done the same for me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is true; I certainly would; the -blood of a long line of hidalgos runs in my -veins. In Spain I might call myself Don -José de Fagasta; in republics, alas! there -is no aristocracy. But hasten, my son; -I am not safe until I reach the machine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim thought from the gobernador's manner -that the current of noble blood must by this -time have become a pretty thin trickle. -But he kept that reflection to himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Señor Fagasta mounted behind Tim, proclaiming -himself safe. But the rapid motion -of the cycle down the steep and rugged track -filled him with alarms of another kind. In -vain he implored Tim to drive more slowly -the boy replied that he would not be secure -until he reached the town, and terrified him -with apprehension of sunstroke. It must -be confessed that the spirit of mischief was -now fully awake in Tim. Every sigh, every -ejaculation of the stout gentleman behind -him gave him a thrill of joy. As they -approached the town the gobernador, mindful -of his dignity, begged Tim to stop and let -him finish the journey on foot. But Tim -could not resist the temptation to career -through the street and set the magistrate -down at his own door; he relished the idea -of the wonder and excitement he would create.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's hardly worth while to set you down -now, señor," he said. "You'll be home in -less than a minute. Hold tight!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As Señor Fagasta entered his house, he -turned to Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My son," he said in a confidential tone, -"no doubt you will be asked to explain this -strange occurrence. Do not reveal the cause. -I do not command you as gobernador of this -town; I ask as one gentleman of another."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must tell my father, señor," said Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Certainly; your father's discretion is -perfect. Not a word to any one else, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, señor. But won't people -ask you too?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Undoubtedly. The doings of their -magistrate are intensely interesting to the -citizens of San Rosario. I shall explain to -them that I felt an urgent need, a positive -passion, to try for myself the qualities and -speed--yes, I may say speed--of your motor-bicycle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And your hat blew off in the wind. I -see, señor," said Tim with twinkling eyes. -"And now, of course, you will send the police -after the brigands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I shall never forget that I am gobernador -of San Rosario. Good-bye, my son."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="comings-and-goings"><span class="medium">CHAPTER II</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">COMINGS AND GOINGS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Tim rode on through the town, soon left -the last house behind him, and came into -the open country. A rough track led -northward to Mr. O'Hagan's hacienda, three miles -away. Several years before, Mr. O'Hagan -had bought his estate, consisting of some -thousands of acres, at a very low price, and -planted it partly with coffee, partly with -sugar. His workers were Cholos (the native -Indians) and Japanese. The cost of living -and of labour being low, and the soil very -fertile, the plantations had in a short time -brought him wealth. The chief drawback -was difficulty of transport. San Rosario -was in a remote province between the Andes -and the forests, far from railways and from -good roads. There were steep hills almost -all round the town, crossed only by rough -paths over which goods were carried on the -backs of mules. Some of the planters had -tried to introduce wheeled vehicles; but the -customs of the country proved too strong -for them, and the arriero or muleteer, -dirty, cheerful, hard-working and -incorrigibly unpunctual, remained the common -carrier.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On first leaving the gobernador, Tim was -glowing with pleasure and pride in his feat. -But as he neared his home, his spirits -gradually sank. He did not much relish the -coming explanations with his father. -Mr. O'Hagan was by no means strict with his -only son as a general rule, but he was apt -to look darkly on escapades which involved -the townsfolk. By the time Tim came to -the house he was in quite a sober frame of mind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The dwelling was a long, one-storied -building of adobe and wood, constructed -in Peruvian style. The entrance hall led -into a patio--a sort of courtyard open to -the sky, with palms and boxes of flowers -around the walls. To the right of this were -the drawing-room and study. Beyond was -another patio with a well in the centre, -and a veranda looking on the garden. On -the other side were the dining-room and -bedrooms, and a small room used by -Mr. O'Hagan as an office. Then came the -servants' patio, the kitchen and servants' -bedrooms, and at the end of the house a -large enclosure, part vegetable garden, part -poultry run.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim placed his bicycle in its shed behind -the house, and entered, resolved to "get it -over." He hoped to see his mother in the -patio; she was often a very convenient -buffer between him and his father; but she -was not there, and he remembered that this -was the time of her afternoon nap. He went -on until he reached the office, where -Mr. O'Hagan and a Peruvian clerk were at work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan threw a rapid glance at -the boy as he entered, and was relieved -to see no cuts, bruises, or other signs of -accident.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Had a good ride, Tim?" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pretty good," replied Tim somewhat -gloomily. "I saved Señor Fagasta's life."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's that you say? I suppose you -overtook him and didn't run him down, eh?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It wasn't exactly that," said Tim. "I -did overtake him on his mule; he'd been -to San Juan; but we were pounced on by -four rough-looking fellows he called brigands. -They let me off, and I walked back and found -the gobernador tied to a tree. I brought -him in on my machine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't tell me so! This is very -vexing; I wish it hadn't happened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But, Father, you wouldn't have left the -old gentleman to die!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How do you know he'd have died?" -said Mr. O'Hagan testily. "The fellows -probably only wanted to squeeze a ransom -out of him. Upon my word, Tim, you're a -great trouble to me, with your machine. -You know how careful I am to keep out of -local squabbles, and yet you've run -head-first into one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Really, I couldn't help it, Father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suppose you couldn't, but it's a pity. -You've made an enemy of the Mollendists, -and in this country they may be our -governors next week. You'll cost me a pretty -penny. Still, you couldn't help it; only -don't let it occur again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim heaved a sigh of relief.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You'd have laughed if you'd seen him," -he said. "We came through the street in -fine style. He was perched on the carrier, -clinging on for dear life, and all the people -shouting like anything."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't mean to say you brought him -right through the street?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed I did."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why on earth did you do that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was such fun, Father. I really -couldn't help it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And don't you know you must never -be funny with a Peruvian? He has no -sense of fun, especially when the fun is at -his expense. You're terribly thoughtless. -You ought to have dropped the gobernador -before you came to the town. However!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan did not continue his rebuke. -In his mind's eye he saw the recent scene, -and remembered the time when he himself -might have yielded to the temptation to -which Tim had succumbed. Years before, -when quite a young man, just arrived from -home, he had thrown himself with Irish -impetuosity into the struggle between Peru -and Chile; and having been a lieutenant of -volunteers when living in London, he had -made use of his military knowledge in his -new domicile. He had been given a -commission in the Peruvian cavalry, and had -led many a daring sortie, many a gallant -charge. With those reckless feats still clear -in his memory, he could not bear hardly on -the boy who so much resembled him. "You -can't put old heads on young shoulders," -he thought; "but I was a fool to buy him -that motor-cycle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The conversation between father and son -had, of course, been carried on in English. -The Peruvian clerk, bending over his books, -listened attentively, but could understand -only a word or two here and there. What -little he picked up whetted his curiosity, -and by and by, when he found an opportunity -of speaking to Tim alone, he tried to pump -him. But Tim did not like Miguel Pardo. -He could scarcely have told why; it was an -instinctive feeling which did not need -explanation. When the young Peruvian began -to ply him with questions in Spanish, -perfectly polite, but yet, as Tim thought, rather -too pressing, he gave short and vague -answers. Pardo saw that he was being -fenced with, and presently desisted, breaking -off the conversation with a smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A little later, when the O'Hagans were -having tea in the patio, Pardo spent the last -few minutes before closing work for the day -in writing a letter. Then, locking up his -books, he left the house by the servants' -entrance and, instead of going to the huts -half a mile away, in which Mr. O'Hagan's -employees lodged, he set off for the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had not gone far when he was met-by -Nicolas Romaña, the young Peruvian who -was storekeeper and general factotum of the -estate. The two men were always so -excessively polite to each other that Mr. O'Hagan -shrewdly guessed them to be hostile at -heart. They never quarrelled; but it was -impossible to be in their company long -without feeling that at any moment sparks -might fly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, señor," said Romaña, on meeting -Pardo, "you are about to take the air? -Let me give you a friendly warning: beware -of a storm. I just now heard rumblings of -thunder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Many thanks, señor," replied Pardo. -"I shall not go far afield. Perhaps to the -town. San Rosario is not Lima, unluckily. -There I should have a friend's house at every -few yards to give me shelter."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This, as Romaña very well knew, was a -mere boast, an assumption of superiority: -every Peruvian wishes to be regarded as a -native of Lima.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How strange we never met there!" he -said politely. "I myself was born at Lima, -and lived there fully twenty years."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What a loss to me!" said Pardo. "I -bid you good-evening."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He swept off his hat and passed on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña stood looking after him in some -surprise. It was an unusually abrupt ending -of the conversation. Ordinarily the -bandying of words would have been kept up for -several minutes. What was the reason of -Pardo's haste? He was walking very -quickly, too, as if he had an errand of -importance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A man who has weighty secrets himself -is very apt to suspect others of harbouring -secrets also. This may perhaps explain why -Romaña, instead of proceeding on his way -to the hacienda, turned about, and dogged -Pardo to the outskirts of the town. There -the clerk entered a small house--a chacara -belonging to one of the Indian agriculturists -of the neighbourhood. In a few minutes -he returned, passed unsuspiciously the clump -of bush behind which Romaña was spying, -and retraced the road homeward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña remained on the watch. Presently -an Indian came out of the house, went to -his corral hard by, caught and saddled a -horse, and rode off, not towards San Rosario, -but along a bridle-path that ran westward -and led into the high road to San Juan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The watcher felt that he had not come in -vain. Instead of returning to the hacienda, -he walked rapidly into the town, and showed -signs of pleasure on meeting, near the plaza, -a thin, wiry man of about sixty years of age, -with whom he entered into earnest conversation. -A few minutes later this man might -have been seen riding quickly out of the -town, on the same road as that which the -Indian had struck perhaps half an hour before.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next morning, when the workers were busy -about the plantation, and Mr. O'Hagan was -engaged with Pardo in the office, Romaña -strolled to an orange orchard a quarter of a -mile southward from the house. After -waiting there impatiently for nearly an hour, he -was joined by the man with whom he had -conversed in San Rosario on the previous -evening.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, caballero?" said Romaña eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I followed him, señor, into San Juan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where did he go?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"To the Prefect's house."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good!" said Romaña with satisfaction. -"Is there any news?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"None, señor. The gobernador gives out -that he very much enjoyed his ride."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña smiled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, caballero. Go back and keep -eyes and ears open."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They parted, and Romaña returned to his work.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="benevolences"><span class="medium">CHAPTER III</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">BENEVOLENCES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Señor José Fagasta was seated in a deep -chair on the balcony of his house overlooking -the plaza. It was a hot afternoon, and he -had exchanged his black coat for a loose -jacket of white alpaca. An awning and his -broad-brimmed Panama hat gave shelter -from the sun. At his side was a small table, -with a glass and a decanter. Between his -lips there was a long cigar. It had gone out: -the gobernador was asleep.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was suddenly roused by the sound of -cheering up the street. Rubbing his eyes, -and taking automatically a pull at his -extinguished cigar, he let out a smothered -ejaculation, struggled to his feet, and hastened into -the house. The cause of these abrupt -movements was the appearance of a party of -horsemen trotting into the plaza at the -upper end--the Prefect of the province, -accompanied by a small escort.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The gobernador hurried to his dressing-room, -threw off his jacket, and was struggling -into his frock coat when he was summoned -to attend the Prefect below. He durst not -delay. He held the Prefect in awe, as was -only natural, seeing that it was the Prefect -who had appointed him to his office, at the -cost of a very considerable fee. In his haste -and perturbation he forgot that he wore a -Panama, and was only reminded of it when -the Prefect, who was just entering the hall as -Señor Fagasta came to the foot of the staircase, -looked with stern disapproval over his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A thousand pardons, señor," said the -confused gobernador. "I was taking a -brief siesta, and did not expect to be honoured -by a visit from your excellency."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He swept off his hat, bowed his head -before his superior, and politely invited him -to a seat in the patio.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Prefect, a tall sharp-featured man of -about forty years, with keen black eyes over -which bushy eyebrows met, and a heavy -moustache twisted into long points, accepted -the chair, laying his three-cornered hat on -a table. His manner made the gobernador uneasy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"An extraordinary rumour has reached -me, señor doctor," said the Prefect, "that -you were seen yesterday in a very undignified -position, unworthy of your office, riding on -a motor-cycle behind the young Inglés."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is true, señor," said the gobernador. -"I had never experienced that novel mode -of locomotion, and I assure your excellency -that I shall never try it again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Such conduct, señor, is calculated to -bring your responsible office into contempt. -It cannot be overlooked: you are dismissed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a moment the gobernador's emotion -rendered him speechless. He thought of the -many good English sovereigns with which -he had bought his office, and the terrible -eclipse of all his importance in the town. -Then he pulled himself together: perhaps -if the Prefect knew all he would have mercy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your excellency," he said humbly, "I -admit that my conduct may seem wanting -in dignity; but I beg that you will hear my -explanation. I was returning from my -interview with you, full of zeal for the duty -with which you had entrusted me, when I -was seized by four villainous brigands in the -hills. They bound me to a tree, and but -for the courageous intervention of the young -Inglés, who mounted me on his machine -and brought me home, I should probably -either not be alive to-day, or be a much poorer -man than I am. Not that I am rich," he -added hastily. "In these circumstances I -trust that your excellency will have the -goodness to overlook my unintentional -delinquency."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is impossible, señor. Your dismissal -is registered. It cannot be rescinded. -Still, as a special act of grace, in -consideration of your zeal, I may authorise your -reappointment."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your kindness overwhelms me, señor," -said the grateful gobernador, unaware how -truly he spoke.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But there is a condition, señor," the -Prefect continued. "I am hard pressed -for funds to carry on my campaign against -the brigands. Your zeal is such that you -will not refuse to make a small contribution -on behalf of the cause--say £500. I shall -then have the greatest pleasure in reinstating -you as gobernador of this town."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Señor Fagasta writhed. He knew that -protest was useless. He must pay, or be -disgraced. How much of his contribution -would go to support the cause, and how -much into the Prefect's own pocket, he could -only suspect. The interview soon came to -an end, and the Prefect left the house richer -by £500.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The idlers who had gathered outside -cheered him again as he remounted. They -expected to see him ride back to San Juan. -To their surprise he struck into the rough -track northward, which led only to the -hacienda of Mr. O'Hagan, to another that -lay some few miles beyond, and then to -the hills. Evidently the Prefect's visit was -of more than usual importance.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 95%" id="figure-76"> -<span id="map"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="Map" src="images/img-036.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">Map</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half an hour later the Prefect reined up -at the door of Mr. O'Hagan's house. The -family were at tea in the patio. On seeing -his visitor through the open door, -Mr. O'Hagan rose with a muttered exclamation -of annoyance, and went to greet him. He -was forestalled by Pardo, who had run from -the office and was holding the horseman's -stirrup. Mr. O'Hagan felt that he could do -no other than invite the Prefect to drink a -cup of tea, and that gentleman was soon -seated in the patio, stirring his cup, and -talking to Mrs. O'Hagan in the charming manner -for which he had a name among ladies.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish to thank your son, señor and -señora," he said presently, "on behalf of -the government, for his spirited action -yesterday in the cause of law and order. -There, my boy," he went on, taking a -sol--equivalent to a florin--from his pocket, -"accept that as a token of my high consideration."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim looked at his father.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pardon me, señor," said Mr. O'Hagan, -swallowing his irritation, "your generosity -is quite unnecessary. My son needs no reward."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is very high-minded," said the -Prefect, pocketing the coin. "He will allow -me to shake him by the hand and compliment -him on his courage and resource?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim gave him a limp hand: it was not -so bad as the gobernador's hug and kiss.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am glad to be able to number you and -your family, señor," the Prefect continued, -"among my declared adherents."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't make a mistake, señor," said -Mr. O'Hagan quickly. "My son had no political -motive in his action. It was a mere impulse -of humanity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The cause of the government is the cause -of humanity," said the Prefect impressively. -"The brigands represent anarchy. Brigandage -is chaos. I am determined to stamp it -out. My action is in the true interests of -all law-abiding citizens, and especially of -such enterprises as yours, which depend on -the reign of law for their prosperity."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this point, after an almost imperceptible -sign from Mr. O'Hagan, his wife rose and went -with Tim into the drawing-room. The Prefect -gallantly opened the door for her, and bowed -with extreme deference: he was the pink of -politeness. Then he returned to his chair. -Mr. O'Hagan guessed what was coming. A -few years before this, the Prefect, by bribery -and intrigue, had ousted his predecessor in -office, one Señor Mollendo, and had since -maintained his position by corruption, and -by levying forced loans on such of the -wealthy men as had not the courage to -resist him. The public taxes were already -sufficiently heavy; but the province was so -remote from Lima that its prefect was -practically a dictator, and appeals to the -central government would have been fruitless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Señor Mollendo, knowing that his life was -hardly safe, had taken refuge in the hilly -district in the heart of the province, and was -there joined by his partisans, who grew -gradually in number as the Prefect's -exactions increased. These Mollendists were -what we should call a political party in -opposition: in Peru the government termed -them brigands. It was natural enough that -they should include among their number -many lawless irreconcilables of the true -brigand type; and opposition which would -in England take the form of public meetings -and demonstrations found expression here -in raids and robberies. Mr. O'Hagan had -been several times approached indirectly for -contributions to the Prefect's war fund, but -he had always refused to comply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As I was saying, señor," the Prefect -resumed, lighting the cigar Mr. O'Hagan -offered, "your security depends on the -supremacy of law. That being the case, -and my treasury being in temporary need -of funds, I have every confidence in inviting -you to subscribe a small sum--say £1000--to -a loan for the more active prosecution of -the work of suppressing the brigands which -we all have at heart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am a man of few words, señor," said -Mr. O'Hagan. "I have bought my land; I -pay my legal taxes, which are heavy enough; -and I am entitled to the protection of -government. My people are contented; I -have had no trouble with them; the people -you call brigands have not molested me; -if they do I shall claim your protection, but -I don't anticipate anything of the kind. I -must therefore decline your invitation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg you not to be hasty, señor. Your -security may yet be rudely shocked: no -man can call himself safe while the brigands -are at large; and I should be very much -distressed if you were to suffer loss through -the unfortunate penury of the government. -A contribution of £1000--merely by way of -loan--would probably prevent a much greater loss."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not one peseta, señor," said Mr. O'Hagan -bluntly. "I must beg you to believe that -that is final."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Prefect smiled blandly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! you Inglésas!" he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm an Irishman, señor: that's worse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, señor, I must thank you for your -hospitality and take my leave. I wish you -every success, and a large share of the -sunlight of prosperity. I only regret that -by your reluctance to support me you are -helping to let loose the forces of lawlessness -and giving hostages to brigandage--in fact, -breeding worms that will eat into the tissues -of industrial enterprise. I bid you good-day, -señor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan was not impressed by the -Prefect's picturesque language. Tall talk -is the foible of Peruvians. But after he had -seen the last of his visitor, he returned to the -house in a state of intense irritation. His -wife was awaiting him in the patio.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He wants to bleed me," he said angrily: -"demanded a trifle of £1000. This country -is a hot-bed of corruption. And I wish that -motor-cycle were at the bottom of the sea."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, dear," said Mrs. O'Hagan placably, -"what has that to do with it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It gives the fellow an excuse for saying -that I'm on the side of the Mollendists. -Why do you let me spoil that boy, Rose?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mrs. O'Hagan smiled, remembering that -she had begged her husband to wait until -Tim was a little older before giving him the -motor-cycle. Wisely she did not remind -him of that, but simply said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't worry, dear. Things mayn't be -so bad as you think.... And Tim is not -</span><em class="italics">really</em><span> spoilt, you know."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="gas"><span class="medium">CHAPTER IV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">GAS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Next day Tim went into the town on an -errand for his mother. He was looking at -the window of the only book-shop, when he -felt a touch on his sleeve. Looking round, -he saw Alfonso, the gobernador's son, a -sallow, weedy boy of about his own age, -whom he had often vainly tried to induce -to have a game at cricket in a field behind -Mr. O'Hagan's house. He did not think -much of Alfonso, who always called him señor!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Follow me, señor," said the boy mysteriously, -"but don't let people know."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He moved off at once. Tim might have -thought that he was being enticed away -for a practical joke of some kind, only he -remembered that the Peruvians never played -practical jokes except in carnival time. -"I may as well go," he said to himself; so, -pushing his hands into his pockets, he -sauntered after Alfonso Fagasta. Several -persons gave him pleasant greetings, and he -stopped once or twice to exchange a word, -always keeping his eye on Alfonso.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Peruvian boy walked past the church -in the plaza, and turned into a narrow street, -or rather lane, bounded on one side by the -wall of the presbytery, on the other by a -high wall enclosing a garden. Tim knew -the place well; indeed, in days gone by he -had sometimes scaled the garden wall in -quest of ripe plums or peaches. He followed -Alfonso for some distance, until he came to -the rear of the enclosure, where there was -a dense plantation extending up the slope -of a hill. Here Alfonso made signs to him -to wait, and disappeared through a wicket -gate into his father's garden.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why couldn't he tell me where to -come?" thought Tim impatiently. "What's -the silly secret?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He climbed a tree by way of passing the -time, and presently, from his leafy bower, -he saw the gobernador open the wicket -gate, glance cautiously round, and then -come swiftly towards the plantation. He -looked this way and that, and gave a jump -when Tim called out, just above his head:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here I am, señor doctor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ha! my young friend, come down," -said the gobernador.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim dropped at his feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have something to say to you," -continued the gobernador hurriedly. -"Pardon me for not receiving you in my -house with the respect due to my preserver, -but there are reasons...." He nodded -with an air of mystery. Then he went on -in nervous haste: "Tell your good father -to be on his guard to-night. See that -everything is secure. He must be careful -not to arouse suspicion among his staff. -Few are to be trusted in these disturbed -times. If he sleeps at all, let him sleep -with one eye open."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's going to happen, señor?" asked Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I say no more. Perhaps I have said -too much. But I owe you so much -gratitude----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't mention it, señor," said Tim, -backing. "Thanks for your warning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Do not breathe my name to any one -but your father," said the gobernador -anxiously. "I must go. Next time I see -you I hope it will be at my front door, -with open arms."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope it won't," thought Tim. He -shook hands with the flurried gentleman, -who, with another cautious look around, -returned to the gate and slipped through -into his garden.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim was very thoughtful as he walked -home. Such a warning in Spanish America -was not to be disregarded, and he could -not help connecting it with the Prefect's -visit, the object of which he had learnt from -his mother. He had a lively imagination. -Such a man as the Prefect was not likely to -accept amiably the snub administered by -Mr. O'Hagan. He might use other means -than persuasion to enforce his will.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He wanted money. To-morrow was -pay-day at the hacienda, and there was a -large sum in the safe. San Rosario had -no bank. The branch of a Lima bank -at San Juan had shut its doors on the -accession of the present Prefect to office: -the managers feared that their floating -assets would be attached by the new official, -ostensibly for public purposes. Since then -the employers of labour had had to be their -own bankers, drawing cash at intervals from -Lima by well-armed convoys. There could -be little doubt that the gobernador had -somehow got wind of a plot to rob -Mr. O'Hagan on the coming night.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim wondered what his father would do -to defeat the attempt. How would the -burglars go to work? The safe was kept -in the office. The key was on Mr. O'Hagan's -bunch. To reach the office the robbers -would have to pass through one or other of -the patios. The middle patio had French -doors opening on the garden. They were -always locked and bolted at night, like the -main door and the servants' entrance. It -would be difficult to enter without making -a noise, unless the servants were in league -with the burglars. Tim thought of each of -them in turn, and felt sure that all were -trustworthy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All at once a brilliant idea struck him. -His father was rather vexed with him--or -with the motor-cycle, which amounted to -the same thing; what a score it would be -if he could deal with this matter himself, -without his father knowing anything about -it! He chuckled with delight as he imagined -himself telling at the breakfast-table, as -calmly as though it were an everyday -matter, how he had defeated an attempted -burglary. But how was it to be done? -Mr. O'Hagan was a light sleeper; a slight noise -would disturb him, and Tim was at a loss -for any means of routing the burglars silently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He thought of wire entanglements; but -he could not erect them without his father's -knowledge. He thought of a booby-trap; -but that was bound to make a noise. He -had almost reached home before a plan -occurred to him; it pleased him so much -that he laughed. There was a large quantity -of ammonia solution in the house, kept for -household purposes and for use with the -refrigerator which was a domestic necessity -in this tropical climate. Tim had only -recently left school in England, so that his -knowledge of chemistry had not yet evaporated. -If he heated some of this liquid, and -led the vapour into the patio at the critical -moment, the fumes would be obnoxious -enough, he thought, to choke off any rash -intruders.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As soon as he got home, he took into -consultation an old mestizo named Andrea, -who was gardener and odd man, a family -servant of many years' standing. Andrea -was rather troubled, and advised that the -warning should be given to Mr. O'Hagan; -but few could resist Tim's persuasiveness, -and the old man at length consented to -assist his young master.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim's bedroom was next to the office. -At the bottom of the wall next to the patio -there was a grating which could be removed. -That night, when all the rest had retired, -Andrea brought to Tim's room a large oil-can -with a narrow neck, containing a quantity -of the ammonia solution. Tim had already -provided himself with a short length of -garden hose, with a nozzle at the end. -Drawing the rubber tubing over the neck of -the can, he placed the nozzle end in the hole -from which the grating had been removed, -in such a way that when the cock was turned -it would allow the fumes to enter the patio -within a few inches of the office door. -Having lighted a large spirit-lamp beneath the -oil-can, he set a chair against the door, on -which he could mount to reach a ventilator -above, opening on to the patio, and sat -down on his bed, quivering with excitement, -to wait for the expected attack.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hours passed, and he grew fidgety. Every -now and then he got on the chair, and peeped -through the ventilator. All was dark and -silent.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't believe they're coming," he -whispered disconsolately to Andrea.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So much the better, señorito," said the -old man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Tim did not agree with that; he -did not want to be disappointed of his fun.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last he heard a slight sound from -without. Jumping on the chair, he peered -through the ventilator. He could see -nothing, but he guessed by the sounds that -the putty was being scraped from one of -the glass panes of the French door. Presently -he dimly saw several dark, shadowy forms -pass from side to side. The men were -removing the pane. One after another the -intruders stepped quietly across the patio -towards the office door. Just as they reached -it Tim slipped off the chair, stooped to the -floor, and noiselessly turned on the cock of -the nozzle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>For a few seconds there was no effect. He -heard the slight click of a key as it was -inserted in the lock of the office door. But -then, as the ammonia fumes began to diffuse, -there was a sniff, a stifled cough, and a -whispered exclamation. Presently there -were louder coughs, long-drawn gasps, and -the men, in the effort to repress these fatal -sounds, choked and spluttered violently, -until, half-blinded, half-suffocated, they -turned away, cursing with what breath was -left to them, and tumbled over one another -in a rush for the door.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the same moment the door of Mr. O'Hagan's -room was flung violently open, -and that gentleman, roused by the noise, -rushed into the patio in his pyjamas, a gun -in his hand. Seeing that the pane was -removed, he ran to the door, and sent a -charge of duck-shot after the dark figures -scampering over the garden-beds. The -sound of firing roused all the household, and -the affrighted servants came flocking into -the patio.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's this confounded smell?" gasped -Mr. O'Hagan, turning when the marauders -had vanished into the night. There was a -chorus of coughs from the servants.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim had turned off the stream of gas, and -now opened his door; he felt very much -annoyed with the burglars; why had they -made such a silly row?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"One of your tricks, Tim?" said -Mr. O'Hagan. He gasped again. "Ammonia, -begore!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is, Father," said Tim meekly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What on earth do you mean by disturbing -the whole household in this way? ... Get -back to bed," he cried in Spanish to the -servants; "all's well now.... Now, sir, -just explain this tomfoolery."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"May I come into your room?" asked -Tim, anxious that old Andrea should not -get into trouble.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may, and apologise to your poor -mother for disturbing her rest. Now, what -have you to say for yourself? Were those -fellows outside friends of yours, in the plot -too? If so, you're responsible for the -murder or maiming of some of them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed they're not. They are burglars, -and I spoilt their game with ammonia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Burglars, eh? But how did you know -they were coming? You must have made -preparations?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I did. Old Fagasta told me to look out -for them to-night, and I did so."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed now! What did the gobernador -know about it, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He didn't tell me. He only asked me -to tell you to be on your guard to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why didn't you do so, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought I would make them scoot -myself, and not disturb you. Who could -know the donkeys would make such a silly row!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan's mouth twitched at his -son's indignant tone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, Tim," he said, "sure 'twas very -considerate of you, but next time you are -asked to give me a message, give it. And no -more tricks of this kind, mind ye. We don't -wish to be blown up one night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I dished them, anyway."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't deny it. But 'twas lucky the -noise woke me; for a few pellets in their -carcasses will be a more enduring lesson than -a stink. Now, to bed!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Tim had gone, Mr. O'Hagan said to -his wife:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Prefect has made his first move, Rose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tim was quite upset, poor boy!" replied -Mrs. O'Hagan.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="pardo-dismisses-himself"><span class="medium">CHAPTER V</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">PARDO DISMISSES HIMSELF</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"I am going into the town," said Mr. O'Hagan -at breakfast next morning. "Last -night's affair must not be passed over. I -shall lay a formal complaint before Señor -Fagasta. It won't be any good, but it -would never do to take no notice. When -Pardo comes, Tim, tell him that he must -get the ledger posted to-day; he is rather -behind. And if any of the people are curious -about the shots last night--they must have -heard them--don't answer any questions. -I have already told the servants to hold their -tongues."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Setting off on horseback, he rode straight -to the gobernador's house. He noticed that -the magistrate greeted him nervously. When -the usual civilities had been exchanged, he -said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have to report, señor, that an attempt -was made last night to break into my -house, and to ask that you will do what you -can to discover the villains and bring them -to justice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is very distressing, señor," said the -gobernador. "It will give the town a bad -name, especially as it happened the day after -the visit of our illustrious Prefect."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes, that is decidedly unfortunate," -remarked Mr. O'Hagan ironically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will of course do what I can with the -few police at my disposal," the gobernador -continued. "Had it happened on the night -before, I should have been better able to -deal with the matter, for the Prefect left a -few of his escort of gendarmes behind. -They were quartered on me; but they -departed yesterday evening. Perhaps you -will give me full particulars, which I will -draw up in proper form."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan related the circumstances, -which the gobernador wrote down with -great deliberateness and solemnity. While -he was doing this, Mr. O'Hagan had time -to put two and two together. He had little -doubt that the attack had been made by -men left behind for that purpose by the -Prefect, and guessed that the gobernador -had learnt or suspected their design from -something they had let fall while quartered -in his house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The report having been drawn up, Señor -Fagasta gravely stamped it with the official -seal, and said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Be assured I will do what I can, señor. -I trust that the señora and your excellent -son are well?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite, señor, thank you," said Mr. O'Hagan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Neither had mentioned the incident of -the bicycle or the warning given by the -gobernador, from whose manner Mr. O'Hagan -judged that he did not wish those matters -to be alluded to. On his side, he felt that -it would be indiscreet and probably useless -to press the magistrate for particulars of -what he knew or suspected. He had done -a good turn in giving the warning, no doubt -risking the vengeance of the Prefect if his -action should come to that worthy's knowledge.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Taking leave of the gobernador, Mr. O'Hagan -rode home and went straight to -the office. It was empty. He called to -Tim, who was practising with an air-gun -at a target set up at the end of the lawn.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where's Pardo?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He hasn't turned up, Father. He sent -a kid over to say that he's grieved to the -heart at not being able to attend to his -duties, owing to a painful attack of lumbago. -I don't like the chap, Father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Because he's got lumbago?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No; because I think he's a bit of a fraud. -Last time he stayed away it was a sore heel, -you remember; but I happened to see him -picking oranges in the evening when the -men had gone home, and he walked well -enough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You didn't mention it to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, his heel might have been sore, and -I didn't want to meddle, especially as you -think a good deal of him, Father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do. He's the best book-keeper I ever -had. I'll get your mother to send him some -turpentine: that'll put him to rights."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the course of the day Romaña was -despatched by Mrs. O'Hagan with a bottle -of turpentine for the sick man. Pardo was -not to be seen. The old half-breed woman -who looked after him told Romaña that her -master had not risen that day, complaining -of pains and stiffness in his back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Has he sent for the doctor?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not yet. He says it is a chill, and will -soon pass."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The mistress has sent some stuff to cure -him. The instruction is to rub it into the -skin very thoroughly. Take it to Señor -Pardo, and ask if I can do anything for him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The old woman went off with the bottle. -Romaña had noticed Pardo's coat lying over -the back of a chair. As soon as he was -alone, he lifted the coat, cast a rapid but -searching glance over it, and laid it on the -chair again.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Many thanks, señor," came Pardo's -voice from the inner room. "Thank the -gracious lady for me, and say that I hope to -return to my beloved duty in a day or two."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is the pain very severe, señor?" asked -Romaña sympathetically.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not so severe as the stiffness, señor. -Take care that you don't take a chill."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thanks, my friend. I myself am always -careful of the night air. Good-day; I will -give the mistress your message."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña hurried back to the house, and -sought his master in the office.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, how is the invalid?" asked -Mr. O'Hagan. "Did you see him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, señor: he was keeping his bed. I -would suggest that you should send your -own doctor to him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's not necessary, surely. A good -rubbing is all that he needs for lumbago."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If it is lumbago!" said the man. "Will -you give me a moment, señor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Of course," replied Mr. O'Hagan, laying -down his pen. "What is it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He leant back in his chair, frowning a little. -A most unsuspicious man himself, he was -annoyed at Romaña's suggestion of malingering, -coming on top of the doubts hinted by Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On the day when the señor gobernador -rode on the bicycle," said Romaña, "Señor -Pardo sent a letter to his excellency the -Prefect."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What of that? and how do you know?" -asked Mr. O'Hagan sharply.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I saw his Cholo messenger ride away -with it to San Juan, señor, and a friend -reported to me that the Cholo took it to the -Prefect's house. As you know, the Prefect -came to San Rosario two days after, and -visited the gobernador. He then rode here. -Señor Pardo held his stirrup while he -dismounted. He returned to San Juan, but -left some of his gendarmes behind. Then -came the matter of last night. To-day -Señor Pardo is not to be seen."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are you driving at?" asked Mr. O'Hagan -irritably.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have patience, señor. I have been ten -years in your service, and you have no -complaint against me?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is true, but I don't like this air of -mystery and suspicion. Say plainly what -you have in your mind."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have just seen Señor Pardo's coat--the -one he was wearing yesterday: there -were several little black holes in the back. -I think if you send your doctor to him, you -will find that he suffers not from lumbago -but from shot wounds."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan stared in amazement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You suggest that he was among those -villains who tried to break in last night?" -he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I do, señor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And that the Prefect was concerned in it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Prefect's gendarmes, señor. As for -the Prefect himself!..."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shrugged expressively.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And that Señor Pardo is in the Prefect's pay?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is my belief, señor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Romaña, are you a spy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Señor, I am a Mollendist," replied the -man with dignity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan was much perturbed. He -was loth to believe that Pardo was a traitor, -but the chain of events as linked together -by Romaña was unpleasantly consistent. -Perhaps what troubled him most of all was -the discovery that, careful as he had been to -hold aloof from local dissensions, two of his -servants were mixed up in them, on opposite -sides. It was now easier to understand the -mutual antagonism between the two men, -of which, though veiled by the outward forms -of civility, he had always been conscious.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have told no one else what you -suspect?" he said, after a few moments' -deliberation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nobody, señor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then take care not to do so. I believe -that you mean well, but I hope to find you -mistaken. We shall see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Romaña had gone, Mr. O'Hagan -sought his wife and told her everything.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have never liked Pardo," she said, -"though I can't say why. Perhaps it -would be as well to ask Dr. Pereira to see him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I prefer not to. I shall put it to the -fellow direct when he comes back to work. -One thing is certain: Romaña must go. -I can't have a Mollendist about the place. -If it became known, the Prefect would make -it another reason for worrying me, or worse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Won't you write to the British consul -at Lima?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm afraid that would be useless. He's -too far away to be able to do anything. -We're in a desperately awkward position, -Rose. The Prefect will have his knife in -me, and young Tim has certainly offended -the Mollendists by releasing the gobernador. -Whatever they meant to do with him, they -will be furious at being baulked by a -youngster. When I send my next convoy to the -capital, I think you and the boy had better -go too. You'll be out of harm's way there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed I will do nothing of the kind, -Tim. I will not leave you. And I can't -believe that there's any danger to a British -subject here. Write to the consul at once, -dear; it's just as well to be beforehand with -trouble."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will do so. Say nothing to Tim, -by the way. He'd only worry."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Three days afterwards Pardo returned. -He looked rather pale, and after greeting -his employer launched out into a voluble -description of his sufferings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But the gracious lady's lotion worked -wonders, señor," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Rather painful, isn't it?" said Mr. O'Hagan, -noticing with misgiving that the -man wore a new coat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all, señor. Its application was -most soothing. It is a most excellent remedy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan remembered how, when -suffering from lumbago himself, the friction -with turpentine had left his back sore and -smarting for days.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Sit down, Pardo," he said. "I've something -to say to you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man sat down awkwardly on his -chair, smiling amiably.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You remember the night of the attempted -robbery," Mr. O'Hagan went on. "No -doubt my shots disturbed you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all, señor. I slept the sleep of -the just."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How often do you correspond with the -Prefect?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The sudden question obviously took Pardo -aback. He looked uncomfortable, but -recovered himself in a moment, and said with -a feeble smile:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A humble clerk and book-keeper does -not correspond with so important a person -as his excellency, señor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Nevertheless, you sent a letter to his -excellency a few days ago. He visited me -two days after, and left a party of his -gendarmes in the town when he returned to -San Juan. I have reason to suspect that -they were concerned in the attempt to rob -me. How did they know that at that -precise moment I had a large sum of money -in my safe?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"These are very strange questions, señor," -said Pardo. His manner was quiet and -restrained, but Mr. O'Hagan, intently -watching him, noticed a look of fear in his eyes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are," he said. "Here's another: -where is your old coat? I mean the coat -you were wearing last time you were here. -It was nearly new."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pardo started to his feet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Señor, this is intolerable," he cried. -"I don't know what you mean, but your -questions are an insult to a perfect -gentleman." (Every Peruvian is a perfect -gentleman.) "You will please to accept my -resignation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, Pardo: perhaps it is best." He -handed him his week's wages.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And let me tell you this, Señor Inglés," -cried the man furiously as he pocketed the -money: "a Peruvian gentleman does not -take lightly such insults to his honour. You -will repent this. You will feel the weight of -my just anger. You treat me like a dog: -dogs can bite. I will not accept your money."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He took it from his pocket and threw it on -the floor. "You shall learn what it is to -insult a perfect gentleman."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Snatching up his hat, he swept it round in -ironical salutation, and flung out of the room.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="tim-is-held-to-ransom"><span class="medium">CHAPTER VI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">TIM IS HELD TO RANSOM</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Tim had many acquaintances but few -friends among the youth of San Rosario and -the neighbourhood. He often felt the lack -of a chum of his own age, and looked forward -eagerly to the time, now drawing very near, -when he would return to England and enter -an engineering college. His most intimate -friend in Peru was a young fellow, two or -three years older than himself, named Felipe -Durand, who lived on his father's hacienda, -about twelve miles north of the town. Durand -had been educated in England, and being a -very fair batsman, he sometimes joined Tim -in getting up a cricket match between -elevens of the Japanese workers.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the day after Pardo's dismissal, Tim -rode out to Durand's house to arrange for -a match in the following week. The path -was only a rough track; it was indeed not -a public thoroughfare at all, but was -maintained by Señor Durand and Mr. O'Hagan -for their own convenience. Much of it ran -through woods, and on each side the ground -rose gradually to a considerable height.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim met nobody on the way, but within a -few miles of the hacienda he noticed a group -of men at the edge of the wood some little -distance from the path. Thinking that they -were peons of Señor Durand he gave them only -a fleeting glance and passed by. He reached -his friend's house about twenty minutes -after starting, and discussed the proposed -match in a little summer-house, over a dish -of fruit and a glass of lemonade.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I say, O'Hagan," said young Durand, -after arrangements had been made, "I wish -I had seen your performance with the -gobernador. It must have been great sport."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two boys always used English when -together.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed, it was good fun," said Tim. -"The pater was in a bit of a fizz: he thinks -the Mollendists won't like it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I dare say not. He should do as my -governor does."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pay up. My father gives them a regular -subscription."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's rather dangerous, isn't it? The -Prefect would drop on him if he knew."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Prefect has dropped on him as it is. -He has borrowed a good deal that he'll never -pay back. My father grumbles, of course; -but he likes a quiet life, and would rather -pay than be worried. He subscribes to the -Mollendists' funds for the same reason; -they leave him alone. He says that old -Mollendo will get the better of the Prefect -one of these days, and as the old chap is -fairly honest he won't be sorry. Your pater -had better do the same."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm sure he won't. He says corruption -is the curse of this country, and he won't -have anything to do with either of the -parties."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's very honourable and British, but -it won't pay.... Have those robbers been -caught yet?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They have not. D'you know, I believe -our man Pardo had a hand with them; the -pater gave him the sack yesterday. He -resigned, but only to avoid a sacking. I'm -not sorry.... Well, you'll come over on -Monday, then. It's a holiday, so we'll make -a day of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim had ridden only a few miles on his -homeward way when he was brought to a -sudden check. The path was blocked by a -tree which had apparently fallen since he -passed a couple of hours before. He -dismounted, resting his bicycle against the -trunk. The tree was obviously too heavy -to be lifted, and he was looking for a way -round it when a number of men rushed at -him from the bushes on each side of the -track, and in a few seconds he was a prisoner. -Among his captors he saw one of the brigands -who had snapped up the gobernador.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will not get away this time, Señor -Inglés," said the man, laughing. "You will -please to come with us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim was helpless. He could only put the -best face on it. The men led him along the -track northward, in the direction of Durand's -house, two following with the bicycle. As -they neared the house, they struck into the -woods on the left, not returning to the track -until they were some distance beyond, at a -wooden bridge over a ravine. The district -to the north had a bad name. It was the -immemorial haunt of outlaws, whether -revolutionist or criminal. The outlawed criminal -was invariably a revolutionist; though among -the revolutionists there were many, like their -leader, Mollendo himself, who were quite -respectable members of society.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a few miles the country became very -wild and rugged. The men in charge of the -bicycle grumbled at their laborious task; -they were not used to wheeling so heavy and -cumbersome an object, and in the rougher -places it was difficult to balance. Every -minute Tim expected to see the machine -escape from their hands, topple over, and -dash itself to pieces on the rocky declivity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The track became steeper and steeper. -It wound this way and that, a rough wall of -rock rising high on the left hand; on the -right long slopes and sheer descents, crossed -by yawning gullies, stretching downwards for -hundreds of feet. Now and then white -gull-like mountain birds flew screaming in -front of the party; hundreds of squirrels were -disporting on the rocky ramparts, darting -among the trees that clothed the ravines when -they saw the intruders upon their solitudes. -They marched on for hours, covering, -perhaps, a mile and a half an hour, until -night threw its purple shade upon the hills. -Then they halted in a narrow glen. The -leader of the party gave Tim the option of -being tied up or passing his word not to -attempt escape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are Inglés," he said. "I can trust -your word."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim did not appreciate the compliment; -but since it was quite clear that he could not -escape with his bicycle, he gave his word, -looking as pleasant as he could. The men -bivouacked, making a supper of parched -maize, which they took from their wallets, -and weak spirits from their flasks. They -offered Tim a share of their provisions; he -accepted the maize, but declined the spirits, -longing for a draught of water.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He spent a very uncomfortable night. -The rocky ground cut into his light summer -clothes, which afforded but a poor defence -against the cold of this upland region. He -slept fitfully, wondering in the wakeful -intervals what was going to happen to him, -and thinking of the distress his parents must -suffer at his absence. "Durand was right," -he thought. "When I get free I'll ask Father -to give these Mollendists a subscription. -But I bet he won't."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The march was resumed in the morning. -The track still ascended, until it reached a -ridge, from which Tim caught glimpses on -the other side of a river meandering far -below between wooded banks. In front -the ridge rose gradually. In about three -hours the party, passing between two tall -rocks like gate-pillars on either side of the -track, found themselves suddenly in an -encampment of considerable size. Two or -three hundred men were assembled in a sort -of courtyard surrounded by tumble-down -buildings of unworked stone. Tim knew -at a glance that he was in the ruins of an -ancient Inca fortification, castle, or -observation plaza, built by that vanished race on a -hill-top which had probably been flattened -artificially. The men were encamped on -two sides of the enclosure; on the other two -sides a number of horses were hobbled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim had no time to take in more details -of the scene. The arrival of his captors was -hailed with shouts, and he was led through -the excited throng to an angle of the -courtyard, where, in a little recess, a Peruvian -between fifty and sixty years of age, and of -benevolent aspect, was reclining on rugs -before a slab that served as a table.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Señor," said the leader of the party, -"this is the young Inglés who released the -man Fagasta."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Señor Mollendo rose and made a courtly -salutation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good-morning, Señor Inglés," he said. -"I have heard of you and your respected -father. It gives me the greatest pain to see -you in your present unhappy plight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can relieve your pain at once by -releasing me, señor," said Tim boldly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mollendo gave him an indulgent smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have to consider the claims of justice, -my young friend. See how the case stands. -You were taken with the man Fagasta, the -hireling of the usurping Prefect. You were -released, but with rank ingratitude returned -and set free the gobernador, the agent of -the odious dictator, the man who had been -heard to boast of his intention to root out -the friends of liberty from this oppressed -region. Your offence could scarcely be more -serious. It is dangerous for a foreigner to -interfere in our domestic affairs; especially -is it unbecoming in an Englishman, a citizen -of that glorious land of freedom, a lover of -liberty and of equal laws, to associate -himself with the agents of a corrupt and -shameless tyranny. It is necessary to signalise -the abhorrence with which such action must -be viewed by all right-thinking men. You -shall be a recipient of such poor hospitality -as I can extend to you until your unworthy -conduct is redeemed by the payment of -£250, and the engine by means of which you -effected your reprehensible intervention on -behalf of the oppressor will be confiscated to -the use of the patriots."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim was quite unused to having such -eloquence hurled at him. His head master -had contented himself with a few sharp -words and half a dozen swishes--infinitely -preferable to such a lot of "jaw." He -felt overwhelmed, and had nothing to say. -"Jolly cheek!" he thought, "asking £250. -I wish he may get it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His parole was demanded again, and he -was strictly forbidden to stray beyond the -limits of the enclosure. He was given a -dinner consisting of mutton boiled with -vegetables, and toasted maize, with water -from a stream, almost dried up by the -summer heat, that flowed into the broader -river below. Mollendo offered him a Manilla -cigar, which he put in his pocket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was allowed to roam about the -encampment. So well placed that one might -approach within a few yards without discovering -it, it overlooked the surrounding country -for hundreds of square miles. On the east -he could see the track by which he had come, -winding east and south-east through the -hills. On the west a few steps cut in the -rock led to what had once been an Inca road, -running into the path that led southward to -the highway to San Juan. Southward flowed -the hill-stream, through a rough and -precipitous gully. To the north the ground -rose steeply to inaccessible snow-capped peaks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim passed a restless and unhappy day. -He supposed that Mollendo had sent one -of his men to demand the ransom from his -father; but no information was given him. -The only mitigation of his captivity was -afforded by the brigands' experiments with -the motor-cycle. None of them was able -to ride it; few were anxious to try. They -were good horsemen, no doubt; but Tim -soon came to the conclusion that they would -never make motor-cyclists. He watched -with amusement their first attempts in the -middle of the courtyard. One man tried -to mount the bicycle when stationary, and -became violently angry at each failure to -maintain his balance. Then he got two of -his comrades to support him, one on each -side, and thrust at the handles. No -movement resulting, his supporters pushed the -machine for a few yards, then let it go. It -toppled over, and the rider's leg being -crushed between the cycle and the ground, -he swore bitterly, and retired to digest his -discomfiture.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Señor Mollendo looked on at all this -with much disappointment. The confiscated -machine, apparently, was not to be so -valuable an acquisition as he had supposed. -He smiled with pleasure, however, when -the machine was set in motion by a series -of accidents. While one man was in the -saddle; held up on both sides, another -happened to discover the petrol tap, and -turned it on. The supporters pushed the -bicycle for a few feet, the engine began to -fire, and the rider chancing to move the -throttle switch, the machine started forward -with a suddenness that caused the two men -at the sides to lose their grip. There were -shouts of delight from the onlookers; but -the rider was so much amazed at his own -inadvertent skill that he lost his head, and -could neither stop nor steer his unmanageable -steed. Only by sprinting across the -courtyard at full speed did Tim save man -and cycle from being dashed disastrously -against the stone wall.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After this the machine was left severely -alone, until Tim, weary for want of something -to do, offered to instruct the men in its -manipulation. This won Señor Mollendo's -warm approval, and Tim spent several hours -of that day and the next in teaching the -younger members of the party how to ride. -They had no personal feeling against him; -and with the prospect of their lean treasury -being increased by £250 on his account, -they began to regard him with even more -kindliness than his willingness and good -temper had already won.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the third day the messenger sent by -Señor Mollendo to claim the ransom, -returned, bringing with him not merely the -money, but a rumour of the manner in -which the midnight raiders had been -received at Mr. O'Hagan's house. That they -were part of the Prefect's escort was an -open secret. Mollendo called Tim to him -and asked if the story was true. Tim saw -no reason to conceal anything, and gave a -full description of what had happened, only -suppressing the fact that his information -had come from the gobernador.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You showed remarkable ingenuity, my -young friend," said Mollendo, greatly tickled -by the picture of the spluttering crew -stumbling out into the darkness. "I quite -understand why your good father should consider -you worth £250. He has sent the money; -you are free. And as a mark of my appreciation -of your service to the cause of liberty -by discommoding the usurper's minions, -I have much pleasure in returning"--("How -much?" wondered Tim in excitement)--"your -motor-cycle. Four of my -supporters will assist you to the path below. -When you meet your father, convey to him -my salutations, and assure him that the -money will be put to a good use in upholding -the flag of freedom."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He shook hands warmly, bowed with his -hat to his breast, and with a polite </span><em class="italics">a reveder</em><span>, -the Spanish equivalent of </span><em class="italics">au revoir</em><span>, he -ended Tim's captivity.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-prefect-moves"><span class="medium">CHAPTER VII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">THE PREFECT MOVES</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Tim's adventure caused Mr. O'Hagan to -change his mind about dismissing Romaña. -To do so might be a new cause of offence to -the sensitive patriots.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have already proved a very dear -son," he said, with a humorous twinkle that -disguised his real feeling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Durand says that his pater gives old -Mollendo a regular subscription to keep him -quiet," said Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Blackmail! He will soon get tired of that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't suppose what he has paid comes -to £250."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah! but he hasn't given his boy a -motor-cycle! Young Durand came over -to-day to play cricket, and seemed vastly -tickled when I told him where you were."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I could have boxed his ears," said Mrs. O'Hagan -indignantly. "It was no laughing -matter to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will I challenge him, Mother?" said -Tim quizzingly. "I am going to ride over -to-morrow to tell him all about it, and if -you like----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't tease your mother," Mr. O'Hagan -interposed. "She insisted on my sending -the money at once, or I declare I would -have been inclined to let you have a week -of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The kidnapping of the young Inglés -created much indignation and resentment -among the people of San Rosario. The -majority of them, having little to lose, were -staunch supporters of the Prefect, and when -next day they saw a dozen gendarmes ride -into the town, they supposed them to be -only the advanced guard of a force sent from -the capital to begin the long-expected -operations against the brigands. Some, however, -viewed the soldiers with alarm. To the -substantial citizens, a visit of the Prefect's -gendarmes usually spelt trouble. Every -man whose secret sympathies were with -the Mollendists trembled in his shoes; -even those who were conscious of innocence -shivered if their worldly substance was large -enough to be worth the attention of the -Prefect and his harpies. Many, among them -the gobernador, were greatly relieved when -the gendarmes, instead of dismounting, -halted only to refresh themselves in the -saddle at one of the albergos, then rode -through the town and along the track -leading to Mr. O'Hagan's house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Arriving there, the leader sprang from his -horse, and strode with clanking spurs to the -door, which stood open. The others formed -up in line along the front of the house. To -the servant who came in answer to the -officer's summons, he explained that he -wished to see the señor haciendado. -Mr. O'Hagan left the office, where he had been -alone, and invited his visitor into the patio.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I regret, señor," said the officer, -declining to be seated, "that I have come on -a very disagreeable errand." He took a -paper from his pocket. "You see here a -warrant, signed by his excellency the Prefect, -and sealed with the provincial seal, authorising -the arrest of yourself and your son."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On what charge, señor?" asked Mr. O'Hagan quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"On the charge of furthering and abetting -the treasonable designs of one Carlos -Mollendo, who is stirring up sedition. It -is useless to resist, señor; I have a sufficient -body of troopers outside. I demand that -you surrender yourself and your son to justice."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will come with you," said Mr. O'Hagan, -"under protest. You will please to note -that I am a British citizen. My son is not -at home."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is he?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That I must leave you to find out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The officer at once called in a man to -search the house, himself keeping guard -over Mr. O'Hagan in the patio. The -gendarme found Mrs. O'Hagan coming from -the servants' quarters. He bowed respectfully, -and asked her to go to the drawing-room -and remain there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am going to the patio, to my husband," -replied the lady stoutly. "Stand out of -my way, please."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man tugged his moustache, stood -aside, and then went on to complete his -search. The half-minute's delay had allowed -Romaña, whom his mistress had just quitted, -to slip out of the house and into a shrubbery, -whence he made his way swiftly in the -direction of Señor Durand's estate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He met Tim returning, half-way between -Durand's house and the cross-roads.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Stop, señorito," he called; "I have a -message from the gracious lady."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it?" asked Tim, jumping off -his machine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The señora bids you come with me," -said Romaña. "Gendarmes have ridden -to arrest the señor and you, and the mistress -sent me to take you to a place of safety."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I won't go. I will join Father," said -Tim at once, preparing to ride off. Romaña -detained him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I beg you to do as the señora wishes," he -said. "What is the use of your going to -prison, too? There is more chance for -every one if you are free. You will do -better to remain in hiding until we see what -is intended towards the señor. I have friends -in San Rosario and the capital; we -Mollendists have our spies, like the Prefect. -The señor will no doubt be taken to San -Juan. Nothing will be done immediately. -The Prefect is always very careful to cloak -his misdeeds under the forms of law."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll go back to Señor Durand's, then."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is unwise, señorito. The gendarmes -may come there to look for you, and then -Señor Durand himself will be in danger. I -know a better place, and if you will come -with me----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, then; but I don't like it. -What is to become of Mother?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The señora will be quite safe: the Prefect -is always very polite to the ladies," said -Romaña.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña mounted behind Tim, and they -rode back to the cross-roads, then turned to -the right into a track that was fairly level -for some distance, then ascended gradually. -Nearly nine miles from the cross-roads it -wound round a steep cliff. On one side a -sheer wall of rock rose to a great height; on -the other a wooded precipice fell away to -an equal depth. A small waterfall plunged -from the heights above, forming a stream -across the path, and flowing as a second -waterfall over the edge of the precipice. -At this point the hill-side was covered with -scrub, amid which one large tree formed -a conspicuous object. Stepping-stones were -laid across the stream, and a few large slabs -were let into the steep bank above the path -on the farther side.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here they dismounted and made their way -along the bed of the stream towards the -waterfall. Then they turned to the right, and -proceeded over more large flat slabs leading -into the scrub, Romaña remarking that their -footsteps would leave no traces on the stones. -On reaching the large tree before mentioned, -they found themselves at the mouth of a -cavern concealed by the foliage and the -scrub. A projection of the cliff on the right -hid the entrance of the cavern from observation -by any one on the upper portion of the path.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It had been a task of no little difficulty -to haul the cycle up the stream, and both -were very hot and tired when they reached -the cave. Drawing aside the screen of -foliage, Romaña whispered the word Libertad. -There was no answer. He led Tim inside.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is our password," he said with a -smile. "If I had failed to give it I might -have been shot. But there is no one here -now. Only three men know of this place. -Here you will be quite safe. You are now -a Mollendist," he added, chuckling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you set a trap for me, Romaña?" -said Tim indignantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, no; all that I mean is that now the -señor your father is a prisoner he must be -a Mollendist. All the Prefect's enemies are."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While speaking he had lit a lamp, by whose -light Tim saw an earthen roof, walls, and -floor; two or three stools; a three-legged -table; a large cupboard in which were kept, -as Romaña told him, food that would not -spoil, and a few mugs; a large can for holding -water, and two long boxes containing rugs -which might serve on occasion as beds.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is there no other entrance?" Tim asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Come and see."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña led him for some distance into -the cave, which bent away to the left. The -air was very damp and mouldy, and Tim -felt that he would not care to make too long -a stay in so fusty a place. Presently he -heard a gurgle and splash of water, and the -light of the lamp which Romaña carried fell -on an oblong slab of stone standing upright -before them, about three feet in height. -Romaña took hold of the upper part of it, -and lowered the stone to the ground. Then -Tim saw the waterfall within two or three -feet of them. They were slightly above the -bottom of it; about twelve feet of the cliff -face separated them from the spot where -the waterfall became a stream. Romaña -explained that the other entrance of the -cavern was some forty yards away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Now, señorito, you will remain here until -I discover what is to be done. You are -not afraid?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is there to be afraid of? Only -the damp, so far as I can see. It may give -me lumbago!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is better than duck-shot," said -Romaña, smiling. "I shall not have time -to explain to my comrades, but if any one -comes, he will give the password, and you -will answer Salvatore. You may trust any -follower of Señor Mollendo. The path is -open to you; none uses it except our own -people; but do not stray far in case you are -seen by an enemy. I will return as soon as -may be."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Can't your people make a raid and rescue -my father?" asked Tim. "They ought to -do something for the money they have got -out of him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I fear we are not strong enough at the -present time," answered Romaña. "But -be assured that Señor Mollendo will do -anything that is possible. He holds the -señor in high respect."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim grunted. He did not think much of -a respect that bled a man to the extent of -£250.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="suspense"><span class="medium">CHAPTER VIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">SUSPENSE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Romaña did not return to Mr. O'Hagan's -house. He guessed that every member of -the household would be under suspicion; -and though his part with the Mollendists -was not known, Pardo, if he came on the -scene, would not hesitate to trump up a -charge against him. So he hung about until -nightfall, and then slipped into the town -and took shelter with Pedro Galdos, the -agent who had dogged Pardo's messenger -to San Juan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Galdos was a strange illustration of the -irony of circumstances in Spanish America. -At one time, under another name, he had -been sub-prefect of a provincial town; but -he lost his office with a change of government, -and drifted into poverty. He now earned -a scanty livelihood by selling lottery tickets -and doing any odd jobs that came his way. -No one in San Rosario had known him in -his official career; none would have -suspected that the thin, shabby, down-at-heel -old man who haunted the street-corners, -pestering folks to buy his grimy lottery -tickets, had formerly held a post of authority. -As agent and spy of the Mollendists he was -quite trustworthy. Since his dismissal he -was always against the government; and -his services were at the disposal of any -opponent of the present prefect, whether -Mollendo or another.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He lived alone in a little two-roomed -mud cottage at the east end of the town. -Here Romaña sought a temporary lodging. -Galdos already had some news for him. -Mr. O'Hagan had not been taken to the -capital, but was imprisoned in the town jail.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will tell you why, señor," said the old -man. "The Prefect wishes to manage things -quietly. There is too much sunlight in -San Juan! The Señor Inglés has many -friends and a few compatriots there, and -they would agitate if the thing were known. -The Prefect's own party would be uneasy, -for it is no light matter to oppress an Inglés; -the British Government would say hard -things at Lima, and the Prefect might find -himself in hot water. He is a hotheaded, -reckless imbecile; but some of his -supporters are more prudent, and they would -hesitate to provoke the anger of the -government. But here, in this out-of-the-way -town, many things can be done without -making a noise. The Prefect has many -creatures who will do just as he bids them. -He needs much money; his troops are -clamouring for arrears of pay, and he lacks -arms and ammunition for the campaign he -is meditating against our party. The Señor -Inglés is known to be wealthy; that is his -crime."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What will the Prefect do with him?" -asked Romaña.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Who knows?" replied Galdos with a -shrug. "We shall see. There was trouble -at the hacienda to-day. When the Japanese -workers heard that the caballero was -arrested, they marched to the house and -threatened mischief to the gendarmes. It -was only the intervention of the señora -that prevented a fight. She pled with the -people to go back to their work for the -señor's sake. The Inglésa is a clever woman. -Where is the boy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is in a safe place, where he will -remain until we know what is to be done. -If the worst happens he must take refuge -with Señor Mollendo until we can convey -him and his mother to Lima. I shall go -back to him to-morrow."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Meanwhile Tim had eaten his supper--a -tin of beans which he found in the -cupboard--and made himself as snug as possible -among the rugs in one of the box beds. -He was not frightened, but he would not -have denied that he felt miserable. For a -long time he lay wakeful, wondering how -far the Prefect's tyranny might go, and -taking a good deal of unnecessary blame -to himself for having wished for a -motor-bicycle. The machine, of course, was no -more the cause of recent events than a -ball of worsted is the cause of a kitten's -playfulness. Just as a kitten's native energy -makes the ball the occasion of leaps and -gambols; so the Prefect had seized on Tim's -adventure with the gobernador as a pretext -for squeezing the gobernador himself, and -for venting his spite on the man who would -not be squeezed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña came back on the following -afternoon. The news he brought was not -calculated to lighten Tim's heaviness. -Mr. O'Hagan was closely confined; gendarmes -were flocking into the town, to overawe -any who might be disaffected, Romaña -supposed. He left again at dusk, begging -Tim to be patient.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next day his information was even more -serious. The Prefect had arrived, -accompanied by a number of officers, and it was -rumoured that the prisoner was to be tried -by court-martial. The ordinary process of -law was evidently too slow for the dictator; -it left, perhaps, too many loopholes for -escape. With a court composed of his own -particular tools he might depend on the -proceedings being short and swift.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But it is utterly illegal to try a civilian -by court-martial in time of peace," Tim -protested.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Prefect makes his own law," said -Romaña. "He has proclaimed martial law -in the town."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He means Father to be condemned; -what will the sentence be? A big fine?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Probably, with a term of imprisonment -also," replied Romaña. In his heart of -hearts he expected a much more terrible -punishment. The Prefect would not be -satisfied with a fine, however large; nor -with a term of imprisonment, however long. -Nor would he even stop at confiscating -Mr. O'Hagan's property, and let him go. -There is only one safe way in which tyranny -can walk, and that is a road stained with -blood. But Romaña did not impart his -anticipations to Tim; there was no need to -wring his young heart before the time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He durst not go into the town next -day, but waited in the wood for Galdos to -bring him news of the trial. It confirmed -his gloomiest forebodings. Pardo was the -principal witness against his master. He -repeated authentic fragments of Mr. O'Hagan's -talk, which, harmless enough in -themselves, might be construed as treasonable -by prejudiced minds. He swore, falsely, -that he had heard his master declare that -he would not pay the taxes, which were -mere extortion. He declared that the £250 -which Mr. O'Hagan had sent to Mollendo -was not a ransom, but a contribution to the -brigands' funds. Similar testimony was -given by two former servants of the prisoner. -Mr. O'Hagan's denials were scouted. He -was not allowed to employ counsel, and in -two hours the sorry farce was over. He -was found guilty, condemned to forfeit his -estate and to be shot in the plaza, three -days later.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña shrank from conveying this heavy -tidings to the boy awaiting his return in -the cavern. But there was no help for it. -He walked back slowly, and broke the news -as gently as he could.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim was at first utterly overwhelmed. -In his most despondent moments he had -never looked for anything so bad as this. -When his stupor passed, he cried out that he -must go to his mother; that he would himself -seek the Prefect, and plead with him to -annul the sentence; that he must and would -do something, he knew not what.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It would be useless, señorito," said -Romaña sadly. "You would yourself be -arrested; you might suffer the same fate; -then the gracious lady would be doubly -bereaved, left without a protector, and that -would embitter your father's last moments."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I can't sit still and do nothing," -cried Tim, walking up and down in his -misery. "Suppose it were your father! -Won't your Mollendists do something? -There's a lot of them; wouldn't Señor -Mollendo lead them to the town if I begged -and prayed him?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is not strong enough," answered -Romaña. "The town is full of gendarmes. -I don't know the caballero's plans, but he -cannot alter them for a foreigner."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He will only send his men to pounce on -solitary travellers like the gobernador," said -Tim bitterly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Remember, señorito, that he is himself -outlawed, in hiding. The men you saw in -his camp are not numerous enough; they -are ill-armed. There are a crowd of -gendarmes and several troops of mercenaries -already in the town, and another thousand -men can be summoned from San Juan, and -would arrive within a few hours."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I could get our Japs to join. They -would fight like demons for my father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What arms have they?" said Romaña -patiently. "It is useless, señorito. But -there are three days. Perhaps the Prefect -will think better of it. No doubt he is -uneasy at not having captured you; he will -never feel safe while you are at large; and -he may delay the extreme step. We must -hope for the best."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As he became calmer Tim recognised the -force of all that Romaña had said, and his -own helplessness. He could but wait and hope.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Very early next morning they were -standing near the mouth of the cavern. Romaña -was about to go again into the wood a few -miles nearer the town, to receive any further -information that Galdos might have for him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ask him to go to my mother, and -bring word how she is," Tim was saying.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look, señorito; what is that?" said -Romaña suddenly, pointing down the track -in the direction of the town. A mounted -party of four was approaching, too far off -for the individuals of which it was composed -to be distinguished.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 89%" id="figure-77"> -<span id="horsemen-on-the-track"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="HORSEMEN ON THE TRACK" src="images/img-090.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">HORSEMEN ON THE TRACK</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They are after me!" said Tim at once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Back, señorito!" cried Romaña, drawing -him behind the screen of foliage, through -which they peered anxiously at the advancing -party.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is a lady!" said Romaña presently. -"They are riding very fast."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it Mother?" said Tim. "I believe -it is! And, Romaña, look; I believe it's -Father too! Isn't it? Isn't it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For Dios, señorito!" exclaimed Romaña, -"you are right! It is the señor himself. -He has escaped! Praise to our Lady and -Sant Iago! Come! Let us meet them."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="flight-to-the-hills"><span class="medium">CHAPTER IX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">FLIGHT TO THE HILLS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Tim could hardly contain himself. He -raced along the bed of the stream, leapt across -the stepping-stones, and bounded down the -rocky track with small concern for his -limbs. When he came in sight of the party -he snatched off his hat and waved it wildly -in the air. Romaña followed less swiftly -and with more circumspection. He was -smiling at his thoughts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"First the son, then the father--both -Mollendists!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>That was the happy consummation to -which he flattered himself events were -leading.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Ah, Tim!" said Mr. O'Hagan as they -met. "We were one too many for the -Prefect, you see. Your mother was the one, -bless her! But she must tell you all about -it herself by and by. The first thing is to -secure ourselves. Many thanks, Romaña. -Now, are we going right for that camp of -yours?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Straight on, señor," said Romaña. "You -will presently come to the river. The path -runs alongside it for several miles; then it -diverges to the right, and meets the path -that goes past Señor Durand's hacienda. -The two paths become one. Keep straight -on. The señor capitan will welcome you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But aren't you coming too, to make the -introductions?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The señorito and I will follow. We must -fetch the machine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can't leave Tim," said Mrs. O'Hagan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What's the path like?" cried Tim. -"Can I ride, Romaña?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"For some distance, yes. There are steep -places after the paths join."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There are indeed," said Tim. "That's -where the brigands--your friends, I mean--had -to haul the cycle. A very stiff job too. -Mother, ride on with Father. I'll catch you -in no time. I'll mount Romaña behind me: -he's lighter than the gobernador!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You're quite sure you'll catch us?" -said Mrs. O'Hagan anxiously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Quite, so don't worry. Oh! you don't -know how jolly glad I am to see you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The other two members of the party, -Andrea and another house servant, rode on -with their master and mistress, while Tim -and Romaña returned to the cave for the -cycle. They had a good deal of difficulty -in hoisting it up from the bed of the stream -on to the path, but when they were once -there, they soon made up on the riders, -and went on all together at a rapid pace.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shall we run ahead and warn Señor -Mollendo?" asked Tim presently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No: stay with us," said Mrs. O'Hagan. -"I don't want to lose sight of you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Better not, señorito," added Romaña. -"We must be careful as we approach the -place where the paths join. If the escape -has been discovered, and they are pursuing, -they will come by the other path: it is -shorter. Why did you choose this one, señor?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It was recommended to us by that -ragged old man who sells lottery tickets. -Is he a friend of yours?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is a caballero, señor," replied Romaña -with dignity. "Señor Galdos was once a -sub-prefect."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was he indeed? He has been a very -good friend to us, and I hope we may be able -to reward him some day. How much -farther is it? The path is becoming very rough."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is several miles, señor; but if all is -well when we come to the junction of paths, -there will be no need to hurry for the rest of -the way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Soon after this the path diverged from the -stream, which wound away to the westward. -Romaña now recommended that the party -should ride slowly, while he himself scouted -ahead on foot. The track here was too rough -for the motor-cycle to gain anything in point -of speed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"When you come to a large stone, señor, -which I will place in the middle of the track," -said Romaña, "then halt. It will be no -more than a mile from the forked path, and -you will do better to go no farther until I -return to you, lest the clatter of hoofs should -be heard."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He went on and disappeared. About two -miles farther on the riders came to the -arranged signal. They halted, the men -dismounted, and Tim, leaning against the flank -of his mother's horse, and clasping her hand, -begged her to tell him how the escape had -been contrived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You had heard the result of the trial?" -she asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim nodded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Were you there, Mother?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was not. I thought it best for your -father's sake to keep out of the town. -Yesterday afternoon that wretch Pardo came -and took possession of our house. He showed -me a document authorising him to work the -estate on behalf of the government----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Which means the Prefect, of course," -Mr. O'Hagan put in.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then the wretched creature politely -turned me out. I told him that he was in -rather too much of a hurry; he might at -least have had the decency to wait until -all was over. But of course I didn't squabble -with the worthless fellow. I packed up a -few things, got my horse--he allowed me -that!--and rode with Andrea and Juan -into the town. Dr. Pereira was brave -enough to take me in. No doubt the Prefect -will make him pay for it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Was the Prefect still in the town?" -asked Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He had gone back to San Juan, leaving -Captain Pierola to carry out the sentence. -I had made up my mind to see your father -for the last time, and when it was dark -Señora Pereira lent me a dress and a mantilla, -and the doctor escorted me to the -gobernador's house. Of course, his permission -had to be got. He was very much distressed, -poor man; he is terribly afraid of the -Prefect: but he promised to admit me to the -prison for a quarter of an hour to-morrow -night. I asked him whether he couldn't -let my husband escape, but he went nearly -frantic at the idea.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I was very much upset, as you may -imagine. On the way back Dr. Pereira -noticed a man following us. At first he paid -no attention, but by and by got angry, and -turned round upon the man, and asked him -what he meant by it. 'Go on, señor -doctor,' said the man. 'Do not notice me, -but let me quietly into your house presently.' -We went on, and I had only just taken off -my borrowed things when the doctor brought -the man to my room. It was the little old -man who sells lottery tickets. He told me -that if I would give him £200 he would set -your father free. 'How?' I said. 'It -will be better to ask no questions,' he said. -I had no money----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The gendarmes stripped the safe when -they arrested me," said Mr. O'Hagan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I had brought my jewel-case," -his wife went on. "I suppose I showed my -doubts in my face, for the old man said, -'The señora can trust me,' and, looking at -him, I felt that I could. I put my jewel-case -in his hands and told him to take what was -necessary, quite expecting that he would take -everything. But he examined the things -as if he knew something about them, and -selected my pearl necklace and two bracelets. -'The señora will not like parting with -them,' he said, 'but there is no other -way.' I told him he might have everything if he -would save my husband, and he seemed quite -hurt. Then he told me that I must not go -to bed, but be ready to leave the house at -any moment. He kissed my hand in the -most courtly way and was gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"About two o'clock he came again. 'All -is ready,' he said: 'come with me.' You -may imagine what a state I was in. I -followed him through the dark streets until -we came out into the country, and there I -found your father and the two men waiting -for me with a spare horse. The old man -told us the way to come, and here we are. -I love that dear old man."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He bribed the jailers, I suppose--jolly -old soul!" said Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Prefect's own methods," said -Mr. O'Hagan. "I'm afraid the gobernador will -have a bad time of it. He was responsible -for me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And won't the jailers suffer, too?" -asked Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They decamped at once, you may be -sure," replied his father. "But here's -Romaña back again. He's in a hurry."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña was running down the path.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We cannot go on, señor," he said. "I -crept as close as I dared to the fork, and -caught sight of some men among the trees -beyond. I don't know who they are, but -it is not safe to proceed."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What are we to do, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must go back until we come to the -river. The water is very low, and we can -walk up along the sand at the edge. -Presently we shall come to a stream that flows -down the hill-side from near Señor Mollendo's -camp. We can climb up there. It is very -steep and rocky, but it is the only way."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well: lead on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On reaching the river, the party scrambled -down the bank to the bottom. In times of -rain the torrent had deposited large quantities -of sand in the bed, which the shrinking of the -channel in the summer had left bare and dry. -On this firm floor, level as a billiard table, -but ascending in a gentle plane, progress was -easy; but when they reached the stream -of which Romaña had spoken, and had to -strike up the hill-side, they found themselves -in difficulties. They had to dismount and -lead the horses over great ledges of quartz, -polished to a dangerous slipperiness by the -action of sand and water, and round huge -boulders, that offered, at first sight, -insuperable obstacles. Difficult as the way was for -the horses, it was doubly so for the motorcycle, -which had to be carried for many yards -at a time, and hauled up and over sharp-edged -rocks that threatened damage to its -tyres. Many times they had to stop and -rest. It was now midday, and very hot, -and Mr. O'Hagan's party, having had no -food since the night before, were hungry as -well as tired.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Plucky little woman!" said Mr. O'Hagan -at one of these halts, to his wife who sat -beside him on a ledge of rock.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just think of Tim spending nights by -himself in a cave!" said Mrs. O'Hagan. -"How horrid for him!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Boys like that sort of thing," returned her -husband with a smile. "Don't they, Tim?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If there's another fellow with them," -said Tim. "There's no fun in camping-out -alone. I wish I'd thought to bring some -grub. Mother must be famished!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I confess I hope Señor Mollendo will have -</span><em class="italics">something</em><span> for us," said Mrs. O'Hagan. "Going -long without food is bad for a growing boy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I can eat anything," said Tim, "but -I'm afraid you won't like their grub."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear boy, I would rather eat parched -peas with Señor Mollendo than sit down to a -banquet with the Prefect.... Hark! What's that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She clutched her husband's arm at the -sound of rifle-shots far to the east.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We had better get on, I think," said -Mr. O'Hagan, rising. "Where's Romaña?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He has gone ahead to warn Señor -Mollendo of our coming," said Andrea. "He -will come back to help with the machine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>An hour later the whole party, hot, -exhausted, and hungry, entered the enclosure -which Tim had described to his parents. -The assembled Mollendists greeted them -with loud vivas, and Señor Mollendo's face -beamed as he came forward, hat in hand, to -meet them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Welcome to my little castle, señor, -señora," he said, with the air of a potentate. -"I rejoice in the circumstances which have -given me the honour of entertaining such -distinguished guests."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't," said Mr. O'Hagan bluntly, -"though I thank you for your hospitality, -señor. Do you know what is the dearest -wish of my heart at the present moment?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If it is anything I can do----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A glass of wine for my wife, and then -dinner, señor. Your guests, I should think, -never reach you without an appetite."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="cincinnatus-o-hagan"><span class="medium">CHAPTER X</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">CINCINNATUS O'HAGAN</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"I have an apology to make to you, -señor," said Mollendo, as they sat at dinner -in his own little four-square apartment. -"I perceive that I was under a misapprehension -when I ordered the arrest of your -son. I can never sufficiently lament my -indiscretion, and beg that you will accept -the expression of my profound regret."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I quite understand, señor," said Mr. O'Hagan, -reflecting that the indiscretion had -cost him £250. "You party men find it -difficult to understand that an action may -be dictated by other than party considerations. -My son helped Señor Fagasta because -he's a man, not because he's gobernador."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His action does honour to his humanity -as well as his courage," said the courtly -host. "In these circumstances I feel that -it is inconsistent with the honour of a -caballero to take advantage of a mistake, -and I beg therefore that you will accept -restitution of the sum of money which I -demanded of you, but to which I had no -just claim."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your suggestion is only what I should -have expected from a caballero of your -reputation, señor," said Mr. O'Hagan, -politely adopting Mollendo's formality of -speech. Mollendo bowed. "But in the -circumstances I cannot do better than leave -the money in your hands. And let me say -that I thoroughly approve of the use to -which you will put it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My dear!" ejaculated Mrs. O'Hagan in English.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am going the whole hog now," replied -her husband quietly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She pressed her lips together, and listened -nervously as the conversation was resumed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have made up my mind definitely to -take sides with you," continued Mr. O'Hagan. -"Hitherto I have held aloof, as you know; -but I have always sympathised with your -aims. You stand for political honesty and -good government. That is a motive that -appeals to me as a citizen. Personally, I -have a strong inducement to support you; -the Prefect has stripped me of my estate. -If you succeed, I shall retrieve my fortunes; -and in assisting you I shall not only consult -my own interests, but do something, I -believe, for the good of the country in which -I have lived for so many years."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A thousand thanks, señor," said -Mollendo, his eyes beaming as he clasped -Mr. O'Hagan's hand. "I rejoice in your -generosity, and hail the approaching triumph of -our cause. I remember how, in the brave -days of old, the Roman Cincinnatus was -called from his farm to assume command of -the national forces; and how, within the -space of sixteen days, he put the enemy -to utter rout and confusion. You, señor, -shall be our Cincinnatus. Caballeros," he -cried, rising and addressing the motley -throng in the courtyard, "the Señor Inglés -is one of us. He espouses the cause of -liberty; he will strike with us against the -tyrant. I call upon you to acclaim our -honoured guest with hearty vivas, and to -drain your copitas to the caballero who will -lead us to success."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thundering cheers broke from the men, -and they were only too eager to fill -their cups and drink the health of the -Señor Inglés and confusion to the dictator. -Romaña smiled as he sat with Andrea and -Juan at a little distance from his master. -What he had hoped had come to pass; the -señor was now a Mollendist. Tim also -smiled, for a different reason.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How do you like Cincinnatus O'Hagan?" -he whispered slily in his mother's ear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Mrs. O'Hagan's sense of humour was -at the present moment clouded by anxiety -and misgiving.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis perfectly horrid," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mollendo had, in fact, jumped eagerly at -the chance of securing Mr. O'Hagan as an -active associate. He was himself well -advanced in years; and though very popular -with his followers, on whom he exercised a -magnetic influence by his personal courage -and his oratorical gifts, he had no military -qualities or experience, and was conscious of -his own defects as a leader. Mr. O'Hagan, -on the other hand, as he well knew, had won -a great repute as a soldier in the stormy -days of the Chilian war. His advice in -matters of strategy and tactics would be -invaluable. He would bring to the cause just -those factors of success in which hitherto it -had been lacking, and for the first time -Mollendo saw the gleam of coming triumph. -Mrs. O'Hagan suffered many pangs as the -conversation proceeded. The two men were -settling the basis of their alliance. Mollendo -was to retain the nominal command; the -practical control of the movements of his -little force was to be in the hands of -Mr. O'Hagan. The good lady saw that her -husband was back in the days of his youth. -He always threw himself heart and soul -into whatsoever he took up, and he -discussed matters now with all the fire and -eager enthusiasm of a boy. His wife was -troubled; and when she noticed with what -rapt attention Tim followed the talk, she -made up her mind to drop a word of caution later.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the midst of the conversation a man -came hurriedly into the courtyard, and -walking straight up to his leader saluted -and said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Señor, I have news."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is it, Cristobal?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We were watching on the hills, señor, -when we saw two parties drawing near, the -larger on the eastern track, the smaller on -the western. We hastened down to the -fork, intending to give battle to them both; -but suddenly we saw the smaller party halt; -from it a man came forward, but presently -hastened back again, and all his company -retreated and disappeared. At the fork we -met the others, and gave them so warm a -reception that they withdrew towards the -town. We followed them, but they did -not halt, so we returned to the fork, and -there our people are still posted."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is well, my son. The smaller -party consisted of the Señor Inglés and his -family whom you see here. They are now -supporters of our cause. Carry that news -to our men; it will encourage them. The -señor was a great captain in the army of -Peru years ago.... Will the señora excuse -us for a few moments?" he asked, when -the man had gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You want to talk secrets, I suppose," -said Mrs. O'Hagan; "but unless my husband -objects, I should prefer to know all your -arrangements. Tim," she added in English, -"I am not to be kept in the dark. I do not -like your turning yourself into a brigand, -but I see your mind is made up. Only -don't do anything without telling me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Señor, my wife and I have no secrets," -said Mr. O'Hagan. "You may speak quite freely."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What I had to say concerns the señora -herself," said Mollendo. "This is no place -for a lady; nor should she be subjected -to the fatigues and dangers that we shall -have to encounter. My wife lives peacefully -in a remote corner of the country some -fifty miles from here in the hills, and -if the señora will deign to accept her -hospitality----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not at all, señor; I remain with my -husband and son," said Mrs. O'Hagan firmly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps the señor will command -otherwise," suggested Mollendo, who was not -accustomed to domestic opposition.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From that moment Mrs. O'Hagan was -his determined enemy. Mr. O'Hagan -hurriedly explained that he would discuss -the matter with his wife in private. He -found an opportunity of doing so later in -the day, when a corner of the ruins had -been prepared for their accommodation. He -pointed out that she would be unable to -make the long and rapid marches which -irregular warfare entailed. Her presence, -and the necessity of protecting her, would -be a source of weakness, possibly of disaster. -Mrs. O'Hagan recognised this, and after a -time reluctantly agreed to accept Señora -Mollendo's hospitality.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But I must take Tim with me," she said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan stroked his chin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The boy won't like that," he remarked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will be for his good," she replied. -"Surely you admit that fighting with these -desperadoes is not fit work for a boy of his age."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"As to that, there are many here no -older. Age doesn't count in these matters. -He is perfectly healthy; he may be very -useful to me, and the experience will be -invaluable to him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Am I to lose both of you?" cried the -lady, much troubled. "If it were for our -own country I might endure it, like many -another poor woman; but to think of you -throwing away your lives for this miserable -country--oh! it is too much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan was inclined to yield the -point; but while he was still hesitating, his -wife, dashing the tears from her eyes, -suddenly forestalled him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am an idiot," she said. "Of course -the boy would eat his heart out away from -you. I mustn't look on the black side. -But do take care of him, won't you, Tim?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And so it was settled that young Tim -should remain with his father.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next day Señor Mollendo provided an -escort of half a dozen men, with whom -Mrs. O'Hagan set off for the long ride into -the hills. Mr. O'Hagan and Tim on -horseback, each having a carbine, accompanied -the party, having decided to go half the -way. They left the camp at its northern -side, and followed the track downward for -several miles until it crossed the river by -a narrow stone bridge. Then their course -led to the north-west, the path rising steadily -as it approached the spurs of the Andes. -Progress was very slow; the day was already -far advanced when they reached a little hut -on the hill-side, about halfway to their -destination, where Señor Mollendo was -accustomed to break his journey when going to -and fro between the camp and his home. -Here they passed the night. In the morning -Mrs. O'Hagan took leave of her husband -and son, who watched her party until it -disappeared along the winding track, then -silently sprang to their saddles and rode -in the opposite direction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They had come within a few miles of the -stone bridge over the river when they caught -sight simultaneously of a number of -horsemen strung out along the path far ahead, -and riding towards them. Mr. O'Hagan -felt the lack of one of the prime necessities -of a soldier--a field-glass.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We must hide up until we see who they -are," he said to Tim. "They don't know -how to order a march, at any rate."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The hill-side provided many convenient -nooks for hiding and taking a look-out. -But only a few minutes had passed when -Tim, from behind his rock, called:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's old Mollendo, Father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take care you don't call him that in -the hearing of his men. It would be a deadly -insult. Better call him 'excellency.' I -wonder what has happened."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They returned to the track, and trotted -downhill to meet the horsemen. There was -about them an air of depression which did -not escape Mr. O'Hagan. The explanation -confirmed his foreboding.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Good-day, señor," said Mollendo, with -a graceful salutation as they met. "I -grieve to say that you behold me a fugitive."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What, excellency! Has the usurper -taken the field at last?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It seems so, señor general." (Tim -grinned as these complimentary titles -passed.) "We were surprised at dawn by -large numbers of the enemy who had -advanced along the route by which you came -to my camp. My sentries were, I fear, -overcome by somnolence. The attack was -so sudden that I had no time to form my -ranks; but in the half light some of us were -able to make our escape--some on horseback, -others on foot. We are scattered to -the four winds; all our stores are lost; it is -a sad inauguration of our new alliance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Courage, excellency!" said Mr. O'Hagan. -"We must consider how to retrieve this -mishap. Are you pursued?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not for the last five miles, señor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then we will halt here, and wait for -our men to rejoin us. No doubt some of -them will come dropping in by and by. -Let us ride forward, excellency, and choose -a position."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile Tim, seeing Romaña among -the score of men who accompanied Mollendo, -rode up to him with an eager question.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where is my cycle?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There was not time to bring it, señorito; -but I managed to hide it under a heap of -brushwood collected for the fires."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They'll find it!" said Tim, his face falling.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps we shall recapture the camp -first. It was all I could do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim thanked him, but felt that the chance -of recovering his cycle was small indeed.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-motor-cycle"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">THE MOTOR-CYCLE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Mr. O'Hagan was surprised at the rapidity -with which this offensive movement had been -executed. It was a bold stroke on the part -of the enemy to make their way across -the hills during the hours of darkness, and -showed that they had among them a vigorous -and enterprising leader. Its effect upon the -fortunes of the Mollendists was likely to be -serious. The success of their cause depended -on the extent to which they could enlist -active support among the disaffected. They -had many sympathisers in San Rosario and -the capital, but the most of these were too -timid or too cautious to carry their sympathy -into action. A great success would no doubt -bring an influx of recruits; but a set-back -such as this would not only discourage -recruiting, but also dishearten those who -had already taken up arms. Defeat breeds -desertion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The outlook was very gloomy. But -Mr. O'Hagan was a man whose energies were -stimulated by adversity. He had been wont -to say that his plantation was too successful: -he was growing soft. The present situation -was a challenge to the qualities that had -lain dormant in him since he hung up his -sword at the close of the Chilian war.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mollendo expected that some of the -fugitives from the camp would in course of -time make their way to the hut in the -hills which Mr. O'Hagan had just left. -There he always kept a small supply of -provisions. It was therefore decided to -return thither. Several mounted men joined -them on the march, and within a few hours -after reaching the hut the party was -augmented by about two score, several of -them wounded. These were attended by -a medical student who had thrown in his -lot with the Mollendists. There was great -despondency among the little force. Some -were disposed to continue their flight and -even to abandon the cause; but Mr. O'Hagan -set himself to rally them, appealing to their -courage as caballeros and hidalgos, a compliment -which especially flattered the mestizos -among them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan was too old a campaigner -to run any risks with a small force demoralised -by their recent reverse. His first concern -was to restore their morale. The great -difficulty was provisions. The small supply -in the hut would soon be exhausted, and -in the inhospitable hills there was no chance -of obtaining any food except wild fruit -from the bushes. The river swarmed with -fish, however, and Mr. O'Hagan, to give the -men employment, set some of them to weave -a seine net out of the creeping plants that -flourished along the banks. With this -primitive implement they caught a good number -of fish.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile he sent out half a dozen men -to bring in any more fugitives whom they -might meet, and Romaña with another man -to discover what the enemy were doing. -When these scouts returned late at night, -they reported that the main body of the -enemy had withdrawn southward, either to -San Rosario or to San Juan. They were -partly gendarmes, the mounted police of -the province, partly the irregular troops -which the Prefect attached to his cause by -the hope of plunder. The camp was still -occupied, but Romaña had not been able -to ascertain by how many.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of the last comers among the fugitives -declared that he had seen the Prefect -himself in the action. This seemed doubtful -to Mr. O'Hagan, but Mollendo assured him -that it was not at all improbable. The -Prefect was a man of great, if spasmodic, -energy, and of much personal courage and -resource. In Spanish America no man could -arrive at his position of virtual dictator -without such qualities. He must have -guessed that his escaped prisoner had taken -refuge in the Mollendist camp, and having -so much at stake had himself led the attack -upon it, instead of leaving it to the -gobernador, of whose prowess he had a mean -opinion, by no means unjustified. Indeed, -Señor Fagasta was in disgrace. The Prefect -had accused him of conniving at the -prisoner's escape, and put him under arrest -in his own house--a prelude to another -demand for money.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It seemed strange that the greater part of -the Prefect's force should have been -withdrawn so soon after the capture of the camp. -Mollendo suggested that he was anxious not -to be absent too long from San Juan. He -had many enemies there, secret if not -active; and if he allowed himself to be lured -into the wilds he might return from a successful -campaign only to find himself, as it were, -locked out of his own house. No doubt he -reckoned on the demoralising effect of his -sudden swoop to break up the Mollendist -party, and had left a portion of his force to -harry the remnant at their leisure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The position was discussed between -Mollendo and Mr. O'Hagan in the hut. Tim -was close at hand, giving eager attention to -all that his elders said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am much to blame for allowing the -enemy to surprise me," said Mollendo bitterly. -"I ought to have guarded my back door -more diligently, but I was relying on the -gobernador's known want of enterprise. -He boasts of what he is going to do, but I -have never known him to do anything."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't take it to heart, excellency," said -Mr. O'Hagan. "You were not to know that -the Prefect would take matters into his -own hands, nor would he have done so, I -suspect, but for me. It is therefore -incumbent on me, as the cause of your -misfortune, to do what I can to retrieve it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And I trust much in your valour and -skill, general."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank you, excellency. Our most -urgent need is food; the next is arms and -ammunition; the next, men. That is the -order in which our fortunes must be built -up. And I confess that at the moment I am -rather at a loss as to what steps to advise."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We could get a certain amount of food -at our own place," suggested Tim. "There -can be no harm in robbing what we have -been robbed of."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is all very well, but Pardo is in -possession, no doubt with gendarmes to -support him; and the enemy lie between us -and home. It is very necessary to keep a -careful watch on their movements, and I -propose, with your consent, excellency, to -send two scouts forward to-night to see what -they are doing."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me be one, Father," said Tim eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are rather too young," said Mr. O'Hagan, -remembering his wife's injunctions. -"Many of his excellency's men are -no doubt experienced in such work."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let the boy go, general," said Mollendo. -"I have already formed a high opinion of -his courage. Such a task would give him -invaluable experience. And if you send -Nicolas Romaña as the second scout, you -need have no fear; the boy will be safe with -Romaña, one of the most active and -trustworthy of my adherents."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan felt himself in a difficulty. -It would certainly weaken his own position -with Mollendo if he refused to let his boy -take a share in the operations. After so -direct a proposal he could hardly hesitate -to employ Tim when he would employ any -one else. After a brief inward conflict he said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well, excellency; the boy must win -his spurs; he shall go."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim was delighted, Romaña scarcely -less; he felt much flattered by his chief's -praises. Soon after dark, therefore, the two -set off on horseback. It was a cold night; -a biting wind blew down from the -mountains; and the scouts were not sorry when, -arriving within a few miles of the camp, -they had to dismount and proceed on foot. -They led their horses some distance from -the track, and tethered them in a clump of -trees, placing on their return three large -boulders at the side of the path to mark -the place. If they should have to hurry -back in the darkness, without such -signposts they might very well overshoot the -spot. Then, keeping on the hill-side above -the track, they crept along, listening for -sounds from the enemy's outposts.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They were within half a mile of the camp -when they had the first indication of the -enemy's presence. They heard the sound of -horses champing their bits in the distance, -and a low murmur of voices. Moving -stealthily forward, they found that two or -three men were posted on the track. As -far as they could tell, this was the only -precaution taken by the enemy against -surprise from this quarter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The scouts wormed their way foot by foot -towards the camp. Their course was -difficult. They durst not advance along the -track itself; and the hill-side above was -rugged and broken, littered with loose stones -which had been removed at some time from -the Inca buildings. Their route brought -them presently to a spot from which they -saw a slight glow ahead. It evidently came -from a camp fire; but the fire itself was -hidden from them by the ruined wall. -Skirting the enclosure, they made their way -to the side where, as they knew by the -sounds, the horses were tethered. Here -they caught the footfalls of a sentry moving -to and fro outside the wall. They stole -past him to a point where the hill fell away -steeply, crawled up the slope until they -gained the foot of the wall, and clambering -up its ruined face, peered over into the -interior of the courtyard. The horses just -beneath them snorted with alarm; their -movements, quiet as they were, or their -scent, had disturbed the sensitive beasts. -The sentry close by stopped; but after a -silent pause of a few moments resumed his -beat.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The scouts clung to the wall, their eyes -just above its top. They saw three fires -in the courtyard; all were dying down. -Around each lay a number of men, wrapped -in their cloaks. They could not count them; -indeed, only when the breeze stirred the -embers could they distinguish the forms at -all. But it was easier to count the horses, -ranged in a close rank with their heads -towards the wall. There were ninety. A -similar line stood against the adjacent wall -at right angles. Altogether there must be -at least a hundred and eighty animals.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There seemed to be no chance of making -any more discoveries, and the twain were -about to move away, when a sudden gust -of wind stirred the nearest of the dull fires -to a momentary flame. By its light Tim -caught a glimpse of his motor-cycle resting -against the wall on the far side of the -enclosure. He nudged Romaña's elbow to -draw his attention to it. Neither dared to speak.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They remained thus for a few seconds; -then, by a second nudge, Tim intimated his -intention to retire. They let themselves -down silently, and crept up the hill-side. -When they were out of earshot from the -camp, Tim said in a whisper:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Romaña, I am going to get my bike."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="free-wheel"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">FREE WHEEL</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Romaña gasped when Tim declared his -intention.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is madness," he said. "Your father -charged me to have care of you. I must -forbid it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't care what you say. I am going -to get my bike. Do you know that it cost -£60 in London? Besides, I am not going -to let the Prefect's fellows have it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But consider," said Romaña anxiously. -"I don't deny you may steal in and get it; -they are keeping very poor watch; but what -then? You would have to bring it out----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'd manage that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And then how get it to our camp? The -track is very difficult, for miles too rough for -you to ride. There are sure to be sentries -at the eastern entrance; and as for the gully -by which we came, you know how hard our -task was in daylight: we could not possibly -carry the machine down in the darkness."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"All that's perfectly true, but I am not -going to leave it with these rascals, so we've -just got to think it out."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had to admit that the gully and the -western track, by which they had just come, -were impossible. The only other route was -the path which he had travelled when first -brought by his captors to the camp, and -when he had returned home after being -ransomed. The entrance, as Romaña had -said, would undoubtedly be guarded; and -judging by the position of the outposts -whom they had passed on the way up, -there would be a corresponding picket on -the path below.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The path itself was difficult enough. For -more than a quarter of a mile from the camp -it was a steep descent. Then for about two -miles it dropped more gradually, becoming -from that point onward a sort of switchback -with a generally downward trend until it -reached the level not far from Durand's -house. Having twice travelled along the -path, Tim knew it well enough to feel sure -that he could ride along it even in the -darkness without much risk. The difficulty was -threefold: to secure the bicycle unnoticed; -to pass the sentry at the entrance; and to -evade the picket at the foot of the hill. -Romaña, who knew the weaknesses of his -countrymen, admitted that the sentry in all -probability would be asleep; but the -members of the picket would certainly be awake: -among two or three there would be conversation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well then," said Tim, "if the sentry is -asleep I'll chance the rest. But you won't -be in it. We came out to scout, and you -must get back and tell them what we have -learnt: it isn't much."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your father will blame me severely if I -return without you," said Romaña.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can tell him you protested. Besides, -I'll very likely be back before you. If I get -away safely I'll make a round to the river, -and when I get there I can go so fast that -I may overtake you somewhere up the -road--provided the petrol lasts out. It must be -getting low; I'd forgotten that; and we've no -more. After this the machine will be useless."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then why not leave it, señorito? It -will be useless to the enemy also."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't go over it all again! I mean to -have the bike; that's settled. You get back. -I'll allow time for you to reach the horses -before I do anything. You had better start -at once."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña knew that further expostulation -would be useless. He had had much -experience of his young master's firmness. -Reluctantly he took his leave, and crept -back over the hill-side. Tim listened for -his footsteps, and hearing nothing he felt -much encouraged. If Romaña could move -silently, so could he. But for assurance' -sake he took off his boots and slung them -round his neck by their laces.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He waited a long time. The sky was -moonless, a deep indigo blue, so dark that -the starlight did not enable him to read the -face of his watch. It was essential he should -not start upon his own hazardous adventure -until Romaña was out of danger, and he had -waited probably twice as long as was -necessary before he ventured to move. There -were no sounds from the enclosure except -the occasional stamp of a horse's hoof or the -rattle of a chain. Even the sentry on his -right had apparently ceased to trudge his -monotonous beat. The other sentry, if there -was one, at the entrance to his left, had not -moved. Once or twice he thought he heard -slight sounds from down the path: the fact -that outposts were stationed below rendered -it probable that the sentry above would not -consider it necessary to be on the alert. -Perhaps, thought Tim with a gush of hope, -there was no sentry there at all!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last, having heard no alarm from the -direction in which Romaña had gone, he -decided to start. He stole cautiously along -and down the hill-side until he came to one -of the tall rocks that stood at the entrance. -Here he paused a moment to listen. There -was no sound. Creeping round the rock, -at two more strides he was within the -enclosure. The breeze no longer woke fitful -flames from the embers of the camp fires.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was pitch dark: otherwise he might have -seen the form of a sentry dozing on a ruined -buttress near the entrance. In the absence -of light, the only means of finding the cycle -was to steal along by the wall until he came -to it. Luckily he had to pass no horses: -the animals would have been more easily -disturbed than the men.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He moved as quickly and quietly as -possible, but his heart was in his mouth -more than once as he made the round. It -was perilous work, picking his way in the -darkness among the sleeping men. They -were placed irregularly, some close to the -wall, some at a little distance from it, some -actually touching it. One man murmured -in his sleep as Tim passed; another, flinging -out an arm with a dreamer's sudden violence, -struck it against Tim's leg, and growled an -imprecation. But, no doubt supposing that -he had hit a comrade, he suspected nothing, -and rolled over. At the blow Tim felt an -impulse to shout aloud and run; but he kept -a tight rein upon his nerves, and went on -without further alarm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last he reached the bicycle. There was -no sleeper within a few yards of it. He -passed his hand over it rapidly to make sure -that it was complete. Then, bracing -himself for the ordeal, he wheeled it between -several of the men towards the centre of the -courtyard. At this tense moment he had -reason to be glad of the care which he had -always spent in keeping the machine well -oiled. This, and the fact that it was a -free-engine model, made it noiseless.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Looking now eastward, he was just able -to discern the two pillars of rock that stood -high above the level of the adjacent wall at -the entrance. Guided by them, he pushed -the machine straight across the courtyard, -skirting one of the dead fires. He passed -between the rocks: he was now on the track: -and the heedless sentry slumbered on.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim was breathing hard in his excitement. -The first danger was past: what was he now -to do? He stood beneath one of the tall -rocks, thinking. Should he try to creep past -the outpost stationed, as he suspected, at the -foot of this, the steepest part of the track? -Or should he mount and run the gauntlet? -The men were probably not asleep: whether -awake or not they would hear his machine -approaching. It seemed perhaps the safer -course to wheel the bicycle down at the side -of the track, and not mount until he was -within a few yards of them, when he might -hope to dash past before they were ready to -deal with him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was moving slowly downhill when an -accident caused a change of plan. A loose -piece of rock, displaced by the front wheel, -bumped and rattled down the track, making -what seemed a terribly loud noise in the still -night air. The slumbering sentry awoke and -let out a shout. There were faint answering -shouts from below. It was Hobson's choice -for Tim now. He vaulted into the saddle, -and the cycle sped down the steep descent. -He did not switch on the engine; indeed, -he had some trouble in keeping the machine -in hand with the brake. At renewed sounds -of alarm ahead he allowed the speed to -increase. It was a gamble with fate. If -the outpost, deliberately or unawares, blocked -the track at the foot of the hill, nothing could -save either Tim or any person or thing he -might strike. If the space was clear, nothing -could arrest his course but a shot, so long as -he retained control of the machine. Favoured -by the darkness he might escape, even should -the men fire at him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Down he flew, steering by guesswork. -He heard shouts and the plunging of horses -ahead; then saw dimly several dark forms. -They appeared to stretch across the track. -He could not have checked now if he had -wished to. He dashed on, as it were into -their midst. On the left he grazed a man -about to mount; on the right passed within -a few inches of a horse; and while he was still -in the throes of nervous anxiety and even -terror, the machine had borne him safely -through the outpost. He could hardly -believe in his good fortune. But there was -no doubt about it. He had now to face -only the dangers of the track ahead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>These were formidable enough. It was -a mad ride at the best: a boulder of any -size, and there were many, would hurl him -to destruction. Fortunately the track here -was fairly straight. At one slight bend -he narrowly shaved a tree; a little farther -on the machine bumped into a transverse -depression, probably the dry channel of a -rivulet, and he just averted a side slip. His -fortune held good. As he drew farther from -the enemy he reduced his speed, and when -the downward incline became less steep, and -almost insensibly merged in a rise, he jumped -off, lighted his lamp, and for the first time -started the engine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The men of the outpost, meanwhile, were -scarcely aware of what had happened. The -sentry's shout had alarmed them, but they -knew not what to be prepared for. There -was no firing, so that the Mollendists could -not be attempting a surprise. While they -were mounting, they were vaguely conscious -that something had approached and passed -them, swiftly, with scarcely a rustle. Only -when the ghostly object was already two or -three hundred yards down the track did it -flash into the mind of one of them that this -must be the machine which he had seen -hauled out from under a heap of brushwood -in the camp. None of his comrades could -ride: it must have been purloined by an -audacious Mollendist. Then the pursuit -began. But the horsemen had to pick their -way carefully in the darkness. Even before -Tim gained the switchback portion of the -track he had hopelessly distanced them. -And having now his lamp to guide him, he -was able to avoid obstacles, and dashed up -and down the slopes at a great speed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently he came to the forking of the -paths, and turned to the right, intending -to ride on to the river, and make his way up -the channel until he was several miles west -of the camp. He had ridden only a few -yards along this path, however, when it -suddenly struck him that the tracks of his -wheels would be clearly visible in daylight, -and would guide the enemy to the situation -of his friends. Instantly he slowed down, -wheeled round and, returning to the fork, -ran some little distance along the path in the -direction of San Rosario. Then, dismounting, -he walked the cycle a little farther; this -would have the effect of making the wheel -tracks more shallow. On reaching a particularly -hard stretch of the path, he lifted the -machine on to the rocky ground at the side, -and partly wheeling, partly carrying, made -his way slowly back towards the cross path -leading to the river.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here he listened for sounds of pursuit. -There were none. The horsemen had given -it up. He debated whether to try to -obliterate the few traces he had made before -the necessity of hiding his trail occurred to -him. But he reflected that in the deceptive -light of the lamp he might leave still more -compromising signs, whereas the obvious -retracing of his course might suffice to lead -the enemy off the scent. Accordingly he -let the wheel marks remain, and, carrying -or pushing the bicycle over many yards of -the sloping ground above the track, he again -mounted, and hastened on to the river bank. -There he turned to the left in the direction -of San Rosario, but after riding a short -distance he stopped, wheeled the machine -down the sloping bank between the bushes, -and then started upstream through shallow -water. When he had thus covered about a -mile, he pulled on his boots, remounted, and -set off along the sandy foreshore.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Remembering suddenly that the river -was in full view from the ridge on his right -hand, which led directly to the captured -camp, he put out his light. He wished he had -done so as soon as he turned northward, and -felt very uneasy lest the enemy should have -seen the lamp from above, and hurried down -the gully to intercept him. The sandy bed -being whitish, he was able to ride rapidly -without a light. A stream trickling into -the river from the right indicated the gully. -He dashed past, half expecting to be assailed -with shots; but there was no sign of an -enemy, and he felt that, except for some -unforeseen contingency, his dangers were over.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He kept to the river bed for several miles -after leaving the vicinity of the camp. -Then, however, he had to mount the bank -and take the track leading to Mollendo's -hut. By this time he was very tired, and -the necessity of dismounting frequently, -to push the machine up the steeper and -more rugged stretches of the path, taxed his -strength severely. To make matters worse, -the petrol gave out, and riding, even in -level places, was no longer possible. But he -pressed on doggedly at a snail's pace. At -last, when the sky behind him was beginning -to lighten with the dawn, he saw three -figures emerging from the gloom on the -track ahead. In a few minutes Romaña and -two other men met him, and relieved him -of his burdensome machine. Soon after, -exhausted but very happy, he dragged -himself into the hut, greeted his father -and Señor Mollendo with a smile, and, -dropping on to an extended rug, fell instantly -asleep.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-commission"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">A COMMISSION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>It was high noon when Tim awoke. A -breakfast was ready for him; so was his -father.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am very glad your mother is not with -us," said Mr. O'Hagan. "She would have -been out of her mind with anxiety about -you. Don't you know that a soldier's first -duty is to obey? You were sent to scout: -you exceeded your instructions, and I am -not pleased with you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But, Father," said Tim, with his mouth -full of beans, "I have often heard you say -that a soldier ought to think for himself. -Don't you remember saying that a man who -has to be told everything isn't much good?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's all very well," said Mr. O'Hagan, -feeling himself on slippery ground. "I was -referring to officers, as you are perfectly -aware. If every private were to think and -act for himself it would end in disaster."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Am I a private?" asked Tim innocently.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are a raw recruit, with everything -to learn. You are under discipline: remember that."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't think it's fair," said Tim. -"Señor Mollendo calls you general; I don't -see why I shouldn't be an officer too! You -might make me your aide-de-camp, Father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are talking rubbish, sir. Understand -me: you must do what you are told, -and not go larking about on risky adventures -like an irresponsible schoolboy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan spoke rather warmly. He -had passed an anxious night. Secretly he -was delighted with Tim's pluck and -resourcefulness; but his pleasure was qualified by -misgiving as to future dangers into which -the boy's love of adventure might lead him. -Besides, for his wife's sake he felt it his duty -to assume a sternness that was not quite -genuine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Aren't you glad I got the bike?" said Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, yes, I suppose I am," replied his -father. "How did you manage it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here Señor Mollendo entered, and Tim -gave the story in Spanish for his benefit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I congratulate you, my boy," said the -leader warmly, "and you too, señor, on -possessing a son who unites courage with -ingenuity, and caution with daring. He has -twice proved himself more than a match for -the enemy, and in recognition of his signal -merits and as a mark of my approval I -appoint him a lieutenant in the army of -liberty."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Father and son glanced at each other. -This, coming after their recent conversation, -was almost too much for their gravity; they -could hardly refrain from laughter. The -contrast between Mollendo's lofty manner -and his low fortunes was very comical.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thank you, excellency," said Mr. O'Hagan, -as gravely as he could. "I hope -my son will continue to merit your -approbation--and mine."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two men consulted together. The -continued presence of the enemy at the -Inca camp was disconcerting. By covering -the roads to San Rosario and the capital, -and restricting the Mollendists to the hills, -they put an effectual bar upon recruiting. -The northward region, sparsely settled and -largely unexplored, was favourable ground -for refuge, but for nothing else. A few more -stragglers had rejoined their leader; but the -recent reverse discouraged any large -reinforcement. So long as the little band, now -numbering about seventy, was cooped up -in the hills, the cause was at a standstill. -They might as well give up the struggle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To approach the town with their present -numbers would be madness. They would -be opposed by vastly superior forces, and -their retreat would be cut off by the Prefect's -men at the Inca camp, who themselves -outnumbered them by three to one. Yet the -only chance of bringing about a general -rising against the Prefect was to gain a -brilliant success.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The situation of the Mollendists seemed -desperate. There was scarcely any food -left, either for men or horses, and little -ammunition. Only fifty of the men had -rifles; the remainder were armed with -revolvers and steel weapons of various kinds, -most of them rusty. Their attire was equally -diversified. Some were clad in the ordinary -costume of civil life; a few in the somewhat -flashy habiliments affected by professional -brigands; some had the parti-coloured -ponchos worn by Cholos. There were at -least a dozen different styles of hat. They -were certainly what Cromwell would have -called a "ragged regiment." Mr. O'Hagan -felt that in casting in his lot with them he -had sprung from the frying-pan into the fire. -But he reflected that he had had no alternative; -and having accepted the responsibility -of organising the paltry army he was bound -to make the best of it.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The necessity of securing provisions must -be dealt with at once. Señor Mollendo could -not offer a practicable suggestion: -Mr. O'Hagan recalled Tim's notion of running -off with supplies from his own estate, only -to dismiss it as impossible of achievement. -But Tim here made another proposal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Have you got any money, Father?" he asked.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not a peseta."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have £250," said Mollendo, with a -conscious look.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let Romaña and me go down to his -cave in the cliff," said Tim, "and see if we -can't get into communication with Galdos. -With your money, excellency, he might -purchase stores secretly in the town."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Both Romaña and you are marked men," -said Mr. O'Hagan. "Anybody else would -have a better chance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am sorry to differ from my generalissimo," -said Mollendo. "On the contrary, -I consider that the excellent qualities already -displayed by Lieutenant O'Hagan and -Romaña are guarantees of success. I give my -vote cordially in favour of this admirable -proposal."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim could not help smiling. He took a -mischievous joy in the overriding of his -father's views. Mr. O'Hagan might be -Cincinnatus, but he was certainly not dictator.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Galdos will have no difficulty, of course, -in buying provisions," he said; "the -difficulty will be to convey them to us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is the duty of my adherents to triumph -over difficulties," returned Mollendo. "For -£30 Galdos will be able to purchase provisions -for three days. They will form a comfortable -load for two pack-mules. As for the -means by which he may secure their safety -on the march, that must be left to the -caballero's discretion."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shall have to do the same thing -again in three days," said Mr. O'Hagan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Unless, señor general, we should by -that time have won a signal victory, which -is what I anticipate from your military -genius."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And that will lick old Cincinnatus -hollow," thought Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan saw that to oppose the -suggestion further would be to risk a loss -of the harmony which ought to exist between -the civil and military leaders of a community. -He therefore yielded gracefully, and bent -his mind on the details of the plan. He -determined to send out one or two small -parties to scout in the neighbourhood of the -camp while Tim and Romaña went down -the river. It was possible that the Prefect's -men, having failed in what was no doubt -their chief object, the recapture of the -prisoner, might leave their present -somewhat bleak quarters, and return to San -Rosario or San Juan. If it were discovered -that such was the case, it would be necessary -to advise Tim of it, so that he might beware -of stumbling among the retreating enemy. -Mr. O'Hagan arranged to do this by lighting -a beacon on a prominent hill-top, which -could be seen from many miles around. -One fire would indicate that the retirement -was by the eastern road,--that by which -Tim had first been brought to the camp; -two fires, some distance apart, that the -western road had been chosen. No definite -instructions could be given for the guidance -of the two scouts: they must act according -to circumstances and their own discretion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was a whimsical smile on -Mr. O'Hagan's face as Mollendo took from a -leather case notes to the value of £30, and -handed them to Tim. A strange turn of -Fortune's wheel, indeed!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim left the cave to find Romaña, and -arrange with him for their expedition. They -agreed that they had better not start until -evening; they were both tired after the -work of the previous night; and an afternoon's -sleep would be the best preparation -for the task before them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will choose two of the best horses," -said Romaña.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We shan't need them," replied Tim. -"You can ride behind me on the bicycle."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But you have no petrol!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is no matter. It is downhill all -the way, and if you hold on behind me we -shall go more quickly and more quietly -than on horseback."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"There is the coming back," Romaña -objected. "We cannot ride back without petrol."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"True. Your friend Señor Galdos has -got to get some petrol. That's part of his job."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't believe there is any in the town."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, if there isn't we must lay up the -cycle in your cave until we can get some -from San Juan or elsewhere. The machine -is no good up here in the hills. We might -just as well make what use of it we can."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña said no more. Argument was -never effective with Tim when he had made -up his mind. They slept through the -afternoon, and started about an hour before dusk, -watched with much curiosity by the motley -crew of Señor Mollendo's adherents. As -Tim had said, the track ran generally -downhill, switchbacking here and there, but most -of the ascents being too short to necessitate -their dismounting. Occasionally there was -a long stretch upwards, where they had -to push the machine. On reaching the -river they descended the bank and pursued -their way along the hard sand. The incline, -though slight, was sufficient to keep the -wheels rolling, and their progress was so -silent that nobody beyond a dozen yards -could have detected their presence by the ear.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On approaching the western end of the -gully that led up to the camp they kept a -wary look-out in the gathering darkness. -At this hour it was unlikely that the enemy -would be abroad unless they had some -definite object in view. They had hitherto -shown no evidence of enterprise. The -departure of the Prefect seemed to have -robbed them of initiative. There was some -slight risk of their having discovered the -wheel marks of the cycle in the sand if any -parties had been prowling in the course of -the day. But when the scouts had passed -the junction of the river with the cross track -in safety, they felt secure. A few miles -farther down they left the river and returned -to the track. The only danger now was -that they might meet some one coming -from San Rosario to the camp; but the -ringing sound of hoofs on the hard track -could be heard for a long distance in the silence -of the night, and they would have warning in -time to hide somewhere before the riders -drew near. In any case it was unlikely that -horsemen from the town would choose the -longer route.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They had now an easy run down to the -spot where the little hill stream cut across -the track. Tim could not venture to light -his lamp; but the sky was not so dark as -on the previous night, and he had no difficulty -in dodging the loose rocks which lay upon -the track here and there. On arriving at -the stream, they dismounted and carried the -machine to the cavern. This was the most -toilsome portion of their journey; the rest -of it had been accomplished almost without -exertion.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña lit his lamp, and brought out -from the cupboard a tin of biscuits and some -potted beef. The waterfall gave them drink. -As they ate their supper they discussed -their plans.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will walk into the town to-night, -señorito," said Romaña, "see my friend, -and commission him to buy the provisions. -I shall tell him to purchase only a small -quantity at any one shop, so as not to -awaken suspicion. To-morrow I shall -remain secluded in his cottage, and return here -with the mules in the evening."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's all very well, but what am I to -do?" said Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will remain here, señorito," said Romaña.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why should I? I had enough of this -cave before. If that's all I'm to do I might -just as well have remained in the hills. We -were both sent on this job, remember."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But there would be great danger in your -going into the town. It is a needless risk. -True, you speak our language perfectly; -but your appearance, your complexion, your -hair, señorito, are not those of a Peruvian. -You would certainly be recognised----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"So will you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not certainly. In the dark I shall be -like any other townsman; and though -everybody knows me----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Look here, Romaña: old Moll--I mean -his excellency--made me a lieutenant this -morning, and if I choose to say I'll go, and -order you to stay here, you'll have to obey."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña blinked. But he was very -patient with Tim, whom he had known ever -since he was a two-years' toddler. He -repeated his arguments, and Tim was not -so pig-headed as to deny their force, -disgusted though he was at the prospect of -kicking his heels for a whole day while -Romaña was doing the work.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I tell you what," he said at length. -"I'll agree to what you propose if you'll try -to get me some petrol."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How can I do that, señorito?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You won't leave the town till dusk. -Slip up to our place and bring a can from -the outhouse. Here's the key. Nobody -will be about at that time, and you can come -back through the sugar-canes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The cans are heavy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, I'll meet you where the path joins -the road to Señor Durand's. There are -plenty of trees to hide amongst. I won't -leave here until it's getting dark, and I'll -keep a good look-out. Between us we can -carry a can or two easily."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña was not unwilling to make the -attempt. He knew the ground thoroughly; -it would not be difficult to thread his way -secretly through the plantations to the shed, -fifty yards in the rear of the house, where the -petrol was stored; the sugar-canes grew so -high that he could pass among them without -any risk of being espied. He agreed to the -suggestion, only impressing on Tim the -necessity for caution. Then, pulling his -hat well down over his eyes, and gathering -his cloak around him, he took his leave, and -set off on the fifteen-mile walk to the town.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="his-father-s-house"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XIV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">HIS FATHER'S HOUSE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Tim was not remarkable for patience. -The morning and afternoon of the next day -passed too slowly for him. In the cave -there was nothing to do; outside, his activity -was circumscribed. He gave himself a -bath in the pool below the waterfall, then -returned to the cave for his breakfast. The -empty meat tin tempted him to set it up -at one end of the cave as a target, and -practise revolver-shooting. But recollecting -that the shape of this hiding-place might set -up tell-tale reverberations, he abandoned the -idea, kicked the tin away, and by way of -doing something went for another bathe.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While he was still disporting in the water -he heard footsteps in the direction of the -path, and scampered back lightly to the -shelter of the leafy screen. Peering out -somewhat anxiously, he saw an old Indian -woman filling a pitcher from the brook. -She carried it across the track among the -brushwood on the other side, and -disappeared. Tim guessed that she was one of -the workers on Señor Durand's estate, which -extended for several miles between the two -paths from San Rosario. Some hours later -a Cholo youth walked up the track, carrying -a fishing-net and basket; he, no doubt, was -going to the river to catch the family dinner. -Except for these two, Tim saw no human -being during the day. A number of -waterfowl settled on the stream when the sun -was high, and he caught glimpses of gaudy -parrots occasionally; these were all the signs -of life.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had promised Romaña not to start -too soon, and meant to keep his promise. -It was twelve miles to the spot where they -had arranged to meet, a walk of less than -three or more than four hours according -to the pace. Tim reasoned that by taking -the longer period he would have more -opportunities for scouting, and could make -up for any time lost if he should have to -conceal himself from passers-by. Accordingly -he started, a full hour before he need -have done. When once upon the path he -forgot his intention to go slowly. He kept -up a good swinging pace, though neglecting -no precaution. In the plantations on his -left hand he saw the distant forms of several -of Señor Durand's workers, but he met -nobody on the path, and nobody overtook him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he arrived at the place agreed -upon, it wanted still nearly two hours of -sunset. Romaña could not reach him for -at least three hours, perhaps four or five if -he brought petrol. Tim began to wish that -he had not been in such a hurry. The spot -was a cross-road--the junction of the path -by which he had come with the track -running northwards to Señor Durand's -estate, with that running eastwards to his -own home, and with another going southwards -and emerging into the main road from -San Rosario to San Juan. There were -trees all around, and Tim decided to climb -into one that gave him a partial view of -all the tracks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had not been long settled in his perch -when he heard on his left the sound of a -horse trotting. Peering out through the -foliage he presently caught sight of young -Felipe Durand, riding alone towards the -town. Tim, as we know, was impulsive; he -often acted hastily, and sometimes repented -afterwards, though not so frequently as -might have been expected. When his friend -was within a few yards of him, he hailed -him cautiously. Durand reined up with -a start, and looked wonderingly about him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where are you?" he said, in a tone -little above a whisper.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Here, up a tree," replied Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You </span><em class="italics">are</em><span> up a tree!" said Durand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't be an ass. Ride in and tie your -horse up. I'm coming down to talk to -you. There's no one in sight."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Durand dismounted and led his horse -some distance into the copse. There Tim -joined him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are pretty mad," said Durand, "to -come so close to the town. What on earth -are you up to?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Romaña has gone into the town to -get some grub. We're very short up yonder."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You'll be shot if you're caught. The -Prefect is raging at your father's escape. -He led the raid on Mollendo's camp, thinking -to catch you and your father there."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He'd better go on raging," said -Tim, with a grin. "What is happening, Durand?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He has sacked the gobernador, fined -him £1000 and put him under arrest. He -has promised £500 to the man who captures -you or your father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My price has doubled, then! Where -is he now?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He has gone back to San Juan. It's -rumoured that as soon as he has made things -secure there he's going to lead an expedition -into the hills. He has sworn to smash -the Mollendists, and he'll have no mercy -on Mollendo or your father when he catches them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He should say 'if.' 'Ifs and ans are -pots and pans; 'there's a big difference -between 'if' and 'when'--and 'now' and -'never.' What do they say in the town?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A good many people sympathise with -you, but the Prefect has a strong party, -as you know; otherwise he wouldn't have -left only a hundred men behind. There's -a big crowd in Mollendo's old camp."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I know, and a very poor lot they are. -What is happening at home?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pardo is playing the tyrant. It's rather -fun. He cleared out all your old servants, -except the Irishwoman. Old Biddy flatly -refused to go, and I suppose he's afraid of -being a laughing-stock in the town if he -sends the gendarmes in with her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He has got gendarmes, then?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A dozen or so. He needs them. He -has cut down wages all round, forbidden -any of the workpeople to go into the town, -and generally played the fool. There was -a row this morning. The Japs refused to -go to work except on the old terms. The -foreman went to see Pardo at the house, -Pardo was insulting, and the Jap flew -at his throat. Of course he had no chance -with the gendarmes there. They collared -him and marched him into the town, and -he'll have a bad time when the Prefect -comes back. Pardo's a fool. The Japs -will bolt in a body if he isn't careful. -They'll easily get work elsewhere, and he'll -find it hard to run the plantations without -them. But what are you doing here?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm waiting for Romaña. He's coming -out after dark."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, take my advice and don't run -any risks. By the way, how is your -mother? My mater was talking about her -this morning."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She's all right--out of harm's way. -Old Mollendo is a funny old chap. He has -made Father a general, and me a lieutenant."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't mean to say that you have -really joined his party?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Indeed we have."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's a mistake. The Prefect has got -a real handle against you now. He'd be -justified in shooting you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He must catch us first. You'll see -something startling one of these days."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm afraid I shall. Well, good-bye. I -shan't say I've seen you, of course. I'm -going to dine with Dr. Pereira."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You can tell him. He's a good sort. -Good-bye; glad I met you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Durand rode on, and Tim went back to -his tree. But he had not sat there more -than a few minutes before a sudden impulse -seized him to go himself to the house. It -was only three miles away; he would have -plenty of time to go there and back before -Romaña arrived. He might get some petrol -himself. Romaña had the key of the -outhouse; but Tim knew of a couple of loose -boards at the back which he could easily -remove and so gain entrance. He threw a -glance along each of the paths; nobody was -in sight. Then he slipped down and hastened -into the broken country that lay between -him and the cultivated ground. The hour -was drawing near for the cessation of work -on the plantations. He might reach the -neighbourhood of the house without meeting -any of the labourers. Even if he did meet -them, what Durand had said assured him -that he need have no fear of betrayal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He made all possible haste. No fence -separated the waste land from the coffee -plantations. In this region the coffee plants -grew to an unusual height, and he could -safely make his way through them without -having to go farther northward to the -equally tall sugar-canes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He met no one. In less than an hour he -came to the rear of the private grounds. -A thick shrubbery enclosed the field on -which he was accustomed to play cricket -and lawn-tennis. To the left was the petrol -shed. Between the field and the house -were the kitchen garden and an orchard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim made his way to the back of the shed. -It was an easy matter to pull out the loose -boards. He entered, took a can, and -returning with it to the shrubbery, hid it among -the dense foliage near the spot where he had -emerged from the plantation. In the course -of half an hour he had four cans ready for -removal. By this time dusk had fallen. -He heard the clatter of crockery from the -house. It was dinner time. An uncontrollable -desire seized him to look in upon -Pardo at the meal. Carefully replacing the -boards taken from the wall of the shed, he -slipped quietly round by the shrubbery -towards the end of the house remote from -the servants' quarters. There was now a -light in the dining-room. He stole through -the intervening orchard, crept to the wall -of the house; then, going down on hands -and knees, peeped over the window-sill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The table was laid profusely; evidently, -he thought, Pardo was "doing himself -well." The ex-bookkeeper had the head -of the table; there were two guests, one of -them the Captain Pierola who was to have -superintended the execution of Mr. O'Hagan, -the other Señor Fagasta's secretary. The -men were on good terms with their fare -and each other. They were chatting in -high good temper, and Tim felt a flush of -anger as he saw how free they were making -with his father's Burgundy. It was a good -wine, used but sparingly by its owner; these -Peruvians had already emptied one bottle, -and two more stood at Pardo's elbow.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim watched them for some minutes, -conscious of a mad longing to rush in and -break the bottles on their heads. But the -night was deepening; it was time to get -back; and he pictured Romaña's surprise -when he met him, as he expected to do, -coming through the plantation. Retracing -his steps as stealthily as he had approached, -he returned to the shrubbery, took up one -of the cans, and set off with it towards the -rendezvous.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had taken only a few steps, however, -when he heard a sudden commotion from -the front of the house. Men's voices were -raised in angry cries. He halted, wondering -what was happening. After a moment's -hesitation, he ran back, dropped the can -in the shrubbery, and again hastened -noiselessly to the house. Looking into the -dining-room, he saw that it was now empty; but -the door leading into the patio was open, -and through it he caught sight of a group of -gendarmes. At the same moment he heard -the crack of a whip, then a cry of pain, -followed by howls of rage and the crash of -breaking glass.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The patio was brightly lit, but Tim's -view of what was proceeding there was -intercepted by the backs of the gendarmes. -Throbbing with excitement, he ran to the -side of the one-storeyed house, scrambled -up the wall by means of holes which he had -once made when climbing for a lost ball, -and got upon the roof. A few steps more -brought him to the edge of the open patio. -Peeping over, he took in at a rapid glance a -dramatic situation. In the centre of the -floor lay a Japanese workman, held down -by two gendarmes, while Pardo belaboured -him with a raw-hide whip. In the veranda -and on the lawn beyond there was a swarm -of the Japanese labourers, howling with -rage, brandishing bill-hooks, and pressing -forward to the patio, the glass door of -which had just been shattered by the men -nearest it. Within stood more gendarmes -with fixed bayonets, and just as Tim arrived, -Captain Pierola stepped forward and fired -his revolver into the midst of the crowd. -A man fell back among his comrades, shot -to the heart. The cries were stilled; the -throng drew away out of the light; and Pardo -went on with his thrashing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim's first feeling was utter shame -and indignant wrath. Then he had a -sudden inspiration. Rushing back to the -wall, he shinned down with the speed of a -squirrel, ran round to the front, and dashing -among the crowd of Japanese, who were -standing in the darkness, enraged but -irresolute, he called on them to follow him. -They recognised him, hailed him with a -shout of delight, and next moment the whole -eighty were following him in a yelling horde -back to the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He kept out of the light from the patio, -until, as he expected, the gendarmes fired -a scattered volley. Then springing on to -the veranda, he discharged his revolver -point-blank at Captain Pierola, and brought -him to the ground. The fall of their officer -took the gendarmes aback. Before they -could recover themselves, the Japanese burst -into the patio with a shout of triumph. -The Peruvians did not await the cold steel -of their flashing bill-hooks. Pardo had -already dropped his whip and fled. The -gendarmes flocked after him, across the -patio, through the corridor and out at the -main door towards the road to San Rosario. -Not all escaped. The rearmost were -swooped upon by the exultant Japanese, who -took an ample vengeance for the death of -their comrade and the brutal treatment of -their foreman.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Glory be!" said a voice from the rear -of the patio, and Biddy Flanagan came -hastily to greet Tim. "Is the master after -coming back?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is not, Biddy, but he and Mother -are quite safe."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He turned to ask explanations of the -recent scene. It appeared that the acting -foreman had come to Pardo with an -ultimatum from the whole body of Japanese, -that unless he procured the instant release -of the man imprisoned in the town they -would at once quit the hacienda. Pardo, -having drunk more than was good for him, -forgot that he was not dealing with the -timid, spiritless Indians of the Peruvian -Amazon. He ordered in the gendarmes, and -proceeded to flog the man, in full view of -the crowd watching through the door of the -patio. No doubt the Japanese would have -had the courage to storm the house even -without Tim; but his opportune arrival had -quickened them with enthusiasm; they had -the confidence of men fighting in a cause -doubly just.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-raid-on-san-rosario"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">THE RAID ON SAN ROSARIO</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Tim was flushed with elation at his victory. -With boyish impetuosity he had flung -himself into the affair without a thought of -consequences. He had driven away the -interloper and regained possession of his -father's house: a feat of which he was -inclined to be proud. As to the future his -mind was blank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was helping himself to some of the -dainties on the table in the dining-room -when Romaña rushed into the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm here first, you see," said Tim, with a -laugh. "Pardo has run away."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Por Dios, señorito! are you mad?" -cried the man. "We shall have the Prefect's -men from the town upon us in little more -than an hour. Come away at once. We -can take horses and ride into the hills before -they catch us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wait a little," said Tim, sobered in a -moment as he realised for the first time what -his impulsive action involved. "I can't -run away and leave the Japs to face it. It -was all my fault."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They must take their chance. They -can hide in the plantations to-night and make -off to-morrow. There will be no more work -for them here."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But they can't get away in such a terrific -hurry with their families and belongings. The -Prefect's men would hunt them down and -serve them as they've sometimes served the -Indians. I'm responsible for them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"This is folly!" cried Romaña, who was -much agitated. "You can do nothing for -them. There are not enough horses to -carry them with us to the hills, even if they -could ride, and they would be overtaken if -they came on foot. Come, señorito, there -is no time to lose."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Don't talk: let me think," said Tim, -leaning forward with his elbows on the table -and his head between his hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was fully enlightened now. He saw -what his rash act had led to. These eighty -Japanese labourers were not merely mutinous -"hands"; they would be regarded as rebels -commanded by an acknowledged Mollendist. -He was responsible for them, and he knew -enough about the Prefect's temper to be -sure that they would meet with no mercy -at his hands. What could he do for them? -As soon as Pardo reached the town and told -his story there, without doubt a company -of gendarmes and troopers would ride out -intent on vengeance. The situation seemed -desperate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Gone was now all feeling of triumph. Tim -was simply miserable. It would be useless -to bring the Japanese into the house and -attempt to defend it. Even if they could -maintain their position for a time they could -not beat off the enemy with bill-hooks -against rifles, and before long hundreds more -would be summoned from San Juan. And -then he started up at a sudden recollection. -Durand had told him that there were but a -hundred of the Prefect's men in San Rosario. -The others were divided between San Juan -and the camp in the hills. Was it possible -to lead the Japanese into the town, swoop -down upon the garrison, diminished by the -despatch of troopers to the hacienda, and at -least arm his men? It would be a desperate -adventure, one not to be undertaken in cold -blood; but the men were seething with -excitement and jubilant at their success; and -while they were in this temper they might -be capable of actions which at another time -would appal them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He jumped up and looked round for -Romaña. Seeing that he was not in the -room, he ran out into the patio and called -for him. Romaña hurried in from the dark.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have two horses at the door, señorito," -he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where are the Japs?" asked Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Out on the lawn. They are mad with -joy. Come, señorito."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am going to lead them to the town," -cried Tim, brushing past him and going out -through the shattered door. Romaña stood -for a moment paralysed with amazement, -then followed Tim, who was hurrying -towards the crowd. He heard him tell them -what he intended to do; he heard them shout -with enthusiasm; then he rushed back to -the house, sprang on one of the horses, and -galloped away into the darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim explained to the men in detail, as -quickly as the points occurred to him, what -course he proposed to take. He would -march rapidly to the town, enter by the -east end, the quietest quarter, and lead them -to the barracks. Only a few men were -there; and if the attackers moved quietly, -they might hope to surprise the garrison, -seize the building, and supply themselves -with arms from the armoury. He knew -that some of the workers had pistols. These -he sent to their huts to fetch their weapons, -bidding them run all the way there and back. -There was not a moment to lose; it was now -a quarter of an hour since Pardo fled; by -this time he was probably a third of the way -to the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Impressing on the men that haste and -silence were essential, Tim returned to -the house in search of Romaña. But -Romaña was not to be found. Seeing one -horse where there had been two just before, -Tim leapt to the conclusion that the man -had taken fright and made good his own -escape. His lip curled with disdain of -his cowardice. He found Biddy Flanagan, -told her to keep the servants quiet and -attend to Captain Pierola, who lay wounded -on the floor of the patio, then picked up the -rifles which the gendarmes had cast aside -in their hasty flight, and carried them out to -the men. A few minutes afterwards he put -himself at the head of the column, now -increased by a score of Cholos, eager to share -in the adventure, and set off at a rapid pace -along the track to San Rosario.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had spoken boldly and cheerfully to -the men, but his mind was dark with -misgiving. He could not be charged with lack -of forethought now. As he marched his -brain was busy. Nobody in San Rosario -would dream of the audacious movement he -was leading; no special guard would be -maintained at the barracks; with the -advantage of surprise he felt that a sudden swift -onslaught might win the place. But what -then? In a day or two at the most he would -be besieged by an overwhelming force, and, -unless aided by a popular rising against the -Prefect, his little band of untrained men -must be annihilated. The one consolation -was that by a preliminary success he would -certainly gain time; and recollecting that -the Japanese, if they had remained on the -plantation, or fled over the open country, -would have been at the mercy of pursuing -cavalry, he felt that the course he had chosen -was the wisest in the circumstances.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After marching for nearly a mile along the -track, he struck off to the left, over a marshy -wilderness that lay between it and the -highroad east of the town. By this time, no -doubt, a detachment of mounted men was -already riding out to deal with the mutiny. -Pardo would have seen to that. They would -follow the direct path; it was essential that -they should neither see nor hear the body -of men hastening in the opposite direction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Ten minutes after he had quitted the track, -he heard the thud of hoofs and the clinking -of metal in the distance. He instantly -called a halt, waited until the sounds had -dwindled away behind him, then hurried -on still more rapidly than before. The -diminution of the garrison would render his -task easier; but it was important that he -should accomplish it before the horsemen, -finding that the birds were flown, had time -to return to the town. Luckily he knew -every yard of the ground, and chose his -route unerringly even before the distant -lights of San Rosario came into view to give -him guidance.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Fifty minutes after starting he reached the -eastern outskirts of the town. This was the -best quarter. A few substantial houses were -scattered irregularly, surrounded by their -gardens, and separated by crooked streets -and lanes which all debouched upon the -plaza. It was in one of these streets, on the -opposite side of the plaza from the -gobernador's house, that the barracks were -situated--a large two-storey building, once -a mansion, but now reserved for the -accommodation of the gendarmes and the irregular -troops of the Prefect whenever great -occasions brought them from San Juan. The -outlying streets were strangely quiet, though -a murmurous hum came from the direction -of the plaza. Choosing the narrowest and -least frequented lane, Tim led his silent force -to the end of the street of the barracks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the centre of the town was in -a ferment of excitement. The arrival of -the fugitives with news of the revolt led by -the outlawed Inglés, the attack on the -house, the murder (thus it was exaggerated) -of Captain Pierola, was like the coming of -a whirlwind. The wildest rumours flew -through the town, and the whole populace -flocked into the plaza to discuss them. -One of the two lieutenants in the barracks -immediately set off with a troop for the -hacienda; the other, summoned from the -house where he had been dining, sent a -second troop into the plaza to keep order -and check any revolutionary demonstration -to which the news of the outbreak might give -rise. Thus all things conspired to favour the -bold plan which Tim had conceived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The barracks occupied almost the whole -of one side of the short street. Wide gates -gave entrance to an open porch that cut -the building in two. It was flanked on -both sides by the lower floor, devoted to -stores. Staircases led to the upper floor, -in which were, on one side the quarters of -the men, on the other the guardroom and -armoury. Both right and left a palisaded -balcony overlooked the porch. Beyond this -was a long rectangular patio, bounded on -three sides by the stables. The patio was -surrounded by a high wall abutting on the -gardens of the surrounding villas.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the daytime the front gates were -constantly open, and a sentry marched up -and down the porch between the street and -the patio. At night they were shut, and -the sentry occupied his box just within. -Tim had debated on the way whether to -scale the rear wall or to rush the front -entrance, and decided that the latter course -had the better promise of success. The -wall was spiked; if they safely surmounted -it, to descend on the stable roof would -cause a commotion among the horses, and -before they could reach the main building -they would have to cross the whole width -of the patio, perhaps in the face of a hot -fire. If the front gates were shut, the wicket -would no doubt be opened in answer to a -knock. Then his plan was to seize and -silence the sentry, and send his men up the -stairs, if possible before the alarm was given.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He halted at the end of the street, which -was not overlooked by houses, and glanced -up it towards the plaza. To his surprise -and joy he saw a bar of light across the -roadway at the position of the gates. They -were open: evidently the surprising events -of the evening had led to a modification or -the neglect of the usual arrangements. The -street was empty. Passing word along the -line that the men were to follow at his heels -as quickly as possible, he rushed along -towards the open gates.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Within the porch the sentry at his box -was talking to two of his comrades who, -with their coats loosened, were leaning over -the railing of the balcony on the guardroom -side. The attackers had come within a -few yards of the gates before the sound of -their hurrying feet was audible above the -hum of the excited crowd in the plaza. -It awakened no alarm or suspicion; but the -sentry moved leisurely to the street to see -what was happening. He had just reached -the gates when, before he could cry out, -he was hurled to the ground, and a crowd of -men dashed past and over him into the -porch. The two men above stared in -bewilderment for a moment; then, partially -realising the situation, they ran back into -the guardroom shouting with alarm.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>By this time Tim was half-way up the -stairs on that side. Some of his men -followed closely; others were springing up -the opposite staircase. As yet not a shot -had been fired. But as Tim reached the -balcony half a dozen mestizo soldiers of -the Prefect came tumbling out of the -guardroom, some loading their rifles, some hastily -flinging on their bandoliers. Tim shouted -to them to surrender, emphasising the -demand with a shot from his revolver. At -such close quarters they could not fire their -rifles. The suddenness of the attack, and -the sight of the swarm of Japanese and -Cholos pressing on with billhooks, struck -them with panic. All but two threw down -their arms at once; one struck at Tim with -his clubbed rifle; Tim dodged the blow, and -throwing out his left foot behind his opponent, -flung himself with all his weight against -the man and hurled him backwards to the -floor. The sixth man ran to the window -opening on the patio, and sprang out, falling -with a crash. It was afterwards discovered -that his arm was broken.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On the other side, meanwhile, a brisk -fight was in progress. There were a dozen -men in quarters, including the second -lieutenant. All the rest were in the plaza or -had gone to Mr. O'Hagan's hacienda. Roused -by the noise, they seized their arms and -rushed to the balcony. The officer reached -the head of the staircase at the same moment -as the first of the Japanese, and instantly -dropped him with a revolver shot. This -momentarily checked the assailants, giving -time to the troopers to come forward to the -lieutenant's support. When Tim, after his -bloodless victory, ran back to the balcony, -he saw on the opposite side a confused mass -of men in hand-to-hand fight, hacking at -each other with rifles, swords and billhooks. -He could not fire for fear of hitting -one of his own party. Leaping down the -staircase, he dashed across the porch, up -the other stairs, and flinging himself into -the midst of the mêlée, brought the butt -of his revolver down heavily on the officer's -head, at the same time crying to the -Peruvians that all was lost. They were -already hard pressed; seeing their officer fall, -and more Japanese and Cholos mounting -behind the lad with the ruddy cheeks and -fair hair, they gave up the unequal contest.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Locking them in their rooms, Tim hurried -down to the porch. He ordered some of -his men to close and bar the gates, and led -another party up to find the armoury -beyond the guardroom. The door of it was -locked, but he burst the lock with a shot from -his revolver, and, ordering the men to go in -and help themselves, he ran back, recalled -by a clamour at the gates.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On reaching the balcony, he found his -men at grips with a number of the enemy who -had been patrolling the plaza on horseback, -and hearing the shots had galloped down -the street to discover their cause. The -greater number of Tim's party being on the -floor above, the Peruvians had been strong -enough to prevent the closing of the gates, -and some had already penetrated into the -porch. Tim sang out to the men behind -him in the guardroom and armoury to line -the balcony, and fired down among the -enemy. He was soon joined by a dozen -eager Japanese. At his order they poured -a volley into the crowd below, taking care -not to hit their comrades, who were partially -sheltered behind the half-open gates. The -horsemen, thrown into confusion by this -deadly attack from above, tried to wheel -their horses and ride back into the street. -This made the confusion worse than before. -The horses plunged with fright and pain; -several of the riders reeled from their saddles; -in a few seconds the survivors fled in -hopeless rout. The moment the last had gone -the gates were slammed behind them and barred.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Running to a window overlooking the -street, Tim saw more horsemen galloping -from the plaza, followed by a shouting mob. -He called his newly-armed men to his side, -and ordered them to fire as soon as the -troopers reached the barracks. One volley -was enough. The horsemen reined up, -wheeled about, and rode back in disorder, -driving the shrieking crowd before them. -The barracks were won.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-siege-and-a-sortie"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XVI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">A SIEGE AND A SORTIE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Tim had learnt his lesson against premature -exultation. He did not at the barracks, as -at the hacienda, allow his wits to be lulled -by the heady incense of success. The -flight of the troopers, the secure barring -of the gates, gave him a breathing space -in which he envisaged very clearly the -dangers of his situation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was not much troubled about the men -whom he had just defeated. They would -probably take no further action until -rejoined by the strong party who had ridden -out to the hacienda. How long would that -be? Nobody at the house would tell them -in what direction the insurgents had marched. -The Peruvian officer might suppose that -they had fled to the hills, and if he pursued, -it would be many hours before he could -return with his troopers to San Rosario. -But it was not unlikely that they had heard -the sounds of firing, which would travel far -across the open country in the night. In -that case the party would gallop back at -once. No doubt a messenger had already -ridden from the town to acquaint them with -what had happened, so that in all probability -they would return within two hours. It -was now nearly nine o'clock; by eleven the -combined force, outnumbering Tim's band, -would for their own credit's sake try to -recapture the barracks. Behind walls Tim -felt that he had a fair chance against them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But this was only the first and the least -of the dangers he had to anticipate. There -were two hundred or more men in Mollendo's -old camp in the hills: the news of the -outbreak at the hacienda might already have -been conveyed to them, with a summons to -ride back to the town. If they started as -soon as the call reached them, they might -arrive by six or seven o'clock; but Tim -hoped that with Spanish procrastination -they would put off their departure until the -morning. There was a much more pressing -peril. San Juan was only thirty miles -away--ten miles nearer than the Inca camp. -The Prefect was there! Doubtless he was -possessed of full information, flashed to him -from San Rosario by telegraph. Spanish -though he was by blood and habit, he was -prompt and vigorous in action; and with his -present authority and future security at -stake he would surely set off within a little -of receiving the news--perhaps was already -hurrying across the hills. The road was -bad; a march by night could not be fast; -but even at the worst, by five o'clock an -overwhelming force might be pouring into -the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim wished that he had had the forethought -to send a man to cut the telegraph -wire. That would have gained five hours -at the least. But he could not think of -everything; he was as yet a novice in things -military; and he had had no one with whom -to take counsel. He reflected bitterly on -Romaña's desertion. Romaña was not a -soldier; but he was twice Tim's age; he -had had some experience with the Mollendists, -and was shrewd and far-seeing. Tim -was surprised and angry to find that the man -was apparently a coward.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Thrown upon his sole resources, Tim tried -to think of some means of meeting the -threatening dangers. His case would be -hopeless as soon as the Prefect arrived with -his main body of troops, unless--Tim grasped -eagerly at an idea that had flashed upon him. -If he could send a message to his father, the -Mollendists, though ill-equipped and weak -in numbers, might push down from the hills -by way of the river bed and reach San -Rosario in time to give him help. But -they were twenty miles beyond the Inca -camp, and could not arrive before the Prefect -unless the approach of the force from San -Juan could be hindered. That was not -impossible. A few men posted on the hill -road just above the place where the -Mollendists had snapped up the gobernador could -hold in check a much larger number in the -darkness, and gain a few precious hours. -Tim resolved to attempt both--to despatch -a messenger to his father, and a little band -to the defile on the high road to San Juan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had just risen from his seat in the -guardroom to select men for these tasks -when there was a commotion below--a -shout of alarm, followed by a moment's -silence, then a cheer. He looked over the -balcony, and saw Romaña pushing his way -from the patio through the crowd of Japanese -and Cholos to the foot of the staircase.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You are safe, señorito?" Romaña called, -seeing Tim looking down at him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim did not reply: he felt hurt and indignant.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You come when the fight is over," he -said, when Romaña joined him. "I thought -I could trust you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Caramba, señorito, what do you mean?" -cried Romaña, his usual forbearance giving -way under a rush of hot blood. "Do you -take me for a coward? I have saved you -from making a thorough mess of your own -hasty scheme. You did not think of the -telegraph wire: I did. That is all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You have cut it?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes. I galloped straight to the road. -I hope I cut the wire before Pardo reached -the town."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Forgive me, Nicolas," said Tim penitently, -grasping his hand. "I am an ass. -I ought to have known you had not deserted me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Say no more, señorito," said Romaña, -cooling at once. "I am rejoiced at your -success. But there is still much to do."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"How did you get in?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I climbed the wall and got over the -stable roof. That must be guarded, señorito. -When the men come from the hacienda they -will certainly try to get in. The Prefect will -hang them if they do not recapture the place."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It shall be done: I ought to have seen -to it before, but I have been thinking of other -things."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He went on to tell Romaña his recent decisions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I thought of both, señorito," said the -man. "I debated whether to ride at once -from the road to Señor O'Hagan; it would -have gained much time; but I felt that I -must first see what had become of you. -The duty is mine: I know the way: no -one else does. Give me a dozen men; -we will sally out on horseback down the -street and get away before the men in the -plaza are ready to pursue us. Galdos has -my horse in the wood half a mile away, but -I need a fresh one."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What about the supplies?" asked Tim, -remembering the errand on which they had come.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I took out two laden mules to the place -where we had arranged to meet. Finding -that you were not there, I tied them up in -the wood and went to the house to fetch -petrol, as I promised. Little did I imagine -what I should see there!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I got tired of waiting and went myself. -There are several petrol cans in the -shrubbery. Of course I had no intention of -fighting; but I simply couldn't stand Pardo -thrashing Asumi, and when the other Japs -began to attack I saw a chance. It was a -mad thing to do: I didn't look ahead."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It may turn out to be the best thing -that could possibly have happened. But I -must go, señorito; time is precious."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They went down to the stables together, -and chose twelve of the best horses. Then -they selected eleven of the Cholos, who were -quite at home on horseback. Tim explained -the nature of the service required of them. -They were eager to start. The lamp in -the entrance was extinguished. Tim kept -watch on the street from the window of the -guardroom, with several men armed with -rifles. The bars were quickly removed; the -gates were thrown open; and the twelve -men sallied out, turned to the right, and -galloped at full speed down the street. -There was instantly a rush from the plaza. -But a volley from the windows checked the -oncomers, and they fell back. Tim knew -that before they could ride through the -plaza, and down a side street in pursuit, the -fugitives would have a start of at least half a -mile. The gates were again closed and -barred, and silence fell once more upon the -scene.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim had little anxiety about Romaña. -On reaching the outskirts of the town, he -would follow a track parallel with a -stream--the same which flowed past Romaña's -cave--cross it a few miles to the west, then -proceed across open country until he came -to a wooden bridge over the river. He -would then take to the high road, and in the -course of little more than two hours arrive -at the defile where Señor Fagasta had been -captured. There posting the men, he would -return to the river, and ride more rapidly -upon the hard sand at the edge of the -channel. In five or six hours he should -reach the Mollendist camp. With nearly -sixty miles to march, Mr. O'Hagan could -not reach San Rosario before late on the -next afternoon, even if he started with his -mounted men only. But if the men posted -at the defile were successful in delaying the -Prefect's advance, the time gained might -be enough to allow the Mollendists to secure -the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña's forethought in cutting the wire -had diminished the most serious of Tim's -anxieties. The telegraphist at San Rosario, -of course, would soon have discovered the -damage by the failure of response from San -Juan, and after a certain delay no doubt a -mounted courier had been despatched to -convey the news--possibly a considerable -party, for protection against enemies along -the road. In all probability news of the -affair at the hacienda had only just reached -the Prefect, who might reasonably regard it -as a trumpery disturbance that could be left -to his subordinates. It would be some hours -yet before he learnt of the attack on the -barracks, and even if he then started -immediately, Romaña would have placed his men -on the defile before the force from San Juan -could arrive.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the gates had been secured, Tim -had the lamp relit and called a parade of -his men in the patio. His losses had been -slight. Of the eighty-two left to him, -seventy-five were still fit for service. All but -eight were now armed with rifles; for the -eight there were swords, bayonets, and -lances, if they wished for other weapons -than their own bill-hooks. A large proportion -of the Japanese, having served in their -national army, were expert with the rifle; -and as there was plenty of ammunition in -the armoury, and food in the stores on the -ground floor, Tim felt himself very well -situated, whether to withstand a siege or to -repel an attack.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After parading the men, he told off a -number of them to hold the roof of the -stables on three sides of the patio. The -rest were posted at all the windows overlooking -the street. The rooms were left in darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>About an hour after Romaña's departure -the sounds from the plaza, which had died -down into a dull murmur, suddenly revived. -Shouts and cheers mingled with the clatter -of hoofs and the jingle of accoutrements. -The party from the hacienda had returned. -Tim sent word to the men on the stables to -be on the alert.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some time passed. The plaza had again -relapsed into silence. Tim guessed that the -enemy were organising an attack. He -wondered whether they would attempt an -assault on the gates, or trust to escalading -the patio walls. The gates were of hard -wood studded with iron; the bars were -stout; it would not be easy to break them -down. If the enemy once forced their way -in and made good their position, they would -have command of the stores, for Tim could -not risk a hand-to-hand fight in the entrance -porch. The party from the hacienda, -combined with those who had been patrolling -the plaza and probably with a certain -number of the Prefect's supporters in the -town, would outnumber his own men by -at least three to one. Tim thought his best -plan in the event of an inroad was to hold -the balconies and staircases, and keep the -enemy at bay until they were forced to -retire by exhaustion of their ammunition.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He soon found that the danger was to be -faced both in front and rear. Warning -came first from the stables. The silence was -broken by a sudden clamour. From the -surrounding gardens men were attempting -to scale the wall on all sides--an impossible -feat in face of the forty men at their posts -of vantage on the stable roof. But this -attack was only designed as a means of -occupying the defenders while the main -assault was proceeding in front. Looking -up the street, Tim saw a number of dark -shapes rushing from the plaza along the -opposite side. He had ordered his men -to hold their fire until the enemy were -well in view. But the attackers did not -come far down the street. They suddenly -turned to their left, and disappeared within -a doorway. Their object was soon evident. -In a few minutes there was a burst of flame -from the houses exactly opposite the barracks, -and bullets flew through the open windows -at which Tim and his men had posted -themselves. At the same moment a much -larger body of men, all on foot, came dashing -along from the plaza, keeping on the near -side of the street. It was plain that under -cover of the rifle fire opposite a determined -attempt was to be made to break in the gates.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim ordered half his men, taking what -cover was possible, to reply to the fire across -the street, and the other half to be ready -to shoot down upon the enemy below. He -saw at once that at the windows his second -party would be at a great disadvantage, -because they could not fire effectively -without exposing themselves. So he sent them -up a wooden ladder to the roof, where they -would be in less danger themselves, while -better placed for dealing with the assailants.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Soon both patio and street were ringing -with the noise of battle. At the rear and -sides the troopers who tried to mount the -walls, some on ladders, some by clambering -up the stonework, were hurled down by the -men above them. In the front, bullets -rang across the street in opposite directions, -and poured from the roof upon the dense -mass now at the gates. Tim heard a -resounding crash below; the enemy had -brought with them a heavy beam which -they were using as a battering ram. In the -almost total darkness it was impossible to -discover the effect of the fire from the roof. -That it was comparatively ineffectual was -soon proved. Three times the thundering -blows rang on the gates; at the third one -of the wings gave way, and with a yell of -triumph men began to pour into the porch.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim at once called his men from the -windows and posted them on the balconies -overlooking the entrance, whence they fired -on the crowd surging in. Some of the men -on the stable roof, seeing by the light of -the lamp what had occurred, began to shoot -across the patio. Taken thus between two -fires, the front ranks of the enemy lost heart -and tried to push back to the street. They -were checked by their comrades still pressing -forward, and for a minute or two the porch -was filled with a solid mass of men, into -which the Japanese poured their shot as -fast as they could load. The enemy were -thrown into utter confusion and panic. -With yells of rage and pain they struggled -among themselves, fighting each other in -their desperate efforts to get through the -half-open gate into the street. But for the -steady shooting of the men on the roof, which -cleared the ground opposite the entrance, -not one would have issued forth alive. An -advance of their comrades had been checked. -The pressure relaxed; the way was open; -and in five minutes after the gate was broken -the survivors of the fight were rushing -headlong back to the plaza, driving the mob -before them, and pursued by shots from the -men on the roof.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim ran downstairs and across the patio -to learn how his men were faring there. The -assailants had been beaten back all along -the wall, and were slinking away through -the gardens to rejoin their friends. There -had been much commotion among the horses -in the stables, and a good deal of damage done -by their heels when they lashed out in terror -of the shots. On looking in at the quivering -animals Tim was seized with an idea: why -not keep the discomfited enemy on the run? -They had had two rather sharp lessons: -a charge on horseback might have at least the -effect of discouraging another attack on the -barracks. By starting at once he might -even yet overtake the fugitives before they -all reached the plaza.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He called up the twenty Cholos he had left; -in half a minute they had led all the remaining -horses into the patio, and without waiting -to saddle, sprang upon their backs and -followed Tim to the gate. As they came to -the street, Tim saw that fortune favoured -him. The men who had been firing from -the opposite houses were at that moment -issuing from the doorway some distance -away, and moving off towards the plaza. -With a wild whoop Tim led the charge. -The enemy instantly picked up their heels -and dashed for safety. Their comrades in -the plaza were gloomily discussing their -defeat. Only a few men who had been -patrolling the square were mounted; the -horses of the rest were ranged in a long -line opposite the gobernador's house. At -the sound of Tim's party galloping and the -cries of the fugitives the whole body made a -rush for their horses; but before they could -cross the plaza the pursuers were upon them.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 91%" id="figure-78"> -<span id="tim-leads-a-charge"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="TIM LEADS A CHARGE" src="images/img-180.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">TIM LEADS A CHARGE</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>The place was ill lighted; the Prefect's -men, even if they had not been flustered -and disheartened, could scarcely have seen -how small was the band clattering across -the cobbles. The noise made by Tim's -men, indeed, was worthy of a regiment, and -being mingled with shouts and screams from -the people who had been pushed back to the -openings of the streets, the coolest of soldiers -might have been deceived. These hirelings -were not cool. One or two succeeded in -mounting; the rest took panic and ran in all -directions. Their horses caught the infection, -and galloped riderless across the plaza, -dashing in blind fear among the shrieking -people. Men and animals fled helter-skelter -into the dark streets and out into the open -country. In a few minutes the whole -garrison of San Rosario as a mounted force -had ceased to exist.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim was prudent enough not to leave the -plaza. He did not yet appreciate the full -extent of his success. When the square was -clear of the enemy, he hastened back to the -barracks, blocked up the damaged gateway -as well as he could, and then, feeling that he -was safe for the rest of the night, sent his -men to find a supper.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="in-possession"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XVII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">IN POSSESSION</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Felipe Durand was enjoying an after-dinner -cigar with Dr. Pereira when they -heard the first commotion in the town -consequent upon Pardo's arrival from the -hacienda. Regarding it as nothing more -than a street brawl they went to a window -overlooking the plaza, and watched the -crowd gathering, and the gendarmes come -from the direction of the barracks to keep -order. After a few minutes they returned -to their chairs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Presently a servant entered, and reported -what was being said in the town. A wild -and exaggerated rumour had spread that -the Mollendists had swooped in vast numbers -on Mr. O'Hagan's hacienda; the Prefect's -troops had been sent to drive them out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Young Tim did not tell me that anything -of that sort was in contemplation," said -Durand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is a mad proceeding," said the doctor. -"By all accounts the Mollendists are a very -small party, and badly provided. I am -surprised at O'Hagan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Perhaps it is a move of Tim's," suggested -Durand. "He's mad enough for anything -at times."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That boy has as many lives as a cat. -It's a marvel that he hasn't broken his neck -long before this."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He was just the same at school. If he -fell from a tree he never seemed to hurt -himself. I remember once at rugger--a -sort of football, you know--he had a terrible -collision with a forward twice his size, and -we thought he was killed for a certainty. -But he got up after a minute and rubbed -his shins and chaffed the other fellow about -his fat. 'Soft as a cushion,' he said, 'lucky -for me.'"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They sat smoking and talking until a -renewed uproar drew them again to the -window. There they watched what ensued -upon Tim's capture of the barracks. They -came to the conclusion, surprising as it was, -that the Mollendists had attacked in force. -The rumours brought from below stairs -magnified every detail. The numbers of -the assailants were greatly multiplied; -Dr. Pereira was inclined to believe that -Mr. O'Hagan, of whose exploits in the Chilian -war he knew, had himself organised a -dashing descent on the town. It was only -later, when Tim led the charge into the plaza, -that the two onlookers had an inkling of the -truth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's Tim after all, the young demon!" -exclaimed Durand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he must be backed up," said the -doctor. "He would never attempt such a -foolhardy exploit unless he could rely on -support from his father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't know Tim so well as I do, -señor," said Durand.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must stay the night, Felipe. We -can't tell what may be happening on the -road, and you mustn't risk being shot. The -affair is evidently much more serious than -I thought. In the morning we shall learn -the truth of it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A little while after the plaza had been -cleared and the excited populace had melted -away, two of the principal men in the town, -both strong opponents of the Prefect, came -to see Dr. Pereira. They pointed out that -the town was now without responsible -authorities. No gobernador had yet been -appointed in place of Señor Fagasta, still under -arrest; Captain Pierola, in command of -the garrison, was reported killed; and next -day the place would be in anarchy. They -therefore begged the doctor to proclaim -himself provisional gobernador, and to -authorise the enrolment of special constables -to keep order until matters developed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't think I can do that," said the -doctor. "The town is now practically in -the possession of the Mollendists. Any such -action on my part would be resented by -them, unless indeed I issued a proclamation -in the name of Señor Mollendo. Do you -suggest that I should do that?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His visitors, one of whom was the principal -lawyer in the town, hesitated. They -recognised that to take such a step would be a -burning of their boats. The Prefect was -still to be reckoned with.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"My idea was to remain neutral between -the two parties, señor doctor," said the -lawyer, "and set up a provisional administration -in the interests of the general order."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That cannot be done without the consent -of the gentleman now in military occupation," -replied Dr. Pereira.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he is not in effective occupation, -señor," the lawyer persisted. "He has -withdrawn his men to the barracks."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Prefect's men are not in occupation, -at any rate," said the doctor, dryly. "They -have abandoned the town. The utmost -that we can do is to send a deputation to the -Mollendist leader, and ask him to authorise -measures for the protection of the life and -property of the civil population. I am -willing to form one of such a deputation, -and I suggest that you accompany me, -señores."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Let me come too, señor," said Durand eagerly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You had better remain here, Felipe," -replied the doctor. "This is a matter for -grave and reverend signors."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His eyes twinkled. He suspected that his -visitors were as yet unaware of the identity -of the "Mollendist leader," and relished the -anticipated scene of Tim receiving the -deputation. In a few minutes the three -gentlemen set forth, the doctor bearing a -note which Durand had hastily scribbled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meantime Tim, while his men were at -supper, had been taking mental stock of the -position. It did not occur to him that he -was master of the town. No boy of his -years and limited experience could suppose -that by a single charge at the head of twenty -men he had swept away all effective -opposition. He did not know that the enemy had -scattered in all directions over the surrounding -country; and while he felt that they would -probably not attack again during the night, -he expected that they would rally and at -any rate keep him closely invested pending -the arrival of the Prefect. Consequently, -after arranging for the efficient guarding of -the barracks during the remaining hours -of darkness, he threw himself on Captain -Pierola's bed to snatch a rest in preparation -for the anticipated work of the day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was called up about midnight by one -of the sentries, who reported that three men -were approaching from the plaza under a -flag of truce. He hurried to the gate, and -was surprised to hear Dr. Pereira's voice in -answer to the question he asked through the -wicket.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We come as a deputation on behalf of -the citizens," said the doctor.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim threw open the wicket, and the three -gentlemen entered. The lawyer and his -friend stared when they recognised in the -"Mollendist leader" the boy whom they -regarded as a harum-scarum young giddy-pate. -Tim's surprise equalled theirs when -the doctor, who thoroughly enjoyed the -situation, explained the object of their visit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have come to you, as the gentleman -in military possession of the town," said the -doctor, "to request that you will take -measures for the maintenance of civil order. -The official garrison has withdrawn; the -gobernador is unable to act; and we fear -that disturbances may arise among the -populace. We offer no opinion and take no -sides in the dissensions which presumably -have led to the present circumstances; we -approach you merely in the interests of the -general good."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The doctor's words were grave and formal, -but Tim caught the humorous twinkle of -his eyes. He knew that Dr. Pereira was no -friend to the Prefect. Maintaining equal -gravity, he tried to adjust his thoughts to -the new situation. If the doctor had been -alone, he would have spoken to him freely, and -asked his advice. The presence of the other -two Peruvians, whom he knew only slightly, -imposed a reserve. Quick-witted as he was, -for a moment he found himself at a loss. -But when he realised the full import of -Dr. Pereira's words, he pulled himself together, -and said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I am honoured by your visit, señores. -I will at once send men to patrol the -plaza." A sudden idea struck him. "Perhaps it -would be in order if I issued a proclamation."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That is the usual formality, señor," said -the lawyer, with professional approval.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Then will you be good enough to draw -it up for me, señor? You will employ the -correct forms. Announce that I hold the -town in the name of Señor Mollendo, and that -it is under martial law until the civil -government is re-established. You will find paper -and ink in the guardroom upstairs."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The lawyer and his friend having departed -to draw up the document, Tim was left alone -with his old friend.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Bravo, Tim!" said the doctor. "You -have carried it off well."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But is it true?" asked Tim eagerly. -"Are we in possession of the town?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Without a doubt. You have only to -act boldly. Toujours l'audace! The -garrison have bolted; without good leadership -they won't rally, and Captain Pierola -is dead, I hear."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is only wounded," said Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is not here, at any rate. The -Mollendists have a strong party in the town, -and if you put a bold face on it the Prefect's -adherents will not dare to rise. Of course -your father is near?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I hope so, señor. I have sent a -messenger for him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You don't mean to say that you have -done this on your own account, unsupported?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We </span><em class="italics">have</em><span> been rather lucky," said Tim -with a smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The doctor uttered an ejaculation of -amazement.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You must tell me all about it presently," -he said, as the lawyer reappeared with the -proclamation. Tim, with an ingenuous blush, -scrawled his signature at the foot: "Timothy -O'Hagan, Lieutenant;" and with grave -salutations the three gentlemen withdrew. -At the moment of parting, Dr. Pereira put -into Tim's hand the note written by Durand. -Opening it, he read:</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>"Good old Tim! I wish I had been in the scrum. -I am going to ask my pater if I may join you."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-order-of-the-nasturtium"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XVIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">THE ORDER OF THE NASTURTIUM</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Tim sent twenty of the Japanese to patrol -the plaza, to be relieved after two hours. -Then he returned to bed, feeling immensely -elated at the astonishing turn of affairs.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Early in the morning, a group of men -were seen approaching under a flag of truce -from the end of the street remote from the -plaza. Some were leading horses. Their -leader was alone admitted through the gate, -while a party of Japanese with loaded rifles -kept watch on the others from the windows -of the guardroom. The man announced that -he had come with his companions, all -members of the Prefect's mercenary army, -to offer their services to the Señor Inglés. -They had been for weeks without pay; they -had served the Prefect from necessity rather -than choice; and were ready to strike a blow -for freedom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim had a natural prejudice against -turncoats. But he reflected that in this -kind of warfare a wholesale change of sides -was not uncommon. His father had -expected that any Mollendist success would -immediately result in a large accession of -recruits, and he decided to accept the men's -offer. When, however, later in the day, -after his proclamation had been read in the -plaza, more men came in, civilians of San -Rosario as well as troopers of the Prefect's, -he felt somewhat embarrassed. To admit -more than a hundred to the barracks seemed -to him rather hazardous. Such volatile -soldiers of fortune might change sides again -at any moment, and turn their arms against -him. He therefore resolved to take no more -than fifty into the barracks, bidding the -rest to remain in their own homes, and hold -themselves ready to take the field when -summoned. If he could have been quite -sure of their loyalty he would have despatched -them to reinforce the party at the defile, but -he felt that he must not run any risks for -the present, hoping that ere long his father -would arrive to take over his responsibilities, -which were beginning to weigh upon him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Just before midday a messenger arrived -from Romaña. He reported that early in -the morning he had had a brush with a -small advance body of the enemy, who had -retired after the exchange of a few shots. -Romaña himself had only reached the spot -a few minutes before the enemy appeared. -He had ridden to the Mollendist camp with -the news of Tim's movements, and -Mr. O'Hagan, after a momentary outburst of -anger, had promised to march at once for -the town. But his progress would necessarily -be slow, owing to the fact that more -than half his men were unmounted, and to -the need for care in slipping past the enemy -in the Inca camp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It seemed to Tim that the most serious -element in the situation was the danger of -an advance in force along the San Juan -road. The men who had been checked by -Romaña were probably few in number; the -passage of a really strong detachment could -not long be seriously disputed by so small a -party. It must be reinforced at once. Here -Tim was in a difficulty. He could not part -with his own men; on the other hand, his -new recruits had as yet given no proof of -their loyalty. He saw that he must take -risks to avoid greater risks, and decided to -send a hundred men up the road to support -Romaña. He arranged also for relays of -mounted men to post themselves on the -road and bring him early news of any fresh -attack on the defile. To guard against -danger from the Inca camp he despatched a -few mounted men along the road in that -direction, to keep watch and get in touch -with the Mollendists as they approached. -The rest of his little force he kept under -arms in the barracks, ready to launch them -in whatever quarter their support might be -required.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In San Juan, meanwhile, the news of the -successive disasters suffered by the official -troops had struck the Prefect like thunder-claps. -He had been busily organising his -forces for a decisive blow against the -Mollendists, and was finding it necessary, much -against the grain, to part with a large portion -of the money he had recently obtained from -the gobernador and from Mr. O'Hagan's -safe, in making up arrears of pay for his -unruly mercenaries. The messengers and -fugitives who had got through from San -Rosario carried with them so startling a -story of the vast numbers who had attacked -the town that he hesitated to move out until -he had made careful arrangements for -securing his position at the capital. He had -contented himself with sending a single -troop along the road to San Rosario, to feel -for the enemy and discover what the position -really was. The speedy return of these men, -with report of having been ambuscaded at -the defile, filled him with as much uneasiness -as dismay. Knowing how precarious was his -hold upon the loyalty of his forces, he sought -to attach them to him by lavish promises -and considerable advance sums as earnest of -his sincerity. As soon as day dawned he -pushed on his preparations with feverish -activity.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At San Rosario the day passed without -incident. There was great excitement in -the town, but no breach of order. -Everybody knew by this time that the attack -overnight had been led by the young -foreigner, and he was so popular a person -that the majority of the citizens were not -at all displeased with his proclamation. -The gendarmes who had held the gobernador -captive in his house having fled, Señor -Fagasta came forth into the plaza, and -made an attempt to assert his authority. -But being assured by Dr. Pereira that the -reins of power were now definitely in other -hands, he retired to his patio, exchanged -his official dress for his old alpaca coat and -a Panama hat, and solaced himself with -strong cigars and many copitas of brandy -for his compulsory withdrawal from public -life. During the day sundry groups of -Peruvian youths and other idlers ventured -timorously along the street from the country -end, and gazed open-mouthed at the gates -of the barracks and at the smiling Japanese -posted at the windows; but after a time -Tim thought it advisable to keep the street -clear, and posted a couple of his men at the -end to keep off intruders.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Early next morning word was brought -from his advanced scouts that the Mollendist -army had been sighted far up the western -track. Every few minutes further reports -arrived. Tim, all tingling with excitement, -paced up and down the guardroom, wondering -whether he ought to remain at his post, -or whether he might ride out to meet his -father. Presently he heard that a crowd of -the townsfolk were pouring out into the -country to hail the Liberator. At this news -boyish impetuosity prevailed over all -considerations of form. Rushing to the stables, -Tim sprang on a horse and galloped out, down -the street, and through the rabble.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He met the ragged company a mile from -the cross-roads, marching, horse and foot, at -the heels of Mollendo and Mr. O'Hagan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Hallo, Father!" Tim shouted as he dashed up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You young scamp!" cried Mr. O'Hagan, -who was nevertheless delighted with the -scamp. He had begun to think that Tim's -action in forcing his hand was going to bear -good fruit: he had picked up several recruits -on the way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Thank God you're safe!" he continued, -clasping the boy's hand. "It was terribly -rash of you, my boy: what your poor mother -would say I don't know: I don't like to think -about it. You have fairly taken the wind -out of my sails; </span><em class="italics">you</em><span> ought to be generalissimo, -bedad! Seriously, you have set the ball -rolling to some purpose. Mollendo is in ecstasies."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mollendo had tactfully ridden on, so that -the meeting of father and son might be -private. And being met at this point by -some of his chief supporters in the town, he -went forward with them, leaving word that -he wished Lieutenant O'Hagan to follow him -to the gobernador's house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You had better cut off and get a wash, -my boy," said Mr. O'Hagan. "You're as -black as a sweep."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't wonder. I haven't had time to -wash; but I'll ride back to the barracks and -soon follow you. Old Moll looks considerably bucked."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He is. A word of advice: don't call him -Old Moll in the hearing of the men, and don't -laugh when he addresses you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't mind so long as he doesn't kiss -me," said Tim, and rode away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Half an hour afterwards he rode into the -plaza, blushing at the </span><em class="italics">vivas</em><span> that burst from -the throats of the rag-tag and bobtail who -were assembled at the sides, kept back by -the armed Japanese. He found Mollendo -in the official chamber, with Mr. O'Hagan, -Dr. Pereira, the lawyer, and other notables -of the town. Mollendo rose from his chair, -advanced to meet Tim, and before the boy -could draw back kissed him on both cheeks.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I cannot sufficiently express my delight -and gratitude, Señor Lieutenant O'Hagan," -he said. "I heard some particulars of your -noble conduct from Nicolas Romaña; the -señor doctor has related your magnificent -defence of the barracks; you have displayed the -transcendent military aptitude of your race, -and proved yourself a compeer of the -illustrious Wellington, who so heroically defended -the liberties of the land of my forefathers -against the tyranny of the Corsican. I feel -that I can best signalise this great occasion -by promoting you to a colonelcy in the army -of liberation. Viva Colonel O'Hagan!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim had often laughed at the perfervid -orations he had heard delivered by Peruvians, -but he felt more abashed than amused now.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Old gasser!" he thought. "Why can't -he talk sense!" But his reply was very -polite. "Thank you, excellency," he said; -"you are very good, but if you don't mind -I will remain as I am for the present. It -was all a sort of accident; there wasn't really -much of a fight, and--and----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan interposed as Tim found -words fail him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Take my thanks also, excellency, for -the honour you propose to confer on my -son; but he is very young, and I think he -should earn his promotion gradually."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I defer to you, my dear general. I am -charmed by your son's modesty--a virtue -that is ever the attribute of great men. But -I intend to establish an order of merit for -distinguished service under the new -republic"--here every one started--"it shall be -styled the Order of the Nasturtium; and -your son shall be the first recipient of the -insignia."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This announcement fell rather flat after -the startling declaration of Mollendo's -intentions, made so casually. Mollendo had -in fact determined to form a republic, -independent of Peru, which had always -failed to exercise efficient sovereignty in this -remote province east of the Andes. The -audacity of his scheme appealed to the -imagination of the Peruvians present. After -the first moments of surprise they hailed -Mollendo as Don Carlos, the first President, -and the lawyer asked eagerly that his -excellency would allow him to draw up -a proclamation. That historic document, -when it appeared, bore many traces of -Mollendo's own inspiration. He was nothing -if not eloquent, and the sounding phrases -which he dictated were calculated to impress -a people peculiarly susceptible to fine -language. The proclamation was taken to the -only printing-press which San Rosario could -boast, and within a few hours of Mollendo's -arrival the pink leaflets were distributed -broadcast.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There resulted a further rush of recruits. -The people were captivated by the idea of -an independent republic. Before evening -the President's army had swollen to nearly -five hundred men. This gave Mr. O'Hagan -more pleasure than flamboyant proclamations -and the founding of orders, which he -regarded as premature and theatrical. He -took up his quarters with Tim in the barracks, -and pleased the boy intensely by discussing -the military position with him. The important -matter was to hold the Prefect in check, -and at the same time prevent a junction of -his forces from San Juan with the men in -the Inca camp. These latter were probably -now on the move, though they, like the -Prefect, might be holding back through -alarm at the exaggerated reports brought -to them by any fugitives who had retreated -in that direction. To save their face, -runaways always overstate the numbers of the -force that has discomfited them.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The fortunes of the Mollendists were -decidedly in the ascendant. Their numbers, -it was true, were still much inferior to those -at the Prefect's disposal; but a few hours -had already worked wonders, and time was -in their favour--if the time were not too -long drawn out. Recruits would no doubt -continue to flock in: Mollendo's would be -regarded as the winning side; but it was -necessary to keep the machine in motion. -If once the impetus due to the recent -successes was lost, there would be a tendency -to run back in the opposite direction.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan decided to hold the crossroads, -three miles west of his own house, -with a force sufficient to prevent the advance -of the enemy from the Inca camp, and -to employ the greater part of his troops -in defending the defile on the San Juan road.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You will take command at the crossroads, -Tim," he said. "Keep watch on -those fellows from the north; if they try to -force a passage, either this way or to San -Juan, prevent them. But sit tight; don't -go adventuring, and don't force an action -if the enemy are quiet. I may need you at -any moment to reinforce me against the -Prefect. We have the advantage at present. -The Prefect's two forces are separated by -fifty miles of hills; we hold the only practicable -routes; to effect a junction they'll have -to make a detour of a hundred miles or more. -You and I will be within touch, and can -work together. My plan is to beat the -enemy in detail--just as you have done, my boy."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Inherited instinct, Father," said Tim -with a sly look.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan laughed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't know what your mother would -say," he remarked. "Mollendo is sure to -send his wife word of his new dignity. -You'd better write a note for your mother -to go with mine and the President's. Don't -say too much: all that she really wants to -know is that you are safe. The rest won't -interest her."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'm not so sure of that," Tim thought.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="pardo-scores-a-trick"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XIX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">PARDO SCORES A TRICK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Before putting his plans in action, -Mr. O'Hagan went to the gobernador's house -(now styled the Palace of Liberty) to lay -them before Señor Mollendo. He supposed -that the President, preoccupied with the -administrative business of the infant -republic, would cease to concern himself with -the details of the campaign. A surprise -awaited him. Mollendo approved his plans, -but said that he would himself accompany -the main force. His presence and his -eloquence were, he thought, indispensable -to success.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Moreover, general," he said blandly, -"since your son, with commendable modesty, -has declined the colonel's commission which -I offered him, it will be necessary for form's -sake to appoint an officer of that rank to -command the second army. I recommend -for that honourable post Señor Zegarra, a -gentleman of proved loyalty, upon whom I -have just conferred a colonel's commission."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan was annoyed. Señor -Zegarra, the second of the trio who had -formed the deputation to Tim, was a retired -architect, with no military experience. Still, -he was an amiable man, and Mr. O'Hagan -hoped by a little judicious and tactful -handling to prevent any interference with -his plans.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim laughed heartily when his father -returned and told him of the President's -action.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Old Moll means to be boss," he said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Old meddler!" grumbled Mr. O'Hagan. -"However, it can't be helped. I'll get -Zegarra to make you chief of staff, and if -you go gently with him you can see that he -doesn't upset the apple-cart."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim was secretly not ill-pleased at the -change. It would give him, he hoped, -greater freedom of action. As commander -of the force he would have been tied to it. -He could not leave his men. And since -he had already made up his mind to fetch -the petrol cans which he had concealed in -the shrubbery, and make use of the motor-bicycle -again, he needed no consolation for -being superseded.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan made a point of seeking -out old Pedro Galdos, and thanking him for -arranging his escape from prison. Knowing -that the caballero, poor as he was, would -disdain a pecuniary reward, Mr. O'Hagan -had hit upon a more excellent way. He -asked him to accept the appointment of -commissary-general to the forces, taking care -to couch the offer in the flowery terms that -a Peruvian loves. Galdos accepted with -dignity, straightened his shrunken old frame, -and went off to harass all the provision -dealers in the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In the afternoon the two forces rode out, -Mr. O'Hagan and the President at the head -of about 350 men, Tim and Señor Zegarra -with 150, including his Japanese. These -were on foot; all the rest were mounted. -Mr. O'Hagan marched towards San Juan, -Tim to the cross-roads north of the town. -On reaching his post, carrying out his -father's instructions, he set his men to throw -up a light earthwork at the intersection, and -rendered the woods on each side impassable -by an abattis. He sent a number of -horsemen forward for several miles on both the -eastern and western tracks, to watch for -the enemy and give timely warning if they -should approach from the Inca camp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Señor Zegarra was, as Mr. O'Hagan had -said, a very amiable gentleman; and when -Tim, after the bivouac had settled down, -announced that he wished to fetch his -motor-bicycle, which might be useful in scouting, -the new-made colonel gave a gracious -approval. Tim was rather perplexed as to -the best way to set about it. To begin -with, he had no petrol; but that difficulty -was easily solved. He picked out four of -his most trusty Japanese, explained to them -clearly where they would find the cans he -had hidden, and sent them through his -father's plantations to bring them in. They -would also report what they could discover -about the state of affairs at the house: he -thought it scarcely likely that Pardo had -ventured back again. It was probably -deserted.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But, having the petrol, how could he -bring back the motor-cycle? To walk to -the cave would be a long and wearisome -job: to ride seemed to mean that on returning -he must leave the horse behind. He could -not ride both horse and cycle. He might, of -course, take horsemen with him, and leave -his own steed with them; but the existence -of the cave was known only to Romaña and -two others, and he thought it would be as -well to keep the secret which was not his -own. But before the Japanese returned -laden with the petrol cans he had solved -the problem. He would ride out on -horseback, carrying just enough petrol to last -for the run, leave the horse with one of his -vedettes some distance from the cave, and -go on alone for the cycle. The horse could -be brought back at leisure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the petrol arrived, he filled two -flasks and slung them on his saddle-bow. -The messengers reported that all was quiet -at the house. It appeared to be locked up -and uninhabited. Tim suspected that Pardo -had been among the men who had fled from -the town, and had very likely gone to San -Juan to stir up the Prefect. The loss of the -hacienda would be a stinging blow to him. -Tim wondered what had become of old -Biddy and the other servants, and made -up his mind to take the first opportunity of -finding out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He set off, rode along his chain of vedettes, -and halting at the man nearest the cave on -the San Rosario side, dismounted and -proceeded on foot. In a few minutes he returned -on the cycle, much to the surprise of the -vedette. Colonel Zegarra smiled paternally -when he rode into the camp, and made -a laughing allusion to the gobernador's -ludicrous appearance on that historic -occasion a few days before. To Tim it seemed -to have happened weeks ago.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The little force was not provided with -tents. Men and officers slept on saddle -cloths, spread in glades among the trees. -The situation was far from pleasant. The -low ground was infested with mosquitoes -and other insects, whose pertinacious -attentions kept awake many more than those who -were on sentry duty.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the night Tim resolved to make -a circular reconnaissance next morning, if -there was no warning of the enemy's advance. -On his cycle he could cover the ground much -more rapidly than on horseback, and, with -the zeal of a novice, he was eager to examine -the paths minutely from a strategical point -of view. He would go by the western and -return by the eastern path, trusting to the -speed of his machine if he came in touch -with the enemy and were pursued.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel Zegarra raised no objection when -Tim diplomatically suggested the importance -of obtaining a thorough knowledge of -the ground. The nominal commander was -in fact a figure-head, conscious of his own -ignorance, and quite content to leave everything -to his chief of staff, and to reap the -credit of the successes which he hoped that -energetic young man would gain.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim rode off immediately after breakfast. -On the way he passed the vedettes strung -out at intervals of about three miles, and -leaving the last vedette behind, near the -cave, sped on beside the river. The only -serious risk he had to guard against until -he reached the cross-track leading to the -eastern path was the possibility of meeting -a party of the enemy approaching from round -a bend. In such a case he might have scant -time to turn his machine; indeed, in many -places he would have to dismount to do so, -owing to the narrowness of the track. If -this occurred on a rising gradient, he might -be overtaken before he could get away. But -he had all his wits about him, and reflected -that after all the enemy, if they moved, -would probably follow the more direct road -past Durand's house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He arrived at the spot where his father's -party had halted while Romaña scouted -along the cross-track. Turning to the right, -he rode for some little distance along this -track, then suddenly made up his mind to -return to the river, approach a little nearer -to the camp, and leaving the machine well -hidden, climb up to the ridge and try to see -what the enemy were doing. From the top -there was an uninterrupted view for many -miles. The climb proved an even stiffer -business than he expected, and on gaining -the summit, hot, out of breath, and with -trembling legs, he was disgusted to find that -the Inca camp was too distant for him to -distinguish anything very clearly without -the aid of field-glasses. He saw figures -moving about in the enclosure, but there -was no sign, on the track or in the camp -itself, of any general movement. It was -quite possible that the events of the past two -days were still unknown there. The fugitives -from the town would naturally have turned -towards San Juan, which was nearer than -the Inca camp, and much more easily -accessible. But the lack of communication -between the camp and San Rosario struck -Tim, raw hand though he was, as evidence -of astonishing neglect of ordinary military -precautions.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Returning to his machine, Tim rode along -the cross-track, reversing the direction of his -night escape, which already seemed ancient -history. He was careful to profit by the -screen of trees on his left hand, and so keep -out of sight from the spot where Mollendo's -scouts had been posted; and he approached -the fork warily. There was no one in sight, -either up or down the eastern track. He -wheeled to the right, and rode on towards his -own camp at the cross-roads.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Only once before had he travelled this -part of the track on his cycle--when he -returned home after being ransomed. He -remembered how difficult he had found it, -both when riding down, and when marching -up with his captors. It was uneven, tortuous, -and with many gradients. Its general -tendency was downhill, but here and there -it rose so steeply that, in spite of the power -of his engine, he had to alight and push the -machine. At similar descents he had some -trouble in holding it in with his brakes, and -where the track twisted and ran downhill -at the same time, for safety's sake he -dismounted again, and found that wheeling -down was even more difficult than pushing -up. But the worst was over when he arrived -within about three miles of Durand's house. -From this point the track ran almost -uninterruptedly downhill, and was fairly smooth, -and he sped along gaily at the rate of sixty -miles an hour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A downward run of about a mile brought -him to the wooden footbridge spanning a deep -fissure that cut across the track. For two -hundred yards above the bridge the machine -was quite beyond control; even a slight rise -in the last fifty yards failed to check his -speed appreciably. He dashed on to the -rough timbers at a force that made him -tremble for the framework of the cycle, and -not until he was fifty yards up the gentle -gradient on the farther side was he able to -reduce his speed to a reasonable rate.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I must have been going a tremendous -lick that time," he thought, after these -breathless moments. "Wonder I didn't -come a cropper!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he reached Durand's house he -decided to call and ask whether Felipe had -obtained his father's consent to join the -President's forces. He came away with what -is colloquially termed "a flea in his -ear." Señor Durand met him at the door, refused -to let him see Felipe, and bundled him off -as if he were a tramp. The gentleman acted -very conscientiously on the old maxim that -you go safest in the middle. He had -subscribed to the funds of both factions -impartially, and having no faith in the power -of either to maintain a permanent superiority -he bluntly declined to allow his son to take -any part in the struggle. Tim, as he turned -away, caught sight of his friend looking at -him disconsolately from a window, and with -a grimace which meant "Rotten bad luck, -old man!" he resumed his ride.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was early afternoon when he arrived -in camp. He made a formal report to his -amiable chief, whose wife and daughters -had come out to admire him in his new role. -Several other townspeople were chatting -with their friends. Tim was very hungry -after his long outing, and extricating himself -from the flattering attentions of the ladies, -he went away to get something to eat. -Everything had been quiet during his -absence. Galdos had brought a fresh supply -of provisions. No news had been received -from Mr. O'Hagan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a good meal Tim, finding that there -was nothing to do except talk to the ladies, -whom he thought quite out of place in a -military camp, decided to ride over to his -house, see for himself what his messengers -had reported on the previous evening, and -get a much-needed change of clothes. It -was only three miles away. Leaving the -cycle to be cleaned by one of the Japanese, -he mounted a horse and set off. He found -the house apparently deserted. The garden -was trampled; the place had already taken -on the signs of neglect; doors and windows -were closed, and the shattered glass of the -patio entrance had been replaced by boards.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim wondered what had become of the -household. The mestizo servants had -possibly taken, shelter with friends in the -town; perhaps old Biddy Flanagan had -sought a refuge with Señora Pereira. He tied -his horse to a post and tried the front door. -It was locked. Going round to the back, he -found that the window of his bedroom had -not been fastened. He opened it and -climbed in. As he passed through the room -into the patio he fancied he heard a slight -sound somewhere in the house: but after -listening for a moment decided that he was -mistaken. All the same he moved on tiptoe, -feeling an unaccountable nervousness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He went from the patio into the corridor, -glancing through the open doors into the -rooms as he passed. They appeared to be -just as they were left, except that the table -in the dining-room was cleared. He came -to the office. The door was shut, but not -locked. He opened it and went in. The -first thing that caught his eye was the safe, -open and empty. Then he noticed a hole -in the floor. The matting had been taken -up, and two or three of the boards removed. -At the edge of the hole lay a quantity of -plate, some silver ornaments from the -dining-room, the ormolu clock from the -drawing-room, several porcelain vases, and other -articles of more or less value.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>All this he took in at a glance. Before -he had time even to guess at the explanation -of the strange scene there was a rush from -behind the door, and he found himself -grasped from the rear by two men. He -tried to wrench himself away, dragging -his captors about the room. It was useless -to cry for help; he wished he had brought -somebody with him. He managed to get -one of his arms free, and twisting himself -round, hit out at the man now in front of -him, whom he did not recognise. There -was some satisfaction in knowing that the -fellow would have a black eye. But at -this moment the other man flung a cloak -over his head. With his one free hand he -tried to tear it away, but it was drawn tighter -and tighter across his mouth. His arm was -caught again; he gasped for breath; his -struggles became feebler; and by and by he -lost consciousness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he came to himself, with a racking -pain in his head, he found himself on the -floor, gagged and securely bound. Pardo, -now alone, was bundling the valuables -together. Tim watched him as he corded them -in a strip of canvas. In a moment Pardo -glanced at him, and seeing his eyes open, -smiled, and began to talk, while still going -on with his occupation.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 91%" id="figure-79"> -<span id="the-hole-in-the-floor"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="THE HOLE IN THE FLOOR" src="images/img-212.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">THE HOLE IN THE FLOOR</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Buenos dias, señor capitan," he said with -a sarcastic intonation. "This is a little -surprise, is it not? Not very pleasant; no. -But strange as it may seem to you at this -moment, I bear you no ill will personally. -Your brigand father, to be sure, has treated -me abominably. He has insulted the honour -of a Peruvian gentleman, and that is an -offence which, as you know, is frequently, -and justly, avenged with blood. But you!--you -are just a foolish boy; your impulses -run away with you, and one is naturally -lenient to the indiscretions of youth."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He paused while straining at the cord, then -resumed:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But one has to consider the public -interest; and in fulfilment of my public duty -I have felt it necessary to put a check upon -your personal freedom. Having already had -experience of similar restraint, you will no -doubt be able to take your present condition -with philosophic equanimity. If I am not -mistaken, you owed your release on the -former occasion to the payment of a ransom. -Well, events sometimes repeat themselves. -That lies in the discretion of his excellency -the Prefect, whom I am about to join; he -shall decide what to do with his prisoner."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here he tied the last knot and stood erect, -looking down at Tim with a sardonic grin -that made his blood boil.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But it would be inconvenient to take -you with me," Pardo went on. "We might -meet some of your bandit friends, who would -probably jump to rash conclusions. Having -a careful regard for your safety, I must -leave you here, but I trust your solitude will -not be protracted. In the public interest I -ought perhaps to shoot you; but perhaps -your market price now exceeds £250; you -may be more valuable alive than dead. -That thought will console you during your -enforced seclusion. There is one little -difficulty which it would be wrong not to -mention. If any misadventure should befall -me on my way to the Prefect, the secret of -your hiding-place will be lost. That would -be very regrettable, but I must ask you to -consider that the responsibility will lie -with your friends the brigands."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this moment the second man entered.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is all ready?" asked Pardo.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Yes; I have secured the horse."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very well. Oblige me by pulling up -another board."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man wrenched up the plank. Then -the two lifted Tim, and bundled him into -the cavity like a sack.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"</span><em class="italics">A reveder</em><span>, señor capitan," Pardo called -through the hole.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The boards were replaced. Tim was in -darkness. For some minutes he heard the -men moving about above him, and the faint -sound of laughter. Then their feet dragged -heavily on the floor: no doubt they were -removing the bundle. The footsteps died -away; and Tim was left in solitude and -silence.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cavity into which Tim had been -thrown had been excavated for the sake of -keeping the rooms above dry, and extended -beneath the house from end to end. It was -not a pleasant place. The ground was -damp; the atmosphere was stuffy; air -could enter only by one narrow grating. -Its humidity and the sub-tropical heat -favoured the multiplication of innumerable -insects, and Tim had not been there many -minutes before the voracious creatures -discovered him and began to make the most of -their opportunity and their victim's -helplessness. They crawled over his hands, up -his sleeves, upon his face, into his hair. He -did his best by shaking his head and twitching -his features to rid himself of the tormenting -pests; but they pricked and stung with -great determination and vigour, and he was -soon in pain and distress.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If only he could have removed the gag -he would not have felt so utterly helpless. -Not that shouting would have been of any -use in an empty house, but the power to -groan would have seemed a luxury. And -when by and by he fancied that he heard -shuffling footsteps about the house, he -struggled in his bonds until he felt bruised -and lacerated. All was in vain. His head -began to ache; ideas the most incongruous -jostled in his feverish brain. He tried to -collect himself and keep his mind fixed; but -he could not control his thoughts. Recollections -of the Black Hole of history came to -harass him, and in alarm and terror lest he -should wholly lose his wits he strained his -muscles to the uttermost. The effort -exhausted him, and presently he fell into a dull -stupor, in which he was conscious of nothing.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="pardo-loses-a-trick"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XX</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">PARDO LOSES A TRICK</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>At a late hour that night a rather weary -horseman rode into the Prefect's camp, a few -miles beyond the defile which Mr. O'Hagan -was holding with his 400 men. News of -the Mollendist extravagances in San Rosario -having reached San Juan, the Prefect with -a sudden burst of energy moved out with a -motley force of 1500, and established himself -on the hills in readiness to force the passage -next day. The horseman sought out the -Prefect's quarters, in a sheltered glade some -distance from the track, and was checked -every few yards by sentries demanding the -countersign. The Prefect was always very -careful that all proper precautions were -taken for the safeguard of his person.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pardo was rather annoyed by these -frequent interruptions. He was very tired. -The roundabout route which he had been -forced to take by the presence of the enemy -across the road had kept him for many hours -in the saddle. He had hidden the loot from -his late master's house; but, like all traitors, -he did not trust the man who had assisted -him, and almost wished that he had not left -the spoils and his friend behind. But, -knowing the kind of men who formed the -bulk of the Prefect's army, he had prudently -decided not to bring valuables within their -reach and expose them to temptation.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He came to the last of the chain of sentries, -and requested an interview with the Prefect.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His excellency is asleep, señor," said the -man dubiously. "It is very late."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Tell his excellency that Señor Miguel -Pardo desires to see him," returned Pardo -with impatience.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The man durst not leave his post, but -summoned a comrade, who conveyed the message.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"His excellency cursed and declined to -see you until the morning, señor," said the -man on his return.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now, so far as Pardo knew, there was no -need for haste. He had taken great care to -gag and bind Tim very thoroughly. He had -left the house locked up and the windows -fastened, and even if anybody should break -in, it was unlikely that the hiding-place -beneath the floor of the office would be -suspected and the prisoner discovered. But -Pardo was eager to conclude a scheme which -he had ingeniously concocted. He had also -a rather exaggerated notion of his -importance. So he sent the messenger back again, -to say that he had something of great -moment to communicate, and begged the -Prefect to see him at once.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After a little delay he was admitted to -his excellency, whom he found reclining on -a camp bed in the open air; tents were not -required in this rainless region.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is this important matter that -justifies the disturbance of my rest?" asked -the Prefect, rather haughtily.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I regret the necessity, excellency," said -Pardo, "but I think when you have heard -me you will consider me justified."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, say on."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Your excellency would no doubt be glad -to be rid of the man O'Hagan and his boy?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Caramba! I agree with you. Without -them the brigands would be easily dealt with, -and this ridiculous republic would tumble -like a house of cards. You have some plan?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have, excellency; but I beg you not -to demand particulars. I have means of -getting rid of them both. It has cost me a -great deal of labour and not a little danger."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Name your price," said the Prefect -impatiently. "And I warn you to be moderate, -for this expedition is draining me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It will not cost you a peseta, excellency. -All that I ask is that you will bestow on me, -free of taxes, the full ownership of O'Hagan's -hacienda."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Por Dios! That is your idea of -moderation! The hacienda produces several -thousand pounds a year. Not cost me a peseta, -indeed! You are presumptuous, señor."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What I shall do is worth the price, -excellency. O'Hagan has great military -capacity. The Mollendist cause is gaining -ground. A single reverse will break up your -army, and even if you win you will have -endless trouble while the Inglés is at large."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The Prefect reflected. He had reckoned -on making a large income out of -Mr. O'Hagan's estate. He might still do so, -even if he acceded to Pardo's terms. What -he gave he could also take away. When the -insurrection had been scotched, he could -squeeze Pardo until he became troublesome, -and then confiscate the property a second -time. After a show of hesitation he agreed -to the proposal, and did not demur when -Pardo asked him to sign his name to a -paper with which the man with admirable -forethought had come provided.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pardo took his leave. He might now have -thought himself justified in seeking repose, -but impatient greed still urged him on. He -mounted his horse, rode through the lines, -and did not halt until he had reached the -Mollendist outposts, whom he approached -under a flag of truce. It was perhaps -fortunate that they were not Mr. O'Hagan's -Japanese workmen. It was fortunate, too, -that he did not encounter Romaña. He was -taken to Mr. O'Hagan, who lacked the luxury -of a camp bed: his couch was a bundle of straw.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It's you, is it?" said Mr. O'Hagan -dryly, as he recognised his visitor. "Going -to turn traitor again?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pardo bit his lips; there was a dangerous -gleam in his eyes. But he curbed his anger: -he was a man of policy.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I have the honour to inform you, señor," -he said coldly, "that your son is a prisoner."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan went pale. This was an -unexpected blow. But he said nothing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The Prefect is, as you are aware, not so -complaisant as the brigand Mollendo," Pardo -continued. "He will not release the boy -for a paltry £250. He will not accept any -sum as ransom for so mischievous a rebel."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He paused, as a cat releases a mouse for -a moment, for the pleasure, it would seem, -of prolonging its victim's agony.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What have you come here for?" cried -Mr. O'Hagan impetuously. "Merely to -harass me, you----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He checked himself. It was no good -abusing the man.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I come to make a proposal," said Pardo. -"Your son is at present my prisoner; it -rests with you whether I hand him over to -the Prefect, and then!..." He expressed -his meaning by a gesture. "Or whether he -is released, and allowed to rejoin you. My -terms are quite simple, but absolutely -unconditional. They are not open to -discussion. You will make a formal assignment -of your estate to me; you will then leave the -country. Your son's life depends on your -prompt acceptance."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan sprang up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What is to prevent me from shooting -you, you villain?" he cried, overmastered -by his rage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pardo shrank from him. He felt a chill -run down his spine like a trickle of cold water. -But he recovered himself in a moment.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The honour of an Englishman will prevent -you," he said with an air of assurance. -"Besides, if I die, your son dies. Nobody -but myself and one other knows where he -is. He will starve!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan shivered. Pardo quailed -before his blazing eyes. For a moment there -was silence; then Mr. O'Hagan, putting a -restraint upon himself, said:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"If I assign my estate to you----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Discussion is mere waste of time," Pardo -interposed. "The conditions are peremptory. -You must not only assign your estate -to me but leave the country. That is final."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go away," said Mr. O'Hagan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I cannot go without an answer."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I will send for you--presently, when I -have made up my mind--in a few minutes."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pardo withdrew, lit a cigarette, and strolled -up and down. He felt very confident, and -flattered himself on his astuteness. He was -by no means so sure of the success of the -Prefect's arms as he had professed in his -interview with that gentleman, even if -Mr. O'Hagan were out of the way. The -Mollendists were growing in number; -Mollendo had made a clever move in declaring -for a republic, and the loyalty of the Prefect's -troops hung by a very slender thread. -Pardo had schemed to secure possession of -the estate in any event. But it was necessary -to get rid of Mr. O'Hagan. Mollendo, if he -gained the upper hand, might in O'Hagan's -absence respect the assignment. He was a -stickler for law. But the Prefect would -certainly not do so unless his enemy were -removed. Pardo considered that he had -played his cards well.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan was in a cruel predicament. -He could not doubt Pardo's story. He -would willingly have given up his estate to -save Tim's life, but could he also desert the -cause which he had taken up? His honour -was engaged. He paced up and down the -bare space in front of his couch: the sight -of the red end of Pardo's cigarette a few -yards away filled him with bitter anger. He -knew that he must yield. With Tim's life -and his own honour in the balance, there was -no doubt which would outweigh the other. -He was too proud to consult Señor Mollendo. -The dilemma must be solved by himself -alone. He could only make up his mind, go -to the President, and confess that every other -consideration--wealth, success, honour--must -give way before the danger of his only son.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Out of the darkness Romaña came up to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A despatch from Colonel Zegarra, señor," -he said. "The courier waits for a reply."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Pardo saw Romaña, flung his cigarette -away, and effaced himself among the trees. -Mr. O'Hagan took the envelope, and tearing -it open mechanically, read the few lines it -contained. And then Romaña was amazed -to find his hand grasped and shaken vigorously.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He's safe, Nicolas!" said Mr. O'Hagan, -working his arm up and down like a -pump-handle. "My boy's safe!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Señor!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go and kick that villain out," cried -Mr. O'Hagan, recollecting himself.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Señor, I don't understand!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pardo! He's over there. Bring him to me."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Romaña followed the indication of his -outstretched hand, and came back with -Pardo, who, watching the scene, had been -invaded by a vague uneasiness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Go and hang yourself; that's my answer," -said Mr. O'Hagan, turning his back -on the startled man. "See him safe out," -he called over his shoulder to Romaña. "If -the Japs get hold of him they'll throttle him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>And Pardo, feeling with a sinking heart -that something had gone amiss, was escorted -by Romaña to the outskirts of the camp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan read again the brief despatch. -It was in Colonel Zegarra's writing.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="noindent pfirst"><span>SEÑOR,</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>I have the honour to report that the enemy -has made no movement. A reconnaissance has -been admirably carried out by Lieutenant O'Hagan -alone, and I hope to report to you to-morrow the -measures which I propose to take for our greater -security.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>I have the honour to be, señor,</span></dt> -<dd><dl class="docutils first last"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>Yours in the service of the Republic,</span></dt> -<dd><ol class="first last upperalpha simple" start="16"> -<li><p class="first noindent pfirst"><span>ZEGARRA, -<br />Colonel.</span></p> -</li> -</ol> -</dd> -</dl> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>And there was a postscript in Tim's hand:</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Pardo has been playing tricks. Will write -to-morrow, as I'm very tired. All well.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 1em"> -</div> -<dl class="docutils"> -<dt class="noindent"><span>TIM,</span></dt> -<dd><p class="first last noindent pfirst"><span>Lieutenant and chief of staff.</span></p> -</dd> -</dl> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>At the second reading Mr. O'Hagan could -smile at the odd subscription. He saw Tim's -eyes twinkling as he wrote.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Unknown equally to Tim and to Pardo, -the house was not deserted, as they supposed. -Biddy Flanagan, the old Irish -maid-servant, had stuck to it when all the other -domestics fled, just as Puss will linger forlorn -in an empty house. She shut herself in her -room, and only ventured out to forage. She -had thus sallied forth to make a cup of tea -when she saw Pardo and his companion -coming from the direction of the town. She -at once slipped out at the back, locking the -kitchen door and taking the key with her, -and hid herself in the shrubbery. Thus she -did not see Tim's arrival, though she heard -the hoof-beats, and supposed that Pardo had -been joined by another friend. When, after -some time, she heard the thud of hoofs again, -and guessed that the intruders had gone -away, she let herself into the house, put the -kettle on, and while she waited for the water -to boil, went through the house to see what -the spalpeens had been after.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"They've took the gold clock," she -muttered, standing with arms folded at the -drawing-room door; "and I wouldn't wonder -if it did be after striking in the bundle, and -maybe get them rogues into trouble. And -the mistress's best chainey: faith, 'tis a -mercy she took all her jools along with her, -or there'd be none of um left at all." She -went on to the dining-room. "The like of -it! Sorra a silver spoon to be seen, nor the -silver jug; I never heard tell of the way -them villains have the place stripped, and -that Pardo the master's man and all."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She made a mental inventory of the missing -articles and proceeded to the office.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What did they be after doing here?" -she grunted, as she noticed, with the quick -eye of one accustomed to superintend the -cleaning operations, signs of disturbance -about the matting. She stooped to straighten -it, and discovered the loosened boards. "I -wouldn't wonder but they did be hiding the -things," she said, raising the planks one after -another; "and mighty foolish will they look -when they come back, if so be I can get -myself down through the hole and back -again. There! the kettle's on the boil; I'll -just be wetting the tea, and fetch a candle -for this same."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The daylight streaming in through the -gap had roused Tim from his stupor, and -seeing Biddy above he tried to shout, but could -not utter a sound through the gag. Biddy -soon returned with a candle and a kitchen -chair. The latter she lowered into the hole, -stepped on to it, carrying the candle, and -so reached the ground. She stooped, to -search for the stolen articles, and started -back in a hurry.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Holy St. Patrick!" she exclaimed; "but -'tis a man, sure. Is it murder they were after?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Recovering herself, she held the candle lower.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Mercy! 'Tis master Tim!" she cried, -"and beasties crawling all over on the poor -face of um. The like of it! Divil such -a state ever I seen as the poor boy do be in."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>She bent over him, whipped out a pair of -scissors and snapped the cords, and whisked -the insects from his spotted and swollen face -with her apron.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The poor lamb!" she said, lifting him. -"Sure the life's fair bitten out of um."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim could neither speak nor use his -numbed limbs. The old woman took him -in her arms, climbed up through the hole, -and carried him to the kitchen, where she -made him swallow a cup of tea, and bathed -his face with warm water, speaking her mind -freely on the iniquities of Pardo.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He told her what had happened, and what -Pardo had said.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"And is it pay that the master will be -giving for a prisoner that is free!" cried -the old woman. "Sure now, cannot ye -telegraph to um?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wish I could; we ought to have -repaired the wire. But the Colonel will be -sending a despatch to Father, and his courier -will get there before Pardo."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He might," said Biddy. "Faith, I hope -the master will shoot the wretch; he has -all the silver stolen, and I don't know what -all. And what did ye be after, coming into -this den of lions?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Just a change of clothes, Biddy. I -suppose they haven't taken them."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Not them. They're not clean inside or -out. I will get ye the bits of things, my dear, -and do ye rub this butter on your face. 'Tis -the good thing for them bites."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In an hour or so Tim felt able to return to -the camp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You had better go into the town, Biddy," -he said as he set off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What for would I be doing that?" she -rejoined. "I do not be in dread of the likes -of them villains, and if so be they come back, -I wouldn't say but I tell um what I think of um."</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="run-to-earth"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XXI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">RUN TO EARTH</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Young Tim was at an age when boys are -a trifle sensitive about their personal -appearance. He was glad that on returning -to camp his ravaged complexion was -obscured in the dark. Nobody seemed at -all concerned about his protracted absence. -Colonel Zegarra was playing at cards with a -friend from the town; the other officers and -the men were amusing themselves after their -fancy. Tim made a round of the camp, and -was almost surprised to find that sentries -were properly posted. The vedettes along -the roads had been changed at the intervals -arranged; military routine had been observed. -The only departure from custom, perhaps, -was Colonel Zegarra's allowing Tim to append -a postscript to his nightly despatch. Tim -had intended to say nothing of his recent -adventure; but reflecting that Pardo might -visit his father for the purpose of extorting -a ransom, he thought it just as well to certify -his safety.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>During the night, when his turn for guard -duty came, he pondered the general situation. -With a zeal natural in a young officer, he -wanted to "do something": inactivity was -boring; he wished the sluggish enemy would -wake up. He wondered by which route -they would march when the movement did -at last begin: by the eastern track or by the -western? In thinking over the probabilities, -it suddenly struck him that by destroying -the wooden bridge a few miles beyond -Durand's house he could render the eastern -road--the more likely one--impassable. The -ravine was about thirty feet wide. The one -other spot at which it could be crossed was -several miles to the east, approachable only -over very rough country. By preventing -the passage of the enemy by the bridge he -would compel them to return to the cross-track -and come by the western route, at a -loss of many hours.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To destroy the bridge would be a very -simple matter. It wanted only a good -charge of powder. But Tim reflected that -it would be a pity to blow it up prematurely, -in case the enemy elected to come by the -other route after all. The bridge might be -useful to his own side. So he decided to -ask Colonel Zegarra's permission to mine it, -to clear of all cover a space on each side of -the ravine, and to leave a small detachment -of his own Japanese at some distance on the -south side with orders to fire the mine at -the critical moment. One of the mounted -vedettes might be posted at the top of the -long incline beyond, to ride at full speed to -the bridge as soon as he should discover -signs of an approach in force. Such a -headlong gallop would be dangerous in the dark, -so Tim thought of replacing him at night by -an infantry outpost of four men. He would -station them say a hundred yards north of -the bridge, and theirs would be the duty to -fall back and blow it up if danger threatened.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was explaining the scheme next -morning to his complacent colonel when news -arrived through his chain of vedettes that -small parties of the enemy had been seen -moving down from the Inca camp towards -the upper junction of the paths. There was -no indication of a general forward -movement. They were merely feeling their way, -having apparently discovered, perhaps by -the want of news from the town, that -something unusual was afoot. The wooden bridge -being only a little more than five miles from -Colonel Zegarra's position, there would -probably be time to make all preparations for -the explosion before the real advance of the -enemy began. The colonel agreed to the -suggestion. Tim was surprised at his -extraordinary complaisance, his perfect -contentment with the state of figure-head. -Afterwards, with more knowledge, he felt -considerable respect for President Mollendo's -tact. Zegarra had been appointed to the -command merely for the sake of appearances--to -avoid any discontent among the Peruvians -at being led by a foreigner. His -compliance with every proposal of Tim's -had been prearranged.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim chose the men for the work, took -them out, and explained to them on the -spot what he wished them to do. Then he -left them. He had resolved to ride up the -western road again, and see for himself what -the enemy were about. Being convinced -that their advance would be made along the -eastern road, he intended to scout as far as -the cross-track, and perhaps to ride some -distance along it, till he came to a spot where -any movement from the Inca camp would -be visible to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His cycle had been well cleaned by one -of the Japanese. He overhauled it finally -himself, tested the sparking and the brakes, -assured himself that the engine worked with -the least possible noise, and that there was -plenty of petrol. Having filled the chambers -of his revolver, and put on a well-stocked -bandolier, he took leave of the colonel and -set off.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He felt safe for at least a dozen miles. -There were four mounted vedettes along the -track, the last of them being posted about -a mile beyond Romaña's cave. If the -enemy was moving on this route also, the -fact would already have been reported.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The day was still young, and Tim, none the -worse for his trouble of the previous -afternoon, rode on in high spirits. Though -continually rising, the track was not really -steep for the first fifteen or twenty miles. -He kept up a good speed, stopping every -three miles to exchange a word with the -vedettes, and had just reached the spot -where he expected to find the last of them, -when he was startled at seeing a man lying -in a curiously huddled fashion at the side -of the track a few yards ahead. He was -slowing down, intending to stop and look -more closely at the prone form; but -suddenly there was a shot, and a bullet -whistled past his head.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Instantly he clapped on the brakes, -brought the cycle to a standstill, sprang -off--for the track was too narrow to turn -while riding--and wheeling it round, ran -a few yards, remounted, and set off at full -speed down the incline, bending over the -handle-bar. There was a volley behind him: -the bullets pattered on the cliff at his right -hand; and as he wondered whether his pace -would carry him out of danger, he heard the -clatter of hoofs and the shouts of men at -his back.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had no doubt of being able to distance -the pursuers. The cycle could leave the -swiftest horse standing. They had ceased -to fire, which he thought foolish. But his -assurance was rudely dashed in a few -seconds. A few hundred yards below the -stream that crossed the track near Romaña's -cavern, three men stood with levelled rifles, -covering him. They were plainly waiting -for him to come close enough to make -certain of their aim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was a desperate situation. On the -one side a high cliff; on the other a steep -precipice; behind, an unknown number of -galloping horsemen; before, the waiting -marksmen. If he dashed on, the three men -could scarcely fail to hit him; if he stopped, -he would be quickly overtaken by the men behind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In that critical dilemma, when a moment's -hesitation would have been fatal, he -remembered the cave, some little distance on his -right towards the waterfall. He brought -his machine up with a jerk, sprang off, -pushed it into a bush--there was no time -to attempt to hide it, still less to haul it -with him--and dived among the scrub and -saplings that fringed the banks of the little -stream. Bending double he raced up the -watercourse towards the beacon tree, tore -aside the leafy screen at the entrance to the -cave, and plunged breathless into the darkness. -He was like a fox that has run to earth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The cave must be discovered in a few -minutes. He had no protection but the -darkness and his weapons. Could he block -up the entrance? Hurrying to the wall, -he dragged the box-beds over the floor, and -placed them across the gap, just within the -threshold. The legs of the table were so -deeply imbedded in the ground that he -could not move that; but he set the stools -on the boxes, thus forming a rough and very -insecure barricade. It was the best that -he could devise; and, posting himself in -the dark a little to the left of the entrance, -he hoped to be able to hold the enemy at -bay for some time with his revolver.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But it was a ticklish situation. As yet -he did not know with how many men he -had to deal; there were probably enough -to block up the track completely in either -direction. The vedettes whom he had -passed did not expect him to return by the -same route; he would not be missed for a -considerable time, unless they should have -happened to hear the shots. This was -unlikely. The wind was blowing from them -to him; the windings of the track and the -height of the hills did not favour the travel -of sound. It seemed that the utmost he -could hope was to be able to keep the -enemy off until nightfall, and then try to -steal past them in the darkness. They were -probably, he thought, merely a scouting -party, not an advanced guard of the main -body. Evidently they had fallen upon his -vedette unawares, killed him, and then -divided. Seeing the motor bicycle approach, -the three men scouting down the track had -hidden until he had passed, knowing that he -would be trapped between them and their -comrades higher up.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When he had made his flimsy barricade, -Tim stole to the entrance, pulled the foliage -aside, and looked out. On the track he saw -eleven men gathered, holding their horses. -They were talking excitedly; one man -pointed to the motor-bicycle, another in -the direction of the cave. They must have -realised that they had their quarry safe, if -they could get at him. There was no way -up the hill-side. He must be concealed -somewhere in the patch of scrub between -them and the hill. To escape he would -have to come down to the track within a -space of about a hundred yards above and -below the stream. By thoroughly beating -the scrub they supposed they could drive -him out.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The discussion soon came to an end. -They tied up their horses; then, leaving one -man to guard the motor-cycle, so that -if Tim ran from cover he could not escape -them, they scattered, and began to advance. -They might have been hunters stalking a -tiger through jungle. They moved warily, -and only now and then were visible to the -anxious watcher at the cave. With a rifle -he could have picked them off; the revolver -was useless until they came to close quarters. -He had a fleeting hope that they might pass -the entrance to the cave without discovering -it, and as they drew nearer he slipped back -out of sight. His nerves tingled; minute -after minute went by, and he had almost -concluded that the men must have overshot -the hiding-place when the curtain of foliage -was bent aside, letting in a gleam of light. -The entrance was discovered!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The screen was dropped again. No -doubt the men were discussing what they -should do. The opening was narrow. To -attempt to carry such a place by assault -might give the boldest pause. Some one -must go first, and that man, if the defender -was resolved to fight, was certain to be -shot. The men were not particularly -courageous; but there was a price on the -Inglés boy, and even timorous folk will -pluck up their courage when there is a -reward in view.</span></p> -<div class="align-center auto-scaled figure margin" style="width: 91%" id="figure-80"> -<span id="a-check-at-the-cave"></span><img class="align-center block" style="display: block; width: 100%" alt="A CHECK AT THE CAVE" src="images/img-238.jpg" /> -<div class="caption centerleft figure-caption margin"> -<span class="italics">A CHECK AT THE CAVE</span></div> -</div> -<p class="pnext"><span>When some minutes had elapsed, Tim -ventured to draw near to the entrance and -peep out through the leaves. The men were -grouped some little distance away at the -brink of the stream; he heard the murmur -of their voices. In a few moments they -separated, and spread out to right and left -of the cave, keeping as much as possible -under cover. One climbed into the tree, -and concealed himself amid the foliage. -Tim guessed what was coming, and slipped -away to the side of the cave. He was not -a moment too soon. The enemy opened -fire, and their shots, coming in different -directions, flew criss-cross into the entrance. -Fortunately the walls were soft, and the -bullets dug into them instead of ricochetting -or splintering. One fragment grazed Tim's -wrist, a warning to retreat still farther.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>After two or three volleys the firing -ceased. The enemy supposed, no doubt, -that some of their shots had taken effect, or -had at any rate driven their quarry from -the entrance. Tim rushed back to his former -post, just in time to fire his revolver as -the assailants, shouting to encourage one -another, came with a dash through the -foliage. At the threshold they were checked -by the unexpected obstacle of Tim's barrier. -For a few moments they stood there, trying -to throw it down, cursing, yelling with pain -as Tim, invisible in the inner darkness, -slowly and deliberately emptied his -revolver. This was too hot for them. They -broke away, and Tim, running to the -entrance, saw them hurrying down the slope -to find cover. They were carrying one of -their comrades; another lay across the -threshold.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They returned to the track. There was -another consultation among them; then four -of them leapt on their horses and rode away -northward. Three went on foot down the -track, doubtless to guard against surprise in -that direction; one man still remained in -charge of the bicycle, the last held the horses. -Clearly they had not abandoned their -purpose. Tim wondered what their next move -was to be. Surely the horsemen had not -ridden back to the Inca camp for help! It -was more than twenty miles distant. There -and back the journey would take several -hours. They would hardly spend so much -time with the risk of assistance coming -up from the Mollendists. The vedette who -had been killed must be relieved ere long, -and for all they knew there might be a -numerous detachment of their enemy within reach.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim was not long left in doubt. In half -an hour he saw the mounted men returning, -and recognised the explanation of their -absence. One of them carried an oblong -object which revealed itself in a few moments -as a sheet of corrugated iron. Tim wondered -where they could have got it, until he -remembered that some distance up the hill there -was a deserted hut, which had probably been -at some time occupied by a Cholo shepherd. -He jumped to the use to which the iron was -to be put. It was to serve as a shield against -his bullets.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The riders dismounted at the stream, gave -their horses to the man guarding the cycle, -and disappeared into the scrub. Some time -passed. When they emerged again Tim saw -that they had surrounded the iron with a -kind of wicker cage. It could now be carried -in front of the bearer without his exposing -himself in any way to Tim's fire. Wicker -and iron together would be impervious to a -revolver bullet.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim had a few moments to make up his -mind how to meet this ingenious device. -He slipped across the cave to the opposite -side to that at which he had formerly been -posted. The enemy would probably expect -attack from the same quarter as before, and -would turn their shield in that direction. He -had just taken up his new position when -bullets began to fly crosswise through the -entrance. After this preparatory move the -enemy made a determined rush. The first -man, bearing the shield, came in and faced -to the right, turning his back upon Tim, who -had a momentary qualm about firing from -the rear. That moment allowed the two -next men time to pull away the stools. He -felt that hesitation would be fatal, and fired. -The first man dropped with a groan, and the -shield fell clattering upon the long box. -Before Tim could fire a second shot, two men -had scrambled across on all fours, and the -entrance was darkened by their comrades -pressing behind.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>One of those who had entered sprang to -his feet and discharged his revolver at -random in the direction of Tim, whom he -was as yet unable to see, having come -suddenly out of brilliant sunshine into gloom. -Tim slipped back quickly along the wall until -he was in complete darkness, then ran on -tiptoe across the cave. Turning when he -reached the wall, he fired his barrels one -after another, slipped more cartridges into -the chambers, and crossed again. By this -manoeuvre he bewildered the enemy, who were -now, however, all in the cave, and protected -almost as much as himself by the darkness.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He did not fire again, lest the flashes -revealed his whereabouts. All that he could -hope to do was to find some defensible -position in the interior and sell his life -dearly. There was not even a chance of -dodging his enemy and slipping out, for one -man had been left near the entrance. He -was determined not to surrender. Even if -the men now hunting him did not butcher -him on the spot to avenge their fallen -comrades, the Prefect would have no mercy on -his prisoner. He must defend himself to -the last. Perhaps when it came to the final -stand he might have an opportunity of -dealing with the four men singly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He retreated slowly along the wall, listening -for the enemy, whom he was quite unable -to see. All at once he remembered the -opening at the farther end which Romaña -had shown him. A last hope flashed into -his mind. If he could slip out there, replace -the turning stone before his exit was -discovered, and pass through the waterfall into -the open, there was a bare chance of escape. -It was true that he might be discovered by -the man with the cycle, or by the others on -the watch down the track. But it was better -to be killed in a dash for liberty than cooped -up and slaughtered like a badger in a hole.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Now he hastened his steps, creeping as -fast as possible along the curving wall. -His hunters were no doubt feeling their way, -on their guard against an ambuscade. -Everything depended upon his gaining the exit -before they came to a spot where the -removal of the stone would let a little -daylight upon the scene. He ran along on -tip-toe, bruising his arms now and then when -he encountered projections from the wall, -and almost dashing his head against the -stone when he suddenly stumbled upon it. -Pressing the top, as he had seen Romaña do, -he turned the stone, clambered through the -gap on to a ledge, and in ten seconds restored -the strange gate to its place. He reflected -that the enemy, if they had seen the fleeting -gleam of light, would take some time to find -the stone and discover its manipulation, or, -on the other hand, make their way back -through the cave to the opening by which -they had entered. Whatever they did, he -had gained at least a few minutes.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>From the ledge on which he now stood he -looked eagerly about him. In front of him -was the waterfall, forming a filmy screen. -He could see through it and around it. -There was the man on the track a hundred -and fifty yards away. Farther down the -three men were still posted: they were now -on horseback. Tim hoped that they could -not see him. He was, in fact, quite invisible -to them, as a person behind a curtain in a -room is invisible to those without; though it -is difficult for the one within to realise this: -he feels that, being himself able to see, he -must himself be seen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The rough ground and scrub in front of -the cave was deserted. The solitary figure -at the end of the watercourse was in charge of -the horses of the men in the cave, and of the -three who had fallen to Tim's shots. Near -him, at the edge of the track, lay the man who -had been carried away wounded after the -first attack. Tim could not see the cycle, -but he had no doubt that it was there.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>What should he do? The men in the -cave must soon discover that he was gone. -If one had the courage to strike a match the -discovery must be made almost at once. -There was very little time. The obvious -course was to steal along the watercourse, -and gain possession either of a horse or of the -cycle. Escape on foot was impossible. He -could not go otherwise than by the track, -and as soon as he appeared there he would -be pursued by the horsemen and overtaken -in a few minutes. He resolved to creep down -to the man who stood alone, try to secure the -cycle, or, if not that, a horse, and ride away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>To reach the watercourse he had to pass -through the waterfall, or skirt it and appear -within full view from the track. He decided -on the former course. The magnified shower -bath was shattering. Though it was soon -over, he was almost stunned by the pelting -water, and emerged breathless and wet to -the skin. Pausing for a moment to recover -breath, he crept down the watercourse. -The channel was shallow; he had very little -cover; but he could not waste time in -careful scouting. At any moment the men -might return to the entrance of the cave and -discover him. But by taking advantage of -every bush and patch of long grass that he -encountered, he at last came within twenty -yards of the Peruvian unperceived. The -man had his eyes fixed on the cave, or he -could hardly have failed to see the bent form -stealing along.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Stooping until his eyes were level with the -top of the bank, Tim looked ahead. There -was the cycle, propped against a thick bush. -It was headed down the track, as he had left -it. He considered rapidly what he had better -do. He could not shoot the man in cold -blood. The alternatives were equally -hazardous. He might make a dash for the -cycle, start it, and try to get away before its -guardian could seize him. But the man was -only a few yards from it; this plan could -hardly succeed. Or he might wriggle to -within a few feet of the watchman, spring -upon him with a sudden rush, and deal him -a knock-out blow. He could not fail to be -seen at that moment by the wounded man, -if he was conscious; the alarm would be -given; but there might be just time for him -to get away before the three men lower down -the track, or the four in the cave, could take -aim at him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The latter course was recommended by -the fact that the watchman's attention was -divided between the cave and the horses he -held by the bridles. They were restless; -the jingle of their harness and the stamping -of their hoofs would mask any slight sound -that Tim might make as he approached.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He slipped his revolver into his belt and -crept along; then, gathering his strength, -hurled himself upon the unsuspecting -trooper. At the last moment of his rush -the man half turned, hearing his footsteps, -and gave him the opportunity for getting -home a smashing blow on the point of his -chin. He tumbled like a log. But the -success of the attack was almost Tim's -undoing. The horses kicked up their heels -and stampeded wildly, some up, some down -the track, one of them knocking Tim head -over heels. But there were no bones broken. -Springing to his feet, he rushed to the cycle, -and wheeled it round. The engine was still -firing; Tim ran a few yards, vaulted into -the saddle, and throwing open the throttle -to its full extent, rode up the hill after the -galloping horses. He was scarcely conscious -that the wounded man lying on the grass -near by was shouting at the top of his voice.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-puncture"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XXII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">A PUNCTURE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Tim's rush had been so swift, so silent, so -effectual, that he was already running beside -his cycle and preparing to mount before the -three men down the track, more than a -quarter of a mile away, became aware that -something was wrong. The first intimation -was the pounding of the horses' hoofs as -they took flight. They looked up to see the -cause of the sudden stampede, but Tim was -hidden from them by the galloping animals, -which were dashing downhill at so desperate -a pace that the troopers, if they waited for -them, must be almost inevitably swept off -the narrow track over the precipice. Though -they now heard the yells of the mounted -trooper above, they durst not delay, but -promptly wheeled round and set off to head -the race, intending to pull up as soon as the -frantic beasts behind them had recovered -from their fright.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile the shouts of their comrade -had brought the other men hurriedly to the -mouth of the cave, which they reached just -in time to see Tim disappear round a curve -in the track. They plunged through the -scrub, and screamed with rage when they -caught sight of the crowd of horses headed -by the three troopers far down the hill to -their right. Men of southern blood make -little attempt to control their feelings, and -these Peruvians, their vision of £500 vanished, -stamped and gesticulated and wept, venting -bitter curses upon the hapless trooper whom -Tim had felled, and who was now sitting up -and dizzily feeling his chin.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was the presence of the three men on -the track that had determined Tim to ride -northward. With them waiting for him, -ready to shoot as he passed, or before, there -would have been little chance of successfully -running the gauntlet. He had not reckoned -on the stampeding of the horses; nor had it -occurred to him at the first moment to follow -at their heels and snatch an opportunity of -slipping through in the confusion. When -he did think of it, he felt very much annoyed -with himself for being so stupid. Not that -he could have run past them: his experience -on the track soon proved that the attempt -would have been hopeless. Paradoxical as -it may appear, this only deepened his -annoyance. Three of the horses had started up -instead of down the hill. The ascent being -rather steep, they were more fatigued than -frightened before they had run a mile. The -gallop became a trot, the trot a walk, and -they were making up their simple minds to -stop and refresh themselves with herbage -from the side of the track when a creature -on two wheels came up to meddle. At the -appearance of the bicycle they kicked up -their heels and fled, all their terrors revived.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was now that Tim was angry with himself. -If this was the effect uphill, what would -it have been in the other direction? Flying -downhill after the troop, with a judicious -use of his hooter he might have kept them -all madly on the run, and even driven them -before him into the arms of his amiable -commander. It was too late now. Tim was -unreasonably irritated. An older person -might have consoled himself with the reflection -that it is easy to be wise after the event.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He had intended, when he started from -camp, to ride northward along this very -track; but he wished now that he had -remained at the cross-roads, even though that -might have involved playing nap with Colonel -Zegarra, or making himself amiable to that -gentleman's lady friends. There was danger -behind him; there might be still graver -danger ahead. Other parties of the enemy -might be coming down; perhaps the junction -of the tracks was held by them. It was a -good defensible position, covering any possible -attack on the Inca camp by way of the -eastern route. If there had been any other -path home, Tim might have taken it and -bolted, without any reason to feel that he -was a coward. But there was none; he -was compelled to follow this only -track--committed to an attempt to make the round.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was not much reason to fear pursuit. -The men whom he had tricked at the cave -had lost their steeds; the other three would -perhaps have to ride for many a mile in the -wrong direction. Like John Gilpin, they -could not help it. By the time they had -checked the stampeded animals and brought -them up the hill, a good many miles would -separate them from the quarry who had -baffled them. Tim felt quite easy on that score.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He began to take a little amusement in -the chase in which he was, for his own part, -involuntarily engaged. The riderless horses -in front of him were not at all happy. They -would gallop up the steeper inclines, -out-distance the strange thudding creature -behind them, and when they no longer heard -its snorts, slow down and begin to take -things easy. But on the more level portions -of the track, and the occasional downward -gradients, the machine made four or five -yards to their one. They had no sooner -settled down into an amble than the pertinacious -pursuer came panting at their heels, -and taking fresh alarm, they dashed on -frantically until another rise gave muscle -the advantage of mechanism. So it went on -for eight or ten miles, until the horses must -have thought--if horses think--that they -were doomed to drop at length from exhaustion, -and fall a prey to the modern centaur.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But Fate, after all, was kind to them. -Tim suddenly became aware of that -unpleasant sensation, abominable to every -cyclist, which announces a punctured tyre. -There was no loud bang, like the report of a -monster pop-gun, such as sometimes startles -pedestrians in the street, and makes horses -tremble or prance. The air was oozing -gradually away; moment by moment the -rear tyre became softer and slacker; and -Tim had to stop at once before irreparable -damage was done.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here was a disaster, the more serious -because the track was no longer flanked by a -cliff on one side and a precipice on the other, -but ran along the crest of an exposed ridge, -from which he could see a long way before -and behind and on either hand. He could -see--he might also be seen. The track -afforded no cover, the country at either side -very little. If he wheeled the cycle to right -or left in search of a sheltered nook in which -to make his repairs, he would spend much -time in getting there and back again. The -enemy were doubtless now hot in pursuit. -Missing the tracks of his wheels they would -hunt for him, and here there was no cave, no -waterfall, only a scattered bush or two. -They would easily find him, and then!...</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim sprang off the machine in a hurry. -His only chance was to mend it on the track. -He rested it against a rock, shot a glance -around, then knelt to examine the tyre. -Now, as every one knows, it is sometimes -not easy to locate a puncture. Tim hoped -that it would not be a case of immersing the -tube in water, for that would involve going -down to the river half a mile away. Luckily -the puncture was a fairly large one, and easily -seen. The outer cover of the tyre was cut -through for about two inches, and the -perforation had extended to the inner tube.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He opened the pouch in which he carried -a few small tools and material for making -temporary repairs. From it he took a -phial of rubber solution, a strip of canvas, -and a "gaiter"--a thickness of rubber -vulcanised to two or three layers of strong -canvas, shaped to the tyre, with hooks at -the bottom. The first step was to repair -the inner tube. This he did by smearing -the cut with the solution and sticking on a -rubber patch. Then he fastened the canvas -by means of the solution to the inside of the -outer cover, over the rent, to prevent the -inner tube from being chafed by the rough -edges made by the cut. The last operation -was to fix the gaiter to the rim by its hooks. -All this took some time. In tyre mending, -as in other things, the more haste the less -speed. Tim worked with deliberate care, -glancing up and down the track from time -to time. At last, after about half an hour's -work, he straightened himself, satisfied that -the tyre was good for a few hundred miles, -and much relieved that he had been able -to complete the repairs without interruption.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It only remained to inflate the tyre. He -had just inserted the pump when a succession -of faint irregular clicks fell on his ear. -Turning hastily, he looked down the track. He -had a good view of it for half a mile. At -that distance it curved out of sight, but was -visible again for a short stretch a mile lower -down, and still farther in patches. The air -was very clear; every tree and hillock was -sharply defined in the sunlight; there was -nobody in sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But the clicks were growing louder; they -seemed to be the sounds of iron-shod hoofs -upon the rocky ground. He gazed down the -track, passing from patch to patch over the -intervening bluffs and the stretches of rough -country where it was not visible. The -sounds came beyond question from his left; -still he could see nobody.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Meanwhile he was pumping hard, keeping -his head turned in the direction of the -sounds. All at once he caught sight of six -or seven dark specks moving towards him -along the sunlit track. He guessed that -they were about a mile away. There was -just time to fill his tyre before they came up -with him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The pursuers were now hidden by a curve -in the track. He pumped on; the tyre was -almost fully inflated. Suddenly he heard a -shout, and saw a horseman round the bend -half a mile below. He instantly whipped off -the pump, turned the petrol tap, and had -run a yard or two with the machine when -he remembered that in his haste he had left -his pouch on the ground. He could not -afford to lose that. Backing, he recovered -it, thrust it into his pocket, and in another -twenty seconds was running slowly up the hill.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Glancing over his shoulder, he saw five men -galloping after him. They were no more -than a quarter-mile away, shouting, urging -their horses to their utmost speed, gaining -on him. But the crest of the hill was near; -then the track was level for a while; then -had a downward incline. The engine worked -well; the cycle breasted the slope, gained -the flat, and sped on at forty miles an hour.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A minute after Tim topped the crest, the -horsemen reached the same spot on their -panting steeds. They yelled with rage and -disappointment when they saw their quarry -bowling along at a speed that a Pegasus might -envy. One took a shot at him, but Tim, -bending over the handle-bar, offered a low -target, and escaped injury. In two minutes -he had turned a corner and was out of sight.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="a-leap-for-life"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XXIII</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">A LEAP FOR LIFE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>When Tim had ridden three or four miles -farther, and felt at ease as far as the pursuers -were concerned, he came upon the three -stampeded horses again. They were -peacefully browsing on some scanty herbage at -the edge, quite content, no doubt, to be -free from their human burdens. At the -sound of the engine they once more took to -flight, and the violent play they made with -their heels suggested to Tim that they -indignantly resented the disturbance of their meal.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was now riding so fast that he could -soon have overtaken the animals, in spite of -the upward gradient. But if he did so, he -would either run the risk of coming into -collision with one of them, or drive them over -the edge of the track on the left, and down -the somewhat steep and dangerous slope to -the river. It occurred to him that he might -do better to moderate his pace and keep -fairly close on their heels. They might prove -useful. The cross-track to which he would -come presently was somewhat looser than -that on which he was riding. If the enemy -happened to be at the cross-roads beyond, -the horses and the dust they raised might -serve him as a temporary screen. So he -opened his air throttle a little, and closed the -petrol throttle to the same extent, maintaining -a speed that would keep the horses -on the run without exposing him to the risk -of being overtaken.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He soon found that there was a certain -disadvantage in following upon the heels of -the horses. On coming into the cross-track, -he was enveloped in a cloud of dust, thick -enough to prevent his seeing more than a -few yards ahead. The dust and the bodies -of the animals completely shut out the view, -and he realised that as he neared the fork -he would be quite unable to tell what awaited -him there. He thought it advisable to drop -a little behind. No doubt the horses would -turn to the left when they reached the -crossroads, and gallop towards the Inca -camp--the place which for some days past they had -associated with fodder. If the enemy had -not actually passed the fork and marched -down the eastern track, he might manage -to turn into it unperceived under cover of -the dust-cloud, and soon ride out of danger.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Slackening down until he had doubled his -distance from the horses, he noticed on his -right hand a belt of trees which, if his -memory was not at fault, extended for nearly -a mile along the southern edge of the cross-track -until it joined the eastern path. With -one eye on the horses and the other on the -trees he watched for the branching of the -tracks. It came sooner than he expected. -Suddenly the horses swerved to the left; a -few seconds afterwards he turned to the -right, and felt the machine quicken under -him on the downward incline.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At that instant he heard the loud crackle -of rifles behind him. Posted among the -trees just above the fork there was a body of -men who, watching with astonishment the -maddened gallop of three riderless horses, -caught a faint glimpse of the motor-cycle as -it emerged from the whirling dust. They -fired too hurriedly to hit the mark. At the -sound of the shots Tim bent double and let -the machine go. Riding at the rate of thirty -miles an hour he knew that the enemy could -not catch him on horseback on this particular -portion of the track. But when he came to -the foot of the hill, and began to climb a -long rise, he glanced round and saw a large -troop of horsemen dashing down in pursuit. -They were a long way behind, and unless -some accident befell the machine, he was -sure that he could outpace them with ease.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The track wound frequently. For long -stretches he was hidden from the pursuers. -Looking back now and then he noticed with -satisfaction, whenever they came in sight, -that he was steadily increasing the interval -between him and them. He might have run -away altogether if he had driven the machine -at full speed; but the track was very rough, -and he felt that he must watch it carefully -if he was to avoid the risk of a second -puncture, or of collision with some boulder. -Downhill he often had to check his pace, -and so could not take full advantage -of the descents to give him impetus for the -upward gradients of the switchback. But -as mile after mile was covered he became -less and less fearful of being caught; and -when, at the end of a long, straight stretch, -he saw that the enemy were at least two miles -behind, he was perfectly easy in mind, and -only wondered why they had not given up -the hopeless chase.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His former journeys on this track had -made him pretty familiar with the landmarks, -and as he rode up a long incline, he -knew that he would soon be in sight of the -wooden bridge over the ravine, beyond -which the party of Japanese were posted. -A few miles of switchback, and then he -would have a downward run home. But -on rising slowly over the crest, he was -staggered to see a troop of some twenty -horsemen halted no more than half a mile -in front of him. The track dipped to within -about a hundred yards of the spot where -they were standing, then bent somewhat -sharply upwards, and disappeared over the -brow rather more than half a mile ahead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim instantly realised the desperate -position into which he had come unawares. His -first impulse was to screw on his brakes and -dismount, to avoid rushing headlong among -the enemy. But in a flash he saw that to -do so would be simply to give himself into -their hands, or into the hands of the men -behind him. There was no escape either on -the right or the left. The only possible -course was to ride on and take his chance. -Setting his teeth, and crouching almost flat -over the handle-bar, he opened the throttle, -and shot down the hill, sounding his hooter -violently all the way.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>If he had had the leisure to calculate the -possible result he could scarcely have -anticipated the success of his action. The -horsemen instinctively edged away to the sides -of the track, and on to the edge of the -rough moorland which bounded it on the -east. Some had the presence of mind to -whip out their pistols, but as the cycle raced -towards them with ever-quickening speed -they found themselves in trouble with their -horses, which began to quiver and sweat -and prance at the strange sight and the -terrifying sounds. Down flew the cycle, -Tim gripping the handle-bar hard, no longer -able to pick his course, but keeping the middle -of the track, rough or smooth. He was -unconscious of jerks and jolts; blind to the -risk of puncture; in that critical half-minute -he thought of nothing but the task of steering -so as to avoid collision with the enemy, a -disaster which they on their part were no -less anxious to escape.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was upon them, in a whirl of dust -raised by the wind of his flight. A thrill -shot through every fibre as he skimmed -danger by a hair's breadth. One of the -horses was cavorting on his hind legs, and -his rider, almost as frantic as the animal, -turned him into a whirligig by hard tugging -at the bridle. A few shots were fired by -the other troopers, but no man could take -steady aim from the back of a rearing horse, -at an object flashing by at forty miles an -hour. With a rush and a whizz Tim was past.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But his momentary joy at having got -through vanished as he felt the slackening -of speed enforced by the steep incline beyond. -On his former journey he had dismounted -and wheeled the machine. There was a -great hubbub behind him. The throbbing -hum of his engine was smothered by the -clatter of the horses' hoofs, and the yells of -their riders spurring them on. Short as the -ascent was, its angle was so sharp as to -neutralise in great measure the impetus he -had gained downhill. Moment by moment -the machine flagged, and, without looking -behind, he was conscious that the pursuers -were gaining. He feared that his engine -power would not suffice to bring him to the -top, upon which he fixed his eyes as it were -imploringly. How far away it seemed!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He pressed the pace to the uttermost. The -machine toiled up and up; the uproar behind -grew louder. He was beginning to despair. -The cycle seemed to be crawling. Would -the engine hold out? At last, with what -appeared to be a final heave, it crept over -the crest. The downward slope had begun, -and the cycle dropped down with a rush -which carried it easily to the top of the -farther rise. With a sigh of thankfulness -Tim knew that he had now increased his lead.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At this point the track began to wind -round the face of the cliff on his right. A -few minutes would bring him within sight -of the bridge. But there was still one long -climb before him, and here, if the pursuers -could last the pace, they would have the -advantage of him. He glanced back; they -were just rounding the curve, perhaps a -quarter-mile distant. This was the crisis of -the chase. As the cycle laboured up the -hill, Tim was aware that the gap was rapidly -diminishing. When he gained the top, he -had scarcely fifty yards to spare. But now -for three or four hundred yards the track -was level, and the horsemen yelled with -rage as they saw their quarry once more -slipping from their clutches. They had no -chance against him on the flat. By the time -he reached the point where the track dipped -to the mile-long descent to the bridge, they -had lost more than a hundred yards.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The bridge was not yet in sight. The -track bent to the left somewhat sharply. In -ordinary circumstances Tim would now have -clapped on the brakes, but he was strung up -to attempt any feat of daring, and after the -first hundred yards of the hill he contented -himself with closing the throttle. He swung -perilously round the bend, and looking ahead, -saw the bridged ravine three-quarters of a -mile away. A horseman was galloping -towards it--doubtless one of his vedettes. -But why was he dashing so desperately -towards the bridge?</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim lowered his eyes, for he wore no -goggles, and the wind created by his pace -made them smart and tingle. He was -halfway down the slope when a dull report below -him caused him to look up again. Where, -a few seconds before, the bridge had been, -there was now a cloud of smoke. His orders -had been carried out only too thoroughly: -the bridge was blown up!</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He was thunderstruck. Reckless and -impulsive as he was, prone to play many a -mad prank on his bicycle, he had never -attempted such a feat as now, in the -twinkling of an eye, he saw himself committed to. -The ravine was more than thirty feet across. -He would reach it in half a minute. No -power on earth could check his descent. He -must either plunge into the chasm, fifty feet -deep, or leap the gap.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>How can his sensations be described! -Every second his speed was quickening. -The steepness of the slope induced the -feeling that he was dropping into space. -He was conscious of the strange heaving -sensation that a person feels on descending -in a rapidly-moving lift. His body seemed -to be flying upward. The air rushed past, -scarifying his flesh, catching his breath, -stunning his ears so that he did not -hear the report of a dozen rifles across the -gap. Down, down, faster than an express -train, as fast as a racing motor-car, his -body rigid, his mind working swifter than -the electric flash--down to he knew not what.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On either side of the bridge the ground -had been cleared. He must avoid the ruins -of the bridge; he would steer to one side of -it. As he swooped meteor-like towards the -gap the space on his right widened out, and -the ground made a slight ascent to the brink -of the ravine. A touch on the handle-bar -altered his course a point or two. Barely -conscious of the rise, breathless and dizzy, -he shut his eyes at the fateful moment--and -the machine shot off the brink of the ravine -like a stone from a catapult. For a fraction -of a second he was in mid air, the wheels -whirring beneath him. Then there was a -tremendous thud as they struck the ground -011 the opposite side. The machine raced -up the incline; the speed slackened; -instinctively he applied the brakes; and in a -few more seconds he fell rather than jumped -from the saddle, and dropped panting, a -mass of quivering nerves, upon the track.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A group of Japanese flocked about him. -One gave him water from a mug. All were -trembling with excitement. When he had -collected himself, and inquired what had -become of the pursuers, he learnt that, as -they rode headlong down the hill behind -him, two of the horses had slipped and -brought their riders to the ground. The -rest had reined up at the volley from the -Japanese. Apparently none had been hit, -but recognising that further pursuit was -hopeless, they had stood watching the last -few hundred yards of the cycle's flashing -course. The Japanese had been too much -amazed and alarmed to fire again. Both the -parties looked on as at a thrilling spectacle. -After the cycle had made its leap their -amazement held them motionless for a -while. Then, at a second volley, the enemy -wheeled round and galloped away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim asked why the bridge had been fired. -The vedette explained that, descrying the -heads of a large number of horsemen over -the tops of the bushes on the crest of the -hill, he had dashed back to give the alarm -according to orders. The cycle, being lower, -had been invisible to him. His comrades -were so eager to carry out their instructions -that even when Tim came into view they -were too much occupied to see him, and -only when the match was kindled, and they -ran back to a position of safety, did they -perceive with horror that they had, as they -thought, cut off their master's chance of -escape. Tim waived away their humble -apologies; they had obeyed orders; and now -that the strain of his nerve-shattering -experiences was relaxed, he could afford to -smile. The eastern track, at any rate, was -impassable to the enemy.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="from-dan-to-beersheba"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XXIV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">FROM DAN TO BEERSHEBA</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Colonel Zegarra was holding a levee -of his admirers from the town when Tim -returned to camp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, my young friend, have you made -any interesting discoveries?" he asked, from -among a group of ladies as Tim passed.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Several, señor," replied Tim. "Among -other things, what it feels like to fly through -the air on wheels."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Very interesting," said the gentleman in -amiable ignorance. "I was not aware that -your machine could fly. How marvellous is -the progress of invention!" he added, turning -to the ladies.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Wonderful!" they cried, clapping their hands.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Will you show us how you do it, Señor -Tim?" said the colonel's daughter.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I regret, señorita, that it is impossible -here," said Tim, laying his hand on his heart -in the local way. "It requires a hill a mile -long; a number of the Prefect's men pelting -down after you, and bellowing like bulls; a -ravine thirty feet wide spanned by a bridge; -and some good obedient fellows who will -blow up the bridge at the critical moment. -These conditions do not exist every day, -señorita."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The girl looked puzzled. Then a light dawned.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Is it a joke, Señor Tim?" she asked with -a smile. She knew something of Tim's jokes -in carnival time.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"A joke that won't bear repetition, -señorita," he replied, and then bowed himself away.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The eastern track being now impassable, -he thought it sufficient to leave a few men -at the broken bridge to guard against any -attempt to repair it. The rest he withdrew -to the camp. One of the vedettes on the -western track having been surprised and -killed, he decided as a precaution for the -future to place the men in couples. He did -not enlighten Colonel Zegarra, when the -visitors had gone, as to his flight through -the air, but simply informed him that the -bridge had been blown up to check a troop -of the Prefect's horsemen.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Before he retired for the night he -thoroughly examined the cycle, and found that -the tyres, though showing signs of wear, were -as yet sound. He gave it to one of the -Japanese to clean, and then sought his couch, -worn out by the racking experiences of the day.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Next morning word was brought that the -enemy were advancing in force along the -western track. Colonel Zegarra was not -lacking in courage, and the plan of action -to be followed in the event of attack had -been settled in several conversations between -himself and Tim. The ground on both sides -of the track for half a mile from the cross-roads -was fairly open, affording a clear field -for fire. Though the enemy outnumbered -the Mollendists, the latter had the advantage -of being the defenders. Their position, -protected by earthworks and the fringe of -wood, was so strong that an attempt to -force it ought not to succeed. To harass the -enemy in flank, Tim had arranged to post -himself with a small detachment in a dense -copse on the left of the track about a mile in -front of the camp. With luck he might not -be discovered; if he was attacked, the -closeness of the trees would enable him to make -a good defence. He chose thirty of his own -Japanese for this duty, knowing their good -fighting qualities and their absolute personal -loyalty to him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>They had been stationed in the copse for -some hours before the head of the enemy's -column appeared. The men were on foot. -Tim had intended to worry them as they -advanced, but it now occurred to him that -he would do better to hold his hand until -the attack developed. If Colonel Zegarra -should be in difficulties, a sudden assault -on the enemy from the rear might turn the -scale.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The enemy opened out as they approached -the cross-roads, intending to surround the -camp. They made a concerted rush, but in -the lack of artillery they were seriously -handicapped, and after several attempts had -failed, they fell back to cover. Some -retreated in the direction of the copse. Tim -saw his opportunity. Bidding his men wait -until they were within a few hundred yards, -he then gave the order to fire. In the shock -of surprise the enemy fell into disorder, and -fled in all directions. Their confusion was -communicated to the whole force, and soon -the discomfited rabble were in full retreat, -suffering severely as they crossed the line of -fire from the camp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Colonel Zegarra rose to the occasion. -Ordering his men to mount, he led them in -pursuit. The retreat became a rout. Ridden -down by the horsemen, cut up by the steady -firing of Tim's men in the copse, the enemy -were a disorganised mob before they reached -their horses, which they had left about two -miles down the track. Some succeeded in -mounting, and galloped away. Others were -headed off, and were made prisoners. Within -an hour of the first attack the Prefect's -eastern force was shattered, and no longer -existed as a fighting unit.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>There was great jubilation among the -Mollendists. On returning to camp Colonel -Zegarra at once penned a flowery despatch -to Mr. O'Hagan announcing his victory. -The courier had not been gone long when -Romaña rode up in haste, bearing a verbal -message from the commander-in-chief. After -long delay the Prefect was making a -determined effort to force the defile, and -Mr. O'Hagan asked for a reinforcement of fifty -men, if they could be spared. It was -arranged that Tim should start at once with -fifty horsemen. It seemed unlikely that -the troops just defeated would rally, but -for assurance' sake he persuaded Romaña -to remain at the cross-roads, to advise -Colonel Zegarra if the enemy should attempt -any movement which must be met rather by -craft than by courage.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim rode ahead of his troop on the -motorcycle. When about a third of the way to -the defile, he suddenly discovered on his -left a considerable number of men on foot -descending from the hills towards the -highroad. Their intention clearly was either to -take the main Mollendist army in the rear, -or to make a swoop on the cross-roads and -then to San Rosario. Tim guessed that his -father was unaware of this complication. -The men must have been for at least two -days on the march, for the hills were generally -regarded as impracticable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim halted for a few moments to make a -rapid calculation. His father and Colonel -Zegarra must be warned. If he rode on, -the enemy, though at present a long distance -away, would be on the road between him and -Colonel Zegarra by the time he returned. -On the other hand he might ride to the -colonel and back before they reached the -road, in which case he would still have a -chance of slipping by.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He remounted and dashed back at full -speed, ordering his horsemen when he met -them to halt and be on the alert. Colonel -Zegarra agreed to move out with all his -troops, and if he found the enemy on the -road, marching towards the defile, to hang -on their rear. Then Tim set off again. -He commanded his horsemen to await -Colonel Zegarra; it seemed more important -for the moment that the colonel should have -his full number than that the party should -press on to reinforce Mr. O'Hagan.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The head of the flanking column was only -half a mile from the road when Tim dashed -by. To some extent screened by trees and -bushes, he became the target for the enemy's -fire as he passed patches of open country. -But he escaped unhurt, thanks to his speed -and to the windings of the road, which caused -his direction to alter frequently, and baffled -the riflemen's aim. In a few minutes he -was out of range, in a few more out of sight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On approaching the defile, Tim heard -sounds of heavy firing. The Prefect's attack -was evidently being hotly pressed. He -found the Mollendist force some distance -farther east than he had expected. They -occupied the rocks on either side of the road, -and were firing along the defile. Just as -Tim arrived he heard the distant roar of -a gun, and a shell crashed high up among the -rocks at his right hand. He slipped off his -bicycle, and hurried to find his father.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan greeted the boy with especial warmth.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pardo gave me a terrible scare when he -told me he had got you," he said. "What -happened?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim related how he had been dealt with -at the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"He had the cheek to come to you, then," -he said. "Why didn't he go to the Prefect?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I suspect he did. He wanted to make -sure of his price."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The wretch said my price had gone up. -What did he ask?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"The hacienda!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim whistled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You kicked him out, I hope?" he said -indignantly.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, Tim, you see Colonel Zegarra's -despatch with your postscript came just in -time, or---- But that's all over. How are -things going?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We have fairly smashed the lot from -the Inca camp. They attacked this morning. -Romaña brought your message, and I was -hurrying up with fifty men when I saw a -detachment of the enemy, about two hundred -strong, I think, marching over the hills -towards the road, so I rode back and asked -Zegarra to bring up all his men and then -came on ahead to tell you."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's very bad news," said Mr. O'Hagan, -somewhat perturbed. "I've as -much as I can do to hold my own here. As -you see, they've brought a couple of guns -to bear on us."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Where are they?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Up in the hills yonder. How they were -dragged there I can't imagine. They're -at least a thousand feet up. The Prefect -has more energy and resource than I -expected. When the guns opened fire this -morning we had to abandon the head of the -defile. We're pretty safe here for the -moment, and can check any attempt to -force the passage; but I dare say the Prefect -will find another position for the guns where -they can command us, and then we shall -have to fall back again. With two hundred -men threatening our rear----"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Couldn't you spare some men to deal with them?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's a capital idea, Tim. It will -take a long time to move the guns to a new -position. We'll try it. I'll take a hundred -and fifty men myself. You had better stay -here; you've done your share."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'd rather come with you," said Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I dare say, but you had better go and -report to the President what you have been -doing. He's rather down in the mouth, and -your victory at the cross-roads will cheer him."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Mr. O'Hagan soon set off with his men, -all mounted. When he returned a few hours -later, he was flushed with success. The -Prefect's hill column found itself in the -position in which it had hoped to catch the -Mollendists--bottled up between two forces, -which equalled or exceeded it in number, -and were much fresher. Instead of -attacking, the enemy were attacked. Fatigued -after their long and difficult march, they -were in no condition to make a prolonged -resistance, and fell back before Mr. O'Hagan's -impetuous onset. They were seeking a -strong position when Colonel Zegarra dashed -suddenly upon their rear. Hopelessly -entrapped, they lost heart. Some flung down -their arms and surrendered, others dispersed -and sought safety in the hills.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>With Mr. O'Hagan returned Colonel -Zegarra and the greater part of his force, -a small detachment being sent back to keep -an eye on the road to San Rosario. President -Mollendo, whose volatile spirits had already -been exalted by Tim's report of the morning's -success, was carried away by delight at the -Prefect's second discomfiture on the same -day. He insisted on promoting Tim captain -on the spot, and made an oration to the -troops which moved many of them to tears, -and confirmed their belief that they had -in Carlos Mollendo a statesman of the -highest rank.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>While this orgy of sentiment was in -progress, Mr. O'Hagan was discussing -matters with Tim quietly in the background.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"That's all very well," he said, jerking -his head towards the spot where Mollendo -was perorating, "but it doesn't prevent the -Prefect from hauling his guns. I quite -expect that to-morrow he will begin to shift -them in this direction, and when they begin -to play we can't hold the defile another -half-hour."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"What then, Father?" asked Tim.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why, then we shall be compelled to fall -back on San Rosario. The Prefect has -three men to our one; and the moment -the tide seems to be turning in his favour a -lot of ours are sure to desert. It's the way -of things here. But for the guns we could -hold him off for months, so long as Galdos -keeps up the supplies--though I'm afraid -of ammunition running short. The two -checks the Prefect has had to-day are -decided set-backs, but we are not much -better off unless we can take the heart out -of him. If we could only capture his guns, now!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Why not?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well, if you can suggest a way, do so. -But don't reckon without your host. They're -at least a thousand feet up, somewhere on -that ridge. The War Office of this republic -being unable to supply field-glasses, I haven't -located them exactly. To climb the hill -in face of the enemy would be a pretty -tough job in itself, and the guns are pretty -sure to be well guarded."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I'll try it to-night," said Tim, "with a -few of our Japs. Some of them were in the -war with Russia, and it won't be the first -time they've had such night-work."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I don't want to disappoint you," said -Mr. O'Hagan, pulling at his moustache, -"but it's too risky--indeed it is. What -would your poor mother say?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim was so well accustomed to this appeal -</span><em class="italics">ad matrem</em><span> that it had quite lost its effect.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"She'd jib to begin with, to be sure," -he said, "but she'd give in in the end; she -always does when it's not an absolute -question of right or wrong. You'd better -say yes, Father."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was on the tip of his tongue to relate -the adventures of the previous day, but he -reflected that the story might have quite -the opposite effect from what he intended. -Mr. O'Hagan's last instructions to him had -been not to go adventuring, and though -he felt that he could hardly be blamed for -adventures which had hurled themselves at -him unsought, it was probable that his -father would not recognise any reasoning -of that kind. So he confined his arguments -strictly to the matter in hand. Mr. O'Hagan's -opposition was really half-hearted. -He had come to have great faith -in Tim's resourcefulness and luck. -Ultimately he agreed to let the boy do what he -had suggested; the success of his scheme -might prove to be the turning-point of the -struggle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Helped by a half-moon, Tim set off about -midnight with a dozen of the Japanese -who had served in the army, including -three gunners. As weapons they carried -only revolvers and knives, with a good -supply of cartridges. One of them had a -dark lantern for signalling the result of the -expedition to Mr. O'Hagan. Slipping down -the road for some distance in the direction -of San Rosario, they turned to the right, -and roped themselves together for the climb -into the hills.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was the hardest job that Tim had ever -undertaken. He had no compass, and could -only direct his course by the position of the -moon. Its light was not sufficient to enable -him to choose the easiest way. There was -no path. At the head of the line he -clambered up wherever he could find -foothold, sometimes, indeed, crawling on -all-fours up slippery slopes, scrambling over -or between boulders, now and then brought -up by a sheer wall of rock impossible to -scale. The party had often to rest and -recover breath, and the ascent was so -arduous and slow that he was a little uneasy -lest the dawn should surprise them before -they gained the summit. To make matters -worse the moon was dropping, and its -incessant change of position rendered it a -far from trustworthy guide.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At last, after three hours of fatiguing -work, they reached the crest of the ridge, -where they caught sight of the lights in the -Prefect's camp below them far away to the -west. Tim guessed that the guns were -placed somewhere along the ridge. He stole -along quietly, stopping now and again to -listen for signs of the men in charge. -Presently he came to a formidable buttress of -rock projecting over the valley and rising -many feet above the general level. It -appeared to be the highest point in this part -of the country, and if the top was flat, was -the most likely place to have been chosen -for the gun platform. Whispering to his -men to move as quietly as possible, he led -them along a narrow ledge on the face of -the cliff below the buttress, edging into the -wall on his left hand so as to avoid a fatal -fall into the depths.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>At the farther end of the ledge he halted. -It was now almost dark; the moon had -descended below the hills on the opposite -side of the road. But by aid of the last -lingering sheen he detected signs of recent -pick-work on the ground, just beyond the -spot where he stood. Evidently a squad -of labourers had been employed to clear a -passage for the guns. There was no sound. -Casting off the rope, Tim stole forward -alone, and soon discovered a rough path -leading in the reverse direction towards the -rear of the buttress.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>His heart pumping with excitement, he -returned to the men, and whispered his -final instructions. There was to be no -firing unless they had to defend themselves -against overpowering numbers. Then he led -them on noiselessly up the path. It ended -sooner than he expected. He came suddenly -to a level space of some extent, on which he -saw two guns, pointing over the valley. -Stretched on the ground behind them were -ten men. They were asleep. Secure in -their supposed inaccessibility, they had -posted no guard.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim paused a moment, then ordered his -men to steal round until they completely -encompassed the sleeping crew. At a low -whistle from him they sprang forward; there -was a brief and almost silent struggle; and -the enemy, only half awake, found themselves -prisoners. Not a shot was fired; scarcely -a wound was given.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Hurrying to the edge of the buttress with -the lamp, Tim flashed it three times into the -darkness. He knew that his father at the -end of the defile, more than a mile away, -would be anxiously watching. Then he -returned to the guns. By the light of the -lamp, carefully screened from the enemy's -camp, the Japanese loaded the guns and -swung them round until they pointed to the -west. When he started, Tim had expected -that, if he succeeded at all, he would only -be able to spike the guns and then run for -it. But having captured the small party -of gunners, he saw no reason why he should -not turn his success to account. It was -now nearly four o'clock. Dawn would break -very soon. And he thrilled with delight in -the anticipated surprise in store for the -Prefect.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The men waited impatiently. On this -hill-top they would have earlier light than -the troops below. By the time that the -first rosy gleam stole out of the east the -gunners were at their posts. This was work -after their own hearts. The guns were not -the perfect machines to which they were -accustomed, and they laid them with especial -care. The shadows upon the camp at the -head of the defile dissolved. As soon as -there was light enough, the two gunners -fired almost at the same instant, shattering -the still morning. A thousand echoes -reverberated across the valley, and rolled -diminuendo from crag to crag. Before they -died away Tim caught the faint sound of -cheers from his father's camp.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The two shells had plunged into the -centre of the enemy's position, causing a -wild rush for shelter. The Prefect's first -feeling was consternation. There was no -artillery in San Rosario; whence had the -enemy obtained the guns? Why had not -his own gunners replied? As he looked up -towards the platform on which they were -posted he saw two swift flashes, and two -more shells whistled overhead and crashed -on the rocks just above him. His question -was answered; the Mollendists, the despised -brigands, had captured his guns and turned -them upon him. In that bitter moment he -wished, perhaps, that he had lent a less -ready ear to the suggestions of Miguel Pardo. -All the enterprise and daring which his -enemy had recently shown was inspired, -not by Carlos Mollendo, but by the foreigners, -and they, but for Pardo, might have been -with him, or at least not against him.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>It was soon apparent that matters were -serious. Shells were dropping into the defile -as fast as the gunners could load. Already -they had done much damage, and panic -was spreading through the ranks. The men -were seeking cover; some were already -running to the rear, where the horses were -tethered; none had any spirit for fight. -While this disorder reigned, there was a -sudden cry that the brigands were charging -up the defile. The Prefect's troops vastly -outnumbered Mr. O'Hagan's, but he had -no advantage of them now. They had no -faith in their cause, no enthusiasm for their -leader. Disheartened by previous failure, -demoralised by the bombardment of their -own guns, they were deaf to the Prefect's -passionate entreaties to stand firm. They -answered him with oaths and curses. Nor -was the Prefect of the stuff of heroes. He -was not the man to gather about him a few -choice spirits and steadfastly defend the -pass. Surrounded, almost swept away by -the yelling mob of his terror-stricken army, -he elbowed his way through them, to gain -the tree to which his horse was tied. He -had better have allowed himself to be borne -away on foot among his men. Mounted, he -presented a conspicuous object to the head -of the eager little force charging up the road. -A dozen rifles were levelled at him; a dozen -bullets sang through the air; and when the -Prefect's body was lifted after the defile -was cleared, it was found riddled.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The attack having been made on foot, no -effective pursuit could be maintained. So -precipitate, indeed, was the flight of the -cowed troops, that only the laggards of the -rear were in much danger, Mr. O'Hagan's -victory was almost bloodless. The fugitives -poured into San Juan; the wildest reports -found easy credence there. It became -known by and by that the Prefect was -killed, a piece of news at which more than -his enemies rejoiced. The magnates of the -town were hurriedly called together; they -agreed to accept the new republic; and -when, in the course of the afternoon, Señor -Mollendo and Mr. O'Hagan rode in at the -head of their troops, they were received -with acclamations by the populace, and with -a flowery address by the officials. The -wheel of fortune had lifted the outlaw to -the headship of the State.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="the-ravine"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XXV</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">THE RAVINE</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>Much to his disappointment, Tim was not -a spectator of President Mollendo's triumphal -entrance into his capital. He did not hear -the eloquent oration delivered from the -steps of the court house, nor was he present -at the banquet at which the President fell -on Mr. O'Hagan's neck, and kissed him amid -the frantic plaudits of the company. When -Tim saw the troops charging up the defile, -he set off to join them, leaving the Japanese -in charge of the guns. At some risk to -his neck he scrambled down the face of the -hill, and came up with the little army in -time to take a share in the final scenes. -When the victory was assured, Mr. O'Hagan -sent him with Romaña and a hundred men -back to San Rosario, to report the defeat -and death of the Prefect, and keep order -in the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>San Rosario had quietly accepted the -new régime. The few well-to-do people, -who had suffered from the Prefect's levies, -hoped that the system of benevolences was -buried, and were prepared to give the new -President a chance; the poorer folk cared -little who their ruler was, or what the nature -of the government, provided they were able -to earn their living in peace. Señor Fagasta -was perhaps the only unhappy man in the town.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Finding that everything was peaceful and -orderly in the town, Tim thought he might -venture to visit the hacienda, arrange for -the necessary repairs to be made to the -house against his father's return, and reopen -work on the plantations, which would soon -become a wilderness through neglect. -Accordingly, on the second evening after his -arrival in San Rosario, he rode over on his -motor-cycle, accompanied by Romaña on -horseback. Biddy Flanagan was still alone -in possession of the house. She welcomed -Tim heartily, but was less cordial to Romaña: -he was one of "them foreigners." Her joy -at the approaching return of "the master" -was dulled by distress at the bareness of -the rooms. The establishment of a republic -was to her an insignificant event beside the -loss of the best "chainey," and military -glory did not compensate the theft of the -silver spoons. And when, early next -morning, she carried breakfast into the -dining-room, she mournfully drew attention to -the fact that she had had to make the coffee -in a delf jug.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Tis because the silver coffee-pot be -took, Master Tim," she said. "And there's -no silver spoons for the eggs, and what will -I say to the mistress when she comes home!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"We can get some more, Biddy," said -Tim. "And really, I always think that -coffee tastes better out of a jug."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"'Deed now, that's true, but 'tis not for -the likes of me to say so at all. If there was -no difference between the kitchen and the -dining-room of a gentleman's house, what -would the country be after coming to? -Sure I hope the villain is killed, and will -not be the way of troubling us again."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I wonder what became of Pardo?" -said Tim to Romaña when the old woman -was gone.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You may be sure he is not killed," said -Romaña. "Pardo is not the man to risk -his skin in the fighting line."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"No, it may give him lumbago," rejoined -Tim with a laugh. "I suppose he has gone -off with his loot. A good riddance! After -breakfast you might look round the house -and see what repairs are needed, while I go -over to the huts and tell the Jap women -that their husbands are on the way home. -It's a blessing none of the married men were -killed except the one Pierola shot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Some twenty minutes later Tim set off on -foot for the labourers' huts half a mile across -the plantation. He followed a path that -intersected a field of sugar-cane, which grew -so high that he was completely concealed. -Presently it crossed a broad stretch of grass -land separating the sugar from the coffee, -and here Tim was surprised to see recent -hoof-marks. None of his father's horses -remained on the hacienda, and he wondered -who could have ridden in this direction. -If the tracks pointed towards the house he -might have supposed that Felipe Durand -had come over to see him; but they all led -away from it, as though the rider had come -either from the stables, or from the meadow -behind the house.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Curiosity piqued him to follow up the -marks. He took no pains to walk quietly, -but his footfall was silent on the grass. The -tracks led towards the road that ran past -Durand's house and ultimately to the Inca -ruins. After about a hundred yards the -path bent to the right. On arriving at the -bend Tim started back. A little ahead a -horse was grazing. A bundle was slung -from its crupper. Just beyond, there -was a disused well, and here Tim saw a -man, whose back was towards him, turning -the windlass. He stood partially concealed -among the plants to watch. Presently a -second bundle appeared over the edge of -the well. The man untied it from the rope -and turned with it in his arms towards the -horse. Tim had already suspected his -identity, and he now saw without surprise -that it was Miguel Pardo.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Acting on impulse, he dashed forward, -hoping to reach the thief before he could -mount. But Pardo caught sight of him, -vaulted into the saddle, and galloped towards -the road. It was hopeless to pursue him -on foot. Tim had his revolver, but he was -not one to use it in cold blood. Instantly -he thought of the cycle, which was in its -shed at the back of the house. He sprinted -back, started the engine, and in a few -minutes was dashing in chase.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>He knew that Pardo, in spite of his start, -must soon be overtaken, and he had little -doubt of the direction of his flight. Neither -San Juan nor San Rosario would be safe for -him; he would almost certainly choose the -track to the Inca ruins; trusting in course of -time to be able to make his way round over -the hills, and seek refuge in another province -where he was unknown.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim flew along to the track, wheeled into it, -and looked ahead. Pardo was not in sight. -Suddenly he remembered the broken bridge. -It would certainly not have been repaired. -Tim wondered whether Pardo had heard of -its destruction. In that case he would not -have come this way, but would have chosen -the western track. If he was in ignorance -of what had happened, he would be checked -perforce at the ravine, and the chase would -soon be over. Even supposing he had -followed the other track, Tim thought that -the speed of his cycle would allow him to -ride to the bridge, make sure, return to the -cross-roads, and still overtake the fugitive, -who would no doubt slacken his pace when -he supposed himself to be unpursued.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>As Tim passed Durand's house, Felipe -came down the path. Tim afterwards -discovered that he had seen the horseman -dashing by, and wondered who could be so -foolish as to ride along a track which within -a few miles was impassable.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Pardo!" shouted Tim as he flashed past, -and Durand ran for his horse to follow the -chase.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>A mile beyond the house Tim caught sight -of his quarry. In another minute or two he -must turn at bay. No doubt he was armed, -and Tim for the first time realised that he -might presently be involved in rather a -desperate struggle. While the horse was -galloping, Pardo, encumbered as he was with -his bundle, would be unable to take steady -aim. But as soon as he came within sight -of the bridgeless ravine, he would spring from -his saddle and fire. Tim had set off in -pursuit with the simple idea of capturing -Pardo, and handing him over to the civic -authorities for trial and punishment as a -thief; but he saw now that he was not likely -to succeed without a fight.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The distance between horseman and cyclist -rapidly diminished. The long hill beyond -the ravine came in sight, but the ruins of the -bridge were as yet hidden by the short -acclivity beyond which the track dipped. -Pardo was just reaching the top of this -ascent as Tim arrived at the bottom. There -were only fifty yards between them. Before -Tim was prepared for the movement Pardo -suddenly made a half-turn in the saddle and -fired. The shot flew wide, and Tim, edging -in on the near side of the track, so that Pardo -could only use his revolver again if he turned -completely round, or twisted to the left and -fired over his shoulder, rode relentlessly on -up the ascent. In a few seconds he expected -the final tussle.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>On gaining the brow of the hill Pardo -checked, drew his restive horse across the -road, and pointing his revolver steadily, -fired. Tim had guessed his intention, and -his own shot rang out almost simultaneously. -Pardo, not allowing for his altitude, fired -too high: Tim's aim was spoilt by his bobbing -movement on the machine, and his shot -wounded the horse instead of the man. -Before either could fire again, the situation was -changed with a suddenness that for a moment -took him aback. The horse, already alarmed -by the clatter of the engine and the sound of -the shots, was rendered frantic by its wound. -Springing round on its hind legs, it took the -bit between its teeth and bolted down the -slope towards the ravine.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When Tim gained the top, he realised with -horror the desperate peril of his enemy, and -instantly forced down his brakes and stopped -the machine, in the hope that with the -cessation of the noise the animal's terror -would lessen in time for its career to be -checked. Pardo, a moment after the descent -had begun, saw the hideous gap in front of -him, and made a desperate effort to rein up. -But it was too late. The maddened horse -galloped on blindly, came to the edge of the -chasm, and instinctively made a frantic leap -for the opposite bank. It jumped short by -several feet. Then, with a scream that rang -in Tim's ears for many a day, horse and rider -plunged to the bottom.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Tim had already leapt off his machine. -He ran forward and at no small risk clambered -down the steep side of the ravine. Both -horse and horseman were dead, amid a litter -of broken pottery and scattered plate, which -had burst from the bundles. Tim shrank -from touching any of the stolen property. -White to the lips, he climbed up to the track, -and staggered into the arms of Durand, who -had followed on horseback.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 4em"> -</div> -<p class="center pfirst" id="handsome-acknowledgments"><span class="medium">CHAPTER XXVI</span></p> -<p class="center pnext"><span class="large">HANDSOME ACKNOWLEDGMENTS</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 2em"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst"><span>One evening, a few weeks after the close -of the brief campaign, the town-hall of -San Juan presented a picturesque and -even brilliant spectacle. All the important -people, and a good many of the unimportant, -of the capital and of San Rosario were -assembled in response to the President's -invitation, to celebrate the foundation of -the Republic. Two long tables ran the -length of the hall; at the top a cross table -was ranged beneath a shield bearing the -Mollendo arms. The President occupied -the centre seat. On his right hand sat -General O'Hagan, on his left a young captain -of the same name. Next in order to these -were the principal actors in this little -drama: Colonel Zegarra, his friend the -lawyer, Dr. Pereira, Nicolas Romaña, Pedro -Galdos, the Durands, father and son--for -Señor Durand, having contributed to the -Mollendist war-fund, had apparently -determined to get something for his money.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Two personages whom one would hardly -have expected to see there were Señor -Fagasta and Captain Pierola. Señor -Mollendo had been informed by Tim of the -warning given by the gobernador, which -had resulted in the discomfiture of Pardo's -night attack on the house. The President -argued from this that Señor Fagasta had -his good points; and being anxious to -conciliate the officials under the old régime -he reinstated the burly gentleman in his -former office. For the same reason he -offered to Captain Pierola, now recovered -of his wound, the command of the republican -forces, which Mr. O'Hagan, deaf to all -entreaties, had relinquished.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>In a balcony at the opposite end of the -hall sat a bevy of ladies, to watch the -feasting in which they, angelically, were -not to partake, and to hear the speeches -that would follow. Mrs. O'Hagan sat in -the centre beside Señora Mollendo. The -younger ladies, dressed with all the grace -and charm of which the Peruvian belle is -mistress, were impatient for the end of the -tiresome preliminaries: the banquet in -which they could not share, the speeches -which some of them had already heard -rehearsed, had less attractions for them than -the dance which was to round off the proceedings.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The table decorations were unusual. The -vases were filled with leaves, blossoms, and -berries of the nasturtium, of which homely -plant every guest had a flower in his -button-hole.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The courses were handed round; the -glasses of wine and pisco were filled and -emptied and filled again; and then the -President rose. A smile beamed upon his -benevolent features as he surveyed the -cheering company. A broad band of orange -satin formed a graceful loop over his white -waistcoat, and a large diamond in his -shirt-front flashed as it caught the rays of the -innumerable candles. He was a dignified -and impressive figure.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>When the cheers had subsided, he began -to speak. After a few introductory sentences, -he launched into a summary of the events -which had led up to this culminating scene. -He described the birth of the Republic, -enunciated with great eloquence the -principles which would govern his administration, -and then, turning to personal matters, -announced the honours and dignities which -he had conferred on certain of the gentlemen -whom he saw on either side. He made -graceful references to the legal attainments -of Señor Fagasta, to the military abilities of -Captain Pierola, to the loyal services of -Señores Pedro Galdos and Nicolas Romaña, -whom he had appointed respectively -treasurer and secretary of the Republic. -Then, after an expressive pause, he proceeded:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gentlemen, on this great and auspicious -occasion I have a duty to perform---a duty -of which I acquit myself with all the ardour -of an overflowing heart. There are epochs -in the life of nations when the firmament is -obscured by dark aggregations of cloud, -which exclude the radiance of heaven's -bright luminaries, and among which the -thunder rumbles with awful and portentous -reverberation. At such a period of distress -and gloom, when Rome, the heart and centre -of the ancient world, saw herself threatened -by pestilent hosts of waspish barbarians, -the eyes of men turned in their trouble -towards a simple farmer, who pursued the -avocations of bucolic life in his rural retreat, -amid sounds no more horrific than the lowing -of his cattle and the guttural ejaculations of -his swine. To him repaired a deputation -of his despairing countrymen, who found him -cleaving the stubborn soil with his labouring -plough, and besought him to quit those -haunts of industry and peace, and, exchanging -the gleaming ploughshare for the well-tempered -sword, the smock of Ceres for the -shining corslet of Mars, to return with them -and save the State.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"You know, gentlemen, the sequel of -that momentous domiciliary visit. You know -how Cincinnatus marshalled his hosts, led -them against the enveloping invaders, and -having smitten Volscians and Æquians with -irresistible might, laid aside the implements -of war, and withdrew to replace the yoke -upon his toiling oxen, and ruminate in -rustic simplicity upon the vicissitudes of -mortal things.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Gentlemen, we too have our Cincinnatus. -We have in our midst a gentleman who, -driven from his peaceful fields by the -shameless greed of tyranny, threw in his lot -with the despairing victims of a rapacious -despot: who, having laid down the sword -which he had wielded with conspicuous -dexterity in his youth against the enemies -of his adopted country, girded it on in his -maturer years at the call of an oppressed and -suffering community. Gentlemen, it is to -him we owe the inception of the reign of -peace and prosperity in this elevated region. -I bid you raise your glasses and drain them -to the health of our illustrious friend and -liberator, our Cincinnatus, Señor General -O'Hagan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The President's speech was hailed with a -chorus of vivas as the company sprang to -their feet to honour the toast. Handkerchiefs -fluttered in the ladies' gallery. Tim, -catching Durand's eye, winked, and his -friend responded with a look which meant -"Look out! The old buffer hasn't done -yet." Tim wondered what his father would -say in answer to this effusion. He found -that the President, instead of resuming his -seat when the cheers had died away, -remained standing, took a sip from his glass, -and went on:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"History does not record whether -Cincinnatus was a married man, but, indulging -our imaginations, we may suppose that he -had a wife and family. We may see with -our mind's eye the homely Roman matron, -leaving the meal-tub when her husband -broke to her the fateful news, and wiping -the flour from her industrious hands that she -might gird him with the sword, and furbish -his shield, and arrange the folds of his toga -in comely dignity. We may picture his -sons and daughters gazing with admiration -not unmixed with awe at their heroic father, -watching him as he bestrode his fields with the -proud senators who had brought the people's -summons, gazing with longing eyes day after -day into the misty distance, wondering -with anxious fears how their beloved -progenitor was faring in the stress and heat of -strife. We can imagine their pride and -gladness when he returned, crowned with -the laurel wreath of victory, and, so far as -history relates, without a wound. We can -see them gathered about his knee, on the -winter nights when the pine-logs crackle, -and the wolf's long howl undulates across -the marshes, and hang upon his lips as he -relates the story of great doings on the -stricken field.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"These, I say, are the pictures which -imagination paints for us; but we need no -aid from imagination to behold the domestic -life of our own Cincinnatus. </span><em class="italics">Integer vitae, -sceleris purus</em><span>, as the great Roman sang, he -has lived among us, in a home graced by the -presence of a beauteous spouse, and brightened -by the lively merits of a gallant youth. -Such praise and gratitude as we owe to the -father we owe also in no small measure to -the son, who sits beside me in all the glow -of healthy juvenility, blushing with -ingenuous pride in the achievements of his -noble sire. What need to recount, gentlemen, -the exploits of this youthful warrior! -Modestly as he himself has veiled them, -the admiration of his devoted men could -not be silenced, and they proclaim his -prowess with unbated enthusiasm. Picture -the scene, gentlemen, when, pursued for long -miles by the mounted warriors of the tyrant, -our dauntless friend sped on unfaltering -on his matchless steed, and was not abashed -when he beheld the yawning gulf unbridged -before him. For him Fate had not ordained -the sacrificial leap of Marcus Curtius; the -safety of the State did not demand his death. -Flashing like a meteor to the very brink of -the abyss, he defied the laws of Nature, and -soared through the startled air with the -swift legerity of a mountain bird. Thus -wonderfully preserved from peril behind and -before, he played a manful part in the final -scenes of this glorious revolution, and, in -the words of the august orator of Rome, </span><em class="italics">de -republica bene est meritus</em><span>. I bid you raise -your glasses, and drain them to the health -of Señor Capitan O'Hagan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The toast was hailed with thunderous -applause. Tim sat with downcast eyes, -wishing that the floor would open and -swallow him. "I hope to goodness the old -josser is done now!" he thought. But the -President waited with a benignant smile -until silence was restored, then went on:</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is known to you, gentlemen, that the -Señor Capitan is the first recipient of the -Order of the Nasturtium, which I have -founded in celebration of the new era upon -which we have entered. Since it becomes -us to invoke the gracious countenance of -feminine loveliness upon the order, I have -inscribed at the head of the roll the name of -the Señora O'Hagan."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Here he bowed very gallantly towards the -balcony, and Tim, glancing up, saw his -mother incline her head, and raise her -handkerchief to her mouth, as if to hide a -smile.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"It is known to you also, gentlemen," -the President continued, "that in deference -to the unanimous wish of the citizens, I -have consented that a statue of myself shall -be erected in the plaza of this town, not in -any spirit of vainglory, but as a permanent -witness of the triumph of the principles -which I profess. But I deemed it unfitting -that the sister town of San Rosario should -be without a similar memorial, and I have -therefore taken upon myself to order, from -Paris, the home of art, two other statues, to -stand in the plaza of our neighbour. The -one will represent the Señor General as -Cincinnatus, garbed in the toga of ancient -Rome, with a sword crossed upon a ploughshare -at his feet. The other will exhibit -the effigy of the Señor Capitan. It was a -matter of much deliberation how to mould -this second statue that it might form a -harmonious companion of the first. As -you are aware, the Romans did not anticipate -the triumphs of the inventive modern mind. -They did not possess the motor-bicycle. -But by dint of much thought I have -reconciled the old with the new. The Señor -Capitan will appear as Mercury, the -messenger of the gods, with his caduceus in his -hand, and his winged feet planted on a -globe. These statues will face each other in -the public square, and proclaim to future -generations the features and the characteristics -of the two gentlemen whose achievements -and merits we honour so heartily -to-night."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>The President at last sat down. Mr. O'Hagan, -looking supremely uncomfortable, -thanked him and the company, for himself -and Tim, for the flattering honours that had -been paid to them; and after speeches from -Señor Fagasta, Colonel Zegarra, and half a -dozen other notables, the proceedings came -to an end, and the hall was cleared for -dancing.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"I say, old chap," said Durand, when he -had an opportunity of speaking to Tim, -"won't you feel rather cold as Mercury?"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Shut up!" growled Tim. "Old Moll's -off his chump. But he doesn't mean it."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"But he does!"</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>"Well then, I'll waylay the silly old thing -on the road, and smash it to bits. I never -heard of such silly rot."</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>But these violent measures were not -necessary. Every now and then during -the next few months Durand put Tim in a -rage by announcing that the statues had -left Paris, that they had reached Lima, that -they were on the road. But the truth is -that the financial straits to which the new -republic was soon reduced have hindered -the realisation of President Mollendo's -generous dream, and up to the present the plaza -of San Rosario is destitute of classic statuary. -Cincinnatus lives very contentedly on his -farm, and Mercury is now leading a grimy -existence in some famous engineering shops -on the Tyne.</span></p> -<div class="vspace" style="height: 6em"> -</div> -<!-- -*- encoding: utf-8 -*- --> -<div class="backmatter"> -</div> -<p class="pfirst" id="pg-end-line"><span>*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK </span><span>THE MOTOR SCOUT</span><span> ***</span></p> -<div class="cleardoublepage"> -</div> -<div class="language-en level-2 pgfooter section" id="a-word-from-project-gutenberg" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<span id="pg-footer"></span><h2 class="level-2 pfirst section-title title"><span>A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h2> -<p class="pfirst"><span>We will update this book if we find any errors.</span></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>This book can be found under: </span><a class="reference external" href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42953"><span>http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42953</span></a></p> -<p class="pnext"><span>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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