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diff --git a/old/51798-8.txt b/old/51798-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c85238a..0000000 --- a/old/51798-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7615 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of When Santiago Fell, by -Captain Ralph Bonehill and Edward Stratemeyer - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: When Santiago Fell - or The War Adventures of Two Chums - -Author: Captain Ralph Bonehill - Edward Stratemeyer - -Release Date: April 19, 2016 [EBook #51798] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHEN SANTIAGO FELL *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, Tom Cosmas and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - -Transcriber Note - -Text emphasis denoted as _Italic_. - - - - -[Illustration: "A RUSH WAS MADE AND THE OX CART CAME TO A SUDDEN -HALT."] - - - - - WHEN SANTIAGO FELL - - OR - - _THE WAR ADVENTURES OF - TWO CHUMS_ - - BY - - CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL - - AUTHOR OF "A SAILOR BOY WITH DEWEY," "OFF FOR HAWAII," - "GUN AND SLED," "LEO, THE CIRCUS BOY," - "RIVAL BICYCLISTS," ETC. - - [Illustration] - - CHATTERTON-PECK COMPANY - NEW YORK, N. Y. - - -BY THE SAME AUTHOR - - - WITH CUSTER IN THE BLACK HILLS; - Or, A Young Scout among the Indians. - - BOYS OF THE FORT; - Or, A Young Captain's Pluck. - - THE YOUNG BANDMASTER; - Or, Concert Stage and Battlefield. - - WHEN SANTIAGO FELL; - Or, The War Adventures of Two Chums. - - A SAILOR BOY WITH DEWEY; - Or, Afloat in the Philippines. - - OFF FOR HAWAII; - Or, The Mystery of a Great Volcano. - - _12mo, finely illustrated and bound in cloth. - Price, per volume, 60 cents._ - - -NEW YORK - -CHATTERTON-PECK COMPANY 1905 - - -Copyright, 1899, by - -THE MERSHON COMPANY - - - - -PREFACE. - - -"When Santiago Fell," while a complete story in itself, forms the first -volume of a line to be issued under the general title of the "Flag of -Freedom Series" for boys. - -My object in writing this story was to present to American lads a -true picture of life in the Cuba of to-day, and to show what a fierce -struggle was waged by the Cubans against the iron-handed mastery of -Spain previous to the time that our own glorious United States stepped -in and gave to Cuba the precious boon of liberty. The time covered is -the last year of the Cuban-Spanish War and our own campaign leading up -to the fall of Santiago. - -It may be possible that some readers may think the adventures of the -two chums over-drawn, but this is hardly a fact. The past few years -have been exceedingly bitter ones to all living upon Cuban soil, and -neither life nor property has been safe. Even people who were peaceably -inclined were drawn into the struggle against their will, and the -innocent, in many cases, suffered with the guilty. - -This war, so barbarously carried on, has now come to an end; and, -under the guiding hand of Uncle Sam, let us trust that Cuba and her -people will speedily take their rightful place among the small but -well-beloved nations of the world--or, if not this, that she may join -the ever-increasing sisterhood of our own States. - -Once more thanking my numerous young friends for their kind reception -of my previous works, I place this volume in their hands, trusting that -from it they may derive much pleasure and profit. - - Captain Ralph Bonehill. - - _January 1, 1899._ - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I. Off for the Interior 1 - - II. The Escape from the Gunboat 8 - - III. In the Wilds of the Island 15 - - IV. In a Novel Prison 22 - - V. Lost among the Hills 30 - - VI. From One Difficulty to Another 37 - - VII. Fooling the Spanish Guerrillas 45 - - VIII. Andres 52 - - IX. Across the Canefields 59 - - X. A Council of the Enemy 66 - - XI. A Wild Ride on Horseback 74 - - XII. A Daring Leap 81 - - XIII. Friends in Need 87 - - XIV. General Calixto Garcia 95 - - XV. A Prisoner of War 102 - - XVI. A Rescue under Difficulties 108 - - XVII. A Treacherous Stream to Cross 116 - - XVIII. Alone 123 - - XIX. The Cave in the Mountain 130 - - XX. Señor Guerez 137 - - XXI. The Attack on the Old Convent 145 - - XXII. The Routing of the Enemy 154 - - XXIII. On the Trail of My Father 161 - - XXIV. In the Belt of the Firebrands 168 - - XXV. Escaping the Flames 176 - - XXVI. A Disheartening Discovery 184 - - XXVII. Gilbert Burnham 191 - - XXVIII. A Battle on Land and Water 198 - - XXIX. Looking for my Cuban Chum 205 - - XXX. Once More among the Hills 212 - - XXXI. The Battle at the Railroad Embankment 220 - - XXXII. A Leap in the Dark 229 - - XXXIII. Captain Guerez Makes a Discovery 238 - - XXXIV. The Dogs of Cuban Warfare 244 - - XXXV. The Last of the Bloodhounds 252 - - XXXVI. Cast into a Santiago Dungeon 261 - - XXXVII. The Fall of the Spanish Stronghold 271 - - - - -WHEN SANTIAGO FELL. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -OFF FOR THE INTERIOR. - - -"We cannot allow you to leave this city." - -It was a Spanish military officer of high rank who spoke, and he -addressed Alano Guerez and myself. I did not understand his words, but -my companion did, and he quickly translated them for my benefit. - -"Then what are we to do, Alano?" I questioned. "We have no place to -stop at in Santiago, and our money is running low." - -Alano's brow contracted into a perplexing frown. He spoke to the -officer, and received a few curt words in reply. Then the Spaniard -turned to others standing near, and we felt that we were dismissed. A -guard conducted us to the door, and saluted us; and we walked away from -the headquarters. - -The reason for it all was this: Less than a month before we had left -the Broxville Military Academy in upper New York State to join Alano's -parents and my father in Cuba. Alano's father was a Cuban, and owned a -large sugar plantation some distance to the eastward of Guantanamo Bay. -He was wealthy, and had sent Alano to America to be educated, as many -rich Cubans do. As my father and Señor Guerez were well acquainted and -had strong business connections, it was but natural that Alano should -be placed at the boarding school which I attended, and that we should -become firm friends. For a long time we played together, ate together, -studied together, and slept together, until at last as chums we became -almost inseparable. - -Some months back, and while the great struggle for liberty was going -on between the Cubans and their rulers in Spain, certain business -difficulties had taken my father to Cuba. During his stop in the island -he made his home for the greater part with Señor Guerez, and while -there was unfortunate enough during a trip on horseback to fall and -break his leg. - -This accident placed him on his back longer than was first expected, -for the break was a bad one. In the meantime the war went on, and the -territory for many miles around Santiago de Cuba was in a state of wild -excitement. - -Not knowing exactly what was going on, Alano wrote to his parents -begging that he be allowed to come to them, and in the same mail I -sent a communication to my father, asking if I could not accompany -my Cuban chum. To our delight the answer came that if we wished we -might come without delay. At the time this word was sent neither Señor -Guerez nor my father had any idea that the war would assume such vast -proportions around Santiago, involving the loss of many lives and the -destruction of millions of dollars of property. - -Alano and I were not long in making our preparations. We left -Broxville two days after permission was received, took the cars to the -metropolis, and engaged immediate passage upon the _Esmeralda_ for -Santiago de Cuba. - -We had heard of the war a hundred times on the way, but even on -entering the harbor of the city we had no thought of difficulty in -connection with our journey on rail and horseback outside of the city. -We therefore suffered a rude awakening when the custom-house officials, -assisted by the Spanish military officers, made us stand up in a long -row with other passengers, while we were thoroughly searched from head -to foot. Each of us had provided himself with a pistol; and these, -along with the cartridges, were taken from us. Our baggage, also, -was examined in detail, and everything in the way of a weapon was -confiscated. - -"War means something, evidently," was the remark I made, but how much -it meant I did not learn until later. Our names were taken down, and -we were told to remain in the city over night and report at certain -headquarters in the morning. We were closely questioned as to where -we had come from; and when I injudiciously mentioned the Broxville -Military Academy, our questioner, a swarthy Spanish lieutenant, glared -ominously at us. - -"I'm afraid you put your foot into it when you said that," was Alano's -comment at the hotel that evening, when we were discussing our strange -situation. "They are on the watch for people who want to join the -insurgents." - -"Perhaps your father has become a rebel," I ventured. - -"It is not unlikely. He has spoken to me of Cuban independence many -times." - -As might be expected, we passed an almost sleepless night, so anxious -were we to learn what action the Spanish authorities would take in our -case. When the decision came, as noted at the opening of this story, I -was almost dumb-founded. - -"We're in a pickle, Alano," I said, as we walked slowly down the -street, lined upon either side with quaint shops and houses. "We can't -stay here without money, and we can't get out." - -"We must get out!" he exclaimed in a low tone, so as not to be -overheard. "Do you suppose I am going to remain here, when my father -and mother are in the heart of the war district, and, perhaps, in great -danger?" - -"I am with you!" I cried. "For my father is there too. But how can we -manage it? I heard at the hotel last night that every road leading out -of the city is well guarded." - -"We'll find a way," he rejoined confidently. "But we'll have to leave -the bulk of our baggage behind. The most we can carry will be a small -valise each. And we must try to get hold of some kind of weapons, too." - -We returned to our hotel, and during the day Alano struck up an -acquaintanceship with a Cuban-American who knew his father well. Alano, -finding he could trust the gentleman, took him into his confidence, -and, as a result, we obtained not only a good pistol each,--weapons we -immediately secreted in our clothing,--but also received full details -of how to leave Santiago de Cuba by crossing the bay in a rowboat and -taking to the woods and mountains beyond. - -"It will be rough traveling," said the gentlemen who gave us the -directions, "but you'll find your lives much safer than if you tried -one of the regular roads--that is, of course, after you have passed -the forts and the gunboats lying in the harbor." - -Both Alano and I were much taken with this plan, and it was arranged we -should leave the city on the first dark night. Two days later it began -to rain just at sunset, and we felt our time had come. A small rowboat -had already been procured and was secreted under an old warehouse. At -ten o'clock it was still raining and the sky was as black as ink, and -we set out,--I at the oars, and Alano in the bow,--keeping the sharpest -of lookouts. - -We had agreed that not a word should be spoken unless it was necessary, -and we moved on in silence. I had spent many hours on the lake facing -Broxville Academy, and these now stood me in good stead. Dropping my -oars without a sound, I pulled a long, steady stroke in the direction I -had previously studied out. - -We were about halfway across the bay when suddenly Alano turned to me. -"Back!" he whispered, and I reversed my stroke as quickly as possible. - -"There is a gunboat or something ahead," he went on. "Steer to the -left. See the lights?" - -I looked, and through the mists made out several signals dimly. I -brought the boat around, and we went on our way, only to bring up, a -few seconds later, against a huge iron chain, attached to one of the -war vessels' anchors, for the vessel had dragged a bit on the tide. - -The shock threw Alano off his feet, and he tumbled against me, sending -us both sprawling. I lost hold of one of the oars, and at the same -moment an alarm rang out--a sound which filled us both with fear. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -THE ESCAPE FROM THE GUNBOAT. - - -"We are lost!" cried Alano, as he sought to pick himself up. "Oh, Mark, -what shall we do?" - -"The oar--where is that oar?" I returned, throwing him from me and -trying to pierce the darkness. - -"I don't know. I---- Oh!" - -Alano let out the exclamation as a broad sheet of light swept across -the rain and the waters beneath us--light coming from a search-lantern -in the turret of the gunboat. Fortunately the rays were not lowered -sufficiently to reach us, yet the light was strong enough to enable me -to see the missing oar, which floated but a few feet away. I caught it -with the end of the other oar, and then began pulling at the top of my -speed. - -But all of this took time, and now the alarm on board of the war vessel -had reached its height. A shot rang out, a bell tolled, and several -officers came rushing to the anchor chains. They began shouting in -Spanish, so volubly I could not understand a word; and now was no time -to question Alano, who was doing his best to get out a second pair of -oars which we had, fortunately, placed on board at the last moment. He -had often rowed with me on the lake at Broxville; and in a few seconds -he had caught the stroke, and away we went at a spinning speed. - -"They are going to fire on us!" he panted, as the shouting behind -increased. "Shall we give up?" - -"Not on my account." - -"Nor on mine. If we give up, they'll put us in prison, sure. Pull on!" - -And pull we did, until, in spite of the cold rain, each of us was -dripping with perspiration and ready to drop with exhaustion. - -Boom! a cannon shot rang out, and involuntarily both of us ducked our -heads. But the shot flew wide of its mark--so wide, in fact, that we -knew not where it went. - -"They'll get out a boat next!" I said. "Pull, Alano; put every ounce of -muscle into the stroke." - -"I am doing that already," he gasped. "We must be getting near the -shore. What about the guard there?" - -"We'll have to trust to luck," I answered. - -Another shot came booming over the misty waters, and this time we -heard the sizz of the cannon ball as it hit the waves and sank. We were -now in the glare of the searchlight, but the mist and rain were in our -favor. - -"There is the shore!" I cried, on looking around a few seconds later. -"Now be prepared to run for it as soon as the boat beaches!" - -With a rush our craft shot in between a lot of sea grass and stuck her -bow into the soft mud. Dropping our oars, we sprang to the bow and took -long leaps to solid ground. We had hardly righted ourselves when there -came a call out of the darkness. - -"_Quien va?_" And thus challenging us, a Spanish soldier who was on -guard along the water's edge rushed up to intercept our progress. His -bayonet was within a foot of my breast, when Alano jumped under and -hurled him to the ground. - -"Come!" he cried to me. "Come, ere it is too late!" and away we went, -doing the best sprinting we had ever done in our lives. Over a marsh -and through a thorny field we dashed, and then struck a narrow path -leading directly into a woods. The guard yelled after us and fired his -gun, but that was the last we saw or heard of him. - -[Illustration: "AN ALARM RANG OUT, A SOUND WHICH FILLED US BOTH WITH -FEAR."] - -Fearful, however, of pursuit, we did not slacken our pace until -compelled to; and then, coming to a thick clump of grass at the foot of -a half-decayed banana tree, we sank down completely out of breath. I -had never taken such fearful chances on my life before, and I trusted -I would never have to do so again, little dreaming of all the perils -which still lay before us. - -"I believe we are safe for the present," said Alano, when he could get -his breath. "I wonder where we are?" - -"We're in a very dark, dirty, and wet woods," I returned gloomily. -"Have we got to remain here all night?" - -"It's better than being in a Spanish prison," replied my Cuban chum -simply. "We can go on after we are a bit rested." - -The rain was coming down upon the broad leaves of the banana tree at a -lively rate, but Alano said he thought it must be a clearing shower, -and so it soon proved to be. But scarcely had the drops ceased to fall -than a host of mosquitoes and other insects arose, keeping us more than -busy. - -"We must get out of this!" I exclaimed, when I could stand the tiny -pests no longer. "I'm being literally chewed up alive. And, see, there -is a lizard!" And I shook the thing from my arm. - -"Oh, you mustn't mind such things in Cuba!" said Alano, laughing -shortly. "Why, we have worse things than that--snakes and alligators, -and the like. But come on, if you are rested. It may be we'll soon -strike some sort of shelter." - -Luckily, through all the excitement we had retained our valises, which -were slung across our backs by straps thrown over the shoulder. From my -own I now extracted a large handkerchief, and this served, when placed -in my broad-brimmed hat, to protect my neck and ears from the insects. -As for Alano, he was acclimated and did not seem to be bothered at all. - -We pursued our way through the woods, and then ascended a steep bank -of clay, at the top of which was a well-made road leading to the -northward. We looked up and down, but not a habitation or building of -any kind was in sight. - -"It leads somewhere," said Alano, after a pause. "Let us go on, but -with care, for perhaps the Spanish Government has guards even as far -out as this." - -On we went once more, picking our way around the numerous pools and -bog-holes in the road. The stars were now coming out, and we could -consequently see much better than before. - -"A light!" I cried, when quarter of a mile had been traversed. "See, -Alano." - -"It must be from a plantation," he answered. "If it is, the chances -are that the owner is a Spanish sympathizer--he wouldn't dare to be -anything else, so close to the city." - -"But he might aid us in secret," I suggested. - -Alano shrugged his shoulders, and we proceeded more slowly. Then he -caught my arm. - -"There is a sugar-house back of that canefield," he said. "We may find -shelter there." - -"Anywhere--so we can catch a few hours' nap." - -We proceeded around the field with caution, for the plantation house -was not far away. Passing a building where the grinding was done, we -entered a long, low drying shed. Here we struck a match, and by the -flickering light espied a heap of dry husks, upon which we immediately -threw ourselves. - -"We'll have to be up and away before daybreak," said my chum, as he -drew off his wet coat, an example which I at once followed, even though -it was so warm I did not suffer greatly from the dampness. "We would -be sorry fellows to give an explanation if we were stopped in this -vicinity." - -"Yes, and for the matter of that, we had better sleep with one eye -open," I rejoined. And then we turned in, and both presently fell -asleep through sheer exhaustion. - -How long I had been sleeping I did not know. I awoke with a start, to -find a cold nose pressing against my face. - -"Hi! get out of here!" I cried, and then the owner of the nose leaped -back and uttered the low, savage, and unmistakable growl of a Cuban -bloodhound! - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -IN THE WILDS OF THE ISLAND. - - -To say that I was alarmed when I found that the intruder in our -sleeping quarters was a bloodhound would be to put the fact very -mildly. I was truly horrified, and a chill shook my frame as I had a -momentary vision of being torn to pieces by the bloodthirsty animal. - -My cry awoke Alano, who instantly asked what was the matter, and then -yelled at the beast in Spanish. As the creature retreated, evidently -to prepare for a rush upon us, I sprang to my feet and grasped a short -ladder which led to the roof of the shed. - -"Come!" I roared to my chum, and Alano did so; and both of us scrambled -up, with the bloodhound snarling and snatching at our feet. He even -caught the heel of my boot, but I kicked him off, and we reached the -top of the shed in temporary safety. Baffled, the dog ran out of the -shed and began to bay loudly, as though summoning assistance. - -"We're in for it now!" I groaned. "We can't get away from the dog, and -he'll arouse somebody before long." - -"Well, we can't help ourselves," replied Alano, with a philosophical -shrug of his shoulders. "Ha! somebody is coming now!" - -He pointed through the semi-darkness, for it was close to sunrise. A -Cuban negro was approaching, a huge fellow all of six feet tall and -dressed in the garb of an overseer. He carried a little triangular -lantern, and as he drew closer he yelled at the bloodhound in a Cuban -_patois_ which was all Greek to me, but which Alano readily understood. -The dog stopped baying, but insisted upon leading his master to the -very foot of the shed, where he stood with his nose pointed up at us. - -There was no help for it, so Alano crawled to the edge of the roof and -told the overseer what was the trouble--that the dog had driven us -hither and that we were afraid of being killed. A short conversation -followed, and then my chum turned to me. - -"We can go down now," he said. "The overseer says the dog will not -touch us so long as he is around." - -We leaped to the ground, although I must admit I did not do so with a -mind perfectly at ease, the bloodhound still looked so ugly. However, -beyond a few sniffs at my trousers-leg and a deep rumble of his voice, -he offered no further indignities. - -"He wants to know who we are," said Alano, after more conversation. -"What shall I tell him?" - -"Tell him the truth, and ask him for help to reach your father's -plantation, Alano. He won't know we escaped from Santiago de Cuba -without permission." - -Alano did as directed. At the mention of Senor Guerez' name the -overseer held up his hands in astonishment. He told Alano that he knew -his father well, that he had met the señor only two weeks previously, -and that both Alano's father and my own had thrown in their fortunes -with the insurgents! - -"Is it possible!" I ejaculated. "My father, too! Why, he must be still -lame!" - -"He is," said Alano, after further consultation with the newcomer. -"My father, it seems, had to join the rebels, or his plantation would -have been burned to the ground. There was a quarrel with some Spanish -sympathizers, and in the end both your father and mine joined the -forces under General Calixto Garcia." - -"And where are they now?" - -"The overseer does not know." - -"What of your mother and sisters?" - -"He does not know about them either;" and for a moment Alano's -handsome and manly face grew very sober. "Oh, if I was only with them!" - -"And if I was only with my father!" I cried. My father was all the -world to me, and to be separated from him at such a time was more than -painful. "Do you think he will help us?" I went on, after a moment of -silence. - -The overseer agreed to do what he could for us, although that would not -be much. He was an insurgent at heart, but his master and all around -him were in sympathy with the Spanish Government. - -"He says for us to remain here and he will bring us breakfast," said -Alano, as the man turned and departed, with the bloodhound at his side. -"And after that he will set us on a road leading to Tiarriba and gave -us a countersign which will help us into a rebel camp if there is any -around." - -We secreted ourselves again in the cane shed, and it was not long -before the overseer returned, bringing with him a kettle of steaming -black coffee, without which no Cuban breakfast seems complete, and some -fresh bread and half a dozen hard-boiled eggs. He had also a bag of -crackers and a chunk of dried beef weighing several pounds. - -"Put those in your bags," he said to Alano, indicating the beef and -crackers. "You may find it to your interest to keep out of sight for a -day or two, to avoid the Spanish spies." - -The breakfast was soon dispatched, the provisions stored in our -valises, and then the overseer took us up through the sugar-cane fields -to where a brook emptied into a long pond, covered with green weeds, -among which frogs as broad as one's hand croaked dismally. We hurried -around the pond, and our guide pointed out a narrow, winding path -leading upward through a stony woods. Then he whispered a few words to -Alano, shook us both by the hand, and disappeared. - -"He says the countersign is 'Sagua'--after the river and city of that -name," explained my chum as we tramped along. "You must wave your hand -so if you see a man in the distance," and Alano twirled his arm over -his head. - -Stony though it was in the woods, the vegetation was thick and rank. On -every side were the trunks of decaying trees, overgrown with moss--the -homes of beetles, lizards, and snakes innumerable. The snakes, most of -them small fellows not over a foot long, at first alarmed me, but this -only made Alano laugh. - -"They could not harm you if they tried," he said. "And they are very -useful--they eat up so many of the mosquitoes and gnats and lizards." - -"But some of the snakes are dangerous," I insisted. - -"Oh, yes; but they are larger." - -"And what of wild animals?" - -"We have nothing but wild hogs and a few deer, and wild dogs too. And -then there are the alligators to be found in the rivers." - -The sun had risen clear and hot, as is usual in that region after a -shower. Where the trees were scattered, the rays beat down upon our -heads mercilessly, and the slippery ground fairly steamed, so rapid was -the evaporation. By noon we had reached the top of a hill, and here -we rested and partook of several crackers each and a bit of the beef, -washing both down with water from a spring, which I first strained -through a clean handkerchief, to get clear of the insects and tiny -lizards, which abounded everywhere. - -"I can see a house ahead," announced Alano, who had climbed a palm tree -to view the surroundings. "We'll go on and see what sort of a place it -is before we make ourselves known." - -Once again we shouldered our traps and set out. The way down the hill -was nearly as toilsome as the upward course on the opposite side had -been, for gnarled roots hidden in the rank grasses made a tumble easy. -Indeed, both of us went down several times, barking our shins and -scratching our hands. Yet we kept on, until the house was but a short -distance off. - -It was set in a small clearing; and as we approached we saw a man come -out of the front door and down the broad piazza steps. He was dressed -in the uniform of a captain in the Spanish army. - -"Back!" cried Alano; but it was too late, for by pure accident the -military officer had caught sight of us. He called out in Spanish to -learn who we were. - -"He is a Spanish officer!" I whispered to Alano. "Shall we face him and -trust to luck to get out of the scrape?" - -"No, no! Come!" and, catching me by the arm, Alano led the way around -the clearing. - -It was a bad move, for no sooner had we turned than the officer called -out to several soldiers stationed at a stable in the rear of the house. -These leaped on their horses, pistols and sabers in hand, and, riding -hard, soon surrounded us. - -"_Halte!_" came the command; and in a moment more my Cuban chum and -myself found ourselves prisoners. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -IN A NOVEL PRISON. - - -I looked with much foreboding upon the faces of the soldiers who had -surrounded us. All were stern almost to the verge of cruelty, and the -face of the captain when he came up was no exception to the rule. Alano -and I learned afterward that Captain Crabo had met the day previous -with a bitter attack from the insurgents, who had wounded six of his -men, and this had put him in anything but a happy frame of mind. - -"Who are you?" he demanded in Spanish, as he eyed us sharply. - -Alano looked at me in perplexity, and started to ask me what he had -best say, when the Spanish captain clapped the flat side of his sword -over my chum's mouth. - -"Talk so that I can understand you, or I'll place you under arrest," he -growled. And then he added, "Are you alone?" - -"Yes," said Alano. - -"And where are you going?" - -"I wish to join my father at Guantanamo. His father is also with -mine," and my chum pointed to me. - -"Your name?" - -Seeing there was no help for it, Alano told him. Captain Crabo did not -act as if he had heard it before, and we breathed easier. But the next -moment our hearts sank again. - -"Well, we will search you, and if you carry no messages and are not -armed, you can go on." - -"We have no messages," said Alano. "You can search us and welcome." - -He handed over his valise, and I followed suit. Our pistols we had -placed in the inner pockets of our coats. By his easy manner my chum -tried to throw the Spaniards off their guard, but the trick did not -work. After going through our bags, and confiscating several of my silk -handkerchiefs, they began to search our clothing, even compelling us to -remove our boots, and the weapons were speedily brought to light. - -"Ha! armed!" cried Captain Crabo. "They are not so innocent as they -seem. We will look into their history a little closer ere we let -them go. Take them to the smoke-house until I have time to make an -investigation to-night. We must be off for Pueblo del Cristo now." - -Without ceremony we were marched off across the clearing and around the -back of the stable, where stood a rude stone building evidently built -many years before. Alano told me what the captain had said, and also -explained that the stone building was a smoke-house, where at certain -seasons of the year beef and other meat were hung up to be dried and -smoked, in preference to simple drying in the sun. - -As might be expected, the smoke-house was far from being a clean place; -yet it had been used for housing prisoners before, and these had taken -the trouble to brush the smut from the stones inside, so it was not so -dirty as it might otherwise have been. - -We were thrust into this building minus our pistols and our valises. -Then the door, a heavy wooden affair swinging upon two rusty iron -hinges, was banged shut in our faces, a hasp and spike were put into -place, and we were left to ourselves. - -"Now we are in for it," I began, but Alano stopped me short. - -"Listen!" he whispered, and we did so, and heard all of our enemies -retreat. A few minutes later there was the tramping of horses' feet, -several commands in Spanish, and the soldiers rode off. - -"They have left us to ourselves, at any rate," said my chum, when we -were sure they had departed. "And we are made of poor stuff indeed if -we cannot pick our way out of this hole." - -At first we were able to see nothing, but a little light shone in -through several cracks in the roof, and soon our eyes became accustomed -to the semi-darkness. We examined the walls, to find them of solid -masonry. The roof was out of our reach, the floor so baked it was like -cement. - -"We are prisoners now, surely, Mark," said Alano bitterly. "What will -be our fate when that _capitan_ returns?" - -"We'll be sent back to Santiago de Cuba most likely, Alano. But we must -try to escape. I have an idea. Can you balance me upon your shoulders, -do you think?" - -"I will try it. But what for?" - -"I wish to examine the roof." - -Not without much difficulty I succeeded in reaching my chum's broad -shoulders and standing upright upon them. I could now touch the ceiling -of the smoke-house with ease, and I had Alano move around from spot to -spot in a close inspection of every bit of board and bark above us. - -"Here is a loose board!" I cried in a low voice. "Stand firm, Alano." - -He braced himself by catching hold of the stone wall, and I shoved -upward with all of my strength. There was a groan, a squeak; the board -flew upward, and the sun shone down on our heads. I crawled through -the opening thus made, and putting down my hand I helped Alano to do -likewise. - -"Drop out of sight of the house!" he whispered. "Somebody may be -watching this place." - -We dropped, and waited in breathless silence for several minutes, but -no one showed himself. Then we held a consultation. - -"They thought we couldn't get out," I said. "More than likely no one is -left at the homestead but a servant or two." - -"If only we could get our bags and pistols," sighed Alano. - -"We must get them," I rejoined, "for we cannot go on without them. Let -us sneak up to the house and investigate. I see no dogs around." - -With extreme caution we left the vicinity of the smoke-house, and, -crawling on hands and knees, made our way along a low hedge to where -several broad palms overshadowed a side veranda. The door of the -veranda was open, and, motioning to Alano to follow, I ascended the -broad steps and dashed into the house. - -"Now where?" questioned my Cuban chum, as we hesitated in the broad and -cool hallway. "Here is a sitting room," and he opened the door to it. - -A voice broke upon our ear. A negro woman was singing from the -direction of the kitchen, as she rattled among her earthenware pots. -Evidently she was alone. - -"If they left her on guard, we have little to fear," I said, and we -entered the sitting room. Both of us uttered a faint cry of joy, for -there on the table rested our valises and provisions, just as they had -been taken from us. Inside of Alano's bag were the two pistols with the -cartridges. - -"Now we can go at once," I said. "How fortunate we have been! Let us -not waste time here." - -"They owe us a meal for detaining us," replied my chum grimly. "Let me -explore the pantry in the next room." - -He went through the whip-end curtains without a sound, and was gone -several minutes. When he came back his face wore a broad smile and he -carried a large napkin bursting open with eatables of various kinds, a -piece of cold roast pork, some rice cakes, buns, and the remains of a -chicken pie. - -"We'll have a supper fit for a king!" he cried. "Come on! I hear that -woman coming." - -And coming she was, in her bare feet, along the polished floor. We -had just time left to seize our valises and make our escape when she -entered. - -"_Qué quiere V.?_ [What do you want?]" she shouted, and then called -upon us to stop; but, instead, we ran from the dooryard as fast as we -could, and did not halt until the plantation was left a good half mile -behind. - -"We are well out of that!" I gasped, throwing myself down under the -welcome shade of a cacao tree. "Do you suppose she will send the -soldiers in pursuit?" - -"They would have hard work to find us," replied Alano. "Here, let us -sample this eating I brought along, and then be on our way. Remember we -have still many miles to go." - -We partook of some of the chicken pie and some buns, the latter so -highly spiced they almost made me sneeze when I ate them, and then went -on our way again. - -Our run had warmed us up, and now the sun beat down upon our heads -mercilessly as we stalked through a tangle where the luxurious -vegetation was knee-high. We were glad enough when we reached another -woods, through which there was a well-defined, although exceedingly -poor, wagon trail. Indeed, let me add, nearly all of the wagon roads -in Cuba, so I have since been told, are wretched affairs at the best. - -"We ought to be in the neighborhood of Tiarriba," said Alano about the -middle of the afternoon. - -"We won't dare enter the town," I replied. "Those soldiers were going -there, you must remember." - -"Oh, the chances are we'll find rebels enough--on the quiet," he -rejoined. - -On we went, trudging through sand and shells and not infrequently -through mire several inches to a foot deep. It was hard work, and I -wished more than once that we were on horseback. There was also a brook -to cross, but the bridge was gone and there was nothing left to do but -to ford the stream. - -"It's not to our boot-tops," said Alano, after an examination, "so we -won't have to take our boots and socks off. Come; I fancy there is a -good road ahead." - -He started into the water, and I went after him. We had reached the -middle of the stream when both of us let out a wild yell, and not -without reason, for we had detected a movement from the opposite bank, -and now saw a monstrous alligator bearing swiftly down upon us! - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -LOST AMONG THE HILLS. - - -Both Alano and I were almost paralyzed by the sight of the huge -alligator bearing down upon us, his mouth wide open, showing his cruel -teeth, and his long tail shifting angrily from side to side. - -"Back!" yelled my Cuban chum, and back we went, almost tumbling over -each other in our haste to gain the bank from where we had started. - -The alligator lost no time in coming up behind, uttering what to me -sounded like a snort of rage. He had been lying half-hidden in the mud, -and the mud still clung to his scaly sides and back. Altogether, he was -the most horrible creature I had ever beheld. - -Reaching the bank of the brook, with the alligator not three yards -behind us, we fled up a series of rocks overgrown with moss and vines. -We did not pause until we were at the very summit, then both of us drew -our pistols and fired at the blinking eyes. The bullets glanced from -the "'gator's" head without doing much harm, and with another snort -the terrifying beast turned back into the brook and sank into a pool -out of sight. - -"My gracious, Alano, supposing he had caught us!" I gasped, when I -could catch my breath. - -"We would have been devoured," he answered, with a shudder, for of -all creatures the alligator is the one most dreaded by Cubans, being -the only living beast on the island dangerous to life because of its -strength. - -"He must have been lying in wait for somebody," I remarked, after a -moment's pause, during which we kept our eyes on the brook, in a vain -attempt to gain another look at our tormentor. - -"He was--it is the way they do, Mark. If they can, they wait until you -are alongside of them. Then a blow from the tail knocks you flat, and -that ends the fight--for you," and again Alano shuddered, and so did I. - -"We can't cross," I said, a few minutes later, as all remained quiet. -"I would not attempt it for a thousand dollars." - -"Nor I--on foot. Perhaps we can do so by means of the trees. Let us -climb yonder palm and investigate." - -We climbed the palm, a sloping tree covered with numerous trailing -vines. Our movements disturbed countless beetles, lizards, and a dozen -birds, some of the latter flying off with a whir which was startling. -The top of the palm reached, we swung ourselves to its neighbor, -standing directly upon the bank of the brook. In a few minutes we had -reached a willow and then a cacao, and thus we crossed the stream in -safety, although not without considerable exertion. - -The sun was beginning to set when we reached a small village called by -the natives San Lerma--a mere collection of thatched cottages belonging -to some sheep-raisers. Before entering we made certain there were no -soldiers around. - -Our coming brought half a dozen men, women, and children to our side. -They were mainly of negro blood, and the children were but scantily -clothed. They commenced to ask innumerable questions, which Alano -answered as well as he could. One of the negroes had heard of Señor -Guerez' plantation, and immediately volunteered to furnish us with -sleeping accommodations for the night. - -"Many of us have joined the noble General Garcia," he said, in almost a -whisper. "I would join too, but Teresa will not hear of it." Teresa was -his wife--a fat, grim-looking wench who ruled the household with a rod -of iron. She grumbled a good deal at having to provide us with a bed, -but became very pleasant when Alano slipped a small silver coin into -her greasy palm. - -Feeling fairly secure in our quarters, we slept soundly, and did not -awaken until the sun was shining brightly. The inevitable pot of black -coffee was over the fire, and the smoke of bacon and potatoes frying in -a saucepan filled the air. Breakfast was soon served, after which we -greased our boots, saw to our other traps and our bag of provisions, -which we had not opened, and proceeded on our way--the husband of -Teresa wishing us well, and the big-eyed children staring after us in -silent wonder and curiosity. - -"That is a terrible existence," I said to Alano. "Think of living in -that fashion all your life!" - -"They know no better," he returned philosophically. "And I fancy they -are happy in their way. Their living comes easy to them, and they never -worry about styles in clothing or rent day. Sometimes they have dances -and other amusements. Didn't you see the home-made guitar on the wall?" - -On we went, past the village and to a highway which we had understood -would take us to Tiarriba, but which took us to nothing of the sort. As -we proceeded the sun grew more oppressive than ever, until I was glad -enough to take Alano's advice, and place some wet grass in my hat to -keep the top of my head cool. - -"It will rain again soon," said Alano, "and if it comes from the right -quarter it will be much cooler for several days after." - -The ground now became hilly, and we walked up and down several places -which were steep enough to cause us to pant for breath. By noon we -reckoned we had covered eight or nine miles. We halted for our midday -rest and meal under some wild peppers, and we had not yet finished when -we heard the low rumble of thunder. - -"The storm is coming, sure enough!" I exclaimed. "What had we best -do--find some shelter?" - -"That depends, Mark. If the lightning is going to be strong, better -seek the open air. We do not want to be struck." - -We went on, hoping that some village would soon be found, but none -appeared. The rain commenced to hit the tree leaves, and soon there was -a steady downpour. We buttoned our coats tightly around the neck, and -stopped under the spreading branches of an uncultivated banana tree, -the half-ripe fruit of which hung within easy reach. - -The thunder had increased rapidly, and now from out of the -ominous-looking clouds the lightning played incessantly. Alano shook -his head dubiously. - -"Do you know what I think?" he said. - -"Well?" - -"I think we have missed our way. If we were on the right road we would -have come to some dwelling ere this. I believe we have branched off on -some forest trail." - -"Let us go on, Alano. See, the rain is coming through the tree already." - -It was tough work now, for the road was uphill and the clayey ground -was slippery and treacherous. It was not long before I took a tumble, -and would have rolled over some sharp rocks had Alano not caught my -arm. At one minute the road seemed pitch-dark, at the next a flash of -lightning would nearly blind us. - -Presently we gained the crest of a hill a little higher than its -fellows, and gazed around us. On all sides were the waving branches of -palms and other trees, dotted here and there with clearings of rocks -and coarse grasses. Not a building of any kind was in sight. - -"It is as I thought," said my Cuban chum dubiously. "We have lost our -way in the hills." - -"And what will we have to do--retrace our steps?" I ventured anxiously. - -"I don't know. If we push on I suppose we'll strike some place sooner -or later." - -"Yes, but our provisions won't last forever, Alano." - -"That is true, Mark, but we'll have to---- Oh!" - -Alano stopped short and staggered back into my arms. We had stepped for -the moment under the shelter of a stately palm. Now it was as if a wave -of fire had swept close to our face. It was a flash of lightning; and -it struck the tree fairly on the top, splitting it from crown to roots, -and pinning us down under one of the falling portions! - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -FROM ONE DIFFICULTY TO ANOTHER. - - -How we ever escaped from the falling tree I do not fully know to this -day. The lightning stunned me almost as much as my companion, and both -of us went down in a heap in the soft mud, for it was now raining in -torrents. We rolled over, and a rough bit of bark scraped my face; and -then I knew no more. - -When I came to my senses I was lying in a little gully, part of the way -down the hillside. Alano was at my side, a deep cut on his chin, from -which the blood was flowing freely. He lay so still that I at first -thought him dead, but the sight of the flowing blood reassured me. - -A strong smell of sulphur filled the air, and this made me remember the -lightning stroke. I looked up the hill, to see the palm tree split as I -have described. - -"Thank God for this escape!" I could not help murmuring; and then I -took out a handkerchief, allowed it to become wet, and bound up Alano's -cut. While I was doing this he came to, gasped, and opened his eyes. - -"_Què_--_què_----" he stammered. "Wha--what--was it, Mark?" - -I told him, and soon had him sitting up, his back propped against a -rock. The cut on his chin was not deep, and presently the flow of blood -stopped and he shook himself. - -"It was a narrow escape," he said. "I warned you we must get out into -the open." - -"We'll be more careful in the future," I replied. And then I pointed to -an opening in the gully. "See, there is a cave. Let us get into that -while the storm lasts." - -"Let us see if it is safe first. There may be snakes within," returned -Alano. - -With caution we approached the entrance to the cave, which appeared -to be several yards deep. Trailing vines partly hid the opening; and, -thrusting these aside, we took sticks, lit a bit of candle I carried, -and examined the interior. Evidently some wild animal had once had its -home there, but the cave was now tenantless, and we proceeded to make -ourselves at home. - -"We'll light a fire and dry our clothing," suggested Alano. "And if the -rain continues we can stay here all night." - -"We might as well stay. To tramp through the wet grass and brush would -be almost as bad as to have it rain--we would be soaked from our waists -down." - -"Then we'll gather wood and stay," said he. - -Quarter of an hour later we had coaxed up quite a respectable fire in -the shadow of a rock at the entrance to the cave, which was just high -enough to allow us to stand upright, and was perhaps twelve feet in -diameter. We piled more wood on the blaze, satisfied that in its damp -condition we could not set fire to the forest, and then retired to dry -our clothing and enjoy a portion of the contents of the provision bag -Alano had improvised out of the purloined napkin. - -As we ate we discussed the situation, wondering how far we could be -from some village and if there were any insurgents or Spanish soldiers -in the vicinity. - -"The rebels could outwit the soldiers forever in these hills," remarked -Alano--"especially those who are acquainted in the vicinity." - -"But the rebels might be surrounded," I suggested. - -"They said at Santiago they had too strong a picket guard for that, -Mark." - -"But we have seen no picket guard. Supposing instead of two boys a body -of Spanish soldiers had come this way, what then?" - -"In that case what would the Spanish soldiers have to shoot at?" he -laughed. "We have as yet seen no rebels." - -"But we may meet them--before we know it," I said, with a shake of my -head. - -Scarcely had I uttered the words than the entrance to our resting-place -was darkened by two burly forms, and we found the muzzles of two -carbines thrust close to our faces. - -"Who are you?" came in Spanish. "Put up your hands!" - -"Don't shoot!" cried Alano in alarm. - -"Come out of that!" - -"It's raining too hard, and we have our coats off, as you see. Won't -you come in?" - -At this the two men, bronzed and by no means bad-looking fellows, -laughed. "Only boys!" murmured one, and the carbines were lowered and -they entered the cave. - -A long and rapid conversation with Alano, which I could but imperfectly -understand, followed. They asked who we were, where we were going, how -we had managed to slip out of Santiago, if we were armed, if we carried -messages, if we had the countersign, how we had reached the cave, and -a dozen other questions. Both roared loudly when Alano said he thought -they were rebels. - -"And so we are," said the one who appeared to be the leader. "And we -are proud of it. Have you any objections to make?" - -"No," we both answered in a breath, that being both English and -Spanish, and I understanding enough of the question to be anxious to -set myself right with them. - -"I think our fathers have become rebels," Alano answered. "At least, we -were told so." - -"Good!" said the leader. "Then we have nothing to fear from two -such brave lads as you appear to be. And now what do you propose to -do--encamp here for the night?" - -"Unless you can supply us with better accommodations," rejoined my chum. - -"We can supply you with nothing. We have nothing but what is on us," -laughed the second rebel. - -Both told us later that they were on special picket duty in that -neighborhood. They had been duly enlisted under General Garcia, but -were not in uniform, each wearing only a wet and muddy linen suit, -thick boots, and a plain braided palm hat. Around his waist each had -strapped a leather belt, and in this stuck a machete--a long, sharp, -and exceedingly cruel-looking knife. Over the shoulder was another -strap, fastened to a canvas bag containing ammunition and other -articles of their outfit. - -These specimens of the rebels were hardly what I had expected to see, -yet they were so earnest in their manner I could not help but admire -them. One of them had brought down a couple of birds, and these were -cooked over our fire and divided among all hands, together with the few -things we had to offer. After the meal each soldier placed a big bite -of tobacco in his mouth, lit a cigarette, and proceeded to make himself -comfortable. - -"The Spaniards will not move in this weather," said one. "They are too -afraid of getting wet and taking cold." - -Darkness had come upon us, and it was still raining as steadily as -ever. Our clothing was dry; and, as the cave was warmed, the rebel -guards ordered us to put out the fire, that it might not attract -attention during the night. - -We were told that we had made several mistakes on the road and were -far away from Tiarriba. If we desire to go there, the rebels said they -would put us on the right road. - -"But if you are in sympathy with us, you had better pass Tiarriba by," -said one to Alano. "The city is filled with Spanish soldiers, and you -may not be able to get away as easily as you did from Santiago." - -Alano consulted with me, and then asked the rebel what we had best do. - -"That depends. Do you want to join the forces under General Garcia?" - -"We want to join our fathers at or near Guantanamo." - -"Garcia is pushing on in that direction. You had best join the army and -stay with it until Guantanamo is reached." - -"But we will have to fight?" said my Cuban chum. - -The guard smiled grimly, exhibiting a row of large white teeth. - -"As you will. The general will not expect too much from boys." - -There the talk ended, one of the rebels deeming it advisable to take a -tramp over to the next hill and back, and the other crouching down in a -corner for a nap. With nothing else to do, we followed the example of -the latter, and were soon in dreamland. - -A single call from the man who had slept beside us brought us to our -feet at daybreak. The storm had cleared away, and now it was positively -cool--so much so that I was glad enough to button my coat up tightly -and be thankful that the fire had dried it so well. The second rebel -was asleep, and had been for two hours. We followed one out of the cave -without arousing the other. - -A tramp of half a mile brought us to a high bank, and here our rebel -escort left us. - -"Across the bank you will find a wagon-road leading to the west," he -said. "Follow that, and you cannot help but meet some of our party -sooner or later. Remember the new password, 'Maysi,' and you will be -all right," and then he turned and disappeared from sight in the bush. - -The climb to the top of the bank was not difficult, and, once over -it, the road he had mentioned lay almost at our feet. We ran down to -it with lighter hearts than we had had for some time, and struck out -boldly, eating a light breakfast as we trudged along. - -"I hope we strike no more adventures until the vicinity of Guantanamo -is reached," I observed. - -"We can hardly hope for that, Mark," smiled my chum. "Remember we are -journeying through a country where war is raging. Let us be thankful if -we escape the battles and skirmishes." - -"And shooting down by some ambitious sharpshooter," I added. "By the -way, I wonder if our folks are looking for us?" - -"It may be they sent word not to come, when they saw how matters were -going, Mark. I am sure your father would not want you to run the risk -that----Look! look! We must hide!" - -Alano stopped short, caught me by the arm, and pointed ahead. Around a -turn in the road a dozen horsemen had swept, riding directly toward us. -A glance showed that they were Spanish guerrillas! - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -FOOLING THE SPANISH GUERRILLAS. - - -"_Halte!_" - -It was the cry of the nearest of the Spanish horsemen. He had espied -us just as Alano let out his cry of alarm, and now he came galloping -toward us at a rapid gait. - -"Let us run!" I ejaculated to my Cuban chum. "It is our only chance." - -"Yes, yes! but to where?" he gasped, staring around in bewilderment. On -one side of the road was a woods of mahogany, on the other some palms -and plantains, with here and there a great rock covered with thick -vines. - -"Among the rocks--anywhere!" I returned. "Come!" And, catching his -hand, I led the way from the road while the horseman was yet a hundred -feet from us. - -Another cry rang out--one I could not understand, and a shot followed, -clipping through the broad leaves over our heads. The horseman left the -road, but soon came to a stop, his animal's progress blocked by the -trees and rocks. He yelled to his companions, and all of the guerrillas -came up at topmost speed. - -"They will dismount and be after us in a minute!" gasped Alano. "Hark! -they are coming already!" - -"On! on!" I urged. "We'll find some hiding-place soon." - -Around the rocks and under the low-hanging plantains we sped, until the -road was left a hundred yards behind. Then we came to a gully, where -the vegetation was heavy. Alano pointed down to it. - -"We can hide there," he whispered. "But we will be in danger of snakes. -Yet it is the best we can do." - -I hesitated. To make the acquaintanceship of a serpent in that dense -grass was not pleasant to contemplate. But what else was there to do? -The footsteps of our pursuers sounded nearer. - -Down went Alano, making leaps from rock to rock, so that no trail -would be left. I followed at his heels, and, coming to a rock which -was partly hollowed out at one side and thickly overgrown, we crouched -under it and pulled the vines and creepers over us. - -It was a damp, unwholesome spot, but there was no help for it, and -when several enormous black beetles dropped down and crawled around my -neck I shut my lips hard to keep from crying out. We must escape from -the enemy, no matter what the cost, for even if they did not make us -prisoners we knew they would take all we possessed and even strip the -coats from our backs. - -Peering from between the vines, we presently caught sight of three of -the Spaniards standing at the top of the gully, pistols in hand, on the -alert for a sight of us. They were dark, ugly-looking fellows, with -heavy black mustaches and faces which had not had a thorough washing in -months. They were dressed in the military uniform of Spain, and carried -extra bags of canvas slung from their shoulders, evidently meant for -booty. That they were tough customers Alano said one could tell by -their vile manner of speech. - -"Do you see them, Carlo?" demanded one of the number. "I thought they -went down this hollow?" - -"I see nothing," was the answer, coupled with a vile exclamation. "They -disappeared as if by magic." - -"They were but boys." - -"Never mind, they were rebels--that is enough," put in the third -guerrilla, as he chewed his mustache viciously. "I wish I could get a -shot at them." - -At this Alano pulled out his pistol and motioned for me to do the same. - -"We may as well be prepared for the worst," he whispered into my ear. -"They are not soldiers, they are robbers--bandits." - -"They look bad enough for anything," I answered, and produced my -weapon, which I had not discharged since the brush with the alligator. - -"If they are in the hollow it is odd we do not see them on their -trail," went on one of the bandits. "Perhaps they went around." - -His companions shook their heads. - -"I'll thrash around a bit," said one of them; and, leaving the brink of -the gully, he started straight for our hiding-place. - -My heart leaped into my throat, and I feared immediate discovery. As -for Alano, he shoved his pistol under his coat, and I heard a muffled -click as the hammer was raised. - -When within ten feet of us the ugly fellow stopped, and I fairly held -my breath, while my heart appeared to beat like a trip-hammer. He -looked squarely at the rock which sheltered us, and I could not believe -he would miss discovering us. Once he started and raised his pistol, -and I imagined our time had come; but then he turned to one side, and I -breathed easier. - -"They did not come this way, _capitan_!" he shouted. "Let us go around -the hollow." - -In another moment all three of the bandits were out of sight. We heard -them moving in the undergrowth behind us, and one of them gave a scream -as a snake was stirred up and dispatched with a saber. Then all became -quiet. - -"What is best to do now?" I asked, when I thought it safe to speak. - -"Hush!" whispered Alano. "They may be playing us dark." - -A quarter of an hour passed,--it seemed ten times that period of time -just then,--and we heard them coming back. They were very angry at -their want of success; and had we been discovered, our fate would -undoubtedly have been a hard one. They stalked back to the road, and a -moment later we heard the hoof-strokes of their horses receding in the -distance. - -"Hurrah!" I shouted, but in a very subdued tone. "That's the time we -fooled them, Alano." - -My Cuban chum smiled grimly. "Yes, Mark, but we must be more careful in -the future. Had we not been so busy talking we might have heard their -horses long before they came into view. However, the scare is over, so -let us put our best foot forward once again." - -"If only we had horses too!" I sighed. "My feet are beginning to get -sore from the uneven walking." - -"Horses would truly be convenient at times. But we haven't them, and -must make the best of it. When we stop for our next meal you had best -take off your boots and bathe your feet. You will be astonished how -much rest that will afford them." - -I followed this advice, and found Alano was right; and after that -I bathed my feet as often as I got the chance. Alano suffered no -inconvenience in this particular, having climbed the hills since -childhood. - -We were again on rising ground, and now passed through a heavy wood of -cedars, the lower branches sweeping our hats as we passed. This thick -shade was very acceptable, for the glare of the sun had nearly blinded -me, while more than once I felt as if I would faint from the intense -heat. - -"It's not such a delightful island as I fancied it," I said to my chum. -"I much prefer the United States." - -"That depends," laughed Alano. "The White Mountains or the Adirondacks -are perhaps nicer, but what of the forests and everglades in Florida?" - -"Just as bad as this, I suppose." - -"Yes, and worse, for the ground is wetter, I believe. But come, don't -lag. We must make several more miles before we rest." - -We proceeded up a hill and across a level space which was somewhat -cleared of brush and trees. Beyond we caught sight of a thatched hut. -Hardly had it come into view than from its interior we heard a faint -cry for help. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -ANDRES. - - -"What is that?" ejaculated Alano, stopping short and catching my arm. - -"A cry of some kind," I answered. "Listen!" - -We stepped behind some trees, to avoid any enemies who might be about, -and remained silent. Again came the cry. - -"It is a man in distress!" said Alano presently. "He asks us not to -desert him." - -"Then he probably saw us from the window of the hut. What had we best -do?" - -"You remain here, and I will investigate," rejoined my Cuban chum. - -With caution he approached the thatched hut, a miserable affair, -scarcely twelve feet square and six feet high, with the trunks of palm -trees as the four corner-posts. There were one tiny window and a narrow -door, and Alano after some hesitation entered the latter, pistol in -hand. - -"Come, Mark!" he cried presently, and I ran forward and joined him. - -A pitiable scene presented itself. Closely bound to a post which ran -up beside the window was a Cuban negro of perhaps fifty years of age, -gray-haired and wrinkled. He was scantily clothed, and the cruel -green-hide cords which bound him had cut deeply into his flesh, in many -places to such an extent that the blood was flowing. The negro's tongue -was much swollen, and the first thing he begged for upon being released -was a drink of water. - -We obtained the water, and also gave him what we could to eat, for -which he thanked us over and over again, and would have kissed our -hands had we permitted it. He was a tall man, but so thin he looked -almost like a skeleton. - -"For two days was I tied up," he explained to Alano, in his Spanish -_patois_. "I thought I would die of hunger and thirst, when, on raising -my eyes, I beheld you and your companion. Heaven be praised for sending -you! Andres will never forget you for your goodness, never!" - -"And how came you in this position?" questioned my chum. - -"Ah, dare I tell, master?" - -"You are a rebel?" - -The negro lowered his eyes and was silent. - -"If you are, you have nothing to fear from us," continued Alano. - -"Ah--good! good!" Andres wrung his hand. "Yes, I am a rebel. For two -years I fought under our good General Maceo and under Garcia. But I -am old, I cannot climb the mountains as of yore, and I got sick and -was sent back. The Spanish soldiers followed me, robbed me of what -little I possessed, and, instead of shooting me, bound me to the post -as a torture. Ah, but they are a cruel set!" And the eyes of the negro -glowed wrathfully. "If only I was younger!" - -"Were the Spaniards on horseback?" asked Alano. - -"Yes, master--a dozen of them." - -Alano described the bandits we had met, and Andres felt certain they -must be the same crowd. The poor fellow could scarcely stand, and sank -down on a bed of cedar boughs and palm branches. We did what we could -for him, and in return he invited us to make his poor home our own. - -There was a rude fireplace behind the hut, and here hung a great iron -pot. Rekindling the fire, we set the pot to boiling; and Andres hobbled -around to prepare a soup, or rather broth, made of green plantains, -rice, and a bit of dried meat the bandits had not discovered, flavoring -the whole mess with garlic. The dish was not particularly appetizing to -me, but I was tremendously hungry and made way with a fair share of -it, while Alano apparently enjoyed his portion. - -It was dark when the meal was finished, and we decided to remain at -the hut all night, satisfied that we would be about as secure there -as anywhere. The smoke of the smoldering fire kept the mosquitoes -and gnats at a distance, and Andres found for us a couple of grass -hammocks, which, when slung from the corner-posts, made very -comfortable resting-places. - -During the evening Alano questioned Andres closely, and learned that -General Garcia was pushing on toward Guantanamo, as we had previously -been informed. Andres did not know Señor Guerez, but he asserted that -many planters throughout the district had joined the rebel forces, -deserting their canefields and taking all of their help with them. - -"The men are poorly armed," he continued. "Some have only their -canefield knives--but even with these they are a match for the Spanish -soldiers, on account of their bravery"--an assertion which later on -proved, for the greater part, to be true. - -The night passed without an alarm of any kind, and before sunrise we -were stirring around, preparing a few small fish Alano had been lucky -enough to catch in a near-by mountain stream. These fish Andres baked -by rolling them in a casing of clay; and never have I eaten anything -which tasted more delicious. - -Before we left him the Cuban negro gave us minute directions for -reaching the rear guard of the rebel army. He said the password was -still "Maysi." - -"You had better join the army," he said, on parting. "You will gain -nothing by trying to go around. And you, master Alano--if your father -has joined the forces, it may be that will gain you a horse and full -directions as to just where your parent is," and as we trudged off -Andres wished us Godspeed and good luck over and over again, with a -friendly wave of his black bony hand. - -The cool spell, although it was really only cool by contrast, had -utterly passed, and as the sun came up it seemed to fairly strike one -a blow upon the head. We were traveling along the edge of a low cliff, -and shade was scarce, although we took advantage of every bit which -came in our way. The perspiration poured from our faces, necks, and -hands; and about ten o'clock I was forced to call a halt and throw -myself on my back on the ground. - -"I knew it would be so," said my chum. "That is why I called for -an early start. We might as well rest until two or three in the -afternoon. Very few people travel here in the heat of the day." - -"It is suffocating," I murmured. "Like one great bake-oven and -steam-laundry combined." - -"That is what makes the vegetation flourish," he smiled. "Just see how -it grows!" - -I did not have far to look to notice it. Before us was a forest of -grenadillo and rosewood, behind us palms and plantains, with an -occasional cacao and mahogany tree. The ground was covered with long -grass and low brush, and over all hung the festoons of vines of many -colors, some blooming profusely. A smell of "something growing green" -filled the hot air, and from every side arose the hum of countless -insects and the occasional note of a bird. - -"I wouldn't remain on the ground too long," remarked Alano presently. -"When one is hot and lies down, that is the time to take on a fever. -Better rest in yonder tree--it is more healthy; and, besides, if there -is any breeze stirring, there is where you will catch it." - -"We might as well be on a deserted island as to be in Cuba," I said, -after both of us had climbed into a mahogany tree. "There is not a -building nor a human soul in sight. I half believe we are lost again." - -Alano smiled. "Let us rather say, as your Indian said, 'We are not -lost, we are here. The army and the towns and villages are lost,'" and -he laughed at the old joke, which had been the first he had ever read, -in English, in a magazine at Broxville Academy. - -"Well, it's just as bad, Alano. I, for one, am tired of tramping up -hill and down. If we could reach the army and get a couple of horses, -it would be a great improvement." - -My chum was about to reply to this, when he paused and gave a start. -And I started, too, when I saw what was the trouble. On a limb directly -over us, and ready to descend upon our very heads, was a serpent all of -six feet in length! - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -ACROSS THE CANEFIELDS. - - -"Look, Mark!" ejaculated Alano. - -"A snake!" I yelled. "Drop! drop!" - -I had already dropped to the limb upon which I had been sitting. Now, -swinging myself by the hands, I let go and descended to the ground, a -distance of twelve or fifteen feet. - -In less than a second my Cuban chum came tumbling after me. The fall -was no mean one, and had the grass under the tree been less deep we -might have suffered a sprained ankle or other injury. As it was, we -both fell upon our hands and knees. - -Gazing up at the limb we had left, we saw the serpent glaring down at -us, its angry eyes shining like twin diamonds. How evil its intention -had been we could but surmise. It was possible it had intended to -attack us both. It slid from the upper limb to the lower, and stretched -out its long, curling neck, while it emitted a hiss that chilled my -blood. - -"It's coming down! Run!" I began; when bang! went Alano's pistol, and I -saw the serpent give a quiver, and coil and uncoil itself around the -limb. The bullet had entered its neck, but it was not fatally wounded; -and now it came for us, landing in the grass not a dozen feet from -where we stood. - -Luckily, while traveling along the hills, we had provided ourselves -with stout sticks to aid us in climbing. These lay near, and, picking -one up, I stood on the defensive, certain the reptile would not dare to -show much fight. But it did, and darted for me with its dull-colored -head raised a few inches out of the grass. - -With all of the strength at my command I swung the stick around the -instant it came within reach. It tried to dodge, but failed; and, -struck in the neck, turned over and over as though more than half -stunned. - -By this time Alano had secured the second stick, and now he rushed in -and belabored the serpent over the head and body until it was nearly -beaten into a jelly. I turned sick at the sight, and was glad enough -when it was all over and the reptile was dead beyond all question. - -"That was a narrow escape!" I panted. "Alano, don't you advise me to -rest in a tree again. I would rather run the risk of fever ten times -over." - -"Serpents are just as bad in the grass," he replied simply. "Supposing -he had come up when you were flat on your back!" - -"Let us get away from here--there may be more. And throw away that -stick--it may have poison on it." - -"That serpent was not poisonous, Mark. But I will throw it away,--it is -so covered with blood,--and we can easily cut new ones." - -The excitement had made me forget the heat, and we went on for over a -mile. Then, coming to a mountain stream, we sat down to take it easy -until the sun had passed the zenith and it was a trifle cooler. - -About four o'clock in the afternoon, or evening, as they call it in -Cuba, we reached the end of the woods and came to the edge of an -immense sugar-cane field. The cane waved high over our heads, so that -what buildings might be beyond were cut off from view. There was a -rough cart-road through the field, and after some hesitation we took to -this, it being the only road in sight. - -We had traveled on a distance of half a mile when we reached a series -of storehouses, each silent and deserted. Beyond was a house, probably -belonging to the overseer of the plantation, and this was likewise -without occupant, the windows and doors shut tightly and bolted. - -"All off to the war, I suppose," I said. "And I had half an idea we -might get a chance to sleep in a bed to-night." - -"We might take possession," Alano suggested. - -But to this proposition I shook my head. "We might be caught and shot -as intruders. Come on. Perhaps the house of the owner is further on." - -Stopping for a drink at an old-fashioned well, we went on through the -sugar cane until we reached a small stream, beyond which was a boggy -spot several acres in extent. - -"We'll have to go around, Alano," I said. "Which way will be best?" - -"The ground appears to rise to our left," he answered. "We'll try in -that direction." - -Pushing directly through the cane, I soon discovered, was no mean work. -It was often well-nigh impossible to break aside the stout stalks, and -the stubble underfoot was more than trying to the feet. We went on a -distance of a hundred yards, and then on again to the stream, only to -find the same bog beyond. - -"We'll have to go further yet," said Alano. "Come, Mark, ere the sun -gets too low." - -"Just a few minutes of rest," I pleaded, and pulled down the top of a -cane. The sweet juice was exceedingly refreshing, but it soon caused a -tremendous thirst, which I gladly slaked at the not over clear stream. -Another jog of quarter of an hour, and we managed to cross at a point -which looked like solid ground. - -"How far do you suppose this field extends?" I asked. - -"I have no idea; perhaps but a short distance, and then again it may be -a mile or more. Some of the plantations out here are very large." - -"Do you think we can get back to the road? I can't go much further -through this stubble." - -"I'll break the way, Mark. You follow me." - -On we went in the direction we imagined the trail to be, but taking -care to avoid the bog. I was almost ready to drop from exhaustion, when -Alano halted. - -"Mark!" - -"What now, Alano?" - -"Do you know where we are?" - -"In a sugar-cane field," I said, trying to keep up my courage. - -"Exactly, but we are lost in it." - -I stared at him. - -"Can one become lost in a sugar-cane field?" I queried. - -"Yes, and badly lost, for there is nothing one can climb to take a view -of the surroundings. Even if you were to get upon my shoulders you -could see but little." - -"I'll try it," I answered, and did so without delay, for the sun was -now sinking in the west. - -But my chum had been right; try my best I could not look across the -waving cane-tops. We were hedged in on all sides, with only the setting -sun to mark our course. - -"It's worse than being out on an open prairie," I remarked. "What shall -we do?" - -"There is but one thing--push on," rejoined Alano gravely; "unless you -want to spend a night here." - -Again we went on, but more slowly, for even my chum was now weary. The -wet ground passed, we struck another reach of upland, and this gave -us hope, for we knew the sugar cane would not grow up the hills. But -the rise soon came to an end, and we found ourselves going down into -a worse hollow than that we had left. Ere we knew it, the water was -forming around our boots. - -"We must go back!" I cried. - -"I think it is drier a few yards beyond," said Alano. "Don't go back -yet." - -The sun had set, so far as we were concerned, and it was dark at the -foot of the cane-stalks. We plowed on, getting deeper and deeper into -the bog or mire. It was a sticky paste, and I could hardly move one -foot after another. I called to Alano to halt, and I had scarcely done -so when he uttered an ejaculation of disgust. - -"What is it?" I called. - -"I can't move--I am stuck!" - -I looked ahead and saw that he spoke the truth. He had sunk to the -tops of his boots, and every effort to extricate himself only made him -settle deeper. - -I endeavored to gain his side and aid him, but it was useless. Ere I -was aware I was as deep and deeper than Alano, and there we stood,--and -stuck,--unable to help ourselves, with night closing rapidly in upon -us. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -A COUNCIL OF THE ENEMY. - - -"Well, this is the worst yet," I said, after a minute of silence. -Somehow, I felt like laughing, yet our situation was far from being a -laughing matter. - -"We have put our foot into it, and no mistake," rejoined Alano -dubiously. - -"Say feet, Alano,--and legs,--and you'll be nearer it. What on earth is -to be done?" - -"I don't know. See, I am up to my thighs already. In an hour or so I'll -be up to my neck." - -To this I made no reply. I had drawn my pistol, and with the crook of -the handle was endeavoring to hook a thick sugar-cane stalk within my -reach. Several times I had the stalk bent over, but it slipped just as -I was on the point of grasping it. - -But I persevered,--there was nothing else to try,--and at last my eager -fingers encircled the stalk. I put my pistol away and pulled hard, and -was overjoyed to find that I was drawing myself up out of my unpleasant -position. - -"Be careful--or the stalk will break," cautioned my Cuban chum, when -crack! it did split, but not before I was able to make a quick leap on -top of the clump of roots. Here I sank again, but not nearly as deeply -as before. - -The leap I had taken had brought me closer to Alano, and now I was -enabled to break down a number of stalks within his reach. He got a -firm hold and pulled with all of his might, and a moment later stood -beside me. - -"Oh, but I'm glad we're out of that!" were his first words. "I thought -I was planted for the rest of my life." - -"We must get out of the field. See, it will be pitch dark in another -quarter of an hour." - -"Let us try to go back--it will be best." - -We turned around, and took hold of each other's hands, to balance -ourselves on the sugar-cane roots, for we did not dare to step in the -hollows between. Breaking down the cane was slow and laborious work, -and soon it was too dark to see our former trail. We lost it, but this -was really to our advantage, for, by going it blindly for another -quarter of an hour, we emerged into an opening nearly an acre square -and on high and dry ground. - -Once the patch was reached, we threw ourselves down on the grass -panting for breath, the heavy perspiration oozing from every pore. We -had had another narrow escape, and silently I thanked Heaven for my -deliverance. - -Toward the higher end of the clearing was a small hut, built of logs -plastered with sun-baked clay. We came upon it by accident in the dark, -and, finding it deserted, lit our bit of candle before mentioned and -made an examination. - -"It's a cane-cutter's shanty," said Alano. "I don't believe anybody -will be here to-night, so we might as well remain and make ourselves -comfortable." - -"We can do nothing else," I returned. "We can't travel in the darkness." - -Both of us were too exhausted to think of building a fire or preparing -a meal. We ate some of our provisions out of our hands, pulled off our -water-soaked boots, and were soon asleep on the heaps of stalks the -shanty contained. Once during the night I awoke to find several species -of vermin crawling around, but even this was not sufficient to make me -rouse up against the pests. I lay like a log, and the sun was shining -brightly when Alano shook me heartily by the shoulder. - -"Going to sleep all day?" he queried. - -"Not much!" I cried, springing up. "Hullo, if you haven't got breakfast -ready!" I added, glancing to where he had built a fire. - -"Yes; I thought I'd let you sleep for a while," he answered. "Fall to, -and we'll be on our way. If we have good luck we may strike a part of -General Garcia's army to-day." - -"If we can get out of this beastly canefield." - -"I've found a way out, Mark. Finish your meal, and I'll show you." - -Breakfast was speedily dispatched, and, having put on my boots, which -were stiff and hard from the wetting received, and taken up my valise, -I followed Alano to the extreme southwest end of the clearing. Here -there was an ox-cart trail, leading in a serpentine fashion through the -canefield to still higher ground. Beyond were the inevitable rocks and -woods. - -"We seem to have missed everything," I said pointedly. "We have been -lost several times, and even now we don't know where we are." - -"We know we're not sinking to the bottom of that sugar-cane field," -replied my Cuban chum grimly. "That's something to be thankful for. Ah, -look--there is quite a respectable-looking highway. Let us take to that -and keep our eyes and ears open. It must lead to somewhere." - -We had reached the highway at right-angles, and now we pursued a course -directly eastward, which we felt must bring us closer and closer to the -vicinity of Guantanamo. I asked Alano if he recognized the country at -all, but he shook his head. - -"I was never out in this direction," he explained. "My journeys have -always been from Guantanamo to Santiago by water." - -As we progressed we passed several isolated huts, and then a village -containing perhaps a score of dwellings. The separate huts were -deserted without exception, but in the village we came across three -tall and bony colored women, who eyed us with great suspicion. - -Alano began to open a friendly conversation in Spanish with them, and -offered to pay them well if they would get us up a good dinner. But -this they could not do, for there was little to be had outside of some -vegetables. They said they had had some meat, but it had all been -confiscated by the soldiers who had passed through only the evening -before. - -"She means a body of Spanish soldiers," said Alano, after some more -talk with the oldest of the women. "She says there were about a hundred -of them on horseback, and they were following up a detachment of -General Garcia's volunteers." - -"If that is so they can't be far off," I rejoined. "We must be more -careful than ever." - -"If only we could catch up to them, get around them, and warn our -fellows!" remarked Alano, his black eyes sparkling. - -"It's easy to see you're a rebel," I said, laughing. - -"And why not--if my father is one? Come, what do you say?" - -"I am with you, if it can be done. But we mustn't run into needless -danger, Alano." - -"We will take care, Mark." - -Luckily, the sun had gone under the clouds, so it was not so warm when -we resumed our journey, after the negro women had supplied us with the -best meal at their command. They smiled broadly when Alano told them -he was a rebel sympathizer, and each declared her husband had joined -General Garcia's army several weeks previously. - -The road now led along the southern edge of a deep ravine, bordered -upon either side with wild plantains and cacao trees, with here and -there an occasional palm. The highway was stony, and presently Alano -called a halt. - -"Hark!" he said, holding up his hand; and we listened, to discern the -tramping of horses' hoofs some distance ahead. - -"There are a good many horses," I said. "Perhaps it is the Spanish -detachment." - -Alano nodded. "Follow me, and take to the woods if I hiss," he replied. - -On we went again, but slower than before. The road now wound around -to the right, up under a cliff backed up by a small mountain. As the -sun was behind the mountain, the path was dark in its more sheltered -portions. - -Suddenly Alano let out a soft hiss, and we leaped back behind a -convenient rock. - -"They are just ahead!" he cried softly. "They have quartered themselves -for the middle of the day in a cave-like opening under the cliff, where -it is, no doubt, cool and pleasant." - -"Well, what had we best do?" - -"Get around them, by some means, Mark. But, hold up! Wouldn't it be -fine if we could draw close enough to overhear them--if they are -talking over their plans!" - -"It would be risky," I hesitated. - -"Yes, but think of the service we might do my countrymen!" - -"That is true. Well, I'm with you, Alano, but for gracious' sake be -careful!" - -We talked the matter over for a few minutes, and then retraced our -steps to where a narrow path led to the top of the cliff. Climbing -this, we crawled along the edge of the cliff until we reached a spot -directly over the encamped Spaniards. - -They were a hearty, bold-looking set of men, handsomely uniformed -and thoroughly armed, presenting a decided contrast to the dirty -guerrillas we had previously encountered. A number of the soldiers were -reclining upon the ground smoking, but a half-dozen of them, evidently -officers, were gathered in a circle, conversing earnestly. - -"They are holding a council of war!" cried Alano, after he had strained -his ears to catch what was being said. "They are waiting for Captain -Crabo to join them with another detachment, and then they are to aid -some others in surrounding the left wing of General Garcia's army, -which is encamped in the valley on the other side of this mountain." - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -A WILD RIDE ON HORSEBACK. - - -I was of course deeply interested in what Alano had to say, and my -heart gave a sudden leap when he mentioned that General Garcia's wing -of the rebel army was so close at hand. Instantly I thought of my -father. Was he in the ranks? - -I was about to speak when my Cuban chum motioned me to silence. As -cautiously as a cat he drew closer to the edge of the cliff, throwing -himself flat on his face as he made the movement. I followed suit, -knowing full well that I would scarcely be able to understand the -council of war being held below, but anxious to get a better view of -the soldiery we now considered our enemies. - -Evidently the Spanish officers did not imagine any outsiders were -near, for they spoke rather loudly, while each gesticulated a good -deal in his own particular manner. Ten minutes passed, and then there -came a pause. Alano touched me on the arm, and, as silently as we had -advanced, we turned and retreated into the brush back of the cliff. - -"I have their plans well in mind, Mark," he whispered. "Oh, if only we -could find General Garcia and tell him all!" - -"Did you find out just where the general is located?" - -"Pretty nearly--in that direction"--my Cuban chum waved his hand. -"There is a ravine to cross and then a pass through the mountains. I -believe the rebels now hold the pass, but the Spaniards mean to gain -the high ground and hem them in. If they do that, my people will be -slaughtered like cattle in a pen." - -"And supposing our fathers are with the rebels?" I put in quickly. - -"Yes, I was thinking of that, Mark. We had best---- Hist!" - -Alano stopped short. From a distance came the sounds of horses' hoofs. - -"It must be Captain Crabo," said Alano. "Lay low!" - -We drew still further into the brush and waited. Nearer and nearer came -the horses. Then came a shout and a sudden halting. - -"They've challenged the newcomers," whispered Alano, as we heard the -words "_Quien va?_" - -Evidently the reply was satisfactory, for in a moment more the new -arrivals had joined the force under the cliff. Looking from our -shelter, we saw that Captain Crabo was the same individual who had had -us locked up in the smoke-house some days previously. - -"We don't want him to lay hands on us again," I said, and Alano smiled -grimly. "Why not get out at once?" I went on. - -"Wait till I hear what Captain Crabo has to say, Mark. He may bring -news, and we want to learn as much as we can. If they----" - -My Cuban chum was forced to stop speaking, for with a quick movement I -had placed a warning hand over his mouth. Some of the soldiers who had -been resting were coming up the cliff, evidently to take a look at the -surroundings. - -"Come!" I whispered into Alano's ear, and turned to retreat. He -followed me, and a distance of fifty feet was covered through the -undergrowth, when we found ourselves at the edge of another cliff and -actually hemmed in by the advancing men. - -What were we to do? It was a serious question, and one to be decided -instantly. Already the foremost of the men was less than two rods -behind us. We looked around for a place to hide, but none was at hand. -Then Alano gave a cry. - -"They are coming from the other direction too! We are lost!" - -Scarcely had the words left his lips than we heard a yell from two of -the Spanish soldiers. We were discovered, and all thoughts of further -concealment in that hemmed-in spot were out of the question. - -Hardly realizing what I was doing in my agitated frame of mind, I ran -down to the very edge of the cliff at a point about a hundred and fifty -feet above where the soldiers were encamped. Looking down I discovered -a series of crags leading to the highway below. Here a score or more of -horses were tethered to a mahogany tree. - -"Come, it's our only chance!" I ejaculated, and leaped for the nearest -crag below me at the imminent peril of tumbling and breaking my neck. - -Down I went, jumping and rolling from one projection of rocks to -another, with Alano but a short distance behind me. I heard a command -to stop, and then a shot, but paid no heed. With a final bump I reached -the foot of the cliff, less than a dozen feet from where the horses -were standing. - -My sudden appearance startled several of the animals, and they plunged -and broke their halters. But they did not run away, and the fact that -they were loose gave me another idea. - -"The horses, Alano! Let us ride away on them!" - -"Yes! yes!" he replied, and in a twinkle we had secured two of the -nearest of the animals. We leaped into the saddle just as a second shot -rang out. The bullet struck my horse a glancing blow on the flank, and -off he tore up the highway as though dug with a spur. - -I heard Alano coming behind me, but did not dare look back, for the -highway was a poor one and my beast needed all of my attention. -Fortunately, riding had been taught to me at Broxville Military -Academy, so I felt fairly well at home in the saddle. Gathering up the -reins, I sent the animal along at all the speed at his command. The -shouting behind continued, but no more shots were fired, for the trees -now hid both of us from our pursuers. - -"That was a clever move," cried Alano, as he presently ranged up beside -me. "We have escaped them and provided ourselves with as good horses as -one would wish to ride." - -"They will certainly follow us, Alano. We must see if we can't throw -them off the trail." - -"I see no side road." - -"Well, come on until we strike something." I answered. - -Forward we went, making both horses do their best. Half a mile was -covered and we forded a small mountain torrent. As the animals paused -to stick their noses into the cooling liquid, we listened and heard the -Spaniards coming after us on the remainder of the animals. - -"Quick!" cried Alano. "They have lost no time in following." - -"There is a side road, leading into the mountains," I returned. "We had -better take that." - -We turned off as I had advised, and it was not long before another -half-mile was covered. Having reached an elevation of several hundred -feet, the road became broad and tolerably level, and we went on faster -than ever. - -"We ought to be getting close to the rebel camp," said Alano, a while -later. "By the looks of the country we should be near that pass the -rebels are supposed to be occupying." - -"I doubt if it is long before we strike some of your people now," I -answered. "But supposing we slack up a bit? The horses can't stand this -strain in the heat." - -"Oh, they are used to the heat. But we can take it easier if you say -so. There isn't any use of our riding ourselves sore the first day in -the saddle." - -"I suppose they can put us down for horse thieves if they want to." - -"Not much, Mark. Why, it's more than likely these horses were -confiscated from my countrymen in the first place." - -Thus conversing, we galloped along for half a mile further. Then, as -Alano paused to readjust his horse's saddle, I fancied I heard some -suspicious sounds behind us, and drew my chum's attention to them. - -"Horses!" cried Alano. "They must have found our trail, and are coming -after us! Come ahead, or we'll be captured after all!" - -Once more we urged our animals forward. But not for long. Coming to a -turn in the road, Alano yelled to me to halt, and pointed ahead. - -I gave a groan as I looked. A mountain stream, all of twelve feet wide -and twice as deep, crossed the roadway. There had been a rude bridge -of tree trunks, but this was torn away, and thus our further retreat -seemed hopelessly cut off. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -A DARING LEAP. - - -For the moment neither Alano nor myself spoke as we gazed at the gap -before us. Then I gave a groan which seemed to come from my very soul. - -"We are lost, Alano! They have hemmed us in!" - -My Cuban chum did not answer. Instead, he gazed to the right and the -left. - -But this was useless. On our right was a stony undergrowth impossible -to traverse, on the left a thick jungle leading down into what looked -like a bottomless morass. - -The hoof-strokes of the pursuing horses sounded nearer, and I expected -every moment to see the band of Spanish cavalrymen dash into sight -with drawn arms, ready to shoot or cut us down. Alano must have been -thinking the same, for I saw him grate his teeth hard. - -"Mark!" he cried suddenly. "Come, it's our only hope." - -"What?" - -"To cross the stream." - -"But how? We can't jump it." - -"We'll make the horses do it. Be quick, or it will be too late. Watch -me. I am certain these horses know how to do the trick." - -He rode back a distance of two hundred feet. Then on he came, like the -wind, his animal well in hand. A cry of command, and the horse rose in -the air and went over the chasm like a bird. - -Could I do as well? There was no time left to speculate on the subject. -Our pursuers were but just around the turn. I rode back as Alano had -done and started to make the leap. - -"_Halte!_" It was the cry of Captain Crabo, who was in the lead of the -oncoming cavalrymen. I paid no attention. The edge of the mountain -stream was reached, and I cried to my horse to move forward. - -But he was stubborn, and made a balk for which I was hardly prepared. -Down went his front feet against a bit of sharp rock, and the shock -threw me over his head and directly into the middle of the mountain -torrent! - -I heard Alano give a cry of alarm, and then the waters closed over my -head. Down and down I went, for at this point the water was at least -fifteen feet deep. The sunlight was shut out as I passed under several -overhanging rocks, only to bump up against the roots of a tree, where -the water rushed rapidly in several directions. - -Dazed to such an extent that I hardly knew what I was doing, I caught -at the roots, held fast, and drew my head above the surface of the -stream. I was out of sight of those who were after me, and prudently -concluded to remain where I was. - -My hiding-place was far from agreeable. The tree roots were slimy, and -I imagined they must be the home of water snakes. Just over my head was -a mass of soil over which crawled innumerable black beetles, some as -big as a man's thumb. Within reach of my hand, a large green-and-white -frog blinked at me in amazement. - -The shouts of the Spaniards reached me in a muffled way, as I heard -them dismount and tramp up and down the torrent in search of me. I -expected every moment to be discovered, but that moment did not come, -and quarter of an hour passed. - -By this time I could scarcely hold on longer to the tree roots. I -listened as well as I could, and, hearing no sound, let go my hold. The -rush of water speedily carried me fifteen feet further down the stream, -and here I caught hold of some bushes and pulled myself up on the bank -and out of sight. - -I was now on the same side to which Alano had crossed, and I soon -discovered that several of the Spaniards had also come over, although -on foot. They were in the neighborhood of the highway, and I could make -out enough of their talk to know they were deploring their luck in not -being able to find me and stop my Cuban chum. - -Feeling that it would be foolhardy to leave my place of concealment -for some time to come, I endeavored to make myself as comfortable as -possible under the shelter of a clump of wild orange trees. These were -full of the tempting-looking fruit, which, however, I found on sampling -was so bitter it fairly puckered my mouth. But in my bag were some -biscuits, and, as these were thoroughly water-soaked, I ate several -with a relish. - -Twice did the Spaniards pass within fifty feet of my hiding-place, and -each time I felt like giving myself up for lost. They remained in the -vicinity until nearly sundown, and then withdrew in the direction from -whence they had come, growling volubly among themselves over their -ill-luck. - -With cautious steps I left the clump of wild oranges, and hurried to -the highway. As Alano was on horseback, I felt he must have kept to the -road. How far he had gone there was no telling, although it must be -several miles if not much further. - -While at the military academy we boys had, like many other school -fellows, adopted a peculiar class whistle. This I felt certain Alano -would remember well, and, at the risk of being spotted, I emitted the -whistle with all the strength of my lungs, not once, but half a dozen -times. - -I listened intently, but no answer came back; and, satisfied that my -chum was not within hearing, I went on my way, up the road, keeping an -eye open for any enemy who might be in ambush. - -It was now growing dark, and I felt that in another half-hour night -would be upon me. To be alone in that wilderness was not pleasant, but -just then there appeared to be no help for it. - -At the distance of half a mile I stopped again to whistle. While I was -listening intently I fancied I heard a rustle among the trees to my -right. I instantly dove out of sight behind some brush, but the noise -did not continue, and I concluded it must have been made by some bird. - -Presently the road took another turn and made a descent into a canyon -from which the light of day had long since fled. I hesitated and looked -forward. Certainly the prospect was not an inviting one. But to turn -back I felt would be foolish, so I went on, although more cautiously -than ever. - -At the bottom of the hollow was a bit of muddy ground, over which a -mass of cut brush had been thrown, probably to make the passage safer -for man and beast. I had just stepped on this brush when something -whizzed through the air and encircled my neck. Before I could save -myself, I was jerked backward and felt a rawhide lasso cutting into my -windpipe. I caught hold of the rawhide and tried to rise, but several -forms arose out of the surrounding gloom and fell upon me, bearing me -to the earth. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -FRIENDS IN NEED. - - -I speedily found that my enemies were five in number; and, as they were -all tall and powerful men, to struggle against them would have been -foolhardy. - -"Don't choke me--I give in," I gasped, and then the pressure on my neck -was relieved. - -"_Americano_," I heard one of the fellows mutter. "No talk, you!" he -hissed into my ear, and flourished a knife before my eyes to emphasize -his words. - -I shut my mouth, to signify that I agreed, and then I was allowed to -rise, and in a twinkle my hands were tied behind my back. Two of the -men conducted me away from the spot, while a third followed us. The -other two men remained on guard at the highway. - -I wondered if Alano had been captured, but just then did not give the -subject much thought. There was no telling whether the men were Spanish -or Cuban sympathizers; but, no matter to what side they belonged, -I noted with a shudder that they were a decidedly tough class of -citizens. - -Leaving the highway, we made our way along a rocky course leading to a -small clearing at the top of a plateau. Back of the clearing was a rude -hut, set in a grove of sapodilla trees. Around the hut half a dozen -dirty soldiers were lying, who leaped up at our approach. An earnest -conversation in a Spanish _patois_ followed, and then one of the men -spoke to me in Spanish. - -"No speak Spanish, eh?" he growled, in return to my assertion to that -effect. "Who you be? Where you go to?" - -"I am on my way to Guantanamo, to join my father," I said, and made as -much of an explanation as I deemed necessary. - -The soldiers glared suspiciously at me when my words were translated to -them. Then, without ceremony, they began to search me, taking all I had -of value from me. - -"You are not going to rob me, I trust," I said, and the man who could -speak English laughed coarsely. - -"We take all we get," he replied. "All right in war, _amigo_." - -I was not his _amigo_, or friend, but I was forced to submit; and, -even as it was, I was thankful my life had been spared, for they were -a cruel-looking band, with less of the soldier than the bandit about -them. - -When I saw a chance, I started in to question them concerning Alano, -but the nearest fellow, with a flat blow from his dirty hand, stopped -me. - -"No talk!" growled he who could speak English. - -After this I said no more, but from where I had been placed, at the -rear of the hot and ill-ventilated hut, I watched the men narrowly -and tried to understand what they were talking about. I heard General -Garcia mentioned and also the word "machete," the name of the long, -deadly knives most of the Cuban soldiers carried. - -At last the men around the hut began to grow sleepy, and one after -another sought a suitable spot and threw himself down to rest. The -youngest of the party, a fellow not over twenty, was left on guard. - -With his pistol in his lap, this guard sat on a flat rock, rolling -cigarette after cigarette and smoking them. From my position in the hut -I could just catch his outline, and I watched him eagerly. I pretended -to go to sleep, but I was very wide awake. - -It must have been well past midnight, and I was giving up in despair, -when the last of the cigarettes went out and the guard's head fell -forward on his breast. In the meantime I had been silently working at -the rawhide which bound my hands. In my efforts my wrists were cut not -a little, but at last my hands were free. - -Feeling that the guard and the others were all asleep, I arose as -silently as a shadow. Several of my captors lay between me and the -entrance of the hut, and it was with extreme caution that I stepped -over them. The last man sighed heavily and turned over just as I went -by, and with my heart in my throat I leaped out into the open. - -But he did not awaken, nor did the guard notice my appearance. As I -passed the latter I saw something shining on the ground. It was the -pistol, which had slipped from the guard's lap. I hesitated only an -instant, then picked it up and glided onward to the end of the plateau. - -"_Halte!_" The command, coming so suddenly, was enough to startle -anybody, and I leaped back several feet. A man had appeared before -me, one of the fellows left to guard the highway below. Following the -command came an alarm in Spanish. - -On the instant the camp was in commotion. The guard was the first to -awaken, and his anger when he found his pistol gone was very great. -While he was searching for his weapon, the others poured from the hut -and ran toward me, leveling their weapons as they came. - -I was caught between two fires, for the man before me also had his -pistol raised, and I did not know what to do. Then, to avoid being -struck, and not wishing to shed blood, I leaped toward some near-by -bushes. - -Bang! crack! A musket and a pistol went off almost simultaneously, and -I heard a clipping sound through the trees. Just as my former captors -turned to follow me into the thicket, there came another shot from down -in the hollow of the highway. - -"_Cuba libre!_" I heard echo upon several sides, and a rattle of -musketry followed. From a dozen spots in the hollow I saw the long -flashes of fire, and I at once knew that a portion of the Cuban army -was at hand and had surprised the Spanish sympathizers who were -attempting to hold the highway. - -The moment the battle started below the plateau those who had held me -captive gave up pursuing me, and rushed back to the hut to obtain their -entire belongings--feeling, doubtless, that the region would soon get -too hot to hold them. I watched them turn away with keen satisfaction, -and remained where I was, the guard's pistol still in my possession. - -For fully half an hour the firing kept up, and then came a rush along -the highway and again I heard the cry of "_Cuba libre!_" raised, -showing that the rebels were getting the best of the encounter and had -driven the Spanish soldiers from their hiding-places. On went one body -of men after the other down the road, until the sounds of their voices -and firearms were almost lost in the distance. - -Certain that the plateau was now absolutely deserted, I ran back to the -hut and found my valise, which had been thrown in a corner. My pistol -was gone, but as I had another, fully loaded and just as good, I did -not mind this. With my satchel over my shoulder, I crawled cautiously -down to the highway and hurried in the direction I had before been -pursuing. - -I had just reached the opposite side of the hollow, where all was pitch -dark, on account of the shade, when a feeble moan came to my ears. -Moving silently in the direction, I found a negro lying on his back, a -fearful wound in his shoulder. - -The man could speak nothing but a Cuban _patois_, yet I understood -that he was in pain and desired his shoulder bound up. Wetting my -handkerchief in the water at the hollow, I washed the wound as best I -could and tied it up with strips of muslin torn from the sleeve of his -ragged shirt and my own shirt sleeve. For this, I could note by his -manner, that he was extremely grateful. - -"_Americano?_" he said. - -"Yes," I replied. - -Then he asked me several other questions, from which I made out that he -wanted to know which side I was on. Feeling certain I was safe, I said -"Cuba," and he smiled faintly. - -"I want to find General Garcia," I continued, emphasizing the name. -Then I tapped my breast, said General Garcia again, and pointed off -with my finger. - -He nodded and attempted to sit up. With his bony finger he pointed -up the highway, and circled his finger to the northwest to signify I -was to turn off in that direction. Then he caught me by the arm and -whispered "Maysi" into my ear--the password. - -Feeling I could do no more for him at present, I went on, and at the -distance of an eighth of a mile came to a side road, which was the -one he had described to me. It was narrow and rocky, and I had not -proceeded over two hundred feet in the direction when a soldier leaped -out from behind a banana tree and presented his gun. - -"_Halte!_" he cried. - -"Maysi!" I called promptly. - -The gun was lowered, and, seeing I was but a boy, the guard smiled and -murmured "_Americano?_" to which I nodded. - -"General Garcia," I said, and tapped my breast to signify I wished to -see the great Cuban leader. - -Without a word the guard led me on a distance of a hundred feet and -called another soldier. A short talk ensued, and the second man -motioned me to follow him through a trail in the brush. We went on for -ten minutes, then came to a clearing hemmed in by a cliff and several -high rocks. - -Here were over a hundred soldiers on foot and twice as many on -horseback. In the midst of the latter was the Cuban general I had asked -to see--the gallant soldier who had fought so hard in the cause of -Cuban liberty. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -GENERAL CALIXTO GARCIA. - - -My first view of General Calixto Garcia was a disappointing one. -For some reason, probably from the reports I had heard concerning -his bravery, I had expected to see a man of great proportions and -commanding aspect. Instead, I saw an elderly gentleman of fair figure, -with mild eyes and almost white mustache and beard, the latter trimmed -close. But the eyes, though mild, were searching, and as he turned them -upon me I felt he was reading me through and through. - -He was evidently surprised to see a boy, and an American at that. He -spoke but little English, but an interpreter was close at hand, who -immediately demanded to know who I was, where I had come from, and what -I wanted. - -"My name is Mark Carter, and I have journeyed all the way from Santiago -de Cuba," I replied. "I heard that my father and his friend, Señor -Guerez, had joined General Garcia's forces." - -"You are Señor Carter's son!" exclaimed the Cuban officer, and turned -quickly to General Garcia. The two conversed for several minutes, and -then the under-officer turned again to me. - -"General Garcia bids you welcome," he said, and at the same time the -great Cuban leader smiled and extended his hand, which I found as hard -and horny as that of any tiller of the soil. "He knows your father and -Señor Guerez well." - -"And where are they now?" I asked quickly. - -"They were with the army two days ago, but both went off to escort the -ladies of Señor Guerez' family to a place of safety. The señor was -going to take his wife and daughters to an old convent up a river some -miles from here." - -This was rather disheartening news, yet I had to be content. I asked if -my father was well. - -"Very well, although hardly able to walk, on account of a leg he broke -some time ago." - -"And have you seen Alano Guerez? He is about my own age, and was with -me up to this morning," I went on, and briefly related my adventures on -the road, to which the officer listened with much interest. - -"We have seen nothing of him," was the reply I received. "But he may be -somewhere around here." - -The officer wished to know about the Spanish detachment we had met, and -I told him all I knew, which was not much, as I had not understood -the Spanish spoken and Alano had not interpreted it for me. But even -the little I had to say seemed to be highly important, and the officer -immediately reported the condition of affairs to General Garcia. - -By this time some of the soldiers who had taken part in the fight at -the foot of the plateau came back, bringing with them several wounded -men, including the negro whose wound I had bound up. The disabled ones -were placed in a temporary hospital, which already sheltered a dozen -others, and General Garcia rode off with his horsemen, leaving the foot -soldiers to spread out along the southeastern slope of the mountain. - -Left to myself, I hardly knew what to do. A black, who could speak a -few words of "Englis'," told me I could go where I wanted, but must -look out for a shot from the enemy; and I wandered over to the hospital -and to the side of the fellow I had formerly assisted. - -The hospital, so called, consisted of nothing more than a square of -canvas stretched over the tops of a number of stunted trees. From one -tree to another hammocks, made of native grass, were slung, and in -these, and on piles of brush on the ground, rested the wounded ones. -Only one regular doctor was in attendance, and as his surgical skill -and instruments were both limited, the sufferings of the poor fellows -were indeed great. - -"Him brudder me--you help him," said the black who spoke "Englis'," as -he pointed to the fellow whose wound I had dressed. "Jorge Nullus no -forget you--verra good you." - -"Is your name Jorge Nullus?" - -"Yeas, señor--him brudder Christoval." - -"Where did you learn English?" - -"Me in Florida once--dree year ago--stay seex months--no like him -there--too hard work," and Jorge Nullus shrugged his shoulders. "You -verra nice leetle man, señor," and he smiled broadly at his open -compliment. - -"Do you know Señor Guerez?" I questioned quickly. - -"Me hear of him--dat's all." - -"Do you know where the old convent on the river is?" I continued. - -The Cuban nodded. "Yeas--been dare many times--bring 'taters, onions, -to Father Anuncio." - -"Could you take me there--if General Garcia would let you go?" - -"Yeas, señor. But Spaniards all around--maybe shoot--bang!--dead," and -he pointed to his wounded brother. The brother demanded to know what -we were talking about, and the two conversed for several minutes. Then -Jorge turned again to me. - -[Illustration: "GENERAL GARCIA, THE GALLANT SOLDIER WHO HAD FOUGHT SO -HARD IN THE CAUSE OF CUBAN LIBERTY."] - -"Christoval say me take you; you verra good leetle man, señor. We go -now, you say go." - -"Will you be allowed to go?" - -"Yeas--General Garcia no stop me--he know me all right," and the negro -grinned and showed his teeth. - -I was tempted to start at once, but decided to wait until morning, in -the hope of finding Alano. In spite of the fact that I knew my chum -would be doubly cautious, now we were separated, I felt decidedly -anxious about him. The Spanish troops were on every side, and the -soldiers would not hesitate to shoot him down should they learn who he -was. - -The night passed in comparative quietness. Toward morning we heard -distant firing to the northwest, and at five o'clock a messenger dashed -into camp with the order to move on to the next mountain, a distance -of two miles. Through Jorge I learned that the Spaniards had been -outwitted and driven back to the place from whence they had come. - -There now seemed nothing for me to do but to push on to the convent on -the river, in the hope of there joining my father. We were, so I was -told, but a few miles from Guantanamo, but the route to the convent -would not take us near the town. - -Jorge's brother felt much better, so the negro went off with a light -heart, especially after I had made it plain to him that my father would -reward him for any trouble he took on my account. I told him about -Alano, and before leaving camp we walked around among the sentries in -the hope of gaining some information concerning him. But it was all -useless. - -"Maybe he went on to Father Anuncio's," said my negro guide, and this -gave me a grain of comfort. - -The soldiers and Jorge and myself left the camp at about the same -time, but we did not take the same road, and soon my guide and I found -ourselves on a lonely mountain trail overlooking a valley thick with -brush and trees. The sun shone brightly, but the air was clear and -there was a fine breeze blowing, and this made it much cooler than it -would otherwise have been. - -I missed the horse, and wondered if Alano still had the animal he had -captured. It might be possible he had ridden straight on to Guantanamo, -and was now bound from there up the river. If that was so, we might -meet on the river road. - -"Werry bad road now," said Jorge, as we came to a halt on the mountain -side. "Be careful how you step, Señor Mark." - -He pointed ahead, to where a narrow trail led around a sharp turn. Here -the way was rocky and sloped dangerously toward the valley. He went on -ahead, and I followed close at his heels. - -"No horse come dis way," observed Jorge, as he came to another turn. -"Give me your hand--dis way. Now den, jump!" - -We had reached a spot where a tiny mountain stream had washed away a -portion of the trail. I took his hand, and we prepared to take the leap. - -Just then the near-by crack of a rifle rang out on the morning air. -Whether or not the shot was intended for us I cannot say, but the -sound startled me greatly and I stumbled and fell. Jorge tried to grab -me, but failed, and down I shot head first into the trees and bushes -growing twenty feet below the trail! - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -A PRISONER OF WAR. - - -By instinct more than reason, I put out both hands as I fell, and this -movement saved me from a severe blow on the head. My hands crashed -through the branches of a tree, bumped up against the trunk, and then I -bounced off into the midst of a clump of brush and wild peppers. - -"Hi, yah!" I heard Jorge cry out, but from my present position I could -not see him. "Is you killed?" he went on. - -"No, but I'm pretty well shook up and scratched up," I answered. - -"Take care--somebody shoot," he went on. - -I concluded I was pretty well out of sight, and I kept quiet and tried -to get back the breath which had been completely knocked out of me. A -few minutes later I heard a crashing through the brush, and my guide -stood beside me. - -"Lucky you no killed," he observed. "Bad spot dat." - -He searched around and soon found a hollow containing some water, with -which I bathed the scratches on my face and hands. In the meantime he -gazed around anxiously in the direction from which he imagined the shot -had come. - -"Maybe no shoot at us," he said, quarter of an hour later. "Me find -out." - -With his ever-ready machete he cut down a young tree and trimmed the -top branches off, leaving the stumps sticking out about six inches on -every side. On the top of the tree he stuck his hat, and then, having -no coat, asked me for mine, which he buttoned about the tree a short -distance under the hat, placing a fluttering handkerchief between the -two. - -With this rude dummy, or scarecrow, he crawled up the side of the gully -until almost on a level with the trail. Then he hoisted the figure up -cautiously and moved it forward. - -No shot was fired, and after waiting a bit Jorge grew bolder and -climbed up to the trail himself. Here he spent a long time in viewing -the surroundings, and finally called to me. - -"Him no shoot at us. Maybe only hunter. Come up." - -Not without some misgivings, I followed directions. To gain the trail -again was no easy matter, but he helped me by lowering the end of the -tree and pulling me up. Once more we proceeded on our way, but with -eyes and ears on guard in case anybody in the shape of an enemy should -appear. - -By noon Jorge calculated we had covered eight miles, which was -considered a good distance through the mountains, and I was glad enough -to sit down in a convenient hollow and rest. He had brought along a -good stock of provisions, with which the rebel camp had happened to be -liberally provided, and we made a meal of bread, crackers, and cold -meat, washed down with black coffee, cooked over a fire of dead and -dried grass. - -"We past the worst of the road now," remarked Jorge, as we again moved -on. "Easy walkin' by sundown." - -He was right, for about four o'clock we struck an opening among the -mountains where there was a broad and well-defined road leading past -several plantations. The plantations were occupied by a number of -Cubans and blacks, who eyed me curiously and called out queries to -Jorge, who answered them cheerfully. - -The plantations left behind, we crossed a brook which my guide said -ran into the river, and took to a path running along a belt of oak and -ebony trees, with here and there a clump of plantains. We had gone but -a short distance when we crossed another trail, and Jorge called a halt -and pointed to the soft ground. - -The hoofprints of half a dozen horses were plainly visible, and as they -were still fresh we concluded they had been made that very day, and -perhaps that afternoon. - -"Who do you think the horsemen are, Jorge?" I asked. - -He shrugged his shoulders. - -"Can't say--maybe soon tell--me see," and on he went, with his eyes -bent on the ground. - -For my part, I thought it best to keep a watch to the right and the -left. We went on slowly until the evening shadows began to fall. Then -Jorge was about to speak, when I motioned him to be silent. - -"There is something moving in yonder brush," I said, pointing with my -hand. "I think I saw a horse." - -We left the road and proceeded in the direction, moving along slowly -and silently. I had been right; there was not one horse, but half a -dozen, tethered to several stunted trees. - -No human beings were present, but from a distance we presently heard -the murmur of voices, and a minute later two Spanish soldiers came into -view. Jorge drew his pistol, but I restrained him. - -The soldiers had evidently come up to see if the horses were still -safe. Satisfied on this point, one passed to the other a roll of -tobacco for a bite, and both began to converse in a low but earnest -tone. - -Jorge listened; and, as the talk ran on, his face grew dark and full -of hatred. The backs of the two Spaniards were toward us, and my guide -drew his machete and motioned as if to stab them both. - -I shook my head, horrified at the very thought. This did not suit -Jorge, and he drew me back where we might talk without being overheard. - -"What is the use of attacking them?" I said. "Let us be on our way." - -"Them men fight General Garcia's men--maybe hurt my brudder," grunted -Jorge wrathfully. "They say they have prisoner--kill him soon." - -"A prisoner?" - -"Yes." - -"Where?" - -"At camp down by river. They kill udder prisoner, now rob dis one an' -kill too. Bad men--no good soldiers." - -I agreed with him on this point. Yet I was not satisfied that he should -go back and attack the pair while they were off their guard. - -"It would not be fair," I said, "and, besides, the noise may bring more -soldiers down upon us. I wish we could do something for their prisoner, -whoever he is." - -We talked the matter over, and, seeing the soldiers depart, concluded -to follow them. We proceeded as silently as two shadows, and during the -walk Jorge overheard one soldier tell the other that the prisoner was -to be shot at sunrise. - -A turn in the path brought us to a broad and roughly flowing stream. -Here a temporary camp had been pitched. Half a dozen dirty-looking -Spaniards were lolling on the ground, smoking and playing cards. From -their talk Jorge said they were waiting for some of their former -comrades to join them, when all were to travel back to where the -Spanish commander, Captain Campona, had been left. - -"There ees the prisoner," said Jorge, in a whisper, and pointed along -the river shore to where rested a decaying tree, half in and half out -of the water. The prisoner was strapped with rawhides to one of the -tree branches, and it was--my chum Alano! - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -A RESCUE UNDER DIFFICULTIES. - - -Mere words cannot express my astonishment and alarm when I saw who the -prisoner tied to the tree was. As I gazed at Alano my heart leaped into -my throat, and like lightning I remembered what Jorge had told me the -Spaniards had said, that the prisoner was to be shot at sunrise. - -Alano shot! I felt an icy chill creep over me. My own chum! No, no, -it must not be! In my excitement I almost cried aloud. Noting how -strangely I was affected, my guide placed his hand over my mouth and -drew me back into a thicket. - -"It is Alano Guerez!" I whispered, as soon as I was calm enough to -speak--"Señor Guerez' son!" - -"Ah, yah!" ejaculated Jorge. "I see he is but a boy. _Perros!_ [Dogs!]" - -"We must save Alano," I went on. "If he was shot, I--I would never -forgive myself." - -Jorge shrugged his shoulders. "How?" he asked laconically. "Too many -for us." - -"Perhaps we can do something when it grows darker." - -The guide drew down the corners of his mouth. Then, as he gazed at the -river, his big black eyes brightened. - -"Yeas, when it is darker we try. But must be careful." - -"Perhaps we can get to him by the way of the river." - -Jorge smiled grimly. Catching me by the arm he led me along the bank, -overgrown with grass and rushes. Not far away was something that looked -like a half-submerged log covered with mud. Taking a stone he threw it, -and the "log" roused up and flopped angrily into the stream. - -"Alligators!" I cried, with a shiver. "No, we won't be able to get to -him by way of the river. But we must do something." - -"We cross river, and I tell you what we do," replied my guide. - -Crossing was not an easy matter, as neither of us cared to attempt -swimming or fording with alligators in the vicinity. But by passing -along the bank we presently discovered a spot where half a dozen rocks -afforded a footing, and over we went in the semi-darkness, for the sun -was now setting. - -As we hurried down the course of the stream again, Jorge cut several -cedar and pine branches which appeared to be particularly dry. Then he -handed me a number of matches, of which, fortunately, he had an entire -box. - -"We will put one pile of branches here," he said, "and another further -down, and one further yet. Den I go back to camp. You watch tree over -there. When you see light wait few minutes, den light all dree fires." - -"But how will that help us?" - -"Soldiers see fires, want to know who is dar--don't watch Alano--me go -in and help him. After you make fires you run back to where we cross on -stones." - -Jorge's plan was not particularly clear to me, yet I agreed to it, and -off he sped in the gloom. Left to myself, I made my way cautiously to -the water's edge, there to await the signal he had mentioned. - -It was a hot night and the air was filled with myriads of mosquitoes, -gnats, flies, and other pests. From the woods behind me came the -occasional cry of a night bird, otherwise all was silent. Frogs as big -as one's two hands sat on the rocks near by, on the watch for anything -in the shape of a meal which might come their way. - -But bad as the pests around me were, I gave them scant consideration. -My whole mind was concentrated upon Alano and what Jorge proposed to -do. Silently I prayed to Heaven that the guide might be successful in -rescuing my chum. - -About half an hour went by,--it seemed an extra long wait to me,--when -suddenly I saw a flash of fire, in the very top of a tree growing -behind the Spaniards' camp. The flash lasted but a second, then died -out instantly. - -Arising from my seat, I ran to the furthest pile of boughs and waited -while I mentally counted off a hundred and eighty seconds, three -minutes. Then I struck a match, ignited the heaped-up mass, and ran to -the second pile. - -In less than ten minutes the three fires, situated about three hundred -feet apart, were burning fiercely, and then I ran at topmost speed -for the spot where the river had been crossed. I had just reached the -locality when I heard a shout ring out, followed by two musket shots. - -A painful, anxious two minutes followed. Were Alano and Jorge safe? was -the question I asked myself. I strained my eyes to pierce the gloom -which hung like a pall over the water. - -Footsteps on the rocks greeted my ears. Someone was coming, someone -with a heavy burden on his back. Once or twice the approaching person -slipped on the rocks and I heard a low cry of warning. - -"Mark!" - -It was the voice of Alano, and my heart gave a joyful bound. In another -second my Cuban chum appeared in view, carrying on his manly back the -form of Jorge. - -"Alano," I ejaculated excitedly, "what is the matter with him?" - -"He has been shot in the leg," was the reply. "Come on, help me carry -him and get to cover. I am afraid they are on my track!" - -"Run into the woods!" groaned Jorge. "Den we take to trees--dat's best." - -As Alano was almost exhausted, I insisted that the guide be transferred -to my back, and this was speedily done, and on we went, away from the -river and directly into the forest. Of course, with such a burden I -could not go far, and scarcely a hundred yards were traversed when I -came to a halt, at the foot of a giant mahogany tree. - -Not without a good deal of difficulty Jorge was raised up into the -branches of the tree, and we followed. - -"Still now and listen!" cried Jorge, with a half-suppressed groan. - -With strained ears we sat in the mahogany tree for fully half an hour -without speaking. We heard the Spaniards cross the river and move -cautiously in the direction of the three fires, and presently they -returned to their own camp. - -"Thank fortune, we have outwitted them!" murmured Alano, the first to -break the silence. "You poor fellow!" he went on to Jorge; "you saved -my life." - -He asked about the wound which had been received, and was surprised, -and so was I, to learn that it was but slight, and what had caused the -guide's inability to run had been a large thorn which had cut through -his shoe into his heel. By the light of a match the thorn was forced -out with the end of Jorge's machete, and the foot was bound up in a bit -of rag torn from my coat sleeve, for I must admit that rough usage had -reduced my clothing to a decidedly dilapidated condition. - -As we could not sleep very well in the tree without hammocks, we -descended to the ground and made our way to a bit of upland, where -there was a small clearing. Here we felt safe from discovery and lay -down to rest. But before retiring Alano thanked Jorge warmly for what -he had done, and thanked me also. - -"I thought you were a goner," he said to me. "How did you escape when -the horse balked and threw you into the stream?" - -I told him, and then asked him to relate his own adventures, which he -did. After leaving me, he said, his horse had taken the bit in his -teeth and gone on for fully a mile. When the animal had come to a halt -he had found himself on a side trail, with no idea where he was. - -His first thought was to return to the stream where the mishap had -occurred, his second to find General Garcia. But Providence had willed -otherwise, for he had become completely tangled up in the woods and -had wandered around until nightfall. In the morning he had mounted his -horse and struck a mountain path, only to fall into the hands of the -Spanish soldiers two hours later. These soldiers were a most villainous -lot, and, after robbing him of all he possessed, had decided to take -his life, that he might not complain of them to their superior officer. - -"From what I heard them say," he concluded, "I imagine they have a very -strict and good man for their leader--a man who believes in carrying on -war in the right kind of a way, and not in such a guerrilla fashion as -these chaps adopt." - -"I don't want any war, guerrilla fashion or otherwise," I said warmly. -"I've seen quite enough of it already." - -"And so have I," said my Cuban chum. - -Of course he was greatly interested to learn that his father was on the -way to place his mother and sisters in the old convent on the river. -He said that he had seen the place several years before. - -"It is a tumbled-down institution, and Father Anuncio lives there--a -very old and a very pious man who is both a priest and a doctor. I -shouldn't wonder if the old building has been fitted up as a sort of -fort. You see, the Spaniards couldn't get any cannon to it very well, -to batter it down, and if they didn't have any cannon the Cubans could -hold it against them with ease." - -"Unless they undermined it," I said. - -"Our people would be too sharp for that," laughed my Cuban chum. "They -are in this fight to win." - -Jorge now advised us to quit talking, that our enemies might not detect -us, and we lay down to rest as previously mentioned. I was utterly worn -out, and it did not take me long to reach the land of dreams, and my -companions quickly followed suit. - -In the morning our guide's heel was rather sore, yet with true pluck he -announced his readiness to go on. A rather slim and hasty breakfast was -had, and we set off on a course which Jorge announced must bring us to -the river by noon. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -A TREACHEROUS STREAM TO CROSS. - - -I must mention that now that we had gained the high ground of the -mountains the air was much cooler and clearer than it was in the -valleys, and, consequently, traveling was less fatiguing. - -Jorge went ahead, limping rather painfully at times, but never uttering -a word of complaint. Next to him came Alano, while I brought up in the -rear. It is needless to state that all of us had our eyes and ears wide -open for a sight or sound of friend or enemy. - -The road was a hard one for the most part, although here and there -would be found a hollow in which the mud was from a few inches to -several feet deep. Jorge always warned us of these spots, but on -several occasions I stepped into the innocent-looking mud only to find -that it was all I could do to get clear of the dark, glue-like paste. - -It was but eleven o'clock when we came in sight of the river, which at -this point was from thirty to forty feet wide. Looking up and down the -water-course, we saw that it wound its way in and out among the hills -in serpentine fashion. The bottom was mostly of rough stones, and the -stream was barely three to four feet deep. - -"How will we get over?--by swimming?" I questioned, as we came to a -halt on a bank that was twenty feet above the current. - -"Find good place by de rocks," said Jorge. "Must be careful. Water -werry swift." - -I could see that he was right by the way the water dashed against the -rocks. Our guide led the way along the bank for a distance of several -hundred feet and began to climb down by the aid of the brush and roots. - -"That doesn't look pleasant," remarked Alano, as he hesitated. "Just -look at that stream!" - -Picking up a dry bit of wood he threw it into the water. In a few -seconds it was hurried along out of our sight. - -Nevertheless, we followed Jorge down to the water's edge. Before us was -a series of rocks, which, had the stream been a bit lower, would have -afforded an excellent fording-place. - -"De river higher dan I think," said our guide. "You take off boots, -hey?" - -"That we will," I answered, and soon had my boots slung around my neck. -Alano followed my example, and with extreme caution we waded down and -out to the first rock. - -"Any alligators?" I cried, coming to a pause. - -"No 'gators here," answered Jorge. "Water too swift--'gators no like -dat." - -This was comforting news, and on I went again, until I was up to my -knees. The water felt very refreshing, and I proposed to Alano that we -take advantage of our situation and have a bath. - -"I feel tremendously dirty, and it will brace us up. We needn't lose -more than ten minutes." - -My Cuban chum was willing, and we decided to take our bath from the -opposite shore. Jorge declined to go swimming and said he would try his -luck at fishing, declaring that the river held some excellent specimens -of the finny tribe. - -We had now reached the middle of the stream. I was two yards behind -Alano, while Jorge was some distance ahead. We were crossing in a -diagonal fashion, as the fording rocks ran in that direction. - -Suddenly Alano muttered an exclamation in Spanish. "It's mighty swift -out here!" he cried. "Look out, Mark, or----" - -He did not finish. I saw him slip and go down, and the next instant his -body was rolling over and over as it was being carried along by the -rushing current. - -"Jorge, Alano is gone!" I yelled, and took a hasty step to catch hold -of my chum's coat. The movement was a fatal one for me, and down I -went precisely as Alano had done. The water entered my eyes and mouth, -and for the moment I was blinded and bewildered. I felt my feet touch -bottom, but in the deeper water to obtain a footing was out of the -question. - -When my head came up I found myself at Alano's side. I saw he had a -slight cut on the forehead and was completely dazed. I caught him by -the arm until he opened his eyes and instinctively struck out. - -"We're lost, Mark!" he spluttered. - -"Not yet," I returned. "Strike out for the shore." - -With all the strength at our command we struck out. To make any headway -against that boiling current was well-nigh impossible, and on and on -we went, until I was almost exhausted. Alano was about to sink when he -gave a cry. - -"The bottom!" he announced, and I put down both feet, to find the -stream less than three feet deep. With our feet down, we were now able -to turn shoreward; and five minutes later Jorge had us both by the -hands and was helping us out. - -"Well, we wanted a bath and we got it," were Alano's first words. "Have -you had enough, Mark?" - -"More than sufficient," I replied, with a shudder. "Ugh, but that is a -treacherous stream, and no mistake!" - -"You lucky boys," said Jorge. "Horse get in and roll over, he lose his -life." - -We stopped long enough to wring out our clothing and put on our boots, -and then followed our guide again. Half an hour later we reached a -sheltered spot and here took dinner. By the time the repast was ended -our light summer suits were almost dried. Luckily, through it all each -of us had retained his hat. - -"We haven't had the fish Jorge promised us," said Alano, as we were -preparing to resume our journey. "A bit of something baked wouldn't go -bad." - -"Fish to-night," said the guide. - -"Have you a line and hook, Jorge?" I asked. - -"Yes, always carry him," he answered; and, upon further questioning, I -learned that to carry a fishing outfit was as common among the rebels -as to carry a pistol or the ever-ready machete. They had to supply -themselves with food, and it was often easier and safer to fish in the -mountain streams than to shoot game or cattle. - -We made a camp that night under the shelter of a clump of grenadillo -trees; and, as Jorge had promised, he tried his luck at fishing in a -little pool under some rocks. He remained at his lines, two in number, -for nearly an hour, and in that time caught four fish--three of an -eel-like nature and a perch. These were cooked for supper, and tasted -delicious. - -"When will we reach the old convent?" I asked, as we were about to turn -in. - -"Reach him by to-morrow afternoon maybe, if no storm come," said Jorge. - -"Do you think there will be a storm?" - -The guide shrugged his shoulders. - -"Maybe--time for storm now." - -The fire had been put out as soon as the fish were baked, that it -might not attract the attention of any Spaniards who might be in the -neighborhood. At eight o'clock we turned in, making our beds on a -number of cedar boughs, which were easy to obtain in this mountainous -locality. We had no coverings but our coats, but found these sufficient -under the shelter of the grenadillos. - -How long I slept I did not know. I awoke with a start and raised up. -All was silent. I gazed around in the gloom, and saw that Alano and our -guide slumbered soundly. - -"I must have been dreaming," I muttered to myself, when a rustle in -the brush behind me caused me to leap to my feet. There was another -rustle, and then came what I imagined was a half-subdued growl of rage. - -Fearful that we were on the point of being attacked by some wild -animal, I bent over my companions and shook them. - -"Wake up! Wake up!" I cried. "There are wild beasts about! Quick, and -get your pistols ready!" - -And then I looked toward the bushes again, to see an ugly, hairy head -thrust forward and a pair of glaring eyes fastened full upon me! - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. - -ALONE. - - -"What is it?" cried Alano, as he scrambled to his feet. - -"I don't know!" I yelled. "Look! look!" - -As I spoke I pulled out my pistol. By this time Jorge was also aroused. - -"_Que ha dicho V.?_ [What did you say?]" he demanded, leaping up and -catching at his machete. - -"An animal--a bear, or something!" I went on. "There he is!" - -I raised my pistol, and at the same time our guide looked as I had -directed. I was about to pull the trigger of my weapon when he stopped -me. - -"No shoot! _Puerco!_" he cried, and gave a laugh. Leaping forward, he -made after the animal, which turned to run away. But Jorge was too -quick for him. Presently there was a grunt and a prolonged squeal, and -then I understood what my wild beast was--nothing but a wild pig! In -a couple of minutes Jorge came back to camp dragging the tough little -porker by the hind legs. He had killed the animal in true butcher's -style. - -"We have pork to-morrow," he grinned, for Cuban negroes are as fond of -pig meat as their Northern brothers. Taking a short rope from one of -his pockets, he attached it to the pig's hind legs and hung the body up -on a convenient tree branch. - -The incident had upset my nerves, and for the balance of the night I -slept only by fits and starts, and I was glad when dawn came and the -rising sun began to gild the tops of the surrounding hills. The sight -was a beautiful one, and I gazed at it for some time, while Jorge -prepared some pork chops over a tiny fire he had kindled. - -"We carry what pork we can," he said. "No use to leave it behind. -Father Anuncio very glad to get pig, so sweet!" and once again Jorge -grinned. After breakfast the guide cut up the balance of the animal, -wrapped the parts in wet palm leaves, and gave us each our share to -carry. - -Our involuntary bath had done me good, and I stepped out feeling -brighter and better than I had for several days. I was becoming -acclimated, and I was glad of it, for had I been taken down with a -fever I do not know what I would have done. - -Alano was as eager as myself to reach the old convent on the river, -and we kept close upon Jorge's heels as our guide strode off down the -mountain side toward a forest of sapodillas and plantains. - -"I trust we find everybody safe and sound," I remarked. "The fact that -your father thought it best to conduct your mother and sisters to the -convent would seem to indicate he was disturbed about their safety." - -"I am hoping he did it only to be clear to join the rebel army," -replied Alano. "I hope both your father and mine are in the ranks, and -that we are allowed to join too." - -I did not wish to discourage my Cuban chum on this point, yet I had my -own ideas on the subject. I was not anxious to join any army, at least -not while both sides to the controversy were conducting the contest in -this guerrilla-like fashion. I was quite sure, from what I had heard -from various sources, that up to that date no regular battle had been -fought in the eastern portion of Cuba, although the western branch -of the rebel army, under General Gomez, was doing much regular and -effective work. - -The reasons for this were twofold. In the first place, General Gomez' -forces were composed mainly of white men, while a large portion of the -soldiers under General Garcia were black. Nearly all of the Americans -who came to Cuba to fight for Cuban liberty, came by way of Havana or -Jibacoa and joined General Gomez, and these fellows brought with them a -large stock of arms and ammunition. It was said that there were three -armed men in the West to every man who had even a pistol in the East. -Many of the negroes were armed only with their machetes, which they -tied to their wrists with rawhides, that they might not lose this sole -weapon while on the march or in a skirmish. To shoot off a cartridge in -a pistol without doing some effective work with it was considered under -General Garcia and his brother officers almost a crime. - -The guerrilla warfare in the mountains I felt could be kept up for -a long time, perhaps indefinitely. The Spanish troops had sought to -surround General Garcia a dozen times, only to discover, when too late, -that he and his men had left the vicinity. The Cuban forces moved -almost always at night, and often detachments of soldiers were sent off -on swift horses to build false campfires dozens of miles away from the -real resting-place of the army. - -In the valley we crossed through a large coffee plantation. In the -center was a low, square house with several outbuildings. The house was -closed tightly, and so were the other buildings, yet as we drew close -I fancied I heard sounds from within. - -I notified Jorge, and a halt ensued. Hardly had we stopped than the -door of the house flew open and out rushed half a dozen well-dressed -Spanish soldiers. - -"_Halte!_" came the command, but instead of halting we turned and -fled--I in one direction, and Alano and our guide in another. Bang! -bang! went a couple of guns, and I heard the bullets clipping through -the trees. Surprised and alarmed, I kept on, past a field of coffee -and into a belt of palms. Several of the soldiers came after me, and I -heard them shouting to me to stop and promising all sorts of punishment -if I did not heed their command. - -But I did not intend to stop, and only ran the faster, past the palms -and into a mass of brushwood growing to a height of ten or twelve feet. -At first the bushes were several feet apart, and I went on with ease; -but soon the growth was more dense, and numerous vines barred the way; -and at last I sank down in a hollow, unable to go another step, and -thoroughly winded. - -I remained in the hollow at least half an hour, trying to get back my -breath and listening intently to the movements of my pursuers. The -soldiers passed within fifty feet of me, but that was as close as they -got, and presently they went off; and that was the last I heard of -them. - -In the excitement of the chase I had dropped my pig meat, and now I -discovered that nearly all of my other traps were gone, including my -pistol, which had left my hand during a nasty trip-up over a hidden -tree root. The trip-up had given me a big bump on the temple and nearly -knocked me unconscious. - -Crawling around, I found a pool of water, in which I bathed my -forehead, and then I set about finding out what had become of Alano and -Jorge. I moved with extreme caution, having no desire to be surprised -by the enemy, who might be lying in ambush for me. - -Moving onward in the brush I soon discovered was no light undertaking, -and it was fully an hour before I found my way out to where the vines -grew less profusely. The spot where I emerged was not the same as -that at which I had entered the undergrowth, and on gazing around I -was dismayed to find that the whole topography of the country looked -different. - -I was lost! - -The thought rushed upon me all in an instant, and I half groaned -aloud as I realized my situation. I must be all of a mile from the -plantation, and where my friends were I had not the remotest idea. - -The sun beat down hotly in the valley, and it was not long before I was -both dry and hungry. I searched around for another pool, but could not -find any, and had to content myself with the taste of a wild orange, -far from palatable. - -Noon came and went and found me still tramping around the valley -looking for Alano and Jorge. In my passage through the bushes my -already ragged clothing was torn still more, until I felt certain that -any half-decent scarecrow could discount me greatly in appearance. - -At four o'clock, utterly worn out, I threw myself on the ground in a -little clearing and gave myself up to my bitter reflections. I felt -that I was hopelessly lost. Moreover, I was tremendously hungry, with -nothing in sight with which to satisfy the cravings of my appetite. -Night, too, was approaching. What was to be done? - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. - -THE CAVE IN THE MOUNTAIN. - - -I lay in the clearing in the valley for all of half an hour. Then, -somewhat rested, I arose, unable to endure the thought that night would -find me in the wilds alone and unarmed. - -I could well remember how the sun had stood when I had separated from -my companions, and now, using the sun as a guide, I endeavored once -more to trace my steps to the path leading down to the river. Once the -stream was gained, I resolved to search up and down its banks until the -old convent was sighted. - -My course led me up the side of a small mountain, which I climbed with -great difficulty, on account of the loose stones and dirt, which more -than once caused my ankle to give a dangerous twist. A sprained ankle -would have capped the climax of my misfortunes. - -Just as the sun was beginning to set behind the peaks to the westward -of me, I reached a little plateau which divided a ridge from the -mountain proper. Here I rested for a few minutes and obtained a -refreshing drink at a spring under some rocks. Then I went on, in some -manner satisfied that I was on the right path at last. - -But, alas! hardly had I taken a score of steps than I stepped on a bit -of ground which appeared solid enough, but which proved to be nothing -but a mass of dead brushwood lying over a veritable chasm. The whole -mass gave way, and with a lurch I was hurled forward into black space. - -As I went down I put out my hands to save myself. But, though I caught -hold of several roots and bits of rocks, this did not avail; and I did -not stop descending until I struck a stone flooring twenty feet below -the top of the opening. Fortunately the floor was covered with a large -mass of half-decayed brush, otherwise the fall must have been a serious -if not a fatal one. - -As I went down, on hands and knees, a lot of loose branches, dirt, and -small stones rolled on top of me, and for the minute I had a vision of -being buried alive. But the downfall soon ceased; and, finding no bones -broken, I crawled from under the load and surveyed the situation. - -I felt that I was now worse off than ever. The well-hole--I can call -it nothing else--was about ten feet in diameter, and the walls were -almost smooth. The top of the opening was far out of my reach, and, as -for a means of escape, there seemed to be none. - -However, I was not to be daunted thus easily, and, striking a match -and lighting a cedar branch, I set about looking for some spot where I -might climb up. But the spot did not present itself. - -But something else did, and that was an opening leading directly into -the mountain. On pulling at a projecting rock, I felt it quiver, -and had just time to leap back, when it fell at my feet. Behind the -rock was a pitch-black hole, into which I thrust the lighted branch -curiously. There was a cave beyond--how large was yet to be discovered. - -I had no desire to explore any cave at that moment, my one idea being -to get out of the well-hole and proceed on my way. But getting out of -the hole was impossible, and I was forced to remain where I was, much -to my disgust and alarm. - -Jorge had been right about the coming storm. At an hour after sunset -I heard the distant rumble of thunder, and soon a lively breeze blew -through the trees and brush on the mountain side. A few flashes of -lightning followed, and then came a heavy downpour of rain. - -Not wishing to be soaked, I retreated to the cave I had discovered, -although with caution, for I had no desire to take another tumble into -a deeper hole. But the floor of the cavern appeared to be quite level, -and with rising curiosity I took up my lighted cedar branch, whirled it -around to make it blaze up, and started on a tour of investigation and -discovery. - -That I should not miss my way back, I lit a pile of small brush at the -mouth of the opening. Then I advanced down a stony corridor, irregular -in shape, but about fifty feet wide by half as high. - -The opening appeared to be a split in the mountain, perhaps made ages -before by volcanic action. I felt certain there was an opening above, -for in several spots the rain came down, forming small pools and -streams of water. - -Suddenly the idea struck me to watch which way the water ran, and I did -so and learned that its course was in the very direction I was walking. -Moreover the tiny streams merged one into another, until, several -hundred feet further on, they formed quite a water course. - -"If only this stream flows into the main river!" I thought, and on -the spur of the moment resolved to follow it as far as I was able, -satisfied that if it led to nowhere in particular I could retrace my -steps to its source. - -I now found the cave growing narrower, and presently it grew less than -a dozen feet in width, and the stream covered the entire bottom to the -depth of several inches. Throwing my boots over my shoulders, I began -wading, feeling sure of one step ere I trusted myself to take another. - -It took me fully ten minutes to proceed a hundred feet in this fashion. -The stream was now not over six feet wide and all of a foot deep. - -Making sure that my torch was in no danger of going out, I continued -to advance, but now more slowly than ever, for in the distance I could -hear the water as it fell over a number of rocks. There was a bend -ahead; and this passed, I fervently hoped to emerge into the open air, -on the opposite side of the mountain and close to the bank of the river -for which I was seeking. - -At the bend the water deepened to my knees, and I paused to roll up my -trousers, in the meantime resting the torch against the wall, which -afforded a convenient slope for that purpose. - -I had just finished arranging my trouser-legs to my satisfaction, when -a rumble of thunder, echoing and re-echoing throughout the cavern, made -me jump. My movement caused the cedar branch to roll from the rocks, -and it slipped with a hiss into the stream. I made a frantic clutch for -it, and, in my eagerness to save it from going out or getting too wet, -I fell on it in the very middle of the stream. - -With a splutter I arose to find myself in utter darkness. Moreover, -the cedar branch was thoroughly soaked, and it would take a good many -matches to light it again. And what was still worse, every match my -pocket contained was soaked as badly as the torch. - -I must confess that I was utterly downcast over my mishap, and if there -had been any dry ground handy I would have thrown myself down upon it -in abject despair. But there was only water around, and, disconsolate -as I was, I felt I must either go forward or backward. - -How I became turned about I do not know, but certain it is that, in -essaying to return to the spot from whence I had come, I continued on -down the stream. I did not notice the mistake I had made until fifty -yards had been passed and I brought up against an overhanging rock with -my shoulder. Putting up my hands, I was dismayed to discover that the -passage-way was just high enough to clear my head. - -Realizing that I must be walking into a trap, I endeavored to turn -about, when I slipped and went down again. Before I could gain my -footing I was swept around a bend and into a much broader stream. All -was as dark as before, and I soon learned that the bottom of the new -water-course was beyond my reach. Putting my hand up, I learned that -the rocky ceiling was not over two feet above the surface of the water, -and the distance between the two was gradually but surely growing less! - - - - -CHAPTER XX. - -SEÑOR GUEREZ. - - -I was horrified over the discovery that I had made. Here I was, in -absolute darkness, hemmed in by water and rocky walls, and drifting -rapidly I knew not whither. - -In my terror I cried aloud, but only echo answered me--a peculiar echo -which made me shiver from head to foot. - -On and on, and still on, was I dashed by the underground current, -which seemed to grow more powerful as I advanced, until my head grazed -repeatedly against the wall over me, and I felt like giving myself up -for lost. Oh, how bitterly I regretted the curiosity which had led me -to explore the cavern in which chance had so strangely placed me! - -But now what was this--a light? At first I could scarcely believe the -evidence of my senses. There was a bright flash--then total blackness -again. - -What could it mean? Perhaps I was dreaming--or the fearful situation -had turned my brain. Then came a second flash and a revelation. - -It was the lightning from without, shining through some opening into -the waters under and around me! I was nearing the outer world. Oh, for -a breath of fresh air again! - -Even as the thought crossed my mind, my head struck the rocky ceiling -again, and under I went, to find that I could not come up, the water -now rising to the very rocks. But a stronger light could be seen, and -I dove along, came up once, twice--and then emerged into the open air -with a splutter and a gasp, on the verge of exhaustion. - -The underground stream emerged at the very base of the mountain, and -on both sides were level stretches of swamps, covered with rushes and -other tropical growths. Swimming for the nearest bank, I drew myself up -and fell on my breast, too worn out to stand. - -It did not matter to me just then that it was night, that I was alone, -and that it was raining in torrents. I was safe from drowning--that was -my one thought, and never was a thought sweeter to a boy. - -For fully fifteen minutes I remained on the bank of the stream. Then, -having recovered somewhat from the effects of my awful experience, I -arose and took as good a view of my situation as was possible. I waited -for a strong flash of lightning, and by this saw that my former wish -had been realized and that I was within a few hundred feet of the river -upon which the convent was said to be located. - -While the storm and the night lasted there was nothing to do but to -seek shelter wherever it might be found; and, as the lightning now -appeared to die away, I walked to the very mountain side, and found -shelter under an overhanging rock, flanked by several tall trees. -Here I wrung what water I could from my clothing and made myself as -comfortable as my miserable condition permitted. - -Never was a person more glad to see the sun than I. Old Sol came up -clear and strong, and my clothing quickly dried upon my body as I -walked along. - -Passing around the swamps, which were full of monstrous toads and -numerous lizards, I reached the bank of the larger stream and started -to hunt for the convent for which Alano, Jorge, and myself had been -bound. As I hurried on, as rapidly as the formation of the ground -permitted, I could not help but wonder what had become of my chum -and our negro guide. Had they escaped, to roam around looking for -me, or had they fallen into the hands of the Spaniards at the coffee -plantation? - -Having had no breakfast, it was not long before I began to feel hungry. -To satisfy the cravings of my appetite I picked several almost ripe -plantains, which, however, proved rather poor eating. I also spent some -time in a hunt for berries, but none were to be found. - -By noon I calculated I had covered four or five miles, and reached a -narrow woods, growing on both sides of the river. Beyond the woods was -a village, a decidedly poor-looking settlement composed of a score of -rude dwellings built of logs and thatched with palm leaves to keep out -the rain. - -I did not know whether to enter the village or not, and remained in the -woods for some time, watching the inhabitants, consisting of a score of -men and women and perhaps fifty children of all ages. The children were -dirty, and wore hardly any clothing, but they seemed to be as happy as -though such a thing as war had never been mentioned. Most of the men -were at work curing some wild-hog meat, while the women were engaged in -braiding mats and other articles for sale or exchange. - -At last three of the children, running close to the woods, espied me, -and set up a shout of wonder and alarm, at which the men stopped work -and came rushing forward with their clubs and machetes. Seeing there -was no help for it, I stepped out into the open, and was immediately -surrounded. - -Not a soul in the settlement, which went by the name of Jiawacadoruo, -could speak a word of English, and for the time being I was partly at a -loss to make them understand that I came as a friend who meant no harm. -At the word "_Americano_" they grinned, and one of them queried "_Cuba -libre?_ [For Cuban liberty?]" and I nodded. Then I pointed to my mouth -and stomach to signify that I was hungry. - -At once half a dozen of the women rushed off, and soon I was presented -with several bowls of broth, made of chicken meat and vegetables, -strongly flavored with the inevitable garlic, and a pot of strong black -coffee. There was also a dish of boiled arrowroot, made from the native -maranta, and this tasted best of all to me. - -While I was eating I tried, by every means in my power, to make these -Cubans understand that I wanted to find the old convent, but failed -utterly. Finally an idea struck me, and I essayed to carry it out. -Tearing a page from a blank book in my pocket, I drew upon it a rough -representation of a river and pointed to the stream, at which the men -gathered around nodded that they understood. - -Next I drew the picture of a boy at one end of the river, and pointed -to myself. I am not by any means an artist; but we had had drawing -lessons at Broxville Academy, and I managed to represent the boy as -walking rapidly, as if in a great hurry to get to where he was going. -This caused the men to laugh heartily. - -The next thing to do was to draw the old convent. Never having heard -the structure described, I had to draw entirely upon my imagination, -and my knowledge of convent architecture was decidedly limited. Yet -I managed to draw a fairly good representation of a ruined stone -building, with a cross at the top, and before it put a priest, to whom, -by an inspiration, I suddenly pointed and cried "Father Anuncio." - -A dozen exclamations followed, and the men nodded to show that they now -knew what was wanted. A parley followed, and one tall negro stepped -forth and motioned that he was ready to be my guide by pointing first -to me and then to my picture of the old convent. - -Luckily I still retained a few silver pieces in my pocket, and before -leaving I left two of these behind, to be divided among the crowd of -negroes, for let me say in passing that all of the inhabitants of -Jiawacadoruo are people of color. With my newly made guide I started up -the river, and the settlement was soon lost to sight. - -I wondered how long it would take to reach the old convent, and tried -to put the question to Bumbo, as I made his name out to be, but -without success. Instead of answering with his fingers or by pointing -to the sun, he merely grinned and walked faster, until it was all I -could do to keep up with him. - -It was almost sundown when we passed a bend in the stream and mounted -a bluff overlooking a wide expanse of swamp land. The topmost point of -the bluff reached, the guide pointed ahead, and there, almost at our -feet, I saw the massive outlines of what long years before had been -an imposing Spanish convent, planted in that out-of-the-way spot for -certain noble families who had left Spain under a cloud during the wars -of the seventeenth century. - -As we approached the building, which was now little more than a mass -of ruins, I saw several men standing just outside of the inclosed -courtyard. One was a priest, and two others were in the uniform of -officers in the Cuban army. One of the latter I recognized as Señor -Guerez, having met the gentleman once while he was on a business visit -to the United States. - -"Señor Guerez!" I called out, as I ran to him; and he turned in -amazement. - -"Mark Carter!" he ejaculated, with a strong Spanish accent. "I am much -astonished." - -"Is my father with you?" I demanded eagerly, as I looked around. - -"No, my boy; I am sorry to say it." - -"And where is he?" I went on, my heart rising to my throat, as I saw a -look of anxiety cross the gentleman's bronzed features. - -"Your father was made a prisoner by the Spanish authorities two days -ago," replied the señor, and the answer all but prostrated me. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. - -THE ATTACK ON THE OLD CONVENT. - - -"My father a prisoner!" I gasped out, when I could speak. - -"Yes, Mark." - -"And how was he captured? and why?" - -"It is rather a long story. But tell me, where is Alano?" And now it -was Señor Guerez' turn to become anxious. - -In a few words I explained matters, to which the planter listened with -close attention. His brow darkened when I mentioned the Spaniards up at -the coffee plantation. - -"I know them," he said. "We are expecting an attack from them every -day." - -"An attack at this place?" - -"Yes." He turned to his companions, and introduced me to Father Anuncio -and to Lieutenant Porlando, both of whom shook hands warmly when they -were informed who I was. "You see, many of the planters have brought -their families here," Señor Guerez went on, "and the Spanish think to -subdue us if they can make our wives and daughters prisoners. But that -shall never be while we have strength to fight." - -"Tell me of my father," I said impatiently. - -"Come inside, my boy," said Alano's father; and giving Bumbo a bit of -silver I sent him off, and followed the others into the courtyard, -in the rear of which was the convent building proper, although wings -extended out upon both sides. - -In a shady corner I was introduced to La Señora Guerez and to Alano's -two sisters, Inez and Paula, two girls of ten and twelve, now quite as -dark as their father and mother, and very beautiful, with their black -wavy hair and sparkling eyes full of good humor and merriment. Mother -and daughters could speak a little English, and for Alano's sake they -fairly made me feel like one of the family. - -I was impatient to hear about my father; and as soon as the señor had -told the others of what I had said concerning Alano, Señor Guerez told -me his story. - -"As soon as we felt that the war was going to be severe and probably of -long duration," said he, "your father and I telegraphed to Dr. Walford -to keep you at Broxville Academy until you heard from us by letter. Two -days later came a return message stating that you had already gone to -New York and taken steamer for Cuba. The worthy doctor could not tell -by what route you had gone. - -"This being the case, your father and I concluded to let you come on, -and I dispatched Pedro, one of my faithful servants, to meet you at -Santiago de Cuba and conduct you in safety to the plantation, where -your father was still down with his broken leg, which was, however, -mending rapidly. - -"Several days went by, and matters became very troublesome about my -plantation. Some of the men had joined the Cuban forces under Brigadier -General José Maceo, a brother to the late Antonio Maceo, and my -neighbors begged me to join also and become captain of a company of -white Cubans--they not caring to serve under Maceo or Garcia and also -not caring to go as far west as where the forces under General Gomez -were located. - -"While I was deliberating, a body of Spanish guerrillas came along -and burned down two of my largest storehouses and threatened my wife -with violence. This angered me, and I got my gun and shot two of the -rascals--one in the leg and the other in the shoulder. A battle royal -ensued between my workmen and the guerrillas, and the guerrillas -received the worst of the encounter and were forced to retreat, with -three men wounded and one man dead. - -"This settled the matter, and I joined the Cuban forces under Garcia -without delay. Your father also took part in the battle and saved my -wife from great indignities. When I called my white men together, and -my white neighbors, they speedily formed a company of volunteers, and I -was chosen the captain, with Lieutenant Porlando for my first officer -and your father for second lieutenant. We were all supplied with good -horses and first-class weapons, and the very next day after effecting -our organization defeated a body of the Spanish troops and drove them -ten miles up the road and away from the mountains which General Garcia -is using as a stronghold. - -"As it was perilous in the extreme to leave the women-folks home alone -while the men were away, it was decided by me and my neighbors to bring -them all here and leave them with Father Anuncio and a strong guard. It -was believed that no one would dare molest any woman while sheltered by -this old convent. There are within the walls over a dozen ladies and -nearly thirty children, besides a company of picked men and six men who -were wounded at one time or another." - -"But my father?" I put in, as the señor paused. - -"I am coming to that, Mark. It was two days ago that our company was -in the vicinity of Guantanamo. I had received valuable information -concerning the contemplated movements of the Spanish troops, and this -information I wished to place in the hands of General Garcia and his -staff. Your father offered to find a certain captain, while another of -the company rode off to find the general. - -"Your father was accompanied by a private named Hawley, an American -who settled near me several years ago. The pair were gone about six -hours when Hawley came riding back to our camp, severely wounded in -the thigh. He said they had met a company of Spanish soldiers, who -had discovered them ere they were aware. Your father had been taken a -prisoner, while Hawley had had a hard time of it to escape." - -"And have you heard of him since then?" I asked anxiously. - -"I heard from him yesterday. Some of our soldiers, while tramping -through the woods, came across a Spaniard who was severely wounded. -They treated him as well as he could possibly expect, dressed his -wounds, and gave him a supply of water and bread and meat; and in -return he told them about their prisoner, your father. He said your -father was to be sent on to the authorities at Santiago as an American -spy." - -"A spy!" - -"Yes, my boy, a spy. It is, of course, a foolish charge, but I am -afraid it may cause your father a good deal of trouble." - -"Why, they place spies in dungeons and often shoot them, Señor Guerez!" - -"Let us hope for the best, Mark," he returned soothingly. - -"Would they dare shoot an American citizen?" - -"Unfortunately your father was caught wearing a Cuban uniform and with -our flag pinned to his hat--as I have it." - -I bowed my head, and something like tears started to my eyes. This news -was awful. Supposing my father was shot as a spy? I would be left alone -in the world. Overcome by my emotions, I felt compelled to turn away, -when Señor Guerez placed a kindly hand on my shoulder. - -"Don't be too downcast, my boy. It may not go so badly with your -parent, and I will do all I can for both of you. As soon as I can -arrange certain matters with the men who are in charge here, I will -follow up those who have your father in charge and see if he cannot be -rescued." - -"Oh, will you do that?" I cried, catching his hand. "You are more than -kind, Señor Guerez!" - -We were about to continue the conversation, when the lieutenant to -whom I had been introduced came rushing up all out of breath. He had -been walking down by the river, field-glass in hand, and had made an -important discovery, which he imparted to the others in Spanish. - -It was to the effect that a large body of Spanish soldiers were riding -through the woods, back of the river, and it looked as if they were -bound for the old convent. They were heavily armed, and on the back of -a mule could be seen a small cannon. - -"As I expected," muttered Señor Guerez. "I'll take a look at them." - -He ran up to the roof of the convent, glass in hand, and, nobody -stopping me, I followed him. A long, searching look and he dashed down -the glass, hurried below, and issued a dozen rapid orders. - -Men flew in all directions, some to get their guns and pistols, and -others to shut the gates leading to the courtyard and to place square -bits of blocks into the deep windows. - -I tried to get an explanation from somebody, but all were too busy. -Señor Guerez was the only one who gave me a hint of what was wrong. - -"'Tis a body of Spanish soldiers led by a priest who is a rival to -Father Anuncio. He wishes to get the good father to give up this old -convent, which means that we must vacate too. It is a ruse of the -enemy." - -No more was said. Quarter of an hour later a white flag was waved and -a man came up to the old convent gates. A short talk ensued between -him, Señor Guerez, Father Anuncio, and several others, and then the man -withdrew. - -Hardly had he gone than all of us heard the cracks of a dozen or more -guns, and as many bullets flattened themselves on the convent walls. - -"They have opened the fight," remarked Señor Guerez grimly, while -several of the women and children shrieked. "Now we will show them what -we can do." - -He selected the best of his soldiers, and placed them at convenient -loopholes in the upper part of the old building. Weapons were ready for -use, and at a word of command the fire of the Spaniards was returned. - -A yell of surprise and rage went up, and there immediately followed -another volley of musketry from without. This was returned, and this -sort of thing lasted for quarter of an hour, when the enemy retired -behind the bluff I have previously mentioned. - -But they did not remain quiet long. Presently, looking through his -field-glass, Señor Guerez announced that they had succeeded in mounting -the cannon they had brought along. The weapon was duly loaded and -sighted, and we awaited with thrilling interest the effect of this -rather formidable weapon. - - - - -CHAPTER XXII. - -THE ROUTING OF THE ENEMY. - - -Boom! - -The Spanish gunners had fired the cannon perched on the bluff, its -muzzle pointed directly for the doors of the old convent. - -Hardly had we heard the report than there was a crash and the splinters -flew in every direction. The shot had struck the frame of the doors and -shattered it badly. - -A cry of rage went up from the Cubans, and, rushing to the loopholes -left in the blocked-up windows, they sought to pick off the gunners -with their carbines. But the Spaniards prudently kept out of sight, so -this movement was useless. - -"Two more shots like that, and the doors will come down," muttered -Señor Guerez, with a grave shake of his head. "I wish we had a cannon -to fire in return." - -A consultation was held, and all of the women and children were told to -retire to an inner room of the convent, where the damage done by the -cannon might not reach them. - -This had scarcely been accomplished when the Spaniards fired a second -shot. But their aim was poor, and the ball only plowed up the ground -fifty feet outside of the courtyard. - -Señor, or rather Captain, Guerez, as I should now call him, collected -his men together, and a short but exciting debate took place, only a -few words of which were plain to me. Alano's father favored leaving the -convent by a rear passage-way leading to a woods and surprising the -enemy by coming up in their rear. - -Just as a third shot from the cannon struck the roof of the convent and -tore off a corner of the stonework, it was agreed upon to carry out -this project. Four men were left to exhibit themselves occasionally, so -that the Spaniards might think the soldiers still there, and Alano's -father asked me to remain with them. - -"I do not advise you to take part in the fighting," he said. "But if -you find it necessary to defend yourself, you'll find guns in plenty in -the dining-hall closet, with cartridges in one of the drawers." - -In less than ten minutes the company of soldiers, fifty-six strong, -were on their way, leaving the convent as silently as shadows. The -moment the last of them had taken to the passage-way, the entrance -was closed and bolted, and I found myself left behind with the women -and children and the four guards, none of whom could speak a word of -English. - -After firing the third shot the Spaniards paused, probably to hold -a council of war. To divert suspicion from the movements of Captain -Guerez and his men, the four guards and myself passed out in plain -sight of them several times. Of course we did not remain long, nor did -we show ourselves in the same place twice. Our appearance called forth -half a dozen shots from as many muskets, but we were too far off for -these to have any effect. One bullet did hit near where a guard had -shown himself, but its force was spent and it did no damage. - -Nearly half an hour had passed, when suddenly we heard a yell and a -wild shouting, and all of the Spaniards dashed into view, running -hither and thither as though panic-stricken. Captain Guerez had -surprised them completely, and they thought it was a re-enforcement -for the old convent and not the soldiers from that place themselves. -A hundred shots rang out, and, using a field-glass, I saw that the -Spaniards were completely demoralized. They formed into a hollow square -once, but this was speedily broken up, and then off they rode and ran, -helter-skelter, down the bluff and across the river, some fording and -some swimming, for their very lives. - -The engagement had lasted less than quarter of an hour when some of the -Cubans came riding toward the convent gates, bringing with them several -wounded men--some of their own party--and three of the Spaniards who -had been captured. - -Captain Guerez had, in the meantime, followed the Spanish leader across -the stream. The pursuit was kept up for nearly half an hour, at the end -of which time the Spaniards were driven so far off it was likely they -would not dare to return for a long while, if at all. - -When Alano's father came back it was found he had received a sword -thrust through the fleshy part of the leg. The wound was not a -dangerous one, but it was painful, and his wife and daughters did all -they could to ease his sufferings. - -"I am sorry for your sake, Mark, that I am wounded," he remarked, as he -rested upon a cot. "I will have to keep quiet for a few days, and thus -our quest after your father will have to be delayed." - -"You wouldn't dare to leave here just yet anyway, would you?" I asked, -much disappointed, yet feeling that it was no more than I could expect. - -"Hardly, my boy. I do not expect those Spaniards to return; we have -given them far more than they expected. They would not attack us -without re-enforcements, and there are no other Spanish troops within a -good many miles." - -Now that the old convent had been once attacked, it was decided to keep -a strict watch, day and night, upon the roof and through the grounds. -A detail of men was formed, instructions to keep a constant lookout -given, and then Captain Guerez passed over his command temporarily to -Lieutenant Porlando. - -The remainder of the day passed quietly enough, I occupying the time -in repairing my clothing, which needed many a stitch. In this work -the elder of Alano's sisters helped me, Señora Guerez keeping by her -husband's side and having the younger sister to assist her. - -I found Inez Guerez a most companionable girl. Her stock of English was -as limited as was my knowledge of Spanish, yet we managed to make each -other understand, laughing roundly over the mistakes we made. When I -mentioned Alano and told what great friends we were, tears stood in her -dark eyes, and she said she trusted he would soon reach the old convent -in safety. My father and she had also become great friends, and she -said she hoped he would escape from his Spanish captors ere they had a -chance to thrust him into a dungeon at Santiago. - -Having had no sleep the night before, I retired early, and was soon -in the land of dreams, despite the many misgivings I had concerning -my father's welfare. Fervently I prayed that he might escape from the -Spaniards who held him, and that we might speedily be reunited. - -When I awoke in the morning the sky was darkly overcast and it was -raining furiously. The downpour caused the river to rise, and the lower -end of the old convent was partly under water. - -A fair breakfast was had, consisting of coffee, bread, and some fried -plantains, which to me tasted particularly fine, and then I went to -Captain Guerez, to find him much improved and in good spirits. - -"We would not go off anyway in such a storm as this," he said, as he -sipped a bowl of coffee. "It will be fresh and cool after it is over, -and by that time I think I will be able to ride once more, and I think -my cousin will come to remain with my wife and girls." - -The downpour up to noon was terrific, then the sun came out strongly, -and the hills and valleys were covered with a heavy mist as the water -evaporated. By sundown it became cooler, and the roof of the old -convent proved a most delightful lounging place. - -We were all out there, watching the shadows as the sun set behind the -hills in the west, when one of the guards announced that two men were -approaching from a trail leading through the woods to the northwest. A -field-glass was at once procured, and Lieutenant Porlando took a long -look at them. - -"A black and a boy," he announced in Spanish, and I leaped forward and -begged for the use of the glass for a minute. My request was readily -granted, and I waited for the two newcomers to reappear among the trees. - -"They are Alano and Jorge!" I exclaimed a minute later. - -"Alano!" cried my chum's sisters. "Are you certain?" - -"Yes, it is Alano, and he carries his arm in a sling." - -And down we rushed in a body and asked to be let out of the courtyard. -Inez was the first to emerge into the open, and off she rushed at full -speed, to find herself a minute later in Alano's arms, with Paula close -behind. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII. - -ON THE TRAIL OF MY FATHER. - - -"Mark!" ejaculated my Cuban chum, when, on releasing himself from his -sisters' embraces, he espied me. "So you have reached here before me. I -am very glad to see it." - -"You are wounded?" I queried, as we shook hands. Had it not been for -the girls and Jorge we would have fairly hugged each other. "How did -that happen?" - -"It's quite a story. Are my father and mother safe?" - -"Yes, although your father, too, is wounded." - -"Those soldiers at the coffee plantation, then, did not manage to catch -you?" - -"No." - -"They caught me and Jorge, and we were their prisoners for five or six -hours. We would not have gotten away, only Jorge bribed one of the -servants at the plantation, another negro. He cut the cords with which -we were bound, and we got out of the cellar into which we were put at -night." - -"And that wound?" - -"I got that when they came after us, ten minutes later. They couldn't -see us and fired blindly, and I got a bullet across the forearm. But -it's a mere scratch," Alano added, as he saw Inez and Paula look -serious. - -He wanted to know all about my adventures, but there was no time to -tell of them just then, for the convent gates were soon reached and -here Alano's mother met him and, after a warm embrace, led him to his -father's side. It was a happy family gathering, and I thought it best -to withdraw for the time being. I walked again to the roof; and an hour -later Alano joined me there. - -His story was soon told. After escaping from the coffee plantation he -and Jorge had become lost like myself in the forest. They, however, -had not made their way to the mountain side, but had entered a valley -between that mountain and the next, and, coming to a branch of the -river, had floated down it until overtaken by the storm at night. - -The storm had driven them to shelter under some shelving rocks, and -here a temporary camp was made and Jorge went out on a search for food. -Little could be found, but in the morning the guide had brought down -several birds with a stick and these they had cooked and eaten with -keen relish. The way was then resumed, when, at noon, they had found -themselves on the wrong road and many miles out of their way. - -[Illustration: "THE SPANIARDS WERE COMPLETELY DEMORALIZED."] - -Jorge was much chagrined at his mistake and wanted Alano to kick him -for his thoughtlessness. The stream was left, and they took a cut -through the woods, which at last brought them to the old convent, as -described. - -When Alano had finished, I told him my story in all of its details, -especially my adventures in the mountain stream and on the underground -river. He listened in silent amazement. - -"It was a wonderful escape!" he cried, when I was through. "A wonderful -escape! I would like some day to explore that cave." - -"It was nothing but a big hole in the ground, and I never want to see -it again," I answered, with a shudder. "But now you are here, what do -you expect to do?" - -"If my father will permit me, I'll join you and him in the search for -your father," he answered. "But it may be that he will wish me to -remain here with my mother and my sisters." - -"Yes, somebody ought to remain with them, Alano." - -"My father is expecting Señor Noenti, a relative of mine. If he comes -he will look after my mother and sisters. He is a very brave and -powerful man." - -Alano and I slept together that night, just as we had often done at -Broxville Academy. It was a good deal to me to have my chum by me -again. We had missed each other more than mere words can tell. - -We had just finished breakfast the next day, and Captain Guerez was -trying to walk around a bit on his wounded leg, when several newcomers -were announced. Among them was Señor Noenti, who was warmly received by -the Guerez family. - -During the morning it was arranged that he should remain at the old -convent during Captain Guerez' absence, and by hard pleading Alano -obtained permission to join us in our hunt for my father. Jorge and -three other trusty men were to go along also. Alano's father pronounced -himself quite able to ride, and each of us was fitted out with a good -horse, a brace of pistols, and a quantity of ammunition sufficient -to last for several engagements. We also carried with us two days' -rations. When they were gone we would have to depend upon what we found -for our meals. But armed as we were, and in a country where everything -grew in profusion, it was not likely that such a small body would lack -for something to eat. Starvation was common in the regular Cuban army, -but only when the troops remained in one mountainous region for a long -while and ate up everything in sight. - -Captain Guerez had a well-formed idea concerning the highways and -trails the party having my father a prisoner would take; and, after -an affectionate farewell to his wife and daughters, he led our little -party up past the bluff the Spaniards had occupied and along a path -skirting the mountain which had caused me so much trouble. Our horses -were fresh, and we made good time until sunset, when we reached a small -village called Molino. Here there were a number of blacks and the -poorer class of whites. All, however, made us welcome, and here it was -decided to remain for the night. - -The principal man living in the place was a Spaniard named Curilos, -a fellow who years before had been a sailor. He was a comical fellow -in the extreme and a good singer, accompanying himself in singing on -a home-made guitar, a rough-looking instrument, but one very sweet in -tone. How a sailor had ever settled there was a mystery to me, but -there he was and apparently more than content. - -Curilos' home was of long tree branches, fastened together with tough -vines, which grow everywhere in profusion. The branches were twined and -intertwined and lashed to four corner-posts. The roof of this abode -was covered with dried palm leaves, and was quite water-proof. In one -corner was a rude fireplace of stone, and the smoke curled up through a -hole in a corner of the building. - -I slept in this structure on a hammock stretched from one corner-post -to another. It was as good a bed as one would desire had it not been -for one thing, as disgusting to me as it was annoying: the house was -overrun with vermin--a not uncommon thing, even in the dwellings of the -middle classes. - -It was hardly sunrise when Alano's father called us for breakfast, -after which we leaped into the saddle once more and rode off at a stiff -gait. The ride of the afternoon had left me a little sore, I not as yet -being used to such traveling, but I made up my mind not to complain, as -it would do no good and only worry Captain Guerez and my chum. Riding -never bothered Alano, as he had been used to the high, stiff Spanish -saddle from early boyhood. - -As we proceeded on our way we of course kept a strict lookout for -enemies, and on more than one occasion Alano's father called a halt, -while he rode ahead to make certain that the road was clear. - -"If we're not careful the Spaniards may surprise us and make us all -prisoners," he said grimly. "Although I hardly think any troops are -near us at present," he added a minute later. - -Having stopped for dinner in the middle of a dense woods, we rode out -in the afternoon on a broad plateau overlooking numerous valleys. Far -to the southward could be seen the buildings in Guantanamo. By the aid -of the field-glass Captain Guerez pointed out a portion of his immense -plantation. - -As this was the first sight I had had of Alano's home, I gazed at it -with interest. While I was looking, I saw a small column of smoke -curling upward from a broad stretch of canefields. I watched it for -several seconds, and then called Alano's attention to it. - -"There should be no smoke there," he said gravely, and called his -father, who had turned away for the moment to give Jorge some -directions. - -"What is it--smoke?" cried Captain Guerez, snatching the glass. "Let -me see if you are not mistaken." He gave a searching look and then a -groan. "You are right, boys, the Spaniards have kept their word. They -threatened to burn down my fields if I did not declare in their favor, -and now they are doing it. In a few hours the whole of my property will -be nothing more than a blackened waste!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV. - -IN THE BELT OF THE FIREBRANDS. - - -"Do you mean to say, father, that they will dare to burn down all of -our sugar-cane fields?" demanded Alano. - -"Dare, Alano? They will dare do anything, now they have heard that I -have thrown in my fortunes with the insurgents," replied Captain Guerez -bitterly. - -"What of your house and barns?" I put in soberly. - -"Most likely they will be ransacked first and then the torch will be -applied," answered Alano's father with increased bitterness. "Ah, well, -such are the fortunes of war. _Cuba libre!_" he muttered firmly. - -Alano's parent was first tempted to ride in the direction of his -plantation in the hope of saving something, but speedily gave up the -idea. There was no direct course hither, and the roundabout trail -which must be pursued would not bring him to Guantanamo until the next -morning. - -"And by that time the Spaniards will have done their dastardly work -and gone on," he remarked. - -Several times as we rode along the plateau, Captain Guerez stopped to -take a look through the field-glass, but he said nothing more excepting -in an undertone to his son. - -By sundown the plateau came to an end, and we plunged into a valley -which was for the most part divided into immense sugar plantations, -some of them half a mile or more in length. - -"This is something like that at home," remarked Alano to me, as we -moved on side by side. "That is, like it was," he hastened to add. - -"The fields will grow again, won't they?" I asked. - -"Oh, yes; but my father's loss will be very great." - -"I suppose so. Did he have much sugar on hand?" - -"The storehouses were full. You see, shipments have been at a -standstill for a year or more." - -"It will take a long while, after the war is over, to get back to -prosperity, I am afraid, Alano?" - -"It will take years, and perhaps prosperity will never come. General -Garcia is determined to fight to the bitter end, and so is General -Gomez, and so long as both remain among the mountains and forests it -will be impossible for the Spaniards to make them surrender. I heard -father say we could lead the Spanish troops a dance from one spot to -another for years, and in the meantime Spain will get no revenue from -Cuba, while the expense of keeping the war up will foot up to millions -of piasters--something that even Spain cannot stand." - -"I wish it was all over, and that we were all safe," I returned -shortly. "I've seen all the war I want." - -"And yet you haven't seen any regular battle," laughed my Cuban chum. -"I'm afraid you wouldn't make much of a fighter, Mark, if Uncle Sam got -into a muss." - -"Oh, that would be different!" I burst out. "I would fight for our -country every time." - -Alano laughed more loudly than ever. "That's just it--you would fight -for the United States just as we are now willing to fight for our -beloved Cuba." - -I had to smile, for I saw that he was right. Cuba was as much to him as -our United States was to me, and let me add that I am a Yankee lad to -the backbone, and always hope to be. - -Having passed the end of a large plantation, we came to several -storehouses, which were wide-open and empty, and here we pitched our -camp for the night. - -"How close are we to the spot where my father was taken?" I asked of -Alano's father after supper. - -"We have passed that locality," was the answer, which surprised me not -a little. "By to-morrow noon I hope to reach a village called Rodania, -where I will be able probably to learn something definite concerning -his whereabouts." - -This was certainly encouraging, and I went to bed with a lighter heart -than I had had since leaving the old convent. Hope in a youthful breast -is strong, and I could not but believe that so far all had gone well -with my parent. - -Fortunately, the storehouse in which I slept with Alano and Captain -Guerez was a clean affair, so we were not troubled as we had been at -Molino with vermin. We turned in at nine o'clock, and ten minutes -sufficed to render me forgetful of all of my surroundings. - -I awoke with a cough. I could not breathe very well, and sat up in the -darkness to learn what was the matter. The wind had banged shut the -storehouse door, and it was strangely hot within. - -"I'll open the door and let in some fresh air," I said to myself, and -arose from the bunch of straw upon which I had made my bed. - -As I moved across the storehouse floor I heard several of the horses -which were tethered outside let out snorts of alarm. Feeling something -was surely wrong, I called to Alano and his father. - -"What's the trouble?" cried Captain Guerez and Alano in a breath. - -"I don't know, but the horses are alarmed," I answered. - -By this time all were aroused by a shout from Jorge, who had been left -on guard. As we stepped into the open air, he came running up from a -path leading into the immense sugar-cane field back of the storehouse. - -"_Fuego! fuego!_ [Fire! fire!]" he shouted at the top of his powerful -lungs. - -"Where?" demanded Alano's father quickly. - -"In the fields! A band of Spanish guerrillas just came up and set fire -all around." - -"That cannot be, Jorge. This is the plantation of Señor Corozan, a -stanch supporter of Spain. They would not burn his fields." - -"Then they are rebels like ourselves." - -This last remark proved true, although we did not learn the fact until -some time later. It seemed Señor Corozan had left the plantation -immediately after refusing the demands of a Cuban officer for food for -his soldiers, and in consequence the rebel had dispatched a detachment -to burn up everything in sight. It was a wanton destruction of -property, but it could not very well be avoided, through the peculiar -conditions under which the war was being carried on. - -Just now, however, there was no time left to think of these matters. -A stiff breeze was blowing, and looking over the sugar-cane fields we -could see the fire leaping from place to place. Then, turning about, -we made another discovery. The very storehouse in which we had been -sleeping was on fire. The smoke from the smoldering straw was what had -caused me to cough and wake up. - -"To horse, everyone!" shouted Captain Guerez. "We had best get out of -here, for there is no telling how far this fire extends, or how the -wind may shift around!" - -Everyone understood what he meant--that we were in danger of being -caught in the midst of the conflagration; and everyone lost not an iota -of time in loosening his animal and saddling him. In less than three -minutes we were off, and riding down a narrow trail between the fields -with all the speed at our animals' command. - -As we passed along, the sky above us grew brighter, and we could hear -the crackling of the cane in the distance. Then I felt a live ember -drop upon my neck, which raised a small blister before I could brush it -off. - -"Jupiter! but this is getting hot!" I gasped, as I urged my horse on -beside that of Alano. "I wonder if there is any danger of that fire -catching us?" - -"I don't know, I'm sure," he panted. "The only thing we can do is to -ride for the hills, where the fire won't have such a chance." - -On and on we went, now in a bunch and then again scattered into two or -three groups. To gain the hills we had to cross a bit of a valley, and -here our poor horses sunk into the mud half up to their knees. - -Captain Guerez had been riding in the rear, but now he went ahead, to -shout a word of guidance to the men in advance. Alano dashed on with -his father, expecting me to follow. But my horse had become temporarily -stuck, and ere he could extricate himself I had to dismount. - -Once free again, I was on the point of leaping into the saddle as -before, when a turn of the wind brought a shower of burning embers in a -whirl over our very heads. I ducked and shook them off, letting go of -my steed for that purpose. - -It was a foolish movement, for the embers also struck the animal, who -instantly gave a snort and a bound and ran off. I made a clutch at his -tail as he passed, but missed it, and a second later I found myself -utterly alone, with the fire of the sugar-cane fields hemming me in on -all sides! - - - - -CHAPTER XXV. - -ESCAPING THE FLAMES. - - -My situation was truly an appalling one. Here I was, with the fierce -fire from the sugar-cane fields swirling about me, my horse and -companions gone, left utterly alone, with the horrifying thought that -each moment must be my last. - -As the horse disappeared in a cloud of eddying smoke, I attempted to -rush after him, only to slip in the mire and roll over and over. When -I scrambled up I was covered with mud from head to foot, and the live -embers from the burning fields were coming down more thickly than ever. - -But life is sweet to all of us, and even in that supreme moment of -peril I made a desperate effort to save myself. Seeing a pool of water -and mud just ahead of me, I leaped for it and threw myself down. - -It was a bath far from sweet, yet at that time a most agreeable one. I -allowed what there was of the water to cover my head and shoulders and -saw to it that all of my clothing was thoroughly saturated. Then I -arose again, and, pulling my coat collar up over my ears, leaped on in -the direction taken by my companions. - -The air was like that of a furnace, and soon the smoke became so thick -I could scarcely see the trail. The wind was blowing the fire directly -toward me, and to have stood that onslaught for long would have been -utterly impossible. - -But just as I felt that I must sink, and while I murmured a wild prayer -for deliverance, the wind shifted and a cooling current of air reached -me. This was wonderfully reviving, and, breathing deeply, I gathered -courage and continued on my way. - -Almost quarter of a mile was covered, and I had gained the base of -the hills, when the wind shifted again, and once more the fire rushed -onward and it became so hot I could not breathe except with difficulty. - -"Mark! Mark! where are you?" - -It was a most welcome cry, coming from Captain Guerez. In an instant -more Alano's father dashed up through the smoke. - -"Captain Guerez!" I gasped, and ran up to his side. "Save me!" - -"Where is your horse?" he asked, as he caught me up and assisted me to -mount behind him. - -"He ran away." - -No more was said. Turning his animal about, Captain Guerez dug his -spurs deep into the horse's flesh, and away we went up the hillside at -a rate of speed which soon left the roaring and crackling sugar-cane -fields far behind. - -In fifteen minutes we had joined the others of the party, on a plateau -covered with stunted grass and well out of reach of the fire. Here -it was found that my runaway horse had quietly joined his fellows. I -was tempted to give him a whipping for leaving me in the lurch, but -desisted upon second thought, as it would have done no good and I knew -the animal had only done what I was trying to do--save my life. - -"That was a narrow escape for you, Mark!" cried Alano, as he came up -with an anxious look on his face. "You ought to be more careful about -your horse in the future." - -"You can be sure I will be, Alano," I answered; and then turned to -Captain Guerez and thanked him for what he had done for me. - -It was hardly dawn; yet, as all had had a fair night's rest, it was -determined to proceed on our way and take a somewhat longer rest during -the hot noon hour. - -"This fire will necessitate a change in our course," said Captain -Guerez to me. - -"Will that delay us much?" - -"Not over a few hours. We will reach Rodania by nightfall." - -The captain was right, for it was not yet six o'clock when, from the -side of one mountain, we saw the buildings of Rodania perched upon the -side of another. We traveled across the tiny valley separating the two, -and just outside of the town Captain Guerez called a halt. - -"I think I had better send Jorge ahead and see if the coast is clear," -he said. "The coming of the negro into town will not be noticed, and he -can speedily learn if there are any Spaniards about." - -This was agreed upon, and, after receiving his instructions, the -colored guide hurried away, to be gone less than half an hour. - -"Spanish soldiers dare yesterday," he announced. "All gone now--on the -road to Cubineta." - -"Did they have any prisoners?" questioned Captain Guerez. - -"Yes, dree--two Cubans and an _Americano_." - -"My father!" I cried. "Oh, Captain Guerez, cannot we overtake them -before they manage to get him to some fort or prison?" - -"We'll try our best, Mark," replied Alano's father. - -"Why can't we travel after them at once?" put in Alano, fairly taking -the words out of my mouth. - -"We will," replied his father. "The long noontime rest has left our -horses still fresh. Forward, all of you! We will take a short cut, and -not visit Rodania at all." - -During the halt I had taken the opportunity to brush off my clothing, -which was now thoroughly dry. I had taken a bath at noon, so now felt -once more like myself, although several blisters on my neck and hands, -received from the fire, hurt not a little. I told Jorge of the bums, -and he ran into the woods for several species of moss, which he crushed -between two rocks, putting the crushed pulp on the blisters. - -"Take burn out soon," he announced; and he was right. In less than half -an hour after the application was made the smarting entirely ceased. - -We were now in the depths of a valley back of Rodania, and here the -trail (they are called roads in Cuba, but they are only trails, and -sometimes hardly that) was so choked up with vines and so soft that our -progress was greatly impeded, and about eight o'clock we came to a halt -in the darkness. - -"The mud beyond is all of two feet deep, and we can't get through it," -declared one of the men, who had been sent in advance. "We'll have to -go back." - -This was discouraging news, and I looked in perplexity at Alano's -father, whose brow contracted. - -"I'll take a look myself," he said, and, dismounting so that his horse -might not get stuck, advanced on foot. - -In my impatience I went with him. The way was very dark, and I -suggested that a torch be lighted. - -"An excellent plan," said Alano's father, and immediately cut a cedar -branch. By its blaze we were enabled to see quite well, and succeeded -in finding another path around the muddy spot. - -To save our horses we walked them for half a mile. It was tough -traveling, and the clouds of mosquitoes made the journey almost -unendurable. I was glad when, at early dawn, we emerged from the valley -on a bit of a rise, where the ground was firm and the growth somewhat -limited. - -A broad highway now lay before us, the main road from Rodania to -Cubineta. It was one of the best highways I had seen since leaving -Santiago de Cuba, and this was explained by Captain Guerez, who said -the road had been put into condition just previous to the breaking out -of the war. - -As usual, one of the party was in advance, and this was a lucky thing, -for about ten o'clock the soldier came tearing toward us on his horse -and motioning us to take to the woods. - -Captain Guerez was on the lookout, and turned to us quickly. - -"Dismount!" he cried in Spanish, and we leaped to the ground, and led -our animals into a thicket growing to the left of the highway. The -vidette followed us, stating that a large body of Spanish cavalry was -approaching. - -We forced our horses into the thicket for fully a hundred feet and tied -them fast. Then, with cautious steps, we returned to the vicinity of -the road and concealed ourselves behind convenient trees and bushes. - -By this time a thunder of hoofs could be heard, and soon the cavalry -appeared, at least two hundred strong. They were the finest body of -men I had seen in the island, and looked as if they had just come over -from Spain, their uniforms and weapons were so clean and new. They were -riding at a brisk pace, and hardly had we caught a good look at them -than they were gone, leaving a cloud of dust behind them. - -Captain Guerez was the first to speak, when they were well out of -hearing. - -"It's a good thing we did not run into them," he remarked grimly. "Our -little detachment would have stood small chances with such a body of -well-armed men." - -"They form a great contrast to the rebels," I could not help but murmur. - -"They do indeed, Mark. But why not? The rebels, especially in this -district, were never soldiers. When the war broke out they were -without uniforms or weapons; and what was and is worse, many of them -knew nothing about the use of a firearm. You will find the men in the -western provinces, where the whites predominate, both better trained -and clothed--although, let me add, their hearts are no more sturdy or -loyal than you will find here in the East." - -Thus talking, we went on and on, until Alano, who had gone ahead this -time, came back with the information that Cubineta was in sight. - -"And the village seems to be under guard of the Spanish soldiery," he -added, words which caused me, at least, considerable dismay. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI. - -A DISHEARTENING DISCOVERY. - - -"Under Spanish guard!" I cried, and looked questioningly at Alano's -father. - -"That's too bad," he said gravely. "However, there is no help for this -unexpected turn of affairs, and we must make the best of it. Alano, my -son, you are sure you are not mistaken?" - -"There are a number of Spanish soldiers on the highway, and with the -field-glass I saw that more soldiers were scattered round about." - -"Then your report must be true. I'll ride ahead and take a view of the -situation." - -I begged to go along, and Captain Guerez agreed. Alano came too, while -the others withdrew to a thicket, to avoid being surprised by any of -the Spaniards who might be out foraging. - -A turn in the highway brought us in full view of Cubineta. Of course we -were not foolish enough to expose ourselves. Screened behind bushes and -vines, we took a survey through the glass of the place, its people, and -the soldiers. - -Cubineta was not a large village, but it was a pretty place and -evidently thriving--or had been thriving before the war put a blight -upon all Cuban industries. There was one long street of stores and -dwellings, a church, a _casa_ or town-house, and at the farthest end -what looked to be a hastily constructed fort, built of heavy logs and -sods. - -"The Spaniards are evidently going to use the place as a center or -depot for supplies," was Captain Guerez' comment. "Under the present -circumstances I hardly know what is best to do." - -"Perhaps they have my father a prisoner in that fortress," I suggested. - -"It is not unlikely, Mark--if the men who held him have not yet gone -further than Cubineta." - -"Can't we steal into town under cover of night?" I continued. - -"We might do that--if it would do any good." - -"I want to join my father at any hazard." - -"That might be very foolish, Mark. How can you assist him if you are -yourself made a prisoner?" - -"Would they hold a boy like myself?" - -"You are not so young as you would like to make them imagine," laughed -Alano's father shortly. "Besides, if left free, they would be afraid -you would carry messages for your father. I think the best thing we can -do just now is to let Jorge go into town, pretending he is half starved -and willing to do anything for anybody who will give him food. By -taking this course, no one will pay much attention to him, as there are -many such worthless blacks floating about, and he can quietly find his -way around the fort and learn what prisoners, if any, are being kept -there." - -This was sensible advice, and, impatient as I was to catch sight of my -parent, I agreed to wait. We rode back to where the others had made -their camp, and Jorge was called up and duly instructed. The black -grinned with pleasure, for he considered it a great honor to do spy -work for such an influential planter as Captain Guerez. Possibly he had -visions of a good situation on the plantation after the war was over; -but, if so, he kept his thoughts on that point to himself. - -Jorge gone, the time hung heavily on the hands of all; but I believe -I was the most impatient of the crowd, and with good reason. Alano -noticed how uneasily I moved about, and soon joined me. - -"You must take things easy, Mark," he said. "Stewing won't do any good, -and it will only make you sick, combined with this hot weather, which, -I know, is about all you can stand." - -"If only I felt certain that my father was safe, Alano! Remember, he is -all I have in the world. My mother has been dead for years, and I never -had a brother or a sister." - -"I think it will all come out right in the end," he answered, doing his -best to cheer me up. "They won't dare to--to----" He did not finish. - -"To shoot him? That's just what I fear they will do, Alano. From what -I heard at Santiago de Cuba, the Spaniards are down on most Americans, -for they know we sympathize with you and think Cuba ought to be free, -or, at least ought to have a large hand in governing itself." - -When nightfall came most of the others lay down to sleep. But this was -out of the question for me, tired though I was physically, and so I was -left on guard, with instructions to call one of the men at midnight. - -Slowly the hours went by, with nothing to break the stillness of the -night but the hum of countless insects and the frequent note of a -night bird. We had not dared to build a campfire, and in consequence -there was no getting where the smoke drifted and out of the way of the -mosquitoes. - -At midnight I took a walk around to see if all was safe. The man I -was to call slept so soundly I had not the heart to wake him up, so I -continued on guard until one, when a noise down by the road attracted -my attention. - -Pistol in hand I stalked forward, when I heard a low voice and -recognized Jorge. The negro had been walking fast, and he was almost -out of breath. - -"Well?" I inquired anxiously. "Is my father there?" - -"I think he is, señor," replied the guide. "I go to prison-fort--da -have six Cubans dare an' one _Americano_." - -"My father!" - -"I talk to some men, an' da tell me prisoners come in last night--some -from Rodania, udders from udder places. _Americano_ in a prison by -himself, near the river. I swim up close to dat prison--maybe we make -hole in wall an' git him out." - -"Could we do that, Jorge, without being discovered?" - -"Tink so, señor--work at night--now, maybe. Swim under river an' come -up by fort, den dig with machetes--make hole under fort." - -"If only we could do that!" I cried; and then, struck with a sudden -idea, I caught Jorge by the arm. "Jorge, if I go, will you come and -show me the way and help me?" - -"Yes, señor." - -"Then let us go at once, without arousing the others. More than two -might spoil the plan. Go back to the road and wait for me." - -The guide did as directed, and I turned back into camp. Here I awoke -the man previously mentioned, and told him I was going off to meet -Jorge. He but partly understood, but arose to do guard duty, and I -hurried off. - -I felt that I was not doing just right in not notifying Captain Guerez -and Alano, but I was impatient to meet my father and was afraid if I -told them what Jorge had said they would want to delay matters. As -events turned out it would probably have been much better had I been -guided by their advice. - -A short but brisk walk brought the guide and myself in sight of the -town. On the outskirts the campfires of the Spanish soldiers burned -brightly. These we carefully avoided, and made a détour, coming up -presently to the bank of the stream upon which the fort was located. - -The river was broad and shallow, and as it ran but sluggishly we might -have forded across, but this would have placed us in plain view of the -sentries, who marched up and down along the river bank and in front of -the prison-house. - -Disdaining to undress, we dropped down into the stream and swam over, -with only our faces out of water, and without a sound, to a spot -behind the building opposite. We came up in a tiny hollow, screened by -several small bushes, and crawled on our stomachs to the rear of the -wing in which the guide said the American prisoner was incarcerated. - -I had a long and broad dagger which I had picked up the day previous, -and Jorge had his machete, and with these we began to dig a tunnel -leading under the wooden wall of the fort. Fortunately, the ground was -not hard, and soon we broke through the very flooring of the prison. I -was in the lead, and in great eagerness I poked up my head and gazed -around me. - -"Hullo, who's there?" cried a startled voice, in English, and my heart -sank completely, for the prisoner was not my father at all. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVII. - -GILBERT BURNHAM. - - -"Are you alone?" I asked, when I had recovered sufficiently to speak. - -"An American!" came the low cry. "Yes, I am alone. Who are you, and -what do you want?" - -"I came to save you--that is, I thought my father was a prisoner here," -I stammered. "Are you tied up?" - -"Worse, chained. But I think the chain can easily be broken. If you'll -help me get away from here, I'll consider myself in your debt for life." - -"I'll do what I can for you. But keep quiet, for there are a number of -guards about," I whispered. - -With an effort I squeezed through the hole that had been made, and felt -my way to the prisoner's side, for the interior of the cell was dark. -He had a chain around one wrist, and the chain was fastened by a large -staple driven into a log of the wall of the fort. - -Jorge had come up behind me, and, learning of the staple, began to cut -at the woodwork surrounding it with his machete. The lower end of the -blade was fairly keen, and he made such rapid progress that in less -than five minutes a sharp jerk cleared the staple from the log, and the -prisoner was free. - -"Good for you," he whispered to the colored guide. "Now which is the -way out of this hole?" - -"Follow me, and keep very quiet," I whispered, and motioned to Jorge to -lead the way. - -Soon the guide had disappeared into the opening we had made. Going from -the prison was worse than getting in, and the man we were trying to -rescue declared the passage-way too small for him. - -We commenced to enlarge it, I with my dagger and he with his hands. We -had just made it of sufficient size when we heard a cry from outside. -Jorge had emerged into the open, only to be discovered by a sentry -who chanced to be looking his way. There was a shot, and half a dozen -soldiers came running up, at which the guide took to the river with a -loud splash. - -"I'm afraid we are lost!" I cried, and stopped, half in and half out -of the hole. Then the prison door was banged open, and the rays of a -lantern flared into the cell. - -The American I had discovered promptly showed fight by leaping on the -intruder. But this was madness, as the soldier was backed up by four -others, all armed with pistols and guns. In the meantime another light -flashed from outside the hole, and I felt myself caught, very much like -a rat in a trap. - -"_De donde viene V.?_ [Where do you come from?]" demanded a cold, stern -voice, and I felt myself grabbed by the hair. Realizing that resistance -was useless, I gave myself up, and immediately found myself surrounded -by a dozen Spanish soldiers. In the meantime Jorge had made good his -escape. - -The soldiers marched me around to the entrance of the fort, where an -officer began to question me in Spanish. He could speak no English, and -as soon as he found my command of Spanish was very limited he sent off -for an interpreter. Then I was taken inside the fort and consigned to -one of the prison cells. - -My feelings can be better imagined than described. Bitterly I regretted -having started on my midnight quest without notifying Captain Guerez. -My hasty action had brought me to grief and placed me in a position -from which escape seemed impossible. What my captors would do with -me remained to be seen. That they would treat me in anything like a -friendly fashion was out of the question to expect. It was likely that -they would hold me as a prisoner of war. - -Presently the door of the cell was opened, and somebody else was thrown -in bodily and with such force that he fell headlong. The door was -banged shut and bolted, and the crowd which had been outside went away. - -The new arrival lay like a log where he had been thrown, and for a few -minutes I fancied he must be dead from the way he had been treated. - -I bent over him, and in the dim light of the early dawn made out that -it was the American I had sought to rescue. I placed my hand over his -heart and discovered that he still breathed, although but faintly. - -There was nothing at hand with which I could do anything for him. My -own pockets had been turned inside out by my captors, and even my -handkerchief, with which I might have bound up an ugly wound on his -brow, was gone. I opened his coat and vest and his shirt around the -neck, and gave him as much air as I could. - -"Oh!" he groaned, as he finally came to his senses. "Oh! Don't kick me -any more! I give in!" - -"You're all right--they have put you in a cell with me," I hastened to -reassure him, and then he sat up. - -"Who--what----" he paused. "In a cell, eh? And they caught you, too?" - -"Yes." - -"That's too bad." He drew a deep breath. "Did you fight with them?" - -"No. I saw it would be no use." - -"I was a fool to do it. I'm too hot-blooded for this sort of work. I -ought to have stayed in Boston reporting local affairs." - -"Are you a reporter?" - -"Hush! Yes; but I don't want it to become known if I can help it. They -think I am nothing more than an inquisitive American." - -"Then why did they lock you up?" - -"That was more of my hot-headedness. I was sketching a picture of the -town and this fort or prison, when a Spanish officer came up and tried -to snatch the drawing from my hand. Instead of demanding an explanation -I promptly knocked him down. Then a couple of guards ran for me, and I -dusted. But it was no use. They sent a company of soldiers after me, -and here I am." - -"And here we are both likely to remain for some time to come," I added -bitterly. - -"Looks that way, that's a fact. By the way, you said something about -your father, didn't you?" - -"Yes. My father is a prisoner of the Spaniards, and I felt almost -certain he was in this fort." - -"What's your father's name?" - -"Richard Carter. My name is Mark." - -"And my name is Gilbert Burnham. I've heard of your father, come to -think of it. He joined the Cuban army along with a plantation owner -named Guerez and another American named Hawley." - -"You are right. Did you hear anything at all of him here in Cubineta or -the vicinity?" - -"No. But then, you see, that is not strange, as I talk very little -Spanish. I certainly haven't seen any Americans here but you and -myself." - -Gilbert Burnham asked me to tell him my story; and, feeling that I -could lose nothing by so doing, I favored him with a recital of my -efforts to get to my father. He was quite interested. - -"By Jove, young man, if I get clear from here I'll do what I can to -help you," he said. - -Then he told me his own history--how he had grown tired of newspaper -reporting in Boston and begged the head editor of the paper he -represented to send him on an "assignment" to Cuba. He had been in the -island four months, and had had a varied list of adventures, although -none of a particularly thrilling or perilous nature. - -"But now it looks as though I was in for it," he concluded moodily. -"That officer I knocked down will make matters as hard as he can for -me." - -"And I'm afraid trying to break away from prison won't help matters," I -said. - -"You are right there. But, heigho! we must make the best of it." - -Yet making the best of it was small satisfaction to me. Tired out in -body and mind, I sank down in a corner of the gloomy and damp cell and -gave myself up to my bitter reflections. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVIII. - -A BATTLE ON LAND AND WATER. - - -It was about eight o'clock in the morning that the door of the prison -cell was opened and Gilbert Burnham and I were ordered to march out -into a larger apartment. - -The order was given by a Spanish officer who spoke fairly good English, -and the officer was backed up by a guard of eight men, all well armed. - -"They are going to run no chances on us now," remarked the newspaper -correspondent, as he arose from the floor, upon which he had been -resting. - -"We had better be as civil as possible," I answered. "If we anger them -they have it in their power to make us mighty uncomfortable." - -"I'll keep as civil as my hot-headedness will permit," he grumbled. - -We were led from one end of the fort to the other, where there was a -narrow room, provided with a small, square table and half a dozen -benches. At the table sat several officers I had seen before. One was a -particularly ugly-looking fellow, and Burnham nudged me and said this -chap was the fellow he had knocked down. - -"And he's got it in for me," he added. - -I was marched to the front of the table, and the officer who could -speak English forced me to clasp my hands behind me. This done, one of -the officers at the table asked a number of questions in Spanish. - -"_No habla V. castellano?_ [Do you not speak Spanish?]" he asked me. - -"No, señor," I replied. - -He glared at me suspiciously for a moment, then spoke to the other -officer. - -"Who you are?" demanded the latter. - -"I am Mark Carter, an American boy. I came to Cuba to join my father, -who was stopping at a plantation near Guantanamo." - -This was repeated in Spanish. At the mention of my name several of -those present exchanged glances. - -"You son of Richard Carter?" was the next question. - -"Yes, señor. I understand he is a prisoner. Is it true?" - -My question remained unanswered, and it was plain that my captors -intended to give me no information. - -"Why you break in the fort? Did this man pay you to do that?" And the -Spanish officer pointed to Gilbert Burnham. - -"I never saw or heard of this man before, señor. I broke in because I -thought my father was a prisoner there. I heard an American was there, -and I thought it must be he." - -"Aha, I see! Well, your father is not here, as you have found out." - -"Where is he?" - -This question also remained unanswered. The officers began to consult -among themselves, and then I was ordered back to the cell. I tried to -protest, and pleaded for liberty, for a chance to find my parent, but -it was all in vain. I was hustled off without ceremony and made as -close a prisoner as before. - -It was nearly noon before Gilbert Burnham joined me. In the meantime -I had had nothing to eat or drink, and was beginning to wonder if my -enemies meant to let me die of hunger and thirst. - -The face of the newspaper correspondent was much downcast. - -"I'm to catch it now," he said. "To-morrow morning they are going to -start to transport me to some regular fortress, and there I suppose -I'll be permitted to languish until this bloody war is over. I wish I -had made a dash for liberty when I was out in that courtroom." - -"They would have shot you dead. They were too well armed for anything -of the sort." - -"Maybe. But this is tough. Is there a pitcher of water anywhere?" - -"Not a drop." - -At this he stormed more than ever, and finally shouted to the guard to -bring some _agua_. But no one paid any attention to his cries, further -than to order him to be silent, under penalty of being gagged, and then -he subsided. - -Slowly the morning wore away. The sun was shining brightly outside, and -the cell, with only one narrow window, high up to the ceiling, was like -a bake-oven. Once I climbed up to the window sill and looked out, only -to have the muzzle of a gun thrust into my face, while a guard outside -ordered me to drop. I dropped, and made no further attempt to get a -whiff of fresh air. - -I wondered if Jorge had escaped in safety and if Captain Guerez would -do anything to save me. I felt certain he would be very angry over the -way I had acted, and, looking back, I felt that I richly deserved to be -censured. - -It was high noon, and I and my companion were walking the floor, -impatient for food and drink, when the door opened and a guard came in -with a platter and an earthenware pitcher. He set both on the floor -and withdrew without a word. - -"Well, here's something, anyway," remarked Gilbert Burnham. "Bah! a -stew of onions and garlic, not fit for a dog to eat. Let me have some -of the water." - -Neither of us could do more than taste the mess which had been served; -and as for the water, it looked as if it had been scooped from the -river, and was both warm and muddy. I had just finished taking a -gingerly drink, when a shot from outside startled both of us. Several -more shots followed, and then came a blast on a trumpet from somewhere -in the distance. - -"Hullo! that means a fight!" ejaculated Gilbert Burnham, his face -brightening. "I hope it's a body of rebels to the rescue." - -"So do I, and I further hope they release us," I replied. - -At the first shot an alarm had been sounded in and about the fort. We -could hear the soldiers hurrying in several directions and a number of -orders issued in Spanish. The firing now continued to increase, and -presently we heard a crash of splintered woodwork. - -"It's getting interesting, eh, Carter?" said Gilbert Burnham. "If only -they don't grow too enthusiastic and fire in here!" - -Scarcely had he spoken than we heard a little noise up at the window. -A bullet had entered and buried itself in the woodwork opposite. - -"Better lay down," I urged, and set the example, which the newspaper -man was not long in following. The firing and shouting kept on -steadily, and we heard the occasional splashing of water, telling that -the encounter was taking place on the river as well as on land. - -The battle had been going on with more or less violence for half an -hour, when there came a wild rush through the fort, and some shooting -just outside of our cell. Then the door went down with a crash, and we -found ourselves confronted by a score or more of dusky rebels, all of -whom wore the flag of Cuba pinned to their hats and coats. - -"_Americano!_" shouted one of them, and allowed us to come outside. -Then, without waiting to question us, the crowd dashed to the entrance -of another cell and succeeded in liberating several of their own -countrymen. But now the soldiers of the fort rallied, and the intruders -were driven back. - -Feeling it was our one chance to escape, we went with the insurgents, -and soon found ourselves on the outskirts of Cubineta, in a spot backed -up by a forest of palms and oaks. As we ran along Gilbert Burnham -paused and pointed to the dead body of a Spanish soldier. - -"He won't need his weapons any more, poor fellow," he said, and -stooping down secured two pistols, one of which he gave to me. There -was also a belt of cartridges, and this was speedily divided between us. - -"I think the road to the camp I left is behind us," I remarked, as I -took a view of the situation, in the meantime screening myself from our -enemies by diving behind a clump of trees. "I think I'll go in that -direction. Do you want to come along?" - -My companion was willing to go anywhere, so long as we kept clear of -the Spanish forces, and off we went on an easy run down the highway, -keeping our pistols in our hands and our eyes to the right and the -left, as well as ahead. Quarter of an hour of this sort of traveling -brought us to the spot where I had left Alano and the others. - -The temporary camp was deserted. - - - - -CHAPTER XXIX. - -LOOKING FOR MY CUBAN CHUM. - - -"Gone, eh?" remarked Gilbert Burnham, as he saw the disappointed look -upon my face. "Well, you could hardly expect anything different, with -the fighting going on. It's more than likely they took part in the -attack." - -"I presume so," I answered. "But where can they be now? The firing has -about ceased." - -"The rebels have withdrawn from the town, that's certain. Let us try to -find the main body of the insurgents, and there we'll probably learn of -the whereabouts of your friends." - -I considered this good advice, and, leaving the vicinity of what had -been the former camp, we struck out on a trail which took us in a -semi-circle around Cubineta. - -It was one of the hottest days I had yet experienced since landing on -the island, and we had not progressed a half-mile before I was fairly -panting for breath. As for Gilbert Burnham, he declared that he must -halt or collapse. - -"Talk about balmy groves and summer skies," he growled. "I would rather -be at the North Pole any time. Why, I'll bet a dollar you could bake -bread on that bit of ground out there!" and he pointed to a stretch of -dark soil, dried as hard as stone by the fierce rays of the sun. - -"The average Cuban never thinks of traveling in the sun between eleven -and three o'clock, and I don't blame him," I rejoined. "Let us climb a -tree and take it easy." - -We mounted an oak, I making certain first that there was no snake on -it, and took seats near the very top. By parting the branches we could -get a fair view of Cubineta, and we saw that the attack was at an end. -The rebels had retreated out of sight, but not before setting fire to -the fort, which was burning fiercely, with nothing being done to save -it from destruction. - -"To me it looks as if the rebels were bunched in the woods to the -north," I said, after a long and careful survey. "I wish we had a -field-glass." - -"I'm glad we took the pistols, Carter. They may come in very handy -before we reach safe quarters again." - -"I'm sure I don't want to shoot anyone, Burnham," I answered. - -"But you believe in defending yourself?" - -"Yes. But what do you propose to do, now you have escaped?" - -"Get back to the coast and take the first vessel I can find for the -United States." - -"Then you've had sufficient of reporting down here?" - -"Yes, indeed! If any other young man wants to come down here and take -my place, he is welcome to do so." And Gilbert Burnham spoke with an -emphasis that proved he meant every word he uttered. - -As soon as we were cooled off and rested, we resumed our way, through -a heavy undergrowth which, on account of the entangling vines, often -looked as if it would utterly stay our progress. But both of us were -persevering, and by four o'clock had reached the section of country I -had fancied the rebels were occupying. - -My surmise was correct. Hardly had we proceeded a dozen yards along a -side road than three Cubans leaped from behind some brush and commanded -us to halt. We did so and explained that we were Americans, at the -same time pointing to the burning fort and then crossing our wrists as -though tied. - -The rebels understood by this that we had been prisoners, and as we did -not attempt to draw our pistols, they shouldered their long guns and -conducted us to the officer in command. - -"Look for Captain Guerez?" said the officer, whose name I have -forgotten. "He ride off dat way!" and he pointed with his hand to the -westward. "He look for you, I tink." - -This was comforting news, and I asked if Alano's father had taken part -in the attack on Cubineta, to which I received the reply that both the -captain and all under him had taken part and that one of the insurgents -had been killed. - -"Was it his boy Alano?" - -"No, man named Ciruso." - -I waited to hear no more, but, thanking the officer for his trouble, -hurried off down a trail leading to the westward, with Burnham at my -side. - -We were descending a short hill, covered with a stunted growth of -brush, which tripped us up more than once, when my companion suddenly -uttered a howl and tumbled over me in his effort to retreat. - -"What is it?" I asked. - -"Spiders, or crabs, as big as your foot," he cried. "Look! look!" He -pointed to several holes in the sand, beside a small brook. At the -entrance to each hole sat an enormous land crab, gray in color, with -round, staring eyes, well calculated to give anyone a good scare. - -"They are only crabs, and won't hurt you, unless you try to catch hold -of them," I laughed. "Alano told me of them, and I've met them before." - -"More of the beauties of this delightful country," said Burnham -sarcastically. - -I advanced and stamped my foot, and instantly each crab scampered for -his hole, in the clumsy fashion all crabs have. I fancied some of them -hissed at us, but I might have been mistaken. - -The brook crossed, we ascended the next hill and entered a plantain -grove where the fruit hung in profusion on all sides. We found some -that was almost ripe, and made a refreshing meal. - -"Hullo, Mark!" - -The welcome voice rang out from a grove of oaks on the other side of -the plantains. I started, then rushed ahead, to find myself, a minute -later, in Alano's arms, with Captain Guerez looking on, highly pleased. - -"We thought you were killed!" ejaculated my Cuban chum, when our -greeting was over. "Where on earth have you been?" - -"Haven't you seen Jorge?" - -"No," put in Alano's father. - -"It's a long story. Let me introduce another American," and I presented -Gilbert Burnham. - -Sitting down in as cool a spot as we could find, each related all he -had to tell. My story is already known. - -"When you did not show up in camp I was much worried," said the -captain, "and I sent men out at once to hunt up both you and Jorge. -During this search one of the men, Circuso, met some of the Spanish -troops, and fought desperately to escape them, but was shot and killed." - -"Poor chap!" I could not help but murmur. "Did he leave a family?" - -"No; he was a bachelor, without kith or kin." - -"I think he might have escaped," put in Alano, "but he was so fierce -against the soldiers from Spain. He said they had no right to come over -here and fight us, and he was in for killing every one of them." - -"While the hunt for you and Jorge was going on," continued Alano's -father, "the rebel leader, Captain Conovas, arrived and said he had -instructions to attack Cubineta and make an attempt to release the -prisoners at the fort. I decided to join him in the attack, at the same -time thinking you might be a prisoner with your father. - -"We operated from the south and from across the river, and soon took -possession of the fort, only to be repulsed with a heavy loss. Then our -party withdrew to this quarter, and here we are." - -"And what of my father?" I asked anxiously. "He was not at the fort, -nor have I been able to hear anything of him." - -"The Cuban forces captured several prisoners, and they are being held -in a valley just below here. I was on the point of journeying hither to -interview them on that point when Alano discovered you coming through -the plantain grove," answered Captain Guerez. - -"Then let us go and question them now," I cried. - -The captain was willing, and off we hurried on horseback, Burnham and -myself being provided with steeds which had belonged to the Spanish -prisoners. - -Riding was much more comfortable than walking, and the road being -fairly level the distance to the valley mentioned was soon covered. -Here it was found that four of the Spaniards had died of their wounds, -but there were six others, and these Captain Guerez proceeded to -examine carefully, taking each aside for that purpose. - -"Your father is _en route_ for Santiago," he said, when the examination -was over. "When he arrives there he is to be tried by court-martial for -plotting against the life of a certain Spanish leader, General Gonza. -If we wish to save him we must start after him without an instant's -delay." - - - - -CHAPTER XXX. - -ONCE MORE AMONG THE HILLS. - - -Fortunately the road leading to the northern shore of Santiago Bay was -well known to Captain Guerez, who at one time had been a commissioner -of highways in that district. - -"I do not know how we will fare on this trip," he remarked, as we rode -off only four strong--the captain, Alano, Burnham, and myself. "At one -spot we will have to pass the railroad, and I understand that is now -under strict Spanish surveillance." - -"We'll have to take matters as they come," I returned. "We must save my -father at any cost--at least, I shall attempt to do so." - -"I am with you, Mark," said the captain earnestly. "Next to my family, -there is no one to whom I am more attached." - -"And I go in for helping any American," put in Burnham. - -Alano simply smiled at me. But that smile was enough. I felt that my -Cuban chum could be depended upon to stick to me through thick and thin. - -Nightfall found us in the midst of a long range of hills, covered -with a heavy growth of oaks, cedars, and mahogany. The vines which -I mentioned before were here as thick as ever, and in the darkness -Gilbert Burnham suddenly gave a yell and slid from the back of his -horse to the ground. - -"What's the matter?" we cried in chorus. - -"Matter!" he growled. "Nothing, only a vine caught me under the chin, -and I thought I was about to be hung." - -We laughed at this, but my humor was soon short, as another vine -slipped over my forehead, taking my Panama hat with it. - -After this we were more careful, fearful that some of us might be -seriously injured, and a little later we went into camp in the midst of -a tiny clearing. - -We were just finishing our supper when a most doleful howl arose on the -air, coming from the rear and to the right of us. I leaped up and drew -my pistol, expecting to be attacked by some wild animal. - -"Here's excitement!" ejaculated the newspaper correspondent. "What can -it be--a bear?" - -He had hardly finished when a perfect chorus of howls arose, coming -closer. I gazed in alarm at Captain Guerez and Alano. My chum laughed -outright. - -"Don't get scared, Mark; they are only wild dogs." - -"Wild dogs!" put in Burnham. "Well that is the worst yet! And they are -not dangerous?" - -"If you met a large number of them alone they might be," replied -Captain Guerez. "But they won't think of attacking such a party as -ours. They'll hang around until we leave and then search the camp for -stray food." - -In spite of this explanation, however, Burnham insisted that a guard be -kept during the night, and we each took two hours at the task. Before -the sun had struck us from over the treetops, we had breakfast and were -off. Sure enough, the wild dogs rushed in the moment we had left the -opening. They were a lean and ugly-looking set of curs. - -"It's a terrible thing when these wild dogs and a bloodhound on the -trail meet," observed Captain Guerez. "Of course one wild dog cannot do -much, but the whole pack will fall on the bloodhound, and in the end -the larger dog will be killed and literally torn to shreds." - -A storm was approaching, but this did not discourage us, although -Burnham growled as usual. In fact, we soon found that he was a chronic -fault-finder, but then he seldom meant half that he said, and, taken -all in all, he was good company. - -"If the storm grows heavy it will give us a good chance to cross the -railroad tracks," remarked the captain. "The sentries will relax their -vigilance and more than likely seek shelter under the trees." - -"Won't we strike some settlement before that?" I asked. - -"Oh, yes; we are on the outskirts of Los Hanios now." - -Five minutes later we rode into a small village occupied principally -by half a hundred cattlemen, for we were now coming to the meadows and -valleys in which immense herds of cows and sheep are pastured. The -people of Los Hanios took but little interest in the revolution, and as -a consequence had been but little molested either by the Spaniards or -Cubans, although a portion of their cattle had been confiscated. - -From one of the head cattlemen Captain Guerez learned that a body of -Spaniards had passed through the village the afternoon before bound for -Santiago. They had several prisoners, who were tied hands and feet, and -fast to the mules which carried them. At least one of the prisoners had -been _un Americano_. - -At Los Hanios we procured dinner, a splendid meal--the best I had -eaten since leaving the steamer, for it consisted of prime roast beef -done to a turn, potatoes and beans and coffee. Burnham attended to -the cooking, saying he had cooked many a meal for himself during his -Bohemian life at the "Hub," and consequently all the dishes were turned -out in true American style, garlic and such stuff being for once -tabooed. - -Yet I hurried matters, wishing to catch up with my father as soon as -possible. I wondered if he knew I was after him, and how he was faring. -I felt certain that to be bound to the back of a mule over these rough -trails could be anything but a pleasant sensation. - -While we were still in sight of Los Hanios it began to rain, and we -had not made over a mile when the downpour became very heavy. Burnham -wished to take shelter under some trees, but I would not hear of it, -and Alano and his father backed me up in my idea. - -"We can rest a-plenty when Mr. Carter is once more safe," said the -captain, and that ended the discussion. - -On and on we went, until, looking ahead, we espied a turn in the road. -Beyond this was a bank six or eight feet in height, and this was where -the railroad tracks were located. - -"We had best dismount and go ahead on foot," said the captain. "A -sentry could easily see our animals if he had his eyes about him." - -"If he wasn't asleep," put in Burnham. "I fancy these Spaniards and -Cubans do a lot of sleeping whenever they get the chance." - -"Not in war-times," said Alano, who did not fancy this slur upon his -countrymen. "Of course we are not so nervous and impatient as some of -the Americans," he added pointedly, and Burnham took the hint and said -no more on the subject. - -A fierce rattle of thunder stopped all talking soon after. The -lightning became almost incessant, and glared and flared along the -railroad tracks as far as eye could see. We came together close to a -clump of berry bushes. - -"Wait a moment," whispered Captain Guerez. "I think I saw a sentry not -over fifty feet away!" - -At this announcement all of us crouched down, and each looked to his -weapons, feeling that a crisis might be at hand. Alano's father moved -like a shadow up to the railroad bank. - -"I was right," he announced, after a particularly bright flash of -lightning; "I saw his gun-barrel plainly." - -"Can we pass him?" asked Alano. - -"We can try, but----" - -"If he sees us why can't we make him a prisoner?" I broke in. "If we -did that, we would have a chance to bring our horses up the bank and -over the tracks." - -"I was thinking as much," said the captain. "The horses must be gotten -over; that is necessary." - -He deliberated for a minute, and then motioned us forward, warning -us at the same time to keep perfectly silent. On we went, to where -something of a trail led up over the railroad embankment. There were a -few bushes growing in the vicinity, and we skulked beside these, almost -crawling along the ground. - -Several minutes passed, and the top of the embankment was reached and -we stood on the glistening tracks. Down we plunged on the opposite -side, and not over a dozen paces from where the Spanish sentry was -standing. - -"_Halte!_" came the unexpected cry, and the man rushed forward, -pointing his gun as he ran. But for once fate was in our favor. A -trailing vine tripped him up and he went headlong. - -Before the Spanish soldier could collect his senses, or make a movement -to rise, Captain Guerez and myself were on him. The captain sat down -astride of the fellow's back, while I secured his gun and clapped my -hand over his mouth, to keep him from calling for assistance. A second -later Alano and the newspaper man came up, and the Spaniard was our -prisoner. - -"Now bring the horses over, as quickly as possible!" said the captain -to his son and Burnham. "Mark and I will guard this fellow." - -At once Alano and Burnham departed. The prisoner struggled wildly to -escape, but we held him fast, and presently Captain Guerez pulled out -his sword and pointed it at the fellow's throat. - -"Not a sound, on your life!" he commanded in Spanish, and the prisoner -became mute instantly. - -The sharpness of the lightning and the deafening thunder had frightened -our animals a good deal, and Alano and the newspaper man had all they -could do to bring them up the embankment, which in one spot was quite -steep. Just as the railroad tracks were reached one of the horses broke -away, and with a loud snort ran down the road, his hoofs clattering -loudly on the ties and the iron rails. Alano endeavored to catch him, -with the result that another broke loose and went up the road in the -same fashion. - -"_Halte!_" came from half a dozen different directions, and as if by -magic as many Spanish sentries showed themselves along the embankment. -A flash of lightning revealed Alano and Burnham, and crack! crack! -crack! went three carbines almost simultaneously. The alarm was taken -up on several sides, and soon we found the best part of a company of -Spanish soldiery swooping down upon us. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXI. - -THE BATTLE AT THE RAILROAD EMBANKMENT. - - -"We are lost!" cried my Cuban chum, as he came stumbling down to where -his father and I stood, with our prisoner between us. - -"We're in for it, that's a fact!" ejaculated Gilbert Burnham, as he -came after Alano, bringing the remaining two horses. "Come on, can't we -ride two on a horse and escape them?" - -Captain Guerez shook his head. There was no time left to answer, for -some of the soldiers were already less than a score of yards away. The -captain waved his hand and ran off, followed by all of us, and leaving -our late prisoner standing with mouth wide open in amazement. - -To try to go back whence we had come, and thus expose ourselves on the -top of the railroad embankment, would have been foolhardy. Instead, -the captain led the way directly into a grove of sapodilla trees some -distance up the track. - -Our Spanish pursuers called upon us to halt, not once, but many times; -and when we did not heed their repeated commands, they opened fire in -a manner which made us feel far from comfortable, for a bullet grazed -the captain's hand, and another whizzed so closely to my ear that I -nearly fell from ducking. There may be those who can stand up coolly -under fire; but I must confess I am not one of them, and I am willing -to give a flying bullet all the room it wishes in which to spend itself. - -Hardly had we reached the grove of sapodillas than Captain Guerez -swung around and began to use his own pistol in a most effective -way, wounding two of the soldiers in advance of the main body of the -Spaniards. Seeing this, the rest of us took courage and also opened -fire, although I must confess I aimed rather low, having no desire to -kill anyone. The cracks from our four pistols brought consternation to -our pursuers, and they halted and fell back a dozen paces. - -"Come on," whispered Captain Guerez. "Our only hope is to lose -ourselves in the woods. The enemy outnumbers us five to one." - -Away he went again, with all of us close upon his heels. Another volley -from the Spaniards rang out, but did no damage, as the trees and brush -now hid us from view. - -We had passed along a distance of a hundred feet when we heard a -crashing in the brush coming from a direction opposite to that being -taken by ourselves. Fearing another company of Spanish infantry was -coming up, Captain Guerez called us to his side. - -"Here is a narrow ravine, leading under the railroad tracks," he said -hurriedly. "Let us go down into that and work our way to the other side -of the embankment." - -No opposition was made, and into the ravine we fairly tumbled, just as -the soldiers came up once more. Bushes and stones hid us from view, and -we went on only when the thunder rolled, that no sounds of our progress -might reach our enemies' ears. - -Ten minutes later found us close to the railroad embankment. But here -we came to a halt in dismay. The ravine had been filled up by the -recent rains, so that crawling under the tracks was out of the question. - -"Now what is to be done?" asked Alano in a low voice. "We can't stay -here, that's certain." - -"Some of the soldiers are coming up the ravine after us!" exclaimed -Burnham a moment later. "Hark!" - -We listened, and found that he was right. At least half a dozen of the -Spaniards were advancing in a cautious manner, their guns ready for -immediate use. - -"Let us climb this tree," said Captain Guerez, pointing to a tall -monarch of the forest, whose spreading branches reached nearly to the -opposite side of the embankment. "Be quick, all of you!" - -He leaped for the tree, and Burnham followed. I gave Alano a boost up, -and he gave me a hand; and inside of forty seconds all of us were safe -for the time being. As we rested on the upper branches of the tree we -heard the far-away whistle of a locomotive. - -"A train is coming!" said Alano. - -"If we could only board it!" I put in eagerly. "It would carry us part -of the way to Guantanamo, wouldn't it?" - -"It would--going in that direction," said Captain Guerez, with a wave -of his hand. "But the train may be filled with Spanish soldiers, and -what then?" - -The locomotive kept coming closer, and presently we heard the rattle of -the cars as they bumped over the rails, which were far from being well -ballasted. The captain was peering out from behind the tree branches, -and he gave a deep breath as a flash of lightning lit up the scene. - -"It is a freight train!" he exclaimed softly. "Come down to the branch -below, all of you!" - -We understood him, and one after another we dropped to the branch -mentioned. It was directly over the track upon which the freight was -pounding along, and we calculated that the distance to the top of the -tallest cars would not be over six or eight feet. - -"We can't jump with that train running at twenty or thirty miles an -hour," I said, with a shudder. "We'll slip and be ground to death under -the car wheels." - -"Mark is right--a jump is out of the question," added Gilbert Burnham. -"I'd rather risk staying here." - -"The train may have supplies for the soldiers about here and stop," -whispered Captain Guerez. "Watch your chances." - -On and on came the train, and in a few seconds more we realized that -those in charge had no intention of stopping in that vicinity. Yet as -the headlight came closer we lowered ourselves in readiness to make a -leap. - -Suddenly there was a shrill whistle, and down went some of the brakes -on the long train. I glanced in the opposite direction from whence -the freight had come and saw on the tracks one of our runaway horses, -which stood staring in alarm at the glaring headlight. Evidently the -engineer had been startled by the sudden appearance of the animal, and, -not realizing exactly what it was, had, on the impulse of the moment, -reversed the locomotive's lever and whistled for brakes. - -The train could not be stopped in time to save the beast, which was -struck and sent rolling over and over down the embankment. Then the -train went on still further, the locomotive finally coming to a halt -about fifty yards beyond the tree upon which all of us were perched. - -As it slowed up the top of one of the tall freight cars rolled directly -beneath us. Giving the word to follow, Captain Guerez let himself drop -on the "running board," as it is termed by train hands--that is, the -board running along the center of the top of a freight car from end to -end. All of us came after him, the quartette landing in a row less than -two yards apart. As soon as each had struck in safety he lay down flat, -that those below the embankment, as well as those on the train, might -not have such an easy chance to discover us. - -Scarcely had the train halted than some of the Spanish soldiers -came running up to ascertain why it had stopped. But their shouting -evidently frightened the train hands, who possibly thought a band of -rebels was at hand and that the horse on the track had been a ruse to -stop them. The engineer whistled to release brakes, and put on a full -head of steam, and on went the train, while the Spaniards yelled in -dismay and flourished their weapons. - -"By Jove! that was a move worth making!" remarked Gilbert Burnham, -after the long train had covered at least an eighth of a mile. "We are -clear of those chaps now." - -"Where will this train take us?" asked Alano of his father. - -"The next village is Comaro, but I do not know if the train will stop," -was the reply. "Two miles further on is Los Harmona, but we must not go -there, for I understand there is a strong Spanish garrison stationed in -the village. Let us get down between the cars and watch our chance to -spring off. If we remain here some of the brakemen may come along and -give the alarm." - -The lightning and thunder were decreasing in violence, and the rain -had settled into a thin but steady downpour. The captain was nearest -to the front end of the freight car, and led the way down the narrow -ladder to the platform below. Once on this, and on the platform of the -car ahead, we divided into pairs on either side and awaited a favorable -opportunity to leave the train. - -Comaro was reached and passed in the darkness, and the long freight -began to pull out for Los Harmona at a steady rate of twenty-five -miles or more an hour. No chance had been given us to jump off without -great danger, and now it began to look as if we would be carried right -into the fortified town, or further. - -"Some distance below here is, unless I am greatly mistaken, a wide -patch of meadow," said Captain Guerez. "I do not believe a leap into -the water and mud would hurt any of us very much, and, under the -circumstances, I am in favor of taking the risk, in preference to being -carried into Los Harmona." - -"If you go I will follow," I said, and Alano said the same. - -"Well, I don't intend to be left alone," smiled Burnham grimly. "But -what will we do after we strike the meadow?" - -"The meadow is not very broad," answered the captain, "and beyond is a -highway leading almost directly into Guantanamo. We will take to this -highway and trust to luck to get on as originally intended. Of course -the loss of our horses is a heavy one, but this cannot be helped. If -we---- Ha!" - -Captain Guerez stopped short, and not without good reason. From the -interior of the freight car had come the unmistakable sounds of human -voices. We heard first two men talking, then a dozen or more. The -conversation was in Spanish, and I did not understand it. But Alano -and his father did, and my Cuban chum turned to Burnham and me in high -excitement. - -"What do you think!" he whispered. "This car is filled with Spanish -soldiers bound for Guantanamo! They heard us talking, and they are -going to investigate and find out where we are and who we are!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXII. - -A LEAP IN THE DARK. - - -My readers can readily believe that all of us were much alarmed at -the prospect ahead. We had not dreamed that the freight car contained -soldiers, although all of us had heard that the Spanish Government was -transporting troops by this means wherever the railroads ran. - -Alano had scarcely explained the situation, when Captain Guerez -motioned us to withdraw from the side edges of the platforms, so that -the soldiers looking out of the broad side doors of the car could not -catch sight of us. - -"We must jump as soon as the meadow appears," whispered the captain. -"Be prepared, all of you." - -He had scarcely finished when we heard a clatter of feet, and knew that -one or more of the Spaniards had crawled from a side door to the top of -the car. Then followed cautious footsteps in the direction of the rear -platform. Finding no one there, the Spanish soldiers came forward. - -"Ha!" cried one, as he espied Captain Guerez. "Who are you?" - -"Friends," was the reply, of course in Spanish. - -"Friends? And why ride out here, then?" - -"We have no money, _capitan_. We are dirt-poor." - -"And where do you intend to go?" - -"Los Harmona--if the train will ever reach there." - -"What will you do there?" - -"We may join the Spanish soldiery, _capitan_--if you will take us." - -"Ha!" The Spanish officer tugged at his heavy mustache. He was only a -sergeant, but it pleased him to be called captain. "Why did you not -come into the car instead of sneaking around outside? If you want to -become soldiers we will take you along fast enough. But you must not -play us false. Come up here." - -"I am afraid--I may fall off," answered Alano's father, in a trembling -voice. - -All the while the conversation had been carried on he had been peering -sharply ahead for the meadow and the water to appear. We now shot out -of the woods, and on either side could be seen long stretches of swamp. -He turned to us and spoke in English. "All ready to jump?" - -"Yes," we answered in concert. - -"Then jump--all together!" - -And away we went, leaving the rude steps of the freight cars with an -impetus that took each several yards from the tracks. I made a straight -leap and landed on my feet, but as quickly rolled over on my shoulder -in the wet grass. Burnham came close to me, but took a header, which -filled his nose and one ear with black mud. Alano and his father were -on the opposite side of the track. - -A pistol shot rang out, followed by half a dozen more, but the bullets -did not reach any of us. In a moment the long train had rolled out of -sight. We watched its rear light for fully an eighth of a mile, when it -disappeared around a bend behind a bit of upland. - -"Hullo, Mark, how are you?" It was the voice of Alano, who came up on -the tracks directly the freight had passed. He was not hurt in the -least. Captain Guerez had scratched one arm on a bit of low brush, but -outside of this the entire party was uninjured. - -"Come now, follow me; there is no time to be lost," said the captain. -"Those soldiers may take it into their heads to have the train run back -in search of us." - -"Yes, that's true," said Burnham. "Which way now?" - -"We'll walk back on the tracks until we reach dry ground." - -The plunge into the wet meadow had completed the work of the rain in -soaking us to the skin, but as the night was warm we did not mind this. -Keeping our eyes on the alert for more Spanish sentries, we hurried -along the railroad embankment for a distance of several hundred yards. -Then we left the tracks and took a trail leading southward. - -Our various adventures for the past few hours had completely exhausted -Burnham, while the others of the party were greatly fatigued. The -newspaper man was in favor of stopping under a clump of palm trees and -resting, but Captain Guerez demurred. - -"We'll reach a hut or a house ere long," he said. "And there the -accommodations will be much better." - -"Well, we can't reach a resting-place too soon," grumbled Burnham. -"I can scarcely drag one foot after the other, and it's so close my -clothing is fairly steaming." - -"You are no worse off than any of us," I made answer, as cheerfully as -I could. - -The highway was a stony one, and the rains had washed away what little -dirt there was, making walking difficult. However, we had not very far -to go. A turn brought us in sight of a long, low house built of logs -and thatched with palm; and Captain Guerez called a halt. - -"I'll go forward and investigate," he said. "In the meantime be on -guard against anybody following us from the railroad." - -He was gone less than quarter of an hour, and on returning said it -was all right. A very old man named Murillo was in sole charge of the -house, and he was a strong Cuban sympathizer. - -The place reached, we lost no time in divesting ourselves of a portion -of our clothing and making ourselves comfortable in some grass hammocks -spread between the house posts. - -"We ought to start early in the morning," I said, my thoughts still on -my father. - -"We will start at four o'clock," announced Captain Guerez. "So make the -most of your rest." - -The captain had intended to divide up the night into watches, but -Murillo came forward and volunteered to stand guard. - -"You go to sleep," he said in Spanish. "I sleep when you are gone. I -know how to watch." - -Feeling the old man could be trusted, we all retired. In a few minutes -Burnham was snoring, and shortly after the others also dropped asleep. - -It lacked yet a few minutes of four o'clock in the morning when Murillo -came stealing into the house and shook everyone by the shoulder. - -"Spanish soldiers down by the railroad," he explained hurriedly. "They -intend to come up this road." - -"Then let us be off!" cried Captain Guerez. - -All of us were already arranging our toilets. In a few seconds we were -ready to leave, and Murillo was paid for the trouble he had taken in -our behalf. - -"Have they horses?" asked Captain Guerez; and Murillo nodded. - -"Then come, all of you!" cried Alano's father. He started out of the -door, and we came after him. Hardly, however, had he taken a dozen -steps than he pushed each of us behind a clump of bushes. - -"Soldiers!" he muttered. "They are coming from the opposite direction!" - -"We are caught in a trap!" exclaimed Alano. "We cannot go back, and we -cannot go forward." - -"Here is a how d'ye do!" put in Burnham. "I'm sure I don't want to take -to those beastly swamps." - -Murillo had followed us to the doorway. His face took on a troubled -look, for he wanted us to get away in safety. - -"More soldiers coming the other way!" he cried. "What will you do? Ah, -I have it! Come into the house at once?" - -"But what will you do?" queried Captain Guerez impatiently. - -"I'll show you. Come, and you shall be safe." - -The old man spoke so confidently that we followed him inside at once. -Pushing aside a rude table which stood over a rush matting, he caught -hold of a portion of the flooring. A strong pull, and up came a -trapdoor, revealing a hole of inky darkness beneath. - -"Into that, all of you!" he cried; and down we went, to find ourselves -in a rude cellar about ten feet square and six feet deep. As soon as -the last of us was down, Murillo replaced the trapdoor, matting, and -table, and we heard him throw off some of his clothing and leap into -one of the hammocks. - -We had been left in total darkness, and now stood perfectly still and -listened intently. Not more than three minutes passed, when we heard -the tramping of horses' hoofs on the rocky road. The house reached, the -animals came to a halt, and several soldiers dismounted. A rough voice -yelled out in Spanish: - -"Hullo, in there! Who lives here?" - -"I do," replied Murillo, with a start and a yawn, as though he had just -awakened from a long sleep. - -"Have you seen anything of four strangers around here?" - -"No, _capitan_." - -There was a pause, and the leader of the soldiers came tramping inside. - -"You are sure you are telling me the truth?" - -"Yes, _capitan_." - -"It is strange." - -The newcomer was about to go on, when a shout from outside attracted -his attention. The soldiers from the opposite direction had come up. -A short conference was held, of which, however, we heard nothing -distinctly. Then some of the soldiers came inside, and we heard their -heavy boots moving directly over our heads. - -"You say you saw nobody?" was again asked of Murillo. - -"No, _capitan_, not a soul. But then I have been asleep since evening. -I am an old man, and I need a great deal of rest." - -"You are lazy, no doubt," came with a rough laugh. "Andros, what do you -think?" - -"What should I think? There seems to be no one around. We might make a -search." - -"Yes, we'll do that. It can do no harm. Tell the other men to scour the -woods and brush." - -The order was given; and a moment later those who had first come in -began to search the house. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIII. - -CAPTAIN GUEREZ MAKES A DISCOVERY. - - -We listened in much consternation while the soldiers overhead moved -from one portion of the dwelling to another. Would they discover us? - -"Be prepared for anything!" whispered Captain Guerez, and they were the -only words spoken. - -There was no second story to the house, so the search through the rooms -took but a few minutes, and the soldiers came to a halt around the -table. - -"I suppose you are a rebel," said the officer abruptly to Murillo. - -"I am an old man, _capitan_; I wish to end my days in peace." - -"I know your kind." The officer paused. "Well, comrades, we may as well -be on our way." - -These words caused me to utter a deep sigh of relief. They had not -discovered us, and now they were going away. But the next words sent a -chill down my backbone. - -"Can there be a cellar under the house?" questioned one of the others. - -"There is no cellar," said Murillo simply. "There is a little hole, -half full of water. You can look down if you wish." - -"We will." - -What could it mean? We held our breath as the old man led the way to -the apartment used as a kitchen. We heard him raise another trapdoor, -some distance behind us. - -"Humph! A man would be a fool to get in there!" we heard the officer -remark, and then the trap was dropped again into place. "We will go." - -The soldiers passed through the kitchen and toward the front door. One -of them must have taken a last look around, for suddenly he uttered a -cry. - -"Ha! what is this? A collar and a tie! Do you wear these?" - -"Confound it, my collar and tie," murmured Burnham. "I knew I forgot -something." - -"They belong to my nephew," said Murillo calmly. - -"Your nephew? Where is he?" - -"He is now at Baiquiri at work on one of the shipping wharves." - -"He must dress well?" remarked the officer dryly. - -"Alfredo earns much money. He was educated at the college." - -The officer tapped the floor with his heavy boot. "You tell a good -story," he said. "Beware lest we find you have been lying. Come!" The -last word to his companions. - -The soldiers went outside, and we heard a call to the men sent out into -the woods and brush. A few minutes later there followed the sounds of -horses' hoofs receding in the distance. - -"Now we can get out of this hole, thank goodness!" burst out Burnham. - -"Wait--Murillo will inform us when the coast is clear," said Captain -Guerez. - -Fully five minutes passed before the old man raised the trap. His face -wore a satisfied smile. - -"We fooled them nicely, did we not, _capitan_?" he said. - -"You did well, Murillo," said Alano's father. "Here is a gold piece for -your trouble." - -But the old man drew back, and would not accept the coin. "I did it not -alone for you," he said. "_Cuba libre!_" - -We all thanked him heartily, and then Alano's father asked him in what -directions the two bodies of soldiers had gone. That from the railroad -had taken the highway to Canistero. - -"We will have to take another road, not quite so short," said Captain -Guerez. "It is unfortunate, Mark, but it cannot be helped. Forward!" - -Much refreshed by our night's rest, we struck out rapidly, and by -noon calculated that we had covered eight miles, a goodly distance in -that hilly district. A little before noon we came out on a clearing -overlooking a long stretch of valley and swamp lands. - -"Just below here is the village of San Luardo," said the captain. "It -is there we ought to find out something concerning your father. It may -be possible he is quartered somewhere in the village, that is, if the -journey to Santiago has been delayed." - -"Is the village under guard?" I questioned anxiously, my heart giving a -bound when I thought how close to my parent I might be. - -"Yes, every village in this district is under Spanish rule." - -"Then how can we get in?" - -"I have been trying to form a plan," was the slow answer. "Let us get a -little closer, and I will see what can be done." - -We descended from the clearing, and just before noon reached the -outskirts of the village. The captain had been right; two companies of -freshly imported soldiers were in control of San Luardo. - -As we surveyed the situation from a bit of woodland, we heard the heavy -creaking of an ox-cart on the stony road. Looking down we saw the -turnout coming slowly along, loaded with hay and straw, probably for -the horses of the Spanish soldiers. - -"I will go into town in that!" cried Captain Guerez. "Stop that -fellow!" and he indicated the driver. - -A rush was made, and the ox-cart came to a sudden halt. When the -dirty fellow who drove it saw us he turned pale, but a few words from -Alano's father soon reassured him, and he readily consented to allow -the captain to hide himself under the hay and straw and thus pass the -guards. The driver was working for the Spaniards, but his heart was -with the insurgents. - -Stripping himself of his coat and everything else which gave him a -military appearance, Captain Guerez rubbed a little dirt on his face, -neck, and hands, leaped into the ox-cart, and dove beneath the straw. -If discovered, he intended to explain that he was out of work and was -willing to do anything the Spaniards desired. - -Once more the cart creaked on its way toward the village, and we were -left alone. Withdrawing to a safe and cool shelter, we sat down to rest -and to await the captain's return. - -"I wish I could have gone along," I said to my chum. - -"Father can do the work better alone," replied Alano, who had great -faith in his parent's ability. - -"Perhaps so. He wouldn't want me anyway--after the mess I made of it -when I discovered Mr. Burnham." - -"Mess!" cried the newspaper man. "Why, it was through you that I -escaped, my boy. You're all right. But I fancy Captain Guerez knows -just exactly what he wishes to do, and probably one person can do it -better than two." - -"The fact that you are an American would make everyone regard you with -suspicion," added Alano. - -Two hours went by, which to me seemed a day, and then came a peculiar -whistle from the road. At once Alano leaped to his feet. - -"My father is back!" he announced, and we ran forth to meet the -captain. At first we hardly knew him, for he had taken some grease and -some burnt cork and transformed himself into a negro. He was out of -breath, and one of his hands was much scratched. - -"I had a narrow escape," he panted. "Come with me! There is not a -moment to lose!" - -Although almost out of breath, he ran off, and we went with him through -the woods and up the side of a small hill, which course took us around -San Luardo. Not until the town was left well behind did the captain -stop and throw himself on a patch of deep grass. He was too exhausted -to speak, yet he saw my anxiety and smiled. - -"Don't worry, Mark; so far your father is safe," were his brief words. - -"That's good!" I cried, with a weight lifted from my heart, for during -the wait I had conjured up any number of dreadful thoughts concerning -my parent. - -"Yes, so far he is safe. They have him a prisoner at San Luardo, but -they intend to remove him to Santiago before nightfall." - -"Before nightfall!" My heart seemed to stop beating. "How will they do -it? Can't we stop them and rescue him?" - -"We must rescue him," was the reply. "That is why I hurried back. If -they get him to Santiago he will be--that is, Mark, I am afraid you -will never see him alive again." - -I understood Captain Guerez only too well. My father was doomed to die -the death of a spy, and he would be shot very shortly after his removal -to the seaport town. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXIV. - -THE DOGS OF CUBAN WARFARE. - - -In a few minutes Alano's father recovered sufficiently to tell his -story. He had entered the village in safety, and soon put himself into -communication with several citizens who were Cuban sympathizers. From -one of these he had learned that my father was being kept a prisoner -in what had formerly been a cattle-house, but which was now doing duty -as a Spanish prison. No one was allowed to talk to the prisoners, but -by bribing the man who owned the building the captain had succeeded -in getting word to my father that he was around and that I was with -him, and that both of us intended to do all in our power to effect his -release. - -This word having been passed to my parent, Captain Guerez has set -about perfecting a plan whereby my father might be supplied with tools -for freeing himself, and also a pistol. But in this work he had been -discovered, and a struggle and flight followed. Luckily, the Spaniards -had not discovered whom he was working for in particular, there being a -dozen prisoners in the same building, so it was not likely my parent -would suffer in consequence. - -"We must watch the road to Santiago," said Captain Guerez, when he had -finished, washed himself, and had a refreshing drink of water. "It is -our one chance." - -"If only we had horses!" put in Alano. - -"We must find animals, my son." - -The captain spoke decidedly. "Necessity knows no law," and it was easy -to see he intended to obtain the horses--if not in one way, then in -another. Of course I did not blame him. To me it seemed a matter of -life and death. - -As rapidly as we could, we made our way around the hills to the -Santiago road. We had just reached it when Burnham, who was slightly in -advance, halted us and announced a camp off to our left. Captain Guerez -surveyed the situation and smiled. - -"Cattle dealers," he said. "They have brought in horses to sell to the -Spanish authorities. I'll make a deal with them." - -He went off, with Alano at his side. Instead of following, Burnham and -I concealed ourselves in the bushes, to watch who might pass on the -highway to the seaport town. There was no telling when those who had my -father in custody would be along. - -It was a long while before the captain and my chum came back, but when -they did each rode a strong horse and led another behind. Burnham and -I were soon in the saddle; and then all of us felt safer, for being -in the saddle would place us in a position equally as good as that -occupied by any of our enemies. - -"Look well to your pistols," said the captain. "It may be that a sharp -and wild dash will be the only way in which Mark's father can be -rescued." - -"I hope the guard having him in charge is not too large," I answered, -as I did as he suggested. - -"We'll all hope that, Mark." - -With pistols ready for use, we ranged up behind a heavy clump of trees -and awaited the coming of the guard from San Luardo. I was on pins and -needles, as the saying goes, and started up at the slightest sound. For -this Burnham poked fun at me; yet he himself was on the alert, as I -could see by the way he compressed his lips and worked at the ends of -his mustache. - -"Hark!" said Captain Guerez presently, and we all sat like statues and -listened. From down the road came the tramp of a dozen or more horses -and mules. The guard with the prisoners was advancing. The decisive -moment was at hand. I swallowed a strange lump in my throat and -grasped my pistol tighter. For my father's sake I would fight to the -bitter end. - -From out of a cloud of dust rode a vidette, heavily armed and with -his eyes and ears on the alert for anything which might sound or look -suspicious. As he came nearer we drew back behind the trees, and -Captain Guerez motioned us to absolute silence. - -The vidette passed, and then the main body of the guard came on. There -were three soldiers in front and three behind, and between rode two -prisoners on mules, both whites and evidently Americans. I strained my -eyes to their utmost, and soon distinguished my father's familiar face -and form. - -My father! The sight thrilled me to the soul, and I had all I could do -to restrain myself from riding forth to meet him. An exclamation came -to my lips, but the hand of my chum checked it, while a look from him -told plainer than words that he realized how I felt. - -"Attention!" whispered Captain Guerez. "Are you all prepared to fight? -I think these guards are raw recruits, and if so a few volleys will -cause them to take to their heels." - -"I am ready," I said grimly. - -"And I," added Alano. - -"You can count on me," put in Burnham. - -"Very well. I will take the first fellow to the left. Alano, you take -the second; Mark, you the third; and you, Burnham, take any one in the -rear you choose." - -"I'll take the middle guard," muttered the newspaper man. - -"I know you can all fire well, so aim for the sword arm," went on the -captain. "There is no necessity for killing the fellows, unless it -comes to close quarters. Ready? Take aim--fire!" - -The words "Take aim!" had been spoken aloud, causing several of the -guards to draw rein in alarm. At the command to fire, our pistols -blazed away simultaneously, and our several aims were so good that four -of the guards were hit, three in the arms and one in the side. - -"Forward, and fire again!" shouted the gallant captain, and out of the -clearing we dashed, discharging our weapons a second time. - -The detachment of Spanish soldiers was taken completely by surprise. -The lieutenant in command had been wounded, and when he saw us coming -from the woods he imagined we must outnumber his men, for he gave a -hasty order to retreat, and led the way. For a third time we fired, -and scarcely had the echo died among the hills than every one of the -soldiers was going back the way he had come, as rapidly as his horse -would carry him, the vidette, who had turned also, going with them. - -"Mark!" cried my father, when he saw me. "Is it possible!" - -"Father!" was all I could say. With my knife I cut the rawhide thongs -which bound him to the mule's back, and in a second more we were in -each other's arms. The other prisoner was also released, and both were -speedily provided with weapons. - -"We must not lose time here--follow me!" shouted Captain Guerez. "You -can talk all you please later on," he added to me and my happy parent. - -All of us followed him back into the woods, and along a trail which he -declared must bring us to another seaport town, eight miles to the east -of Santiago Bay. We put spurs to our steeds, and long before nightfall -half a dozen miles of the uneven way had been covered. - -As fast as we were able to do so, my father and I rode side by side, -and never had I felt happier than then, while he was equally pleased. -As we journeyed along I told my story from beginning to end, and then -he told his own--how he had been captured and taken for a spy, how -cruelly he had been treated, and all. Just before he had received -Captain Guerez' message he had given up all hope, and even while on the -road he had been fearful that the plan to rescue him would miscarry. - -"What do you think we had best do?" I asked, after our stories were -told. - -"I wish to get out of the country as soon as possible, Mark. I cannot -stand the climate. Half a dozen times I have felt as if I was going to -be taken down with the fever. That injured leg took away a good bit of -my strength." - -"Can we take passage from the town to which we are bound?" - -"We can try," answered my father. - -Another half-mile was covered, and we were beginning to consider that -we had made good our retreat from the spot where the encounter with the -Spanish soldiers had occurred, when suddenly a deep baying broke out at -our rear, causing Alano and the captain to give a simultaneous cry of -alarm. - -"What is it?" asked Burnham. - -"What is it!" was the answer from the captain. "Can't you hear? The -heartless wretches have set several bloodhounds on our trail!" - -"Bloodhounds!" we echoed. - -"Yes, bloodhounds!" ejaculated Alano. "Hark! there must be three, if -not four, of the beasts!" - -"Will they attack us--on horseback?" - -"Certainly--they'll fly right at a fellow's throat." - -"But how can they track us--we have not been on foot." - -"They are tracking the mules Señor Carter and Señor Raymond ride," put -in Captain Guerez. "Hark! they are coming nearer! In a few minutes more -they will be upon us! Out with your pistols and fight the beasts as -best you can. It is our only hope!" - - - - -CHAPTER XXXV. - -THE LAST OF THE BLOODHOUNDS. - - -The announcement that the bloodhounds would soon be upon us filled me -with dread. I had had one experience with this class of beasts, and I -did not wish to have another. I looked around at our party and saw that -the others, even to the captain, were as agitated as myself. A Cuban -dreads an unknown bloodhound worse than a native African does a lion or -an American pioneer does a savage grizzly bear. - -"Have your pistols ready!" went on the captain, when an idea came into -my head like a flash, and I turned to him. - -"If they are following the mules, why not turn the mules into a side -trail?" I said. "My father can ride with me, and Mr. Raymond can double -with somebody else." - -"A good idea!" cried Captain Guerez. "Quick, let us try it." - -In a twinkle my father had leaped up behind me, and Alano motioned Mr. -Raymond to join him. A small side trail was close at hand, and along -this we sent the mules at top speed, cutting them deeply with our -whips to urge them along. - -"Now to put distance between them and ourselves!" cried my father, and -once more we went on. As we advanced we listened to the bloodhounds. In -a few minutes more we heard them turn off in the direction the mules -had taken, and their bayings gradually died away in the distance. Then -we slackened our speed a bit, and all breathed a long sigh of relief. - -"That was a brilliant idea, my boy!" said Mr. Raymond warmly. "Mr. -Carter, you have a son to be proud of." - -"I am proud of him," said my father, and he gave my arm a tight -squeeze. From that moment on, Mr. Raymond, who was a business man from -the West, became my warm friend. - -It must not be supposed that we pursued our journey recklessly. Far -from it. The captain rode in advance continually, and on several -occasions called a halt while he went forward to investigate. But -nothing offered itself to block our progress, and late that night, -saddle-weary and hungry, we came in sight of the seaport town for which -we were bound. - -"I believe the bark _Rosemary_ is in port here," said Mr. Raymond. "And -if that is so, we ought to be able to get on board, for I know the -captain well." - -"Then that will save us a good deal of trouble," replied my father. -"But of course we can't go aboard openly--the Spanish authorities -wouldn't allow that." - -How to get into the town unobserved was a question. Finally Alano's -father said he would ride in as a horse dealer, taking all of our -animals with him. To disguise himself he dirtied his face once more, -and put on my hat and coat, both rather small for him. Then driving -three of the horses before him, he went on. - -We went into camp under some plantains, and it was not until three -o'clock in the morning that Captain Guerez came back. He returned with -a smile on his face, for he had sold two of the worst of the steeds at -a good price and had in addition found the _Rosemary_ and interviewed -her captain. - -"The captain said he couldn't do anything for you to-night," he -explained. "But to-morrow, if it is dark, he will send a rowboat up -the shore to a rock he pointed out to me with his glass. You are to be -at the rock at one o'clock sharp--if it's dark. If it is not, you are -to wait until the next night. He says to try to come on board from the -quay will only bring you to grief." - -"Good for Captain Brownley!" cried Mr. Raymond. "I felt sure he would -not go back on me. Once on board, Mr. Carter, and the three of us will -be safe." - -"There is, therefore, nothing to do but to wait," went on Captain -Guerez. "I shall see you safe off, and then return to Father Anuncio's -convent with Alano and join the rest of my family once more." - -As soon as it was light we rode and tramped through the woods and the -swamps to the seacoast, where it did not take long to locate the rock -the captain of the _Rosemary_ had pointed out to Captain Guerez. This -accomplished, we retired to a near-by plantain grove, there to eat and -rest, and spend a final day together. - -The thought of parting with my chum was a sad one, yet I felt it my -duty to remain with my father. Alano was also affected, and often -placed his brown hand affectionately on my shoulder while we conversed. - -"Let us both hope that this cruel and senseless warfare will soon -cease, and that Cuba will be free," I said. - -"Yes, Mark, and that we will soon be together again," he replied. "I -hope your journey proves a safe one; and when you get back you must -remember me to all of the other boys." - -"I'll do it; and you must remember me to your mother and your two -sisters," I said. - -With it all, however, the day passed somewhat slowly, for we were -impatient to see what the night would bring forth. The sun set clearly, -and soon the heavens were bespangled with countless stars. - -Mr. Raymond shook his head. "Captain Brownley won't risk coming -to-night," he remarked. "They could easily spot a boat from the town -shore, it is so clear." - -But about ten o'clock it began to cloud over, and at eleven it started -to rain, a gentle but steady downpour. Not a star remained, and out on -the water it was as dark as Erebus. - -"A kind Providence is with us!" cried my father. "We could not possibly -imagine a better night." - -Slowly the time wore on, until Captain Guerez' watch indicated ten -minutes to one. We sat close beside the rock, paying no attention to -the rain, although it was gradually soaking us to the skin. - -"Here they come!" whispered my father, and a few seconds later a -rowboat containing four sailors loomed up through the darkness. As -silently as a shadow the boat glided up past the rock and into the -swamp grass. - -"On time, I see," said Mr. Raymond, as he advanced. "Is Captain -Brownley here?" - -"No, he's watching at the ship, and will give us the signal when to -come aboard," replied one of the sailors, who was in command. "Come -aboard, if you are ready, sir." - -"We are," said my father. - -There was a short but affectionate good-by on both sides. Captain -Guerez wrung my hand tightly, and I gave Alano a warm squeeze. Then Mr. -Raymond, Burnham, father, and myself stepped into the rowboat, and the -sailors pushed off with their long oars. In another instant the craft -swung clear of the shore and was turned in the direction from whence we -had come. I was going to cry out a last parting to my chum, when the -sailor sitting nearest checked me. - -"Be silent, my lad; if we're discovered we'll all be shot." - -"Yes," put in my father, "don't make a sound. Leave everything to these -men. They have their instructions and know what they are doing." - -On and on over the Bay of Guantanamo glided the rowboat. The rain still -came down, and if anything the night was blacker than ever. I wondered -how the sailors could steer, until I saw one of them consulting a -compass which lay in the bottom of the craft, looking it by the rays of -a tiny dark-lantern. - -I reckoned that the best part of half an hour had gone by, when the -sailors rested on their oars, while one took up a night-glass. For five -minutes he waited, then put the glass down. - -"It's all right," he whispered. "Let fall. No noise now, on your life!" - -Forward went our craft again, and now I noticed that each oar was bound -with rubber at the spot where it touched the rowlock, to keep it from -scraping. Thus we moved onward in absolute silence. - -From out of the darkness we now saw a number of lights, coming from -the town and the shipping. A few minutes later we ran up to the dark -hull of a large vessel. A rope ladder was thrown down to us, and a -sailor whispered to us to go up. We followed directions as rapidly as -we could, and once on the deck we were hurried below, while the rowboat -was swung up on the davits. - -"Ah, Mr. Raymond, glad to see you!" said Captain Brownley, a bluff New -Englander, as he extended his hand. "A fine night to come on board." -And then he turned to us and we were introduced. - -The _Rosemary_ was bound for Philadelphia, but would not sail for three -days. She was under strict Spanish watch, so it was necessary for us -to keep out of sight. We were locked in a stateroom, but made as -comfortable as circumstances permitted. - -From time to time during the three days the captain came to us with -various bits of news. One was to the effect that the Spanish detachment -which had had my father and Mr. Raymond in charge had reported a -conflict with a Cuban force fifty or sixty strong. Another was that -the United States had declared war upon Spain and was going to bombard -Havana. - -"I wonder if it is true that we are to fight Spain?" I said to Burnham. -"What do you think?" - -"We ought to fight Spain," answered the newspaper man. "Cuba deserves -her freedom, and if she can't help herself against Spanish imposition -and brutality we ought to give her a friendly hand." - -We talked the matter over at some length; but neither of us knew the -truth--that war was really declared, and that not Havana, but Santiago, -was to be attacked by the time the year was half over. - -At last came the hour when the ship's anchors were hove apeak and the -sails were set. We sailed at high noon, and, having a good wind, soon -passed outside of Guantanamo Bay, which, as my readers may know, is -situated but a few miles to the eastward of Santiago Bay. - -"Free at last!" cried my father, as he came on deck to get the fresh -air. "I must say I am not sorry to leave Cuba--since the times have -grown so troublesome." - -He had scarcely spoken when a small Spanish revenue cutter hove in -sight, steaming down the coast evidently from Santiago Bay. While -Captain Brownley was examining the craft, there was a flash of fire, -and a dull boom sounded over the water. - -"Great Scott! What does that mean?" demanded Burnham, leaping up from -his seat near the rail. - -"It's an order to heave to," answered Captain Brownley grimly. "We are -not yet out of the woods, it would seem." - -"Then that means for us to get out of sight again," said my father, -and, as the captain nodded, the four of us ran for the companion-way, -descended to the cabin, and secreted ourselves in the cabin pantry. - -Five minutes later the Spanish revenue cutter steamed alongside, and -we heard the tramp of half a dozen strange pairs of feet on the deck -above. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVI. - -CAST INTO A SANTIAGO DUNGEON. - - -"Those fellows evidently mean business," whispered Mr. Raymond, as an -angry discussion drifted down to us. "Is it possible they got wind that -we are on board?" - -"Let us hope not," shuddered my father. "Hist! they are coming down -into the cabin!" - -After this we remained as quiet as mice, hardly daring to breathe. -We heard loud talking, partly in Spanish and a few words in very bad -English. "I know they are here," growled one Spaniard. "We shall make a -large hunt, _capitan_." - -"If you insist, I cannot help myself," answered Captain Brownley. "But -it is a most unusual proceeding." - -At this the Spaniard muttered something in his own language. He began -to hunt in one direction, while his followers hunted in another. Soon -two of the men came to the pantry and forced the door. We tried to -escape observation, but could not manage it, and were ordered forth at -the point of several long pistols. - -"Ha! as I suspected! All _Americanos_!" muttered the Spanish commander -of the revenue cutter. "A fine haul! A fine haul, indeed!" - -Then turning to his second in command he issued orders that some irons -be brought on board. At the same time a dozen Spanish marines from the -cutter were formed in line, with loaded carbines, to cover the crew of -the _Rosemary_. - -"I place all of you under arrest," said the Spanish captain. -"You"--pointing to my father, Burnham, Mr. Raymond, and myself--"as -spies; and you and your men"--this to Captain Brownley--"as enemies of -Spain, assisting these spies to escape." - -In vain Captain Brownley tried to argue the matter. The Spanish -commander would not listen to a word. "The Yankee pigs have declared -war on us!" he burst out at last. "Now let them take care of -themselves." - -"Then war is really declared?" came from several of us simultaneously. - -"Yes, war has been declared. More than that, we have already -whipped the Yankee pigs who dared to attack our noble ships in the -Philippines," said the Spaniard bombastically. - -But, as all American boys know, the Spaniard was mistaken. The American -squadron under Commodore, afterward Admiral, George Dewey, was not -defeated. Instead, it gained a most glorious victory, some of the -particulars of which will be related in a volume to follow this, of -which more later. - -The news was staggering, and while we talked it over among ourselves, -each of us was handcuffed, I being linked to Mr. Raymond, while my -father was linked to Burnham. Captain Brownley and his first mate -were also handcuffed, and the sailors were told to obey the Spanish -captain's orders or run the risk of being shot down. - -The announcement that a naval battle had been fought in the Philippines -seemed to worry Mr. Raymond a good deal. "I wonder if Oliver knows -anything of this?" he half muttered. - -"Oliver, who is he?" I asked. - -"Oliver is my son," answered the merchant. "He took a trip to China -a year ago, and from there went to Manila, the principal city of the -Philippines. I haven't heard of him for a number of months now. He is -perhaps a year older than you." - -"I never heard much of the Philippines," I answered. "I know they are -a good way off--somewhere between Australia, the Hawaiian Islands, and -China. Do they belong to Spain?" - -"Yes, but she is having as much trouble to hold them as she is having -to hold Cuba." - -We were now ordered to keep silent, and compelled to march from the -cabin of the _Rosemary_ to the deck of the Spanish vessel. Here we were -made to stand in a line, our weapons having previously been taken from -us. The course of the sailing vessel had been eastward toward Cape -Maysi, but now both craft were headed westward. - -"I'll wager we are bound for Santiago," murmured Burnham, who stood -beside me, and he was right, for in a little over an hour the narrow -entrance to Santiago Bay came into view, with Morro Castle, a famous -old fortress, standing high upon the rocks to the right. - -The bay is several miles long, and Santiago stands well in on the -northeast shore. The land-locked harbor was alive with vessels, but not -one of them floated the familiar Stars and Stripes of our own country. - -"There is where we made our way across the bay when first Alano Guerez -and I escaped from Santiago," I whispered. "I am afraid I'll not get -another such chance now." - -Soon one of the numerous docks in front of the city was reached, and we -were marched ashore. The news of our capture had spread, and a large -crowd of curiosity-seekers gathered, to jeer and pass all sorts of -unpleasant remarks. The city was now under stricter Spanish rule than -ever before, and as we marched from the dock to the city prison not -another American was to be seen. - -At the prison a brief examination was held. When it was learned that my -father was present, I was thrust aside and told that he could speak for -me. Yet he was allowed to say but little. The authorities were certain -that he, Burnham, and Mr. Raymond were spies, and the four of us were -sentenced to confinement in another prison several squares away--a low, -dingy pile of stone, every opening of which was heavily barred and -grated. - -Within this prison came the hardest parting of all. I was separated -from my father, and, when I remonstrated, received a sharp blow on my -shoulder from a jailer's sword. Mr. Raymond and I were paired off as -before, and conducted through a long stone passage-way and down a dirty -flight of steps. Sunshine and fresh air were left behind, and the way -was lit up by a smoky kerosene lamp. We were taken to a dungeon cell -several feet below the sidewalk and locked in, and then our jailer left -us. - -I was too overcome to speak when we were left alone. Mr. Raymond -strained his eyes and peered around at the four bare walls, the bare -ceiling overhead, and the stone flooring with its water pitcher and -heap of musty straw in one corner. - -"This is awful!" he murmured. "Mark, how long do you think you can -stand living in this place?" - -"No longer than I have to!" I cried. "I'll get out just as fast as ever -I can." - -"If we ever do get out!" he concluded significantly. - -The remainder of the day passed slowly. For supper the jailer brought -us some stale bread and some more water, no fresher than that already -in the pitcher. That night I did not sleep a wink. - -I expected that another examination would be held the next day, or, -at the latest, within a week; but I was doomed to disappointment. No -one but the jailer came near us, and he only to bring us our bread -and water and occasionally a stew of ill-flavored meat and potatoes, -reeking with garlic. Of this both of us tried bits of the potatoes, and -sometimes mouthfuls of the meat, but it was all we could do to choke -them down. - -"How long is this to last?" I asked Mr. Raymond one day, as both of us -walked up and down the narrow cell like two caged animals. - -"God alone knows, Mark," he answered. "If there is no change soon I -shall go mad!" - -"It is inhuman!" I went on. "A Christian would not treat a dog like -this." - -"They are very bitter against us Americans, Mark. Now the United States -have declared war against them, they must realize that Cuban freedom is -assured." - -Another week went on, and then we were taken up into the prison yard. -Here I saw my father,--thin, pale, and sick,--but I was not permitted -to converse with him. We were placed in two rows with a hundred other -prisoners, and inspected by General Toral, the military governor of -Santiago and surrounding territory. After the inspection we went back -to our various dungeon cells; and many weary weeks of close confinement -followed. - -One day a curious booming reached our ears, coming from we knew not -where. I heard it quite plainly, and called Mr. Raymond's attention to -it. - -"It is the discharging of cannon," he said. "And it is not a salute -either," he added, as the booming became more rapid and violent. - -It was not until long afterward that I learned the truth, that a fleet -of Spanish warships commanded by Admiral Cervera had been "bottled -up" in Santiago Bay by our own warships under Admiral Sampson and -Commodore Schley, and that the Yankee gunners were now trying what they -could do in the way of bombarding Morro Castle and the ships which lay -hidden from them behind the mountains at the harbor's entrance. - -The booming of cannon kept up for several hours and then died away -gradually, but a few days later the bombardment was continued. We -now felt certain that a battle of some sort was on, and Mr. Raymond -questioned the jailer. - -"The Yankee pigs will be well whipped," growled the fellow, and that -was all we could get out of him. - -Again the days lengthened into weeks, and nothing of importance -happened--to us. But in the outside world great events were taking -place. The entrance to Santiago Bay was being blockaded by the vessels -under Sampson's command, and an army of invasion was gathering at -Tampa, Fla., to land on the southeastern coast of Cuba and attack -Santiago from the rear. The army of invasion, under command of General -Shafter, was sixteen thousand strong, and left Tampa in between thirty -and forty transports. - -A landing of the army was effected at Baiquiri and other points, and -here General Shafter consulted with General Garcia, and it was decided -that about three thousand Cuban troops should co-operate with the -United States forces. Among the Cuban troops was the company commanded -by Alano's father; and my chum, let me add right here, was in the fight -from start to finish. - -The Spanish authorities now saw what the Americans were up to, and -without delay Santiago was fortified from end to end. Every road -leading from the city was barricaded with logs and earthworks, and -barriers of barbed wire were strung in various directions. Thousands -of Spanish troops had been gathered in the vicinity, and these were -hurried to San Juan Hill, El Caney, and other points of vantage just -outside of Santiago proper. - -As the American forces advanced closer and closer to the city Admiral -Cervera became anxious for the safety of his fleet. He knew that if -Santiago was captured there would be nothing left for him to do but to -try to escape from the bay, and that would mean to go forth and fight -the American warships stationed on the blockade beyond Morro Castle. - -One day the jailer came in evidently much depressed. We had expected -the usual stew that day, but got only a chunk of dry bread. "And you -are lucky to get even so much," said the Spaniard, as he hurried out. - -"Something has gone wrong," remarked Mr. Raymond, as he translated the -fellow's words to me. "I begin to believe that Santiago is suffering -some sort of an attack." - -He had hardly spoken when the dull booming of cannon broke once more on -our ears. It was a strange sound, and I threw myself down on our straw -bed to listen. - -I was half in a doze,--dreaming of my school days at Broxville,--when -suddenly came an awful crash that to me sounded like the crack of doom, -and the dungeon was filled with pieces of stone, dirt, and cement, and -a thick smoke that all but choked us. Mr. Raymond was hurled flat on -top of me, and for the space of several seconds neither of us could -speak or move. - - - - -CHAPTER XXXVII. - -THE FALL OF THE SPANISH STRONGHOLD. - - -"Wha--what does this mean?" I managed to gasp at last. - -"The dungeon has been struck by a shell!" answered Mr. Raymond, -breathing with difficulty. "There is a bombardment going on!" - -"But we may be killed!" - -"Let us trust not, Mark. Are you hurt much?" - -"I have a cut in my cheek, and another in my left arm." - -"And I have a bad bruise in the right leg," answered my fellow -prisoner. "But still----Oh, Mark, look! The sunshine!" - -Mr. Raymond broke off short and pointed upward. He was right. The shell -which had torn up the sidewalk above us had left a hole in the dungeon -ceiling nearly a foot in diameter. - -"Can we get out?" I burst out eagerly. - -"Perhaps--but the city is in the hands of our enemies." - -"I don't care," I went on recklessly. "Anything is better than staying -here." - -"That is true." Mr. Raymond arose and measured the distance from the -hole to the cell floor. "It's all of ten feet, Mark." - -"Let me balance myself on your shoulders," I said, and now my athletic -training at the military school stood me in good stead. Mr. Raymond -raised me up into the air, and I caught the edge of the hole with ease. - -Yet to pull myself up was no mean task. But I worked desperately, and -finally found myself on the pavement. Crowds of people were rushing -hither and thither, and no one paid any attention to me. Slipping off -my jacket, I let down one sleeve. - -"Take hold of that, and I'll pull you up!" I cried to Mr. Raymond; and -he did as bidden, and soon stood beside me. - -A guard was now running toward us, and as he came on he discharged -his Mauser rifle, but the bullet flew wide of its mark. "_Halte!_" he -yelled, but we did nothing of the sort, but took to our heels and ran -as if the very Old Nick was after us. Our course soon took us into a -crowd of Cubans, and leaving these we made our way into a street which -was little better than an alleyway for width. Finding the door of a -house wide open, we slipped into the building and hid ourselves in an -apartment in the rear. - -All day long the tumult continued, but we could not learn what it was -about, excepting that a force of American soldiers were advancing -upon El Caney and San Juan. "If our forces take those hills," said Mr. -Raymond, "Santiago is doomed, for the heavy artillery and siege guns -can knock down every building here." - -"Then I hope we get out before the hills are taken," I answered. - -We remained in the building all day, and during that time I managed -to scrape up a loaf of bread and the larger part of a knuckle of ham, -besides several cocoanuts. On these we lived for the next twenty-four -hours, and we had more than many starving Cubans still staying in the -doomed city. - -As we waited for nightfall I wondered how my father was faring. It was -not likely that the prison had been struck more than once. Probably -he was still in his dungeon cell. Oh, if only I could get to him and -liberate him! - -But Mr. Raymond shook his head at the idea. "You would only be captured -yourself, Mark. Better try to escape with me to the American camp. If -Santiago is taken, your father will be sure to be liberated sooner or -later." - -I thought it over, and decided to accept his advice. We left the -building at eleven o'clock. The moon was shining, but it had been -raining and the clouds were still heavy in the sky. - -As silently as possible we stole along one street and then another -until the outskirts of Santiago were reached. Once we met a detachment -of Spanish soldiery, but avoided them by crouching behind an abandoned -barricade until they had passed. - -The hardest part of our task was still before us--that of getting -beyond the Spanish picket line. On and on we went, but now much slower, -for we felt that we were running not only the risk of capture but the -risk of being shot down without warning. - -At four o'clock in the morning we felt we could go no further for the -present and climbed into the limbs of a mahogany tree. We had been -sitting here several hours when suddenly a fierce rattle of musketry -rang out. It was the attack of General Lawton's infantry upon El Caney. -The attack had but fairly opened, when we saw the pickets around us -ordered forward and then to the right. The way was now open for us to -escape, and, descending to the ground, we hurried on, through the brush -and over the rocks, carefully to avoid any well-defined trail which the -Spaniards might be covering. - -An hour of hard traveling brought us to a valley to the north of -El Caney, and here we encountered a body of several hundred Cuban -soldiers. - -"Mark!" came the cry, and a moment later I found myself confronted by -Alano, while Captain Guerez sat on horseback but a short distance away. - -Now was no time to compare notes, and soon both Mr. Raymond and myself -were supplied with guns taken from several of the enemy that had died -on the field of battle. Then, with a good-by to Alano, I set off for -the American forces, accompanied by Mr. Raymond. - -The gallant attacks upon El Caney and San Juan hills are now matters of -history. All know how the brave boys of the American army were repulsed -several times, only to dash to the very tops of the hills at last, -carrying all before them, and causing the Spaniards to fall back to the -intrenchments before Santiago. - -We had fallen in with a body of Regulars sent to Cuba from the West, -and I think I can safely say that I never fought harder in my life than -on that day, and on the day following, when the Spaniards tried to -drive us from the position we had gained on the top of El Caney Hill. -I was in the very front in the final attack, and when it was all over -discovered that I had received a severe wound in the left arm, one from -which I have not fully recovered to the present time. - -The hills were now ours, and everywhere along the American lines it -was felt that Santiago was doomed. This was on the 2d of July. On -the 3d, early in the morning, Admiral Cervera attempted to escape -with his fleet from Santiago Bay by running the gantlet of United -States warships stationed outside. It was Sunday, and in less than -fifteen minutes after his first vessel appeared around the rocks of -Morro Castle, one of the fiercest naval battles of history was on. The -Spanish admiral had four powerful fighting ships and two torpedo-boat -destroyers, but they were no match for the warships under gallant -Commodore Schley, who was in command during Admiral Sampson's absence. -The enemy tried to escape by running along the shore westward, but the -fire from our side was too heavy; and in less than three hours the -battle was over, and all of the Spanish ships were either sunk or run -ashore, and over seven hundred men were taken prisoner. The loss to the -Americans was but one man killed and no ship seriously injured! - -What a cheer went up when the news of the Spanish fleet's destruction -reached the soldier boys! The hooraying lasted the best part of the -day, and many of the soldiers cut up like a lot of schoolboys just out -of school. It was a scene I shall never forget. - -Admiral Cervera had aided the Spanish army in the attack on our forces, -by throwing shells over Santiago into our ranks. Now he was gone, -Santiago was even more defenseless than ever, and General Shafter -immediately sent word to General Toral that unless he surrendered the -American artillery would bombard the city. - -There were several days of delay, and finally the Spanish general, -seeing how useless it would be to continue the fight, agreed to -surrender under certain conditions. These conditions were not accepted, -and another wait of several days took place--a time that to me seemed -an age, so anxious was I to get word concerning my father's welfare. - -At last, on the 14th of July, General Toral gave up the struggle, and -three days later the American troops marched into the city and hoisted -the glorious Stars and Stripes over the civic-government building. - -It was a grand time, never to be forgotten. As our boys came in -the soldiers of Spain went out, giving up their arms as they left. -Twenty-four hours later, I received an order which permitted me to call -upon my father and Burnham. - -"Mark! alive and well!" burst from my parent's lips on seeing me. "They -said you were dead--that a shell had killed you." - -"That shell did not kill me; it gave me my liberty," I answered, and -told my story, to which my father and Burnham listened with keen -interest. My father was much broken in health, and as soon as I could I -had him removed to a hotel, where care and good food soon restored him -to his accustomed vitality. - -The Cuban troops, as a body, were not permitted to come into Santiago -at once, the authorities fearing a riot between them and the Spaniards, -but Alano and his father visited us, and a joyous reunion was had all -around. - -"Cuba will be free now," said Captain Guerez. "If Spain knows when she -has enough, she will now bring this war to a close." - -Alano's father was right; the Santiago campaign was the first and last -to be fought by the American troops on Cuban soil, and soon after Spain -asked that a peace commission be appointed to settle the matter without -further appeal to arms. This was done; and the war ceased. Cuba was -granted her absolute freedom, with the United States to protect her -until all internal difficulties were settled and she was fully able to -manage her own affairs. - -Alano and his father remained in the Cuban army, and were later on -stationed but a short distance away from the plantation owned by -Captain Guerez. Thus they were near their home and able to visit -constantly the other members of the family, who at that time returned -to the plantation. Burnham remained in Santiago, reporting constantly -for the newspaper he represented. - -Two months after my father was released from prison we set sail for -the United States. Mr. Raymond accompanied us, and we made the trip -in the _Rosemary_, under our former friend Captain Brownley, who had -succeeded, though not without much difficulty, in having both himself -and his vessel released. - -"How good to be back home again!" I cried, as we stepped ashore. -"Foreign countries are all well enough, but as for me--give me our own -United States every time!" - -"You are right, Mark," answered my father. "There is no better place on -earth to live than in our own dear native land." - - * * * * * - -Here I bring to a close my story of adventures in Cuba during the -Cuban-Spanish conflict and the Spanish-American campaign. I had seen -many startling happenings, and was, as told above, heartily glad to -sail away and leave the Queen of the Antilles to carve out her future -without my aid. - -During my confinement with Mr. Raymond I had become much interested in -that gentleman and what he had to say concerning his son Oliver, then -supposed to be at Manila, where the first naval battle of our war with -the Dons had occurred. As a matter of fact, Oliver Raymond had been -with the Asiatic squadron when the fight came off, and the news he sent -to his father was truly interesting. But I will let him tell his own -tale in another volume, to be entitled "A Sailor Boy with Dewey; or, -Afloat in the Philippines," after which I will expect to be with my -readers again in still another story to be called "Off for Hawaii; or, -the Mystery of a Great Volcano." - -And now for the present, kind reader, good-by and good luck to you. - - -THE END. - - - * * * * * - - -Transcriber Note - - -Que, Què and Qué all appear once and left as is. Ciruso and Circuso are -each used once but may represent the same individual. Due to context, -granadilla (Passionfruit) on page 57 was assumed a typo for grenadillo -trees (p. 121). The images were repositioned so as to not split -paragraphs. The cover image was constructed from images provided by the -University of Michigan and The Internet Archive and is placed in the -Public Domain. - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of When Santiago Fell, by -Captain Ralph Bonehill and Edward Stratemeyer - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WHEN SANTIAGO FELL *** - -***** This file should be named 51798-8.txt or 51798-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/1/7/9/51798/ - -Produced by David Edwards, Tom Cosmas and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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