CHAPTER XII
ON TO GOMEZ
When Mason and Washington awoke and discovered that their companionswere missing, the negro became greatly excited.
"You stay here, Misser Midget," he said. "I go see if I can find 'em.They get lost in these woods, or catched by Spaniards. Don't you move'til George Wash Jenks come back or you get lost too."
Washington took his rifle and disappeared among the trees, while Masonanxiously paced the small glade. The time passed slowly and the boy'snerves were strung to their highest tension. He started at the smallestrustle of the leaves in the trees around him, and began to imagine allsorts of disagreeable possibilities. What if Washington should be unableto find his way back or should fall into the hands of the Spaniards? Andwhat if the Spaniards should discover him before Washington returned.His excited mind began to reflect pictures of a lone boy starving todeath in the woods. And then the picture would change and he would bestruggling against an overwhelming number of Spaniards, who would seizeand bind him and rush him off to suffer the horrors of the inquisition.
Suddenly in the distance he heard the boys' shout. It sent the bloodtingling through his veins. At least he was not quite alone in the woodswhile his companions were within hailing distance. He sent up a glad cryin response. Again came the shout and again he replied, and then withhis heart more at ease, he sat down on a rock and waited for them toappear.
There was a slight crackling in the bushes behind him. He turnedquickly. Washington burst into the clearing, his eyes bulging withexcitement.
"Quick, Misser Midget," he said, seizing the boy's arm and dragging himoff into the thicket.
"Spaniards got Misser Harry and Misser Bert and comin' this way."
Crouching low in the bushes, they saw the prisoners marched by and werehelpless to aid them. Once Washington gripped his gun and made amovement to dash out of cover, but his better sense prevailed.
"No use," he whispered. "Spaniards too many and must be more close by."
When the party was well down the mountain, Washington pushed aside thebushes and straightened up. Turning to Mason, who was pale fromexcitement, he said: "Now we make tracks for Massa Cap'n Dynamite. Theytake Missers where they take Missee Juanita. Massa cap'n he come backwith one--two--three hundred men and he and Cap'n Morgan they make 'emsorry."
As there seemed to be nothing else to do but to seek reinforcements,Mason, with a heavy heart picked up his bundle and his rifle, andfollowed Washington through the woods. Their progress was slow, as thenegro proceeded now with more caution. Darkness soon came upon them andmade their advance still more difficult. The route that Washington wasfollowing often necessitated a climb up the almost perpendicular face ofa rock as the mountain became more precipitous. Mason's hands bled fromcontact with the rough rocks, and he panted for breath. Still Washingtonpushed on, and when morning broke they found themselves at the top ofthe mountain.
"Take short rest," said Washington, unslinging his pack and sitting downwith his back to a boulder. "Eat a bite and Wash make some coffee. Heapeasier goin' down mountain."
"But you said there was still another mountain to climb, Washington,"said Mason, wearily.
"Yas, sah, but Cubitas and Massa Cap'n Dynamite on top that one. Maymeet 'em comin' down with one--two--three hundred men."
"I hope we meet them at the foot, Washington. I do not long for anotherclimb like this one."
"Pretty tough one, suah 'nough, sah."
The descent was of course much easier than the climb, but neverthelessthey found many obstacles in their way, and as caution dictated thatthey should keep well aside from any open trail, their progress down themountain was scarcely more rapid than their climb had been. But they hadthe advantage of daylight and passed over the rough places with fewerbruises and cuts. They made one more short stop at about noon, and thenpushed on again although the sun was now excessively hot, even as itfiltered through the thick foliage. It was late afternoon when theyreached the bottom of the mountain and entered the valley between thetwo ranges of hills. This valley was about a mile wide and through itflowed a narrow stream. The shores were wooded, but the rest of thecountry was an open plain. They waded the little river, and as they wereabout to clamber out on the other side, the familiar challenge rang out:
"Alto!"
"That General Gomez man. Say password," said Washington.
"Independencia," said Mason, with a slight quaver in his voice.
These unexpected challenges from invisible sentinels were somewhatwearing on the nerves. They passed on without interference.
"Where was that man stationed, Washington?" asked Mason.
"Up top of head in big tree," chuckled the negro. "Good place to popover Spaniard if he comes along. Not get by the next one so easy."
Washington was right. When they reached the foot of the mountain theywere again challenged, and although Mason promptly gave the countersign,they were at once surrounded by a dozen armed men, who talked rapidly inSpanish. Washington, who spoke the language imperfectly, explained thatthey were the bearers of an important message for Captain Dynamite, andafter many conferences aside and further questioning, two men were toldoff to accompany them, and they were allowed to proceed practically asprisoners.
"All right now," said Washington, with a broad grin. "Got a suah 'noughbody guard."
A wide, well-used trail made the ascent of this mountain comparativelyeasy. When they reached the top, Mason was surprised to find a smallsettlement in the middle of which was a large, low, wooden building,all four sides of which were patroled by sentinels. Toward this buildingtheir guard headed. They entered through a wide doorway and foundthemselves in a large, square room, with three other occupants. It wasnow quite dark, so that for a moment Mason did not recognize CaptainDynamite as one of the men. The three were in earnest converse at a longtable, and for some time did not notice the new comers, who paused onthe threshold.
"That Massa Cap'n Dynamite, General Gomez, and President Betancourt,"said Washington, pointing to the notable group.
Mason looked with interest at the old general who stood at the head ofthe table. He was easily distinguished because of his military bearingand accoutrements, for the grizzled warrior had one little weakness--alove of display. He was a much smaller man than Mason expected to see,but there was that in his rugged, tanned face and firm chin that at oncecommanded respect and attention. He bore his seventy odd years lightlyand his slight form was as straight as a ramrod. His uniform, unlikethose of his faithful followers, was immaculately spotless. His carbine,on which he rested, was gold mounted; the sabre at his side waselegantly chased and decorated, and the silver on his pistol handlesglittered in the waning light. As he turned his eyes on the group inthe doorway, his heavy iron-grey eyebrows contracted into a scowl and hespoke quickly to O'Connor. The latter turned and started from his chairangrily.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"If you please, Massa Cap'n, ah----"
"Let me explain, Wash," said Mason, advancing a step when he felt thehand of one of the guards fall heavily on his shoulder. "I think,captain," he continued, pointing to the man, "that we can get along nowwithout the protection of these gentlemen."
O'Connor waved his hand and the two men saluted and filed out.
Mason advanced boldly to the table and facing O'Connor, said:
"Captain Dynamite, you should not blame Washington. It is his love foryou and Miss Juanita that brings him here."
"I suppose you are right, boy," said the captain, still scowling, "but Iam in great trouble and I do not like to have my plans interfered with.But what brings you here?"
"Well, we heard that you were in trouble, and as Washington was going tojoin you, we thought we would come along, too, and be of what assistancewe could."
The scowl faded from the man's face. He turned to General Gomez andspoke to him in Spanish. When he had finished, the old warrior lookedthe Midget over from head to foot and the stern lines of his face brokeinto
a genial smile, gentle and reassuring. O'Connor stepped forward,and taking Mason's hand, shook it warmly.
"I thank you, my boy, for your good intentions. You must have madeexcellent time over a rough and dangerous road, for you are here closeat my heels. And your journey has left its marks, I see," he said, as henoticed Mason's cut and bruised face and hands, and his torn clothing."But where are your friends?"
"The Spaniards have got 'em," said Mason, laconically.
O'Connor looked first at the boy as if he thought it a joke, and then atWashington, in whose troubled face he read confirmation.
"Yas, Massa Cap'n; Spaniards got 'em, suah 'nough," said Washington,nodding his head vigorously in the affirmative.
"When, where, how did it happen?" asked O'Connor, rapidly.
"It was on the far side of the fust mountain, after we pass the fustclearing. Boys left the camp and before George Wash Jenks could find 'em'long came Spaniards and snapped 'em up."
"Why did you let them leave the camp, you rascal? You know this countrytoo well for that."
"Went while George Wash Jenks was asleep," answered the negrosheepishly.
"Well, where did they take them?"
"Leettle town 'bout mile down clearing, ah 'spect.".
"Humph! You don't know, then?"
"George Wash Jenks think it best to come to Massa Cap'n and not gosnoopin' after Spaniard in the open. Got cotched too."
"Yes, I guess you are right. Now, what is to be done? I wonder if theboys will know enough to keep their tongues still about the _Mariella_?"The captain looked questioningly at Mason as he spoke.
"You needn't fear, sir, that they will say or do anything likely to getyou into trouble," said the boy, promptly.
O'Connor smiled at the boy's defence of his comrades.
"I was not thinking of myself, my boy; but if it were known that theywere in any way connected with the expedition of the _Mariella_ it mightgo hard with them."
"I think they will understand that, sir."
"Now, the next question is how to aid them. I think my own mission liesin their direction. But you need freshening up a bit, and I'll wageryou are hungry. I will send a man with you to my quarters. You will findsoap and water there and a tin basin. The accommodations are a littleprimitive and not quite up to the _Mariella's_, but you can get some ofthe dirt out of those cuts. We will sup here when you are ready.Washington, you know the way to the mess-room. Go and fill up that emptystomach of yours and then return to me. You go back to Captain Morgan inan hour."
"O, Massa Cap'n, not goin' to send George Wash Jenks back?"
"You will be best serving me, Washington. You will bear a dispatch ofthe utmost importance. It must be in Captain Morgan's hands withinthirty-six hours in order that he may co-operate with us. I know of noother man who knows the road well enough to cover it in that time. Youwill also act as an escort to Miss Juanita's mother and her attendants."
Proud of the distinction and eager to serve his master, as he insistedupon calling O'Connor, the negro straightened up.
"Message shall be there, sah. Missee Juanita's mother shall have escort,too."
O'Connor called an orderly and sent him with Mason to his quarters.After washing and tidying up his tattered clothing as well as he could,the boy returned to the military headquarters, where the three men wereagain in earnest conference. O'Connor motioned to a big wooden settee atone end of the room. Mason stretched out on this and, utterly worn out,his eyes closed and in five minutes he had dropped off into a heavyslumber.
For half an hour longer the men continued their conference, and then,having come to some unanimous conclusion, they rose from the table.O'Connor, seeing the sleeping boy, stepped over to the settee andremoving his coat, rolled it up and placed it gently under his head.Then, with a military salute to President Betancourt, he and GeneralGomez passed out of the building.
Mason was suddenly awakened by the shouts of men and the jangling ofguns and sabres. He sat up quickly and rubbed his eyes, looking aroundthe room in a bewildered manner. At first the train of recent eventswould not form themselves properly in his mind. He could not for amoment recall the room in which he found himself, or how he got there.The moonlight was streaming in at the low open windows and fell upon thelong table at which again sat the three men, while an orderly stoodsilently behind the chair of the general. They were apparently eating,and hunger gnawing at the boy's stomach dulled any sense of delicacy andhe rose and walked directly to the table.
"I think you said we would sup here, Captain," he said.
O'Connor turned and motioned to the orderly to bring a chair.
"I certainly did, my boy, but seeing you asleep I thought I would notdisturb you at present. Sit down, and while you eat tell me all you knowof the capture of the boys and the movements of their captors."
Mason told the details of the boys' capture and O'Connor repeated it inSpanish to Gomez and Betancourt. In the meantime outside of the buildingall was confusion, and through the open door and windows the boy couldsee that armed men were rapidly gathering in response to the loudcommands of leaders. As fast as one squad or company formed, it movedoff and down the mountain trail by which Mason and Washington hadapproached the plateau. Another squad began forming at once. Thereseemed to be a constant stream of men pouring down the mountain side.