CHAPTER XXII
DICK IS LEFT BEHIND
As Dick ran from the telegraph office and looked about him in search ofthe two foreigners, he saw them disappearing around a street corner afew hundred yards away, but when he arrived at the same spot they werenowhere in sight. He dashed up the long street scouring each crossingfor a sight of them, but in vain. The town was practically deserted.Most of the smaller houses were open and vacant. The stores and largerdwellings were closed and locked. The inhabitants had vacated when theFederal forces occupied the town some weeks before. La Paz was in toogreat a danger of changing hands again to make it comfortable as a placeof habitation.
Small patrols of Federal soldiers sauntered about, but the majority hadreturned to the entrenchments which surrounded the town on all sides.Even women and children were noticeable by their absence, for thefamilies of the Latin-American soldiers as a rule accompany theirfighting men into the field, living with them on the firing line. Oftenthe women themselves join in the fray, armed with machetes, and are mostsavage and blood-thirsty opponents.
Failing to discover the whereabouts of the German and the Englishman,Dick was at first at a loss as to his next step. Then he recalledhaving met at the station a few days before Colonel Solorzano Diaz,nephew to the president of Nicaragua,, and second officer in command atLa Paz. Undoubtedly this officer could give him information of the twohe sought, as it was improbable they could be inside the Federal linesand not be known to him.
"Is Colonel Diaz in La Paz?" asked Dick of a group of soldiers standingon a corner.
"Yes, Senor, he is at his headquarters."
"Take me to him at once! I have important news for him!" demanded Dick.
The young soldier who had answered his query now volunteered to act asguide, and after a ten minutes' walk they came to the Colonel's tent,erected near a battery of field guns. The smart, military-lookingorderly on duty there halted them and after inquiring their business, heushered them into the Colonel's presence.
"You say you are an American and have important news for me?" asked thehandsome young Colonel, immaculately attired in a splendidly fittinguniform.
"I have, Colonel, and will be glad to tell you what I know if I may seeyou alone."
"First, explain how you come to be within our lines. Your arrival hasnever been reported to me, senor."
"I met the Colonel three days ago when I delivered a letter from theCommanding Officer at Camp Pendleton. I am a marine, Senor."
"Why are you dressed as you are, if such is the case?" and the officerlooked Dick over with suspicion in his eyes.
Briefly Dick gave his explanation, but before Diaz would consent to hearthe rest of his disclosures the orderly was directed to telephoneFrederico at the station to verify the statements.
Colonel Diaz was a graduate of an excellent military school in theUnited States, and his command was remarkable for training anddiscipline, and though Dick fussed over the delay, he neverthelessadmired the native officer for his caution.
Dick now saw that he had erred in not telegraphing to have the trainheld at Nagarote until he could explain by wire to the marine officer incommand all the facts in order to permit that officer to govern hisfuture movements to better advantage. While thinking of this, ColonelDiaz entered the tent, having gone out in order to talk to Frederico inperson.
"You are Private Comstock, guard for Sergeant Dorlan, special messengerfor the American forces?" he stated in a questioning manner.
"I am."
"I will hear what you have to say. Step outside, orderly, and take theguard who brought this man here with you." Then turning to Dick, hesaid in a most agreeable tone, "Be seated, Senor, and proceed."
Dick now told of his two meetings with the German and Englishman, and ofthe conversation he had so fortunately overheard on each occasion.
"Do you mean to say, Senor, that these two gentlemen, Senors Schumannand Heffingwell, are the men you heard engaged thus?" asked Diaz inamazement.
"If those are the names of the German and the Englishman I havedescribed, yes," answered Dick positively.
The black eyes of the officer flashed ominously, and a deep flushmantled the smooth olive complexion.
"They will pay dearly for this, Senor. Those two men have had manyconcessions from my uncle, the president, in the past. They have beenin Nicaragua for some years, and now I understand why they were everbusy in travelling about on various pleas. Sometimes it was toinvestigate the mines, at others to visit the coffee plantations ofDiriamba or the rubber industry of the midlands. But this is not action!Orderly," and the clear voice rang with decision, "find out at once ifSenors Schumann and Heffingwell have passed the outposts; if not theyare to be brought here immediately."
During the time they waited for the report Colonel Diaz paced up anddown the tent in deep thought, puffing great clouds of smoke from hiscigarette.
"The Captain commanding the outposts, sir, states the two foreigners andescort of fifteen cavalrymen crossed the southern outpost fully tenminutes ago. Their passes were in due form and signed by yourself,sir."
"Yes, I gave them permission to leave at any time that suited theirconvenience, and provided an escort for their protection--the same menwho accompanied them in here two days ago with a pass through our linesfrom General Pollito."
"Probably rebels in federal uniform," suggested Dick, "and the ones theydepended upon to start the fracas at the station had the train arrivedafter nightfall."
"Yes, uniforms these days consist of little more than a ribbon to bechanged as it suits the fancy or the convenience, but the question is,what should be done in the matter? It is evident they can do nothing toharm the train. The road, which nearly parallels the track from here toManagua, is in no shape for fast going. I inspected these men the daythey arrived here. Their horses were worn out and poor at best. Eventhe lay-up they have enjoyed would not put them in condition. I willacknowledge there have been times a man on a good horse could leave hereand arrive at the capital ahead of the train, but never unless it washeld up by carelessness on the part of the native engineers. NearingManagua the train has to descend some tortuous grades in the hills andthe wagon road is more direct and gives the horseman the advantageduring the last few kilometers."
"What do you propose to do, Colonel?" asked Dick. "Could you not sendyour men out after them and bring them back?"
"I cannot spare the men. We are too few here already, and at any momentwe are expecting an attack. Also I have no absolute proof of theirperfidy which would justify me in taking such drastic measures. Theyare under the protection of my superiors, and though I believe yourstory, unfortunately I am not the only one who would need to beconvinced. The best that I can do is to telegraph my suspicions to allpoints and have them watched carefully from now on."
A scraping on the canvas at the front of the tent attracted ColonelDiaz's attention.
"Come in," he called, and then as his orderly appeared he added, "Whatis it you wish?"
"A telephone message from the station states that the telegraph wiresbetween here and Nagarote have been cut, sir," reported the soldier, andat a nod from his superior he withdrew.
"They are at it again," said Diaz quietly; "no sooner do we send out andrepair it than the line is cut at another point."
For a few seconds the officer and the young marine sat lost in thought.That some disaster threatened the train bearing the battery of fieldguns and the marines had become a conviction in Dick's mind. He couldnot forget the Englishman's question, "Will the trick work?" and theGerman's reply in the affirmative. Dick felt sure that this "trick" wasto occur before Managua was reached, and this being so, what could bedone to prevent it? Could it be prevented? It was certain that hecould not count on help from Colonel Diaz, and now, adding to thedifficulty, the wires were down.
Glancing through the tent opening Dick saw beneath a tree, held by auniformed orderly, two spir
ited horses, saddled and bridled. The sightat once suggested action to the mind of the worried boy. Anything wasbetter than this inactivity. Furthermore, Dick knew that if he stayed onhere at La Paz he should never witness the stirring events which werebound to follow the arrival of the artillery at Managua. Here was ameans of going forward and joining his companions. Possibly too hemight learn something of advantage by following the route taken bySchumann and his band. It was worth trying.
"Colonel Diaz, may I borrow horses from you and a guide? I wish toproceed to Managua at once."
"Do you ride--ride well, I mean?"
"DO YOU RIDE?"]
"Yes," replied Dick.
"It is sixty-three kilometers by rail, and about fifty-eight by road toManagua, senor. It is possible even to cut that distance with a man whois thoroughly acquainted with the country. A good horseman, wellmounted, should reach there before dark."
"May I have the horses and a guide, Colonel?" and this time Dick lookedenviously at the horses outside. Following the glance Diaz now espiedthe impatiently waiting animals.
"Ah! And did you mean my horses? Well, Senor, they are the only twohorses in this camp capable of making the journey," and he said it witha pardonable touch of pride. "Those are not native ponies. They arethoroughbreds. I love them as a father would his sons, and----" hehesitated.
"I will give them good care," said Dick, who, to tell the truth, had noidea that the Colonel would entrust two such animals in his keeping whenhe had asked for horses, but now he thought possibly this would be theoutcome of his request, and thought he understood why Diaz made hisinvoluntary pause.
"That is not the only consideration, Senor Comstock. Those two horsesare almost as well known as their master. You would be in constantdanger of attack along the way, and seeing you, an American Marine,riding my horse, every rebel you encountered would do his best to stopyou. They would not hesitate to shoot in case they could not captureyou otherwise. Besides, those whom you seek are between you and yourdestination and they would surely hold you up. No, the chances areagainst you ten to one."
"Were they a thousand to one, Colonel, I would wish to make theattempt."
A smile of understanding lit the face of the officer and, rising, hegripped Dick's hand with warmth.
"I understand! It is the call of duty--of patriotism--and for you myheart holds naught but admiration, and my hand withholds nothing. Youmay take my horses, Senor, and may the good God who watches over bravemen watch over you on your ride to the assistance of your fellowcountrymen."
Colonel Diaz now called the orderly who brought the horses to the tentdoor, and turning again to Dick, he said:
"Tomas is an old servant in my household, Senor. He will accompany youand be under your orders. This paper will pass you through any of theFederal lines. Again, Senor, I wish you luck. Adios!"
Less than five minutes later Dick, mounted on the powerful black horseand followed by Tomas Casanave, a full-blooded Indian, was swingingalong beside the railroad on a path which his guide informed him wouldsave nearly a kilometer at the start.
At the first pond of water they came to, Dick ordered a halt.Dismounting and ordering Tomas to do likewise, he gathered up a quantityof mud and began smearing it over the velvety coat of the animal herode, over his clothes and shoes, even putting some on his face.
"And why does the Senor do this?" asked Tomas, looking on in amazementat the proceeding.
"The Colonel told me his horses are known from here to Managua by everyrebel along the line, but they are well known because they are always sowell groomed, for one thing."
"I care for the Colonel's horses, Senor," said Tomas, simply, but withmuch pride in his voice.
"By spreading this mud over the horses," continued Dick, "it may helpdeceive persons whom we meet. Now, Tomas, turn those saddle cloths,smear mud on the trappings and harness, and tie your coat in a roll backof your saddle. Also hide your carbine and its boot where you will beable to find it on your return, and last, but by no means least, removethat blue band from your sombrero."
Tomas followed Dick's advice, and by the time he had finished no onewould suspect either of them of belonging to any military organization.In fact the Tramps' Union, if there be one, would have disowned them.
"In case we are held up you are to answer all questions. I will tiethis handkerchief about my neck, and you may state I am ill and we arehurrying to Managua to consult a doctor about my throat, which pains meand prevents me from speaking. Now, Tomas, we have lost time enough.You take the lead and I will follow. Save every minute, but alsoremember these horses must carry us to the end of the journey."
Springing into the saddle they instantly broke into the long lope whichwas to be their gait for the coming hours.
When told of the task before him by Colonel Diaz, Tomas had beenanything but pleased at the prospect. He knew the danger of running thegauntlet of rebel bands infesting the country between La Paz and thecapital city, and he was filled with apprehension. Dick's preparationswon his admiration, and the boy's knowledge of Spanish was anotheragreeable surprise. He began to believe they might win through, rebelsor not.
That the foreigners, who had a half hour's start, were following thesame road, was soon discovered by the Indian. Accustomed to readingsigns of the trail he interpreted them for Dick's benefit. Once hedismounted just before crossing a small stream which trailed across theroad and carefully examined the ground on the far side near the water'sedge.
"They passed here less than ten minutes ago, Senor," he said as heremounted and splashed across the brook. "I can tell this by the waterwhich dripped from their horses, and the degree of moisture stillremaining."
On they went to the accompaniment of the thud of the well-shod hoofs,the creak of leather, the jangle of bit and spur. Tomas was stillwatching the road, when without apparent reason he stopped.
"What is the trouble?" asked Dick, reining in the black charger onarriving abreast of his companion, but before answering the nativelooked about him cautiously.
"I have lost their trail, Senor. They have left the road."
"Which way did they turn, Tomas?"
"I cannot tell without going back, but I believe to the right."
"Is there any cross trail or road?"
"No, and there is no reason that I know for them to leave the road."
"Why do you suppose they have done so?"
"Quien sabe?"[#] answered Tomas, giving his shoulders a shrug whichcarried as much meaning as his words. "Possibly they are in hiding andwatching us to ascertain if they are being followed. If so, it would notbe wise to retrace our steps in case it is your desire to learn whatbecame of them. But now that we are evidently beyond them, I think weare fortunate, and would suggest we proceed at once on our way. So farwe have been unusually lucky, having met with no rebels."
[#] Quien sabe--Who knows?
That there was wisdom in the Indian's words could not be denied, butDick felt a distinct sense of disappointment as he looked about him inthe vain hope of seeing something of those they had been following soclosely. About a half mile to the west an almost bare hill stuck itssummit high into the glaring blue sky. Its slopes were cone shaped andfringed with a short stubby growth. In spite of disappointment, it wasimpossible to see the beautiful symmetry of the hill without admiringit, and as Dick watched, a cloud of smoke burst forth from its apex.Knowing the volcanic nature of the country he was nevertheless surprisedat the sight, as Mount Momotombo, rising from the waters of LakeManagua, was the only active volcano in this immediate neighborhood.
"Is that small hill an active volcano, Tomas?" he asked.
The native looked long and searchingly at the smoking hilltop. At firsthis face expressed fear and amazement, followed in turn by a look ofquestion, and then of understanding.
"No, no, Senor, it is not a volcano. It is a signal. Someone is sendingsmoke signals."
"Smoke signals? What do they mean?"
"Th
ey may mean anything. It is a method used by my people long ago andoften resorted to by the natives of Nicaragua. If you notice the smokeis interrupted; sometimes long columns, sometimes short clouds orpuffs."
"Are you able to read the message?"
"No! one has to know the code, Senor."
"If I had field glasses, it would be possible to see who is sending themessage," said Dick, straining his eyes to discover if he could detectany movement on the hill.
"There are binoculars in the saddle-bags belonging to Colonel Diaz,"exclaimed the native.
Dick placed his hand in the bag, which in the haste of departure from LaPaz had not been removed, and brought forth a powerful pair of prismaticglasses. Adjusting them to his eyes, the cone-like hill appeared to bealmost within reach of his hand. On the hilltop, more or less screenedby the scrubby growth, were a number of men standing about a fire whichgave forth a thick volume of smoke. Two of the men were moving ablanket back and forth over the fire, which caused the smoke to rise inirregular clouds. Half-way down the hill he saw about twenty horseswith a few mounted men tending them.
Again he searched the hill. He was convinced these men made up the bandwhose trail they had followed from La Paz, and if he could discover thetwo foreigners his suspicions would be verified. As he watched he saw aman pointing to the southward. The others now turned their heads tolook, and then from the shade of a boulder, he clearly saw both Schumannand Heffingwell arise and reaching for their binoculars, focus on thedistant point.
"It is our party, Tomas," said Dick; "they are all looking to the southand evidently pleased at what they see there."
"That indicates their signal is answered," replied Tomas.
"It must be so, Tomas, for they are scattering their fire, and some aretrailing down the hill. All have left now, except the two foreigners.They are apparently reading a paper between them, though I cannot quitemake out what it is. Yes, it was a paper, for the German rolled it upand threw it on the ground near the rock on which they had beensitting."
"The message or the code, Senor," stated Tomas; "if we had it----"
"We shall have it, for I am going to get it. It is too good anopportunity to let pass, and even though it were nothing, I should notfeel I had done my best if I left here without it."
"We are in plain view from the hill, Senor. If we remain here longer wemay be detected."
"Never fear, they won't get us, but we must take to cover until theypass, and then secure the paper."
"As the Senor wishes; but having let them precede us again we may havedifficulty in passing them in turn and reaching Managua in safety."
"We must take the chance," replied Dick, with no thought of wavering,and after replacing the glasses he led the way deep into a rough tangleof high trees and dense undergrowth at the roadside. Here they awaitedimpatiently the reappearance of the horsemen.
Soon the clatter of hoofs and the shouts of men greeted their ears, andthey came galloping up the road.
"Seem to be in a big hurry, all of a sudden," mused Dick as he peepedthrough the green branches at their approach.
With the completion of his thought the blood in his veins seemed tocongeal, for the black horse which he rode, hearing the oncoming troop,pricked his ears, and then before Dick had time to grab the quiveringnostrils to prevent it a loud ear-splitting neigh filled the silent woodwith its tell-tale message.