ASLEEP WHILE ON GUARD
Of course there was no further thought of continuing the journey that
evening, for the Spanish officer was in no condition to travel, and our
young trooper was not one to desert even an enemy who was helpless and
in distress. So he informed Dionysio that they would remain where they
were until morning, and ordered him to make things as comfortable as
possible for the night.
"You no kill him?" asked the negro, who had regarded his companion's
actions of the past half hour with evident disfavor.
"Not to-night," replied Ridge. "I am going to save him until morning.
He will be stronger then, and in a better condition to afford us
entertainment. Besides, I want time to think out the best way of doing
it."
"To-morrow you kill him?" persisted the other.
"Perhaps. That is, if I have hit upon a good plan. Something novel
and interesting, you know."
"You no kill him, me kill him," muttered Dionysio, as he sullenly began
to make preparations for the night.
The remark, though not intended for the young American, still reached
his ears and caused him a feeling of uneasiness.
"I believe you would, you black devil," he said to himself, "but you
sha'n't commit your cowardly murder if I can help it." Then he again
turned his attention to the prisoner, who was by this time sitting up
and regarding his captors curiously.
"Are you going to kill me?" he asked, as Ridge rejoined him.
"No, of course not. What put such an idea into your head?"
"Because it so often happens that undesirable prisoners are disposed of
in that way. You know I was ordered to have one shot only last night
at just about this hour."
"Was it last night?" murmured Ridge. "It seems a month ago." Then he
added, aloud, "Yes, I know, for I recognize you as Lieutenant Navarro,
the officer who brought in the deserter, disposed of him according to
General Pando's order, and then conducted me to prison."
"For which reason I should think you would now want to kill me," said
the other, with a smile.
"We Americans are not in the habit of killing persons merely for
obedience to orders."
"You are an American, then?"
"Yes," admitted Ridge, "and I thought you knew I was one."
"I was not certain, nor was the General, though he was determined to be
on the safe side, and have you placed beyond a chance of making
mischief."
"So I understood," laughed Ridge, "and for that reason I came away
without waiting to say good-bye."
"Your escape raised an awful row," said the other, "and the General is
furious over it. Swears he will hang every man, woman, or child
connected with it if he discovers who aided you. Do you care to tell
me how it was effected?"
"No," was the prompt reply, "I do not."
"I didn't suppose you would. At the same time I am greatly interested
in it, especially as it caused me to be sent on my present mission.
General Pando feared that you might make the same attempt at Jiguani as
at Holguin. So I was ordered to get there first and have a reception
prepared for you. Now, having failed to carry out his instructions, I
do not know that I should dare present myself before him again, even if
you should set me free, which, of course, is something not to be hoped
for. What do you propose to do with me, anyway?"
"I don't know," replied Ridge, "but we will consider the situation
after supper, which I see is ready."
The simple meal of roasted yams, which in war time was the principal
article of food known to Cuban campaigners, was quickly eaten, and the
two young men, already regarding each other more as friends than
enemies, renewed their conversation.
"I am not anxious to resume my connection with General Pando's army in
any case," began Lieutenant Navarro, "since it is about to march
against your countrymen, whom I esteem highly."
"Why?" asked Ridge. "Were you ever in my country?"
"Yes, and quite recently. You see, I have some distant cousins of my
own name living in New Mexico, and only a year ago I paid them a visit.
I was so charmed with the country, and so cordially welcomed, that I
expressed a desire to remain with them and become a citizen of the
United States, They encouraged the idea, and offered me an interest in
a great ranch, where one of them, Maximilian by name, who is about my
own age, proposed to become my partner. I accepted the offer, declared
my intention of becoming a citizen before the proper authorities, and
then returned to Spain to settle up my home affairs and procure money
for my new undertaking.
"Unfortunately I had not served out my full military term, and before I
could purchase exemption for the remaining time, there was a call for
more troops to quell this miserable insurrection, and I was ordered
with Blanco, the new Captain-General, to Cuba. Of course I don't mind
fighting Cubans, whom I detest; but I do object to fighting against
those whom I already consider as my adopted countrymen, especially as I
have recently learned that the cousin with whom I was to go into
business has joined the American army."
"Maximilian Navarro of New Mexico!" exclaimed Ridge. "Why, I know him
well. He is a captain in my own regiment, the First Volunteer
Cavalry--the Rough Riders, as we are called. I saw him only five days
ago, and hope soon to meet him again, before Santiago."
"Then are we friends rather than enemies!" cried the young Spaniard,
grasping the other's hand, "and I will go with you to meet my cousin."
"Would you go as a deserter?"
"No, but as a prisoner of war under your protection."
"Of course," replied Ridge, who had just gained an inspiration. "A
prisoner of war on parole, for you will give me your promise not to
serve against the United States unless exchanged, will you not?"
"Most willingly," replied the other.
"But," continued Ridge, "if I take you to your cousin, I want you first
to do me a favor."
"Gladly."
"And before I give you my whole confidence you must earn it."
"If it lies within my power, I will do so."
"Very good," said Ridge. "According to our laws, you are a citizen of
the United States from having filed your intention to become one.
Therefore, while not desiring you to fight against your native land, I
am going to ask you to prove your loyalty to your adopted country by
aiding my present mission."
"How may I do so?"
"By continuing your journey to Jiguani, delivering your despatches,
which, by-the-way, I have examined; procuring for me a Spanish uniform,
and meeting me two days later at Enramada. From there we will go
together into Santiago, where you shall introduce me as your friend.
Then will come my turn; for when the Americans land we will join them,
and I shall take pleasure in presenting you to my friends as my friend.
Will you undertake to do this?"
"Señor Teniente, I will," answered the young Spaniard, "and there is my
hand on it. One thing, however, I must ask," he continued. "How will
you deliver me from the hate of yonder black devil by the fire? But
for you he would have taken my life long since, and when he discovers
that you do not intend to kill me, he will assuredly make an attempt to
do so."
"I have no doubt he would if he had a chance," replied Ridge, "but we
must take turns at watching, and see that he doesn't get one. I will
remain on guard the first half of the night, since you need sleep more
than I, and will also show how fully I trust you by restoring your
pistol."
"Your confidence will not be misplaced, señor."
With these arrangements perfected, the little camp sank into quiet, the
only sounds being the chirping of insects, the harsh cries of night
birds, and those made by the horses, which occasionally snorted at some
fancied alarm. The two white men lay in their respective hammocks
under the rude thatch of palm leaves, while Dionysio occupied a similar
but smaller shelter beyond the fire.
For a long time Ridge watched the flicker of its flames, until they
finally died down, and the darkness was only illumined by the fitful
flashing of fire-flies. As these were the most brilliant he had ever
seen, his eyes followed their zig-zag dartings until they exercised a
hypnotic influence, and his heavy breathing showed him to be fast
asleep.
A few minutes later the occupant of the other hammock lifted his head
and listened. Then he slipped noiselessly to the ground and
disappeared in the profound darkness at the back of the hut. For an
hour longer the peace of the camp was unbroken. At the end of that
time one of the horses snorted more loudly than usual, while the other
dropped heavily to the ground as though lying down.
After awhile, if Ridge had been awake, he might have noted a slight
rustling in the grass, as though some animal were making a cautious way
through it towards the hut. But his slumber was too profound to be
easily broken, and no instinct warned him of approaching danger.
The rustling drew closer, until it sounded within a few feet of the
unconscious sleeper. Then a black bulk slowly lifted from the ground,
and gradually assumed the proportions of a man standing motionless. Of
a sudden this figure, whose blurred outlines were barely discernible,
made a quick movement, and the hammock of the young Spaniard was cut in
twain by the sweeping blow of a machete.
At the same moment a pistol-shot rang out, followed by another and
another. There was a smothered yell, a rush of feet, a brief struggle
from the place where the horses were tethered, a crash, and directly
afterwards Señorita, trembling in every limb, made her way to where her
young master stood, as he had leaped from his hammock, dazed, and
uncertain what to do.