ESCAPE FROM THE LIBERTADOR.
During the hours which followed--hours that seemed like ages--the
imprisoned trio were aware of a great commotion on deck, and Jack
assured his companions that the _Libertador_ had come to anchor.
"We are in some port near Maracaibo," he said. "I feel very sure of
that."
"If we were only free," said Harrie, "there might be a possibility that
we could get away. It begins to look as if we are not going to regain
our freedom."
"I wish we had resisted them," exclaimed the more impulsive Ronie. "I
know we could have overpowered them."
"It would have done no good in the end," replied Jack. "In fact, it
would have worked against us in almost any turn affairs may take. In
case we do escape, we shall be able to show that we have not given
cause for this treatment. The United States Government will see that
we are recompensed for this."
"If we live to get out of it," said Ronie.
"That is an important consideration, I allow," declared Jack. "But I
never permit myself to worry over my misfortunes. So long as there is
life there is hope."
"I wonder if Francisco knows of this," said Ronie.
"If he does, and he must learn of it sooner or later, he will come to
us if it is in his power," replied Harrie, whose faith in the outlawed
Venezuelan was greater than his companions'.
Some time later, just how long they had no way of knowing, it became
evident to them that the _Libertador_ was again upon the move. Whither
were they bound? No one had come near them, and so long had they been
without food and drink that they began to feel the effects. Had they
been forgotten by their captors, or was it a premeditated plan to kill
them by starvation and thirst? Such questions as these filled their
minds and occupied most of their conversation.
"I wonder where Colonel Marchand thinks we are?" asked Harrie.
"I tell you what let's do, boys," suggested the fertile Jack Greenland.
"Let's remind them that we are human beings, and that we must have food
and drink or perish. Now, together, let us call for water!"
The young engineers were not loath to do this, and a minute later, as
with one voice that rang out loud and deep in that narrow place of
confinement, they shouted three times in succession:
"Water! water! water!"
This cry they repeated at intervals for the next half hour without
bringing any one to their side, when they relapsed into silence. But
it was not long before an officer and two companions brought them both
food and drink. They partook of these while their captors stood grimly
over them, ready to return the irons to their wrists as soon as they
had finished their simple meal. The only reply they could get to their
questions was an ominous shake of the head from the leader of the
party. So Jack gave up, and he and his companions relapsed into
silence which was not broken until the disappearance of the men.
"This beats everything I ever met with," declared Jack, "though I must
confess I have been in some peculiar situations in my time."
Nothing further occurred to break the monotony of their captivity for
what they judged to be several hours. Then they suddenly became aware
of a person approaching them in a stealthy manner. At a loss to know
who could be creeping upon them in such a manner, they could only
remain silent till the mystery should be solved. This was done in a
most unexpected way by a voice that had a familiar sound to it, though
it spoke scarcely above a whisper:
"Have no fear, senors, it is I."
The speaker was Francisco de Caprian, and he was not long in gaining
their side.
"How fares it with you, senors?"
"Poorly," replied Jack, speaking for his captors as well as himself.
"What does this mean?"
"I cannot stop to explain now. This ship is now bound to Porto
Colombia for some repairs. It stopped off Maracaibo to land General
Riera and his staff. From what I have overheard the present commander
will leave her there, and one of Matos' more intimate followers will
become the captain. It is possible we may fare better in Porto
Colombia than out to sea here. But I am not certain. The captain
seems concerned over what to do with you, and desperate measures may be
carried out. I cannot say. But one fact remains. Every moment we are
being carried farther and farther from Caracas. As far as I could I
have arranged for immediate flight. I have bribed a sailor, who will
help us get a boat. The night promises to be dark, which will
materially aid us in escaping. But there is a lookout who stands in
fear of his life lest he lets anything pass his gaze. It is not more
than an even chance that we can succeed in evading him and the others.
Do you care to take that chance with me, senors, or remain here and
possibly escape with more or less harm?"
"For one," said Ronie, "I am in favor of getting away as soon as
possible."
"Will it be possible for us to take our trunk with us?" asked Harrie.
"We can ill afford to lose that."
"I thought as much, senor," replied Francisco. "I think we can manage
to take it along."
Though it was too dark for them to see the countenance of their
companion, the young engineers looked anxiously toward him while they
waited for his answer. Jack spoke in a moment:
"I know how you feel, boys, and I think I have some of that spirit
myself. I have always found, too, that the bold dash for freedom
always counted best. If you think we had better take our chances now,
I am with you, by the horn of rock--Gibraltar, if you please!"
"Good!" exclaimed Harrie and Ronie together. "You hear, Francisco,
that we are going with you?"
"_Si, senors_. We will begin at once. For I will free you from those
irons. Then you must follow my directions to the letter."
While he was speaking Francisco began to work upon the manacles upon
Ronie's wrists, and he showed that he had come prepared for his task,
as inside of five minutes the three were free, very much to their
relief.
"Now," said Francisco, "you had better remain quietly here for what you
judge to be an hour. Then you come upon deck, being careful to get
astern without being seen. During this interval of waiting I will have
a boat in readiness, and be prepared to lower your chest into it at
short notice. You will have to bring this with you, and if it is too
heavy to handle easily and rapidly, I should advise you to remove
whatever of its contents you can spare. You understand?"
"We do, Francisco, and we will not fail to be on hand."
"I will be there to assist you. In case I fail to accomplish my
purpose in getting the boat, you will hear an alarm, in which case you
had better replace your irons and stay where you are until the
excitement blows over. Under these circumstances it will be for your
interest to look out for yourselves, as you will know that I cannot
help you."
"We shall not desert you," replied the young engineers, while they
clasped his hands as he started to leave them.
"He is a brave fellow, and thoroughly unselfish," said Harrie.
Exchanging now and then a few words, they waited and listened while the
silence remained unbroken. At times the sound of footsteps reached
their ears, and constantly the steady swish of waters, but nothing to
warn them that the plans of Francisco had miscarried.
"The hour must be passed," declared Jack at last.
"And we must be moving," added Ronie.
"Can you find your chest easily?" asked the first.
"I think so," replied Harrie. "Follow me."
The next five minutes were occupied in reaching the deck with their
burden. Upon feeling the salt sea breath the three breathed easier,
while they glanced about to see if the way was clear. As Francisco had
prophesied, the night was quite dark, though there were signs in the
west that the clouds were breaking away. No one was to be seen nearby,
and silently the three stole along toward the place where they expected
to meet Francisco, bearing the chest containing the instruments, charts
and papers of the young engineers. Fortunately, this was small, as
they had not taken more than was necessary.
Harrie and Ronie bore this between them, while Jack followed with every
sense strained to catch the first sight or hear the first movement of
their enemies. In this way they had passed half the distance, and had
caught a glimpse of one ahead whom they believed to be their friend,
when a sharp voice rang out an alarm that for a moment fairly took away
their breath. Before they had fairly recovered the cry was answered
from the fore part of the vessel, and they realized that their flight
had been discovered.
"Quick, senors!" called Francisco. "In a moment we shall be too late."
Ronie and Harrie quickened their advance, while Jack prepared to meet
the enemy hand-to-hand, if it should be necessary, while he kept close
beside his companions.
"The boat is ready," said Francisco. "Let me fasten the rope about the
chest. If we can lower that before they get here, we will give them
the slip."
Already they could hear the crew of the _Libertador_ rushing wildly
about, uttering confusing cries, which told that they had little idea
of what was taking place, the majority doubtless thinking they had been
attacked by some unknown and mysterious foes. Above this medley of
voices rang the stern command of the captain, trying to bring order out
of the excitement.
Francisco had now arranged the rope about the chest, and then it was
lowered down the ship's side, rapidly, hand over hand.
"They are coming!" exclaimed Jack, hoarsely. "If I only had a weapon
of some kind I would show them the mettle of my arm."
"Over the rail!" said Francisco, and he and Harrie shot down the line
at a furious rate. But before Ronie and Jack could follow they found
their retreat cut off, and themselves confronted by a dozen armed men,
with others coming swiftly toward the scene.