GOOD NEWS.
Ronie did not have to repeat his call, for almost before he had
finished the last word Harrie and Jack were beside him. It was then
but the work of a moment to disarm the terrified fellow, when he was
ordered to march in front of them to the headquarters of the army.
Then he fell upon his knees, actually too weak to stand up longer, and
with clasped hands and white face, begged for his life.
"Spare me, senors! I am not a spy, but if you take me before the
officers of Castro they will condemn me without a trial and I shall be
shot! Spare me, I beg of you."
His pathetic supplications touched the hearts of his young captors, but
they did not feel it would be right to let him go.
"If you are innocent you can prove it," said Ronie. "I know you are in
sympathy with the insurgents, but I promise you shall have a fair
opportunity to prove your innocence of being a spy if you are not one."
During these words of Ronie he bent a closer look upon him, and he
suddenly recognized our hero as one of the couple who had saved him
from the jaguar. He saw that Jack was another of his captors.
"I remember you, senors," he said. "You saved my life, but it would
have been better for me to have been eaten by the jaguar than to fall
into the hands of Castro. I will tell you something, senor, that will
be worth more to you than my miserable life if you will let me go."
"It is of my mother!" exclaimed Ronie. "You had her photograph. Tell
me where she is."
"If you will spare my life."
"I am a soldier under Castro; you know a soldier's duty, senor."
"I thought you were one of us," he murmured. "But I am going to tell
all I know. She was taken prisoner by some of El Capitan's men. As
the angels are my witness I had nothing to do with that. Her portrait
fell upon the ground during the struggle and I picked it up. That is
all I had to do about it."
"Where is she now?" demanded Ronie, with extreme earnestness.
"She is held as a prisoner at the old convent in Durango under command
of El Capitan."
"Then she lives!" cried Ronie, in great joy.
"_Si, senor_. I can lead you to the place, and will if you will give
me my liberty."
"That is beyond my power. I cannot--ha! here comes an officer now."
The newcomer was none other than Captain de Caprian, who asked:
"Whom have we here, senors?"
"A man we found prowling in the city under what we thought to be
suspicions circumstances, so we stopped him. He is from San Carlos,
and claims he is not a spy."
"I shall leave it for you to say what is to be done with him," said
Francisco, "promising to see that he is fairly treated."
"I know not in regard to his being a spy," replied Ronie, "but he has
given me valuable information in regard to my mother's fate."
"Does he know of her?" asked Francisco, eagerly. "That fact alone
ought to save his life. What has he told you?"
In a few words Ronie explained what he had learned, when the other
said, with an intonation of joy in his voice:
"I am so glad, Senor Roland. No time must be lost in going to her
rescue. I have this morning received word that my mother has been
given her liberty, and that she is on her way to meet me after many sad
months of separation. But, dear Roland, as much as I long to meet that
mother, if you are willing, and General Castro will permit, I want to
go with you to help save your mother. My company will be sufficient
force."
Ronie and Harrie could not conceal their emotion at the earnest words
of their young friend, who showed that he spoke from the heart.
"Nay----" began Ronie, but the other checked him.
"I know what you would say, Senor Roland, but as much as mother and I
want to see each other, we can both wait until this duty is performed.
I am going to General Castro at once for leave of absence. You can let
this man accompany us if you think he is to be trusted. I will meet
you near the old cathedral half an hour hence."
After a short conference among themselves, in which Manuel Marlin was
allowed to express his opinion, it was decided to let him go with them.
He might prove a valuable companion, for they were all inclined to
think he would not be false to his pledges.
Before an hour had passed, so promptly did they act, Captain de Caprian
led out his regiment of gallant men, to start upon the long and arduous
journey to Durango on the merciful errand of saving a captive from the
power of El Capitan. Were the truth told, more than one of the brave
band hoped they might meet the bold outlaw himself.
I need not describe that journey to Durango. The town proved to be a
little hamlet under the brow of the Cordilleras, where the insurgents
sometimes made their headquarters. Knowing this, the advance was made
with extreme caution as soon as the regiment had entered the debatable
country. Scouts were constantly on the lookout, and among these were
our young engineers.
"I can scarcely wait for the time when we shall attack them," declared
Ronie to Harrie and Manuel, as the three halted on the brink of a steep
hill overlooking the hidden town.
"How quiet the place seems," replied Harrie. "It must be El Capitan
and his troops are away."
"Off on one of his raids, no doubt. It will be so much the better for
us."
"Still I really think Francisco will be disappointed if we do not find
the rebel chief."
"I wonder if yonder old vine-clad building is where mother is
imprisoned?" asked Ronie, pointing to what the three felt must be the
ancient convent pictured by those who claimed to have been there.
"_Si, senors_," replied Manuel. "But look there, _senors_! what does
the coming of that llaneros mean?"
The question from Manuel was called forth by the sudden appearance of
one of the riders of the llanos, or plains of Venezuela, who drew rein
almost in front of the old convent. With what truly seemed wonderful
celerity the people began to collect, coming from every quarter.
"Perhaps that fellow has discovered our men and is giving the alarm,"
said Ronie.
"I wish I was near enough to hear what he says," replied Manuel. "If
you will wait for me, senors, a few minutes I will find out."
Manuel Marlin then began the descent into the town, and as the distance
was not far, he soon got within hearing of the new arrival. It was not
over fifteen minutes before he returned to his anxious companions with
the somewhat startling announcement:
"It is as I expected, senors; El Capitan is on his way home, and is
expected within a few hours!"