It will be recalled that the catboat, in which Major Jack Starland was
descending the river in company with Captain Guzman and the Atlamalcan
deserter, Martella, landed them at the spot where the young women had
left the tug the night before, the cause for which action on their
part has been made clear. This took place early in the afternoon, and,
under the guidance of Martella, the three started inland over the
trail that had been followed by the two ponies less than four and
twenty hours before.
While all doubt of the presence of his sister at the Castle had been
removed, the young American officer did a big lot of thinking when
tracing the path through the mountains. He felt certain that when
General Yozarro sent the two thither under escort, he had arranged to
prevent their leaving until it should suit his pleasure. It followed,
therefore, that despite the outrage, it was necessary for Starland to
act with great prudence. He had only two companions and he placed
little reliance on the Atlamalcan. To attempt to bluff matters with
such an insignificant force would be the height of folly. One
man-of-war from the United States would find it child's play to blow
these miserable little republics off the face of the earth, and when
his government should be appealed to, it would be certain to bring
down a heavy hand upon the offenders; but days and weeks must pass
before that could be brought about, and there was no saying what
deviltry would be wrought in the meantime. If ever there was call for
hurry and the display of the wisdom of the serpent it was now.
When therefore the three drew near the plateau on which the Castle
stood, the Major said:
"You and I, Captain, will wait here while Martella goes forward and
learns how the land lies."
"If the Senoritas are restrained of their liberty by only five or six
Atlamalcans, why should we hesitate?"
"We shall not, if such proves to be the fact; but if there are more,
it is not well to attack until that is the only means left. It will be
little trouble for Martella to learn the truth."
"Do you mean that he shall make himself known?"
"If necessary; what objection is there to that?"
"He is a deserter from the service of General Yozarro, who will show
him no mercy if he once lays hand on him."
"It cannot be generally known as yet; I understand he merely came away
with you, as if for a visit; he will be safe for several days. Such is
my view; am I right, Martella?"
"Perhaps so, but I am not afraid of the risk."
"I do not wish you to run into unnecessary danger, but you need no
instruction from me; make all haste."
The native strode from them at an even pace until he was shut from
sight by the bend in the trail. We know what he then did. He did
not think it wise to reveal himself at the time and made his
reconnoissance therefore from a distance. It did not take him long
to learn that the Castle was guarded by a dozen men at least and
probably by more. This was reported to his friends on his return.
"That puts a different face on matters," was the comment of the
American; "it would be madness to attack such a force when we have
only one rifle among us."
Until now Major Starland had held slight opinion of the courage and
ability of the deserter, but the latter straightway made a proposal
whose daring fairly took away his breath.
"Senor the Major may have been right when he said my desertion would
not be known for several days, but he mistook when he thought I had
made no mention of it. I told Valentin Herrera, the engineer of the
gunboat, before I left; I asked him to tell General Yozarro with word
from me that if I ever gained a chance I should kill him just as
surely as he killed my brother. The engineer promised to bear the
message to General Yozarro and I doubt not that it will be repeated
to him before the sun sets."
"Martella, you're a fool!"
"Perhaps," replied the native with a grin and shrug; "but Senor the
Major does not reflect that General Yozarro would have me shot for
leaving the boat without his permission. He can do no more with me
than that,--why should I rob myself of the pleasure of sending him an
insulting message?"
"In other words, you might as well be in for a sheep as a lamb. Very
well; have you any plan to offer?"
"I will go to Captain Navarro of the guard and tell him I come as a
messenger from General Yozarro, who is waiting with the gunboat to
take the Senoritas to Atlamalco, and he must not delay in obeying the
command."
The American looked at him in amazement.
"Have you the nerve for that, Martella?"
"I await only your permission."
"I cannot permit you to run such risk; better that I should go myself
and make the demand upon Captain Navarro."
"The captain has been warned not to permit any such thing, on his
life. You know that though General Yozarro may be aware I have left
his service, it is not likely to be known to Captain Navarro."
"It is a fearful risk, Martella. You are a good deal braver than I
thought; I accept your offer; but you have no acquaintance with the
ladies; they will not come away with you."
"You can write me a few lines to hand to the American Senorita that
will explain it all to her."
Major Starland had a feeling that it was hardly right to allow this
simple hearted fellow to sacrifice himself in this manner. He turned
to Captain Guzman, who was silently smoking a cigarette.
"What do you think of it?"
"It is the only plan that will succeed and there is no certainty that
it will not fail. But let it be tried."
"Will the captain of the guard obey a verbal order which it is
proposed to say is sent by General Yozarro?"
Martella lifted his shoulders.
"If he refuses we shall be no worse off than before."
"We shall not, but you're likely to be. However, here goes!"
He whipped out his note book and hastily penned the few lines that
have already been revealed.
"God go with you, Martella! You are a valiant man; I can hardly
believe you will succeed, but the need is desperate."
The deserter quietly shoved the little fold of paper in his pocket,
close to his terrible knife, and without another word passed up the
trail, his friends following him as far as was thought prudent. It was
not well for them to be seen by any of the guard, since it must draw
suspicion to the plan.