In his haste General Yozarro had given no orders to secure the tugboat
in place, nor was there need of doing so. The water was deep enough to
permit the craft to lie against the bank, where it was held by the
gentle turning of the screw. With a few more vigorous revolutions, the
prow would have gouged into the bank, or taken the boat into the river
on the proper direction of the wheel.
Running across the gangplank, with a firearm in each hand, Major
Starland bounded up the few steps leading to the upper deck. The
Captain of the boat was seated in the pilot house, calmly smoking a
cigarette while he waited. His gaze being turned dreamily toward the
river, he saw nothing of the intruder, or, if he heard his footsteps,
he was not disturbed. His awakening came, when the athletic American
strode forward and thrust a revolver through the window of the pilot
house.
"Do as I tell you and you won't be hurt; try to do different and I'll
blow your brains out!"
These words, uttered in Spanish, were to the point. Without them, the
action of the officer would have made his meaning clear. The Captain
was cooler and braver than any of his countrymen. He did not stir, but
looking into the face of the other, removed his cigarette and said:
"I shall be pleased, Senor, to be told in what way I can serve you."
"You shall learn in a moment; at present continue smoking, and hold
yourself ready for orders."
He bowed and with a smile that showed his even white teeth, replied:
"I am happy to do as you say."
"Are you armed?"
"I am the Captain of this boat; General Yozarro does not allow me to
attend to any other duty; I have no weapon on me; would you prefer to
search me?"
"I accept your word."
The Major turned to look for Guzman and Martella. The sound of voices
showed that they were on the boat.
[Illustration: "A DARING CAPTURE."]
"Warrenia," he called, "come aboard!"
She was alert and moved quickly up the plank.
"Now, Captain, steam out into the river."
"Pardon me, do you not wish the gangplank drawn in?"
"We have no time; do not wait."
The Captain was on his feet, one hand resting on a spoke of the wheel,
while the other gripped the curved piece of brass, which being drawn
upward twice sent an order to the engineer to back the boat. Major
Starland stood listening with some misgiving, for he did not know how
things had gone below. The response, however, indicated that all was
well, for almost on the instant, the screw began churning, and the
boat slowly receded, allowing the gangplank, after being drawn askew,
to drop with a splash into the water.
Knowing the purpose of their leader, Guzman and Martella had hurried
into the engine room, where Valentin Herrera, the engineer, was found
dozing. The place was smotheringly hot, and below, the firemen were
asleep, so used to it that they would have slumbered in tophet itself.
There was consternation for a moment, but it did not take the
visitors long to impress upon the men that the boat had been captured
and that their lives depended upon their prompt acceptance of the
changed conditions.
"How many are with you?" asked the engineer, who knew his former
fireman so well that he did not feel much personal fear of him.
"Enough to hold you all at our mercy."
"You know Captain Ortega is in the wheelhouse."
"Major Starland has attended to him."
"I have heard no pistol shot."
"The Captain is a wise man and has surrendered; Valentin, I want to
make General Yozarro angrier than before," added Martella with a grin.
"He cannot be any angrier than he has been ever since I gave him your
message; but I accept the situation. He cannot condemn his men for
being overpowered when he leaves them no weapons with which to fight.
You needn't fret about the firemen or me--"
Just then the gong clinked in response to the switching in the pilot
house above.
"That means go back."
"I wouldn't wait, Valentin; our leader, _el Americano_, is impatient,
and is quick to use the revolver he carries."
"It is my duty to obey orders," commented the engineer, with another
grin, as he made the necessary shifting of cranks and levers to set
the machinery to plunging and swinging. The drowsy firemen cared
little for what was going on over their heads and slouchily threw
wood into the furnace.
"It is my wish to go to Zalapata," Major Starland explained to the
Captain of the tug; "General Yozarro set out to take my sister there
last night, but seems to have changed his mind, for he brought her
only part way. We will now complete the journey."
"At the highest speed, Senor?"
The American did not catch the significance of this question, but
accidentally he made the best answer.
"There is no haste necessary; we shall be able to reach there soon
after sunrise; you know how fast to go; am I understood?"
"Perfectly, Senor."
Feeling himself master of the craft, Starland now went back into the
Captain's cabin to see his sister, whom he found seated in the
quarters which had been occupied by her and the Senorita Estacardo
the evening before. Although this species of craft are not intended
to carry passengers, outside the necessary equipment, General Yozarro
had caused the small compartment to be fitted up and furnished
suitably for the entertainment of guests. The swinging lamp was
lighted overhead, and the bottles, glasses and fragments of cigarettes
showed how the Dictator and his friends had spent most of the time in
coming from Atlamalco.
Miss Starland was flustered and nervous, but the cool self possession
of her brother greatly reassured her.
"That was a clever trick we played upon the scamp," said he with a
smile.
"What do you intend to do with the boat?"
"Take you to Zalapata; it would serve him right if I scuttled it, but
I will turn it over to Bambos to keep or destroy as he pleases--"
She was about to speak, when shouts and calls caused both to hurry
outside. As might have been anticipated, General Yozarro and his party
had speedily returned and had halted on the edge of the river, the
President shouting his orders for Captain Ortega to return at once.
The Major, standing beside the pilot house, could not deny himself
the pleasure of answering for the other.
"The Captain is under my orders; he cannot obey you."
"That is my boat!" howled General Yozarro; "return at once or suffer
the consequences of your thievery."
"I'll suffer the consequences, but I am only borrowing it for a little
while; you did not seem to be able to deliver Miss Starland to
Zalapata, and I will do it myself; I place at your disposal the small
boat we left behind."
"I shall make known your crime to your government," shouted the
Dictator, for nothing better to say.
"I shall be glad; perhaps it would be better to lay it before The
Hague Tribunal. The whole world will be interested in learning what a
cowardly wretch calls himself President of the Atlamalcan Republic."