ACAUHTZIN.
Here, where mingle rocks and sands,
Phantom-like the city stands,
Looming vague and ghostly pale,
Through the dawning's misty veil.
Day and night, and night and day,
At the foot of ramparts grey;
Just a stone-throw up the shore
Ever-hungry surges roar,
As they would rejoice to tear
From her heights that city fair,
Where, engirt by forests green,
Proud she sits, a laurelled queen;
Dim the mighty fabric gleams,
As thought-built in magic dreams,
'Tis some palace city hoary,
Famed in song for golden glory,
Which, at dawn, will fade away,
In the traitor light of day.
The city of Acauhtzin was not unlike the capital in appearance, though
it differed from Tlatonac in being built on a projecting point of land,
instead of on a hill. On either side were mountains, partially
enclosing a deep basin, wherein the war-ships were anchored, and on a
tongue of rock jutting into the centre of this pool the city was built.
The walls white and glistening, arose sheer from the rocky cliffs and
above them only a few steeples and towers could be seen. The walls
encompassing the tongue of rock formed a kind of citadel, and then ran
along the inshore for some distance on each side, terminating in
well-defended forts. At the back of the city arose a high mountain,
clothed with green forests, from amidst which a mighty peak of snow
shot up grandly into the blue sky.
Philip saw all this when the yacht was some distance away, and at once
pronounced his opinion of the place.
"It is like Valetta," he said, handing the glass to Jack. "The city is
built, on a tongue of land, the walls rise in the same precipitous
fashion, and there are harbours on either side. Were it not for that
mighty peak, and the mountains to right and left, it would be the
Valetta of the old world."
On the flag-tower of the principal fort floated the banner of the
insurgent leader, the same in all respects as that of the Republic,
save that the colour was red instead of yellow. The Harlequin Opal was
so interwoven with the history and superstitions of the Cholacacans
that Xuarez could not afford to dispense with so powerful a symbol, and
on the crimson ground of the flag gleamed the representation of the
stone, shooting its myriad rays. At the entrance of the harbour were
anchored two heavily armed war-ships, which Don Rafael recognised as
_The Cortes_ and _The Columbus_. His own vessel, _The Pizarro_, lay
further in to the shore, almost across the gate which pierced the wall
of the great fort, and gave admission to the city.
With the Union Jack flying at her masthead _The Bohemian_ steamed
boldly into the harbour between the threatening bulk of the two
men-of-war. Through their glasses, those on board the yacht could see
there was much excitement at her unexpected appearance both on the
ships and on shore. A crowd of people poured out of the gate like a
swarm of bees, as _The Bohemian_, slowing down her engines, swung
gracefully to anchor beside _The Pizarro_. Just as she cleared the
war-ships at the entrance, a puff of smoke broke from the black sides
of _The Cortes_, whereat Tim uttered an exclamation of rage.
"It's insulting the flag they are!"
"No. Blank cartridge," replied Philip, shrewdly; "they are saluting the
Union Jack. Don Hypolito evidently wants to stand well with England.
See, they are dipping their flags."
The three war-ships lowered their pennants for a moment, in salutation
to the English flag, and then ran them up again to the masthead. Philip
had by this time brought _The Bohemian_ directly under the guns of
the forts; so that, in any event, she would be safe. The forts could
not depress their guns sufficiently to damage her, and the war-ships
would not dare to fire lest they should injure the ramparts of the
town.
Making everything safe by this artful manoeuvre Philip, with the
sanction of Don Alonzo, hauled down the Union Jack, to hoist the
Republican banner. At first the forts thought the English ship was
responding to their salute, and several guns thundered a welcome to the
stranger, while the crowd on the shore cheered lustily. All these
greetings, however, were changed to cries of anger when the yellow
banner of Tlatonac flew up to the masthead of _The Bohemian_. Without
doubt, had the yacht been outside, the war-ships would have opened fire
on this audacious vessel, to make her pay for such insolence; but
Philip, being safe under the walls of the fort, could fly the flag with
impunity.
The crowd on the beach and wharf roared with rage, as they saw the
hated ensign, and recognised the fact that by this audacious piece of
strategy a band of their enemies had gained admission into the very
heart of their harbour. Had those on shore been able to get on board
_The Bohemian_ it would have gone ill with Philip and his friends;
but, fortunately, the yacht had cast anchor some distance away, by the
side of _The Pizarro_. The crew of the war-ship lined the side of
their vessel to look at the daring intruder, and seeing this, Don
Rafael, suppressing all outward signs of rage, swore fluently to
himself as he recognised the renegades.
In a remarkably short space of time, a boat with the rebel flag hanging
over its stern pulled out from the shore, and in a few minutes came
alongside _The Bohemian_. A ladder was thrown over at once, and there
stepped on deck Don José de Tejada, accompanied by a few officers. He
recognised Don Alonzo and his friends at once, for they had been
intimates of his before the outbreak of this fratricidal war.
"Don Rafael! Don Alonzo," said Tejada, in astonishment. "What is the
meaning of this, Señores? and how have you the hardihood to display the
flag of Tlatonac under the guns of Acauhtzin?"
"I, the Intendante, with these gentlemen, have come hither on a mission
to Don Hypolito Xuarez from the Junta of Cholacaca."
"Oh, you would make peace. The Junta fears the result of an appeal to
arms."
"Carajo, no!" cried Garibay, clapping his hand to his sword. "The Junta
fears nothing; much less the rebel Xuarez."
"Beware, Señor," said Tejada, as several of his officers muttered
angrily; "I cannot protect you, if thus you speak of our honoured
President."
"President!" cried Rafael, in a rage.
"Yes; the President of Cholacaca."
"Don Francisco Gomez is President?"
"By the will of the aristocrats," said Don José fiercely; "but Don
Hypolito Xuarez is President by the will of the people."
"Enough of this," exclaimed the Intendante, waving his hand; "we are
here under a flag of truce. Even you, Señor, must respect that. We will
deliver our message to Xuarez, and depart unharmed."
"That is as Don Hypolito wills it."
"Your pardon, Señor," interposed Philip, taking off his yachting cap;
"this is an English vessel, and as such you dare not seize her."
"I recognise no vessel as English under those colours," said Tejada,
fiercely, pointing to the opal banner.
"Bueno! I will endeavour to remove your prejudice."
In another moment Philip had given orders to Benker, and the Union Jack
was flying at the other masthead.
"You must respect our neutrality now, Señor."
Don José bit his lip, and turning to one of his officers, gave an
order. The soldier bowed, dropped over the side of the yacht, and went
ashore in the boat.
"I have sent to tell Don Hypolito that an embassy has come from
Tlatonac," said Tejada, addressing the Intendante with marked coldness;
"in ten or fifteen minutes you shall know his decision."
"He must receive us, Señor."
"No doubt; but the question is, will he let you depart?"
"By the law of nations, which recognises the white flag, he must let us
go as we came, unharmed."
"Had you not sailed under the English ensign, you would not have got
into the harbour so easily. This boat would be now sunk by the guns of
_The Cortes_."
"I thought as much," said Philip, easily; "therefore I flew a flag
which even you had to respect."
"And may I ask, Señores," sneered Don José, with elaborate politeness,
"under which flag you sail? the English, the Opal, or the White?"
"Under the white," replied Garibay, promptly.
"Good! Then lower those two banners, and run up the white flag."
"I'll see you hanged first!" retorted Philip, bluntly. "This is an
English vessel, and I defy you to touch it or the flag."
Tejada blushed red with rage, for he knew that Xuarez, anxious to stand
well in his quarrel with the great nations of Europe, would not dare to
insult the Union Jack. In fact, seeing that the deputation had arrived
in an English vessel, Tejada was well assured in his own mind that it
would be received and sent away with the utmost courtesy, let their
message from the Junta be galling as it might be. Xuarez was no
barbarian, and in any case would have treated a flag of truce with
honour, but the presence of these English gentlemen, of this English
ship, put the matter beyond all doubt.
Under these circumstances, Tejada was unable to reply to Sir Philip;
but suppressing his wrath with a great effort, bowed politely and
turned away. As he did so, Don Rafael sprang forward, as also did Jack,
both eager to learn if Dolores was in the town.
"I will speak, amigo," said Rafael, hurriedly to Jack. "I know Don
José, as my private friend, though public enemy; he will answer me."
"Your servant, Señor!" remarked Tejada, stiffly, finding himself face
to face with Don Rafael.
"Señor," said the young man, taking off his sombrero with ceremonious
politeness, "we are enemies because we follow different leaders; but I
implore you, by the friendship which once existed between us, to answer
a question I would ask."
"Surely, Señor! You were ever welcome at my table, in time of peace. As
you say, we are now enemies; but God forbid that this unhappy war
should banish all courtesies between gentlemen. What question do you
wish to put, Señor? It shall be answered."
"Is my cousin--is Doña Dolores at Acauhtzin?"
Tejada started, and seemed much surprised.
"No, Señor Maraquando, she is not here. Why ask me such a strange
question?"
"Not here!" cried Jack, who also knew Tejada well; "but she must be
here, Señor Tejada; she has been carried off from Tlatonac, taken on
board yonder vessel,"--pointing to _The Pizarro_--"and is now in
Acauhtzin with Don Hypolito."
"I swear to you, Señor Duval, that you wrong us. You wrong Don
Hypolito," replied Don José, earnestly. "I am aware that our leader
loves Doña Dolores, and desires to marry her, but he would not carry
her off so basely. No, Señor," continued Tejada, proudly; "we are men
of honour, we do not make war on women. When Don Hypolito conquers, he
will ask for the honour of Doña Dolores' hand in due form. She is not
here, I swear."
"Great Heavens!" cried Jack, in despair. "Can this be true?"
"Don José," said Rafael, eagerly, "I know you to be a man of honour. I
do not doubt your word; but I feel sure that my cousin is here."
"Señor!"
"I do not say that you know, or are deceiving me," went on Rafael,
rapidly. "But look you, Don José. There is a zambo called Pepe, who
acted as a spy for your party at Tlatonac. The other night he decoyed
my cousin from the cathedral on board _The Pizarro_. A fisherman saw
Pepe rowing to the war-ship, with a female in his boat."
"Bueno! That is so," interrupted Tejada, bluntly; "but the woman was a
poblana--one Marina."
"Marina!" cried Duval, savagely. "Then I have been tricked. We have all
been wrong! Doña Dolores must be with the Indians."
"I trust, Señor, your fears are groundless; but if Doña Dolores is with
the Indians, she will be quite safe. They reverence her as the guardian
of the Chalchuih Tlatonac."
"Does Don Hypolito know anything about the Indians?" asked Rafael,
hurriedly.
"That question, Señor, I am not at liberty to answer."
Rafael cast one swift and penetrating glance at the impassive face of
the old man, and turned away with a suppressed oath.
"Carrai!" he muttered, fiercely, to Philip, who stood by, a silent
spectator. "I believe Xuarez is in league with the Indians, and has
made them carry her off. If she is not here, she is at that hidden
temple; but, in either case, Don Hypolito is mixed up with the case."
"In my humble opinion, she is at Acauhtzin," said Philip, quietly. "Don
José does not know all the black dealings of Xuarez's heart. Cheer up,
my dear Jack, we will soon see Don Hypolito, and wring the truth from
him."
Jack muttered something indistinctly, and turned away, whereon Philip,
taking him kindly by the arm, led him down to the saloon, with the
intention of giving him such consolation as he was able.
"If she is here, Xuarez must know," said Philip, earnestly; "and if he
knows, he will not be able to deceive me. I can read most faces, and it
will be strange indeed if Don Hypolito's is the first to baffle me."
"Don José denies everything."
"Yes; because Don José knows nothing. That old man is a pompous old
ass, like the Intendante. Many things could take place under his nose
without his being any the wiser. Drink this glass of wine, my dear lad,
and keep up your spirits. We will find Dolores yet."
Duval was so overcome by the loss of Dolores that he submitted to
Philip's orders like a child, and obediently drank the wine poured out
for him. In most emergencies, Jack would have been ready to act at once
with a cool head, and iron nerve; but Dolores was very dear to him, and
her loss had rendered him useless for the moment--in other words, the
shock had paralysed his will.
After Philip had succeeded in putting some heart into the poor fellow,
he insisted on his coming on deck, and they ascended thereto just in
time to see the return of the officer sent by Tejada to Don Hypolito.
The messenger walked straight up to Don José, and gave the reply of
Xuarez, on hearing which, Tejada turned towards the waiting Intendante.
"His Excellency Don Hypolito Xuarez will see you at his palace."
Don Alonzo almost choked with rage at hearing these terms applied to a
rebel like Xuarez, but managed to bow with tolerably good grace. He
moved towards the side of the yacht, and scrambled down into the boat
in a somewhat ungraceful fashion for an ambassador. Colonel Garibay,
Don Rafael, and the Englishmen followed, together with Tejada and his
staff.
Tim, who had been fraternising with the rebels, showed his note-book to
Jack, filled with shorthand notes.
"I've got no end of information," he said gleefully; "and when I get
back to Tlatonac, it goes to the _Morning Planet_ straight."
"That is if we ever do get back," said Jack, gloomily.
"Of course we will, you pessimist; and, what's more, we'll take back
Doña Dolores with us."
"Do you think she is here, then, after all?" asked Duval, with reviving
hope.
Tim winked in a vulgar fashion.
"A word in your ear, Jack," he said, jerking his head in the direction
of the pompous Tejada. "That old man's a liar. The pretty colleen is
here, and Don José knows it? but she's not with Don Hypolito."
"Then where do you think she is?"
"With Rafael's sweetheart, no less; the old man's daughter."
"Doña Carmencita?"
"You've hit it."
Jack would have questioned Tim further, so as to learn his grounds for
such a belief, but just then the boat touched the stone steps of the
wharf. The embassy stepped ashore, and waited till the soldiers of
Tlatonac arrived. Don Alonzo, with a due regard for the dignity of the
Republic, refused to move until his bodyguard came on shore. In a few
minutes, the soldiers landed, under the command of Captain Velez, and
thus escorted, the ambassador of the Republic moved slowly forward,
beneath the mighty arch which led into the heart of the rebel capital.
"We've got in, Señor," whispered Rafael to Philip with sudden doubt;
"but I hope we shall be able to get out."
Philip pointed back to the Union Jack, which could be seen in the
distance at the yacht's masthead.
"While that flag is there I have no fear, Don Rafael."