A CHASE INTO THE PAMPAS COUNTRY.
They formed a startled group out in front of the Dartmoor Row, standing
in the white of the moonlight, and for fully a minute not a sound came
from them, except low moans from Mrs. Dartmoor’s lips. These, too,
suddenly ceased, and the woman fell toward her husband.
“Quick, Louis! Help me! Your mother has fainted!”
The boy sprang to his father’s side.
“We must carry her upstairs.”
Captain Saunders also hurried to assist, and the three bore the
deathlike mother to her bedroom, where restoratives were applied, and
she soon regained consciousness.
“There, I am better now,” she said, as soon as she could sit upright. “I
must go down and look for Rosita,” and she tried to struggle to her
feet.
“No. Please don’t try to do that,” urged her husband. “Louis will go,
and so will the captain, and with Señor Cisneros, Carl, and Harvey they
will do all that is possible. I shall remain by your side until you are
much better.”
Then he stepped over to Captain Saunders and whispered, “For God’s sake
do what you can!”
“Rest assured that I will,” was the reply, and he left the room with the
boys.
Below they saw Señor Cisneros walking slowly up and down the road, near
the end of the row. He was bent nearly double, and was carefully
examining the ground.
“Come here,” he finally called to those who were gathered near the door,
and when they had approached, he added, “Do you see these hoof prints,
rounding from the stables.”
“Yes,” they all exclaimed.
“Notice that they continue on in front of the houses about a hundred
feet and then stop.”
He had walked along while calling their attention to the marks that were
plain in the light-colored, sandy soil of the roadway.
“You are correct,” said Captain Saunders. “What does it mean?”
“First, let’s ascertain if they continue up the main road,” and turning,
he walked in the direction of Callao again.
“Yes,” he added, “they doubled over this stretch. Notice how confused
the imprints are, and now,” when they had passed the corner, “see, they
are plain again on the way to the city! Those girls, Rosita and Bella,
have been kidnapped.”
“Kidnapped? By whom?”
“By that scoundrelly Englishman and his ruffianly band. After leaving
the stables they made for the main road. At the corner they saw the
girls, and as they were only a few feet away, they picked them up and
dashed off again. We did not hear them nor the cries of the girls, which
of course were soon stifled, because we were so occupied in the court.”
“I _did_ hear a scream,” said Captain Saunders, “but paid no particular
attention, thinking one of the women servants had cried in alarm because
of the uproar in the stables. But, señor, for what reason would they
kidnap the girls?”
“For a ransom. That English renegade knows about the gold mine, and the
thought came to him at once to extort money. Here, Harvey, come back!”
The boy, who had started on a run, came to a halt.
“Where are you going?”
“After them,” he replied.
“You can do nothing alone and on foot. We’ll all start. Louis, are there
any horses in the neighborhood?”
He shook his head in negation.
“Oh, yes there are!” exclaimed Harvey, who had quickly returned. “There
are some at the fort.”
“Then hurry over there as fast as you can, explain to the commandante
what has happened, and ask him if he will lend us mounts. Louis, you go
with him, and Captain Saunders, let your son go also. It will take three
of them to bring back the horses.”
“Certainly. Make haste, Carl!”
The lads disappeared around the corner, and their footfalls could be
heard as they started to cross the peninsula.
The señor at once went upstairs, and returned with Mr. Dartmoor, who
looked over the ground as the others had done, and became convinced that
the Peruvian’s theory was correct.
“Mrs. Dartmoor is better,” he said, returning to the door. “Captain,
will you do me a favor?”
“Anything you ask.”
“Then remain with my wife, for I must join in this chase.”
“I shall do so willingly, if she needs any one.”
“Yes, she does; for her nerves are completely shattered, and I dare not
trust her alone.”
“Very well, I will remain. Would you like to have Carl accompany you?”
“By all means. We need as large a force as can be quickly mustered.”
They were upstairs again before this conversation was ended, and Mr.
Dartmoor, hastening to his wife, reassured her the best he could.
“I do not apprehend any harm will befall the girls, aside from a rough
ride,” he said. “Those marauders want money, that’s all.”
“You will pay them?”
“Yes, of course I will, should it be necessary; but I don’t think it
will be.”
“Hurry, then; oh, do hurry!”
“We will be off as soon as the horses come. It will be all right then
for me to go and leave Captain Saunders with you, dear?”
“Yes, yes. I really do not need any one—but if the captain could stay, I
should like to have him.”
“I am very glad that I can be of any service,” said Carl’s father. “And
let me assure you, Mrs. Dartmoor, that I feel convinced your daughter
and Señorita Caceras will soon be recovered.”
Meanwhile the men who were to go were making hurried preparations,
casting aside coats and vests, and donning flowing ponchos; also
exchanging shoes for high boots. Mr. Dartmoor went into the boys’ room
and gathered an armful of articles, which he thought his sons would
need, and which he carried downstairs so they might lose no time in
getting ready for the road.
“We’ll leave what we don’t want on the sidewalk,” he called to Captain
Saunders. “Please have one of the servants take them in.”
The clatter of hoofs sounded, and four horsemen dashed around the corner
and came to a sharp halt in a cloud of dust. Four other horses were
being led. The first to dismount was a little man clad in a brilliant
uniform of red and gold braid.
“General Matajente!” exclaimed Mr. Dartmoor, and he grasped the soldier
fiercely by the hand. “Thank God you have come!”
“Rosita and Bella kidnapped!” replied the officer. “Never fear, we will
soon be up with them.”
“Hurry, boys! dismount and make ready!” and Mr. Dartmoor pointed to the
clothing that lay on the pavement.
So expeditious were the lads that they were fully equipped by the time
the men had tightened their saddle girths.
“Have you weapons?” asked the general, as they all prepared to mount.
Mr. Dartmoor made an affirmative gesture.
“And the boys?”
“Each has a revolver. I have permitted them to carry firearms since
these dangerous times began.”
“Then let’s be off!”
They started at a canter up the road to Callao, knowing the wisdom of
not urging the horses at the start. As for the course they pursued, the
topography of the land was such that the marauders could have taken no
other. In the city they received information that directed them still
farther. A policeman near the English railway station had seen the
soldiers going rapidly to the northeast. Yes, he had noticed two
señoritas in the party, and he had believed the troops were escorting
them. Did they call out? No.
“Then,” said General Matajente, “they must have been gagged, or else the
scoundrels rode close and threatened them. Tell me,” he inquired of the
policeman, “were the señoritas mounted—each on a horse by herself?”
“Yes, señor commandante.”
“Forward, then!” And the party started across the city in the direction
indicated. At the farther end, not far from the Baños del Oroya, they
came upon a sentinel on guard near an artillery camp, and from him they
also secured information. The kidnappers had passed on beyond Callao,
going in the same general direction.
“They have taken the road to Bella Vista, that’s certain. Now we can go
faster.”
Spurs were pressed to flanks, whips were let fall, and the horses dashed
forward on a run. The three men were in front and the boys close behind.
The animals that had been brought from the Santa Rosa fort were the best
in the stables, for General Matajente, who had been the guest, during
the evening, of the commanding officer, and had heard Louis’s and
Harvey’s petition for steeds, had warmly seconded their request and
finally had selected the mounts himself. Accustomed to command, the
little officer had unconsciously taken the head of the party; and Mr.
Dartmoor was rejoiced thereat, for the courage and ability of the
general had been tested many times, and was known to equal that of any
man in the service of Peru.
It is two miles from Callao to Bella Vista, and within five minutes
after leaving the city they drew rein in the little settlement, their
horses snorting, with heads uplifted, necks arched, flecks of foam
dropping from their mouths, and sweat commencing to show on their
shoulders.
“Two roads branch from here,” said the general, “and we must decide
quickly which to take. Señor Cisneros, perhaps you can aid us again.”
The resident of Huari had already dismounted, and he went at once to the
fork, then walked rapidly in a stooping posture along the highway to the
right. It was still bright moonlight and would be for several hours, so
that he had little difficulty in scanning the ground. After going a
hundred feet or so, he returned with the information that no one had
recently passed that way, except a party of two or three, and they had
moved at a walk. Then he moved over the left branch, going even farther
this time, and upon returning he said:—
“Not a person has passed over this road on horseback in the last
twenty-four hours.”
They looked at one another in alarm. Had a mistake been made and all
this time wasted? Who had given the wrong direction, the policeman or
the soldier?
But suddenly the general exclaimed: “There may be a clever rogue in that
party. To horse, señor! I have a plan,” and riding forward, he led them
along the road that branched to the left.
“Where can he be going?” asked Mr. Dartmoor. “He must realize that every
moment counts.”
“He believes they made a detour, and so do I,” replied Señor Cisneros.
The general rode at a rapid gait full a quarter of a mile, bending down
close to the saddle, his head almost on a level with his horse’s neck,
scanning the white roadway; then, drawing rein suddenly, he exclaimed in
a triumphant tone:—
“Try it again, señor, at this point.”
Señor Cisneros was no sooner on his feet than he said: “Yes, here are
the tracks! They came out of the short grass at this point.”
“And they entered it below Bella Vista, believing they could throw us
off the trail!” added General Matajente. “Now I think we have them. The
road is straight to the Rimac, then follows along its bank for ten
miles, and after that comes a bridle-path up the hills. Forward! Not too
fast, señores! Easy with the horses for a few minutes, then we’ll let
them out!”
They rode close. No words were exchanged; the only sounds were the
hoof-beats and the hoarse breathing of the horses. The speed was
increased gradually, General Matajente setting the pace, and soon the
gnarled cacti and dwarf shrubs of the pampas country seemed to pass them
by as do objects seen from the window of a train. A half hour of this
riding brought a mass of vegetation in sight ahead: rows of bamboos,
palms, and willows. The soil became more fertile; thick, heavy grass,
dotted here and there with yellow lilies, took the place of the dry
vegetation.
They had reached the valley of the Rimac. From the dense underbrush on
each side darted birds; the cries of others sounded. A silver thread
shone between an opening in the woods ahead, and in another minute the
road turned more to the east, commenced to follow the wanderings of the
river, and became no longer level but slightly up grade.
“Halt!” said General Matajente, and when they had drawn rein he added:
“A five minutes’ rest now may be worth a mile of extra speed later.
Everybody dismount! Now let’s lead the animals to the bank and let them
drink. But only a little. Remember, boys, only a swallow or two. Beat
them back if you have to.”
They did as he directed, and had no little trouble restraining the
heated, panting animals; then returned to the road again and waited by
the horses’ sides until the word was given to mount, when they started
once more, convinced that they were on the right track, for all had been
able to see the imprints of hoofs on the roadway.
“The scoundrels didn’t stop to water here,” said General Matajente to
Mr. Dartmoor, when they were riding again. “They probably tried it
farther along and failed, for the banks are too high. I tell you, my
friend, we’ve got them!”
The iron merchant reached out his hand and grasped that which the little
officer had extended. No further words were exchanged, for the father
was too choked for utterance.
Fragrance from heliotrope bushes came to them, borne on the light wind
that swept down from the mountains. The road turned frequently, and at
no time could they see far ahead; it was thrown into shadow in places by
dense grasses, and in others stretched away in clear moonlight. On they
rode, faster and faster, the horses needing very little urging, for they
sprang forward gladly in the clear, cool night. An hour passed without a
word being said by any one, then the silence was broken by the general.
“They should not be far off now. I don’t believe they had over a half
hour’s start, and they do not know how to save their horses. Besides,
the most of the animals they have cannot compare with these. Of course
those which they took from your stables are runners, but all the others
must be ordinary cavalry mounts.”
Mr. Dartmoor nodded his head, to signify that he understood, but he did
not speak.
Still they rode on, sweeping under willows that touched their heads and
shoulders, curving in and out between the bamboo rows, at times near the
river, again several rods from the bank, following the winding road that
by this time had narrowed so that only two could ride abreast, and was
increasing in up grade. They had passed through an unusually long
stretch of forest and had emerged into an equally long reach of roadway,
lighted by the moon, which was still about two hours high—for it was
nearly midnight—when General Matajente yelled:—
“There they are!” and pointed to markings straight ahead that at first
looked like tall bushes, indicating another turn, but which a second
glance told were moving.
A burst of speed followed his exclamation, for reins had been loosened,
rowels dug into the horses feverishly, and whips let fall. The pursued
were not a quarter of a mile distant and the pursuers were rapidly
nearing them, for the shadows grew in size. Indeed, they grew so rapidly
that the general looked with care, and then cried sharply, “Halt!”
catching Mr. Dartmoor’s horse by the bridle, throwing both the front
animals almost on their haunches and bringing those behind to a stand.
“What do you mean?” exclaimed the iron merchant, angrily. He had drawn
his revolver.
“You must not fire. Remember the girls are with them.”
Mr. Dartmoor replaced the weapon in his pocket. “But why do we stop?” he
asked.
“They have stopped. And see, one of the band is coming to meet us. They
want to parley. Let me speak with him, will you?”
“Yes, yes, and pardon me, general.”
The little officer rode ahead a few paces, and Señor Cisneros moved up
to Mr. Dartmoor’s side, then all pressed closer.
A man clad in a ragged uniform came riding slowly from the group beyond.
“Well, what is it, fellow?” said the officer.
“General Matajente!” The tone showed the surprise felt by the bandit,
but noticing the small numbers behind the intrepid warrior, he regained
courage and said insolently:—
“Our captain wants money.”
“Who, pray, is your captain?”
“Captain Alfred. He sends word that the señoritas must be paid for.”
“If I did right, I would shoot you down, you dog.”
“Then they would kill the señoritas.”
“And what would happen to the murderers?”
The bandit shrugged his shoulders. “We are forty and you are six,” he
said.
“So many as that!” General Matajente was heard to murmur; then aloud he
said, “What do you propose?”
“The captain wants twenty thousand pesos (dollars), señor commandante,
and he will release the señoritas unharmed.”
“And if he is refused?”
The bandit drew his hand across his throat significantly.
“Stop!” implored Señor Cisneros, seizing Mr. Dartmoor’s bridle rein.
“Twenty thousand dollars! You don’t suppose we’ve anywhere near that sum
at our command!”
“Our captain says that you can get it, señor commandante. He knows of
the gold mine.”
“But even if we could get the money, it would take a long time. Will you
return the señoritas to us if we promise to pay?”
“I will ask the captain,” was the answer, and the man rode back. He soon
returned. “No, señor commandante. The captain will keep the señoritas,
and they will be taken to our camp near Chosica. He promises they will
be unharmed if you will do what he says.”
“What is that?”
“Return to Callao, secure the money, then two of you, not more, come to
Chosica twenty-four hours from now. We shall be able to see you
approaching a mile away. If more than two come, it will be useless, for
no one will appear; but if you do as the captain says, the señoritas
will be delivered to you.”
“That can never be!” exclaimed Mr. Dartmoor. “Twenty-four hours in those
rascals’ hands! The girls had better be dead. Let’s advance, general.”
“Please don’t interfere,” urged the officer. Then to the bandit he said,
“What do you suppose will happen to you later?”
“_Quien sabe?_” (who knows) and he shrugged his shoulders again. “We
shall have the money.”
Harvey pushed forward his horse just then to the side of General
Matajente, and began to whisper earnestly in his ear. After a few
minutes the officer said:—
“This young man wishes to return with you and reassure his sister and
her companion. Will you take him?”
“What answer shall I give the captain?”
“That depends upon whether the señoritas are unharmed and whether you do
what we ask. When the boy returns you come with him and we will give the
reply.”
“Very well, señor commandante. I can see no harm in that,” and wheeling
his horse he went back over the road, with the boy following.
As soon as they were out of earshot General Matajente said earnestly:—
“When they return, hold your horses ready for a sudden dash. Draw your
revolvers, but keep them concealed.”
“What do you propose?” asked Señor Cisneros.
“I do not understand clearly myself, as yet. Harvey has formed some
plan, and will tell more when he has seen his sister and Señorita
Caceras!”
The lad had indeed thought of a way to outwit the bandits. It came to
him suddenly, and was not fully matured even when he started from
General Matajente’s side, but as he rode on he saw more clearly, and his
heart beat fast and the blood surged to his cheeks. “If they are only
mounted on Nigger and Tom,” he thought. “If they only——”
His guide stopped further reflection by the sharp command, “Wait here,
while I ride on,” and Harvey reined in his horse under an ironwood tree,
about fifty yards from the group, which could now be seen distinctly
ahead.
The envoy evidently conferred with the leader, for after a few minutes
another voice called out, “Ride up! quick now!” and the boy urged his
horse forward. He was permitted to approach within a few feet, and there
he saw his sister and her friend, both mounted on horses and seated
astride.
“Thank God!” he thought, “Rosita is on Nigger and Bella is on Tom.”
The girls were not bound, nor were they gagged, but forming a semicircle
behind and at the sides of them, partly in the road and partly in the
long grass, were a dozen mounted bandits, revolvers shining in their
hands. The girls were very pale, but did not appear to have been injured
in any way. They looked like ghosts there in the moonlight, clad in the
white dresses they had donned for the evening at Chucuito. They were
strangely silent, and the only greeting given Harvey was with their
wild, staring eyes.
The man who had called out rode from the centre, and Harvey saw that he
was Alfred, the discharged servant.
“Want to speak with your sister, eh, boy? Well, you can. They’re all
right. Yes, you may answer,” he added, turning to the girls. “You see,
we told them we’d blow their brains out if they said anything.”
“Oh, Harvey! Save us! Save us! Isn’t papa coming?”
“It will be all right, Rosita,” the boy answered nervously. “Have you
been hurt?”
“No, not much. My side pains me, for I was lifted suddenly into the
saddle.”
“How are you, Bella?”
The Peruvian girl, who had not yet spoken, answered hurriedly and
somewhat wildly, “It’s horrible! horrible!”
Harvey gained control of himself by an effort, and said: “We’re going to
get you out of this all right. Don’t worry any more. I’ve got to go now.
Keep up your courage.”
As he turned his horse, the bandit who had been an envoy rode out from
the bushes to his side.
“One moment,” said the leader, and Harvey drew rein.
“You can tell your father and the others that the girls are in front and
we propose to keep them there. If any of you fire, they will be hit
first. Now go back, and I think you will advise the old gentleman to
pay.”
On the return trip Harvey continued saying to himself, “Rosita is on
Nigger and Bella on Tom.”
“How are they, my son?” called Mr. Dartmoor, as soon as the two were
within hailing distance.
“They have not been hurt,” replied the boy, who then rode rapidly to the
side of General Matajente.
“The captain wants his answer, señor commandante,” exclaimed the bandit.
“Just a minute; wait till I hear the lad’s report.”
Meanwhile Harvey had been whispering rapidly: “The girls are on our
horses, Rosita on Louis’s and Bella on mine. They are the swiftest
horses in Chucuito. Both are several steps in advance of the men, and no
one is touching them. They are good riders. Shall I do it?”
“Yes, and God help you. Quick now!”
The boy swung his horse round, and rising from his saddle yelled at the
top of his voice:—
“_Coo-ee! Coo-ee!_”
It was a call used by brothers and sister. When out riding, if they
became separated and wished to attract one another’s attention, this was
their signal. It meant to hurry as well.
“_Coo-ee! Coo-ee!_”
Horses had learned the call, as well as the boys and the girl. The
animals always pricked their ears and started toward the sound when it
rang out.
“_Coo-ee! Coo-ee!_”
A sharp ring of hoofs; a scream from up the road—a scream, the
intonation of which showed that the one who gave vent to it understood.
Quick as a flash General Matajente wheeled his horse, dashed up to the
solitary bandit, and gave him a blow on the head with the butt of his
revolver that caused the man to reel and fall from his saddle.
“Open ranks there!” called the general. “Let the girls through!”
Two black streaks, bearing fluffy burdens of white, were moving swiftly
down the moonlit road, followed several yards behind by a dense mass,
from which came cries and yells.
“Close in after the girls, Dartmoor and Cisneros!” ordered the little
officer. “Carl and Louis go next! Harvey, stay with me!”
On came Nigger and Tom, gaining with every stride of their magnificent
limbs; on into their midst and through them, down the road, and as they
went the two men and two boys followed and covered the retreat.
“Fire!” called General Matajente, who had taken his revolver from a
saddle pouch. Two shots rang out, one from his weapon and one discharged
by Harvey. A man fell from the front rank of those who pursued, a horse
toppled over, and there was confusion in the mass.
“Now ride for it!” called the general, and off the two started, down the
road, following the others.
Soon cries came again from the rear, horses at a gallop were heard, and
an intermittent firing began. But the bandits were riding hard and their
aim was poor.
[Illustration: “Two black streaks, bearing fluffy burdens of white, were
moving swiftly down the moonlit road.”]
“On with you!” exclaimed General Matajente, digging spurs into his
horse. “Ah! What’s that?” and he pointed to a dense mass ahead of them,
ahead even of the girls and their escorts, a mass that was coming
forward swiftly. “Cavalry! The commandante of Santa Rosa fort! He said
that he would follow.”
It was indeed a squadron, and the ranks opened to let the fugitives pass
through, then re-formed with General Matajente at the head. The bandits,
not seeing the increased force because of a turn in the road, came on
wildly, and were met by a withering volley from carbines. There was a
short, sharp struggle, and in five minutes twenty men lay dead or
wounded on the ground, and a score more had been made prisoners.
Then all rode back to Callao, Rosita still on Nigger, close by her
father’s side, while Bella Caceras, on Tom, had Louis and Harvey as
escorts.