CHAPTER V.
ESCAPE FROM THE LIBERTADOR.
During the hours which followed--hours that seemed like ages--theimprisoned trio were aware of a great commotion on deck, and Jackassured his companions that the _Libertador_ had come to anchor.
"We are in some port near Maracaibo," he said. "I feel very sure ofthat."
"If we were only free," said Harrie, "there might be a possibility thatwe could get away. It begins to look as if we are not going to regainour freedom."
"I wish we had resisted them," exclaimed the more impulsive Ronie. "Iknow we could have overpowered them."
"It would have done no good in the end," replied Jack. "In fact, itwould have worked against us in almost any turn affairs may take. Incase we do escape, we shall be able to show that we have not givencause for this treatment. The United States Government will see thatwe are recompensed for this."
"If we live to get out of it," said Ronie.
"That is an important consideration, I allow," declared Jack. "But Inever permit myself to worry over my misfortunes. So long as there islife there is hope."
"I wonder if Francisco knows of this," said Ronie.
"If he does, and he must learn of it sooner or later, he will come tous if it is in his power," replied Harrie, whose faith in the outlawedVenezuelan was greater than his companions'.
Some time later, just how long they had no way of knowing, it becameevident to them that the _Libertador_ was again upon the move. Whitherwere they bound? No one had come near them, and so long had they beenwithout food and drink that they began to feel the effects. Had theybeen forgotten by their captors, or was it a premeditated plan to killthem by starvation and thirst? Such questions as these filled theirminds and occupied most of their conversation.
"I wonder where Colonel Marchand thinks we are?" asked Harrie.
"I tell you what let's do, boys," suggested the fertile Jack Greenland."Let's remind them that we are human beings, and that we must have foodand drink or perish. Now, together, let us call for water!"
The young engineers were not loath to do this, and a minute later, aswith one voice that rang out loud and deep in that narrow place ofconfinement, they shouted three times in succession:
"Water! water! water!"
This cry they repeated at intervals for the next half hour withoutbringing any one to their side, when they relapsed into silence. Butit was not long before an officer and two companions brought them bothfood and drink. They partook of these while their captors stood grimlyover them, ready to return the irons to their wrists as soon as theyhad finished their simple meal. The only reply they could get to theirquestions was an ominous shake of the head from the leader of theparty. So Jack gave up, and he and his companions relapsed intosilence which was not broken until the disappearance of the men.
"This beats everything I ever met with," declared Jack, "though I mustconfess I have been in some peculiar situations in my time."
Nothing further occurred to break the monotony of their captivity forwhat they judged to be several hours. Then they suddenly became awareof a person approaching them in a stealthy manner. At a loss to knowwho could be creeping upon them in such a manner, they could onlyremain silent till the mystery should be solved. This was done in amost unexpected way by a voice that had a familiar sound to it, thoughit spoke scarcely above a whisper:
"Have no fear, senors, it is I."
The speaker was Francisco de Caprian, and he was not long in gainingtheir side.
"How fares it with you, senors?"
"Poorly," replied Jack, speaking for his captors as well as himself."What does this mean?"
"I cannot stop to explain now. This ship is now bound to PortoColombia for some repairs. It stopped off Maracaibo to land GeneralRiera and his staff. From what I have overheard the present commanderwill leave her there, and one of Matos' more intimate followers willbecome the captain. It is possible we may fare better in PortoColombia than out to sea here. But I am not certain. The captainseems concerned over what to do with you, and desperate measures may becarried out. I cannot say. But one fact remains. Every moment we arebeing carried farther and farther from Caracas. As far as I could Ihave arranged for immediate flight. I have bribed a sailor, who willhelp us get a boat. The night promises to be dark, which willmaterially aid us in escaping. But there is a lookout who stands infear of his life lest he lets anything pass his gaze. It is not morethan an even chance that we can succeed in evading him and the others.Do you care to take that chance with me, senors, or remain here andpossibly escape with more or less harm?"
"For one," said Ronie, "I am in favor of getting away as soon aspossible."
"Will it be possible for us to take our trunk with us?" asked Harrie."We can ill afford to lose that."
"I thought as much, senor," replied Francisco. "I think we can manageto take it along."
Though it was too dark for them to see the countenance of theircompanion, the young engineers looked anxiously toward him while theywaited for his answer. Jack spoke in a moment:
"I know how you feel, boys, and I think I have some of that spiritmyself. I have always found, too, that the bold dash for freedomalways counted best. If you think we had better take our chances now,I am with you, by the horn of rock--Gibraltar, if you please!"
"Good!" exclaimed Harrie and Ronie together. "You hear, Francisco,that we are going with you?"
"_Si, senors_. We will begin at once. For I will free you from thoseirons. Then you must follow my directions to the letter."
While he was speaking Francisco began to work upon the manacles uponRonie's wrists, and he showed that he had come prepared for his task,as inside of five minutes the three were free, very much to theirrelief.
"Now," said Francisco, "you had better remain quietly here for what youjudge to be an hour. Then you come upon deck, being careful to getastern without being seen. During this interval of waiting I will havea boat in readiness, and be prepared to lower your chest into it atshort notice. You will have to bring this with you, and if it is tooheavy to handle easily and rapidly, I should advise you to removewhatever of its contents you can spare. You understand?"
"We do, Francisco, and we will not fail to be on hand."
"I will be there to assist you. In case I fail to accomplish mypurpose in getting the boat, you will hear an alarm, in which case youhad better replace your irons and stay where you are until theexcitement blows over. Under these circumstances it will be for yourinterest to look out for yourselves, as you will know that I cannothelp you."
"We shall not desert you," replied the young engineers, while theyclasped his hands as he started to leave them.
"He is a brave fellow, and thoroughly unselfish," said Harrie.
Exchanging now and then a few words, they waited and listened while thesilence remained unbroken. At times the sound of footsteps reachedtheir ears, and constantly the steady swish of waters, but nothing towarn them that the plans of Francisco had miscarried.
"The hour must be passed," declared Jack at last.
"And we must be moving," added Ronie.
"Can you find your chest easily?" asked the first.
"I think so," replied Harrie. "Follow me."
The next five minutes were occupied in reaching the deck with theirburden. Upon feeling the salt sea breath the three breathed easier,while they glanced about to see if the way was clear. As Francisco hadprophesied, the night was quite dark, though there were signs in thewest that the clouds were breaking away. No one was to be seen nearby,and silently the three stole along toward the place where they expectedto meet Francisco, bearing the chest containing the instruments, chartsand papers of the young engineers. Fortunately, this was small, asthey had not taken more than was necessary.
Harrie and Ronie bore this between them, while Jack followed with everysense strained to catch the first sight or hear the first movement oftheir enemies. In this way they had passed half the distance,
and hadcaught a glimpse of one ahead whom they believed to be their friend,when a sharp voice rang out an alarm that for a moment fairly took awaytheir breath. Before they had fairly recovered the cry was answeredfrom the fore part of the vessel, and they realized that their flighthad been discovered.
"Quick, senors!" called Francisco. "In a moment we shall be too late."
Ronie and Harrie quickened their advance, while Jack prepared to meetthe enemy hand-to-hand, if it should be necessary, while he kept closebeside his companions.
"The boat is ready," said Francisco. "Let me fasten the rope about thechest. If we can lower that before they get here, we will give themthe slip."
Already they could hear the crew of the _Libertador_ rushing wildlyabout, uttering confusing cries, which told that they had little ideaof what was taking place, the majority doubtless thinking they had beenattacked by some unknown and mysterious foes. Above this medley ofvoices rang the stern command of the captain, trying to bring order outof the excitement.
Francisco had now arranged the rope about the chest, and then it waslowered down the ship's side, rapidly, hand over hand.
"They are coming!" exclaimed Jack, hoarsely. "If I only had a weaponof some kind I would show them the mettle of my arm."
"Over the rail!" said Francisco, and he and Harrie shot down the lineat a furious rate. But before Ronie and Jack could follow they foundtheir retreat cut off, and themselves confronted by a dozen armed men,with others coming swiftly toward the scene.