CHAPTER XI
A BOLD COURSE
Out from the dense maze of bushes and trees came Pedro, the half-breedally of Jose d'Arousta, picking his way gingerly along the narrowfootpath, and evidently listening acutely for any sounds that mightbetray the position of an enemy, and the unwary approach of theEnglishman whom he hoped to kill. A moment before he had been shroudedin gloom, for the sun was already fast setting, and the roof of leavesoverhead cast a deep shadow upon everything beneath. Suddenly, however,he came into clear view, and Hal and Gerald, who were crouching withinfive or six paces of him, saw him distinctly.
Click! An excited negro pulled back his trigger in readiness, and Pedro,hearing the sound, stood suddenly still, rooted to the spot, andlistening with all his ears. For more than a minute a death-like silencereigned, while the half-caste peered into the forest, doubtful whetherto advance or retire. Prudence told him to hasten back to his friends,for the young fellow he was in search of had already proved that he wascapable of looking well after himself. But fierce longing for revenge,the feeling that this was an opportunity not to be missed--one, too,that would enable him to attain his end without much danger to himself,for he hoped for a complete surprise--egged him on, and helped him toconquer his fears. He hesitated, and then, with a muttered "What a doltI am! it was only a twig snapping," he gave a stamp of impatience, andwalked on.
Next instant a nimble form sprang, unheard and unseen, upon the pathbehind him, and, crouching like a tiger collecting its limbs for aspring, crept stealthily after him. Then, measuring the distance with apracticed eye, the negro launched himself through the air, landing uponPedro's shoulders. A hand closed firmly over his mouth, and a momentlater the ruffian who came to destroy the beautiful hacienda, and toexercise a private vengeance, was lying as helpless as a log, bound handand foot, while a hard and extremely uncomfortable gag was fastenedbetween his jaws by means of a handkerchief. Close beside him crouched apeculiarly sinister-looking negro, prepared to silence him should heattempt to give the alarm, and seeming, too, to hope for such an action,for he brandished his weapon in the prisoner's face in a manner that wassufficiently formidable to upset the equanimity of the boldest man.
"That was well done--very neatly managed, indeed," said Hal, issuingfrom his cover. "Now, Mr. Pedro, or whatever you are called, we aregoing to turn the tables if we can. Take off his clothes, my lads, andif he attempts to make a sound, or to get rid of his gag, you will knowhow to act."
But there was very little need for the caution, for Pedro a captive wasa very different individual indeed from the half-caste who sat in therailway car away in Florida, plotting the theft of Mr. Brindle's bag.His yellow eyes blinked nervously, and as the negroes crowded round him,and hustled him with no gentle hands, he looked at Hal appealingly, asif asking for his help. His limbs trembled, and a thick perspirationbroke out upon his forehead.
"Not at all, my fine fellow," exclaimed Hal, as if he had read hisprisoner's thoughts. "You need not appeal to me, for I told you that Iwas about to turn the tables. Well, I have commenced with you, and theothers have their turn to come. Remember that I bear a mark upon myshoulder which you were good enough to give me. Is it likely that Ishall go out of my way now to save you any pain or inconvenience,especially when I know that you came this way with the express intentionof killing me--murdering me in cold blood, I should have said? That'sright, boys, strip his coat and breeches off. I fancy I shall manage tosqueeze into them."
Tumbling their captive without ceremony, it was not long before thenegro hands had dragged his fine clothes from him. Hal picked them up,and carefully inspected them. Then he donned them calmly. Indeed,looking at him there as he struggled into the coat, one would haveimagined that he was undertaking some very ordinary duty, one to whichhe was accustomed every day of his life. He paid particular attention tothe set of the breeches, and seemed quite annoyed because the jacket ofthe half-caste would not button across his expansive chest.
"You see," he said, with something approaching a smile, "I want to beaccurate. This fellow usually has his coat fastened, but I'm too big toallow of it. However, the resemblance will be good enough, particularlyas it will be quite dark.
"Now, listen," he continued imperiously, turning to his prisoner. "I amnow going to meet that scoundrel who works with you; but first I wantyou to answer a question, and be very careful how you do it. I havealready warned you against raising an alarm. Tell me an untruth, and Iwill make it extremely warm for you, for pain is the only thing thatappeals to men of your class. Now, my men, take the gag from his mouthand bring him to me."
Delighted to have in their hands one of the gang who had injured some oftheir comrades, the negroes rushed at the unhappy Pedro, and dragged himto his knees. Then they carried him to Hal, and tearing the gag from hismouth, placed him upon his feet, one of them standing close beside himand holding the cold muzzle of a rifle at his neck.
"Ah, senor, spare me! I will tell the truth," Pedro cried, his kneesknocking together, and his eyes turning in terror to the negroes whoheld him. "Take these wolves away from me, and you shall hear all thatyou wish to know."
"Silence! Do you wish to let your friends hear you?" asked Hal sternly."Silence, man, and answer in a whisper as you value your life. Now, whois in the hacienda beside your accomplice?"
"No one, senor, save a guard who stands at the door that opens from thetop of the steps. El Capitan sits in the best room, drinking wine."
"If you were returning now, how would you act?"
"I should pass by the guard without a word, senor," Pedro answered,flinching as the barrel of the rifle touched his neck. "Ah, senor, Icannot reply while my life depends upon this man behind. Have the gunremoved, I beg of you."
"In time, Pedro. You must really give us time," said Hal calmly."Remember that I was to have felt the edge of cold steel myself, foryour orders were that the machete was to be used to kill me. Listen tothis. I am going into the hacienda to see this friend of yours, and youwill be brought to the edge of the clearing. When you hear Josed'Arousta's voice, repeat his commands in loud tones, and warn yourcomrades on guard and those who are looking to the mules, that if theyapproach the house or attempt to take the animals from the shed, theywill be shot down without mercy. I need not tell you to obey me to theletter, for these good fellows will have charge of you. Now, bring himalong, boys. The sun will be down in five minutes, and then it will betime to start."
Hal left his trembling captive in charge of the grinning negroes, andgrasping Gerald by the arm, led him along the path. Five minutes laterthey were amongst the hands who were lying in the forest watching theshed and the guerilla sentries paraded up and down before the hacienda.
"All of you lie down here," said Hal. "Ah, there goes the sun, and verysoon we shall have the moon up in its place."
He had scarcely finished speaking when the golden orb disappearedsuddenly, and without the slightest warning, as is the case in thetropics, where night succeeds day with a rapidity that is astonishing.Then up floated the moon, while stars glistened dull and faint in thesky, rendered almost invisible by the bright silvery rays that now shotover the trees and deluged everything. At once all around became silent,and the clearing and house looked unreal and ghostly in the pale beamswhich were so different from those that had lit up the place only a fewminutes before.
Glancing into the clearing, Hal saw the Spanish irregulars saunteringcarelessly up and down, their hands thrust deep into their pockets, anda cigarette gleaming red beneath the teeth of each. Those who were noton duty had collected on the right beneath a group of palms, and werelistlessly watching one of their number who saw to the contents of akettle that was suspended over a big fire. They lay in all sorts ofnegligent attitudes, and seemed to have forgotten the hacienda and theleader who had brought them there.
"Now is the time," Hal murmured in Gerald's ear. "Look here, old boy, Iam going to leave you in charge. You know as well as I do what is goingto happen and how to act. Wait till you hear
voices from the hacienda. Ishall endeavor to make Jose d'Arousta order his men back to Santiago.They will have to go without arms and without mules. That is your partof the business, and you must see to it. I am going to look after thechief scoundrel, but you must have those negroes ready in case ofaccidents. Look over there. The rifles are piled in front of the fire,so that you can prevent the Spaniards from touching them. Do youunderstand?"
"Yes, quite," Gerald answered hesitatingly. "But, I say, old boy, it's afearful risk that you are taking. Are you sure that it is wise?"
"Do you understand?" Hal asked, repeating his question and ignoringGerald's. "Yes? Then take the utmost care, and when the time comes, makePedro add his order to Jose's. There, you will manage beautifully.Good-by. If you hear a shot you may as well make a rush, for there willbe trouble in the hacienda."
He nodded to Gerald, and waiting only to squeeze the hand which the ladenthusiastically thrust towards him, he rose to his feet, and steppedfrom the shrubs and trees on to the narrow path. A moment later he wasin the clearing, walking slowly across it with a swaggering gait, suchas he had seen Pedro adopting. And an extremely good substitute he madein appearance for that evil gentleman, though, as a matter of fact, hewas some three inches taller. He was wearing riding-breeches, withhigh-cut riding boots, a wide-open coat and colored waist-cloth, such asis worn by many Spaniards. Upon his head was a broad-brimmed hat, withfeather and tassel. The better to preserve his incognito he had tippedthe brim well over his eyes, so as to throw a shadow upon his face. Afine manly young fellow he looked as he stalked into the moon-litclearing, and he showed a determined face beneath the shadow of his hat.
"By Jove, what a chap!" Gerald murmured eagerly, as he lay in theforest. "I ought to be there, but he knows as well as I do that Ihaven't the go in me to carry out such a cool piece of acting. Who wouldhave thought it of Hal--the fellow who never quarrels, and seems to beliked by everyone? Good old Hal! But I ought to be taking all theserisks for the sake of father and Dora. Why should he? Why?"
Apparently the question rather staggered Gerald, for he at once becamesilent, as he reclined upon the ground watching Hal's every movement.With the utmost nonchalance Hal walked towards the hacienda, ignoringthe presence of the sentries and of their comrades who were feastinground the fire. Suddenly, however, someone called to him.
"Senor Pedro," he heard a voice cry, while a man hurried towards him.
To escape was impossible, and, therefore, Hal halted, and placed hishand easily on the butt of his revolver, which rested in his waistband.Next moment a swarthy Spaniard stood before him, and evidently describedsomething which he had done. Hal listened carefully, and was able fromhis rough knowledge of the language to gather that he was being toldthat all was well, when he promptly made up his mind how to act.
"Pedro apes the pure Spaniard," he thought, "and, no doubt, as second incommand, he treats these fellows with more or less contempt. It is theclass of thing a man of his character would do. I'll say 'Good!' andturn away."
Thrusting his hand into his pocket, he turned abruptly upon his heel,and said, "Buenos!" Then he walked on towards the hacienda, while theman hurried towards his friends, having detected nothing unusual. Pedrowas a rough, ill-conditioned fellow, he knew, so that the answer was allthat he had expected. Still, it was galling to be treated like that,especially by one not of pure Spanish birth, and he did not fail toremark upon it.
"One would think that we were dogs," he said angrily. "Here have I beenround the clearing to see that all is as it should be, and when I reportthe same to him, he turns upon me as though I had done him an injury. Atleast, it was as bad as that. Some day the half-breed cur will be sorry.He has murdered many, and perhaps someone will try to find room for theblade of a knife between his ribs. If so, I for one shall not weep. Buthand me my supper. There is one consolation in the fact that he cannotcut me from my meals."
Thankful to have escaped discovery, which would have meant failure atthe very commencement of his little plot, Hal swaggered to the steps,and stood there a moment to roll one of the many cigarettes with whichthe average Spaniard regales himself during the day. Taking care to keephis back to the sentry, who stood upon the balcony above, he struck amatch and lit up, sending a cloud of smoke flying into the air.
"Now for it," he murmured gently. "I don't want a scene, and I wish toavoid bloodshed, but I mean to prevent this fellow D'Arousta fromrobbing Mr. Brindle. He is my employer, and it is only my duty to do allthat I can."
He ran lightly up the steps, and would have passed the sentry without aword, but the man came forward, and held his rifle forward to bar thepath, as if he had noticed something strange. But, more probably he washalf asleep, or had been day-dreaming, for when Hal gave vent to anexclamation of impatience and anger, the Spaniard sprang back, and atonce offered an apology. Hal took no notice of it, for to do so wouldhave been to betray himself. Instead, he pushed on, and, pausing justfor one moment to drag his hat still more over his eyes, entered the bigroom of the hacienda, which lay on the left.
A tall shaded lamp stood close to the wall, and some paces from it was atable at which Jose d'Arousta sat, with a flood of light illuminatinghis face. Opposite him, seated in a chair, to which his wrists andankles were lashed, was Mr. Brindle, while standing close beside him wasDora, white and trembling, but for all that preserving an undauntedmien.
Hal took in the whole situation in an instant, and, clattering acrossthe room without ceremony, dragged a seat to that end of the tablefarthest from the lamp, and sat down with the rays upon his back.
Puff! A cloud of tobacco smoke came from his lips and enveloped him.
"Ha, you are back, then, Pedro!" exclaimed Jose d'Arousta, turning tohim. "What luck, my partner? Has it been good?"
At that moment Hal emitted another cloud of smoke, and at once commencedto choke violently. He dragged a big red handkerchief from the pocket ofPedro's coat, and held it to his face, nodding meanwhile as if to answerthe question.
"Good! Better than ever! Things have gone well for us!" Jose exclaimed."Here, senora, get me another glass of this wine. This is stuff whichone does not find in Santiago, and it is well to make the most of one'sopportunities. Besides, I would drink to the health of my friend, for hehas just paid off a heavy score for me. Think what it is."
As if determined to do all in her power to conciliate the coward beforeher, Dora refilled his glass from a decanter that stood on the table,and then returned to her father's side. As for Jose, he lifted the wineto the light, and, having inspected it carefully, swallowed it with agulp.
"Come," he said, with a sardonic smile, "you have not yet answered myquestion, senora. Surely it is not because you are too timid a donzella(maiden)? What score do you imagine the gallant Pedro has paid for me?"
"If I heard that he had murdered every hand upon the plantation I shouldnot be surprised," exclaimed Mr. Brindle. "He is villain enough foranything."
"Do you hear that, my Pedro?" Jose cried, with a gay, bantering laugh."See what a high opinion the Senor Brindle has of you. My dear sir,please remember that you are speaking of my friend. He is an amiablefellow, I do assure you, and has a very tender heart. But, supposingthat score referred to the overseer, the brat of an Englishman whothwarted me before? You will recollect the occasion of which I speak."
"Pshaw! he was too clever for you," answered Mr. Brindle, with adisdainful smile, "and I am sure he has outmatched you again."
"Sure! Are you, my friend? Then we will soon let you know," said Joseharshly. "But we will not discuss that matter now. The most importantbusiness is to settle the debt you owe me. Let me see, you said, Ithink, that the cash and what valuables you possess are in that safe inthe corner of the room. I want the key. Where is it?"
"There it is, hanging on my watch-chain," Mr. Brindle said brokenly."You are too strong for me, and I must submit. If I did not know wellthat you would shoot me like a dog, I would have defied you long ago,and left you to make these discoveries for yourself
. But you have theupper hand. Wait till my turn comes; I will then hound you out of theisland."
"Quite so; I believe you would if you could," answered the Spaniard,with a satirical smile. "But you have unfortunately failed to take stockof current events. For instance, war was declared between Spain andAmerica yesterday. That very naturally throws Santiago into a turmoil,so that you might hunt the town and never find us. Again, you are anAmerican, and once you leave your estate you are spying. Remember that,for I shall swear that it is the case, and you must know the reward youwould meet with."
"War declared! Ah, I thought as much! But still, I repeat that I shallrepay you for this day's work, Jose d'Arousta," said Mr. Brindlesternly. "Once before you attempted to rob me, and failed. You aresuccessful this time, but it is the last, for I will never rest till youare punished."
"Really you will put yourself to much unnecessary trouble," the Spaniardreplied. "But we are wasting time. Let me see what the safe contains. Iam far more interested in seeing to that than in listening to what abeggarly American has to say."
He started to his feet, and, striding up to Mr. Brindle, removed the keyfrom his watch-chain. Then he opened the safe, and pulling out thedrawers, emptied their contents upon the table.
"A very pretty haul, Pedro!" he exclaimed, thrusting his fingersgreedily amongst the gold which lay piled up before him. "A good reward,indeed, and one worthy of our labors. Stow it in your pocket, myfriend."
Hal, who up to this had preserved a strict silence, gave vent to aguttural laugh, and hastily transferred the gold and silver to hiscapacious pockets. The Spaniard watched him eagerly, his attention beingso much occupied with the booty he was stealing that he did not givemore than a passing thought to his supposed accomplice.
"Good! That is done; and now I fancy we can bid you adieu," he said atlast, turning to Mr. Brindle. "Pedro, go to the door, and give our menthe order to saddle up. Senor, forgive my rudeness in hurrying away, butduty calls, for your countrymen will be exchanging shots with us verysoon, and it is well that I should be there to help read them the samelesson as you have been taught. Senora, your pardon. In the absence ofour mutual friend, the handsome Senor Marchant, who, I fear, is dead,permit me to proclaim myself your very devoted servant."
He turned on his heel, after giving a flourishing bow, and steppedtowards the door. At that moment his eye fell upon Hal, and he stoppedabruptly; for, taking advantage of his satirical bobs, the latter haddrawn his revolver, and now held it presented at the Spaniard's head,while at the same time, as if to mock Jose's manner, he leant one handeasily upon the table as if it were almost too much trouble to stand.
"By your leave, Senor Capitan," he said, with a short laugh. "You havegiven us a lesson in politeness, and I will follow suit. Hands up, atthis instant!"
To say that Jose d'Arousta was surprised was to express the situationmildly. He staggered backwards, turned deathly pale, and then drove hishand into his pocket.
"Stop that!" said Hal, sternly, but in low tones, so that the sentryshould not hear, holding his weapon within an inch of the Spaniard'shead. "Hands up!"
Jose lifted his arms slowly and grudgingly, while he glared at Hal as ifhe would kill him.
"That is well. Now, I warn you that I will shoot if you show even thefaintest suspicion of treachery. Dora, cut your father loose, if youplease."
As if in a dream, for she was as yet unable to grasp the situation, Doratook a knife from the table, and released Mr. Brindle.
"Good," said Hal. "Now, Mr. Brindle, I will trouble you to lash thisrogue in front of me."
"Delighted, I'm sure," exclaimed the latter; and at once set to work.
Taking the ropes which had bound his own limbs only a moment or twobefore, he wound them round the arms and feet of the Spanish brigand,and knotted them firmly.
"Now we will go on with the play," said Hal calmly. "Much depends uponyou, Jose d'Arousta. If you give the alarm now, you and your comradeswill suffer. First and foremost, you will run the danger of receiving abullet from my revolver, and then the negro hands, who lie closeoutside, will fire upon your men. Pedro, too, whose clothes I was forcedto borrow, will come in for very rough handling, for he is not afavorite with our good fellows. Now, you can prevent all this by doingas I tell you."
"What is it? What do you want?" the Spaniard asked crossly.
"Go to the window and order all your ruffians to return to Santiago.Tell them on no account to go for their mules, for they will be shot ifthey attempt it, and we are anxious to avoid bloodshed where they areconcerned."
"And after that?"
"We will settle with you and your rascally accomplice."
Hal looked the man in the face and spoke sternly. For an instant Joseglowered at him, but realizing that he was beaten, he lowered his eyes,and muttered angrily beneath his breath.
"You've had your orders, so come along," said Mr. Brindle, grasping himby the shoulders and hustling him unceremoniously to the window. "Now,repeat them aloud, and be careful how you do it, for I have a stronghand, and will pinch your neck till the life is out of you."
Caught in a cleverly laid trap, there was nothing for Jose d'Arousta todo but obey. In a crestfallen voice, therefore, he called loudly to hiscomrades, begging them to leave the clearing and the neighborhood of thehacienda, and return to Santiago at once.
"Tell them that if they attempt to take their rifles or advance towardsthe house, you will be shot," said Hal, rising to his feet to get aclear view through the window.
And now his plan to compel Pedro to add his voice to the Spaniard'sproved useful, for at first the remainder of the band were incredulous.They could not believe their ears, and sat round the fire gesticulatingand asking questions of one another. Then the sentry descended thehacienda steps, and, unmindful of the warning, walked towards thepiled-up arms. There was a crack from the fringe of trees, a flashsuddenly lit up the shadows, and he fell backwards with his hands wildlyclutching the air.
"That will show them that business is meant," exclaimed Mr. Brindle. "Itis just as well, too, for when a band of cut-throats attack a peacefulhacienda, they must be taught that punishment will follow. But,evidently, they have had enough."
And this was the case. Hearing their leader calling from the house, andhis second in command from the forest, and detecting a ring of entreatyin the voices, the remainder of the rascally band hurried away from thehacienda, and, once amidst the trees, took to their heels in thedirection of Santiago.
"There they go," said Mr. Brindle, throwing the latticed shutters wideopen, and listening to the crash of men breaking their way through thejungle. "Now we will deal with the others. Hal, you know what ishappening. Give your orders. I must confess that I am perfectlybewildered."
"It's all very simple," answered Hal, relaxing into a smile now that thedanger was past. "Gerald and I were warned that you were in trouble.Then I happened to hear this man's accomplice declare his intention ofentering the forest in search of myself. I was to be put out of the way.Happily I was able to turn the tables. Pedro was captured without asound, and I dressed up in his clothes, and came here in search of theother fellow. I knew that if I could master him I could get rid of theothers, for all the hands are lying in the forest at the edge of theclearing, and you saw for yourself how quickly they checked an attemptto reach the arms. Now I will tell them what to do, and then you cantake matters into your own hands."
Hal went to the window and called loudly.
"Half of you follow those brigands to the edge of the plantation, andsee them well away," he cried. "Jake Johnson, you and four others canbring your prisoner in here; the remainder had better stay in theclearing and keep a good look-out."
A moment later the bushes which lined the clearing opened, and Geraldand the negro hands appeared, the former accompanying Jake Johnson andthe men in charge of the captive Pedro. They trudged across the openspace, looking weird and white in the pale moonbeams; then their feetwere heard as they ascended the steps outside, and with
in a minute thetwo rascally Spaniards, who had dared to attack the hacienda, stood sideby side, bound hand and foot, and awaiting sentence.
Hal looked at them searchingly, smiling at Pedro's appearance, for hewas now clad in a tattered blanket in place of the fine clothes he hadpreviously worn, and cut a very sorry figure; for this half-breed wasnot quite the man that he would have had his fellows believe. With allin his favor, and no fear for his own personal comfort and safety, hewas a martinet, an insufferably proud man, who would stop at very littleto support his position. Now, however, when any fate might be in storefor him, and when his conscience told him that he deserved the severestpunishment, he showed the stuff of which he was made. His knees trembledand shook so that he could scarcely stand upright, his face was of anashen pallor, and big beads of perspiration trickled down his forehead.
A very different being was his leader. Rogue though he was, and cowardenough to insult a lady when he had her in his power, he was yet a braveman, with a brave man's detestation for one who could not look adversityin the face. He stood there, his usually sallow face now flushed redwith excitement, his head thrown back, and an air of reckless defianceabout him.
"You hound!" he hissed, turning upon his quaking accomplice. "Why do youtremble? What do you fear? Have you not been the means of killing men?Then why should you grumble when your own fate reaches you? Senor, do methe favor of removing this fellow," he continued, turning to Hal. "He ismy servant, I tell you, and he has no right to stand by my side."
"Servant or friend makes little difference to me, Jose d'Arousta," Halanswered coldly. "He has been good enough to act as your comrade in thisdeed of roguery, and therefore is good enough to take his sentence withyou. Now, Mr. Brindle, these two men came here unbidden and made a mostunwarranted attack upon you. I leave you to settle with them, and willmerely mention that three of the negro hands have been either killed orwounded by their following. Deal with them as you think they deserve."