CHAPTER XIV
FRIEND OR FOE!
I have before said that Don Felipe was our nearest neighbour; thegrounds of his house, indeed, joined our own, and I might easily havegone there on foot. Perhaps it was a touch of pride which induced meto go on horseback, as I was a good rider, and young enough to feel acertain satisfaction in my appearance.
I had grown beyond the recollection of the gatekeeper, who admitted meto the courtyard with a show of deference, saying that both his masterand young mistress were at home. Rosa's mother had been dead for someyears.
Don Felipe had numerous servants, and to one of them I threw the reins,telling him to mind my horse. Then going to the door, I inquired forDon Felipe.
The major-domo was showing me to a small room, when a girl, merrilyhumming a popular Royalist song, came tripping along the corridor.Suddenly she stopped, looked hard at me, and then came forward again,saying, "Juan! Surely you are Juan Crawford?"
I have sometimes laughed since at my stupidity, yet there might befound some excuse for it. During my absence from Lima I had oftenthought of my little playmate, but it had never occurred to me thattime would change her as well as myself. And now, instead of the merrychild with whom I had romped and played, there appeared a beautifulgirl at whom I gazed in wonder.
"Are you not Juan Crawford?" she asked again, speaking softly.
"Yes," said I, "I am Juan; but you, senorita?"
Her face rippled with merry laughter; but pouting her lips, she said,--
"What a poor compliment to your old friend, Juan! Surely you have notforgotten Rosa!"
"Nay, that have I not; I have forgotten nothing. But you are sochanged, Rosa--so different!"
"So are you; but I knew you at once. When did you come home? Have youcome to see me?"
"Yes, and your father as well. I have some business with him."
"Oh!" cried she, tossing her head and frowning, "of course you and heare on the same side. My father is a Patriot now, and cries, 'Downwith the king!' I suppose your meddlesome general has sent you with amessage."
I did not undeceive her; and while the servant carried my name to hismaster, we entered one of the rooms and continued our conversation. Isaw she was troubled; yet with great skill and grace she put me atease, and led me to talk of what had happened during the last two years.
"What a fire-eater you are, Juan!" she cried banteringly. "I am quiteafraid of you. But what a fine sword you have! Ah, if I were only aboy! Can you guess what I would do?"
"No," I replied, with a shake of the head. "No one can guess what agirl will do."
"But I said a boy."
"Ah! that would be altogether different."
"I will tell you then," she said, standing up and speaking veryearnestly. "I would get a sword and pistols and join the king'sfriends. I would be a loyal Spanish cavalier, Juan, if I were the onlyone in Peru!"
"Then it is lucky you are a girl, Rosa, or you would soon be killed. Iwould not harm the king, even if he were here instead of being inSpain, thousands of miles away; but I have no love for those who rulein his name."
"No," said she, casting down her eyes, and I thought her voice soundedsad; "you have suffered at their hands. But it is not the king'sfault, Juan; he would have seen you righted."
"It is a long way from Peru to Spain," said I, trying to speakcarelessly, "and it seems as if in these days one must right one's ownwrongs."
After that we sat speaking very little, each afraid lest the talkshould drift into an awkward channel, for I felt sure that she knew howher father had robbed us of our estates.
On the return of the servant she whispered earnestly, "My father haschanged greatly. I am sure he is unhappy. If he should appear crossand irritable, you will bear with him, won't you, Juan?"
"I will do my best, Rosa. But why should he be angry with me? I amonly going to ask him a question."
Don Felipe was truly much altered. His dark hair was plentifullysprinkled with silver; there were deep lines in his forehead and aroundhis lips; his eyes had become shifty, and there was a look of cunningin them. He gave me just one swift, searching glance, and then lookedaway. It was an awkward meeting, and I hardly knew what to say.Fortunately Don Felipe took the lead.
"You have grown almost out of knowledge, my young friend; and I noticeyou have obtained military rank," said he, with a covert sneer.
"I have the honour to be a lieutenant in the army to which we bothbelong, senor," I replied.
He winced at that, and his eyes glowed angrily.
"If you have brought me a message from your general," said he, "willyou at once deliver it? I am very busy just now."
"I will not take up more than five minutes of your valuable time,senor. My errand is an important one, though _at present_ it hasnothing to do with General San Martin."
Again he glanced at me sharply, and I thought he seemed slightlynervous.
"I must ask you to be quick with it," he said coldly.
"I only desire to ask you about the death of my father. I am sure youwill give me all the information in your power, as he died for theindependence of Peru, which to-day both you and I are trying to secure."
At that he started up, his eyes blazing, his hand on his sword.
"Do you think I killed your father?" he roared furiously. "He diedthrough his own fault. I warned him again and again that the time wasnot ripe, but he paid no heed to me."
"Are you not mistaken?" I asked. "According to the Indians' account,he was slain while trying to prevent them from rising."
"Then the government was deceived. No good can be done by digging upthe dead past, but you shall hear all that I know of the story. Atthat time there were three parties in the country. One section, led byyour father, resolved upon armed insurrection; another, composed ofRoyalists, determined that nothing should be changed; the third, towhich I belonged, endeavoured to obtain reform by moderate means. Ineed not say that your father was a marked man. One day the viceroyreceived word that he had started for the mountains in order to rousethe Indians to revolt, and, to prevent mischief, it was arranged thathe should be placed in prison. As you may know, he refused to submitquietly, and, unfortunately, was shot in the fight which ensued."
"Was his body brought back to Lima?"
"I never heard so. Most probably it was left on the mountains. I wassorry for him; but he was a headstrong man, and would not listen toreason."
"That was foolish of him," I remarked quietly. "Had he waited till theproper time to declare his real opinions, he would not have lost hislife, nor my mother her property. It is possible, indeed, that ourestates would have been largely added to."
"The estates were confiscated, it is true," said Don Felipe slowly,"but they fell into friendly hands." Then, in quite a kindly tone, headded, "You feel bitter against me, Juan--I see it in your face.Perhaps it is natural; yet you really have no reason to do so. I mustnot say more now, but all will come right in the end."
"So I intend," said I stoutly, yet feeling rather mystified.
The man's sudden change of manner puzzled me. After all, I was only aboy, with little ability and no training to seek for things lyingbeneath the surface. And Montilla seeing the state of my mind, playedupon it with consummate skill.
I cannot truthfully say that he made any definite promise, but this wasthe impression I received:--Knowing that all my father's property wasforfeit to the law, he had exerted his influence to secure it. At thattime he thought the trouble would be settled without fighting, andintended in a year or two to restore the estates. When the war brokeout, he endeavoured to bring the viceroy over to the cause of reform,but finding that impossible, was compelled reluctantly to join thePatriots. Of course, in the matter of the estates, nothing could bedone now till the war was over.
"Thus," said he cheerfully, "the future is safe. If the Patriots win,we can have the confiscation revoked; while, on the other hand, I countso many friends among the moderate R
oyalists that the viceroy wouldhardly care to thwart me."
"In any case," said I bluntly, though with no wish to vex him, "theIndians will see that I am not wronged!"
"Trust me," he answered, his voice sounding now like the purring of acat; "Felipe Montilla never makes mistakes."
I had a stinging reply on my lips, but refraining from giving itutterance, I bade him farewell.
"Come again, Juan," said he, "if the general can spare you!" Andthough not overburdened with wits, I had a sense of being laughed at.
I was joined in the corridor by Rosa, who wanted to know why I wasgoing so soon.
"I really must," I answered, smiling. "I have spent no time with mymother yet, and I may be sent for at any moment."
"But this will not be _good-bye_?"
"On the contrary, I hope to see you often. Your father has given methe kindest of invitations."
At this she opened her eyes wide; but quickly recovering herself, shesmiled pleasantly, and accompanied me to the hall. As I rode by, shewas standing at a window waving her hand.
I had much to think of during the short ride home, but I got littlesatisfaction from my thoughts. Nothing had been gained by my visit toMontilla, and his story only went to confirm the truth of the reportsof my father's death. As to my faith in his startling promises, itgrew weaker with every step my horse took.
I said nothing to my mother; but Jose, to whom I related all that hadpassed, laughed loudly.
"The cunning old fox!" cried he; "he hasn't his equal for craft inPeru! You will see that, whoever sinks, Don Felipe Montilla will swim."
"Not at my expense," I exclaimed, "while I have strength to raise anarm."
The rest of that day I spent with my mother, forcing myself to forgetthat any trouble existed in the world. It was only a brief spell ofhappiness, but we enjoyed every second of it, and by nightfall mymother's face had lost some of its sadness, and her eyes shone brightlyas in the olden days.
Early next morning an order was brought to me to rejoin Colonel Miller,as it was arranged that, for a time at least, Jose should remain behindto look after the affairs of the hacienda. The servants assembled inthe courtyard to see me off, and my mother came to the hall door.There she embraced me, and stood smiling bravely as I mounted.Whatever sorrow she felt was locked up tightly in her own breast.
Accompanied by the man who had brought the order, I rode briskly toMirones, the headquarters of the Patriot army, and about a mile fromCallao.
The colonel was with San Martin and a group of officers, watching theenemy's movements; but he turned to me at once, saying, "General, thisis Lieutenant Crawford, of whom I spoke."
San Martin, the Protector of Peru, was a tall man with black hair,bushy whiskers, and a deep olive complexion. He had black, piercingeyes, fringed by long lashes and overhung by heavy brows and a high,straight forehead. He was strong and muscular, with an erect, militarycarriage. He looked every inch a soldier, and one, moreover, with aniron will that nothing could bend. His voice was harsh and unmusical,but he spoke in a kindly, simple, and unaffected manner.
"Colonel Miller has told me many things of you, lieutenant," said he,"and all to your credit. I am glad to know that the son of Don EduardoCrawford is following so well in his father's steps."
"Thank you, general," I replied, bowing low.
"I understand," he continued, "that Colonel Miller wishes to keep youwith him. It is certainly an honourable post; but I fancy you arelikely to get many hard knocks," he concluded, with a laugh.
"He has had a strong taste of the service, general," observed Miller,with a merry smile.--"Are you willing to stay with me, Crawford?"
"Yes, certainly, sir, with the general's permission."
"Very well," said San Martin. "And, by the way, colonel, let him haveon hour's sleep now and again,"--a little joke at which the group ofofficers, knowing the Englishman's habits, laughed heartily.
The general presently rode off to his quarters, the officers went totheir several duties, and I accompanied Colonel Miller to that part ofthe field in which his men were stationed. He had been appointed tothe command of a column seven hundred strong, which was held inreadiness to move at any moment. The officers were unknown to me, butthey seemed pleasant, genial fellows, and in a short time I felt quiteat home with them. The younger ones were grumbling because San Martindid not at once attack the enemy, saying that Canterac would slip awayto the mountains in the night.
"Then his army will break up of its own accord," remarked a grizzledmajor. "He can't take his guns, and his troops are starving. Hundredswill throw down their weapons on finding us close at their heels."
"Better have a straight fight and have done with it," grumbled ayoungster. "There's no fun playing at hide-and-seek in the hills."
"Should you live to be a man," said the major reprovingly, "you won'ttalk in such a light-hearted way of a battle." And the boy's faceflushed at the laugh which greeted the remark.
"Don't be too sarcastic, Gamarra," cried another. "The youngster'sright in the main. If Canterac escapes, the war may drag on formonths, and will cost thousands of lives. The mountains will kill morethan a pitched battle would."
"Canterac can't escape if we follow him up properly," said the major,"and Colonel Miller seems the man to do that."
"That is so; but he can't move without orders; and there's more thanone man in high places who will prefer Lima to a pursuit."
Thus they talked during the afternoon, and early in the evening ColonelMiller ordered that every one not on duty should turn in at once; whichwe took to be a sign that something was going to happen shortly.
At ten o'clock the column was roused. The men assembled silently, anda whisper went round that Canterac had begun his retreat. For morethan an hour we awaited fresh orders, the colonel on horseback fumingimpatiently, until at last the word came to march.
"An hour thrown away," muttered the colonel angrily. "Canterac willlaugh in our faces."
To our disgust, we found that the column was attached to the main army,and that we had to move step by step to the will of the chief. I knewvery little about military tactics, but it was a strange kind ofpursuit, and made me think of a tortoise chasing a hare.
"I wonder what Captain Plaza would think of this performance?" said thecolonel, rather bitterly, as we jogged along. "This isn't the way hetook you after Santalla, eh?"
"Indeed no, colonel!" I replied, laughing. "The captain would have hadus on the other side of Lima by now."
"It's like a funeral procession," he muttered impatiently; "and if theydon't mind, 'twill be a funeral procession in reality. We shall beburying the independence of Peru."
The ridiculous part of it was that our column had been formed of allthe light companies on purpose to swoop down on the foe. As far as Icould judge, the swoop was much like that of a hawk whose wings hadbeen carefully tied to its body.
However, we tramped along throughout the night, halting at daybreakwithout getting a glimpse of the exulting Canterac.
"Never mind," exclaimed the colonel, who hated to look on the dark sideof things; "we may catch them during the day."
In this he was disappointed, as we proceeded in the same leisurelymanner, just as if we were out for a quiet stroll on a summer's day.Several times Miller rode off to the staff, but on each occasion hereturned looking more dissatisfied than before.
The men wondered, and at each halt the officers talked pretty freelyamong themselves, giving their opinions with refreshing vigour.
"Canterac has the start of us now," said one, "and we shall neverovertake him. We had the game in our hands, and have simply thrown itaway."
The grizzled major remained optimistic, saying, "You may depend thatSan Martin has some scheme in his head." But the rest of us weredoubtful.
"If I had an enemy in a trap, my scheme would be to keep him there andnot to let him walk out through an open door," laughed a young captain."The war might have been finished to-day; no
w it's likely to go on foranother twelvemonth."
"Well," remarked one of his comrades, "it's a comfort to think weshan't kill ourselves through over-exertion."
By degrees we pushed on to a place about nine leagues east of Lima,where it seemed as if the lumbering machine had broken down altogether.It was evening when we arrived and halted; the men ate the last morselof their scanty rations; the chief officers, though no one couldimagine what they found to discuss, held a conference, and presently itleaked out that the pursuit had been abandoned.
"I don't profess to understand it," exclaimed Major Gamarra, "but youwill find that there's some grand scheme in the air."
"Ah!" interrupted another officer, in a sarcastic tone, "and no doubtit will stay there; most of these precious schemes do. What I shouldlike to see would be a little common sense."
"Would you recognize it if you saw it?" put in the major quick aslightning; and all the others laughed.
"Perhaps not. I've had little opportunity of renewing my acquaintancewith it since San Martin came to Peru."
This was a dangerous remark, as we were a very mixed crowd. Some hadcome from Buenos Ayres with San Martin; others were Chilians who hadfought with him throughout the Chilian War; several, like myself, werenatives of Peru; while two or three were Englishmen.
Fortunately, before the dispute had had time to become hot, the colonelreturned from the conference, and joined us at the fire.
"I don't know, gentlemen, that anything is likely to happen," said he;"but we may as well enjoy a night's rest while we can," and wrappinghis cloak around him, he lay down, setting an example which most of usfollowed.
At the Point of the Sword Page 14