Under the Star-Spangled Banner: A Tale of the Spanish-American War

by F. S. Brereton

  CHAPTER XIV

  A DASH FOR LIBERTY

  Desperate indeed was the position in which Hal and Gerald foundthemselves, and well might their usually exuberant spirits be damped,and their stock of courage ooze away at the dark prospect before them.Even as they sat there in their cell, the Spanish colonel who hadinterviewed them was probably dispatching his telegram to Havana; andhow would it read? "We have captured two Americans, who are probablyspies. They entered the town undetected, and when discovered and calledupon to surrender, showed resistance, injuring an officer. They finallyfell into our hands, and were found to be bearing arms. What shall we dowith them?"

  That in all probability would be the message, and it wanted littleimagination to sketch the answer. Across the wires would flash thewords, "Shoot them."

  Hal sat down upon a stone bench beneath a grated window, and thought thematter out. Then he rose to his feet, and thrusting his hands into hispockets, stared out into the night. It was as black as ink, and at firstonly myriads of stars shone through the iron bars. But on casting hiseyes downward, he saw other and bigger spots of light, while thereflection from them trailed towards him across a sheet of water thatrippled slightly.

  "The harbor!" he exclaimed. "The entrance to the shipping basin ofSantiago. Never before did I feel so much like a bird in a cage. Look atthose vessels, Gerald! They are just what we were in search of, and nowthey lie so close below our feet, and yet, for all that, so hopelesslyfar away. But we will not be beaten. I said that we must escape, and wewill! I tell you that we will, however great the difficulty. Come here,old boy, and see what you can from the window; then we'll sit down anddiscuss the matter."

  Gerald promptly stepped beside his friend, and, clasping the iron bars,thrust his head as far through them as possible.

  "Hallo! What's this?" he cried. "Hal, they've turned the old searchlighton again."

  He moved to one side to make room for Hal, who at once resumed his placeat the window and gazed out. Away to the left a bright beam of light wasstabbing the darkness from the far inland edge of the harbor. It sweptsteadily to the right, illuminating the sphere upon which it fell soclearly that everything within it was visible for a moment, thendisappeared, while a fresh scene flashed into view, only in its turn togive place to another. They followed the broad beam as it fell uponharbor and town, and then upon the open country. In a few minutes it hadreached the entrance to the harbor, and, shooting like a bar of silverbeneath the Morro Castle, and under the very feet of the prisoners, litup the swelling ocean beyond, by chance falling upon one of the uglytorpedo boats which Hal had seen that morning.

  "That just shows what kind of a chance we should have had," said Gerald,nodding towards the craft.

  "I don't know that I agree with you," Hal answered thoughtfully. "Weknow that she is there, and with all lights dowsed we might easily slipby her."

  "But you speak as though we were already on a ship," exclaimed Gerald."Of course, it is out of the question."

  Hal did not reply, but followed the searchlight with the closestattention. It moved from the harbor mouth, searching every corner andcrevice of the rocks as it swept inland again. Soon it passed over alanding jetty and illuminated a small launch which was lying mooredalongside.

  "See that?" exclaimed Hal, seizing Gerald by the shoulder to attract hisattention.

  "What? The launch?"

  "Yes, old chap; it will do for us."

  "But hold on! Look here, Hal, what the dickens are you talking about?"Gerald asked, as if in some doubt as to Hal's condition of mind. "Manalive, we are prisoners--jailbirds in the Morro Castle!"

  "Quite so; and to-morrow, if we are still here, we shall be prisonerswho are about to die. Listen to me, Gerald. We have but one lifeapiece, and may as well make a fight for it. If we are worsted, wherewill be the difference? It can mean nothing worse in the end, for whatsentence can be more severe than that of death? I am determined to getout of this, for life is very dear, and I mean to cling to mine. Sitdown while I talk to you. There, don't interrupt me till I havefinished, then you can tell me exactly what you think. Now, the positionis plain and straightforward. We must escape if we wish to live. Lookround the cell and say if it is possible to break these bars, or knock ahole through walls, ceiling, or floor. It is out of the question, and soalso is the door. Then we must turn to the jailer. I had my eyes wellopen when we came in here, and I noticed that the man was new at thework. He could not find the key, and fumbled at the lock. If he isstrange to prison life, he may well be less suspicious of his charges,and less expectant of danger. Now, we will do our best to collar him,and I've an idea how it is to be done. You will lie there and pretendto be ill. Just groan and kick up a fuss to your heart's content, whileI knock and kick at the door, and shout for the jailer. Then, when hecomes in, and, as will be natural, goes across the cell to look at you,I'll jump on him, and with your help we'll tie him up and gag him.Follow, old chap?"

  "By Jove! Follow? Ra-a-ather! Of course I do; and, what's more, I'mready for the game. After all, as you said, capture for the second timecan bring no worse penalty."

  "That done," continued Hal calmly, "we must use our wits to get out ofthe castle. We've blankets to make into ropes, and I suggest that webegin to tear them into strips at once, for we shall want something forthe jailer. Once away from the castle, we'll sneak down to the launch,and get up steam. Probably she is deserted at night, but, in any case,it is scarcely likely that more than one man will be aboard. He wouldhave to be dealt with of course, and then we'd just slip our mooringsand make a dash for the sea. There, now, what have you to say?"

  "Say? Why, that I am with you through thick and thin," exclaimed Gerald,in tones of enthusiasm. "If we only manage to get through we shall havehad an adventure to remember and talk about to the end of our lives."

  "That's so," Hal agreed. "But now for the blankets."

  Sitting side by side on the stone seat, they soon tore them into longstrips, which they twisted and knotted together, and afterwards wound inlengths round their waists. Then they set apart a few pieces as lashingsfor their prospective prisoner, and fashioned a rough gag.

  "That's finished," remarked Hal with satisfaction. "And now for theother part."

  "Hush! Someone is coming along the passage," whispered Gerald. "There, Ican hear footsteps plainly."

  Hal darted to the door, and, listening eagerly, distinguished a distantstep, evidently of some heavily shod foot which was slowly comingnearer.

  "Quick! Onto the bench and sham that you are ill," he cried, turning toGerald. "I believe the jailer is going to pay us a visit."

  This, in fact, was the case, for scarcely had Gerald thrown himself uponthe low bench of stone, and commenced to give vent to the mostheartrending groans, when heavy boots came to a halt outside the cell,and a key was heard grating in the lock. Then the door swung open, andthe soldier who had admitted them when they first arrived at the castleentered, bearing on his arm a basket which contained a bottle of nativewine and some bread and meat. He stopped in the middle of the cell, andlooked wonderingly at Gerald.

  "What's amiss? What ails the lad?" he asked in Spanish.

  "Oh, I've such pain. Help me," groaned Gerald, in quavering tones.

  Curious to learn what was the matter, the jailer placed his basket onthe floor, and, crossing the bench, bent over Gerald. In an instant theprisoner, who had been in seeming agony before, had thrown his armsround the man's neck, drawing his face so tightly against his chest thathe could not utter a sound, and was almost stifled. Then Hal sprangacross the cell, and, with a hasty hitch, secured the jailer's armsbehind his back. To bind his legs was a different matter, however, forhe fought like a wild cat, and, wrenching his head free, gave vent to aloud shout. But he did not repeat it, for, conscious that their livesdepended on the man's silence, Hal grasped him by the hair, and broughthis head against the stonework with a bang.

  "That should keep him quiet," he said, with a gasp. "Now for the gag."

  G
erald had it ready, and before very long their prisoner lay on thefloor, bound hand and foot, and incapable of speech.

  "The first scene is ended satisfactorily," said Hal, eying him with nolittle pleasure; "and now for the second. Get hold of that basket, oldman; grub will be welcome later on. I'll make free with the bundle ofkeys which the fellow carried. Now, out we go."

  They gave another backward glance to see that the man was securelybound, and then stepped into the corridor, closing the door gently afterthem.

  "Where now?" whispered Gerald.

  "Follow me. We'll take the road that we know," was Hal's answer, "Keepclose, and whatever you do, don't make a sound. If anyone runs upagainst us, go for him like the wind, and hammer him into silence. Wehave a chance before us that must not be lost."

  He at once stepped forward, and gaining the stairs, descendedcautiously. No one was in the lower gallery, nor on the second flight ofsteps, and the two escaping prisoners reached the door of the castlewithout hearing so much as a sound. It was locked, and many anxiousmoments were expended ere the right key could be found. Then theponderous door swung open slowly, and they emerged into the castle yard,round which many lights were flashing from the windows of the soldiers'quarters. Taking Gerald by the hand, Hal led him to the darkest corner,where they crouched, listening for any noise, and wondering whether thejailer's cry had been heard, and the alarm given. But not a sounddisturbed the silence, save the stamp of a distant sentry plodding upand down upon his lonely beat, and coughing occasionally as the coolnight air entered his lungs.

  "All seems well," whispered Hal; "and no one heard the cry, or we shouldhave had the soldiers after us already. Let us get out of this yard, anddown to the harbor."

  It was easier to propose than to accomplish, for no doubt, sentries werestationed on the walls. The yard itself was situated on the steep sideof a hill, leading upward from the town to the castle, and, crouchingwhere they were, Hal and Gerald could look along the roofs of many ofthe tiny houses which stood inside the walls, into the streets ofSantiago. Suddenly the revolving searchlight turned once more in theirdirection, and in rushing behind a projecting buttress to escape it, Haltripped over a bucket, and fell headlong, sending it clattering over thestones.

  Instantly there was a loud challenge from the sentry, to which no answerwas given. Then, as they crouched in the shadow, they heard first oneand then some twenty soldiers clatter from the house close to which theywere lying, and run into the square.

  "What was that noise?" the sentry demanded in Spanish. "Who caused theracket over in yonder corner?"

  "Where? In what part?" asked one of the men.

  "Close beside your quarters. The searchlight swept round, and suddenly abucket or something of the sort was kicked. Go and look for me, one ofyou."

  "They are coming to search here," said Gerald. "What shall we do?"

  "Make a bolt into their own quarters," Hal answered promptly. "Weescaped in that way before, and may well do so again."

  He started to his feet, and, creeping along beside the wall, peeped inat an open window. The room was empty, and only faintly illuminated by aflickering tallow candle. Hal at once climbed in, and assisted Gerald tofollow. Then they crept to the door, and, seeing no one, ran upstairs tothe rooms above, which were also vacant.

  "We shall have to clear from here," said Hal, looking round at the rowof rough pallets which evidently served the soldiers for beds. "Whatabout the roof? Perhaps we can reach it this way."

  He ran into a room at the back of the building, and, climbing on to awindow-sill, stretched his arm above his head. It was too short by acouple of feet, and the gutter looked hopelessly out of reach. Suddenly,however, he thought of the latticed shutter, and grasping the battens,and digging his feet in between those below, hoisted himself up. Amoment later he had one hand on the iron gutter, and after that had nodifficulty in clambering on the roof, which ascended at an easy slope.

  "Hand up the grub, Gerald," he said, leaning over the edge and loweringhis voice to a gentle whisper. "That's it. Let go; I've got hold of thehandle. Now, up you come."

  Gerald was as active as a monkey, and quickly climbed to Hal's side,when the two scrambled along the roof till they arrived at a part wherethe coping formed with the sloping tiles a deep angle; and here they layfull length, settling themselves into the narrow space, and takingparticular pains to make sure that no part of their dress was projectingover the top. Down below in the yard there was the clatter of many feetas the soldiers ran round the building. Then the same voice that hadanswered the questions of the sentry was heard again, calling loudly.

  "There is a bucket lying over here," the man cried, "but we can see notrace of anyone. Are you sure you are not mistaken?"

  "I distinctly heard someone fall," was the answer. "Idiot! Do you thinkthat I could make an error when it occurred so close at hand? Am I noton duty? One would think that I was a log by the way in which you talk.Mistaken, indeed! How do you know that it is not those beggarlyprisoners whom we are to waste powder upon to-morrow morning? Perhaps itis they, and while you chatter and tell your comrade that he does not dohis duty, they may be escaping."

  The sentry bellowed out his words, and snorted with indignation, for hisfeelings were evidently hurt at such an accusation. But the other manwas not to be subdued.

  "Escaping? Ridiculous, Santo!" he cried. "They were locked in the cell.I was one of the guard, and saw it with my own eyes. Perhaps you willtell me next that these American spies are capable of flying through alocked door!"

  "I tell you that I am sure that someone is attempting to get away fromthe castle, and I believe it to be the two prisoners who came here thisevening," the sentry answered angrily. "Give the alarm, comrade, andhurry off to make sure of the matter. Do not let the cause of ourcountry suffer because we cannot agree."

  The soldier in the yard below grumbled; but, urged on by his comrades,who seemed to agree with the sentry, he hastened to the castle, and Haland his companion heard him running up the flight of stone steps.

  "Now there will be a fine hullabaloo," said the former quietly. "I votewe stick closely in this hiding-place, and do not allow ourselves to bescared by all the noise and fuss which they are bound to kick up. Oncethe escape is discovered the alarm will fly all over the town, andsearch-parties will be about. We are their first prisoners, and you maybe sure they will not allow us to slip through their fingers without astruggle. But no one will think of looking for us here, and we have thegreat advantage of lying in a hollow to which the searchlight cannotpenetrate. Half a minute, though. I'll just take a look over the side,and see where we are."

  He raised his head cautiously, and, carefully keeping well away from thestone coping, took a good look over the side.

  "Good luck!" he exclaimed, with some show of excitement, suddenlysinking to his place again. "If only we can find some means of fasteningour ropes, we can drop directly over the wall. Keep where you are,Gerald, while I see what can be done."

  He rose to his knees, and crept up the sloping roof to something whichlooked in the darkness like a chimney-stack. It proved to be what hethought, and in a twinkling he produced the end of the rope, made fromtorn-up blankets, which he had wound round his waist. Making a big loopin it, he slipped it over the brick-work and descended again.

  "There," he said, with an excited chuckle, "I've fixed the rope, so thatif our presence here is suspected we shall have a chance for freedom.Hush! What is that fellow saying?"

  It was the soldier again, who, emerging from the castle at this moment,ran down the steps in such a hurry as to lose his balance and roll overand over into the yard. He picked himself up with an oath, and rushedtowards the sentry.

  "The prisoners have escaped!" he shouted, in high falsetto. "When I cameto the cell the door was not locked, and inside Alberto lay insensible,and bound hand and foot. Quick! Ring the alarm bell, one of you."

  A few moments later the deep notes were booming out over the town andcastle, ringing the alarm s
o that all in Santiago should be on thelook-out. That notice of it was taken was at once evident, for thechange was wonderful. Shouts suddenly rang out from all quarters; and,as if thrown into a state of uncontrollable excitement by the commotion,the searchlight fluttered here and there, now flashing into the sky, andnext moment burying its broad shaft of dazzling light in the deep watersof the harbor.

  Then an officer ran hastily from his quarters in the castle, and calledupon the soldiers to fall in.

  "Get to your ranks at once," he cried, "and let each sergeant take hissection and search a portion of the castle. Quick! There will be troubleif these prisoners get clear away."

  Crouching in their hiding-place, Hal and Gerald listened eagerly, andheard the search-parties hurrying to and fro. One actually came into thevery house on the roof of which they were lying.

  "What is the use of searching here?" they heard one of the men grumble."It is folly to expect to find them in our own quarters, for we onlydescended a few seconds before the alarm was given. Take us somewhereelse, sergeant, for we shall be wasting our time and breath here."

  They went away at once, and the two prisoners breathed more freely.

  "We are safe now," said Hal, with a sigh of relief; "but we shall haveto lie here as quiet as mice till the din dies down. Can you swim,Gerald?"

  "Yes, rather! But why?"

  "Because the best and safest way to reach the launch will be to slipdown from here into the water, and strike straight for the jettyalongside which she is moored. We shall have to keep to the harbor, too;for to get on the landing-stage or to attempt to walk along it wouldresult in certain capture. It's going to be a most trying undertaking, Ican tell you, old man."

  They lapsed into silence, and for two hours lay in the gutter listeningto the noises which came from every side. But, little by little, thesounds of shouting in the distance and the hubbub in the courtyard ofthe castle died down, and finally the town regained its accustomedquietness. Even the searchlight seemed to have recovered its equanimity,for it now revolved smoothly, occasionally, however, darting to someparticular spot as some fresh alarm was sounded.

  "All is clear beneath us, and I fancy we had better be starting," saidHal at length. "We have a great deal before us, and we must not forgetthat before many hours have passed dawn will be breaking. But a fellowcan't do much on an empty stomach, so I vote that we tuck in at thegrub. Then we shall feel more inclined for the job, and can set out forthe launch with courage raised to the highest."

  It was a good suggestion, and Gerald, who was nothing loath, and,indeed, longing for something to eat, dragged the basket forward andplaced it between them, while Hal searched for his knife. There was amug lying beside the bottle, and he at once made preparations to quenchhis thirst. Placing his hat upon the roof, he put the bottle in it, andwith a sharp blow knocked the neck in two, the glass making no sound asit fell upon the cloth. Then they divided the meat, and set to work todevour it eagerly, for both were famishing.

  "There's just one thing to discuss before we start," said Hal. "Shall westick to the plan we have prepared, or shall we make back to thehacienda? For my part, I say no. Decidedly no! In the first place, weshould run a far greater risk of discovery, for we should have to passthrough the town, and get through the pickets who patrol the side thatfaces the open country. You may be sure that they are wide awake; and,indeed, that is the side on which they will be looking out, for whowould expect escaping prisoners to make out to sea? The idea wouldappear ridiculous to the average man, and it is the very improbabilitythat will help us most. Then we have to remember another very importantpoint. It is known that we hail from the hacienda, and what will be morenatural after our escape than for Eldorado to be favored by a visit fromSpanish troops? If we were foolish enough to return, we should certainlybe captured and hauled back to Santiago, when little chance would beallowed us to make a second attempt to escape."

  "You're like a lawyer, old boy," Gerald whispered in reply. "I quite seeyour point, and I say too, go for the launch tooth and nail, and clearfrom the harbor. It is our only chance, and with luck, such as we havealready had to-night, we shall manage it beautifully."

  "Then we stick to the old plan. Shall I go over the side first, or willyou? Perhaps I'd better, for I am the heavier."

  He crawled to the rope and, taking the coiled-up end in his hand, flungit over the coping. Then, having very cautiously raised his head, andinspected his surroundings as well as the darkness would permit, hesqueezed Gerald's hand and lowered himself over the wall. It was anuncanny sensation to be swinging there in the open, uncertain of thedrop beneath, and ignorant as to whether the rope was long enough toreach to the bottom. But Hal scarcely gave the matter more than athought, for his attention was riveted upon the searchlight which hadpassed a few moments before. If only it kept steadily upon its course,they would both be down by the water's edge and in hiding from it beforeit came round again. But supposing it commenced its vagaries, and beganto flit to and fro, as if suspecting the presence of the fugitives, andeager to atone for its previous defeat by discovering them? Well, therewas no ordering its movements, and they must just take their chance andhope for the best; but in any case they had already gone so far towardsthe liberty which they loved, and which meant life to them, that theywould not give in without a struggle.

  Suddenly Hal's feet struck the ground, and he at once relinquished hishold of the rope and lay down upon the grass, listening for Gerald'sdescent. Almost before he expected him he was down by his side. Theyshook hands heartily, and then stole down the steep face of the hillwhich led to the harbor.

  "Come in here; this will do for us," said Hal in a whisper, drawing hiscompanion into the shadow of a boat which suddenly barred their way, andwhich was propped up on its side.

  They crept right into it, and lay there, full length, waiting withfluttering hearts for the searchlight to pass. At last it came, seemingto the lads, in their highly strung condition, to pause inquiringly, asit lit upon the boat.

  Did the man who worked it suspect that they were there? Would he giveanother alarm at once and would the tolling of that castle bell, whichsounded so dismally like a funeral knell, boom out over the town and sethundreds of eager trackers after the spies? Where could they fly then?The harbor? No, that would not do. Then where?

  The thoughts buzzed through their heads, and the questions remainedunanswered. But each crept still closer into his shelter, pressingagainst the planks as though that would add to his safety. And all thewhile their hearts beat a rapid tattoo against their ribs, for they wereconscious that discovery at this moment would blight all their hopes ofescape. But they were frightening themselves unnecessarily, for the beamsped on its way without an instant's halt, flashing across the water,and resting for the space of a few seconds upon the launch towards whichthey were about to swim.

  "Now for it, Gerald," said Hal shortly. "Off with your coat and boots."

  They kicked the latter off, and, rapidly divesting themselves of theformer, stole down to the water's edge. Fifty yards away the beam oflight was sweeping across the surface of the water, and steadilyincreasing the distance between them, leaving all but that part uponwhich it fell obscured in dense and impenetrable darkness. Nothing, infact, could have been more opportune for Hal and his friend. They slidgently into the harbor, to find themselves in deep water at once. Thenthey threw themselves forward, and struck out boldly for the distantquay, in the wake of the revolving light.