CHAPTER V
A Valuable Capture
Three hours passed after Philip's departure before Roger saw anything ofthe Spaniards and their slaves. For the noonday heat was great, and allwere indulging in a siesta, the slaves even being allowed this luxury,simply because without their masters to watch over them and to flog themno work was to be expected.
"Better dine and rest myself," thought Roger. "Then I shall be ready foranything. But I must not sleep, though I feel drowsy enough. It would bedifferent were there no Spaniards about. But there are none, and I havenothing to look at save that big brown mound of earth, and the foresttrees with a curling line of logs passing out amongst them. Let me seewhat I have with me; and I must look for water."
He remembered then that as he sat or lay full length in the bush he hadheard the tinkle of a stream somewhere near at hand, and at once he wason his feet and in search of the fluid; for though the leaves abovesheltered him from the glare of the sun, it must be remembered that fora month he had been unused to much exertion, and particularly had walkedvery little. On this day, however, he had scrambled through theunderwood, putting aside brambles and creepers at every step. Then hefound that in spite of the shade the heat was very great. It was closeand sultry beneath the trees, and long ago he had been forced to openhis doublet at the neck and sleeves, while the perspiration poured fromhis forehead. So that it was not to be wondered at that he desired adrink of water. A hundred yards to the right he found the stream, andfalling full length, lowered his lips to the surface.
"A good place for an out-of-doors meal," he said to himself; "and as Ican see the houses from here, I shall stay."
He took the biscuit and cheese from his pocket, and the junk of saltmeat from the satchel carried over one shoulder. Then he cut the latterinto two parts with his dagger, and one of the halves into thin slices.A little later a figure startled him, and he observed a tall nativeemerge into the clearing. He was almost naked, and his dark brown skinwas stained with marks of the toil with which he had been engaged. Inhis hand he carried a bag made of woven grass, while his eyes sought forsome shady nook in which he might rest. He saw the big bush which hadsheltered Roger and Philip, and he sauntered to it, throwing himselfdown in the shade.
"Lucky I moved away from the edge of the clearing," said Roger, "andstill more fortunate that I kept the clearing in sight. That fellowmight see our marks. Sir Thomas tells me that he has heard that they cantrack any one with the intelligence and quickness of a dog, that acrushed leaf, or a broken twig has a story for them. I wonder what theresult would be supposing he happened to discover that some one hadbeen in the bush behind him? He would follow, and perhaps come as far asthe ship. That must be prevented. If he moves I will meet him, and willspeak to him. If he runs----"
He debated whether he ought to fire a shaft at the native under thosecircumstances.
"Why should I?" he said. "The poor beggar is obviously a slave, and musthate the Spaniards, for he was one of those who was lashed as wearrived. I wonder whether he speaks Spanish, or whether the Spaniardshave learned the native language."
He was still debating the matter when a movement on the part of thenative arrested his attention. He dived into his bag, and produced along rod of wood. Had Roger been nearer he would have seen that this rodpierced the centre of a flat circular stone bored for the purpose, andthat a cross piece provided with leather strings was attached. There wasalso a piece of hard wood, with a little hollow in it, while from onecorner of the bag some brown powder was produced, consisting of driedwood. Roger, in fact, was about to observe the native method ofobtaining fire, and marvelled as the man patiently twirled his weightedstick till smoke burst from the hollow in the hard wood. Then he addedsome of the powder, and as it caught and smouldered, placed a piece ofdried and rotten stick against the flame. But our hero opened his eyesstill wider in utter amazement when the native rolled something betweenhis brown hands, licked the object carefully and critically, and thenplacing one end to his lips, applied the other to the flame. Smoke burstfrom the mouth and nostrils of this strange man, while he leaned backeasily and contentedly, slowly putting out the fire with his other hand,and replacing the stick and the whole paraphernalia in his bag.
"Marvellous!" thought Roger, sitting up in his amazement. "The fellowlooks as if he were on fire. What can it all mean? And he seems socontented and happy, for he leans back with closed eyes, and puffs atthat long brown stick. Now he is sitting up. Ah! He burned his handagainst the end, and that made him start. He is rubbing the place with aleaf, and----"
His words were cut short, while he himself fell flat on the ground, forthat accidental burn was like to be his undoing. The native,dissatisfied with the first leaf which came to his hand, turned andsought for some special kind in the grass and herbage growing in thebush, and gave vent to a cry of astonishment. He knelt upon his kneesand searched the grass around the bush diligently, and in a manner whichshowed that his interest was aroused. Then, catching up his bag, heslung it over one arm and rose to his feet, still puffing at the longcigar which he had manufactured; for that, in fact, was the nature ofthe article which he had in his hand, and Roger was probably the veryfirst Englishman to witness this native custom--a custom which has nowbecome almost universal. But he had other matters to occupy hisattention, for it was obvious that the native's curiosity was thoroughlyaroused.
"He is coming into the forest," exclaimed Roger, in alarm, "He isbending low, and following the tracks left by Philip and myself as if hewere a dog, or as if they were as clearly outlined as any road. Ah, hehas stopped! That must be the point at which I struck off for thisstream."
Discovery seemed certain, but in the hope of escaping observation Rogerthrew himself into the long grass and undergrowth, and burrowed his wayinto the thickest part. Then he drew his sword, for even now it was notcertain that the native would be friendly.
"He must take his chance," said Roger between clenched teeth. "We havetoo great a stake at issue to risk the ship and all our lives for thesake of one native. If he discovers me I shall speak in Spanish, andorder him to be silent. If he refuses, and attempts to run----"
Could Roger cut him down in cold blood? Could he, taller even than thistall native, set upon him, knowing him to be a slave, for he had sorecently seen him cringe beneath the lash of the Spaniards? No! Rogerknew well that he could not do that, even for the sake of all hiscomrades, and for the safety of the expedition.
"Poor beggar!" he thought. "I will not harm him; but at the same time Iwill not allow him to betray us. I will sheathe the sword, and, if heruns, will jump upon his back and capture him."
By now the native had turned aside, and was creeping along the narrowtrack left by Roger. He halted every now and again, and picked up apiece of stick, or bent closer to inspect the ground. Once even his faceshowed traces of astonishment and fear, and it looked as if he wouldturn back to the clearing. But at heart, and when no whip dominated him,he was a courageous fellow, and presently he came on again till he wasclose to Roger. Instantly his frame became rigid with apprehension, andhe was about to run, for his eyes had detected the figure lying in theundergrowth.
"Stand and be silent," said Roger, sternly. "Do not run, or harm willcome to you. I am no Spaniard, but come from another part where thepeople do not love your masters."
He scrambled to his feet and stood up before the astonished native, whoeyed him fearfully, and looked for a moment as if he would have bolted.But Roger's youth saved the situation. He looked no villain, no crueltaskmaster, but what he was--a jovial, overgrown young fellow, given tokindness to all.
"Not Spanish? There are no others, so we have been taught," exclaimedthe native. "Our masters tell us that they rule the world, and they havemade slaves of us here as if by natural right. We are forced to work forthem, even to learn their tongue that we may understand them. NotSpanish? Then what?"
"English!" exclaimed Roger, proudly lifting his head. "We are subjectsof King Henry the Eighth, and we are a
s good, and better than theseSpaniards. Why should you slave for them? Why not drive them from yourisland if they treat you so?"
"Because we are too weak to do so. Years ago it might have beenpossible, when first they appeared, and in small numbers. Now there aremore than a thousand, and they are too strong with their guns and theirhorses. Yes, their horses carry them so swiftly after us, and run usdown so easily. Then, too, the vengeance of our masters is so fierce.They punish us with barbarous tortures, and slay us and our wives andchildren. Life is one long hardship under them. But tell me where youcome from? I marked your tracks, and followed. Then, as I turned in thisdirection, the track told me that a big man had gone this way. I fearedit was a Spaniard, for there were prints of boots such as these tyrantswear. It might have been one of the soldiers come here for a quiet rest,and had I wakened him the lash would have followed. But I came on,and--hush, I hear voices! I must be going, for they have started to workat the mine again."
Roger would have kept him, would have asked him to come to this samespot again. But the native turned quickly and left, as if fearful ofbeing late for his work, knowing well, without doubt, that the lashwould be his reward. But he was not to reach the clearing withouttrouble, for it happened that as he entered the forest in search of thestrangers who had left their tracks, one of the Spaniards had saunteredfrom the houses, and caught sight of the retreating figure. Desertionsfrom amongst the slaves were very common, and the Spaniard at once cameto the conclusion that the native was about to make an attempt to getaway. He crept after him, therefore, and so quietly that neither Rogernor the man heard his approach. Suddenly, however, as the native ranback towards the clearing, he rose from the path and accosted him.
"What now!" he demanded violently. "A runaway! You will teach the othersto give us the slip, and will give us the trouble of following, andsetting on the dogs. A lesson is wanted, and you shall see that it isunwise to attempt to leave us so hurriedly. Work at the mine may notmeet your fancy, but there are other matters which are less pleasant."
He eyed the trembling native till Roger thought that the poor fellowwould have sunk to the ground in his terror, while he slowly extracted aknife from his belt. Then he searched for a suitable sapling, and havingchosen one which was stout and whippy, he cut it off, and severed thesmaller branches.
"A whip may sting for a while," he said, with a brutal laugh, "but forlong memories, give me a cane after this sort. The pain of the bruiselasts, and every movement is a reminder. Now, come hither, slave, andreceive what is your due. Hanging were too good for you."
He seized the poor fellow, and brought his stick down with all hisstrength, till the native shrieked. Roger's blood boiled. Up till now heremained unseen by the Spaniard. But he could not lie there, a bigfellow such as he was, and see a human being treated with such cruelty.
"Why, one would not beat a savage dog so!" he said. "And, moreover, thepoor native was not attempting to be gone, though none would blame himhad he done so. I won't put up with such brutality."
He leapt to his feet impulsively, forgetting all about the safety of theexpedition and his comrades--forgetful of everything save the unhappynative and the Spanish coward who thrashed him. With a bound he was onthe path, and in a twinkling he was before the Spaniard, his faceflushed with anger, and his pulses beating with excitement. There was aloud cry of amazement; the Spaniard let go his hold of the native, andstared at the stranger till, suddenly, Roger's fist flew out, and,crashing into the Spaniard's face, sent him rolling into the underwood.
"ROGER SENT HIM ROLLING INTO THE UNDERWOOD"]
"An enemy! The English! The English! Rally!"
The man picked himself up with the agility of a monkey, and gave vent tothe warning at the top of his voice. Then his sword swished from thescabbard, and he stepped towards Roger.
"So that is what brought this sneaking cur over into the forest!" hesaid, with an oath. "He has been parleying with you--you men of England,of whom we have heard. And you and your comrades are here, hoping tosnatch this island of Cuba from us. We shall see, and you shall learnthat a man of less than six feet is more than a match for one of yourheight. Yield now, or wait till my comrades come. It makes nodifference. You will be taken, and later on the Governor will roast youon the square at Santiago."
Roger did not wait to argue with the man, nor did he accept theinvitation to surrender. He heard shouts from the clearing, and caughtsight of a number of armed men running towards the forest. In twominutes they would be there, and his escape would be out of thequestion. Indeed, already he was almost cut off, and unless he moved nowhe would never get away. Doubtless he would then be burned on the squareat Santiago, according to the barbarous custom of the Spaniards. In aninstant, therefore, his plan of action was taken. While the Spaniardstood glaring at him, hesitating to attack him, our hero sprang forwardso suddenly that his opponent was unable to raise the point of hissword. Roger clutched at his enemy, and, lifting him above his head,threw him against the trunk of a tree.
"Come with me," he said to the native. "If you remain you will be killedor tortured by these brutes. Come with us, and you will be kindly dealtwith."
There was no time for further discussion, for by now the shouts weresensibly nearer. He darted forward, therefore, and, following the trackthrough the grass, made for the spot where the long line of blazingscommenced.
"Master, let me go before you," he heard the native exclaim. "I willcome with you, for to remain is to be killed. Let me run in front, and Ishall be able to find the track and follow it without loss of time."
"Then get ahead," said Roger, shortly. "You will find that we havemarked the trees, so as to show us how to reach the ship again; and ifyou follow that line we shall be safe. Now hasten, for the Spaniards arenear, and I fancy their comrade will be able to speak to them, and tellthem what has happened. I missed my aim, for had he hit the tree as Imeant he would have been silenced for many a day."
The Spaniard had, in fact, hit the trunk at which Roger had thrown himwith the broad of his back, and though the concussion had momentarilystunned him, and knocked the breath out of his body, he was able tospeak when his comrades ran to his side.
"Follow!" he gasped. "I came hither after one of the slaves, and foundhim parleying with a huge Englishman. Their ship--the one we heardof--must have touched on the coast somewhere near at hand, and they senta scout in to see where we were. Follow, and cut the fellow to pieces."
The effort was almost too much for him, for he fell back at the foot ofthe tree and lapsed into unconsciousness. But he had been able to givevaluable information, and his comrades acted upon it with alacrity.Fortunately for them, all were fully armed, and therefore they set offinto the forest without hesitation and without the loss of a moment. Oneof their number happened to catch a sight of the fugitives, and thisgiving them the direction, they burst their way through the forest at arapid rate. They had no need to follow any particular line, for thenoise made by the two fugitives was sufficient indication of the courseof their flight. The Spaniards therefore simply rushed through theunderwood, careless of the brambles which grew here and there, theireyes seeking for Roger and the native, while their ears listened forsounds of their flight. As for the latter, thanks to the acuteness ofthe native--an acuteness which Roger marvelled at--they ran on into thedepths of the forest almost without a halt. But their progress washardly as rapid as that of the enemy, for the simple reason that Rogerand Philip had made an occasional _detour_ to avoid the thick underwood.Then, again, their progress through the forest had not been as direct asit might have been, because they Were unused to travelling in such aplace. So that, though they ran fast and did not delay, the enemysteadily approached them.
"They are striking to the right again, because of some thick bushes,"called out one of the Spaniards who led the pursuit. "Come after me, andI will take you by a route which will cut into their course."
He was a man who had spent many years in the Indies, and was wellaccustomed to the forest
s. Indeed, his comrades said of him that hecould track out a native as well even as the best of native trackerscould have done, and that bloodhounds were hardly necessary if Sebastianwere with the party. He plunged, therefore, into the thick of theunderwood, thrusting the brambles and twigs aside savagely, and leapingover obstacles such as the fallen trunks of trees. Then he burst into aglade, and swinging to the left, led the party straight ahead, till hiseye caught a mark on one of the trees.
"Halt!" he said, holding his pike in the air. "We are ahead of them, Ithink. Listen! There is the sound of broken sticks as they run, and itis behind us."
"Are you certain? I thought that I heard sounds ahead," exclaimed one ofhis comrades, standing beside him and breathing deeply, for the suddencall for exertion, their indolent lives, and the weight of their weaponsand clothing had told upon them. "There! Listen you, Sebastian! Thosesounds are ahead, I wager anything upon it!"
"And I swear that they are behind," burst in another, hotly. "Listen,there is the noise."
"Hush! You will give them the warning. There are men in advance, Ithink," admitted Sebastian, "but I am sure that these fugitives, thisslave and the Englishman, are behind us. Perhaps there are others nearat hand, and they will have had no warning. Silence, I say! Let us linethe path which is here. You can see the blaze marks on the trees. Then,when we have cut down the fugitives, we will teach the others a lesson."
"A lesson to leave the Indies alone; to meddle with nothing whichbelongs to his Most Catholic Majesty, Ferdinand."
"Silence, fool!" Sebastian turned upon the man with a snarl which causedthe offender to close his lips. Then he crept forward on to the trackleft by Roger and Philip, and disposed his men so as to catch them in atrap.
"Let there be no hesitation. If the man is armed cut him down, but donot give a mortal blow if it can be helped. We may get information fromhim. Now, to your places."
Meanwhile Roger and the native had been hurrying along through theforest, their eyes picking out the trees which were marked. So occupiedwere they with this that they hardly noted the progress made by theenemy, and they would undoubtedly have plunged into the trap set forthem had not the acuteness of the native suddenly arrested their flight.
"Lie down," he said abruptly, catching Roger by the sleeve and drawinghim to the ground. "There, you can hear their voices. We have been goingin a circle, while they have cut straight through. They are on the pathbefore us."
"Then we must cut our way through them. How many were there?"
The native counted the enemy off on the fingers of his two hands, givingthe number in the broken Spanish which he spoke.
"Thirteen, I think, master," he said. "There are fifteen at the mine,and one you threw against the tree. One is with the slaves at the works,and that will leave thirteen to attack us. Surely it is impossible tocut a way through them?"
"It must be done!" answered Roger, with decision. "We will creep alongtill close to where they hide, and if possible we will pass them. Ifthey spy us out we must run, and cut down whoever opposes us. Here is adagger. Make use of it."
"Hush!" The native stopped Roger with a movement. "More sounds," hesaid. "Wait while I listen."
Creeping along the ground, he placed his ear against the trunk of a bigtree, and stood there for more than a minute. Then he returned toRoger's side and whispered in his ear.
"I hear men moving," he said. "They seem to come towards us, and theyare making much noise. I do not think that they are the Spaniards, forthese sounds come from beyond the spot where I last heard them."
"Then they must be friends," exclaimed Roger, his heart beating fasterat the thought. "I had sent for them, and expected them before this. Canwe get round to them?"
For a moment the two looked into one another's eyes, Roger longing forthe native's answer, while the latter debated whether it would bepossible for this big, clumsy Englishman to creep through the forestwithout alarming the enemy.
"There will be great risk of discovery," he said, "and I advise that Icreep through to your friends. Give me a token, and I will hasten tothem with it. What message shall I take?"
"Tell them that I have been discovered; that the Spaniards lie betweenme and them, and that I am cut off. If we have heard their coming, thenthe enemy have very likely become aware of their presence in the forest.But they do not know their numbers. Therefore we shall still have somechance of surprising them. Tell my comrades to advance, while I willcome towards them from this side. Bid them be sure that none of theSpaniards escape, and lest they should do so do you return in thisdirection and lie in wait. None of these enemies must return to theclearing. But--" He suddenly recollected that the native could not speakEnglish. "Then you must sign to them and bring them along," he saidquickly. "Take this whistle, and go."
He lay full length in the underwood, his eyes peering amongst the treesand brambles, while he listened intently. For who could say whether theSpaniards were already coming towards him? No doubt they were accustomedto warfare in these woods, for they had had many a brush with thenatives. Then perhaps they were stalking him, and would come just assilently as his native comrade had gone.
Roger shivered at the thought. Then his courage returned, and with thathis old assurance. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword, while he layin such a posture that in a moment he could rise to his feet.
Click! A twig snapped near at hand, and his grip tightened. Was itfriend or enemy? There it was again, and Roger became certain that someone was approaching.
"It must be a Spaniard," he thought, "and as I have been still andsilent since I dropped in this place the chances are that he does notquite know my whereabouts. I have something which will stop him."
Very softly his hand sought for his crossbow and a shaft. Then he pulledback the bow and waited. Click! The very faintest sound reached his ear,followed by the rustle of dried leaves. He turned his head to the left,and his eye fell upon the tip of a pike. Then he saw the ridge of asteel cap, and behind it the legs of a Spaniard. It was Sebastian, who,conscious of his superiority, had left his comrades to discover thewhereabouts of the fugitives, and with the intention of capturing themalone if possible. The sudden cessation of sounds had surprised him, andhe had rapidly guessed that the fugitives had halted and were in hiding,or were endeavouring to creep silently away.
"Strange! I do not see them, and there is now not a sound," he suddenlysaid to himself, as he halted. "A little while ago there were noisesfrom this direction, and we heard other men deeper in the forest. Nownone are to be heard, and none to be seen."
He sat up cautiously and looked round him. But only leaves and foresttrunks were in sight. Only leaves! No! His eye suddenly caught theglitter of a steel bow, while behind that bow was a steel cap much thesame as he wore. Sebastian was startled. Then he leaped to his feet, andtaking his pike in both hands, charged down upon Roger with a roar whichstartled the echoes.
"The Englishman!" he shouted at the top of his voice. "Follow! Follow!"
Roger made no movement. He did not even flinch as he saw the point ofthe pike lowered and the man rushing upon him. Instead, his eye went tothe bow, and he aimed steadily for his man. Very gently the tip of thebow went up till it was directed full upon the Spaniard's throat. Thenour hero pressed the trigger, and in less than a second Sebastian wasdown amidst the moss and the ferns and bracken, his pike and his enmityforgotten, while his feeble hands clutched convulsively at a shaft whichhad passed right through his neck. He attempted to call for help, butfailed. For a moment or two he rolled over and over, strugglingdreadfully. Then a sigh escaped him, and he became silent; his head fellback, and he lay with arms spread out to their full extent, a victim ofhis own rashness. He had hardly fallen before a babel of shouts brokethe silence of the forest, while the heavy trampling of feet and thesnapping of twigs came to Roger's ears. He leaped to his feet, anddrawing his sword, thrust the point into the ground. Then he fittedanother shaft into his crossbow and waited. A few seconds later two ofthe Spaniards appeared,
and, catching sight of him, ran forward. Then athird was seen, and he came to an abrupt halt, and levelling hisarquebus, made ready to fire it.
"Better get behind a tree," thought Roger; "then the gun cannot do meharm, and I shall be ready for the others. Ah, there is a fourth! Itrust that my comrades will be coming soon."
"He has slain Sebastian. Fall on him! Cut him down!" shouted the firstof the enemy, catching sight of his dead comrade and halting for amoment. "Now, comrade, we will run him through together. Lower your pikeand rush."
Sheltered behind a huge trunk, Roger watched them cautiously, and out ofthe tail of his eye saw the man with the arquebus blowing at his fuse,while he endeavoured to hold the ponderous weapon steadily at hisshoulder. A second later the fuse was ready, and he fired, the bulletstriking the tree with an ugly thud. But no damage was done to Roger,and at once his head and shoulders appeared, and his crossbow twanged,one of the charging Spaniards falling instantly. The other kept onwithout a pause, and, seeing that he was determined to come to closequarters, Roger dropped his crossbow and snatched at his sword.
"Yield!" cried the Spaniard. "You are surrounded, and your friendscannot help you. Throw down your sword and surrender."
"Never!" answered Roger, quietly. "Yield yourself, for it is you who aresurrounded. Now, up with your hands, or I will cleave you to the chin."
The Spaniard gave vent to a hoarse laugh, for he was amused at theinsolence of the Englishman. Then he lowered the point of his pike andlunged, striking Roger on the arm. But the hurt was only a slight one,and was returned instantly. Pike parried sword thrust, while the pointof Roger's weapon prevented his adversary from approaching too close. Hehad just succeeded in wounding the man slightly for the second time,when the appearance of five more of the Spaniards made the affair wear aserious look. He cut savagely at his opponent, and was in the act offollowing the stroke up when an arquebus roared, and the unfortunatefellow who opposed him fell to the ground. Then shouts came to hisear--English shouts--and at the sound of his comrades voices he dashedforward, and fell upon the Spaniards furiously, his sword playingswiftly.
"He is here. He is alive and well. Come forward and surround these men."
It was Philip's voice which he heard, and a moment later that individualappeared, sword in hand. Then a second comrade from the brigantine cameto view on the right, while others came pushing through the trees.
"Fall on them and cut them down!" shouted Roger; "and see that noneescape. Philip, come to my side, and let four others rally here. Now wewill make haste to the clearing."
"There is one of the Spaniards stealing off," suddenly cried Philip, ashe ran to his friend's side, "Stop him, whoever happens to be in thatdirection, or he will give the alarm."
But they had no need for anxiety, though none of the Englishmen appearedin answer to his warning cry. Instead, the tall native thrust his way tothe front, and at a nod from Roger set off after the Spaniard. And whilehe raced through the underwood, the men of the brigantine, headed byRoger, fell upon the Spaniards. There was a fierce fight, swords flashedin the air, lopping twigs from the bushes, and striking heavy blows atthe enemy. Three of the latter quickly fell, and within five minutesthose who survived had thrown down their arms.
"Form a guard round them, and follow swiftly," said Roger. "We will goto the clearing and capture the store of gold which is there. Now hurry,for we must not waste time."
"What if the man who fled has given the alarm?" demanded Philip, comingbreathless to Roger's side. "That would wreck all our hopes, for then wecould not stay."
"We could manage to get the worst of the damage to the ship repaired.But wait; here comes the tall native whose acquaintance I first made.Now, what is the tale?" he demanded.
"The man ran fast, and, turning, struck at me as I came near. But I fellsuddenly, pretending to be hurt, and he turned again to kill me. Iseized my opportunity, and sprang upon him with the dagger. He is dead.Has my lord further orders?"
"Run fast to the mine, and bid your friends capture this other Spaniard.We will follow quickly."
Roger waved him away, and then gathered his comrades about him. Therewere twenty in all, and none had received more than the most triflingwounds.
"All fit for duty, then," he said. "Let ten guard the prisoners, whilethe remainder come with me. The prisoners and their guard will remainhere, for we do not wish them to know what is happening at the mine."
There was a tone of authority in his voice, and, young though he was,the men from the brigantine obeyed him with alacrity.
"He's won his place, and will keep it," said one.
"Nay, he'll not keep it," protested another, as they marched through thetrees. "The lad's bound to rise. You can see that he's cut out for aleader. He keeps his head, and is a capable manager. A groat on it thathe'll go higher, maybe top the tree, just as he overstands us all inheight. A burly young giant, with a good heart and a better head. I, forone, follow him willingly."
"And I. And I."
The men answered eagerly, while they followed the figure of their tallyoung leader till the clearing was reached. Arrived there, they foundthe last of the enemy in the hands of the slaves, who had disarmed andpinioned him.
"Were we to deal justice to him, to repay cruelty with cruelty, weshould have strangled him slowly ere you arrived," said the native whohad come so unexpectedly to be Roger's friend, and whose name was Tamba."But I knew my lord's wishes, and I will always follow them, for do Inot owe him my life?"
"You have done well," said Roger, shortly. "Now gather your friends, andask them whether they will serve us. But first, tell me, is this minefar from your masters--from their other settlements?"
"Two days' journey, my lord. A Spaniard would take three."
"And there are no other natives in the neighbourhood?"
"None, my lord."
"Then ask the question and return."
A few seconds later Tamba came back with the information that hiscomrades were eager to serve their new masters.
"We long to escape from this slavery and ill-treatment," he saidearnestly. "We will come with you on the ship if you wish it. Whatdirections will you be pleased to give?"
"Let ten of your friends remain here for a time; and, Philip, takecommand of them till I can return. Let the others gather the gold in thestorehouse and come with us. We will go to the brigantine immediately."
All was movement at once, and very soon the party was returning, ladenwith their capture. As for Roger, he had no hesitation in giving theorder to take the gold, for they were now open enemies of the Spaniards,and in those days such a capture was looked upon as perfectlylegitimate. Therefore every bar and every sack of the precious metal waspacked upon the backs of the natives, and the whole party returnedthrough the wood with their prisoners. They were hailed with joy whenthey reached the brigantine, and at once Sir Thomas demanded the fulltale from his lieutenant.
"You have done us valuable service," he said, "and already the goldobtained pays for the expedition. We shall not forget your courage, noryour resource, and shall find a responsible place for you in thefuture."
Nor was it long before Roger's services were again in requisition, withwhat result we shall presently see.
Roger the Bold: A Tale of the Conquest of Mexico Page 5