CHAPTER XXVII.
GOOD NEWS.
Ronie did not have to repeat his call, for almost before he hadfinished the last word Harrie and Jack were beside him. It was thenbut the work of a moment to disarm the terrified fellow, when he wasordered to march in front of them to the headquarters of the army.Then he fell upon his knees, actually too weak to stand up longer, andwith clasped hands and white face, begged for his life.
"Spare me, senors! I am not a spy, but if you take me before theofficers of Castro they will condemn me without a trial and I shall beshot! Spare me, I beg of you."
His pathetic supplications touched the hearts of his young captors, butthey did not feel it would be right to let him go.
"If you are innocent you can prove it," said Ronie. "I know you are insympathy with the insurgents, but I promise you shall have a fairopportunity to prove your innocence of being a spy if you are not one."
During these words of Ronie he bent a closer look upon him, and hesuddenly recognized our hero as one of the couple who had saved himfrom the jaguar. He saw that Jack was another of his captors.
"I remember you, senors," he said. "You saved my life, but it wouldhave been better for me to have been eaten by the jaguar than to fallinto the hands of Castro. I will tell you something, senor, that willbe worth more to you than my miserable life if you will let me go."
"It is of my mother!" exclaimed Ronie. "You had her photograph. Tellme where she is."
"If you will spare my life."
"I am a soldier under Castro; you know a soldier's duty, senor."
"I thought you were one of us," he murmured. "But I am going to tellall I know. She was taken prisoner by some of El Capitan's men. Asthe angels are my witness I had nothing to do with that. Her portraitfell upon the ground during the struggle and I picked it up. That isall I had to do about it."
"Where is she now?" demanded Ronie, with extreme earnestness.
"She is held as a prisoner at the old convent in Durango under commandof El Capitan."
"Then she lives!" cried Ronie, in great joy.
"_Si, senor_. I can lead you to the place, and will if you will giveme my liberty."
"That is beyond my power. I cannot--ha! here comes an officer now."
The newcomer was none other than Captain de Caprian, who asked:
"Whom have we here, senors?"
"A man we found prowling in the city under what we thought to besuspicions circumstances, so we stopped him. He is from San Carlos,and claims he is not a spy."
"I shall leave it for you to say what is to be done with him," saidFrancisco, "promising to see that he is fairly treated."
"I know not in regard to his being a spy," replied Ronie, "but he hasgiven me valuable information in regard to my mother's fate."
"Does he know of her?" asked Francisco, eagerly. "That fact aloneought to save his life. What has he told you?"
In a few words Ronie explained what he had learned, when the othersaid, with an intonation of joy in his voice:
"I am so glad, Senor Roland. No time must be lost in going to herrescue. I have this morning received word that my mother has beengiven her liberty, and that she is on her way to meet me after many sadmonths of separation. But, dear Roland, as much as I long to meet thatmother, if you are willing, and General Castro will permit, I want togo with you to help save your mother. My company will be sufficientforce."
Ronie and Harrie could not conceal their emotion at the earnest wordsof their young friend, who showed that he spoke from the heart.
"Nay----" began Ronie, but the other checked him.
"I know what you would say, Senor Roland, but as much as mother and Iwant to see each other, we can both wait until this duty is performed.I am going to General Castro at once for leave of absence. You can letthis man accompany us if you think he is to be trusted. I will meetyou near the old cathedral half an hour hence."
After a short conference among themselves, in which Manuel Marlin wasallowed to express his opinion, it was decided to let him go with them.He might prove a valuable companion, for they were all inclined tothink he would not be false to his pledges.
Before an hour had passed, so promptly did they act, Captain de Caprianled out his regiment of gallant men, to start upon the long and arduousjourney to Durango on the merciful errand of saving a captive from thepower of El Capitan. Were the truth told, more than one of the braveband hoped they might meet the bold outlaw himself.
I need not describe that journey to Durango. The town proved to be alittle hamlet under the brow of the Cordilleras, where the insurgentssometimes made their headquarters. Knowing this, the advance was madewith extreme caution as soon as the regiment had entered the debatablecountry. Scouts were constantly on the lookout, and among these wereour young engineers.
"I can scarcely wait for the time when we shall attack them," declaredRonie to Harrie and Manuel, as the three halted on the brink of a steephill overlooking the hidden town.
"How quiet the place seems," replied Harrie. "It must be El Capitanand his troops are away."
"Off on one of his raids, no doubt. It will be so much the better forus."
"Still I really think Francisco will be disappointed if we do not findthe rebel chief."
"I wonder if yonder old vine-clad building is where mother isimprisoned?" asked Ronie, pointing to what the three felt must be theancient convent pictured by those who claimed to have been there.
"_Si, senors_," replied Manuel. "But look there, _senors_! what doesthe coming of that llaneros mean?"
The question from Manuel was called forth by the sudden appearance ofone of the riders of the llanos, or plains of Venezuela, who drew reinalmost in front of the old convent. With what truly seemed wonderfulcelerity the people began to collect, coming from every quarter.
"Perhaps that fellow has discovered our men and is giving the alarm,"said Ronie.
"I wish I was near enough to hear what he says," replied Manuel. "Ifyou will wait for me, senors, a few minutes I will find out."
Manuel Marlin then began the descent into the town, and as the distancewas not far, he soon got within hearing of the new arrival. It was notover fifteen minutes before he returned to his anxious companions withthe somewhat startling announcement:
"It is as I expected, senors; El Capitan is on his way home, and isexpected within a few hours!"
CHAPTER XXVIII.
VICTORY AND PEACE.
Ronie and Harrie heard this announcement with considerable alarm, aswith their first thought they believed they had come too late toaccomplish their purpose.
"We must get back to the regiment as soon as possible," declared Ronie."If we act promptly we may yet rout the inhabitants of the town andsave mother. How many men has El Capitan under him, do you think,Manuel?"
"I am sorry that I am not able to tell," replied the Venezuelan. "Ithink by what I could catch that he is coming back with a large force."
"Which makes it the more necessary that we act quickly. Come on, boys!"
His companions needed no urging to follow him, and it was not longbefore they were able to rejoin Captain de Caprian, who was anxiouslyawaiting them. But their news did not disconcert the brave youngpatriot.
"It only fulfills my wishes," he said. "We have only to storm the townwithout loss of time, and then get ready to meet El Capitan. Ay, wewill give him a welcome home that he little expects. I wish SenorGreenland would--but here he comes!"
Jack had also been out on a reconnoissance, and he brought in the samenews that the others had--that El Capitan was expected at Durangowithin a few hours.
"They say he comes with five thousand troops," added Jack.
Our heroes turned to see what effect this announcement would have uponFrancisco, but as far as they could see the young captain did not showthat he had heard the words. Fifteen minutes later the regiment wasordered forward, and then was begun a swift, but silent, advance uponthe stronghold of the insurgents, Cap
tain de Caprian giving out hisorders calmly and confidently, as if about to enter one of the camps ofCastro. Could he reasonably hope to meet successfully El Capitan'ssuperior numbers? What if the latter had five thousand men under hiscommand?
Ronie and Harrie could not help asking each other these questions, asthey fell into line and moved sternly forward. When near to the lowerend of the town Captain de Caprian divided his men into two bodies, soas to attack the place simultaneously from different parts. Our heroesremained with his division, and entered the mountain hamlet from thenearest quarter, this advance being along a narrow road overhung by arange of hills on either side.
In order to give the other division time to gain a position above them,it was necessary to make a brief delay before opening the attack. Butthe wait was not long before the signal was given for the doubleassault, and the word rang along the ranks:
"Forward! double-quick---charge!"
It goes without saying that exciting scenes followed. Ronie, Harrieand Jack managed to keep together, and it was their good fortune to beamong the first to come within close proximity to the convent whereMrs. Rand was supposed to be imprisoned. This had, in fact, been apart of Captain de Caprian's plans.
The surprise was complete as far as the insurgents were concerned. Theonset of the government troops came like a tempest from a clear sky.Women shrieked and fled, followed by men who made scarcely moreresistance, until they succeeded in rallying about the old convent.Here then was fought the lion's part of the battle. A hundred or moreof the insurgents made a desperate stand, but they might as well havehoped to stem the mountain torrent which swept down the gorge justbehind their native hamlet. They seemed to quickly realize this, andthe cry for quarter soon rang out above the medley of battle.
"Forward!" still shouted the youthful commander. "Force an entrance tothe old building before it is too late."
Captain de Caprian showed that he realized what was likely to followinside the structure, for he had barely uttered his order before a crywith womanly sharpness in it rang out--an appeal for help.
Our heroes were already storming the door, having dashed aside thesentinels on duty there. The next moment, led by Ronie, and followedby a dozen of the troops, our three burst into the convent. Runningswiftly along the main passage they soon came upon a scene which sentthe blood coursing fiercely through their veins. It would appear thatthe insurgents, finding they were being routed by the governmenttroops, sought to kill the few prisoners they held within this oldbuilding. At the very moment our rescuers appeared on the scene, oneof them was swinging over his head the ugly-looking knife he carried inthe act of slaying the woman who was kneeling at his feet. Ronie sentthe miscreant senseless to the floor, and the next moment clasped hismother in his arms.
"I was in season, mother," he murmured; "you are safe."
But she had fainted, and as gently as possible, with the assistance ofHarrie and Jack, he bore her to a bench where the fresh air could coolher fevered temple.
"To think if we had been a minute later," said Ronie.
"She opens her eyes," declared Harrie. "She has been spared."
It was indeed an affecting scene, during which Jack Greenland drewapart. He found that three other captives, all Venezuelans, had beenrescued, and that these had been all the persons held in the convent.
Renewed commotion outside now caught his attention, and he returned tothe side of his friends.
"I think El Capitan is coming, and that the boys are preparing towelcome him home," he said, grimly. "I think I will help in thegreeting, if you will excuse me, lads."
"Forgive me, Jack, for forgetting my duty," said Harrie. "But I feltso anxious for Ronie's mother."
"I must go, mother," declared Ronie.
"Oh, my son!" she implored, "must you leave me here and now?"
It was a serious problem for the young engineers to decide, betweenfilial and martial duty. Happily Jack quickly settled the matter bysaying:
"It is your duty, lads, to remain here. I know Captain de Caprianwould wish it. Look sharp to yourselves, while I join the troops intheir welcome to El Capitan."
The young engineers were fain to agree to this, feeling that it wasbetter they should. Especially was this the situation as they were notregularly attached to the regiment.
The "welcome" extended to El Capitan and his followers was given nearthe lower end of the town, where the mountain ranges drew so neartogether that the valley was narrow, uncomfortably narrow for thesurprised insurgents. El Capitan will never forget that "welcome," norwill his men, who quickly scattered like sheep scaling themountainside. If outnumbering the government troops three to one,numbers did not count then. Among those who won special distinctionwas Manuel Marlin.
As soon as he could do so, Captain de Caprian sought his Americanfriends to congratulate them, while he described the complete victoryof his troops. Altogether, it was a happy occasion to them.
"I shall order an immediate return to the capital," declared the youngpatriot. "You had better go to Caracas with us, friends."
They were nothing loath to do this, and it was an exceedingly happycompany which found its way back to the mountain citadel, where theywere hailed with delight by the president himself. El Capitan, theinsurgent chief who had been so feared, was turned over to the properauthorities, while Manuel Marlin, in consideration of his recentbravery, was fully pardoned for any error of the past. Our friends atthis time witnessed what seemed to them rather a peculiar trait ofpublic justice. This was the return to Caracas of El Mocho, who, itwill be remembered, had been kept a prisoner at San Carlos for a longtime. He had been accused, and apparently with good reason, ofinfidelity to the government. But this was now overlooked, and GeneralCastro openly welcomed him to his arms, upon his promise to be faithfulin the future.
"It is a good specimen of South American sense of justice," remarkedJack. "One day a man is hunted as an enemy, and the next he isembraced as a loved friend. It may be all right. I cannot say."
In their happiness our heroes had no desire to criticise, much more tocondemn, such a practice. Ronie was extremely thankful for thismeeting with his mother. While they had many explanations to make andlong stories to tell of what had happened since their parting, there islittle I need repeat here. It was perfectly natural that Mrs. Randshould seek to improve the opportunity to meet Ronie in Caracas, andshe did not dream of the suffering it was going to cost her, of theterror of captivity or the horrors of her long imprisonment, but thesehad been safely passed, and all felt like rejoicing over the outcome.
Another couple especially happy were Francisco and his mother, whom ourAmericans quickly learned to love and respect. She proved indeed to bea gentlewoman of the noblest type, who adored her patriotic son.
Naturally it was not long before our engineers felt it was time forthem to move on their work, but this could not be done until ColonelMarchand, who joined with them in their happiness, could recover fromhis wounds so as to accompany them. While these healed, and ourfriends passed the time pleasantly in the capital, flitting back andforth between their friends, the warlike affairs of the republic grewapace. There was some fighting to be done, but mainly it had come tobe a matter of diplomacy and argument between the powers, until finallythe glad news of a peaceful negotiation came to them.
Once more President Castro had triumphed, achieving this time, itseemed, his grandest victory. When the account of this rang over themountain city our American engineers began to prepare for an arduouscampaign of an altogether different kind from that which befell themwhen they were COMRADES UNDER CASTRO.
THE END.
"Engineer Ralph," by Frank H. MacDougal, No. 87 of the ROUND THE WORLDLIBRARY, is a splendid story of a boy's supreme struggle to success.
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Where Duty Called; or, In Honor Bound Page 31