CHAPTER X.
"WE HAVE BEEN BETRAYED!"
Ronie and Jack paid but little heed to the words of their companion, as their attention was already fixed upon the file of men moving with martial steps toward the gloomy structure, whose walls had echoed to so many cries of distress from its heart-broken captives. Even now this squad was taking thither two prisoners, as Jack had said, and one of these had awakened an exciting interest. He was surely an American, and in the distance there seemed something familiar about him, which caused them to hold their breath while they watched and waited. Then the truth of their convictions finally overpowered their doubts, and Ronie exclaimed under his breath:
"It is Harrie, Jack!"
"Ay, lad; and Francisco is with him."
"What does it mean, Jack?"
"One thing certain, lad; they have escaped the sea. It is better than becoming victims to that."
"I agree with you, Jack. Now that we have found them it will be our duty to rescue them. Perhaps Manuel here can give us some light on the subject."
The train had by this time passed beyond them, and not thinking it wise to follow, our friends turned to their companion for such information as he might be able to give. Upon learning that the prisoners were friends of theirs, Manuel suddenly became very friendly.
"So you belong to the Sons of Liberty!" he exclaimed. "Yonder penitentiary is where Castro imprisons some of his most important captives. But it won't be so for long. The mountain Indian[[1]] cannot long hold his own against the noble Matos, who belongs to the Guzman Blanco family. Señors shall soon see their comrades free."
While this thought tickled the vanity of the Venezuelan to a high degree, it did not afford any satisfaction to Jack and Ronie, the last saying:
"We must act promptly in their behalf. Have you any plan to suggest, Manuel?"
"Only this, señor. I know of one who lives in San Carlos, who makes it his business to keep posted on what is going on. I will see him at once, and no doubt he will be able to give us information that will be of assistance."
Ronie and Jack gladly agreed to this, and while Manuel was seeing his friend it was thought best for them to remain at his home. This proved to be less than a mile away, so it was only about an hour later that the Venezuelan started upon his errand, leaving our twain anxiously awaiting his return. Since he had learned that they had friends in the hands of his enemies, he had grown very friendly. They had not thought it best to say anything to create a feeling of distrust, but Ronie freely confessed to Jack, as soon as they were alone:
"I want to know what Harrie's imprisonment means before I decide to which side I belong."
"It is generally prudent to take the side of the government," replied Jack. "I can easily understand how an insurgent like Manuel can come to hate the name of Castro, and call him a savage from the mountains. Mountaineers sometimes are men who accomplish much, and President Castro seems to be one of them. I remember a few years ago, about eight, when I was in this country, he suddenly appeared from obscurity to lead a body of men against President Crespo in the interest of President Andrade. He soon proved that he was made of good metal, for he usually led his followers to victory. The Crespo party being successful, the president offered Castro a position in his cabinet if he would desist from further opposition. Possibly the daring mountaineer foresaw greater possibilities, for he declined the honor. Then, when President Crespo named General Andrade as his successor, Castro appeared on the Colombian frontier with the nucleus of a revolutionary army. From the very outset success perched upon his banner, and after overcoming the government troops wherever he met them, taking city after city, all the time receiving reinforcements to his army, he laid siege to the capital. President Andrade fled at this point of the war, and General Castro was declared ruler of the republic. Our country a few months later was the first, I think, to recognize him as ruler. I do not think he has been elected president by vote of the people.[[2]] Be that as it may, his dash and courage, with considerable military ability, has endeared him to a large number of the people. General Matos and his followers, on the other hand, claim that he has been corrupt in his management of the country's affairs, as well as dictatorial beyond the bounds of endurance."
From a discussion of the affairs of the country, they began to seek some solution to the mystery of the photograph found in such a strange way, Ronie firm in his belief that his mother was in dire distress at that very moment.
"I cannot help thinking that for some reason she is in this country, Jack, and in trouble."
"Tut—tut, lad! that cannot be. The mere fact that her picture has in some way found its way to this place does not prove that she is nearby, too. No doubt, as soon as we reach Colonel Marchand we shall get good news from her. She may have sent her photograph by him to you, and some of the rebels have stolen it."
"Forgive me, Jack. Of course that may have been the case. Now you speak of it, it is really the most likely solution to the mystery. By that I am led to believe that you think Colonel Marchand has joined President Castro's party."
"He would be likely to do it. In fact, it would be good policy for him to do so, as it would be necessary for him to be on good footing with the government in order to carry out the business venture which has drawn us all to this country."
"I agree with you, Jack. I feel better, too, in regard to mother. Now if we can rescue Harry safely it will bring great relief. I wish Manuel would come with some word of him."
"Do not get impatient, lad. It is likely to take the fellow some time to get his information, even if he gets any. I do not have great faith in the rascal, and if we were not in his own house, I should not expect to see him back."
If Jack counseled patience in waiting for the insurgent's return, he quite forgot his advice before Manuel Marlin put in an appearance, and with good reasons, for it was well into the following night before he came. He seemed then greatly excited, and told his story in a disjointed way.
"Señors' friends came ashore in a boat from the Libertador," he declared, in what seemed an exultant tone. "Then Castro's spies captured them and threw them into prison. But señors need not fear, for the Sons of Liberty will soon free them. Even now Matos is hewing his way toward the capital. Many recruits are being added to his army, and never did the prospects of down-trodden Venezuela look brighter."
"So our friends are held as prisoners of war?" asked Jack.
"As spies under Matos," replied Manuel. "Perhaps I should add, señors, that Francisco de Caprian has been recognized as an old offender against Castro. But they cannot hold him any more than they can hold long El Mocho."
If this information did not disturb the spirits of Manuel Marlin, it did awaken considerable uneasiness on the part of Ronie and Jack.
"Perhaps, if we should see the authorities at San Carlos they might set Harrie, at least, free," said Ronie.
Manuel shook his head.
"No power below Castro's can free them until Matos enters San Carlos."
Ronie was about to reply, when a commotion outside of the dwelling arrested their attention, and before they were able to understand what it meant, the wife of the Venezuelan hurriedly entered the apartment, exclaiming:
"Fly, for your life, Manuel! The yard is full of soldiers searching for the Gringos!"
Even Ronie knew this last word was a term applied by the Spanish races to Americans, and that he and Jack were the objects sought for by the newcomers.
Manuel Marlin quickly anticipated the truth, and he cried out in alarm:
"We have been betrayed! Some one has carried the news of your coming to El Capitan. Quick! flee from here, if you value your lives and mine."
[[1]] President Castro was horn of humble parentage, his parents being of mixed blood, mostly Indian, in the mountainous district of Western Venezuela. Thus the revolutionists were wont to paint him as an untamable savage, who had come to the surface in the turbulent broil of the uprisings of the times and had hewn and burned his way to the presidency. Manuel Matos was of superior birth, and was related by marriage to the Guzman Blanco family. He had had some military experience under President Blanco, but was more of a civic leader. He claimed that the Castro administration was corrupt.—AUTHOR.
[[2]] Singularly enough, General Castro was elected President for a term of six years on February 20, 1902, within a few days of this talk.—AUTHOR.