CHAPTER XXVII.
GOOD NEWS.
Ronie did not have to repeat his call, for almost before he had finished the last word Harrie and Jack were beside him. It was then but the work of a moment to disarm the terrified fellow, when he was ordered 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, and with clasped hands and white face, begged for his life.
"Spare me, señors! I am not a spy, but if you take me before the officers of Castro they will condemn me without a trial and I shall be shot! Spare me, I beg of you."
His pathetic supplications touched the hearts of his young captors, but they 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 in sympathy with the insurgents, but I promise you shall have a fair opportunity 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 he suddenly recognized our hero as one of the couple who had saved him from the jaguar. He saw that Jack was another of his captors.
"I remember you, señors," he said. "You saved my life, but it would have been better for me to have been eaten by the jaguar than to fall into the hands of Castro. I will tell you something, señor, that will be 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. Tell me where she is."
"If you will spare my life."
"I am a soldier under Castro; you know a soldier's duty, señor."
"I thought you were one of us," he murmured. "But I am going to tell all I know. She was taken prisoner by some of El Capitan's men. As the angels are my witness I had nothing to do with that. Her portrait fell upon the ground during the struggle and I picked it up. That is all 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 command of El Capitan."
"Then she lives!" cried Ronie, in great joy.
"Si, señor. I can lead you to the place, and will if you will give me 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, señors?"
"A man we found prowling in the city under what we thought to be suspicions 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," said Francisco, "promising to see that he is fairly treated."
"I know not in regard to his being a spy," replied Ronie, "but he has given me valuable information in regard to my mother's fate."
"Does he know of her?" asked Francisco, eagerly. "That fact alone ought to save his life. What has he told you?"
In a few words Ronie explained what he had learned, when the other said, with an intonation of joy in his voice:
"I am so glad, Señor Roland. No time must be lost in going to her rescue. I have this morning received word that my mother has been given her liberty, and that she is on her way to meet me after many sad months of separation. But, dear Roland, as much as I long to meet that mother, if you are willing, and General Castro will permit, I want to go with you to help save your mother. My company will be sufficient force."
Ronie and Harrie could not conceal their emotion at the earnest words of 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, Señor Roland, but as much as mother and I want 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 let this man accompany us if you think he is to be trusted. I will meet you near the old cathedral half an hour hence."
After a short conference among themselves, in which Manuel Marlin was allowed to express his opinion, it was decided to let him go with them. He might prove a valuable companion, for they were all inclined to think he would not be false to his pledges.
Before an hour had passed, so promptly did they act, Captain de Caprian led out his regiment of gallant men, to start upon the long and arduous journey to Durango on the merciful errand of saving a captive from the power of El Capitan. Were the truth told, more than one of the brave band hoped they might meet the bold outlaw himself.
I need not describe that journey to Durango. The town proved to be a little hamlet under the brow of the Cordilleras, where the insurgents sometimes made their headquarters. Knowing this, the advance was made with extreme caution as soon as the regiment had entered the debatable country. Scouts were constantly on the lookout, and among these were our young engineers.
"I can scarcely wait for the time when we shall attack them," declared Ronie to Harrie and Manuel, as the three halted on the brink of a steep hill overlooking the hidden town.
"How quiet the place seems," replied Harrie. "It must be El Capitan and his troops are away."
"Off on one of his raids, no doubt. It will be so much the better for us."
"Still I really think Francisco will be disappointed if we do not find the rebel chief."
"I wonder if yonder old vine-clad building is where mother is imprisoned?" asked Ronie, pointing to what the three felt must be the ancient convent pictured by those who claimed to have been there.
"Si, señors," replied Manuel. "But look there, señors! what does the coming of that llaneros mean?"
The question from Manuel was called forth by the sudden appearance of one of the riders of the llanos, or plains of Venezuela, who drew rein almost in front of the old convent. With what truly seemed wonderful celerity 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. "If you will wait for me, señors, a few minutes I will find out."
Manuel Marlin then began the descent into the town, and as the distance was not far, he soon got within hearing of the new arrival. It was not over fifteen minutes before he returned to his anxious companions with the somewhat startling announcement:
"It is as I expected, señors; El Capitan is on his way home, and is expected within a few hours!"