As the youth seemed too sick to journey to the plantation Professor Strong remained with him all night, and Enrique Morano went back alone to carry the news to the others.
“Humph! we are having all sorts of excitement,” was Mark’s comment. “First it was myself, then it was Darry, and now it’s Hockley. I wonder what will happen next?”
CHAPTER XIX
BATHING AT MACUTO
During the time that Darry was ill, the others took the railroad to Valencia and stopped half a day in that ancient town, which is one of the most picturesque in all of South America. They visited Lake Valencia, lying far above sea level, and Enrique Morano took them to a cathedral in the vicinity where can be seen a number of rare religious paintings. On the way back a stop was made at Victoria, once the place where Bolivar lived and where a great number of relics of the departed great man are stored.
Darry’s sickness did not last, and inside of five days he announced that he would be able to go anywhere. “But I shan’t try to run away again on a horse,” he added, with a rueful smile.
The boys had endeavored to question Hockley about his experience with Dan Markel, but could get no satisfaction. Once Hockley flew in a rage at Sam over this.
“It’s my business, not yours,” he growled. “I lost the money and the watch. You only want to crow over me, but let me tell you, if you go too far somebody will get a thrashing.”
“I don’t want to crow at all, Hockley,” returned Sam. “I thought that perhaps I might be able to help you—if this Markel ever shows himself again.”
“He won’t show himself—he’s too cute,” grumbled the other. “Now you just keep quiet about it.” And there the subject was dropped, so far as it reached the injured one.
“He’s sore, no doubt of that,” said Frank to Sam, when told of the conversation. “And I don’t blame him. Just the same, I’ll wager he went off with Markel to have a good time.”