“It is my wish to go to Zalapata,” Major Starland explained to the Captain of the tug; “General Yozarro set out to take my sister there last night, but seems to have changed his mind, for he brought her only part way. We will now complete the journey.”
“At the highest speed, Señor?”
The American did not catch the significance of this question, but accidentally he made the best answer.
“There is no haste necessary; we shall be able to reach there soon after sunrise; you know how fast to go; am I understood?”
“Perfectly, Señor.”
Feeling himself master of the craft, Starland now went back into the Captain’s cabin to see his sister, whom he found seated in the quarters which had been occupied by her and the Señorita Estacardo the evening before. Although this species of craft are not intended to carry passengers, outside the necessary equipment, General Yozarro had caused the small compartment to be fitted up and furnished suitably for the entertainment of guests. The swinging lamp was lighted overhead, and the bottles, glasses and fragments of cigarettes showed how the Dictator and his friends had spent most of the time in coming from Atlamalco.
Miss Starland was flustered and nervous, but the cool self possession of her brother greatly reassured her.
“That was a clever trick we played upon the scamp,” said he with a smile.
“What do you intend to do with the boat?”
“Take you to Zalapata; it would serve him right if I scuttled it, but I will turn it over to Bambos to keep or destroy as he pleases—”