“Who is he?” asked Starland, at the first opportunity to speak privately to his friend.
“Martella, a deserter from President Yozarro.”
“That won’t do, Captain; I cannot permit him to go with us.”
“Not so, Major; he is more valuable than you think; he will tell you something you ought to know.”
CHAPTER IX.
The little craft was fairly under way, and with favoring wind and current, ought to reach Zalapata in the course of ten or twelve hours. Martella, the new recruit, so to speak, seeing there was nothing just then for him to do, sat down at the bow of the boat and smoked his cigarette, while Captain Guzman kept company with Major Starland at the stern.