“God go with you, Martella! You are a valiant man; I can hardly believe you will succeed, but the need is desperate.”
The deserter quietly shoved the little fold of paper in his pocket, close to his terrible knife, and without another word passed up the trail, his friends following him as far as was thought prudent. It was not well for them to be seen by any of the guard, since it must draw suspicion to the plan.
CHAPTER XXI.
So it was that the daring native came up the plateau, saluted the first sentinel whom he saw, and brusquely announced that he had immediate business with Captain Navarro. The latter was in one of the large lower apartments engaged with his evening meal. When word was brought to him, he sprang up and hastened outside, where Martella was standing erect, like a true soldier of the Atlamalcan army, and saluted him.
“Do you come from General Yozarro?” was the inquiry.
“Directly from him,” was the unblushing response.
“What are his commands?”