Etta hardly stifled a cry of joy.
'Where are they? Quick, tell me, Andreas! But do they know the castle is watched, and that they will be taken if they are found?'
'Yes, yes, but the Señor Carlo cannot come--in fact he is ill, very ill, Señorita; he has the fever. But we will cure him; the white man does not know the medicines the Indians use for the fever--these never fail.'
'But how did they come here?'
'I know not much of the story, for the English Señor cannot talk much Spanish, but they came by night; there was an Indian with them, or they would have been seen, but the Indians can see in the dark.'
'How glad I am, dear Andreas! Do you want food, and where have you been all this time? I have been here so often hoping you would come.'
'The English captain sent me to fetch horses and cattle. He watched me so that I could not come; but now they forget to keep watch. I will come again to-morrow, Señorita, at sunset. If the noble Señor Carlo gets better quickly, well; if not, then he must come into the castle.'
'That would be impossible, Andreas,' said Etta; but Andreas smiled as he disappeared into the darkness.
'But what is the use?' said Felipa, when she heard the wonderful news of her brother's return. 'Carlo will die if he has only an Indian to nurse him; and if he gets well Captain Morgan will come and take him prisoner.'
'That is not trusting the good God, Felipa darling,' said the noble Doña Elena. 'He will save our dear Carlo if he sees fit. Since my great trouble I have learnt more than ever to be resigned, and also to trust Him. Let us get a little bundle of linen ready, Catalina, to send it to Carlo by Andreas. Wherever they are, poor fellows, they will need that; and then let us hope for the best; we can do no more for them.'