Where Duty Called; or, In Honor Bound

by George Waldo Browne

"I have always found it good policy to 'make haste slowly,'" declared Jack, quoting an old saw. "Meanwhile let us see how Castro takes to your advice, sergeant."

"To think that I should have dared to speak in that way," said Ronie, who feared he had overstepped his position so far as to incur the displeasure of his superior. But he was speedily disarmed of this fear, for the following day General Castro came out with a proclamation in which he defined his purpose of taking the field personally, and of leading the campaign in the West. An hour later a summons came for our three Americans to visit the commander, and they met with a welcome that proved the president had only the kindliest feelings toward them. They were urged to accompany his army, and were only barred from being offered a commission from the fact that General Castro did not wish to curtail any of the liberties they might have if they were not regularly attached to his forces.

"You can go as far as Valencia with me, and from thence I will send you an escort to San Carlos, so you may find your man if you can, and also see that young De Caprian is given his liberty. To prove my good faith with him, I will hold a commission for him, if he wishes to accept it."

Thanking the general for the kindly interest in them, our three withdrew, certain that at last something definite was being done. The next day the entire force moved toward Valencia, and they accompanied the Venezuelans, Riva also going along.

The week that followed was one of great activity; but very little was accomplished that seemed to forward matters with the impatient Ronie and his friends. Leaving Castro's army at Valencia, they reached San Carlos to find that the bird they were after had flown. As near as they could learn, he had disappeared the morning our heroes had been driven away, and that he had not been seen since he had taken them across the bay in the boat. It was currently believed that he had either been shot or drowned. In this way was lost what might have proved an important clew in their search for Ronie's mother.

Their disappointment was brightened somewhat by the joy with which Francisco hailed his liberty. He embraced his American friends, and showered upon them praises for their action in his behalf. When he was told about his mother, he grew less demonstrative, but learning that she was unharmed, with a promise of good protection, he recovered exuberance of spirits.

"I shall accept any commission General Castro will bestow upon me," he said, "and I will show him my fealty to him and the true government of my country. I am impatient to see him."

Knowing nothing could be gained by remaining longer at San Carlos, our heroes returned to the army at once. Having learned that he had removed to Ocumare, they headed thither, learning all along the way that the insurgents were everywhere successful, until it seemed as if the government was doomed. These accounts were rendered more hopeless to the cause by the fact that before they could reach him, Castro had begun his retreat toward Caracas.

In the face of this, he issued his decree of amnesty to all insurgents laying down arms within forty days.

"Unless he makes some more decided stand and wins a decided victory to offset all this noise on the other side, Castro will have no government for them to lay down their arms to," said Jack, grimly. "Of course it isn't my dish that's cooking, but I feel just like saying so much."