"El Capitan is on the road," declared Ronie. "He is rallying his men. Come on, boys! We can do no better than to return to the don's. Ha! who comes here? Halt! Who comes?"
"A friend from Don Isadora," was the prompt reply. "Word came to him of a party of rebels taking an American prisoner to El Capitan, and he sent me to warn you."
"In good time, señor. We have saved our friend. Hark! Yonder riders are El Capitan's hornets. Back to the estate, and we will go with you."
There being no need of silence now, the six horsemen rode back to the estate at a furious gait, the messenger going ahead when they had nearly reached the avenue leading to the building, so as to inform the don of the approach of friends. He hailed them with hearty gladness, but quickly prepared to meet the expected onset of the enemy.
Ronie and his companions having decided to lend their assistance to the defenders of the estate, Harrie asked for a rifle, that he might join his friends. This was soon forthcoming, and while they waited for the attack of the mountain rabble he found opportunity to say to Ronie:
"I don't know how glad I am to see you, for I have supposed you were drowned on the night we started to escape from the Libertador. How is it I find you here?"
"It is a long story, Harrie. I will tell it at the first opportunity. Jack and I have seen our share of excitement, and it looks as if it wasn't over yet. Did you escape from the prison at San Carlos?"
"Not through my own efforts. An order came from General Castro for me to be set at liberty. This was done, and a small escort started with me to find the regiment of Colonel Marchand. Only think he is somewhere in this vicinity. We were surprised by a body of rebels, who put my guard to rout and made me a prisoner. I do not know what would have become of me if you had not rescued me as you did. Hark! the foes are coming!"
It was a part of the don's plan to hold back his men, and not to fire upon the enemy until they should come into close quarters, so no response was given to the shouts and shots of the oncoming horde, whose leader expected to carry everything before him by storm. A tempest of lead followed his command to attack, but not a man was injured on the estate. Thinking that an easy victory lay before him, El Capitan then ordered his men to the double-quick.
Don Isadora proved that he had had some military experience, as his men were not only all well armed, but they stood coolly at bay waiting for his word to open the fight on their part. Even Ronie began to get impatient before his stentorian voice cried: