When we reached the spot just described, Hermaños again gave utterance to the low and peculiar whistle I have already mentioned. This whistle was answered by another, and then a voice from the darkness said in Spanish, "All is well! He has not passed yet!"
A moment later a man scrambled down the bank and stood before us. He wore a poncho, and had a broad-brimmed sombrero.
"No sign of him yet, Luiz?" Hermaños said.
"No, there is no sign yet, señor," the other replied. "But he can't be long now. In another hour it will begin to grow light, and if he does not come before daybreak, then our opportunity will be gone."
"When he comes, what do you propose to do?" I inquired.
"I thought that when the carriage arrives here some of us would appear in the road and stop the horses, while you go to the door and cover the President with your revolver."
I should here remark that when Hermaños had handed me the hat and poncho, he had also given me a heavy Colt's revolver.
"And having done that?" I asked, more for the sake of seeing what he would say than for any other reason.
"March him down by the path yonder to the sea, put him into the boat, and take him out to the yacht," he answered. "After that you can do with him as you please."
"I trust the boat has arrived," I said. "Is there no way of finding out? We ought to make sure of that!"