Then General Carabaño thought it time to say a word.
"You have no right to meddle in the affairs of Venezuela, señor," he said. "My cause is a good one: I have half the country at my back: and----"
"We won't go into that, General," interrupted Will. "You ventured to meddle with the servants of a Company protected by the laws of your State. You have got the worst of it, and that's all there is to be said."
"Not all, señor," said the General, changing his tone. "You forget that your friends are still in captivity, and be sure that if any harm befall me, my adherents will exact retribution."
"I doubt whether you have any adherents now," replied Will. "At any rate you will go with us to Ciudad Bolivar."
"If you release me, señor, I will undertake that your friends shall rejoin you in three days, and your Company shall be no further molested."
"Sorry I can't oblige you, General. You can't repay my Company for their loss of business: you can't repair the railway line that your adherents have smashed up. The less said the better, I think."
The General glared at him, but seeing that there was no hope of his relenting he held his peace.
After a meal, Will started the hydroplane, and ran down the river at a speed of about fifteen knots.
"What about the Chief and Jerry O'Connor?" said Ruggles, sitting at his side.