Azito after a few steps turned aside from the stables, from the other side of which came the heavy tramp of the sentry's feet, and struck into the undergrowth towards a small plantation about three hundred yards from the house. They bent low to avoid observation, but the night was so dark that they must have been invisible at the distance of ten feet. Not till they were safe among the trees did either speak a word; then Will asked the Indian to stop. They looked back towards the house. Several of the rooms were lit up, and broad beams of light threw a ghostly radiance on the gardens around.
"Thank you, Azito," said Will in low tones.
"I did it, señor, not José," replied the man.
"Ah! what do you know of José?"
"We wanted, both of us, señor, to make a hole in the wall, but we did not know where the señor was in the stables. José tried to find out, but Señor Machado caught him."
"And where were you?"
"I was in the wood on the other side of the lake. I saw all that happened, señor."
"Where is José now?"
"I do not know, señor. I did not see him come out of the house."
Will wished that his rescuer had been José rather than the Indian, for the negro boy had been his servant for many months, and had often helped him with the hydroplane. To find the hydroplane and set off in it to Bolivar was the immediate duty of the moment. It would be no easy matter to find his way to it in the dark, and he felt the lack of José's guidance; but since it seemed impossible to have José, he determined to do his best with Azito.