He turned to ask explanations of the recent scene. It appeared that the acting foreman had come to Pardo with an ultimatum from the whole body of Japanese, that unless he procured the instant release of the man imprisoned in the town they would at once quit the hacienda. Pardo, having drunk more than was good for him, forgot that he was not dealing with the timid, spiritless Indians of the Peruvian Amazon. He ordered in the gendarmes, and proceeded to flog the man, in full view of the crowd watching through the door of the patio. No doubt the Japanese would have had the courage to storm the house even without Tim; but his opportune arrival had quickened them with enthusiasm; they had the confidence of men fighting in a cause doubly just.
CHAPTER XV
THE RAID ON SAN ROSARIO
Tim was flushed with elation at his victory. With boyish impetuosity he had flung himself into the affair without a thought of consequences. He had driven away the interloper and regained possession of his father's house: a feat of which he was inclined to be proud. As to the future his mind was blank.
He was helping himself to some of the dainties on the table in the dining-room when Romaña rushed into the house.
"I'm here first, you see," said Tim, with a laugh. "Pardo has run away."
"Por Dios, señorito! are you mad?" cried the man. "We shall have the Prefect's men from the town upon us in little more than an hour. Come away at once. We can take horses and ride into the hills before they catch us."
"Wait a little," said Tim, sobered in a moment as he realised for the first time what his impulsive action involved. "I can't run away and leave the Japs to face it. It was all my fault."
"They must take their chance. They can hide in the plantations to-night and make off to-morrow. There will be no more work for them here."
"But they can't get away in such a terrific hurry with their families and belongings. The Prefect's men would hunt them down and serve them as they've sometimes served the Indians. I'm responsible for them."