He wore a uniform and a sword and walked with an air of assurance that made it apparent that he was a dignitary of some sort, and that this was the case was at once evidenced when the Captain, with a bow and flourish, introduced to the boys:
“Señor General Ruiz, in command of this section of General Estrada’s army.”
The name made both boys start.
“General Ruiz,” exclaimed Frank, “surely not General Ruiz—Mr. Chester’s neighbor?”
“The same;” replied the young man, with a laugh at the boy’s frank astonishment, “and you?”
“We are Frank and Harry Chester,” began Frank.
“Ah, I might have seen the family likeness,” interrupted the soldier with a smile, “forgive me for my inattention.”
“But we believed that you were dead!” exclaimed Harry. “Jose, our father’s servant, brought the news the day before we arrived in Nicaragua.”
Ruiz raised his hands with an exclamation of grief.
“My poor wife,” he exclaimed, “it must have been a sad blow to her. However, in a few days now I trust that we shall be on familiar soil and I shall be able to atone to her for her worry and grief.”