“It is for us!” exclaimed Herc, in a loud aside to Ned.
“We mistook you for a scouting party of the enemy, and were about to fire on you,” continued Colonel Lazard cheerfully.
“Phew! this impulsive Latin temperament again,” grinned Stanley, behind his hand, to the two boys.
In the meantime Midshipman Stark had been responding to the other’s salutations. These formalities concluded, Colonel Lazard informed them that he was at the head of the troops which had been repulsed some days previously by the insurgents. He and his staff officers had succeeded in rallying their men after a precipitate flight into the mountains, and were now advancing to take part in a daring dash to the relief of Boca del Sierras.
“The infantry and artillery have gone on ahead,” explained the colonel, “and my cavalry are bringing up the rear in order to guard against any flank attack by the enemy.”
“You think there is danger of Boca del Sierras falling?” inquired Midshipman Stark, after Colonel Lazard had explained this much to the adventurers.
“I fear that such a catastrophe is in grave danger of occurring,” was the rejoinder. “But with my brave troops——,” he continued grandiloquently.
“Just as if they hadn’t all taken to the tall timbers the last time they smelled powder,” whispered the incorrigible Herc.
“But with my brave troops,” went on the officer, who, of course, had not heard the remark, “we will save them if it is humanly possible to do so.”
“You do not think, then, that the insurgent army of the north has united with the other body of troops?” questioned Mr. Stark.