It was a bright thought. Actions must take the place of words at such a time as this, and ignorant though these foreigners might be from the standpoint of an American boy, surely they ought to comprehend such a plain fact as this.
Hugh was staking everything on it. He felt that there must be some sort of leader among these strikers who would be above the average in intelligence. All the while he stood there in front of the others, and in waving his emblem of peace, Hugh was endeavoring to pick out this man from among those who were rushing around wildly, gesticulating, shaking their fists in the direction of the scouts, and shrieking in their native language.
“I see him!” Hugh suddenly exclaimed. “There he comes out to the front now, that big man with the red handkerchief knotted around his neck, and the brass earrings. That must be the padrone, the man who is the big boss. Yes, see him trying to choke off some of the shouters. If only he can do that it’s going to be all right.”
“I hope he squelches that fool who fired at us, so he doesn’t try it again,” Billy was heard to say; but it might be noticed that although his words indicated uneasiness of mind, Billy was far from showing himself to be a coward, for unwilling to have Hugh shield his person, Billy had stepped out in order to be in plain sight and share the danger with his chief.
That was Billy’s way, and one of the reasons why his chums loved him as they did; generous to a fault, he was always willing to share everything with his comrades, even to court peril.
They watched the actions of the padrone with keen interest. It was apparent that he understood the object of that white banner better than any of the rest; or else he may have discovered that the six figures in uniform were not men but boys, and therefore hardly to be feared.
“He’s coming this way, Hugh!” announced sharp-eyed Ralph Kenyon.
“Yes, and if he holds up part way, I’ll step out and meet him, which would be only fair,” Hugh told them.
“See what he’s got in his hand, will you?” said Billy.
“It’s a pretty tough specimen of a white flag,” jeered Alec; “but anything goes I guess with them. He means all right, don’t you think, Hugh?”