When the padrone said this he looked suspiciously at Hugh, as though it may have begun to filter through his brain that after all this might be some shrewd trick on the part of the enemy to gain access to their camp. A concerted rush on the part of civil and military authorities would mean the capture of the ring-leaders of the strike that was turning out to be so riotous an affair.
Hugh’s answer was prompt and to the point. With admirable discretion he had thought to carry along with him his medicine kit, and this he now opened so that the padrone could see its entire contents. That ought to be enough to convince him as to the pacific intentions of the six lads who had come running all of two miles just to lend a helping hand to those in distress.
It did, for when Hugh looked up again he saw that the suspicious frown had left the dark face of the other, and was succeeded by an eager expression.
“You learn how so be doctor in this what you call Boy Scout biz?” the man asked huskily; “it is ver’ good thing you come here. I think one, two men die if that bleed not be stop soon. Nobody can do nothing, and it soon be too late.”
“Then will you let us try the best we know how; can we come into your camp, and will you tell your people we are friends?” asked Hugh, quickly.
When he saw the padrone nod his head violently several times in the affirmative, Hugh turned and beckoned to his chums; who, reading the signal aright, hastened to join him.
CHAPTER X.
THE FIELD HOSPITAL.
When the padrone came hurrying back with the six boys, they were immediately surrounded by an excited mass of jabbering foreigners. Many dark faces glowered at Hugh and his chums. It was as though all the fury in these excitable natures had been aroused when the indiscreet guards, back of the stockade surrounding the cement works, had fired those cruel volleys at the men and women who were pressing forward, not to try and destroy property but to expostulate with the manager because he would not give them work when their children were near the point of starvation.
The padrone immediately told some of those near by what the boys had come to do for them. Somehow it seemed to soothe the angry feelings of the most violent, to some extent at least. There was no longer a hostile demonstration on the part of the crowd. Some looked at the boys apathetically, as though they could not quite understand what it all meant; others showed a little interest, while one man plucked Hugh by the sleeve, and attempted to lead him away.
“You, doctor, come, my woman she seek, she be bad hurt!” this fellow was saying, piteously.