This report was made in Spanish, but Matt translated it.
"Let him be brought here properly guarded," said the captain.
A few minutes later, the wounded Chilian was brought in by two marines. This was the man Matt had taken such a desperate risk to save at the time the five convicts were taken from the overturned boat.
"Amigo," said the prisoner, looking at Matt and tapping his bandaged arm.
Here, then, was a friend where Matt had least expected to find one. For some time the convict talked, the captain listening incredulously. When he had done, the captain ordered him away.
"The fellow says," observed the captain, to Matt, "that Garcia speaks lies, nothing but lies. But this fellow wants to help you, for he says you saved his life."
"He is truthful," said Matt.
"I reason for myself," declared the captain shortly.
"If you delay the Grampus at Punta Arenas," went on Matt, "our government will hear of it and will make trouble for you and your government."
"I do my duty," answered the officer, patting his gold-laced chest; "Captain Enrique Sandoval always does his duty. It is not for you to tell me what I must do."