Maria felt that the Filipino officer must know of her father’s enmity to his new leader, Espinosa. Then as the native’s eyes again traveled to her face the smile reappeared.
“I see all white men are to you Americans. These señores are my guests. I vouch for them,” she told him in a confiding voice. “It was a natural mistake for you to make, Señor——” she stopped questioningly, and he supplied the name. “Salas, colonel in the Filipino army, señorita, at your service,” he said bowing gallantly.
Maria had not guessed at the officer’s identity although she knew most of the important leaders, having known them as a girl at her father’s house before the war had begun. Now the mention of his name almost made her heart stop beating. This frail creature, with the face and figure of a boy, was feared by all who had fallen under his control. He had won the unenviable reputation of being the most cruel of the insurgent leaders, first in Luzon under Aguinaldo and then on the island of Kapay. He was scarcely older than Phil, and yet he held the rank of colonel.
“Your name, señor,” she smiled, “is one well known throughout Kapay. In appearance you are not the ogre that you are painted.”
Colonel Salas’ white, even teeth gleamed between his thin lips. He felt himself the master of the situation. Here was the proud daughter of Rodriguez complimenting him. His small soul was nourished by the thought that he was feared by all.
“Then, señorita,” he said, “if you do not consider me an ogre, will you and your English friends accept the offer of a share in my frugal meal? It is now ready inside.”
The midshipmen had watched with beating hearts this plucky girl’s brave fence with the subtle native and as he pronounced the word English he glanced at the silent lads. Phil thought he saw a gleam of joy in his cruel eyes.
“They do not speak Spanish?” he asked, shrugging his shoulder expressively as much as to answer the question himself in the negative. It was better so; one could play the game better than two and the lads now knew that Maria was an adept in diplomacy, and could be depended upon to make a better and intelligent fight for their lives. That their lives were in danger was but too evident to the lads. The native soldiers still covered them with their rifles, and Colonel Salas had moved to Maria’s side as they had talked, leaving the line of fire quite clear. A word from him and a score of bullets would be tearing through their bodies. Did the officer believe that they were English? Had he already seen through the deception, and made up his mind to maneuver so as to kill them at the least risk to himself and men? Phil gauged the distance between himself and the insolent face of this young colonel and resolved that the word of command to his men to fire should be a dear one for the smiling colonel.
CHAPTER XIII
UNWELCOME COMPANIONS
The lads indeed found themselves in an awkward predicament. Just the faintest thread really bound them to life, for they saw in the cruel expression in the eyes of the Filipino officer that nothing would delight him so much as to have these white men shot. Phil very much feared that in spite of his cordial words this boyish native had before now guessed the truth. However there was nothing to do but remain silent and inactive. Phil had a great desire to speak to Sydney in English, but he feared this dapper little Filipino might have learned enough of that language to understand what he might say.