With his cold eye on the midshipmen the native officer gave a gruff command to his men behind him on the porch. Phil’s hand moved a hair’s breadth, and the revolver muzzle on his hip pointed squarely at the body of Colonel Salas, while his finger pressed ever so slightly the trigger. For the fraction of a second their eyes met. Then the lad saw with relief that the soldiers had lowered their guns and were filing through the door into the house. With a deft motion he allowed his revolver to slip noiselessly back into its holster.
Colonel Salas had already turned and was leading the way up the steps, Maria and her brother following, and the midshipmen bringing up the rear.
“Do you think he suspects us?” Sydney whispered.
“He must,” Phil answered hurriedly. “Be careful, Syd,” he added anxiously. “We’ve got to fight our way out. There seems no other way. There are twenty of them against us two.”
At the top of the steps Salas turned and looked questioningly at the midshipmen. Phil dared not meet his eye for fear that the little native would see the anxiety which he strove to hide.
On the floor of the big room a cloth had been spread and a repast set out.
With a graceful wave of his thin hands Colonel Salas made a sign for all to be seated and took, himself, the place beside Maria. Phil sat on the other side of Maria, while Sydney and little Juan were placed opposite.
Their brisk ride had given them all an appetite, but the terrible predicament in which they now found themselves had quite taken away their relish for food. The lads did their best to appear undisturbed, but any one with half an eye could have seen the restlessness behind their forced tranquillity.
It is not the Filipino custom to talk while eating, and it was not until his dish was emptied that Colonel Salas broke the awkward silence.
“Your English friends are very fond of adventure,” he said suddenly. “Our camp is only a league up the river, and would be well worth a visit. I did not intend to return so soon, but I shall be glad to take you there. You can return to-day or remain until to-morrow morning. It is the strongest fortified camp in the islands, and has never been successfully attacked. You can see where three Spanish regiments were annihilated by having rocks rolled down upon them.”