Up the Forked River; Or, Adventures in South America Part 21

"They may not do so," suggested Starland.

"They will not know where to look for us."

He began picking a course among the matted vegetation, unmindful of the dangers that might threaten. Miss Starland went next, then her brother, and then Captain Guzman. They penetrated no more than twenty feet, when, at a whispered word from Martella, all halted, and, as they had done earlier in the evening, watched for their pursuers to pa.s.s. In this instance, however, the path was so screened that nothing could be seen, and our friends depended wholly upon their sense of hearing.

Less than ten minutes elapsed between the landing of the two parties.

General Yozarro was the first to set foot on sh.o.r.e, and, noting the trail, he started up it on a lope, with the others hurrying after him.

Their footsteps were heard by the crouching fugitives, who were unable to see a single shadowy form.

"How long will they keep that up?" asked Major Starland when the last had gone by.

"Not long," answered Captain Guzman; "they know the Senorita cannot travel fast, and that, if we took the trail, they must quickly come up with us."

"Failing to overtake us, what will they do next?"

But for the darkness, the Captain would have been seen to shrug his shoulders. It was the deserter who spoke:

"They can do nothing but wait."

"Martella, I am now ready to join you in capturing the tugboat."

"_Esta buena! Esta buena!_" whispered the delighted fellow; "it makes no difference, if there is more risk, for we do not know how many they have left behind."

"Hang the risk! Lead on!"

In his eagerness, Martella took no pains to hide the noise of tearing through the jungle, and the next moment they emerged into the trail again. The Major had already instructed his sister to stay at the rear, with the Captain directly in front of her. There was likely to be sharp fighting, and she must keep out of it.

"When we rush aboard, remain on the bank till I call to you."

She promised to do as told, and the three men, their heads bent forward, went down the trail at the double quick, she readily keeping pace with them. The brief distance was quickly pa.s.sed, and the three drew together on the edge of the river, just within the shadow.

"The Captain is in the pilot house," whispered Martella, indicating the figure of a man who had seated himself; "but I don't think there are any others beside the engineer and firemen."

"Leave the Captain to me," said the American, who sprang into the moonlight and led the way up the gang plank with the two at his heels.

In his left hand was his rifle and in his right his revolver.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

In his haste General Yozarro had given no orders to secure the tugboat in place, nor was there need of doing so. The water was deep enough to permit the craft to lie against the bank, where it was held by the gentle turning of the screw. With a few more vigorous revolutions, the prow would have gouged into the bank, or taken the boat into the river on the proper direction of the wheel.

Running across the gangplank, with a firearm in each hand, Major Starland bounded up the few steps leading to the upper deck. The Captain of the boat was seated in the pilot house, calmly smoking a cigarette while he waited. His gaze being turned dreamily toward the river, he saw nothing of the intruder, or, if he heard his footsteps, he was not disturbed. His awakening came, when the athletic American strode forward and thrust a revolver through the window of the pilot house.

"Do as I tell you and you won't be hurt; try to do different and I'll blow your brains out!"

These words, uttered in Spanish, were to the point. Without them, the action of the officer would have made his meaning clear. The Captain was cooler and braver than any of his countrymen. He did not stir, but looking into the face of the other, removed his cigarette and said:

"I shall be pleased, Senor, to be told in what way I can serve you."

"You shall learn in a moment; at present continue smoking, and hold yourself ready for orders."

He bowed and with a smile that showed his even white teeth, replied:

"I am happy to do as you say."

"Are you armed?"

"I am the Captain of this boat; General Yozarro does not allow me to attend to any other duty; I have no weapon on me; would you prefer to search me?"

"I accept your word."

The Major turned to look for Guzman and Martella. The sound of voices showed that they were on the boat.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "A DARING CAPTURE."]

"Warrenia," he called, "come aboard!"

She was alert and moved quickly up the plank.

"Now, Captain, steam out into the river."

"Pardon me, do you not wish the gangplank drawn in?"

"We have no time; do not wait."

The Captain was on his feet, one hand resting on a spoke of the wheel, while the other gripped the curved piece of bra.s.s, which being drawn upward twice sent an order to the engineer to back the boat. Major Starland stood listening with some misgiving, for he did not know how things had gone below. The response, however, indicated that all was well, for almost on the instant, the screw began churning, and the boat slowly receded, allowing the gangplank, after being drawn askew, to drop with a splash into the water.

Knowing the purpose of their leader, Guzman and Martella had hurried into the engine room, where Valentin Herrera, the engineer, was found dozing. The place was smotheringly hot, and below, the firemen were asleep, so used to it that they would have slumbered in tophet itself.

There was consternation for a moment, but it did not take the visitors long to impress upon the men that the boat had been captured and that their lives depended upon their prompt acceptance of the changed conditions.

"How many are with you?" asked the engineer, who knew his former fireman so well that he did not feel much personal fear of him.

"Enough to hold you all at our mercy."

"You know Captain Ortega is in the wheelhouse."

"Major Starland has attended to him."

"I have heard no pistol shot."

"The Captain is a wise man and has surrendered; Valentin, I want to make General Yozarro angrier than before," added Martella with a grin.

"He cannot be any angrier than he has been ever since I gave him your message; but I accept the situation. He cannot condemn his men for being overpowered when he leaves them no weapons with which to fight.

You needn't fret about the firemen or me--"