Up the Forked River: or, Adventures in South America

“It is for the other Señorita,” he explained.

The wondering young woman took the paper and handed it to her friend, who had come forward. Moving a little aside, so as to stand under the lamp, she saw her name pencilled on the outside in a familiar handwriting, and unfolding the slip, she read:

“You can trust the bearer fully; he is our friend; do exactly as he tells you, and do it quickly, for there is not a moment to lose.

“Jack Starland.”

CHAPTER XX

It will be recalled that the catboat, in which Major Jack Starland was descending the river in company with Captain Guzman and the Atlamalcan deserter, Martella, landed them at the spot where the young women had left the tug the night before, the cause for which action on their part has been made clear. This took place early in the afternoon, and, under the guidance of Martella, the three started inland over the trail that had been followed by the two ponies less than four and twenty hours before.

While all doubt of the presence of his sister at the Castle had been removed, the young American officer did a big lot of thinking when tracing the path through the mountains. He felt certain that when General Yozarro sent the two thither under escort, he had arranged to prevent their leaving until it should suit his pleasure. It followed, therefore, that despite the outrage, it was necessary for Starland to act with great prudence. He had only two companions and he placed little reliance on the Atlamalcan. To attempt to bluff matters with such an insignificant force would be the height of folly. One man-of-war from the United States would find it child’s play to blow these miserable little republics off the face of the earth, and when his government should be appealed to, it would be certain to bring down a heavy hand upon the offenders; but days and weeks must pass before that could be brought about, and there was no saying what deviltry would be wrought in the meantime. If ever there was call for hurry and the display of the wisdom of the serpent it was now.

When therefore the three drew near the plateau on which the Castle stood, the Major said:

“You and I, Captain, will wait here while Martella goes forward and learns how the land lies.”

“If the Señoritas are restrained of their liberty by only five or six Atlamalcans, why should we hesitate?”

“We shall not, if such proves to be the fact; but if there are more, it is not well to attack until that is the only means left. It will be little trouble for Martella to learn the truth.”

“Do you mean that he shall make himself known?”

“If necessary; what objection is there to that?”

“He is a deserter from the service of General Yozarro, who will show him no mercy if he once lays hand on him.”

“It cannot be generally known as yet; I understand he merely came away with you, as if for a visit; he will be safe for several days. Such is my view; am I right, Martella?”

“Perhaps so, but I am not afraid of the risk.”

“I do not wish you to run into unnecessary danger, but you need no instruction from me; make all haste.”

The native strode from them at an even pace until he was shut from sight by the bend in the trail. We know what he then did. He did not think it wise to reveal himself at the time and made his reconnoissance therefore from a distance. It did not take him long to learn that the Castle was guarded by a dozen men at least and probably by more. This was reported to his friends on his return.

“That puts a different face on matters,” was the comment of the American; “it would be madness to attack such a force when we have only one rifle among us.”

Until now Major Starland had held slight opinion of the courage and ability of the deserter, but the latter straightway made a proposal whose daring fairly took away his breath.

“Señor the Major may have been right when he said my desertion would not be known for several days, but he mistook when he thought I had made no mention of it. I told Valentin Herrera, the engineer of the gunboat, before I left; I asked him to tell General Yozarro with word from me that if I ever gained a chance I should kill him just as surely as he killed my brother. The engineer promised to bear the message to General Yozarro and I doubt not that it will be repeated to him before the sun sets.”

“Martella, you’re a fool!”

“Perhaps,” replied the native with a grin and shrug; “but Señor the Major does not reflect that General Yozarro would have me shot for leaving the boat without his permission. He can do no more with me than that, – why should I rob myself of the pleasure of sending him an insulting message?”

“In other words, you might as well be in for a sheep as a lamb. Very well; have you any plan to offer?”

“I will go to Captain Navarro of the guard and tell him I come as a messenger from General Yozarro, who is waiting with the gunboat to take the Señoritas to Atlamalco, and he must not delay in obeying the command.”

The American looked at him in amazement.

“Have you the nerve for that, Martella?”

“I await only your permission.”

“I cannot permit you to run such risk; better that I should go myself and make the demand upon Captain Navarro.”

“The captain has been warned not to permit any such thing, on his life. You know that though General Yozarro may be aware I have left his service, it is not likely to be known to Captain Navarro.”

“It is a fearful risk, Martella. You are a good deal braver than I thought; I accept your offer; but you have no acquaintance with the ladies; they will not come away with you.”

“You can write me a few lines to hand to the American Señorita that will explain it all to her.”

Major Starland had a feeling that it was hardly right to allow this simple hearted fellow to sacrifice himself in this manner. He turned to Captain Guzman, who was silently smoking a cigarette.

“What do you think of it?”

“It is the only plan that will succeed and there is no certainty that it will not fail. But let it be tried.”

“Will the captain of the guard obey a verbal order which it is proposed to say is sent by General Yozarro?”

Martella lifted his shoulders.

“If he refuses we shall be no worse off than before.”

“We shall not, but you’re likely to be. However, here goes!”

He whipped out his note book and hastily penned the few lines that have already been revealed.

“God go with you, Martella! You are a valiant man; I can hardly believe you will succeed, but the need is desperate.”

The deserter quietly shoved the little fold of paper in his pocket, close to his terrible knife, and without another word passed up the trail, his friends following him as far as was thought prudent. It was not well for them to be seen by any of the guard, since it must draw suspicion to the plan.

CHAPTER XXI

So it was that the daring native came up the plateau, saluted the first sentinel whom he saw, and brusquely announced that he had immediate business with Captain Navarro. The latter was in one of the large lower apartments engaged with his evening meal. When word was brought to him, he sprang up and hastened outside, where Martella was standing erect, like a true soldier of the Atlamalcan army, and saluted him.

“Do you come from General Yozarro?” was the inquiry.

“Directly from him,” was the unblushing response.

“What are his commands?”

“That I bring the American Señorita to him without delay.”

“Where is the General? I am expecting him any hour.”

“You know I am one of the firemen on the gunboat; it lies against the shore where we stopped last night when the Señoritas were brought here.”

This was the critical moment. If Captain Navarro had learned of the desertion of Martella, the life of the latter was not worth a moment’s purchase, but in reality he knew nothing of it. The Captain, well aware of the ferocious temper of the Dictator, stood in as abject awe of him as did every other citizen of Atlamalco. But as the two conversed, the wits of the officer gradually returned to him.

“Where is the escort of the Señorita?”

“Standing before you.”

“You do not come alone?”

“I do – ”

“But how is it the General himself does not come?”

“Perhaps the Captain would like to put that question to General Yozarro.”

“I shall be pleased to read your order.”

“The only order I bear has just been given to you.”

“Impossible! General Yozarro would never do a thing like that.”

“Perhaps you would like to say that also to the General. But I will save you the trouble; I will tell him myself that you refuse to do as commanded.”

Martella turned to move off, but the Captain caught his arm.

“No, no, no, Martella! You must not do that; you see the dilemma I am in; if I make a mistake, it will cost me my life.”

“It is with you whether you shall make a mistake or not; I have done my duty.”

He made again as if to go, but the officer would not permit it. The moment had come for Martella to play his trump card. The two were standing within hearing of several soldiers who, in accordance with the loose discipline of the army, made no attempt to hide that they were listening. Lowering his voice, the messenger said:

“Step aside one moment, Captain; I have something for your private ear.”

When they were beyond hearing of the group, the soldier spoke in a guarded voice:

“Are you blind, Captain? Do you not see which way the wind blows? General Yozarro does not wish his relative, Señorita Estacardo to come to him, because she would be troublesome; you know of some of the General’s conquests among the other sex; he is in love with the beautiful Señorita from the North, but she has friends and he must protect every step. If he sent you a written order, it might return to vex him, when the relatives of the Señorita call upon him to explain, but what does he care for poor devils like us upon whom he will be able to lay the blame of a misunderstanding? He will be able to swear that it was all a blunder of others. I respectfully suggested that a written order would be asked for by you, for you are an excellent officer who insists that everything shall be done in the order of true discipline. You know the temper of the General; he swore at me and declared that if you dared hesitate, he would have you shot. Then he cooled down and told me to explain if you asked questions. I have done so, when in the case of another officer whom he esteemed less, the favor would have been refused.”

“You relieve me inexpressibly by your words, though I must look upon it as strange that you come alone. I am curious to know what you will say to la Americana, if she refuses to go with you, as she is almost sure to do.”

“Do you think the General has forgotten anything? Is he not too much of a veteran in the affairs of the heart? I am to tell the Señorita that her brother is waiting on the gunboat to receive her; she started last night for Zalapata to meet him, and she is impatient over the delay. You must be sure she will hasten to obey the request.”

Captain Navarro was not wholly free from misgiving.

“I can understand that the General may have reasons of his own for not coming himself for the Señorita, but I do not understand why her brother does not hasten to her.”

“Heard you not that he was ill with fever and needs his sister to nurse him?”

For the first time in the interview the Captain laughed.

“I beg you, Martella, not to hint to the General how stupid I was.”

“Be assured I shall not. You know how many things we see which we must not see, and of late I have had many chances to view such things on the gunboat. I shall say to the General that you were as prompt and obedient as you always are to do his bidding, and that he has no better officer in his army than you.”

“And you shall not be forgotten, Martella; I will order the horse saddled for the Señorita.”

Each minute added to the tension of the situation. Martella did not doubt that General Yozarro was on the way to the Castle, and more than likely was quite near. He was likely to arrive at any moment. He glanced stealthily around, determined, if he saw him or any of his escort, to make a break for it, with the chances a hundred to one against saving his neck.

Every nerve was tugging for haste, yet the first sign of impatience would ruin everything. He wished inexpressibly that the young woman should appear and that they could start at once without waiting for the pony. But that, from the nature of the circumstances, could not be. With superb coolness and courage, he said:

“While the horse is preparing, I will go and ask her to make ready; I hope,” he added with a light laugh, “that she will not ask too many questions. Where shall I find her?”

“The room of the Señoritas is in the second story facing the north; a light is burning within.”

Without any injunction to the Captain to make haste, Martella saluted, and walked deliberately into the building, where no questions were asked, since he had been seen in converse with the officer and no one doubted that he came direct from General Yozarro.

Suppose, what was quite likely, that suspicion should again enter the brain of the Captain, when he gained time to think over the extraordinary situation? Suppose, what was also likely, that General Yozarro should arrive while the bogus messenger was inside the Castle? He would be caught like a rat in a trap.

And yet knowing all these things, Martella gave not the first evidence of hurry. He went up the stone steps with dignified tread, knocked at the right door, and was admitted to the apartment, where, as we know, he explained to the two young women the remarkable errand on which he had come.

CHAPTER XXII

There was not a doubt in the mind of Miss Starland when she read the few pencilled lines handed to her by the deserter. She was too familiar with the handwriting to be mistaken. She passed the paper to her companion.

“You must not hesitate,” said the latter, the moment she caught its meaning; “go at once.”

“Will you come with me?”

“No; I am not asked to do so. I can be of no help, and I have nothing to fear from my uncle, General Yozarro.”

Little preparation was needed. Attired in the light, gauzy material of the tropics, it only remained for her to adjust her hat and to catch up the reticule containing a few indispensable articles. Still she lingered, impressed by the importance of the step she was about to take.

Martella stood like a statue, but the tension had become almost intolerable.

“Shall I retire till the Señorita is ready?” he respectfully asked.

“There is no necessity; I have simply to go with you.”

“May I then be permitted to say that not a moment must be thrown away? General Yozarro is expected, and if we linger it will be too late.”

Just then the alert ears of the man heard an unusual stir below.

“I fear he has come; we must not stay.”

He lowered his voice to a whisper and could not repress signs of agitation. In the trying instant he decided upon his course of action. He would go down stairs, and in the excitement, try to slip outside. Then he would make a dash for life, with the chances still a hundred to one against success.

The friends embraced affectionately, and the Señorita gently pushed the other through the door which she opened.

“God and the saints be with you! Linger not another second.”

Martella stepped outside, replaced his hat and with his deliberate walk, led the way down the stairs, which were dimly lighted by the lamp below. Sternly repressing all signs of haste, he slipped his right hand under his jacket and rested it on the handle of his knife.

“They shall have a fight for it!” he muttered; “if the General is within reach, my knife shall find his heart.”

But the flurry that had startled him was not caused by the arrival of General Yozarro. It was due to the natural curiosity over the departure of one of the young women, which had become known, when the saddled pony was brought to the front of the Castle where Captain Navarro was waiting, with one of his soldiers holding the bridle. Whatever the officer may have thought, it was evident there was no change in his intentions.

Miss Starland walked lightly forward, fastening her reticule to her girdle, so as to leave her hands free, bowed to the Captain, who snapped off his hat, replaced it, and, slightly stooping, took the tiny foot for a moment in his hand, and assisted her to the saddle and reached the reins to her. She said “Adios!” to him and the others gathered round, whereat there was a general uncovering. Martella saluted and with his former dignified tread, walked toward the edge of the plateau, in the direction of the trail leading to the river from which he had come. The most wrenching effort of his life was to restrain himself from breaking into a lope and calling upon his charge to do the same with her horse. He succeeded by a supreme effort.

It was a hundred yards to the point where the bit of level land dipped, and half the distance was passed, when Captain Navarro called:

“Stop, Martella! Wait!”

The man instantly halted, thrusting his hand under his jacket and closing his iron fingers about the handle of his weapon. Matters had gone too far for any drawing back. It was now to keep on or fight to the death, for he had no doubt that the officer had changed his mind and meant to hold both until the arrival of General Yozarro.

“I will pause to hear what he speaks,” he said in a low voice to the wondering young woman; “your horse knows the trail; keep on; you have not far to go to meet your brother and his friend.”

She had checked the pony, but twitched the rein and he walked steadily toward the darkness, leaving the grim Atlamalcan to have it out with Captain Navarro. The latter was approaching fast and came up panting slightly from the exertion.

“Martella, you will not forget to remind General Yozarro that I was quick to obey his command, as soon as you gave it to me?”

“Have no fear, Captain.”

In the immeasurable relief and the dread of awaking distrust, the deserter punished himself. Instead of immediately following his charge, he remained facing the officer. It seemed wise to indulge in some pointless converse.

The Captain looked inquiringly at him, not understanding the cause of his hesitation.

“Is there anything more you would say to me, Captain? Though I have lingered longer than I expected, I can afford a few more minutes.”

“No, no, except to repeat that you shall be remembered by me. I am sorry that I detained you; it is best you should make haste.”

“Then, if you are sure, I will follow the Señorita, but I can wait a brief while longer, Captain.”

It was the latter who now showed nervousness, though the strain upon him was not a tenth of what the other suffered.

“Off with you! Do you not see that you may lose the Señorita?”

The pony with its rider was passing from view below the margin of the plateau, and the man now made the haste that looked natural. Although the trail was easily followed, his place was in advance. While gliding past the stirrup, he said:

“We have been fortunate, Señorita, but much danger still threatens.”

CHAPTER XXIII

Something prompted Martella to turn his head and look back. Not Captain Navarro alone, but two of the soldiers had come to the head of the path and stood out in clear relief in the strong moonlight, looking after the vanishing couple. Martella grimly thought:

“The Captain is not easy in his mind, but it is now too late for him to stop me.”

A little way down the trail, under the shadow of the deep foliage, stood the two men who were awaiting the coming of the messenger and young woman. The time, brief as it was, had been trying to the last degree to Major Jack Starland, who came forward into the moonlight and approached the halted pony, which pricked his ears and showed some timidity. But the rider readily controlled him.

“Halloa, Jack!”

“My dear Warrenia!”

He reached up and pressed the small gloved hand and the grasp was warmly returned.

“General Yozarro seems to have forgotten to be a gentleman,” she said.

“He never was one; if I ever meet the scoundrel I shall slap his face, if his whole army is looking on.”

“Then I hope you will never meet.”

The party was stationary, though still near enough to the Castle to justify uneasiness.

“Where are we going, Jack?”

“To the river; we have a boat there, in which we shall sail to Zalapata, there to stay till the yacht returns, and then good bye to this infernal country forever.”

“And none will be gladder than I; but what of General Yozarro? Martella told me he is expected every minute at the Castle.”

“No one knows better than our good friend, but what of it?”

“Which route will he be likely to take, – by land or the river?”

The question did not seem to have occurred to Major Starland, who turned to Martella for an answer.

“I think he will come by the gunboat and land where we did.”

“Then there is a good chance of meeting him and his party?”

“Nothing is more likely; we must not forget to prepare for them, for they may be close at hand.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I will walk far enough in advance to give warning. When I see or hear aught of them, I will whistle like this.”

He illustrated and added:

“When that falls upon your ears, you will make haste to turn off into the wood.”

“But there are many places where we cannot turn off, without taking a plunge down a precipice.”

“Then run back till you find one.”

Martella now strode down the path, which was so deeply shadowed that he quickly slipped from view.

“With your permission, Major, I will follow next, keeping a short way in advance of the Señorita and the horse. You may take the front or rear, as you think best.”

“I will keep at the bridle. I cannot see that danger threatens from the Castle, and surely we are well guarded in front.”

There was no call for delay and the procession moved in the order named, the guide being so well to the fore that only at intervals was a glimpse caught of the shadowy form, where the moonlight flooded the winding trail, which gradually descended until it reached the Rio Rubio to the northward. The three composing the main party did not speak, for all their senses were centred in those of sight and hearing. It had been in the mind of Miss Starland to propose that her pony should be dismissed. The task of walking was nothing to her, and the animal was really an incumbrance, but she saw as yet no objection against utilizing him: the necessity of parting with him might come at any time.

Past the murmuring waterfall, along the rocky face of the towering precipice, with fleeting glimpses of the myriad monkeys eternally flitting through the tropical forest, with the discords of nocturnal animals, and the squawking and cries of disturbed birds of a hundred different species, amid the soft moonlight and deep shadows, our friends threaded their way, listening and peering into the gloom, their hopes high, and yet with misgiving in every heart.

Half the distance was traversed, when the pony stepped around a projecting bend of the trail, which sloped abruptly along the face of the mountain wall. Major Starland paused and with a gentle pressure of the bridle rein checked the animal.

“Some distance must be passed before the path broadens,” he said; “I hope we shall not hear Martella’s signal when half-way thither.”

Captain Guzman had also paused as if with the same thought. He was twenty paces in advance, but did not speak.

“Shall we wait for a few minutes?” asked Miss Starland.

“It will avail nothing; the passage must be made.”

“But Martella will be farther away and that will help.”

“He may go so far that we shall not hear his signal.”

Nevertheless, they remained motionless for a few minutes until Captain Guzman was seen to move forward again. The delay was fortunate, for a hundred yards down the trail, the three were suddenly thrilled by the vibrant whistle, whose echo came back from the opposite cliffs. Captain Guzman whirled and came running back.

“Hurry! Not a moment is to be lost!”

The trail was narrow, but an expert animal could turn.

“Don’t take the risk!” commanded the Major excitedly; “give me your hand and dismount.”