Part 4 (1/2)
Thus they allowed the irons to be clasped upon their wrists and about their ankles. This task, which did not seem an unpleasant one to them, accomplished to their satisfaction, the men returned to the deck, leaving our friends prisoners amid surroundings which seemed to make their situation hopeless.
CHAPTER V.
ESCAPE FROM THE LIBERTADOR.
During the hours which followed--hours that seemed like ages--the imprisoned trio were aware of a great commotion on deck, and Jack a.s.sured his companions that the _Libertador_ had come to anchor.
”We are in some port near Maracaibo,” he said. ”I feel very sure of that.”
”If we were only free,” said Harrie, ”there might be a possibility that we could get away. It begins to look as if we are not going to regain our freedom.”
”I wish we had resisted them,” exclaimed the more impulsive Ronie. ”I know we could have overpowered them.”
”It would have done no good in the end,” replied Jack. ”In fact, it would have worked against us in almost any turn affairs may take. In case we do escape, we shall be able to show that we have not given cause for this treatment. The United States Government will see that we are recompensed for this.”
”If we live to get out of it,” said Ronie.
”That is an important consideration, I allow,” declared Jack. ”But I never permit myself to worry over my misfortunes. So long as there is life there is hope.”
”I wonder if Francisco knows of this,” said Ronie.
”If he does, and he must learn of it sooner or later, he will come to us if it is in his power,” replied Harrie, whose faith in the outlawed Venezuelan was greater than his companions'.
Some time later, just how long they had no way of knowing, it became evident to them that the _Libertador_ was again upon the move. Whither were they bound? No one had come near them, and so long had they been without food and drink that they began to feel the effects. Had they been forgotten by their captors, or was it a premeditated plan to kill them by starvation and thirst? Such questions as these filled their minds and occupied most of their conversation.
”I wonder where Colonel Marchand thinks we are?” asked Harrie.
”I tell you what let's do, boys,” suggested the fertile Jack Greenland.
”Let's remind them that we are human beings, and that we must have food and drink or perish. Now, together, let us call for water!”
The young engineers were not loath to do this, and a minute later, as with one voice that rang out loud and deep in that narrow place of confinement, they shouted three times in succession:
”Water! water! water!”
This cry they repeated at intervals for the next half hour without bringing any one to their side, when they relapsed into silence. But it was not long before an officer and two companions brought them both food and drink. They partook of these while their captors stood grimly over them, ready to return the irons to their wrists as soon as they had finished their simple meal. The only reply they could get to their questions was an ominous shake of the head from the leader of the party. So Jack gave up, and he and his companions relapsed into silence which was not broken until the disappearance of the men.
”This beats everything I ever met with,” declared Jack, ”though I must confess I have been in some peculiar situations in my time.”
Nothing further occurred to break the monotony of their captivity for what they judged to be several hours. Then they suddenly became aware of a person approaching them in a stealthy manner. At a loss to know who could be creeping upon them in such a manner, they could only remain silent till the mystery should be solved. This was done in a most unexpected way by a voice that had a familiar sound to it, though it spoke scarcely above a whisper:
”Have no fear, senors, it is I.”
The speaker was Francisco de Caprian, and he was not long in gaining their side.
”How fares it with you, senors?”
”Poorly,” replied Jack, speaking for his captors as well as himself.
”What does this mean?”