Part 18 (2/2)
”_Si, senor_. We could not see very plain, and we thought you were only two.”
”Which made your shooting more justifiable, I suppose. Seeing you are such poor marksmen, we will forgive you, providing you will answer my questions.”
”_Si, senor_.”
”Where is El Capitan?”
”At Morova.”
”How far is that from here?”
”Four kilometers, senor.”
”What is he doing there?”
”Waiting for reinforcements.”
”What does he need reinforcements for?”
”To whip the dogs of Castro.”
”No doubt he needs them. But are there any of Castro's soldiers in this vicinity?”
”_Si, senor_, at Baracoa.”
This bit of information caused Ronie to resume his questioning with greater interest, for he knew this referred to Colonel Marchand's regiment.
”How many men has El Capitan under him?'
”Five thousand, senor.”
”Beware, senor, for I know now you lie.”
”He will have, senor, before he reaches Valencia.”
”So he is headed in that way?”
”_Si, senor_.”
”What I want to know is, how many men has he now? Be careful, for another lie will send your cringing souls to purgatory. How many men has El Capitan now?”
”Spare me, senor! I do not lie. El Capitan has about two hundred with him now, but he expects more soon.”
”Do you mean to say he has two hundred at Morova?”
”Senor misunderstood me. He will have two hundred as soon as Calveras reaches him with his troops.”
”Dog!” cried Ronie, looking as fierce as he could, while he threatened to resort to violence then and there, ”you are trying to cheat me. I asked you how many soldiers El Capitan has at Morova.”
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