Part 20 (2/2)
Come on, boys! We can do no better than to return to the don's. Ha!
who comes here? Halt! Who comes?”
”A friend from Don Isadora,” was the prompt reply. ”Word came to him of a party of rebels taking an American prisoner to El Capitan, and he sent me to warn you.”
”In good time, senor. We have saved our friend. Hark! Yonder riders are El Capitan's hornets. Back to the estate, and we will go with you.”
There being no need of silence now, the six hors.e.m.e.n rode back to the estate at a furious gait, the messenger going ahead when they had nearly reached the avenue leading to the building, so as to inform the don of the approach of friends. He hailed them with hearty gladness, but quickly prepared to meet the expected onset of the enemy.
Ronie and his companions having decided to lend their a.s.sistance to the defenders of the estate, Harrie asked for a rifle, that he might join his friends. This was soon forthcoming, and while they waited for the attack of the mountain rabble he found opportunity to say to Ronie:
”I don't know how glad I am to see you, for I have supposed you were drowned on the night we started to escape from the _Libertador_. How is it I find you here?”
”It is a long story, Harrie. I will tell it at the first opportunity.
Jack and I have seen our share of excitement, and it looks as if it wasn't over yet. Did you escape from the prison at San Carlos?”
”Not through my own efforts. An order came from General Castro for me to be set at liberty. This was done, and a small escort started with me to find the regiment of Colonel Marchand. Only think he is somewhere in this vicinity. We were surprised by a body of rebels, who put my guard to rout and made me a prisoner. I do not know what would have become of me if you had not rescued me as you did. Hark! the foes are coming!”
It was a part of the don's plan to hold back his men, and not to fire upon the enemy until they should come into close quarters, so no response was given to the shouts and shots of the oncoming horde, whose leader expected to carry everything before him by storm. A tempest of lead followed his command to attack, but not a man was injured on the estate. Thinking that an easy victory lay before him, El Capitan then ordered his men to the double-quick.
Don Isadora proved that he had had some military experience, as his men were not only all well armed, but they stood coolly at bay waiting for his word to open the fight on their part. Even Ronie began to get impatient before his stentorian voice cried:
”Now, men, mow them down like gra.s.s--fire!”
The entire side of the estate toward the road was illuminated by a sheet of flame as his followers obeyed the sharp command, and it was like mowing a swath through gra.s.s to see how the motley mob led by the ”mountain lion” went down. The roar of rifles was followed by wild shouts and shrieks of pain, while those who had escaped the deadly fire beat a hasty retreat.
”Follow them up, men!” cried the don, but he had barely uttered the order before a bullet from a stray shot hit him, and staggering back, he fell into the arms of Jack Greenland, while he murmured:
”I am a dead man!”
It was a sad occurrence. The moment the Venezuelans found their leader had fallen, confusion and disorder reigned.
”Is he fatally hurt?” asked Ronie, anxiously, as Jack bent over him.
”I cannot tell yet, sergeant. The wound is bleeding profusely. Some of you help me get him where I can examine him more closely. Is there a surgeon about the place?”
No one seemed to know. But half a dozen l.u.s.ty fellows lifted the wounded don and bore him into the house, while others stared after them in complete dismay.
”El Capitan is rallying,” said Ronie. ”It's too bad for us to be in this condition. He will sweep the place, now the don has fallen.”
”Why not take the lead, Ronie?” asked Harrie. ”Some one must, or we are all lost.”
”I am not sure they would follow me. Here comes Senor Riva.”
”Sergeant Rand, Don Isadora begs me to tell you that he is better, but is not able to lead his men. He beseeches of you to do this.”
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