Part 10 (1/2)

”Now that's what I call a clever scheme,” Frank declared. ”They would have no kick coming, because, you see, no Spanish American could ever complain of getting his wages without having to do any work!”

”I guess not,” Andy remarked, grinning a.s.sent.

Upon further conference it was decided to divide the day and night into watches, so that one of them could be on deck and alert all of the time, while the other secured some sleep.

Treachery, they knew, would be likely to crop out during the night time. Those on board may have found some means of telling their confederates ash.o.r.e about what time the boat would reach a given point. And by means of some native method of telegraphing, such as by means of wigwag flags, or ”smokes,” the news could be hurried up the river much in advance of the vessel that was b.u.t.ting against the strong current of the swollen Magdalena.

Then Frank went forward to have a long talk with the trusty pilot. He took Felipe into his confidence, telling him for the first time all about their sacred mission to this region of Colombia. And in this way, as well as by promising to double his regular wages, Frank quite won the old fellow's heart.

In return Felipe was able to give his employer considerable valuable information connected with the crew. Frank mentioned no names, and hence he was satisfied that he had made no mistake in his calculations, when among the list of ”suspects” given by the pilot, both Enrique and little ”Cospita” were included.

”We must get rid of them both as soon as possible,” he announced. ”So just before night sets in, draw the boat to sh.o.r.e near some village or town. Then I shall pay both men off, get their signatures to the fact, and insist on their going ash.o.r.e. Meanwhile, as you find opportunity, post a few of the faithful ones to the fact that we suspect them of being insurrectoes.”

Felipe declared that the idea was superb. He was growing more and more fond of these venturesome young Americanos, who were so generous, so brave, and who had come all this great distance, actuated by such a n.o.ble purpose. So many a man may easily feel when his salary has been unexpectedly doubled.

During the balance of that afternoon the two young aviators continued to alternately sit upon the deck, and wander about the boat, watching things. Frank had the precious aeroplane locked up in the s.p.a.cious lazerette, which being also used as a storeroom for extra supplies, that the circ.u.mstance need not be looked upon as singular.

”I'm determined that no ill may happen to that machine, if I can help it,” he said to his chum, when speaking of what he had had done.

And Andy, of course, fully endorsed his course.

So the sun began to draw closer to the western horizon, represented by the distant mountains where the chief inland town of the province, Saba.n.a.larga, lay.

Felipe had spoken of a place on the eastern bank of the river, where they could draw in, and put the two suspects ash.o.r.e. And Frank told Andy to back him up in what he was about to do.

”There's the town ahead, only a little place, but it answers our purpose, for they can never say we deserted them in the howling wilderness,” and Frank, who had been counting out some money, started to make his way down to the waist of the vessel, where most of the crew had gathered, wondering what the object of the landing might be.

Enrique and ”Cospita” were surely very much astonished and alarmed when told that their services were needed no longer--that it was ascertained they were carrying too many men; and also that they were to receive full pay for the time they had engaged.

Of course they started to make objections, and the air was filled with various excited exclamations; but Frank proved as firm as adamant, and showed the automatic revolver sticking from his pocket all the while, a fact that kept the two men from venturing to do more than shout.

Clutching their money they were pushed ash.o.r.e by members of the crew, who doubtless could give a pretty good guess as to what the whole thing meant, since they had talked with Felipe.

”A good riddance of bad rubbis.h.!.+” declared Andy, as the boat again started up the river, leaving a pair of yelling natives behind, making all sorts of furious gestures with both arms.

”Yes,” pursued Frank, reflectively, ”and if we wanted any more evidence that we nipped a conspiracy to seize the vessel in the bud, there it is in their anger at being paid for not working. Nothing like that was ever known before down in this country, as Felipe says. And now, Andy, I feel that we're another step nearer the carrying out of your great task.”

”Oh! I hope so,” said the other, his face marked by an eagerness that told of the one sole wish of his youthful heart.

CHAPTER XI.

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE.

Frank took the first watch.

It was to begin about ten o'clock that night; for both of them had remained on deck, talking, up to that hour. The night was so comfortable after the hot day that they disliked going into the sleeping quarters. These happened to face the deck, however, so that the vessel was admirably suited to cruising in tropical regions.

”Every thing seems to be going on decently right now,” remarked Andy, yawning, as he prepared to have a few hours' sleep.