Part 10 (1/2)
”How?”
”I took him prisoner.”
”And released him?”
”No. Made him change clothes with me, tied him securely, and left him in a cottage on a creek belonging to a fisherman.”
”I know the place!” cried one of the soldiers.
”You did this?” asked the general, incredulously.
”Certainly. It was necessary for the success of my plans. Send to the cottage, if it's possible to do so.”
”It can be done.”
”Very well. I entreat you to be quick, general. Much depends on it.”
It was rather dangerous work to venture so near the Spanish lines, but four patriots volunteered at once, and the general, after giving them a few brief instructions, sent them on their way.
Well mounted, if no mischance happens to them, they would soon be back, and Young Glory, who was in a boiling pa.s.sion, quite ignored the presence of the Cubans, and threw himself on the ground to rest while awaiting the result.
”I believe he is Young Glory,” said the general to one of his officers.
”He doesn't look like an impostor.”
”No, sir.”
”Well, he's in a temper because I've done my duty. Let him alone. His young blood will soon cool.”
So it did, and Young Glory, on thinking calmly over the matter, saw that he could not have expected any different treatment to what he had received.
”General,” he said, going up to him, ”I was hasty. You must pardon me.”
The general smiled.
”I have thought no more of it. Have a cigar. You'll find them good. They taste better perhaps to me,” he added, with a laugh, ”because the tobacco was grown by a Spaniard, one of our bitterest enemies, and they cost nothing.”
The time seemed long. In reality the men--or at least two of them--were back in an incredibly short s.p.a.ce of time.
”Well?” questioned the general.
”We have been there.”
”And your comrades?”
”They are safe. We left them behind.”
”And this young man's story?”
”Quite true, general, only he forgot to say that he had left two prisoners in the hut.”