Part 19 (1/2)
He shook his head again, and hobbled away with the mules, leaving Gerald to interpret what had pa.s.sed between them.
”Perhaps it would be the wiser course not to enter Santiago,” said Hal; ”but we have no choice in the matter, for we want to get away from the island, and that is the only manner in which we can arrange it. Come along, Gerald. We'll decide how we are to act as we go towards the town.”
Five minutes later they were walking towards the rows of lights which now twinkled from the houses in Santiago. On arriving close beside the first, they halted at a drinking-fountain, which splashed musically, inviting the thirsty traveler to stop and satisfy his wants.
”We want to get in there undetected,” said Hal; ”and, what is more, we're going to have a good shot at it. The question is, How are we to set about the matter? Now, my idea is to face the thing boldly, and act as if we had as much right to enter as the general himself. If we are seen skulking, suspicion will be aroused, and we shall probably have a few bullets flying about our ears. War has only just been declared, and no doubt the people are very much excited. They will be expecting something to happen, but not from this side. The Americans will come from over the sea, and therefore it is from the coast-line that danger and attack will be apprehended. What is there suspicious about us?
Simply nothing! I never saw a more innocent-looking couple; and as for being different in appearance from the ordinary citizens, I am sure we should pa.s.s all but the closest scrutiny. Come along! We'll strike for the main entrance.”
Gerald jumped to his feet and followed willingly, for he had already had experience of the soundness of Hal's judgment, and trusted him implicitly.
A few minutes later the road which they were traversing narrowed, and, pa.s.sing through a thick grove of orange trees, ran between two rows of houses. At the end of the street a barricade was erected, and a sentry, who stood behind it in the shadow, challenged them loudly.
”Halt!” he cried harshly. ”Who goes there?”
”Friends,” answered Gerald, in his finest Spanish.
”Then advance, and show yourselves.”
Hal and his comrade promptly stepped forward in obedience to the order, for it was too late to turn back now, even if they had wished; and, moreover, the sight of the sentry as he stood out from the shadow of the barricade, with rifle pointed in their direction, was sufficient to show them that even to hesitate would mean a report, and the whistle and shriek of a bullet in their direction.
Accordingly they moved forward till close beside him, when they stopped as the bayonet was dropped to the level of their chests.
”Here are two who wish to enter. Bring a light, one of you,” the sentry cried.
”A lantern? Wait, and I will come with one,” a second voice answered; and steps were heard as another of the Spanish soldiers approached.
He carried an unlighted lantern in his hand, and, when close beside the lads, placed it upon the top of the barricade, while he fumbled in his pocket for a match. At length he produced a solitary one, and, lifting his foot, struck it sharply across the sole. But the flash was instantly extinguished by a puff of wind that came whistling through the trees at that moment.
”Ah, caramba!” he exclaimed, with an angry stamp of his foot. ”It is the very last that I have, and to get another I must go back to the guard-room. Have you a box about you, comrade?”
The sentry placed his rifle between his knees, and searched in every pocket, but without success.
”I cannot help you,” he said crossly. ”Get back and fetch a light. I am tired of waiting.”
”I cannot be bothered,” the other replied. ”Who are these fellows?”
”We are friends,” Gerald promptly responded.
”Then pa.s.s them in, comrade,” said the one who had declined to fetch a light. ”They are brothers-in-arms most certainly.”
Gerald pulled Hal by the sleeve, and, without waiting for more, the two hurried through the barricade and on into the street. Fifty paces away the road was dimly lighted by a lamp hanging from a pole. They were just pa.s.sing beneath it, and were in the act of congratulating themselves on their success, when a company of soldiers marched up, and the officer in charge, happening to catch sight of the two youths, called loudly to them to approach and declare who they were.
CHAPTER XIII
IN DANGER AND DISTRESS
”Who are you two over there? What are you doing out in the streets at this time of night. Come nearer and let me see you,” cried the officer, who had just marched in with a detachment of troops as Hal and Gerald entered the town and were moving away from the barricade. ”Come, I say, or we will make it uncomfortable for you, my fine fellows.”
”By Jove! What are we to do?” asked Gerald, in a low and anxious voice.