Part 12 (1/2)
Bio was on his feet instantly The _rurales_ had several counts against hiht Rosita, too, seemed to know She led him quickly to the lo and pointed to a narrow path that led through a field of cane Bio lost no tiave a sigh of relief; and then hurried into the front room to put the _rurales_ off his path
Bio h the cane-field,to double back to _La colina del sol_; but as he left the cane and rounded a gigantic calabash-tree he ran directly into the ar _rurales_
”Not so fast,him
”Bio!” exclaimed the other
And Bio knew there was no hope of escape The _rurales_ were only too eager for the credit of capturing hi him to headquarters
Four days later he found himself in a e During all the questions of the _rurales_ he had maintained a sullen silence; but noas forced to speak
”We are told that the revolutionists are getting rifles from a little boat that lands them at impossible places,” the officer said ”Only a pilot with your knowledge of the coast could bring in such a boat Tell us what you know!”
Bio did not answer
The officer leaned forward threateningly
”We have enough charges against you to warrant our shooting you on the spot,” he said ”You will never see another sunrise, unless you tell us--and tell us quickly, and truthfully!”
A gleam of hope crept into Bio's eyes
”And if I tell you--all?”
”Then, if I believe you, you will be set at liberty”
There was a sneer in the conditional clause that made Bio's blood run cold for an instant; but it seely but in a tone that they could not doubt was the truth
”I left the boat far up in Mangrove Creek,” he ended ”I think the _yanqui_ senores cannot take her out”
”Tell Morales to have the mules ready at once!” the officer ordered
”The quickest road?” he asked Bio
The pilot answered without faltering The road he told theh the jungle path
The officer consulted a few ave his decision
”My men will not need you You will be held in camp for one day and then set at liberty I aood luck, although he frowned anxiously at that one day's detention Silently he followed his guards; but, as he expected, he found theht he was snaking his way noiselessly through the underbrush that surrounded the ca furiously along the road that led to Mangrove Creek
CHAPTER IX
STRANDED