Where Duty Called Part 25

"She is held as a prisoner at the old convent in Durango under command of El Capitan."

"Then she lives!" cried Ronie, in great joy.

"_Si, senor_. I can lead you to the place, and will if you will give me my liberty."

"That is beyond my power. I cannot--ha! here comes an officer now."

The newcomer was none other than Captain de Caprian, who asked:

"Whom have we here, senors?"

"A man we found prowling in the city under what we thought to be suspicions circ.u.mstances, so we stopped him. He is from San Carlos, and claims he is not a spy."

"I shall leave it for you to say what is to be done with him," said Francisco, "promising to see that he is fairly treated."

"I know not in regard to his being a spy," replied Ronie, "but he has given me valuable information in regard to my mother's fate."

"Does he know of her?" asked Francisco, eagerly. "That fact alone ought to save his life. What has he told you?"

In a few words Ronie explained what he had learned, when the other said, with an intonation of joy in his voice:

"I am so glad, Senor Roland. No time must be lost in going to her rescue. I have this morning received word that my mother has been given her liberty, and that she is on her way to meet me after many sad months of separation. But, dear Roland, as much as I long to meet that mother, if you are willing, and General Castro will permit, I want to go with you to help save your mother. My company will be sufficient force."

Ronie and Harrie could not conceal their emotion at the earnest words of their young friend, who showed that he spoke from the heart.

"Nay----" began Ronie, but the other checked him.

"I know what you would say, Senor Roland, but as much as mother and I want to see each other, we can both wait until this duty is performed.

I am going to General Castro at once for leave of absence. You can let this man accompany us if you think he is to be trusted. I will meet you near the old cathedral half an hour hence."

After a short conference among themselves, in which Manuel Marlin was allowed to express his opinion, it was decided to let him go with them.

He might prove a valuable companion, for they were all inclined to think he would not be false to his pledges.

Before an hour had pa.s.sed, so promptly did they act, Captain de Caprian led out his regiment of gallant men, to start upon the long and arduous journey to Durango on the merciful errand of saving a captive from the power of El Capitan. Were the truth told, more than one of the brave band hoped they might meet the bold outlaw himself.

I need not describe that journey to Durango. The town proved to be a little hamlet under the brow of the Cordilleras, where the insurgents sometimes made their headquarters. Knowing this, the advance was made with extreme caution as soon as the regiment had entered the debatable country. Scouts were constantly on the lookout, and among these were our young engineers.

"I can scarcely wait for the time when we shall attack them," declared Ronie to Harrie and Manuel, as the three halted on the brink of a steep hill overlooking the hidden town.

"How quiet the place seems," replied Harrie. "It must be El Capitan and his troops are away."

"Off on one of his raids, no doubt. It will be so much the better for us."

"Still I really think Francisco will be disappointed if we do not find the rebel chief."

"I wonder if yonder old vine-clad building is where mother is imprisoned?" asked Ronie, pointing to what the three felt must be the ancient convent pictured by those who claimed to have been there.

"_Si, senors_," replied Manuel. "But look there, _senors_! what does the coming of that llaneros mean?"

The question from Manuel was called forth by the sudden appearance of one of the riders of the llanos, or plains of Venezuela, who drew rein almost in front of the old convent. With what truly seemed wonderful celerity the people began to collect, coming from every quarter.

"Perhaps that fellow has discovered our men and is giving the alarm,"

said Ronie.

"I wish I was near enough to hear what he says," replied Manuel. "If you will wait for me, senors, a few minutes I will find out."

Manuel Marlin then began the descent into the town, and as the distance was not far, he soon got within hearing of the new arrival. It was not over fifteen minutes before he returned to his anxious companions with the somewhat startling announcement:

"It is as I expected, senors; El Capitan is on his way home, and is expected within a few hours!"

CHAPTER XXVIII.

VICTORY AND PEACE.

Ronie and Harrie heard this announcement with considerable alarm, as with their first thought they believed they had come too late to accomplish their purpose.

"We must get back to the regiment as soon as possible," declared Ronie.

"If we act promptly we may yet rout the inhabitants of the town and save mother. How many men has El Capitan under him, do you think, Manuel?"

"I am sorry that I am not able to tell," replied the Venezuelan. "I think by what I could catch that he is coming back with a large force."

"Which makes it the more necessary that we act quickly. Come on, boys!"

His companions needed no urging to follow him, and it was not long before they were able to rejoin Captain de Caprian, who was anxiously awaiting them. But their news did not disconcert the brave young patriot.

"It only fulfills my wishes," he said. "We have only to storm the town without loss of time, and then get ready to meet El Capitan. Ay, we will give him a welcome home that he little expects. I wish Senor Greenland would--but here he comes!"

Jack had also been out on a reconnoissance, and he brought in the same news that the others had--that El Capitan was expected at Durango within a few hours.

"They say he comes with five thousand troops," added Jack.

Our heroes turned to see what effect this announcement would have upon Francisco, but as far as they could see the young captain did not show that he had heard the words. Fifteen minutes later the regiment was ordered forward, and then was begun a swift, but silent, advance upon the stronghold of the insurgents, Captain de Caprian giving out his orders calmly and confidently, as if about to enter one of the camps of Castro. Could he reasonably hope to meet successfully El Capitan's superior numbers? What if the latter had five thousand men under his command?

Ronie and Harrie could not help asking each other these questions, as they fell into line and moved sternly forward. When near to the lower end of the town Captain de Caprian divided his men into two bodies, so as to attack the place simultaneously from different parts. Our heroes remained with his division, and entered the mountain hamlet from the nearest quarter, this advance being along a narrow road overhung by a range of hills on either side.

In order to give the other division time to gain a position above them, it was necessary to make a brief delay before opening the attack. But the wait was not long before the signal was given for the double a.s.sault, and the word rang along the ranks:

"Forward! double-quick---charge!"

It goes without saying that exciting scenes followed. Ronie, Harrie and Jack managed to keep together, and it was their good fortune to be among the first to come within close proximity to the convent where Mrs. Rand was supposed to be imprisoned. This had, in fact, been a part of Captain de Caprian's plans.

The surprise was complete as far as the insurgents were concerned. The onset of the government troops came like a tempest from a clear sky.

Women shrieked and fled, followed by men who made scarcely more resistance, until they succeeded in rallying about the old convent.

Here then was fought the lion's part of the battle. A hundred or more of the insurgents made a desperate stand, but they might as well have hoped to stem the mountain torrent which swept down the gorge just behind their native hamlet. They seemed to quickly realize this, and the cry for quarter soon rang out above the medley of battle.