The Free Lances Part 25

"_El Capitan_!" exclaimed the questioner, in a tone also telling of pleased surprise. "And free again! I'm so glad, Don Ruperto! Praise to the Lord for delivering you!"

"Thanks, good Gregorio! And while you're about it, you may as well give part of your praise to a lady, who had something to do with it--indeed, two of them."

"Ah! Senor Capitan, I think I know one of them anyhow, and in all Mexico I can say--ay, swear it--"

"True, true!" interrupted the Captain. "But stay your a.s.severation.

There's no time to talk about the Senoritas now. My friends and I are in want of something to eat. We're as hungry as _coyotes_. What have you got in the larder?"

"Not much, I fear, your wors.h.i.+p. And the cook's gone to bed, with everybody else. But they'll only be too delighted to get up when they hear it's your wors.h.i.+p come back. Shall I go and rouse them, Senor?"

"No, no. Let them sleep it out. Any cold thing will do for us. We're as much fatigued as famished, and wish to be in bed ourselves as soon as possible. So look out whatever eatables there are, and don't forget the drinkables. I trust the cellar isn't as low as the larder?"

"No, Senor. Of that I can speak with more confidence. Not a cork has been drawn since you left us--I mean of the best wines. Only the common Canario was drunk in your absence."

"In that case, mayor-domo, we may sup satisfactorily, so far as the liquids are concerned, should the solids prove deficient. Bring a bottle of Burgundy, another of the Brown Madeira, and, let me see--yes, one of old Pedro Ximenes. I suppose the brethren have used up all my best cigars?"

"Not one of them, Senor. The Havannahs have been under lock and key, too. I gave out only _puros_."

"What a faithful steward you've proved yourself, Gregorio! Well, along with the wine, let us have a bundle of Imperadores. We haven't tasted tobacco for days, and are all dying for a smoke."

By this time they had entered the porch, and were pa.s.sing on through a long corridor, still more dimly illuminated. But there was light issuing from a side-door, which stood open. By this Rivas made stop, with word and gesture signifying to the others to pa.s.s on inside, which they did. Not all of them, however; only Kearney and Rock. A different disposition he meant making of the dwarf than giving him Burgundy and Madeira to drink, with the smoking of "Emperor" cigars. Pointing to the crooked semblance of humanity, at which Gregorio was gazing with a puzzled air, he whispered to the latter--

"Take the beast back, and shut him up in one of the cells. You may give him something to eat, but see to his being securely kept. Insignificant as he looks, there's mischief in him, and he might take it into his head to stray. You comprehend, Gregorio?"

"I do, your wors.h.i.+p. I'll take care to stow him safe."

Saying which, the mayor-domo of the establishment, for such Gregorio was, caught the hunchback by one of his ears--grand auricles they were-- and led him away along the corridor, with the prison chain trailing behind.

Rivas did not stay till they were out of sight, but turning, stepped inside the room into which he had ushered the other two.

It was rather a large apartment, but plainly and spa.r.s.ely furnished; a deal table and half a dozen common chairs, with leathern backs and bottoms, such as may be seen in most Mexican houses. It was better supplied with arms than household effects; several guns standing in corners, with swords hanging against the walls, and a variety of accoutrements--all giving it more the appearance of a guard-house than the reception-room of a gentleman's mansion.

"Now _amigos_" said the Mexican, after rejoining his guests, on whose faces he could not fail to note an odd inquiring expression, "I can at last say to you, feel safe, if I can't a.s.sure you of a supper good as I'd wish to give. Still, if I mistake not, 'twill be superior to our prison fare. _Por Dios_! Having to put up with that was punishment enough of itself, without being set to work in the sewers."

"Ah," remarked Kearney, speaking for himself and the Texan, "had you been one of us prisoners from Mier up to Mexico, the diet you complain of would have seemed luxury for Lucullus."

"Indeed! What did they give you to eat?"

"Brown beans only half boiled, _tortillas_, usually cold; and sometimes, for a whole stretch of twenty-four hours, nothing at all."

"_Carramba_!" exclaimed the Mexican. "That was hard usage. But nothing to surprise. Just as Santa Anna might be expected to treat his captive enemies, whether of his own people, or as yourselves, foreigners. More cruel tyrant never ruled country. But his reign, thank Heaven, will not be long. I've reason for saying that, and better still for thinking it."

The little interlude of dialogue was brought to a close by the entrance of the mayor-domo loaded with bottles and gla.s.ses. He had orders to bring the wine first, the cigars along with it.

Lumping all down upon the table, he left them to wait upon themselves, while he went off to ransack the pantry soon to return with a sufficiency of viands, and savoury enough to satisfy men who had just come out of the Acordada. There was cold mutton, ham, and venison, maize bread, and "guesas de Guatemala," with a variety of fruit to follow. Verily a supper at which even a gourmand might not cavil; though it was but the _debris_ of a dinner, which seemed to have been partaken of by a goodly array of guests.

Not long lingered they over it, before whom it was set a second time.

Overcome by the toil and struggle of days, and more the mental worry attendant, even the wine freely quaffed failed to excite them afresh.

Rest and sleep they more needed and much desired; all glad when Gregorio again showed his face at the door, saying--

"_Caballeros_, your sleeping rooms are ready."

CHAPTER FORTY ONE.

ANXIOUS HOURS.

"See, Luisita! Yonder go soldiers!"

"Where?"

"Along the calzada of Nino Perdido--under the trees--by the thick clump--they're galloping!"

"_Santissima_, yes! I see them now. O Ysabel! if they overtake the carriage! _Ay Dios_!"

"_Ay Dios_, indeed! It's to be hoped they won't, though. And I have less fear of it now than ever. It must have gone that way, or the soldiers wouldn't be there; and as it couldn't have stopped at the _garita_, it should now be a good distance on. Keep up your heart, _amiga mia_, as I do mine. They'll soon be safe, if they're not yet."

This exclamatory dialogue was carried on while the alarm bells were still ringing, and the guns booming. The speakers were on the azotea of Don Ignacio's house, up to which they had hastened soon as home--having dismissed their escort below, and left orders for no visitors to be admitted.

In the _mirador_, with opera-gla.s.ses to their eyes, they had been scanning the roads which led south and south-west from the city. Only for a few minutes, as they had but just got back, and as the carriage having already rounded the turning to Coyoacan, they saw but the pursuing soldiers. Those were the Hussars, with Santander at their head, though the ladies knew not that.

Fortified by the hopeful speech of the Condesa, the other responded to it with an added word of hope, and a prayer for the safe escape of those they were concerned about.

Then for a while both remained silent, with the lorgnettes to their eyes, following the movements of the soldiers along the road. Soon these were out of sight, but their whereabouts could be told by the cloud of white dust which rose over the trees, gradually drifting farther and farther off.

At length it too disappeared, settling down; and as the bells ceased to ring, and the cannon to be fired, the city, with all around it, seemed restored to its wonted tranquillity.

But not so the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of Luisa Valverde and Ysabel Almonte. Far from tranquil they; instead, filled with anxiety, keen as ever. And now, as much on their own account as for those they had been aiding to escape.

In their haste to effect this, they had taken no thought of what was to come after. But it was now forced upon them. As they looked back on what they had themselves done--the part they had been playing, with all its details of action--apprehensions. .h.i.therto unfelt began to steal over them, growing stronger the longer they dwelt upon them.

But what would be the upshot of all?

What if the carriage got overtaken with the fugitives in it, and beside them those knives and pistols, to say nothing of the file? A gentleman's cloak too, with _mango_ and _serape_! Odd a.s.sortment of articles for ladies to take out on an airing! They had no fear of the _cochero_ betraying them; but this paraphernalia surely would, if it fell into the hands of the pursuers. They might expect investigation, anyhow; but these things, if produced, would bring about an exposure unavoidable.

No wonder at their soon becoming seriously alarmed, henceforth nervously agitated. And they had no one to take council with. Soon after their coming home, Don Ignacio, seeing and hearing of what happened, had sallied forth to make inquiries, and direct pursuit. Furious about his fine carriage and horses carried off, he little dreamt that along with them were his duelling pistols and blue broadcloth cloak.

Nor would it do to tell him of those matters, unless they made up their minds to confess all, and fling themselves on his affection more than his mercy. Of course he was still in the dark about their doings-- unsuspicious man--had not even been told who the _forzados_ were that had taken away his equipage.

Closeted alone, for some time the alarmed ladies could not think of what they ought to do. They did not yield to despair, however; instead, kept on scheming and considering how they might meet the worst--if the worst came.

But one way seemed plausible--even possible--that depending on Don Ignacio. If they could prevail on him to tell a falsehood, all might be well. Only to say the carriage had been made ready for a journey to his _casa de campo_, whither he had intended to proceed that same evening, taking his daughter and the Condesa along with him. That would explain the presence of the weapons; no uncommon thing--rather the rule--for carriage travellers to take such with them, even going but outside the suburbs of the city. For good reason, there being footpads and robbers everywhere. And the cloaks for protection against the night air!

In this way they groped about, as drowning people clutch at sticks and straws, still without being able to get rid of their apprehensions.

Even should Don Ignacio agree to the deception they thought of--he would, no doubt, when made aware of their danger--it was questionable whether it would serve them. For there was a file too--a small matter, but a most conspicuous link in the chain of circ.u.mstantial evidence against them. They in the carriage would have been using it, before being taken--if they should be taken. Finally, the worst of all, the relations known to exist between themselves and two of the men attempting escape.

A miserable time it was for them during the remainder of that afternoon and evening; a struggle amid doubts, fears, and conjectures. Nor did Don Ignacio's return home in any way relieve them. They were not yet prepared to surrender up their secret even to him. The time had not come for that. As the hours pa.s.sed, things began to look better, and the suspense easier to bear. No report from the pursuers, which there would or should have been, were the pursued taken.