Where Duty Called Part 18

Immediately cries of fright were uttered by the twain in their lofty ambush, but neither man offered to move. The companions of Ronie and Riva Baez, who had fallen behind a little, startled by these shots and outcries, now dashed hurriedly upon the scene.

"Cover the other rebel up there with your Mauser, Jack," commanded Ronie. "Do not hesitate to fire if he dares to lift a finger."

Jack quickly comprehended the situation, and no sooner had his youthful commander spoken than he took swift aim at the trembling wretch in the tree, saying, loud enough for the victim to hear:

"Ay, sergeant; I glory in such shooting!"

By this time Riva had succeeded in quieting his horse, which had not received a fatal wound, and the veteran scout was ready to do his part in the exciting drama.

"Stand at the foot of the tree to receive them, boys," ordered Ronie.

"I am going to invite them to join us. Their company may be more desirable than we think."

Then, addressing the twain above, he continued in the best Spanish he could command:

"Come down, senors, as quickly as may be."

"Spare our lives, senor!" begged the one whom the young American had selected as his victim.

"Upon the condition that you surrender peacefully. As proof that you mean what you profess, please drop your weapons down to my men."

Without delay, the couple dropped their Mausers, which were caught by the young Venezuelans.

"If you have any other firearms, kindly let them down, We have more use for them than you."

This demand was followed by two braces of heavy pistols, followed by a couple of ugly-looking knives.

"Any more such playthings?" asked Ronie.

"No, senor. We have no more weapons, unless you call this rope such."

"Let that down, too. It will come in handy in a few minutes. You were very thoughtful to take it along with you."

The stout hempen rope was next thrown to the ground, after which the terrified sharpshooters waited for the succeeding order.

"Now, come down yourselves. Don't waste any powder, boys, if they are foolish enough to think of trying to run away."

"Ay, sergeant, trust us for that," replied Jack.

Ronie soon had the satisfaction of seeing the two cringing before him like a couple of curs about to receive a whipping. One of them was evidently a half-breed, while his companion, who had done the talking so far, showed more of Spanish blood.

"You have been caught in an ugly game, senors," said Ronie, whereupon both bowed, the spokesman saying:

"Do not shoot us, Senor Americano. If you will spare our lives, we will fight for you."

"A pretty mess you'd make of it. You were scouts for El Capitan?"

"_Si, senor_."

"You mistook us for Castro's soldiers?"

"_Si, senor_. We could not see very plain, and we thought you were only two."

"Which made your shooting more justifiable, I suppose. Seeing you are such poor marksmen, we will forgive you, providing you will answer my questions."

"_Si, senor_."

"Where is El Capitan?"

"At Morova."

"How far is that from here?"

"Four kilometers, senor."

"What is he doing there?"

"Waiting for reinforcements."

"What does he need reinforcements for?"

"To whip the dogs of Castro."

"No doubt he needs them. But are there any of Castro's soldiers in this vicinity?"

"_Si, senor_, at Baracoa."

This bit of information caused Ronie to resume his questioning with greater interest, for he knew this referred to Colonel Marchand's regiment.

"How many men has El Capitan under him?'

"Five thousand, senor."

"Beware, senor, for I know now you lie."

"He will have, senor, before he reaches Valencia."

"So he is headed in that way?"

"_Si, senor_."

"What I want to know is, how many men has he now? Be careful, for another lie will send your cringing souls to purgatory. How many men has El Capitan now?"

"Spare me, senor! I do not lie. El Capitan has about two hundred with him now, but he expects more soon."

"Do you mean to say he has two hundred at Morova?"

"Senor misunderstood me. He will have two hundred as soon as Calveras reaches him with his troops."

"Dog!" cried Ronie, looking as fierce as he could, while he threatened to resort to violence then and there, "you are trying to cheat me. I asked you how many soldiers El Capitan has at Morova."