"My mother!"

Jack showed almost as much emotion as his young companion, as he stepped quickly beside him, saying:

"Your mother's photograph in this place? How can that be?"

"I do not know, Jack. But it is surely hers. See! It was taken in New York."

"Doubtless Senor Marlin can throw some light upon the matter," declared Jack. "You picked it up almost under where he had been hanging. The photograph fell from one of your pockets, Senor Manuel?" asked Jack, addressing the Venezuelan.

The latter had retreated a few paces, and he showed considerable agitation, while he shook his head, replying in a low tone:

"If it was in my pocket, I did not know it, senors. Some one else must have dropped it here. It would not be strange, as there are many scouts in the forests at this time."

Both Jack and Ronie felt sure that the man was trying to deceive them, but deemed it wise not to let him know it.

"I mistrust the fellow," whispered Jack, aside. "We must keep a close watch upon him. I do not think he understands English, so he does not know what relation the portrait may bear to you. Let's feign indifference in the matter, and keep with him."

So Ronie placed the photograph in one of his pockets without further remarks, though he found it difficult to conceal his emotions. While he was doing this Jack signified to Manuel Marlin that they were anxious to go to his home, or at least to be shown the way out of the forest. Then, with rapid steps, the Venezuelan led the way out of the jungle, not once looking back in his hasty advance. This gave our friends opportunity to exchange thoughts, though they were careful not to say enough to arouse the suspicions of their guide.

"I cannot understand what it means," declared Ronie. "How could mother's picture be brought here, and why?"

As this was a question Jack could not answer, he merely shook his head, adding:

"This fellow, or some of his friends, may have been in New York, and accidentally picked it up. In that case it would not indicate any cause for worriment."

"I cannot help feeling, Jack, that there is some other explanation. I cannot help thinking that in some way it portends trouble to mother.

It can do no harm to question this fellow more closely in regard to the matter."

"We will take our chances on that score, though I believe he is a thoroughbred liar."

Then they did question this man as closely as they thought prudent, but without gleaning a single ray of light upon the subject. In fact, he persisted in maintaining an absolute ignorance in regard to it. So finally Ronie was compelled to drop the subject, while he tried in vain to find some plausible explanation of the mystery.

Manuel Marlin showed that he was glad of the sight ahead, when at last they reached the edge of the forest, and found themselves looking at the rim of sandy sea-coast, with the glimmer of water in the distance.

The day was very calm, and the bay stretched as smoothly as if formed of plate gla.s.s, while overhead the sky had that peculiar flat appearance so common in the tropics.

"Does senors see that dismal building on yonder point of land?" asked their guide, and, without waiting for their reply, went on: "It is the fort of San Carlos, where the 'El Mocho' is chained like a dog!"

"Look yonder!" exclaimed Ronie, "there is a train of men going thither now."

"Looks to me as if they were conducting prisoners to the penitentiary,"

said Jack. "If my old eyes do not deceive me one of them is an American."

"I am sure you are right, Jack. Let's get a little nearer, so we can see as they pa.s.s along."

Their guide showed some hesitation in doing this, though he led the way somewhat circuitously forward, so as to gain a view of the soldiery train without being seen themselves, saying as he did so:

"This is more of the dirty work of Castro's dogs of war."

CHAPTER X.

"WE HAVE BEEN BETRAYED!"

Ronie and Jack paid but little heed to the words of their companion, as their attention was already fixed upon the file of men moving with martial steps toward the gloomy structure, whose walls had echoed to so many cries of distress from its heart-broken captives. Even now this squad was taking thither two prisoners, as Jack had said, and one of these had awakened an exciting interest. He was surely an American, and in the distance there seemed something familiar about him, which caused them to hold their breath while they watched and waited. Then the truth of their convictions finally overpowered their doubts, and Ronie exclaimed under his breath:

"It is Harrie, Jack!"

"Ay, lad; and Francisco is with him."

"What does it mean, Jack?"

"One thing certain, lad; they have escaped the sea. It is better than becoming victims to that."

"I agree with you, Jack. Now that we have found them it will be our duty to rescue them. Perhaps Manuel here can give us some light on the subject."

The train had by this time pa.s.sed beyond them, and not thinking it wise to follow, our friends turned to their companion for such information as he might be able to give. Upon learning that the prisoners were friends of theirs, Manuel suddenly became very friendly.

"So you belong to the Sons of Liberty!" he exclaimed. "Yonder penitentiary is where Castro imprisons some of his most important captives. But it won't be so for long. The mountain Indian[1] cannot long hold his own against the n.o.ble Matos, who belongs to the Guzman Blanco family. Senors shall soon see their comrades free."

While this thought tickled the vanity of the Venezuelan to a high degree, it did not afford any satisfaction to Jack and Ronie, the last saying:

"We must act promptly in their behalf. Have you any plan to suggest, Manuel?"

"Only this, senor. I know of one who lives in San Carlos, who makes it his business to keep posted on what is going on. I will see him at once, and no doubt he will be able to give us information that will be of a.s.sistance."

Ronie and Jack gladly agreed to this, and while Manuel was seeing his friend it was thought best for them to remain at his home. This proved to be less than a mile away, so it was only about an hour later that the Venezuelan started upon his errand, leaving our twain anxiously awaiting his return. Since he had learned that they had friends in the hands of his enemies, he had grown very friendly. They had not thought it best to say anything to create a feeling of distrust, but Ronie freely confessed to Jack, as soon as they were alone:

"I want to know what Harrie's imprisonment means before I decide to which side I belong."

"It is generally prudent to take the side of the government," replied Jack. "I can easily understand how an insurgent like Manuel can come to hate the name of Castro, and call him a savage from the mountains.

Mountaineers sometimes are men who accomplish much, and President Castro seems to be one of them. I remember a few years ago, about eight, when I was in this country, he suddenly appeared from obscurity to lead a body of men against President Crespo in the interest of President Andrade. He soon proved that he was made of good metal, for he usually led his followers to victory. The Crespo party being successful, the president offered Castro a position in his cabinet if he would desist from further opposition. Possibly the daring mountaineer foresaw greater possibilities, for he declined the honor.

Then, when President Crespo named General Andrade as his successor, Castro appeared on the Colombian frontier with the nucleus of a revolutionary army. From the very outset success perched upon his banner, and after overcoming the government troops wherever he met them, taking city after city, all the time receiving reinforcements to his army, he laid siege to the capital. President Andrade fled at this point of the war, and General Castro was declared ruler of the republic. Our country a few months later was the first, I think, to recognize him as ruler. I do not think he has been elected president by vote of the people.[2] Be that as it may, his dash and courage, with considerable military ability, has endeared him to a large number of the people. General Matos and his followers, on the other hand, claim that he has been corrupt in his management of the country's affairs, as well as dictatorial beyond the bounds of endurance."

From a discussion of the affairs of the country, they began to seek some solution to the mystery of the photograph found in such a strange way, Ronie firm in his belief that his mother was in dire distress at that very moment.

"I cannot help thinking that for some reason she is in this country, Jack, and in trouble."

"Tut--tut, lad! that cannot be. The mere fact that her picture has in some way found its way to this place does not prove that she is nearby, too. No doubt, as soon as we reach Colonel Marchand we shall get good news from her. She may have sent her photograph by him to you, and some of the rebels have stolen it."

"Forgive me, Jack. Of course that may have been the case. Now you speak of it, it is really the most likely solution to the mystery. By that I am led to believe that you think Colonel Marchand has joined President Castro's party."

"He would be likely to do it. In fact, it would be good policy for him to do so, as it would be necessary for him to be on good footing with the government in order to carry out the business venture which has drawn us all to this country."

"I agree with you, Jack. I feel better, too, in regard to mother. Now if we can rescue Harry safely it will bring great relief. I wish Manuel would come with some word of him."

"Do not get impatient, lad. It is likely to take the fellow some time to get his information, even if he gets any. I do not have great faith in the rascal, and if we were not in his own house, I should not expect to see him back."