The Free Lances Part 39

There it was darker, from the shadow of the overhanging cliffs; and for a time the hunchback lost sight of him he was following. Still, he kept on, groping his way, and at length was rewarded by seeing a light--a great blaze. It came from a bivouac fire, which threw its red glare on the rocks around, embracing within its circle the forms of men and horses. Armed men they were, and horses caparisoned for war, as could be told by the glint of weapons and accoutrement given back to the fire's blaze.

There appeared to be over a hundred of them; but the hunchback did not approach near enough to make estimate of their number. Enough for him to know who they were; and this knowledge he obtained by seeing a man of gigantic size standing by the side of the fire--the "big _Tejano_!" He saw, too, that the _cochero_ had got upon the ground, his arrival creating an excitement. But he stayed to see no more: his purpose was fulfilled; and turning back down the ravine, he again got out to the road, where he put on his best speed in return for Tlalpam.

CHAPTER FIFTY NINE.

READY TO START.

As in all Mexican country houses of the cla.s.s mansion, that of Don Ignacio Valverde was a quadrangular structure enclosing an inner courtyard--the _patio_. The latter a wide open area, flagged, in its centre a playing fountain, with orange trees and other ornamental evergreens growing in great boxes around it. Along three sides ran a verandah gallery, raised a step or two above the pavement, with a bal.u.s.ter and railing between. Upon this opened the doors of the different chambers, as they would into the hallway of an English house.

Being one-storeyed, even the sleeping apartments were entered direct from it.

That into which the ladies had retired was the _cuarto de camara_ of Don Luisa herself. No sentry had been stationed at its door; this being unnecessary, in view of one posted at the _patio_. But through a cas.e.m.e.nt window, which opened into the garden at the back, they could see such precaution had been taken. A soldier out there, with carbine thrown lightly over his left arm, was doing his beat backwards and forwards.

As they had no thought of attempting escape, they might have laughed at this had they been in a mood for merriment. But they were sad, even to utter prostration.

Only for a time, however; then something of hope seemed to reanimate the Condesa, and communicate itself to her companion. It was after a report brought in by Pepita; for the lady's maid was allowed to attend upon them, coming and going freely.

"He's got away--safe!" were her words, spoken in a cautious but cheering tone, as for the second time she came into the room.

"Are you sure, Pepita?"

It was the Countess who put the question.

"Quite sure, your ladys.h.i.+p. I've been all around the place, to the stable, grounds, everywhere, and couldn't hear or see anything of him.

Oh! he's gone, and so glad I am. They'd have made him prisoner too.

Thanks to the Blessed Virgin, they haven't."

The thanksgiving was for Jose, and however fervent on Pepita's part, it was as fervently responded to by the others, the Condesa seeming more especially pleased at the intelligence.

She better understood its importance, for, but the hour before, she had given him conditional instructions, and hoped he might be now in the act of carrying them out.

Upheld by this hope, which the Dona Luisa, when told of it, shared with her, they less irksomely pa.s.sed the hours.

But at length, alas! it, too, was near being given up, as the night grew later, nearing midnight. Then the little _mertiza_ came in charged with new intelligence; not so startling, since they antic.i.p.ated it. The _Dueno_ had got home, and, as themselves, was under arrest. Astounded by what he had learned on return, and angrily protesting, the soldiers had rudely seized hold of him, even refusing him permission to speak with his daughter.

She had harboured a belief that all might be well on the coming home of her father. The last plank was shattered now. From the chair of the cabinet minister Don Ignacio Valverde would step direct into the cell of a prison! Nothing uncommon in the political history of Mexico--only one of its "cosas."

On their feet they were now, and had come close to the door, which was held slightly open by Pepita. There they stood listening to what was going on outside. The sounds of revelry lately proceeding from the _sala grande_ were no more heard. Instead, calls and words of command in the courtyard, with a bustle of preparation. Through the trellis-work they could see a carriage with horses attached, distinguishable as their own. It was the same which had just brought Don Ignacio from the city. But the heads of the _frisones_ were turned outward, as if it was intended to take them back. Men on horseback were moving around it; soldiers, as could be seen by their armour gleaming in the moonlight.

Those regarding their movements were not left long in suspense as to their meaning. One of the soldiers on foot, whose sleeve chevrons proclaimed him a corporal, stepped up into the corridor, and advancing along it, halted in front of their door. Seeing it open, with faces inside, he made a sort of military salute, in a gruff voice saying:

"_Senoritas_! Carriage ready. I've orders to conduct you to it without delay."

There was something offensive in the man's manner. He spoke with a thick tongue, and was evidently half intoxicated. But his air showed him in earnest.

"You'll allow us a little time--to put on our cloaks?"

The request came from the Condesa, who for a certain reason was wishful to r.e.t.a.r.d their departure as long as might be possible.

"_Carrai-i_!" drawled out the _cabo_, the same who had won the dagger from darling Perico. "I'd allow such beautiful _doncellas_ as you any time--all night--if 'twere only left to me. For myself, I'd far rather stick to these snug quarters, and the company of this pretty _muchacha_."

At which, leaning forward, with a brutish leer, he attempted to s.n.a.t.c.h a kiss from Pepita.

The girl shrunk back, but not till she had rebuked him with an angry retort and a slap across the cheek. It stung him to losing temper, and without further ceremony he said spitefully--

"Come, come, I'll have no more dilly-dallying: _nos vamos_!"

There was no alternative but to obey; his att.i.tude told them he would insist upon it, and instantly. Time for cloaking had been a pretence on their part. They were expecting the summons, and the wraps were close at hand. Flinging them around their shoulders, and drawing the hoods over their heads, they issued out upon the corridor, and turned along it--the soldier preceding, with the air of one who conducted criminals to execution.

A short flight of steps led down to the pavement of the court. On reaching these, they paused and looked below. There was still a bustling about the carriage, as if some one had just been handed into it. Several of the soldiers were on foot around it, but the majority were in their saddles; and of these three or four could be distinguished as officers by the greater profusion of gold lace on their jackets and dolmans--for they were all Hussars. One who glittered more than any, seeing them at the head of the stair, gave his horse a p.r.i.c.k with the spur, and rode up. Colonel Santander it was, like all the rest somewhat excited by drink; but still not so far gone as to forget gallantry, or rather the pretence of it.

"Ladies," he said, with a bow and air of maudlin humility, "I have to apologise for requiring you to start out on a journey at such a late hour. Duty is often an ungracious master. Luckily, your drive is not to be a very extended one--only to the city; and you'll have company in the carriage. The Dona Luisa will find her father at home."

Neither vouchsafed rejoinder--not a word--scarce giving him the grace of a look. Which a little nettling him, his smooth tone changed to asperity, as addressing himself to the soldier, he gave the abrupt order:

"_Cabo_! take them on to the carriage."

On they were taken; as they approached it, perceiving a face inside, pale as the moonbeams that played upon it. It was a very picture of dejection; for never had Don Ignacio Valverde experienced misery such as he felt now.

"'Tis you, father!" said his daughter, springing up, throwing her arms around him, and showering kisses where tears already trickled. "You a prisoner, too!"

"Ay, _nina mia_. But sit down. Don't be alarmed! It will all come right. Heaven will have mercy on us, if men do not. Sit down, Luisa!"

She sat down mechanically, the Countess by her side; and the door was banged to behind them. Meanwhile, Pepita, who insisted on accompanying her mistress, had been handed up to the box by a _cochero_ strange to her; one of the soldiers, pressed into the service for the occasion, a _quondam_ "jarvey," who understood the handling of horses as every Mexican does.

All were now ready for the road; the dismounted Hussars had vaulted into their saddles, the "march" was commanded, and the driver had drawn his whip to lay it on his horses, when the animals jibbed, rearing up, and snorting in affright!

No wonder, with such an object suddenly coming under their eyes. An oddly-shaped creature that came scrambling in through the _saguan_, and made stop beneath their very noses. A human being withal; who, soon as entering, called out, in a clear voice,--"Where is the Colonel?"

CHAPTER SIXTY.

"SURRENDER!"

If the carriage horses were startled by the apparition, no less so were the Hussars formed round. Equally frightened these, though not from the same cause. The hunchback--for it was he--had become a familiar sight to them; but not agitated as he appeared to be now. He was panting for breath, barely able to gasp out the interrogation, "Adone 'stael Coronel?"

His distraught air and the tone told of some threatening danger.

"Here!" called out Santander, springing his horse a length or two forward, "What is it, sirrah?"

"The enemy, S'nor Colonel," responded the dwarf, sliding close in to the stirrup.

"Enemy! What enemy?"

"Them we missed catching--Don Ruperto, the Irlandes, the big Tejano."