Page:Under three flags; a story of mystery (IA underthreeflagss00tayliala).pdf/240

 *tered uniform and with feet that have long since parted association with shoes. Throwing his musket across his arm, he hurls an inquiry at Ashley.

"You've got me there," states the correspondent, and smiling around the ominous fringe of musket barrels.

Finally, giving up all idea of a conversation with the dark-featured mountaineers, "El Terredo!" he cries, "El Terredo! Endonde El Terredo? I don't know whether that's right or not, but it's the best I have in stock."

The mountaineer appears to grasp the idea. He shouts something to the men in the bushes, and a dozen lusty fellows, white and black, come forth. The leader makes a sign to Ashley to go ahead, and the latter obeys.

For a mile or more the little cavalcade proceeds, when suddenly the leader of Ashley's silent escort emits a shrill whistle. An answering signal is faintly heard, and then the march is resumed. Five minutes later Jack rides into a clearing and hears a welcome voice ring out: "Welcome, Senor Ashley!"

"Glad to see you, Navarro," says Ashley, heartily, as he drops from his horse and grips the insurgent leader's hand. "Is this part of your army?"

"Yes; hardy fellows, every man of them," replies Navarro, signalling his followers to fall back. "What on earth brings you into the mountains?"

"Thought I'd drop round and return thanks for your generous gift."

"Ah, say nothing of that. I should have been glad to have sent you a stable of horses."

"One was enough. But this is incidental. You expect dispatches from Santiago to-night?"

"No; that is, no special ones."

"Some are on their way, nevertheless, in the keeping of Don Carlos."

"Don Carlos!" cries Navarro, turning pale.

"Ay; but that is not all. The errand of Don Carlos has become known at Havana and orders have been wired to Capt. Alvarez, who is now on his way from Cadoza to Jibana, if he is not already there, to intercept the courier, and secure the dispatches."