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"Only wanted to know, Mas'r Harry; because if it is the custom it's all right; if it ain't the custom it's all wrong, and Master Landell and the Don, who are close behind, might think it queer." "We've just had a narrow escape from a most horrible death, Tom," I exclaimed hastily. "Thank you for your warning." The next moment voices were audible.
How, then, can we defend such a house as this?" "It is our only hope," he said gloomily. "If we had your treasure here, we might try to escape down the river; but as it is, we'll fight to the last, and then take to the woods." "And the cave eh, Mas'r Landell?" said Tom. "Tom," I cried joyfully, "why, that would indeed be a place of refuge when all here failed." "Yes," said my uncle thoughtfully.
"I hadn't pluck enough to sit still and be shot, Mas'r Harry, for you know what a cur I always was; and I thought it a pity to sink the canoe in case you, if you were alive, or Mas'r Landell, might come back to look for it. So I made up my mind to the last, being bristly, and, with my monkey up, I dashed at him. "Bang!
But my uncle had evidently not been there, for the door was closed, and, after a moment's thought, Mrs Landell remembered that her husband had not asked her for the key, which was in her pocket.
An hour's rest taken of necessity, and then we were once more journeying on, hopeful that we might soon strike upon one of the tributaries of the great stream fed by the eternal snow of the mountains; but hours went by, and no sign of river appeared, till suddenly, Tom, who was in advance, said softly: "Here's water somewhere, not far off, Mas'r Landell, for my mule's cocking his nose up, and sniffing at a fine rate."
But something did take place, and I'll tell you why. If Mas'r Landell had only walked off somewhere to see how his coffee or cocoa was growing, and where it wanted hoeing up, do you think that Muster Indian there would have been above saying so? Not he, Mas'r Harry. But what does he do now? Why, he turns stunt, and won't answer a word; and what does that show, eh?
We had not been seated there an hour when we heard Garcia's voice in the yard, and Lilla crept closer to Mrs Landell. "Harry," said my uncle, "you must please leave the room. I was in hopes that you would have gone out. I cannot find it in my heart to give up without making an appeal to Garcia for time." "An appeal that shall end in a new bargain being made with respect to that poor girl!"
I was too weak and ill, though, to resent it, and gladly sought my bed, which I did not leave for a couple of days, being tended most affectionately during that time by Mrs Landell.
I exclaimed. "Uncle, be a man, or you will make me blush for you!" My uncle was about to speak when Garcia noisily entered the room, his sneering, triumphant face turning pale with rage as he saw me seated there. Mrs Landell and Lilla both cast an imploring glance at me, one which I answered by crossing over, taking Lilla's hand, and whispering a few words of comfort and encouragement.
Am I not right, senor?" "Quite," I said. "Uncle, I will lend you this amount." "But, Harry, my dear boy, you are mad! You have no idea of the extent." "Two hundred and five ounces would equal the amount in pesos d'oro which Senor Landell is indebted," said the notary quietly. "Good!" I said. "Then will you have proper balances brought? Uncle, see to the return of your papers."
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