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The sail of the boat was hoisted, Miss Starland was given a seat at the stern, and the men united to shove the craft into deeper water. "There is little wind," observed the Captain, "but it is favoring and we ought to be at Zalapata soon after daylight." The two natives placed themselves at the bow, and the Major as usual, took charge of the tiller, thus bringing himself close to his sister.
"What could he hope to accomplish by that, except to run away from General Bambos?" "He may turn into the main stream, where it bifurcates, and come down to the junction, when he can steam up to Zalapata." "Let us stop speculating about him. Just now I am more interested in the stranger, and, as sure as I live, there he is again!"
But he mistakes our calmness for fear, until every man of intelligence clearly perceives that unless resistance is made, not simple resistance alone, but aggressive protest, the grand, glorious Republic of Zalapata will become a mere appanage of Atlamalco. I have remonstrated with General Yozarro, and in return he treats me with contumely and insult. My nature revolts, my blood is stirred "
With the screw motionless, she had been lifted clear by the tide and now swung clear. The Captain drew out his watch and held it so the moonlight lit up the face. "There is no reaching Zalapata until toward noon, provided we get there with this gunboat, Major."
"When the members assembled a short time ago, I sent a representative with a request that he be permitted to act as one of them. Do you know what reply was made? They said they had never heard of the Republic of Zalapata." "In other words, they told you to make a reputation first. Quite natural, under the circumstances.
Captain Winton emitted a resounding blast from the whistle, to which the tug responded, and steamed down the river. His intention was to maintain a moderate speed, passing Zalapata without stop, and to make the first halt at San Luis, which ought to be reached some time during the night. The Captain did not forget one important fact.
"That won't do, Captain; I cannot permit him to go with us." "Not so, Major; he is more valuable than you think; he will tell you something you ought to know." The little craft was fairly under way, and with favoring wind and current, ought to reach Zalapata in the course of ten or twelve hours.
There had been hostilities between Zalapata and Atlamalco in the past, with no special advantage accruing to either side. On the whole perhaps the latter Republic had been the gainer, since the last treaty ceded to General Yozarro a small strip of territory on which Castillo Descanso stood, the same having been a bone of contention for a long time.
The purchase of a tugboat by General Yozarro had unquestionably tipped the scales in his favor. The American did his best to show Bambos this fact and to warn him that in case of another war between the republics, Zalapata was sure to be the chief sufferer.
He had the preparations made and this room fitted for us. We should have come here today, but for your change of mind. You demanded to go to Zalapata and he could not refuse. His plan that you should come to the Castle was not changed, but he had to seem to defer to your wishes.
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