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He is acting first sergeant of B Company, and is likely to continue as such for some months to come." "He has risen so high?" cried Draney. "I certainly congratulate the young man." There appeared to be no further call for Hal to remain on the saloon deck.
On the other hand, if Draney is an Englishman, and we arrest him on anything but the most satisfactory evidence, then the British government would be sure to make a noise about the affair. Hang it all, I wish we had just a shade more evidence, and I'd have Draney behind steel curtains in the guard house before daybreak, for his plantation is only eight miles out from here.
That evidence would not satisfy the requirements of any court of trial." "Sir, is Draney really an American or an Englishman?" inquired Lieutenant Hampton. "I don't know, Hampton, nor do I believe any one else knows for certain. Englishman or American, it is equally bad either way.
Sergeant Hal briefly related the adventure that he and Noll had had with Vicente Tomba on the Escolta, and their subsequent meeting with Tomba and Draney on the south side of the Pasig. Hal also repeated what they had overheard Tomba saying to Draney. Hal then described the flight of the pair in the quilez. "Yet Draney declares that he never heard of Tomba," said the captain musingly.
Draney appeared to feel very uneasy. "Prescott Mr. Prescott aren't you going to leave some of your men here to protect this place?" "I don't believe it will be necessary," replied the lieutenant, and again, no doubt, there was some hidden irony in his words. "But the Moros may attack us here at any moment," urged Draney pleadingly. "I hope they won't attack you, Mr. Draney.
"It was a sad day for Mindanao when Tomba escaped from our guard house." Then, after a pause, Prescott continued: "By the way, Mr. Seaforth, how long has Draney been on his present plantation?" "I don't know, Lieutenant. He's been there longer than I have resided here." "Has he ever been troubled by the Moros?" "They have never attacked him, Lieutenant.
Then, about eight miles out, they came upon outlying scenes of plantation life. There were broad fields, rich with crops, but to-day no laborers were to be seen at work. Then the main buildings of the Draney plantation were sighted. About the buildings, too, all was unwontedly quiet. In fact, the main house was closed and had the air of being in a state of siege.
There, under the awning, he came upon Sergeants Hal and Noll, who saluted as he addressed them. "Sergeant Overton," began the captain in a low tone, "you seemed, this forenoon, to feel a good deal of surprise at seeing Mr. Draney on board." "I was surprised, sir." "Tell me what you know about the man."
"Then I beg your pardon for the mistake, sir," Hal replied quickly. "No need to apologize, Sergeant, for you have done no harm," replied the florid-faced man. Here Captain Cortland's voice broke in, cool and steady: "Yet I know, Mr. Draney, that Sergeant Overton feels embarrassed by the mere fact of his having made a mistake.
Draney must pay some tribute to the Datto Hakkut." Lieutenant Prescott and Sergeant Hal Overton glanced quickly at one another, though neither spoke. "That is all, Sergeant," said the officer, by way of dismissal. "Return to your men." "Very good, sir." At a few minutes past six it was dark, for the sun goes down early in the tropics.
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