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Updated: June 5, 2025
"Not much!" muttered Major Starland, loud enough for all to hear; "is that the way you reward one of your bravest officers, General Bambos?" "I rule in Zalapata without the aid of los Americanos," was the freezing reply. "And without the aid of common gratitude and decency, that is evident."
Two friends were seated in the private office of Rowland & Starland, Montgomery Street, San Francisco, not long ago, discussing a subject in which both were much interested. Each gentleman was past three-score, but they were well preserved, of rugged health, well to do and prosperous. They had got on for many years without so much as a shadow of difference between them.
The moment Martella came within reach, the American extended his hand and addressed him in his native tongue: "The Captain says you are ready to show us the way to Castillo Descanso, where Señoritas Estacardo and Starland are staying." Martella nodded his head several times and said eagerly, "Si, si, si." "Are you certain they are there?" "I am not, but I think so." "The deuce!
A little way down the trail, under the shadow of the deep foliage, stood the two men who were awaiting the coming of the messenger and young woman. The time, brief as it was, had been trying to the last degree to Major Jack Starland, who came forward into the moonlight and approached the halted pony, which pricked his ears and showed some timidity. But the rider readily controlled him.
Miss Starland walked to each of the narrow windows in turn and gazed out over the surrounding country. One of the openings gave a view of the Rio Rubio, as it wound to the eastward, until its reunion and onward flow to the Atlantic.
The three composing the main party did not speak, for all their senses were centred in those of sight and hearing. It had been in the mind of Miss Starland to propose that her pony should be dismissed. The task of walking was nothing to her, and the animal was really an incumbrance, but she saw as yet no objection against utilizing him: the necessity of parting with him might come at any time.
He abruptly stopped. "We must turn off," he said, "and let them pass us." "They may not do so," suggested Starland. "They will not know where to look for us." He began picking a course among the matted vegetation, unmindful of the dangers that might threaten. Miss Starland went next, then her brother, and then Captain Guzman.
An understanding was had through the signalling of the whistles and the two craft rapidly approached each other. Major Starland swung his hat in greeting, again the whistles bellowed across the decreasing space and all was gladness and joy. While they were yet too far apart to converse readily, the Major had noted another form near the pilot house, a little to one side of Aunt Cynthia.
Strange that one of the most likely contingencies of the peculiar situation did not present itself to any one until it flashed upon Major Starland, while threading the mountain trail and when near its termination. General Yozarro's tugboat must have come ashore directly behind the catboat of his predecessors.
Feeling himself master of the craft, Starland now went back into the Captain's cabin to see his sister, whom he found seated in the quarters which had been occupied by her and the Señorita Estacardo the evening before.
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