United States or Afghanistan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Before he could answer there came on deck a fat man, at the sight of whom Jack uttered an exclamation. "Senor Ramo!" cried Cora's brother. Unaware of what was taking place on the deck of the Ramona, for they were far below its level in the Tartar, Cora, Belle, Bess and Inez looked anxiously aloft. They could hear a murmur of voices, but little else.
Robinson to the Spanish officer, "to arrange for the release of Senor Ralcanto the father of this young lady. We have papers which prove his innocence of the charge against him, and I may add that one, of the men responsible for his unjust arrest is himself a prisoner, and on a more serious charge than a mere political one. I refer to Senor Ramo, who is in jail at Palm Island."
Senor Ralcanto was speedily recovering from his harsh experiences, when our friends took a steamer for New York, some weeks later. The mutineers and smugglers of the Ramona, including Senor Ramo, the real, influential leader, were duty punished. After a final cruise about the blue waters of San Juan, in the Tartar, our friends bade farewell to the craft that had served them so efficiently.
It was Jack who spoke, as he suddenly entered the rotunda of the hotel, with Walter, and saw his sister faintly recoiling from the shock of the news brought by Senor Ramo. Jack had a bit of fiery temper, and it had not lessened by his recent nervousness. Then, too, he seemed to have caught some of the Spanish impetuosity since coming to Porto Rico. "Hush, Jack!" begged Belie.
"No, not yet. I guess maybe he sank: to fool the alligator," said the guide, an educated Indian named Ramo. "I wonder if I can stop him with one shot?" he went on, taking up a powerful rifle that had been brought with the camp equipment.
"Inez, I think I left my fan in my room will you please get it for me?" requested Cora, at the same time giving the Spanish girl a meaning look. "Yes, Senorita," was the low-voiced answer, as Inez glided from the foyer. Senor Ramo seemed to understand. He turned, once more, with a smile to Cora.
"We'll make for Sea Horse Island at once," said Cora. "Inez has the papers with her. Tell him how you threatened Senor Ramo, dear," and the tale of the fat Spaniard was related. Made comfortable aboard the Tartar, which had resumed her strange cruise, the refugees told little details of their marooning, which story there had not been time for on the island.
If he had any object in getting those papers we gave him the very chance he needed by all being away from the hotel," answered Jack. "And, if it wasn't he, it was some one else who has an object in keeping Mr. Ralcanto in jail. He'd have the same chance as Ramo had to get the documents. So the person we must look for is some one who really needed the papers.
They were gliding over the deep, blue waters of the bay, and the golden setting sun now shone aslant the harbor, pouring its beams over the tops of the distant mountains, and through the palm branches. A promise of fair weather followed on the wings of the storm. Whatever Senor Ramo might, or might not be, he certainly procured a welcome for our friends at the Boldero.
"It meant a great deal to me," returned the Spaniard quietly, but with considerable meaning in his tone. "Perhaps I shall soon be able to but no matter. Are there many alligators in this stream?" he asked of Ramo. "Oh, yes, more or less, just as there are in most of the Panaman rivers. But I never knew one to be so bold as to attack any one in daylight.
Word Of The Day