At the Point of the Sword

by Herbert Hayens

  CHAPTER XIII.

  HOME AGAIN.

  Several days passed before I could recognize any one or anything, andthen I found myself lying in bed in a strange room, but with Josesitting near me. He rubbed his hands together and smiled when my eyesopened, but he would not talk beyond saying that we were back in Ica.

  I felt weak, but in no pain; and in a day or two was able to dress, andwith Jose's help to go for a stroll in the town. Several acquaintancescongratulated me on my recovery; but not seeing Captain Plaza, I askedJose if he had been hurt.

  "Oh no," he answered, with a smile; "the captain is sound in everythingbut temper. Santalla spoiled that by getting clear off. You won'tforget that charming little trip in a hurry, Jack!"

  "Oh, it was simply awful! I wouldn't go through it again to be madecommander-in-chief. I wonder it didn't kill me."

  "It did kill some, and knocked you all out except Plaza and the guide.There was precious little difficulty in finding the route you hadtaken. One of the troopers showed me where you were. 'The lieutenantis a bit light-headed; said he; 'so I put him in a corner out of harm'sway. I told him the captain had stopped the pursuit.'"

  "I remember something about it. I was tired out before my horse gothit, and the climb up the pass finished me."

  "You weren't the only one to get knocked up. However, the colonelobtained a light cart, and we brought you all back to Ica."

  "So we had our trouble for nothing?"

  "Not exactly. Santalla escaped, but he left all his stores behind, andnearly a hundred of his men were captured. Most of them, I think, werevery glad of it. We couldn't get them to keep their eyes open, theywere so sleepy."

  "What did the colonel say?"

  "Oh, he laughed, and chaffed Plaza a bit, but I think he was very wellsatisfied. Now we had better turn back."

  I offered no objection, as even the short distance we had walked hadfatigued me wonderfully. By degrees, however, my strength returned,and at the end of another week I was able to resume my duties.

  The colonel, as usual, was extremely busy, having to keep in order allthe affairs of a huge district. Though my services were very welcome,he would not let me do too much, saying kindly, "Take it easy, my lad.One mustn't spur the willing horse. We are not chasing Santalla justat present."

  "Thank goodness!" I exclaimed. "One can have too much of that sport."And the colonel indulged in one of his merry laughs.

  The town at this time was very quiet. There were no Spanish troopswithin many miles; our own men, through decent food and carefulnursing, were rapidly recovering from the effects of their long forcedmarches; and fierce bands of our guerillas guarded the mountain passes.As far as our particular district was concerned, the war seemed to beover.

  One night as I sat making a fair copy of a proclamation, the colonel,looking up suddenly, exclaimed, "Crawford, would you like to go toLima?"

  "To Lima, sir?" and I let the pen fall in my eagerness; "why, I'd giveanything to go there!"

  "Well, you can go for nothing, my boy, in a day or two. Of course youknow our friends have been for some time now in possession of thecapital, and that San Martin is Protector of Peru?"

  "Yes, sir, though I think 'tis but an empty title until the Royalistsare thoroughly beaten."

  "All in good time," said he pleasantly. "That will come some day. Weshall be masters of Callao shortly; which will be a great step forward.I have received news this afternoon which impels me to make the journeyto Lima; so if you think you're strong enough--"

  "I'm sure I am," I cried eagerly. "I haven't an ache or pain in mywhole body now, and--"

  "All right!" interrupted the colonel; "I'll take you. Now finish yourcopying, and don't fling the ink all over the place; it's wasteful."

  It was not only wasteful, but it gave me extra work, the copy being sosmeared and blotted that I had to write it again on a fresh sheet.

  "Lima in a day or two!" I said softly to myself as my pen drove alongthe paper. The words sounded like sweetest music to me, and I hummedthem to myself over and over again. I pictured the dear old home, thepark, the pony I had ridden so often, the silvery pond, and the boats Ihad fashioned to sail on its waters.

  But above and beyond all I saw my mother, with eyes aglint and facesuffused with joy. The vision was so real that I stopped in my writingto view it more closely. And when the colonel presently gave me leavefor the remainder of the day, I rushed off to find Jose, hardly knowingwhether I ran or flew.

  "What is it, Jack?" he exclaimed. "Has Captain Plaza promised to takeyou on another trip?"

  He laughed at his own joke, and I laughed too, being in the humour tosee fun in anything.

  "You aren't far out, Jose," I replied, slapping him on the shoulder outof pure good humour. "I am going on a trip, but not with Plaza!"

  "Then it must be with the colonel."

  "Right this time. But where are we going, Jose? can you tell me that,eh? No, you'll never guess, so I will tell you. To _Lima_, my boy!what do you think of that?"

  "I think that your mother will be very pleased to see you."

  "Fancy seeing her again, Jose, after all these weary months!"

  "She will hardly know you," said he. "You have grown so tall andstrong and manly. You are the image of what your father was at yourage, Jack. Are all the troops to be moved up?"

  "I think not. As far as I know, the colonel's only paying a flyingvisit to the capital. Why are you laughing?"

  "Because I'm rather doubtful of that. If Miller goes to Lima, it's aproof there are hard knocks about. And high time too! According tothe talk, the war should have been done with long ago."

  Next day the colonel made his arrangements, and on the followingmorning he set out, leaving Major Videla in charge of the district.Rather to my surprise, Jose formed one of the party, which consistedonly of us three.

  Under some circumstances the journey would have been tedious; butColonel Miller was very agreeable, and told us many interesting storiesof his adventurous career. Thus the time passed pleasantly enough, andon the evening of September 11, 1821, we arrived in the neighbourhoodof Lima.

  The capital, as I have said, was in possession of the Patriots; but aRoyalist garrison still held Callao, and the Royalist general,Canterac, with a small army, had just swooped down from the mountainsto help his friends. Our soldiers were chiefly stationed between thetwo towns; but the citizens of Lima had armed themselves, and swaggeredabout talking of the great deeds they were about to perform.

  The colonel, aware of my anxiety, agreed that I should pay a visit tomy mother at once.

  "I must see General San Martin," said he. "He may give me a post here,and if so, I will send for you. But you have earned a few days' rest,and I shall not omit to mention you favourably to the protector."

  As soon as he had gone, Jose and I rode on quickly. My heart beatfast, and my hands trembled so that I had to use both in holding thereins.

  "I suppose it is all right, Jose," I remarked as we drew near thehouse. "I suppose there is nothing wrong?"

  "No, no," replied he; "why should there be? You are nervous, my boy,that's all. Cheer up; in a short time you will be in your mother'sarms."

  At the outer gate I drew back, leaving Jose to accost the janitor, whogreeted him heartily. Then in silence we rode through the park to thecourtyard, and in response to our knocking Antonio appeared.

  On seeing me the old man would have screamed with delight, but Ichecked him, saying softly, "Hush, Antonio; tell me quickly of yourmistress, my mother. Is she well?"

  "In health, senor, but sad. Ah, the house has been very lonely formany a long day!"

  "Go you, Jose," said I, "and prepare her."

  "Joy never kills," answered he, laughing; "but perhaps it will be aswell for me to go in first."

  I waited a few moments, and then dismounting, walked softly towards theentrance. What would she say? what would she do? My heart almostceased beating as I stood in the shado
w listening. The door was wideopen, and a stream of light came from the spacious hall.

  Suddenly I heard a quick step, and then my mother's voice crying,"Juan! my Juan! where are you?" And running forward, I threw myselfjoyfully into her arms. She kissed me repeatedly, and then hand inhand we went inside.

  "Mother!" I cried, "mother!" and for a long time that was the only wordspoken. We sat down side by side, and her beautiful eyes, dimmed byvery joy, looked into mine. She pressed my hand, smoothed my cheeks,and brushed back the hair from my forehead, murmuring softly, "Juan, myJuan!"

  I think, perhaps, that great happiness, like great grief, kills speech.At least it was so with us, and we were content to sit there silentlygazing into each loved face.

  At length the good old major-domo, knocking timidly at the door,announced that supper was served, when my mother with a sigh sufferedme to leave her for a few minutes, in order to make myself morepresentable for the table.

  I would have had Jose sit down with us, but he disappeared, and perhapsafter all it was as well. My mother made only a pretence at eating,and sat with her eyes fixed on me, as though fearful I should in somemysterious way suddenly disappear.

  After supper we returned to the drawing-room, where I related myadventures, telling her the story of the shipwreck, of my rescue andimprisonment in the fort, of my marvellous escape, and all the variousincidents which had happened since I left home. Of Santiago'sinformation concerning my father I said nothing, though I longedgreatly to do so.

  "I think General Barejo wished you well," she exclaimed after a pause."He is not of our way of thinking, but he has a kind heart, and he wasa true friend to me before these troubles came upon us."

  "Was he ever friendly with father?" I asked.

  "He respected him much, though he thought him greatly mistaken. Yousee, their ideas were altogether opposed, but in private life eachesteemed the other."

  Presently, remembering that the Royalists no longer held Lima, I said,"What has become of little Rosa? I hope our people have not disturbedher, though it must be lonely for her living in that great house alone.Could she not have come to you?"

  "There was no need," and my mother's lips curled scornfully; "she issafe enough with her father."

  "With her father?" I echoed, in astonishment. "How can he take adelicate child like that into a rough camp?"

  "His house is not a rough camp, Juan!"

  The truth did not strike me at first, so I said innocently, "Oh, has hebeen wounded and obtained permission to be nursed at home? Is heseriously hurt?"

  "He is quite well, I believe, and is one of us."

  "Felipe Montilla turned _Patriot_?" I cried in amazement.

  Now let me not be misunderstood. I honestly believed our cause just.In my small way I had ventured my life for the independence of Peru,and was quite ready to venture it again. But this man had boasted hisloyalty to the Spanish king, had fought under his flag, had taken highrank in his army! He had accepted from him both honours and broadlands, and then at the first reverse in his fortunes had slunk awaylike a whipped cur.

  "A fig for such Patriots!" cried I hotly. "Were I San Martin, heshould be whipped back to the men he has deserted. Give me a loyalfriend or a stout enemy, I care not which; but these _jellyfish_--bah!they are an abomination."

  "You are young, my boy, and not quite wise enough to understand thesethings. Is it not to Don Felipe's credit that he should openly confesshis mistake?"

  "And save his estates into the bargain," said I wrathfully. "Let theSpaniards get the upper hand, and you will find him back in their ranksquickly enough."

  "A man must follow the guiding of his conscience, even if it lead tohis advantage," remarked my mother quietly. "But if you are indignantwith Don Felipe, you will be equally delighted with Rosa. She is stillLoyalist to the core, and makes no secret of it. She told San Martinthe other day that he was a busybody, meddling in affairs that did notconcern him, and that the people of Peru could settle their disputeswithout his interference."

  "Bravo, Rosa!" I cried, with a laugh; "there is nothing like speakingone's mind. I'll wager San Martin prefers the girl to her father.Have you seen the general?"

  "Yes; he paid me a friendly visit on purpose to show his admiration foryour dear father. He is a most remarkable man."

  It was not until the evening drew to a close that my mother spoke ofwhat lay nearest her heart--our plans for the future. She admittedwith a sigh that I must in honour offer my services to San Martin. Iwas still young, but there were many boys fighting in the ranks, andsome had already sacrificed their lives for the cause.

  "It is hard to let you go again," said she, pressing me fondly to her,"and yet I must. God grant that the war may soon be brought to an end!"

  "Amen to that!" I exclaimed fervently. "Fighting is not to my liking,but I cannot stand idly by while others risk their lives for mybenefit."

  "No," said my mother, kissing me good-night; "you must do your duty, myboy. Your father would have wished it."

  A few minutes later I went to my room, and was just closing the doorwhen Jose appeared. He looked hot and flushed, and I asked where hehad been.

  "To the camp," said he, with a laugh, "to see what's going on. Ithought the colonel must have had some special news. Unless San Martinholds his hand, the Spaniards are lost. They can't stay at Callao, asthere isn't food even for the garrison; they aren't strong enough totake Lima: they must retreat or starve."

  "Well?" I exclaimed questioningly.

  "Why, don't you see, directly they begin to retreat we shall crushthem. Already nearly two hundred of their men have deserted."

  "More deserters? Why, we shall soon be able to form a battalion ofturncoats for Don Felipe to lead!"

  It was now Jose's turn to look astonished, and his expression ofamazement was so ludicrous that I laughed outright.

  "What a poltroon!" he cried contemptuously. "But I'll see you get noharm by this right-about face. He is mistaken if he thinks histreachery will give him a hold on your estates."

  "A hold on my estates, Jose? What do you mean?"

  "Oh," said he, "I have not cared to speak of it, but I must now." Andhe proceeded to inform me that all my father's property had passed intothe possession of Don Felipe Montilla.

  "But," I exclaimed, striving to appear calm, "that will be set asidenow. San Martin will never allow our property to be confiscatedbecause my father died for the Patriot cause."

  "Montilla is a fox, Jack, and has made a good bargain for himself, nodoubt. I expect he obtained the general's written promise to confirmhim in all his estates. And if so," he concluded gloomily, "yours formpart of them."

  "He shall not keep them," I cried angrily, "whatever San Martin haspromised!"

  "No; but we must not quarrel openly until the Spaniards are done with.Montilla has influence, and no doubt San Martin finds him useful. Butdon't take it to heart, Jack; we will defeat him in the end."

  "If we don't," said I grimly, "it will be because the son has followedthe father. And that reminds me, do you think Montilla knows whatactually happened to my father? It always seemed strange to me thatRosa should learn of that affair so quickly."

  "You don't suspect--"

  "That he had a hand in his death? No, hardly that, though he ismean-spirited enough for it. But it struck me that, being high in theviceroy's favour, he probably knew what was going on."

  "That is possible at least."

  "Probable, I should say. However, to-morrow I intend putting thequestion to him."

  "Do you mean that you are going to interview him on the subject?"

  "Why not? There can be no harm in asking a straightforward question."

  "Mind you don't lose your temper, my boy. It's dangerous work rousinga venomous snake until its poison bag is extracted."

  "Never fear, Jose. I have learned how to take care of myself duringthe last few months. Thanks to you and the colonel, I have done somehard practising. A
nd now turn in. It will seem strange to sleep inone's own bed again, won't it?"

  "Make the most of it," advised he laughingly. "It may be a long timebefore you have another chance."

  I felt very tired, and yet it was long before I fell asleep. I wasangry at Montilla's double-dealing, sorry for Rosa, my old playmate,and agitated by a thousand vague doubts and suspicions.

  In the morning I rose very little refreshed, had a simple breakfast inmy room, and went to find Jose. He had already returned from an earlyvisit to the camp, and brought word that matters were still in the samestate. The Spaniards remained sheltered under the guns of thefortress, and San Martin, knowing their provisions were almostexhausted, would not attack.

  Presently we were joined by my mother, who made Jose happy by praisinghim for his care of me. Then we took a stroll round the grounds,looked in at my workshop, where my half-painted boat still lay, andpaid a visit to the lake.

  After a while I asked Jose to have my horse saddled, saying, "Excuseme, mother, for a short time, please. You know the colonel may sendfor me at any moment, and I should like to see Rosa once more."

  This was only partly the truth, but I could not speak of my principalmotive, for as yet, acting under Jose's advice, I had made no mentionof Santiago's queer story. It would have been cruel to raise hopesthat might have no actual foundation.