"But we
do
mind you, Chesty," said Orissa, earnestly. "You've been a faithful friend ever since we got into this difficulty – and before, too – so we can't have anything happen to you."
He blushed like a girl, but declared he would be perfectly safe.
"Don't take any foolish chances," urged Orissa.
"I won't."
They rolled the Aircraft up to the top of the bluff and set it with the head facing the sea. Then Steve and Orissa took their places and Chesty, giving them each a hearty handclasp, spun the propeller blade as Steve started the engine.
At once the aëroplane darted forward, rose as it passed the bluff, and sailed gracefully into the air. Chesty hid his six-feet-three behind a boulder, to shield himself from observation, while he watched the splendid machine turn upon its course and speed away over the Pacific on its errand of rescue.
Then, with a sigh of relief and elation, the boy crept into the ravine and descended to where his boat lay. Seated in the launch, calmly awaiting him, were three of the Mexicans, headed by the one-eyed Francisco.
CHAPTER XXII
RAMON GANZA
When Madeline came on deck, soon after daybreak, Captain Krell reported the successful departure of the launch.
"Are you sure they were not seen?" she asked.
"Quite sure, Miss Dentry, for we heard not a sound, either from our party or from the besiegers, although we listened intently."
Long before Steve could have prepared the aëroplane for the journey those on board the yacht were gazing expectantly at the bluff. The tent had disappeared, which was proof that the undertaking had so far been successful.
At this time there seemed to be a little stir among the Mexicans and Mr. Cumberford suggested, rather nervously, that they also had noticed the absence of the tent, without understanding what could have become of it.
At half-past eight they heard the sound of the engines of Ramon's big launch, and that made them worry more than ever until Sybil suddenly cried: "There they are!"
Upon the distant bluff appeared the Aircraft. A little cheer, which none could restrain, went up from the deck of the yacht. There was no delay. Scarcely was the machine in position when it mounted into the air and headed directly toward the east. Every eye watched it eagerly until it had become a dim speck against the blue sky and finally disappeared from view altogether, flying steadily and with a speed that raised their hopes to the highest pitch. Then, with one accord, they returned to the cabin to discuss the chances of Radley-Todd's getting back to them safely with the launch.
"I don't worry much about that young man," said Cumberford. "He's as full of resources as a pincushion is of sawdust, and I'll bet my hat we shall soon see him again, safe and sound."
The captain now entered with an anxious face.
"That confounded Mexican king is signaling us with a flag of truce," he reported.
"What, Ramon?" exclaimed Madeline.
"Yes. What shall we do?"
"Stay here, Miss Dentry," said Cumberford, rising. "I'll go and see what the fellow wants."
"I will go with you," returned Madeline, quietly.
"I wish you would not."
"Why?" she asked. "If he bears a flag of truce there is no danger."
"I do not believe he would respect a flag of truce – nor anything else," asserted Mr. Cumberford. "Do you, Captain?"
"No, sir. He's tricky and unreliable. Don't trust him for a moment."
But Madeline would not be denied. She accompanied the captain and Mr. Cumberford to the deck.
Just beside the yacht floated the little rowboat which had been brought from Ramon's island, and in it sat Ramon himself, all alone, holding aloft a handkerchief attached as a flag to a boat-hook.
As they peered over the side at him he bowed profoundly and removed his hat to Miss Dentry. He was still clothed in his white flannels and his fingers glittered with jewels.
"What do you want?" demanded Mr. Cumberford sharply.
"The pleasure of conversing with you, señor," was the confident reply. "If you will kindly let down your ladder I will come on board. You see, myself I place in your power. We have, I much regret, some slight misunderstanding between us, which a few words will assuredly correct."
"Don't let him up, sir," advised Captain Krell, in a low voice.
"But he is unarmed," said Madeline. "I think it will be best to confer with him."
"Then do it from a distance," grumbled the captain.
"Sir," called Mr. Cumberford, "if you have any apologies to make, you may speak from where you are."
"Then, alas, my overtures of peace are refused?" said Ramon, not defiantly, but in a tone of deep regret.
"No; we don't refuse any sincere overtures of peace; but you have treated us in a scoundrelly manner, and we don't trust you."
"Such a terrible mistake, señor; so sad! But I cannot explain it from here. With utmost trust in your honor I offer to come to you alone, and – see! – unarmed. Will not you, for the sake of the ladies who are with you, encourage my friendliness?"
"Let him come up," said Madeline again. There seemed a veiled threat in Ramon's appeal.
"Very well. But tell your men to watch his every movement, Captain, and if he makes a treacherous move shoot him down without hesitation."
The rope ladder was cast over the side and Ramon promptly seized it and climbed to the deck.
"Follow us below," commanded Mr. Cumberford, turning toward the cabin. The man hesitated, casting a shrewd, quick glance around. Then he bowed again and said:
"I thank the señor for his courtesy."
In the cabin were assembled Mr. and Mrs. Tupper and Sybil Cumberford. Chica and Pietro discreetly kept out of view. Mr. Cumberford entered first, followed by Madeline. Then came Ramon Ganza and behind him the captain and little O'Reilly, the Irish engineer. This last personage was virtually "armed to the teeth," for he carried one of Ramon's own rifles and a brace of revolvers.
"Be seated," said Mr. Cumberford, pointing to a chair. "And now, sir, state your errand."
Ganza's comprehensive glance had taken in every member of the party, as well as the luxurious furnishings of the
Salvador's
cabin, which seemed to please his aesthetic taste.
"I ask to be inform, being in ignorance, if three people may ride in one flying-machine," he blandly announced, looking from one face to another as if uncertain whom to address.
"Three?" asked Cumberford, as if puzzled.
"Yes. I see that one young lady and two men are missing from your party."
"I suppose three can ride, if need be," muttered Cumberford. "Is your mission here to gain information concerning aëroplanes?"
"Only in part, señor."
The Mexican's features had hitherto been composed and smiling, despite the stern and mistrustful looks he encountered on all sides. But now, perhaps understanding that these Americans were not easily to be cajoled, his own face grew somber and lowering and he said in a sharp, incisive manner: "You prefer to discuss business only?"
"We do, sir," was the reply, Mr. Cumberford continuing to act as spokesman.
"Very nice. I have a wish to invite you all to my island, where you shall be my respected guests. My mansion shall be at your service; my servants shall obey your commands; you shall delight in the grand scenery and enjoy yourselves as you will."
"Thank you; we decline your hospitality."
"But I fear in that you make bad mistake, señor," continued Ramon Ganza, unabashed by the rebuff. "My island is a pleasant place, and where else can you find so much happiness when my ship, which you now inhabit, is destroyed?"
"Oh; that's the idea, is it?" exclaimed Mr. Cumberford. "You interest me, sir; you do, really. Perhaps you will state how you intend to destroy our ship, which is not, permit me to say, your ship as yet."
"Is it necessary to say more?" asked the Mexican, spreading out his jewelled hands with a deprecating gesture.
"I think it will enable us to understand you better."
As if in deep thought, Ganza drummed upon the cabin table with his fingers.
"I am very sad at your refusal to be my guests," he said after a time. "This, my ship, is in a most dangerous position. It is half out of water, on an island that is a bleak rock. I come here from the island where I reside to befriend you – to offer you my humble hospitality – when I have taken possession of the wreck – and in your blindness – do you call it fatuity? – you receive me as an enemy. Some of your people chase my boat, as if I have no right to sail the seas of my own islands! Yet I am not resentful; not at all. I enjoy some humor and I am good man, with much respectability. When your ship catches on fire, as it will probably do very soon, you must escape to these bare rocks, where you can find no assistance, no food to keep you alive. Then perhaps you will feel more kindly toward poor Don Miguel del Borgitis – your humble servant – and find willingness to accept his beautiful home as your own. But why wait for fire to drive you to death most terrible or to my great hospitality? Is it not the best to accept my offer, and so save yourselves from – inconvenience?"
Beneath the smooth words the ugly threat was so visible that even brave Madeline paled, and Mr. Tupper shuddered vigorously. But Mr. Cumberford, gazing critically into the man's face, replied:
"I see. Interesting; very. You want to save this yacht. You would like to drag it afloat and carry it away to your own island, where we, accepting your hospitality, would become your prisoners. But if we refuse to surrender the ship, you say you will set fire to it, in which case you would burn us up or force us to land. If we land, you will capture us and force us to become your unwilling subjects. Is that a clear understanding of your statement, Ramon Ganza?"
The outlaw gave a start as he heard his true name mentioned, but quickly recovered his assurance.
"The señor is very intelligent," he said.
"At any rate, the señor is not demented," retorted Cumberford, grimly. "Why did you venture to place yourself in our power, Ramon Ganza, and then threaten us as you have done?"
"I came under flag of truce."
"And you think, on that account, we will let you go again, to carry out your cowardly designs?"
"I am certain of that. Before I came I took care to protect myself."
"In what way?"
He looked at his watch, a huge jewelled affair.
"Underneath your ship," said he quietly, "is anchored a mine of very much power. It lies under that part which is in the water – I think just below the place where we now sit. If I do not depart from here in safety within fifty minutes from now, my men will kindly explode this mine and blow us all to – well, where we go. The poor ship, alas, will be destroyed with us."
"Would your men execute such an absurd order?" asked Cumberford sneeringly.
"With much satisfaction. You see, it would make them free. They do not love me very much. If I die, they will have my beloved island and all my possessions – so they think."
"And you would be willing to forfeit your life as the alternative of not getting control of this yacht? Do you expect us to believe that?"
The outlaw's glittering fingers drummed upon the table again.
"The señor is not so wholly intelligent as I believed," said he. "I do not contradict his statement that he is not – eh – what you call it? – demented, or a fool; but the statement seems open to suspicion."
"Ah; that interests me."
"It ought to. You seem to know my name, señor; therefore you doubtless know my history. Pietro will have told you, or Chica, for both are now with you. My safety has depended on my keeping hidden upon my island. I must not let any who has seen me there, and recognized Ramon Ganza, depart to carry the tale to the mainland. In Mexico a price is set upon my head and they have condemned me to years in prison. But – there! I assure you all that I am good man, and honest; but my enemies have conspired to destroy me.
"As Don Miguel del Borgitis I have lived very respectable until, unfortunately for us all, you came here. I knew two girls had been wreck on this island in a flying-machine – a very strange and exciting invention, is it not? – but I did not disturb them nor allow them to become aware of my existence. Why? All I wish is safety. When some of you people, after this yacht is driven ashore in storm, intrude on me by coming to my hiding-place, I was obliged to protect myself. I started to come here to get every one on board and invite them to my island – where I meant to keep you all indefinitely, for I did not dare allow you to return to America and say where you had found Ramon Ganza. This yacht I could use to advantage, I admit; but I would be better pleased had I never seen it – nor you.
"Almost at once you are my enemies, and defy my laws. That did not change my plans except to make them harder. In this unknown island I am really king. I must conquer you, which I thought with good reason I could easily accomplish in time. So I make siege to your boat, laughing to think you cannot escape me. But one man cannot comprehend all things, señor, and I failed to consider that devilish contrivance, your flying-machine. I thought it was wreck, and no good any more. Some time last night three of your party get away and go to flying-machine, and this morning some of them – one, two, three; it does not matter – have fly away in it. Of course they will go to the mainland. That means they send assistance to you. They float your ship, take you back to America and you all have knowledge where Ramon Ganza may be found by those that seek his capture. Now you understand me, do you not? You have make it very unpleasant for me. If I escape from my island in little boat, where can I got? If I stay I will be arrest and carried to Mexico to be put in prison. Very well; I must escape. But not in my launch, which is old and not very good. I must have this yacht, which will carry me to any far part of the world, where Mexico is not known. Perhaps in it I could be privateer, if that seemed best way to protect my liberty – which is dearer to me than life. With this yacht I could defy all enemies; without it – I face death, or at least ruin. You have driven me to this desperation, so I come to make you my proposition. Now that I have explained all with much frankness, you will understand I mean what I say, for I am talking for my liberty – the liberty of a man who would soon die in confinement, for I am used to the open and could not exist as a convicted felon, in chains and abused by dogs of jailers. For your party I have no especial enmity; neither do I care for you the snap of my fingers. But believe this: Either I will save myself in this yacht, as I have proposed, or I will die in your company."
CHAPTER XXIII
A DESPERATE ALTERNATIVE
Ramon Ganza had spoken slowly and with deliberation, choosing his words with care. His story seemed plausible, except where it referred to the planting of the mine, which he claimed to be the last resort of a man so desperately situated. Some of his hearers were quite convinced of his sincerity in making this statement, but Mr. Cumberford was not among them. He remembered Chica's artless statement: "Ramon lies; he always lies," and it confirmed his skepticism.
"As I understand you," he made answer, after a little thought, "you consider your retreat no longer safe because we have discovered it. Therefore, on obtaining possession of this yacht, you propose to sail to parts unknown, leaving us stranded on this rocky island."
"From whence you will soon be rescued," added the outlaw, with a bow.
"The siege which you had planned, in order to force us to surrender through starvation, is no longer practical; for time presses and if you delay you will be surprised by the ship sent to rescue us – perhaps a Mexican man-o'-war."
The man nodded, watching the speaker's face with an eagerness he could not dissemble.
"For which reason," continued Mr. Cumberford, "you decided to force a climax by coming on board and threatening us – as you have done. Well, we intend to force your alternative, Ramon Ganza. You are our prisoner, and if your men blow up this yacht you shall go to eternity with us!"
The Mexican's face grew rigid a moment. Then he smiled in a sardonic way and shrugged his shoulders. But Mr. Tupper, white and trembling as with an ague, leaped to his feet and cried:
"In heaven's name, Cumberford, what do you mean? Would you destroy us all in this heartless fashion?"
"No. There is no mine; or, if there is, it will not explode."
"I – I differ with you. This – er – person – is desperate. He – he knows what he's talking about. I refuse to ta-ta-take the chances, sir! I must consider the safety of my wife and myself, and of our niece, Miss Dentry. This is our yacht, Cumberford, not yours, I beg to remind you, and we shall decide this important question ourselves."
Even before he ceased speaking Mrs. Tupper, whose eyes had been wild and staring, uttered a piercing shriek and tumbled to the floor of the cabin in violent hysterics. Sybil and Madeline rushed to her assistance and this confusion further unnerved Mr. Tupper. With sudden energy he pounded his fist upon the table and cried:
"I won't allow it! I won't allow this sacrifice. Madeline is rich; what does she care for this miserable yacht? Take it, you Mexican thief, if you want it! Our lives are far too precious to be put in peril."
Ramon Ganza's face showed his satisfaction but his eyes expressed nothing but contempt for the terrified Mr. Tupper. Mr. Cumberford sat calmly regarding the contortions of the afflicted lady, as if wondering how much was involuntary and how much pure perversity. The captain twirled his thumbs and seemed absolutely unconcerned, while little O'Reilly's attention was fixed, in keen amusement, on the scene before him, as if it were a vaudeville act performed for his especial edification.
As Mrs. Tupper continued to pound the floor with her heels Madeline first emptied the water pitcher over her aunt and then slyly pinched her, which torture may have been responsible for some of the frantic screams. Mr. Tupper bowed his head despairingly on the cabin table, in an attitude so pitiable that it should have aroused the sympathy of all beholders, as he intended it to do. But meanwhile his good wife gradually recovered; her screams subsided to heart-rending wails and then to moans, after which she became quiet except for a series of nervous sobs. Madeline and Sybil now raised the poor woman and supported her to her stateroom, where she fell exhausted upon the berth.
It was not until the girls returned to the cabin that the discussion of Ramon Ganza's proposition was renewed. Miss Dentry gave him a searching look as she entered and noted the outlaw's smirk of satisfaction and the triumphant glitter of the dark eyes beneath their half closed lids. Then her own expression hardened and she turned to Mr. Cumberford, as if inviting him to proceed.
"Madeline," implored Mr. Tupper, "be good enough to assure this man – Mr. – Mr. – eh – Ganza – that the yacht, which is your property, is at his disposal in return for our – safety."
"The yacht is really Miss Dentry's property," added Mr. Cumberford coolly. "She will dispose of it as she thinks fit."
Madeline, seated at the table, studied the faces before her curiously, while an amused smile played around her lips. She knew she was enjoying the scene, and also knew the moment was critical, but no fear of consequences caused her courageous heart to falter an instant.
"We cannot accept our enemy's proposition," she announced. "Ramon Ganza is not the man to abide by any promises he makes, and if once we left the protection of this yacht we would probably be treated with little mercy. It would not save a single life, Uncle Martin, to agree to Ganza's proposal. Threatening and browbeating those weaker than himself seems to be the man's pet recreation and before he left the island he would leave us to our fate, virtual prisoners. It might be years before any ship chanced to sail this way."
"I give you my pledge of honor to send word to your friends where you are," protested Ganza, eagerly.
"As you have no honor, sir, your word has no value. But I have a counter-proposition to suggest which will, I think, satisfy all concerned. Order your men, Ramon Ganza, to lay down their arms and surrender themselves to our keeping and to obey us unreservedly. Then, under command of Captain Krell, all hands must attempt to get the yacht afloat in deep water. When that is accomplished we will take you with us back to the United States and secretly land you in any port you select. Afterward we will not betray you nor attempt to hunt you down. If you need money, I will even supply you with a small sum that will enable you to flee to Europe or South America. That is fair. It is more fair than you deserve. But, if you accept our terms, we will abide by them faithfully."
The Mexican was intensely annoyed.
"No!" he exclaimed, abruptly. "If you cannot trust me, why should I trust you?"
"Because my plan is by far the better way," she rejoined. "If you seek liberty, if you desire to avoid arrest, this plan will surely accomplish your purpose. You cannot prefer prison to assured freedom, and the alternative, if you reject my plan, is simply to explode your mine."
He drummed on the table again, rather nervously.
"Pardon me, Miss Dentry," said Cumberford, "but you are proposing to aid and abet the escape of a condemned criminal. You will render yourself, and us, liable to punishment."
"I know," she answered. "I despise myself for treating with this scoundrel, but do it to relieve the fears of the Tuppers and perhaps others aboard who have not yet protested. If I dared follow my own counsel I would defy him, as you have done."
"My dear sir," said Mr. Tupper, looking at the Mexican beseechingly, "accept Miss Dentry's terms, I implore you. She will do exactly as she agrees; she always does!"
"Puh!" muttered Ganza, uneasily shifting in his chair; "perhaps we can arrange. But the trust shall not be all on one side. If I trust you, you must trust me – to an extent – a few more details. Instead of giving you my men, you must give me yours, and place all weapons in my control. Also I will take command of this yacht, for I am good sailor. In an hour's time I will float the ship; then, with my men, I will sail it back to United States, to land your party on the coast near to some city which you can reach easily by walking. After that I will sail away in this yacht, which you will present to me in return for my services to you. You see, in this way you assure absolute safety to yourselves. As this wise and agreeable gentleman," indicating Mr. Tupper, "has with cleverness stated, the young lady is rich enough to afford the loss of her boat, so you can have no objection to my generous proposition."
"None whatever!" exclaimed Mr. Tupper. "Agree, Madeline, agree!"
"No," she said, shaking her head, "I will not. The man is not sincere, or he would not require us to place ourselves in his power."
"But I insist, my dear. He – he seems quite honest. I – I – "
"Be quiet, confound you!" roared Cumberford, losing patience. "You're a doddering old idiot, Tupper, and if you don't shut up I'll gag you." He turned to Ganza. "Miss Dentry's proposition still stands, and it's the final word. You'll either accept it – right now, on the spot – or take the consequences."
"Already I have refuse," said the outlaw calmly.
"Very well. O'Reilly, march this fellow to the cage, for'ard, and lock him in. Then stand guard before the door and shoot him if he bothers you."
"Thank 'e, sor; it's proud I am to do that same," answered the engineer, gleefully.
"One moment, please," said Ganza. "You make doubt of my saying that you all face a most horrible death. You are stupid Americans, and must be convinced. Come with me on deck and I will prove to you your danger."
"No harm in that," replied Cumberford. "It's on your way to the cage."
With one accord they all accompanied O'Reilly and his prisoner to the deck.
"Now," said Ramon, standing by the rail, "I have some men hid in those rocks yonder. Their names are Paschal, Mateo, Gabrielle, Gomez, Francisco, Pedro, Gonzales, Juan and Tomas. Tell me which one I shall call – I care not which, myself – and the man will assure you my orders are positive to them, and that they will carry out the explosion of the mine as I have arranged, provided I do not return in safety."
Cumberford was curious to learn the extent of the rogue's bravado.
"Call Mateo," he suggested.
The Mexican did so, raising his voice to utter the summons.
From behind a pile of rocks nearly opposite them sprang a thin, gaunt man. He ran down to the water's edge, saluted his chief and stood at attention.
"Come here, Mateo," commanded Ganza.
Without hesitation the man waded into the inlet and swam to the rope ladder which dangled over the side. This he seized and climbed on deck, where, dripping with water, he again faced his master and saluted him.
"Tell me, Mateo," said Ramon Ganza, "where is it, beneath this boat, that the mine has been planted?"
"Fourteen feet from the stern, Capitan."
"And is it powerful enough to destroy the ship?"
"To make it in small pieces, Capitan – an' ten ship like it, if ten ship were here."
"Very nice. You know what time the mine is to explode?"
"At eleven o'clock, Capitan, unless you come ashore to countermand the order."
"Ah yes; so it is. You may go back to your post, Mateo."
The man, looking neither to right nor left, descended the ladder, swam to shore and retreated behind the rocks again.
Ramon turned to Mr. Cumberford, showing the open face of his watch.
"In five minutes it will be eleven o'clock," he quietly announced.
"Take him to the cage, O'Reilly!"
Two other armed men had joined the engineer on deck and the three now surrounded Ganza and started forward with him.
"Mercy, Cumberford! Save us – save us!" howled Mr. Tupper, frantic with fear. "I can't die now – we ought none of us to die! Give him the launch. Give him the – "
A cry interrupted him. Mason, the man nearest the rail, dropped his gun and staggered back with his hands clasped to his side, from which a stream of blood gushed forth. At the same moment the huge form of Ramon Ganza leaped the rail and dove headforemost into the water.
But everyone else was more interested in the wounded man, who seemed to be badly hurt. Ramon Ganza was forgotten as the girls bent over the poor fellow with anxious looks.
"Have Mason brought to my own cabin, at once," said Madeline to Captain Krell.
They carried the wounded man below, to be placed in Madeline's roomy cabin. Mr. Cumberford was not a surgeon, but there was no one aboard who knew more of surgery than he and so he went to Mason's side at once.
Ganza had struck the man with a knife of the stiletto type, the narrow blade of which had penetrated his side just above the hip joint. Mr. Cumberford's "first aid" outfit, which the captain was able to supply, enabled him to stop the bleeding, but he was unable to tell how serious the injury