|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 29
The young trooper made a movement towards his own revolver, but it was
instantly checked by the stranger, who said, sternly, in Spanish:
"Hold there! If you but touch a weapon I shall shoot you dead! You
are my prisoner, and will obey my commands. That I am prepared to
enforce them I will show you."
With this he sounded a low whistle that was answered by a rustle in the
bushes, from which half a dozen armed ragamuffins of all shades of
swarthiness, from jet black to light chocolate, appeared as though by
magic. All were provided with machetes, some carried rifles, and each
looked as though it would afford him the greatest pleasure to cut into
small pieces the stranger who had invaded their territory.
"You see," said their leader, with a smile, "that you are hopelessly
surrounded, and that with a nod I can have you killed."
"Yes, I see," replied Ridge, "and I should be pleased to know into
whose hands I have fallen. Are you Cubano or a Spaniard?"
"And I will ask if you are American or Spaniard?"
"But my question came first," insisted Ridge.
"While I am in a position to have mine answered," replied the other,
again smiling. "But I will not press it at this moment. We will first
seek a place better suited to conversation, since here we are liable to
be interrupted. The American gunboats have an unpleasant habit of
dropping shells among any party whom they may discover on the beach.
Then, too, many Cubanos have been seen about here lately, and they
might molest us, while it is also nearly time for the Spanish _lancha_
that patrols this coast at sunrise and sunset. So you see-- Disarm
him!"
This last was an order to two men who had moved noiselessly up behind
Ridge while his attention was diverted by their leader. Now they
seized our young trooper, took his weapons, and marched him away,
though allowing him to retain his hold on Se�orita's bridle. For a few
paces they crashed through the underbrush, hacking a rude path for the
mare with their machetes as they went. Then they struck a dim trail
that ended at a grass-grown and little-used road. Crossing this, they
entered the grounds of what had evidently been a fine plantation,
though a young forest growth was now rapidly spreading over its once
well-cultivated fields. A weedy approach between rows of noble trees
led to the blackened ruins of a large house and outlying buildings.
The stone walls were already over-run with a tangle of vines from which
flamed blood-red blossoms. Several horses cropped the rank grass about
these ruins, and into one of them, which had been given a temporary
thatch of palm leaves, the prisoner was led.
"Here we had begun to break our fast when your mare notified us of your
proximity," said the leader, who had already motioned to his men to
loose their hold on the young American. "Now if you will honor us with
your company, we will resume that interrupted pleasure. Manuel, we
wait to be served."
Upon this a grinning negro brought in a basketful of yams that had
evidently been roasted among the ashes of an open fire, and set it on a
rude table. Beside it he placed a calabash containing a drink mixed of
water, lime-juice, and brown sugar. "Let us eat," said the host,
reaching for one of the ash-encoated yams. "But hold," he added, as
though with a sudden thought. "Excuse me for a moment." Thus saying,
he stepped outside, only to return with Ridge's saddle-bags, which he
coolly opened. "Coffee, as I live!" he cried, "and hard biscuit, the
first bread I have seen in many a month! Se�or, we are under
obligations to you for these welcome additions to our _menu_. Manuel,
hast thou forgotten how to make coffee, strong, and black as thine own
ebony face? Waste thou not one precious grain, or, by holy St. Jago, I
will blow out thy meagre brains."
Provoked as Ridge was at seeing his entire stock of provisions thus
appropriated to be expended on a single meal, he was not in a position
to remonstrate. So, a little later, when a revised edition of
breakfast was pronounced ready, he sat down with the host whom he did
not yet know whether to consider as friend or foe, and ate heartily of
the food thus provided.
The furnishing of that rude table was unique, for, mingled with shells
from the beach and those of cocoanuts, both of which were used in place
of cups, gourds, plantain-leaves, and wooden trays, appeared several
dishes of cut glass and dainty china, generally cracked or chipped, and
looking wofully out of place.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|