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Page 56
With this understanding, and having arranged a place of meeting, the
young trooper set forth on his twelve-mile ride over the narrow trails
of the broken and densely wooded hill country lying southeast from
Sevilla, while Navarro hastened to obey the summons of the Spanish
General.
"How long have you known the Se�or Remelios?" was the first question
asked of the young Lieutenant.
"Only since meeting him in Holguin, where General Pando introduced us,
and ordered me to accompany him."
"Have you noted anything suspicious in his actions--anything that would
lead you to suspect him of being other than what he claims?"
"I have not, sir," answered the Lieutenant, calmly, though with inward
trepidation, since the question showed that a suspicion of some kind
had been directed against his friend.
"Neither have I," said the General; "for he has admirably performed the
duties assigned to him. At the same time I am desirous of asking him
some questions, and so have sent for him. I will request also that you
remain during our interview, and carefully compare his answers with
your own knowledge of his recent movements."
Just here the Major who had recognized Ridge, and who had gone to bring
him to headquarters, returned with the information that he whom they
sought was not to be found.
"Do you know where he is?" asked the General, sharply, of Lieutenant
Navarro.
"I do not, sir, though I think it likely that he has started for
Siboney, where we had planned to go together to watch the American
ships."
"Then you will accompany Major Alvarez to that place, find the Se�or
Remelios, and use your friendly influence to bring him back here. If
for any reason he should refuse to come, he must be compelled by force,
for he is suspected of being an American spy. I tell you this, because
there is no question of Lieutenant Navarro's loyalty, and I assign you
to this duty to show how entirely I trust you."
"I will do my best, sir," replied the young Spaniard, acknowledging
this compliment with a bow. Then, wondering in which direction his
duty really lay, he departed in company with the Major, who was
impatient to make good his charges against the Se�or Remelios.
Lieutenant Navarro had been moody and unhappy ever since the coming of
the American transports. He had not confided his trouble to his
companion, but had performed his duties mechanically, and would not
talk of anything else. Ridge noticed this change in his friend, and
had formed a shrewd guess as to its cause, but waited for the other to
speak first concerning it.
In the mean time, as the young trooper neared Daiquiri, he met scouts
from Captain del Rey's detachment hastening towards headquarters with
news that the Americans were landing. At this he increased his speed,
until he finally reached the hill agreed upon as a place of meeting
with Navarro, and then his heart was thrilled with the sight out-spread
before him. Half a dozen transports and a few of the smaller war-ships
lay in the little harbor. Steam-launches towing strings of boats
crowded with troops were plying between the ships and the one small
pier that offered a landing-place. The Spaniards had retreated,
burning houses and bridges behind them, and already dark masses of
American troops were forming on the narrow strip of level land
separating the hills from the sea. These were his own people, and
Ridge longed to rush forward and join them, but was faced by two
obstacles. One was a strong Spanish force concealed in a ravine
between him and the Americans as though to dispute their advance at
that point, and the other was the memory that he had promised to await
at this place the coming of Navarro, whom he expected to see with each
minute.
Suddenly, as he impatiently wondered what he ought to do, there came a
quick rush of feet, and the young Spaniard, breathless with haste,
stood beside him.
"Amigo," he gasped, "you are in great danger. By some mischance the
General has discovered that you are an American, and Major Alvarez is
charged with your capture. You have been traced to this point, and
even now the hill is being surrounded to prevent your escape. Within
two minutes soldiers will ascend from all sides, and, until they come,
you are my prisoner."
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