Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-16
CHAPTER XXI.
Au Revoir.

CaAPTEH AA4L
Au Revoir.
That's deuced awkward" grumbled
Lord Landguard. What are we goin' to
do about 1t. eh? II we get shootin' at
them we'll soon have the whole wasps
nest about our ears
IF there are not too many. hold them
up," Challoner counseled. Ambush
them. Smash their rifles. Turn right
about. toward Alta Cruz and then kick
kick hard.
I'VE can't afford to have them chase
us up the slope. nor can We let them
get ahead of us and so take news of our
coming to the camp on the summit"
Corbyn nodded concurrence. and they
three fell back on the rear guard to see
the scheme carried out, whispering curt
instructions to those in subordinate COM
mand of the dim figures swinging past
them.
The column was moving swiftly. the
two girls travelling on the mules that had
formerly carried the machine gun. which
cherished piece of ordnance now lay
their vacated entertainments.
The rear guard. thus strengthened. was
told of In pairs. and. as soon as they
came to suitable spot. took position.
line of men with their rifles slung.
They had not long to wait ere their pur-
suers appeared, trudging stolidly into the
trap. all unwilling OF that which lay Turk
ing in wait on either side OF the dust
cloud enveloping them.
The jaws of the trap snapped together
at both ends simultaneously. single
revolver shot. an insignificant crack like
that Of whip, was audible above the
shutting of feet, the painting breaths of
those who were struggling at odds
Break back. lads. Break back and es-
capen cried a desperate voice from In
front. and was answered by one shouting
wildly. stand fast, We're friends"
Captors and captured rela.xed their tense
grips for an instant while Corbyn asked
in tremulous tone of the shadow whose
cry had come In time and no more to
prevent further mischief, "Who-who are
you?'
rs that you. Corbyn. old chap" it an
swered. shakily also and almost In un-
belief. lin Allardyce."
Words fail TO paint the rapture of the
reunion which took place there In the
starless night. Ten minutes passed and
ten more ere they had got half through
their mutual congratulations and ex-
plantations. But at last Landguard gave
the command. Quick march," and the
girls sought their saddles again, while. as
they moved on. Beatriz found Corbyn at
her bride. Dennis O'Dare had replaced
the seaman who had been leading Fits
mount.
There vas but one more barrier between
the united expeditions and the successful
end of their enterprise. 1t was sufficiently
formidable to give them pause. but. II
their luck held. they might overcome it
as they had its forerunners. while, II 1t
came to hgbting. they must take such
chances as might befall. But even Ybarra
shutting unwillingly along between his
intended 90 get past the garrison which
held the pass.
They halted half a mile below the sum-
nit. where a most marvellous metamor-
phosis took place. all the less understand
able since 1t was still dark.
Some fifty very slovenly insurgents
pulled out clasp knives. slit their soiled
outer clothing carefully from head to
heel. and. through that chrysalis. emerged
in the familiar form of British blue
jackets. Landguard. their leader. and
the officers of his command were also In
full uniform of blue and brass and gold.
Corbyn and his worn men felt shabby
and forlorn beside them. but there was
Yet a part for them to play in character
when the time came. Challoner was stage
manager of that performance also. and.
all his orders having been complied with.
they went on till picket challenged their
advance.
Then Landguard. in the lead, called,
with assumed anger In his voice. for Cor
byn. who FASTENED forward with rough
native imprecation.
glared at the shivering sentry Cannot
you see. fool. that these are foreigners?
Are you raw recruit that you don't
know the difference between their uni
form and ours? Have you not heard the
order that the legation guards are to pass
unquestioned?'
Forward. senores. Let me apologize
for the stupidity of this black animal
He made ferociouS lunge at the
alarmed linesman. who did not dare to
protest. lest worse should befall him at
the hands of his superior. and Corbyn
stayed beside him. breathing dire wrath.
while the stalwart English sailors
tramped stolidly past. rifles at the slope.
After them came foOtSore detachment
of native troops. hustling along a huddled
party OF prisoners in the shape of Beatr.Z
and Ygnacio Ybarra. Fin and Challoner,
the elder Corbyn. the presidents two
orderlies and the man who had fled from
the siege of the Golden Horseshoe fol-
lowed by few wounded men on horse
back.
When they had all gone by. Corbyn,
with parting threat to the sentry. went
on again to browbeat any one else rash
enough 10 interfere. But no one did so.
News of the earthquake. the destruction
of Alta Cruz and the Golden Horseshoe
busters who had held the presidents ha-
cienda against its rightful owner the
Tigers own tragic fate in the forest fire.
had already reached the summit through
the fugitives. who had ever since been
troopfnr across the pass.
There was nothing at all unusual in the
aspect of the prisoners, with bandaged
heads. bound hands. or of their escort
ragged. dirty and slouching of gait. a
very Indifferent contrast 20 the smart
foreign squad in front. The garrison
main guard, standing round their fire
among the trees above the roadway were
satisfied that all was well, since the
picket had let the travellers pass. They
looked on with dull. sleepy eyes till the
last of them was out OF sight.
The outpost on the seaward slope did
not think II worth while to halt them
since they had passed the main guard
and Yharra nlnddlnO down hill nit