"Oh, senor," he cried, "don't kill me! I will tell you all."
"See that you do," was the command. "One lie and I will wring
your neck as I would a chicken. You know me."
"I'll tell the truth. I told the captain at the barracks. He is
going to capture all the Americanos and hold them for ransom and
I am to have half."
"That is evidently the truth," declared Adrian, and he proceeded
to tell Mr. Black what was being done to get him and his daughter
to Vera Cruz, and how Jose had played them false.
For a moment it looked as though Mr. Black might wreak his
vengeance on Jose, but after a minute he thought better of it.
"You ought to die this minute," he declared, "but I'll wait till
I have more time." Then to Adrian: "What had we better do now?"
Before Adrian could reply the clear note of a bugle rang out upon
the night air.
CHAPTER XXI.
ADRIAN HAS AN ACCIDENT.
"What do you suppose that means?" asked Adrian.
Mr. Black made no reply and a moment later the bugle call was
repeated.
"It sounds to me," said Mr. Black, "as though some fresh troops
were coming in."
"That's bad," was Adrian's comment.
"Perhaps not, my lad, if we act quickly."
"How so?"
"The new arrivals may take up the attention of the gang of
bandits outside and we may get away ere they return.
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