The Motor Scout

re apartment. "I perceive that I was under a misapprehension when I ordered the arrest of your son. I can n

0. "You party men find it difficult to understand that an action may be dictated by other than p

I feel that it is inconsistent with the honour of a caballero to take advantage of a mistake, and I beg therefor

n, politely adopting Mollendo's formality of speech. Mollendo bowed. "But in the circumstances I cannot do better

ulated Mrs. O'H

e hog now," replied

r, and listened nervously as

l honesty and good government. That is a motive that appeals to me as a citizen. Personally, I have a strong inducement to support you; the Prefect has stripped me of my estate. If you succeed,

his farm to assume command of the national forces; and how, within the space of sixteen days, he put the enemy to utter rout and confusion. You, se?or, shall be our Cincinnatus. Caballeros," he cried, rising and addressing the motley throng in the cour

?or Inglés and confusion to the dictator. Roma?a smiled as he sat with Andrea and Juan at a little distance from his

us O'Hagan?" he whispered

our was at the present moment c

ctly horrid

oldier in the stormy days of the Chilian war. His advice in matters of strategy and tactics would be invaluable. He would bring to the cause just those factors of success in which hitherto it had been lacking, and for the first time Mollendo saw the gleam of coming triumph. Mrs. O'Hagan suffered many pangs as the conversation proceeded. The two men were settling the basis of their alliance. Mollendo was to retain the nominal command; the pract

hurriedly into the courtyard, and walking

I have

it, Cri

le to them both; but suddenly we saw the smaller party halt; from it a man came forward, but presently hastened back again, and all his company retreated and disappeared. At the fork we met

e now supporters of our cause. Carry that news to our men; it will encourage them. The se?or was a great captain

know all your arrangements. Tim," she added in English, "I am not to be kept in the dark. I do not like you

secrets," said Mr. O'Hagan.

bjected to the fatigues and dangers that we shall have to encounter. My wife lives peacefully in a remote corner o

in with my husband and son

rwise," suggested Mollendo, who was

day, when a corner of the ruins had been prepared for their accommodation. He pointed out that she would be unable to make the long and rapid marches which irregular warfare entailed. Her presence

ake Tim with

an stroke

t like that,"

ely you admit that fighting with these despe

t in these matters. He is perfectly healthy; he may be very

r own country I might endure it, like many another poor woman; but to think o

while he was still hesitating, his wife, dashing

at his heart out away from you. I mustn't look on the

that young Tim should

al miles until it crossed the river by a narrow stone bridge. Then their course led to the north-west, the path rising steadily as it approached the spurs of the Andes. Progress was very slow; the day was already far advanced when they reached a little hut on the hill-side, about halfway to their destination, where Se?or Mol

imultaneously of a number of horsemen strung out along the path far ahead, and riding toward

y are," he said to Tim. "They don't k

iding and taking a look-out. But only a few minute

Mollendo

of his men. It would be a deadly insult. Better

orsemen. There was about them an air of depression which did n

graceful salutation as they met. "I gri

as the usurper taken

y which you came to my camp. My sentries were, I fear, overcome by somnolence. The attack was so sudden that I had no time to form my ranks; but in the half light some of us

agan. "We must consider how to retr

last five m

s. No doubt some of them will come dropping in by and by.

score of men who accompanied Mollendo

is my

to; but I managed to hide it under a he

t!" said Tim, h

pture the camp first.

hat the chance of recoverin