П’ятнадцятирічний капітан

           Theyoungnovicethoughtthat,whilelettinghiscompanionsbelievethattheyweretreadingonthesoilofBolivia,itwouldnotdotohidefromthemtheAmerican’streason.Sohesaid,withouthesitation:"Harrisisnolongerhere."

           "Hashe,then,goneahead?"askedMrs.Weldon."Hehasfled,Mrs.Weldon,"repliedDickSand."ThisHarrisisatraitor,anditisaccordingtoNegoro’splanthatheledusthisfar.""Forwhatmotive?"quicklyaskedMrs.Weldon."Idonotknow,"repliedDickSand;"butwhatIdoknowis,thatwemustreturn,withoutdelay,tothecoast."

           "Thatman—atraitor!"repeatedMrs.Weldon."Ihadapresentimentofit!Andyouthink,Dick,thatheisinleaguewithNegoro?"

           "Thatmaybe,Mrs.Weldon.Thewretchisonourtrack.Chancehasbroughtthesetwoscoundrelstogether,and—"

           "AndIhopethattheywillnotbeseparatedwhenIfindthemagain!"saidHercules."Iwillbreaktheheadofoneagainsttheother’shead!"addedthegiant,holdingouthisformidablefists.

           "Butmychild!"criedMrs.Weldon."ThecarethatIhopedtofindforhimatthefarmofSanFelice—"

           "Jackwillgetwell,"saidoldTom,"whenheapproachesthemorehealthypartofthecoast."

           "Dick,"remarkedMrs.Weldon,"youaresurethatthisHarrishasbetrayedus?"

           "Yes,Mrs.Weldon,"repliedtheyoungnovice,whowouldhavelikedtoavoidanyexplanationonthissubject.

           Healsohastenedtoadd,whilelookingattheoldblack:

           "ThisverynightTomandIdiscoveredhistreason,andifhehadnotjumpedonhishorseandfled,Iwouldhavekilledhim."