Part 20 (1/2)

”Well, I suppose we must go,” said the Doctor. ”My revolver is something. It is a double revolver, of peculiar shape.”

Without any other thought they at once prepared to venture into a district that for all they knew might swarm with robbers. They had only one thought, and that was to save Figgs.

”Can this man lead us?” asked d.i.c.k.

”He says he can take us along where he saw Figgs go, and perhaps we may see some people who can tell us about him.”

”Perhaps we can,” said the Senator, grimly.

They then started off with the Italian at their head. The sun was by this time within an hour's distance from the horizon, and they had no time to lose. So they walked rapidly. Soon they entered among hills and rocks of lava, where the desolation of the surrounding country began to be modified by vegetation. It was quite difficult to keep their reckoning, so as to know in what direction they were going, but they kept on nevertheless.

All of them knew that the errand was a dangerous one. All of them knew that it would be better if they were armed. But no one said any thing of the kind. In fact, they felt such confidence in their own pluck and resolution that they had no doubt of success.

At length they came to a place where trees were on each side of the rough path. At an opening here three men stood. b.u.t.tons at once accosted them and told his errand. They looked at the Americans with a sinister smile.

”Don't be afraid of us,” said b.u.t.tons, quietly. ”We're armed with revolvers, but we won't hurt you. Just show us where our friend is, for we're afraid he has lost his way.”

At this strange salutation the Italians looked puzzled. They looked at their guns, and then at the Americans. Two or three other men came out from the woods at the same time, and stood in their rear.

At length as many as ten men stood around them.

”What are you staring at?” said b.u.t.tons again. ”You needn't look so frightened. Americans only use their revolvers against thieves.”

The Doctor at this, apparently by accident, took out his revolver.

Standing a little on one side, he fired at a large crow on the top of a tree. The bird fell dead. He then fired five other shots just by way of amus.e.m.e.nt, laughing all the time with the Senator.

”You see,” said he--”ha, ha--we're in a fix--ha, ha--and I want to show them what a revolver is?”

”But you're wasting all your shot.”

”Not a bit of it. See?” And saying this he drew a second chamber from his pocket, and taking the first out of the pistol inserted the other. He then fired another shot. All this was the work of a few moments. He then took some cartridges and filled the spare chamber once more.

The Italians looked on this display in great astonishment, exchanging significant glances, particularly when the Doctor changed the chambers. The Americans, on the contrary, took good care to manifest complete indifference. The Italians evidently thought they were all armed like the Doctor. Naturally enough, too, for if not, why should they venture here and talk so loftily to them? So they were puzzled, and in doubt. After a time one who appeared to be their leader stepped aside with two or three of the men, and talked in a low voice, after which he came to b.u.t.tons and said:

”Come, then, and we will show you.”

”Go on.”

The Captain beckoned to his men. Six of them went to the rear.

b.u.t.tons saw the manoeuvre, and burst into roars of laughter. The Italians looked more puzzled than ever.

”Is that to keep us from getting away?” he cried--”ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Well, well!”

”He's putting a guard behind us. Laugh like fury, boys,” said b.u.t.tons, in English.

Whereupon they all roared, the tremendous laughter of the Senator coming in with fearful effect.

”There's nothing to laugh at,” said the man who appeared to be Captain, very sulkily.

”It's evident that you Italians don't understand late improvements,”

said b.u.t.tons. ”But come, hurry on.”