n are made
of."

Terence, with his stock of fresh provisions, was heartily welcomed on
board. He and Jack only hoped that they might be detained for want of
wind where they were till the return of Jose, with any information he
might collect; they had agreed at all events to wait for him till the
following morning. He was, he had said, certain that Rosas must have
passed either through the village, or at no great distance from the
river, and he hoped to hear that the young midshipmen had been seen with
his troops.

Next morning at daybreak, Terence taking the same precaution as before,
returned to the shore. He had not been there long before several
country people appeared, but nothing was seen of Jose Gonzalves. Adair,
after waiting some time, began to fear that he had either been captured,
or was playing them false. He was about to return on board, to let the
men have their breakfasts, when the spy was seen, his horse, in a foam,
galloping down the hill towards the boat.

"Any news of the young officers?" asked Adair, eagerly.

"Yes, senor, important news. They were alive a week ago, and though I
don't know what the general might have done with them, had his anger
been aroused, they were not ill-treated, but I find that they made their
escape at the time I mention, and have not since been heard of. I am
afraid, therefore," and Jose shook his head, "that they may have been
overtaken by some of the gaucho cavalry, who would not scruple to run
them through with their lances, or they may have been seized by a
jaguar, and we have not a few man-eaters in these parts, fierce
creatures, who would quickly put an end to a couple of lads. Not long
since one leaped on board a vessel moored to the banks, and carried off
a man asleep on the deck; there is no telling what they will not do, or,
if the young officers have escaped the gauchos and jaguars, they may
have wandered far away from any habitation, and have been starved to
death. The country people would not hurt them, and would provide them
with food, but as I say, I have been unable to obtain any further
tidings of them, which makes me fear the worst."

"Well, come on board, and give your information to the commander; we
will then consult what is to be done," said Adair; "you have taken a
great deal of trouble without having gained your reward."

Jose shrugged his shoulders. "Paciencia, senor, I am an unfortunate
man, I know, but if you will excuse me, I will