“Good for you!” Andy shot after his departing chum; though he himself remained there by the rail, watching what took place ashore.

Frank quickly entered the pilot house.  Here a dark-faced, middle-aged man handled the wheel.  Frank immediately noticed that he was listening to what the gold braided officer ashore was shouting angrily.  He also looked a bit troubled.

“What does he say, Felipe?” demanded the young aviator.

“He commands us to return, senor,” replied the other.

“Well, pay no attention to him, Felipe.  We have complied with all the regulations and red tape necessary.  The American consul will back us up.  It is your business to simply steer this boat up the river until we arrive at Magangue.”

“Si, senor.  But when I return they will surely make the trouble for me,” replied the pilot, shrugging his narrow shoulders.

“Not at all, Felipe,” declared Frank.  “You can swear that we made you do as we wished; that you dared not turn back, since your life was in danger.  We stand ready to shoulder all the blame there is.”

The dusky face of the old river pilot, whom they had fortunately run across in Maracaibo, became wreathed in a smile.

“Perhaps the young senor would not mind showing the Capitan?” he suggested.

Frank grasped his meaning; and pretending to scowl darkly, he drew out the revolver which Colonel Josiah had made him promise to carry while down in this explosive country.

“Now, Felipe,” he said, as he clapped the weapon deliberately against the head of the pilot, “your gay Capitan can easily see what I am doing, and will understand what it means.  You keep right on up-river; and if you dare disobey it will be bad for you, Felipe!”

The shrewd old pilot tried to smother an expansive grin as he replied: 

“Si, senor, I am in your hands; do with me what you will.  I dare not refuse longer.  See, I have made one effort to turn about; but you threaten, and I give it up.  He no longer calls.  He knows old Felipe is powerless.  It is well!”

Frank stood by him until the wharf was dimmed by distance.  Then he hastened to rejoin his cousin and chum, who was mightily pleased to hear all about it.

“Do you think they will chase after us?” queried Andy, still worried.

“Oh!  I guess not.  It isn’t so serious as all that.  They know they can get us when we come down the river, no doubt,” replied Frank, carelessly.

“Then I’ll care precious little what becomes of the Bug,” observed Andy, with a sigh of relief.

“I suppose you mean that by that time you’ll either have found your father; or else given up the search as hopeless.  Is that it, old fellow?” Frank asked.

“Yes, one or the other.  And now, we’ve got time to remember the other warning good old Senor Jose gave us.”

“About the revolutionists trying to stop us on the way and get our cargo?  Yes,” Frank went on, “that must be on our minds constantly.  I’m going to talk with old Felipe about it soon.  I have a hunch that he can be depended on to back us up, for he’s got a grudge against the man these fellows want to send back into the presidential chair.  Senor Jose told me Felipe lost all his family through the persecution of that man and his party.”