“Very well,” said Kit.  “We had better make for Corrientes, since the point commands the port and the lagoon.  Mayne will stop for an hour or two, looking for a signal, when he picks up his marks.”

“We’ll start for the port and take the other track afterwards.  There’s no use in telling the opposition where we’re going.  I imagine they don’t know if the Rio Negro has sailed or not.”

“For that matter, we don’t know,” Kit remarked.

“Oh, shucks!” Adam exclaimed.  “Mayne understands what we’re up against and he’d pull out when he got your telegram.  If he can’t use his damaged engine, he’ll disconnect and bring her along with the other.”  He stopped Kit with a frown.  “If you’re going to tell me the Rio Negro can’t steam across on one cylinder, you can cut it out.  I’ve taught the men I put in charge that when a job’s needful it has got to be done.”

He paused and when Kit said nothing, went on quietly:  “Well, I reckon Galdar’s crowd will expect the boat to make for the port.  It’s easier to land cargo there and there’s a better road.  With good luck, we’ll have the goods delivered before they know she’s gone to the lagoon.  Now you can go along and get busy.”

Kit went away in a thoughtful mood.  He agreed with Adam that secrecy and speed were essential, because if the rebels got a hint of their plans they might strike before Alvarez could ensure the loyalty of his troops by distributing their back pay.  Much depended upon which party got in the first blow.  In fact, if the guns and money reached the town before the rebels knew they were landed, Kit thought the president’s chance of winning was good.  All the same, he imagined that Adam, whom the doctor had forbidden to get up, would run a dangerous risk.

At dusk a few barefooted soldiers paraded on the terrace, with two mules and three or four peons.  Since it was impossible to evade the watchfulness of Galdar’s spies, Adam had resolved to set off openly and not to give them a hint that his journey had an important object by trying to hide it.  He mounted awkwardly, with an obvious effort, and when he was in the saddle set his lips for a moment or two.  Then he turned to Alvarez and smiled.

“I’m not a back-number yet, but it’s lucky the opposition don’t know how hard it was for me to get up.”

Alvarez made a sign of understanding.  “You must dismount as soon as possible.  You are very staunch, my friend.”

“I’ve got to make good.  If everything is fixed, we’ll pull out.”

“Adios, senores,” said Alvarez, taking off his hat.  “Much depends on you.”

Somebody gave an order, there was a rattle of thrown-up rifles, a patter of naked feet, and the party moved away.  Kit, turning after a few moments, looked back.  He saw the long, straight building, pierced here and there by lights, rise against the orange sky, and the president’s tall figure, conspicuous in white clothes, in front of the arch.  His attendants had vanished, he stood motionless, as if brooding, and Kit thought he looked pathetic and lonely.  He afterwards remembered his glance at the old presidio.