In a moment more the horse was brought forward, a beast as lean as its owner, since fodder in that territory was becoming a scarce article. Since Carlos could not move himself, he was lifted up to the saddle in anything but a gentle fashion. Josefina began to expostulate, but the only attention paid to her was by one of the men, who snatched at her arm and hurled her backward. "You must learn to mind your betters," said the soldier. "Our worthy corporal knows his business." "I will search the man, to see if he carries any despatches," put in Corporal Ruz. "Ha, you rascal, let me get at that breast pocket of yours. And, Camara, climb up into the tree and look into that hole. There may be something worth finding there." CHAPTER XX IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY As Walter did not understand what was said, he was not aware of his peril until the Spanish soldier began to climb the tree. Then he realized the truth, and his heart sank within him. "It's all up with me now," he half groaned. "I wonder what they will do with me after they find me." Reaching the top of the opening, the soldier paused and shouted something to his companions regarding the darkness of the hole below. "Light a match and drop it down," ordered Corporal Ruz. "This rascal carries nothing," he went on, disappointedly, having found Carlos's pockets empty of anything of value. The negro did carry a message, but it was on a small patch of thin paper, which had been rolled up tightly and concealed in his thick woolly hair. The match was lit and dropped, and all ablaze it landed upon Walter's head. He caught it in silence and put it out, but the movement was noticed from above. "There is some one else in the tree--a white man," cried the soldier. "Come out of that!" he continued. Walter guessed what the command meant, and as further concealment would have been useless he attempted to crawl from the hole. But this was not so easy, and in the end the soldier had to lend a hand, and then both leaped to the ground together. "_Un Americano!_" ejaculated Corporal Ruz. "_De donde viene V.?_" he added, asking Walter where he came from. At this the boy shook his head. "I don't understand you," he said. "_No habla V. castellano?_" continued the corporal, asking if he did not speak Spanish. Again Walter shook his head. "Yankee pig!" murmured the corporal, using a term quite common in Cuba during the war. "Why does he not learn our beautiful language? Does he expect we will learn his dirty English?" He turned to the soldier who had discovered Walter, and between them they searched the lad's clothing thoroughly, and even took off his shoes and stockings. "Nothing," growled the under-officer. "It is strange."