"There is the cane-field," hesitated Estella. "You might hide there. Over to the north the rebels are fighting the soldiers from the train. You might join them and thus reach a place of safety." "And leave you alone here, and at night? Never, Estella! I love you too well for that, even though you are to marry another," he replied, fervidly. "Oh, Howard!" A happy flush came to her face. "Then you still love me?" "Love you, Estella! You are my heart's idol!" "Then listen!" She bent her ruby lips close to his ear. "I told you I was to marry another man. The marriage was arranged against my wish, by my father. I have made up my mind that, rather than marry him, I will run away. Oh, take me with you, Howard!" He stared at her like one in a dream, then caught her to his breast, all wet as he was, and kissed her madly, passionately. "Estella, my queen!" he murmured. "You cannot realize how happy you have made me! And you will fly with me? Then come, darling! Henceforth nothing shall separate us!" "Surrender!" came in a loud, mocking voice close behind them, and, wheeling about, Howard found himself confronted by three Spanish officers. They closed in upon him immediately, and at the point of the sword he was made a prisoner, and his hands were bound tightly behind him. "We thought we would capture you," said the leader of the Spaniards, sarcastically, "although you both swim and run well!" "Captain Nocolo!" cried Estella, as the light of a torch flared over the man's face. "Estella Corona!" was the surprised reply. "What means this--that we find you in the company of this American spy?" CHAPTER X. "OH, FATHER IN HEAVEN, PROTECT THY CHILD, WHO IS NOW LEFT UTTERLY ALONE!" "Who says I am an American spy?" demanded Howard Sherwood, before Estella had a chance to reply to the Spanish officer's question. "Who says so, my fine fellow?" sneered Captain Nocolo. "Never mind who. You are caught--that is enough." "I am a newspaper correspondent----" "Bah! we have your history, never fear." Captain Nocolo turned to his men. "Look to it that he does not escape." The soldiers at once surrounded Howard again, and thus he and Estella were separated. "Howard----" began the beautiful girl, but the captain interrupted her. "Excuse me, but you must not converse with him now," he said, catching her by the arm. "And why not. He and I are friends----" "No doubt, no doubt," was the suggestive answer. "But I cannot allow you to talk. Men, take him to the sugar-house." With scant ceremony the soldiers caught hold of Howard, and, despite the young war correspondent's objections, dragged him along to a side road, and out of hearing of Estella's voice. "Captain Nocolo, this is--is infamous!" burst from the girl's quivering lips. It tore her heart with anguish to behold her noble lover so ill-used, especially as he had been captured through his desire to shield her from injury.