"Put me to the test, and see if I fail you," returned Estella, her spirits rising. "I am for Cuba, no matter what my father may say or do." "Bravo!" he cried. "Come with me. Socran, release the lady's horse. She will accompany me," he added to the man in front. The cavalryman released his hold, and Estella and the rebel captain rode off side by side, to a hut that had been hastily constructed in the heart of the dense wood. Here they were met by several other officers, and Estella was introduced to them and vouched for by Captain Martinez. Once inside of the hut a long conference was held between the beautiful girl and three of the rebel leaders. Then to Estella was given a packet of documents, which she hid in her bosom. "Remember the password to-night is 'Machete,'" said Captain Martinez. "The moment you get inside the city barracks, deliver the packet to Captain Umberto. That will be all." "But you must be guarded in your movements," put in another of the rebel leaders. "The discovery of that packet by the Spanish authorities would mean the overthrow of all our plans, and most likely your death." "I will be careful," responded Estella. "Not only for your sake, but for my own--and for dear Howard's," she added, under her breath. In another moment she was riding off alone, in the lonely darkness, and in the face of the oncoming storm. It was a desperate mission to undertake, but she thought not of her peril, only of her lover and his fate, should she fail to save him. CHAPTER XXII. "THE PLOT WILL MISCARRY! THE CUBAN SOLDIERS WILL BE BUTCHERED LIKE CATTLE!" It would be hard to analyze Estella's feelings as she left the rebel camp in the midnight darkness and in the face of the coming thunderstorm, to ride to Marambo and deliver to Captain Umberto, the keeper of the city barracks, the packet intrusted to her by Captain Martinez. She fully realized her great danger, but what was that to her in the face of the fact that Howard languished in prison, and would most likely be sentenced to an immediate death in the morning? All her thoughts were concentrated upon her lover, and she urged her faithful steed onward at an increased speed as she realized the value of every moment. Already the lightning flashed across the western sky at frequent intervals, and this was followed by the long, low muttering of thunder. Hardly was she out of hearing of the rebel camp than it began to rain, first in a few scattered drops, and then in a steady downpour, which wet her to the skin, for the officers, kind as they were, had been unable to supply her with a cape or cloak.