"I am glad it is raining," said the overseer. "The rebels will not be able to burn the master's plantation." "That is so," and then Howard asked: "But where has General Corona gone?" "Very likely to Puerto Padre, to join the Spanish forces. Since the skirmish at the railroad, he has been wild to assume command again." At this Howard relapsed into silence. The city was left behind, and they came out on a country road, lined with sugar-cane fields. On more than one occasion they saw bodies of the Spanish forces in retreat to Holguin, but by concealing themselves in the cane-fields they managed to avoid trouble. Inside of half an hour the rain ceased and the sun came out. "We must be getting near the head of the troops," remarked Howard, uneasily. "Yet I see no signs of a yellow coach." "I discern the outlines of a large vehicle ahead, and that may be it," said Tomasso. "Ah, it is! it is!" He started on a run with Howard beside him. In his eagerness the young war correspondent easily outstripped the faithful overseer, and soon reached the side of the coach, which was plunging along in the mud as rapidly as the four horses attached could drag it. "Halt!" cried Howard to the driver. "Stand back!" roared the man. "This is Captain Nocolo's coach." "Howard! Howard! save me!" came in piteous tones from inside, and Estella's frightened face appeared at the window. She was almost instantly pulled out of sight by Captain Nocolo. "Stop, or I'll shoot!" ordered Howard. "I demand the instant release of the young lady who is inside." Just as the words were uttered, Tomasso came up and stationed himself at the front of the leading pair of horses. With a savage oath, the driver pulled up on his lines. At the same moment Captain Nocolo stuck his head out of the window. "Go on! go on!" he cried to the driver. "Don't stop here!" "A hold-up, capitan," was the grim reply, and as the words were spoken the captain caught sight of Howard. "You!" he yelled. "I will fix you!" He rapidly drew his pistol and took aim at the young war correspondent. But as the trigger fell Estella dashed up his arm and the bullet flew wide of its mark. "Curse you!" hissed the captain, in a rage. "Don't dare to do that again." Once more he aimed the weapon at Howard. But now Estella clung to his arm, and he found it impossible to shake her off. Her face appeared again at the narrow window. "Save me, Howard," she shrieked. "Protect me from this human brute!" "I will save you, Estella, darling!" he responded, and flew to the coach door and pulled it open. This movement caused Captain Nocolo to pitch forward, and in order to save himself from falling he threw himself upon the young war correspondent, and both rolled into the road. The pistol dropped into the mud, and a fierce struggle ensued. Estella wanted to assist her noble lover, but knew not what to do. Trembling with excitement, she leaped out and tried to pull the captain over backward.