Perforce, Dick was obliged to stop on the edge of the woods and watch General Gonzales and his small band cross the clearing and enter the largest house on the far side of the road. Dick crouched down in a thick bed of ferns and studied the situation, keeping close tab on the incidents taking place before him and waiting for the darkness which would soon fall. That the rebels were carefully guarding the road was evidenced by the little groups of men, to be observed about one hundred yards from either end of the barrio, who halted all persons approaching. Near Dick’s refuge was a well which supplied the drinking water for the community, and frequent visits to this well were made by men, women and children. It was nearly dusk when a small native boy came bounding out of the quarters of General Gonzales, and the General himself appeared in the dimly lighted doorway. That he had been chastising the urchin was evident from the way the boy rubbed his shoulders and from his loud lamentations as he stood at a safe distance and observed the rebel leader. "Here you rascal, you! Be quiet, or I will beat you more. Go and bring me some fresh water at once, or you will be sorry your namesake ever discovered this island," and with the words Gonzales threw a battered pail at the boy. "Come now, hurry, you imp of Satan;" with that the General entered the house and closed the door. Painfully the boy picked up the pail and approached the well. Dick could hear his sobs as he drew near. Arriving at the well he made no attempt to draw the water but stood looking back in the direction of the house. Finally he shook his small hand in a gesture which Dick’s knowledge of West Indian customs told him implied contempt and insult, and from the boy’s rapid speech Dick heard enough to convince him that here was a possible ally, could he but win the native lad’s confidence. With a sibilant hiss Dick attracted the boy’s attention, but though he looked about him in some fear he was unable to discover who called. "Quien habla?"[#] he questioned, still looking about him. [#] Who speaks? "Un amigo: un Americano,"[#] answered Dick, and then before the boy had time to make an outcry he spoke again. [#] A friend, an American. "Do you want to make plenty of money, muchacho?"[#] [#] Spanish for boy. The boy had now located Dick’s hiding-place and he approached warily. "How can I make plenty of money?" he questioned in a dubious tone. "If you will help me, I will see that you get it, and also I will see that the big man is punished for beating you." The boy was by this time squatting down on his haunches within a few feet of Dick and even in the dusk, Dick could see the eyes flash with anger at the mention of the past incident.