Betrayal by Julian Stockwin

Author:Julian Stockwin
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton
Published: 2012-10-10T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Serrano knew it was fearfully dangerous – not to say utter madness – to return to the place he had fled, hunted by the authorities and in peril of recognition. Now, when they were alerted by the British fleet off their shores, it needed only one to betray him and . . .

He fought down his emotions and a flood of patriotism returned as he waved a proud farewell to his English friend Renzi in the boat. He was on a mission to bring about the conjoining of the forces that would result in independence for his country. It might even be that future generations would see his name emblazoned in the history books.

First things first: he must make haste into the anonymous countryside and procure a horse to take him to los patriotas at Las Piedras. Was the venerable and wise Don Baltasar still the leader, or was it now the fiery and impulsive deputy, Manuel Bustamente? He prayed it was so, for he’d been told of the rash actions of the man at the abortive affair at Juanico, which had led to Serrano’s exile.

He had a plan. A fellow student at the university, Martín Miguel de Güemes, as ardent as he himself for freedom, had been placed by his father as an ensign of cavalry and stationed at Montevideo. His family was respected and he was trusted by the patriots.

The next morning his confidence rose after he had successfully bargained for a horse for himself from an estancia. It was a rangy cob, which he soon had galloping towards the garrison town. He was familiar with the place and took modest lodgings not far from the fort. A passing soldier knew Güemes and promised to deliver a note to him.

That evening he heard a discreet knock at the door. There was a whispered exchange and then, after all that had happened, he was looking at the finely drawn features of his friend.

‘Come in, mi querido amigo. It’s been so long!’ The door was shut quickly and they embraced.

‘What are you doing here, Vicente? If they catch you again . . .’

‘Not now, Martín. There’s more at stake this night than you can possibly conceive.’

‘How is this, old friend?’ Güemes asked.

‘We must say my life is in your hands from this moment. I’m on a mission that is of the gravest importance to our future. Tell me – does Don Baltasar still lead?’

‘I believe he does,’ Güemes said guardedly.

‘The Blessed Virgin’s name be praised. I have a chance!’

‘Vicente?’

‘Do you swear to keep what I say in your heart and tell no one?’

‘This is to do with the armada inglesa, is it not?’

‘It may be.’

‘They are here to do a mischief to the viceroyalty, that’s plain, and all are in a fever to know what they intend. Your presence here at the same time is no coincidence, I’d wager.’

‘It is not! I return from exile by their hand . . . but, Martín, I have wonderful and terrible news!’ he burst out.

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