Seven years earlier he had met the young American in New York, took a liking to him, and offered to employ him as overseer while teaching him the business. The pupil soon became the instructor. Scientific methods were introduced, direct markets were tapped, and the produce of the estate was quadrupled within a few seasons.
Then the older man died, and left the ranch and its contents to his assistant. There was not much money--the capital was sunk in stock and improvement--so a number of free and independent burghers of Cartagena received smaller amounts than they expected.
Suarez was one of the beneficiaries, seven in all. Six took the situation calmly. He alone was irreconcilable, and blustered about legal proceedings, only desisting when persuaded that he had no case, even for the venal courts of San Juan.
And now, on that sultry January morning, the lawful owner of the Los Andes ranch, while awaiting the appearance of a peon, who, he knew, was tending some cattle in a byre behind the lodge, was wondering whether or not he might urge a tired charger into a final canter to the door of his own house without bringing about a pitched battle when he arrived there.
At last came Pedro--every second man in South America is named after the chief of the Apostles--a brown, lithe, Indian-looking person. But he was Spanish enough in the expression of his emotions.
"By the eleven thousand virgins!" he cried joyously, after a first stare of incredulity, for the eyes rolled in his head at sight of Maseden's garb, "it is not true, then, master, that you are a prisoner!"
"They say it up there at the _estancia_, señor," and Pedro jerked a thumb towards an avenue of mahogany trees.
Pedro was scared, but Maseden had taught his helpers to answer truthfully.
"Old Lopez said it, señor. He told me the president's men had charged him to touch nothing till they returned."
Maseden's heart throbbed more furiously at that reply than at aught which had befallen him during the few pregnant hours since dawn.
"Those rascals have gone, then?" he said, so placidly that the peon was bewildered.
"Yes. I was not sure of all.... Close and lock the gate, Pedro. Leave other things. Saddle your mustang and mount guard at the bend in the avenue, from which you can watch the Cartagena road. If you see horses, or an automobile, coming this way, ride to the house and tell me."