ong
near the foot of the hills till we come to another road crossing them."

So saying, he set forward at an easy trot across the fields of maize and
wheat stubble, vineyards, and occasionally orchards. For upward of two
hours Jack led the way, but they saw no signs of a road, and he observed
with uneasiness that the plain was narrowing fast and the hills on the
left trending to meet those on the right and form an apparently unbroken
line ahead.

The horses were showing signs of fatigue, and Jack drew rein on somewhat
rising ground and looked anxiously round. If, as it seemed, there was no
break in the bills ahead, it would be necessary to retrace their steps,
and long ere this the defenders of the ravine would have returned to
their homes, and learned from the men at the carts that a small party
had escaped. As the women in the fields would be able to point out the
way they had taken, the whole population would be out in pursuit of
them. Looking round Jack saw among some trees to his right what appeared
to be a large mansion, and resolved at once to go there.

"The horses must have food and a rest," he said, "before we set out
again; and though it's hardly probable, as the peasants are so hostile,
that the owner of this place is friendly, I would even at the worst
rather fall into the hands of a gentleman than into those of these
peasants, who would certainly murder us in cold blood."

Thus saying, he rode toward the mansion, whose owner must, he thought as
he approached it, be a man of importance, for it was one of the finest
country residences he had seen in Spain. He rode up to the front door
and dismounted and rang at the bell. A man opened the door, and looked
with surprise and alarm at the English uniforms. He would have shut the
door again, but Jack put his shoulder to it and pushed it open.

"What means this insolence?" he said sternly, drawing his pistol. "Is
your master in?"

"No, senor," the man stammered, "the count is from home."

"Is your mistress in?"

The man hesitated.

"I will see," he said.

"Look here, sir," Jack said. "Your mistress is in, and unless you lead
me straight to her I will put a bullet through your head."

Several other men servants had now come up, but the four troopers had
also entered. The Spaniards looked at each other irresolutely.

"Now, sirrah," Jack said, raising his pistol, "are you going to obey
me?"

The Spaniard, seeing Jack would execute his threat unless ob