ngth brought us to the summit of a
steep mountain, where we stopped awhile to rest, and to enjoy the
refreshing breeze.

"Well, Crawford," exclaimed the doctor cheerfully, when we once more
resumed the march, "how do you like being on active service? A
pleasant change, isn't it, from being cooped up on board ship?"

At the moment I hardly agreed with him, but I made an effort to reply
to his banter.

Only to a few of us was the really desperate nature of our expedition
known. Of the Spaniards we entertained no manner of fear; the sole
terror lay in the route to be traversed. We were already parched by
thirst, and more than twenty miles of sandy desert lay between us and
water.

Nor was this all. Only one man knew the route, and years had gone by
since he had last travelled over it. If his strength or memory failed,
it might well happen that the dreary desert would be our burial-place
and the loose sand our winding-sheet. It was not exactly a cheering
prospect, but we made the best of it.

The colonel marched at the head of his men, the doctor at the rear, so
that he might assist any unfortunate stragglers, while Jose and I went
forward with the guide.

With frequent halts for rest we ploughed our way through the shifting
sand, our eyes aching and our throats terribly dry.

About midnight, as near as I could judge, the guide stopped
irresolutely.

"What is it?" asked Jose, in an excited whisper; "what is wrong?"

We could not see the fellow's face, but he seemed very agitated, and
there was a break in his voice as he answered,--

"I don't know--I am not sure--but I can't be certain that we are on the
right track."

The words sounded like a sentence of death, and I could hardly repress
a cry of horror.

"Be still!" whispered Jose; "the men must not know. Stay here a minute
while I ask the colonel to halt. That will give us a little
breathing-space."

He was soon back, and taking the guide's arm, he exclaimed,--

"Now come, get your wits about you, and let us see what can be done.
Where do you think we ought to be?"

"I don't know," replied the guide helplessly. "The saints preserve us,
or we are lost!"

"Now look here," said Jose sternly: "you are giving way, and that won't
do. Pluck up your courage, man, and remember that all our lives are in
your hands."

I think, perhaps, this awful responsibility had much to do with
breaking the guide down. He wrung his hands and groaned, saying alou