out."

"What does he propose to do?"

"Well, there is a stout rope fixed in the cave which he will let down
at the right moment. Up this we shall have to climb by help of the
niches that have been cut in the cliff."

"Suppose La Hera finds it out, and is waiting to receive us?"

"That," replied Jose, with a shrug of the shoulders, "is just what is
bothering me. However, we shall soon discover. Our men have had time
to hide themselves, and the guide is getting fidgety. But I say, Jack,
I wish I hadn't brought you."

"I'm rather pleased now that you have, though I wasn't half an hour
ago."

"No; I thought you breathed too hard to be enjoying yourself."

With that he ordered the native to proceed; and we all three crept
along, keeping well in the shadow, though the enemy, feeling secure in
possession of the rope, were hardly likely to have set a watch.

Coming to a halt, the guide pointed to a towering cliff, which, on that
face at least, was in truth steep and smooth as the wall of a house.
Our men lay close at hand, but completely concealed, watching for the
lowering of the rope.

Now it seemed to me that we were running great risk when our object
might have been gained with none at all. Why not, as Jose had remarked
a short time previously, starve the inmates out?

"No good," answered he, when I asked the question. "The guide says
there are stores in the cave sufficient to last a small party for
months. The war would be over before they had finished their
provisions. No; we must get them by surprise or not at all. I should
like to see that rope dangling."

It was weary waiting, and a great strain on our nerves too, as every
moment's delay gave us more time to appreciate the danger. The longer
I pondered the more I disliked the business, and doubted what would be
the end of it. La Hera was a bold man, and if he got an inkling of the
truth, we should meet with an unpleasant reception. He might not
approve of such an unceremonious intrusion into his dwelling-place.

I was still thinking of these things when the Indian guide drew our
attention to the cliff. The time had come. There, distinguishable in
the pale moonlight, dangled the rope, and as we watched it descended
lower and lower, very steadily, until the end of it was not higher than
a man could grasp.

It was the signal agreed upon to show that the enemy were asleep.

Calling softly to one of his men, Jose said, "Stay here and watch. I