f
we are betrayed, take this man back to Colonel Miller. If he tries to
escape, kill him."

The Indian moved not a muscle, while his guard took his place beside
him with drawn sword, for no muskets had been brought on the
expedition. Then word was quietly passed round to the others, and one
by one we gathered close to the hanging rope.

We could not communicate with the man at the top, lest we should be
heard by the Spaniards, and we dared not make a sound. Holding a knife
between his teeth, Jose clutched the rope firmly, planted one foot in a
niche, and began to mount. When he had reached half-way up, I began
the ascent, bidding the men be ready to follow me.

I did not mind this part of the enterprise, dangerous though it was.
The niches cut in the rock afforded decent foothold, while the rope was
knotted at intervals. The peril lay not so much in the climbing as in
the chance of discovery. If the Spaniards learned what was going
forward, nothing could save us from certain death. This was an
unpleasant thought, which I hastened to put as far from me as possible.

Meanwhile Jose's head was on a level with the cave, and I felt that the
best or the worst of the business would soon be known. If the enemy
were awake, it would go hard with him. His foot left the last niche,
he swung on the rope, and as I watched breathlessly he disappeared.

Casting a glance downward, I called softly to the troopers to hurry,
and then went up hand over hand at a breakneck pace. In a short time I
was gazing at as strange a spectacle as I have ever seen. The cavern
was an immense apartment, with steep walls and exceedingly lofty roof.
Near the centre was a fire, on which some one had hastily thrown a
fresh supply of dry fuel, and the red flames were leaping high in long,
thin tongues.

Just inside the entrance Jose and the traitorous Indian stood over the
windlass, by means of which the rope was worked, and as I ran to their
side, one of the Spanish soldiers uttered a cry of alarm. Instantly
all was tumult and confusion. Shots were fired at random, men shouted
wildly, "We are betrayed!" while, above all, Jose's voice rang out high
and clear, "Surrender! you are my prisoners."

With a rush the Spaniards sprang at us, fighting with the fury of wild
animals, while we had to guard not only ourselves but the rope up which
our men were swarming. If that were cut or loosened, our opponents
would hold us at their mercy. We foug