ses, we must soon have been killed
or captured. At any other time I would not have ridden down that
mountain side at a foot pace. It was a succession of steep descents,
which made one dizzy to look at; and how my animal managed to keep its
feet I could not understand.

"Push on!" cried the colonel suddenly, "and tell Prieto to line the
mouth of the pass, in case these fellows chase us all the way."

He and O'Brien had stopped, intending to try the effect of a shot or
two, and in another minute I was out of sight. Fifty yards further
down the road forked, and fancying the branch to the right looked the
easier, I turned into it.

"It may take a little longer to reach the bottom," I thought, "but it's
a far less dangerous way. I wonder if the others will think to turn
down here."

It often happens that we come to grief when feeling most secure, and it
was so with me now. I was riding at a swift gallop, and perhaps with
less care than was necessary, when all at once my horse stumbled,
failed to recover itself, and fell heavily. Fortunately it lay still,
and I was able to drag myself free, feeling dazed and bewildered. Here
was a pretty pickle! What could I do? In any case the colonel would
reach the bottom first, and the retreat would be continued without me.

Getting up, I tried to help the animal to its feet; but the poor thing
either could not or would not move. It was clear that I must leave it,
and though hating to do so, I walked a few paces down the narrow path.
The fall had shaken me considerably. My head ached, and I had much ado
to grope my way along. Three several times in the course of a short
distance I stumbled, and the third time fell heavily to the ground,
twisting my left foot underneath me. I tried to rise, but could not.
Now, what should I do? I dared not call for help, lest the Spaniards
should hear me. For two hours I lay thus, wondering what would become
of me. The noise of the shouting and firing had now died away; the
enemy had probably returned to their stronghold. Not a sound broke the
stillness, and the gloom of evening began to envelop the path.

It was now only that I realized fully my frightful danger. Unless some
one passed that way by accident, I should die of hunger and exposure!
The idea nerved me to a fresh effort. Rising painfully, and steadying
myself here and there by the rocks, I limped a short distance, though
every step wrung from me a cry of agony. Several