d, and so into the open road.

"Out at last," I remarked to Alzura. "The Royalists have hit on an
even simpler plan than yours."

"Simple, but not clever. There is no art in this kind of thing."

"Oh, isn't there?" I laughed, giving the thongs a tug. "The
arrangement strikes me as unusually artistic."

"You are trying to be witty, dear boy. Don't. The Royalists will be
revenged on us, and who shall blame them? Hullo, they aren't taking us
into the town!"

"No; we're going for a pleasure trip somewhere, I expect. How kind of
them to think we need a change!--I say, Barriero, don't you think this
is an improvement on Alzura's plan?"

Barriero, who was one of the couple in front of us, laughed and said,
"Well, I can't say yet. I'll tell you when I know more about it."

At the gate of the prison our escort had been strengthened by a number
of horsemen, who now rode on either side of us, so that any hope of
escaping was quite extinguished. We knew nothing as to our
destination, which I think the officer in charge did not make known
even to his subordinates. A few people stood at the outskirts of the
town to watch us pass, but during the remainder of the day we saw no
one except our guards.

The march was terribly painful and fatiguing, though I have no wish to
suggest that we were ill-treated. The fact was, the long confinement
we had undergone made us keenly alive to the trials of a wearisome
journey such as this. About midday a halt was called, our fastenings
were loosened, while we were allowed to sit down and eat a ration of
meat which was served out to each of us. Some of the soldiers rested;
others stood on guard, with orders to shoot any man who made the
slightest effort to escape.

"They needn't fear my running far," said Alzura ruefully, showing me
his bleeding feet.

"Caramba!" cried a soldier sitting near, "that won't do, senor. The
rocks are sharp in this part of the country. Wait; I have some green
hides in my knapsack. I'll make you some sandals if the colonel halts
for an hour."

"I shall be very grateful for your kindness," said Alzura; "the pain in
my feet has kept me from admiring the scenery, and there are some grand
views about here."

"I've seen finer in Lima," muttered the man, who was already busy at
his self-imposed task.

"Give me some stuff," said one of his comrades; "I'll make one sandal
while you make the other. The youngster will have his feet cut to the
bone.