enly we heard in the distance the long-drawn-out note of a night
bird, repeated again and again, and each time nearer to us. It was
answered by our sentries; but the men round the fire made no movement,
nor did they show the slightest interest when half a dozen horsemen
rode up. The leader, however, rose slowly and talked to the strangers,
who, after seeing to their horses, came and sat down.

"Juan," said Alzura, "these fellows belong to a different tribe.
Perhaps we shall have a chance of making ourselves understood."

"They are looking at us very pointedly," I answered; and raising my
voice, I said, "Can any of you talk Spanish?"

"Yes," cried several together, coming near to us; "what do you want?"

"To make ourselves known," I replied. "These worthy fellows can't
understand us, and we're tired of playing hide-and-seek in the
mountains."

"Who are you? Where do you come from? Are you for the king?" asked
one.

This was treading on dangerous ground; but as we really were worn out,
and there seemed no chance of escape, I thought it best to take the
bull by the horns. At the worst we should only be handed over to the
enemy and sent back to prison.

So I answered quietly, "No; we are Patriot officers who have escaped
from the Spaniards. If you are on our side, perhaps you will help us
to return to our own people."

"You are with friends, senor, if what you say is true," remarked one
who seemed to have some sort of authority.

"_If?_" said I, trying to speak haughtily; "do you doubt it?"

"Well," said the fellow, with a knowing grin, "you don't look much like
officers of any kind." And he was right.

We were, in fact, a pair of as dreary-looking objects as one would be
likely to meet. Our sandals were worn out, our clothes hung in rags,
and the holes in Alzura's tunic made it painfully apparent that he did
not indulge in the luxury of a shirt. Whether we wore uniform, and if
so what kind, would have been difficult to decide, as we were still
plastered with mud from head to foot. So I could not altogether blame
the man for his distrust.

However, I repeated my statement, told him we had fought under the
Englishman Miller, and at last introduced the name of Raymon Sorillo.

"We know him well," I said in conclusion, "and are good friends of the
Silver Key."

Apparently my words were interpreted for the benefit of our captors,
who jabbered together for a considerable time, while Alzura and I
anxi