close the strength of the attacking force, which the
guerillas averred he must certainly know, since there was no doubt that
he had been in communication with it. It was useless, said the Indian,
for him to assert his innocence and his inability to supply the
information required; he was simply not believed, or perhaps it was that
the Bolivians were glad of an excuse for exercising their cruel
instincts. The latter, thought Jim, was the more likely cause. Jose,
having finished the recital of his adventure, now flung himself at
Douglas's feet, praying that _el senor capitan_ would not abandon him in
this place, where he would certainly be again captured, but that "His
Excellency" would take him into his service. If he would but do that,
Jose averred he would be a faithful and true servant to his rescuer for
the remainder of his life: he would ask no reward for his services; he
would only ask to be allowed to be near Jim--to be his own private
bodyguard, and, in short, to do everything that he possibly could to
show his gratitude for his timely deliverance.

Jim listened in silence to this outburst, and then somewhat
inconsequently inquired: "Do you know whereabout this guerilla fort is
situated, Jose?"

"Yes, senor, I do," replied the man; "it is not more than a mile away
from here, and I can lead you to the place by way of a road which the
Bolivians would never suspect you of knowing."

"Then," said Jim, "I will take you into the Chilian service as a guide,
and you can be my own personal servant as well, if you choose. Only be
careful that you play no tricks with me, or I will hang you from the
nearest tree. Now, I think you are well enough to walk, are you not?
Yes; very well, then; lead the way, Jose, to this road of which you
speak; the sooner we root out this nest of rebels and outlaws the
better!"

Jose did not, as Jim had expected, burst into a torrent of protestations
of fidelity; he simply bowed his head and placed the young Englishman's
hand upon it, in token of submission, and then said quietly:

"If, Excellency, you will follow me, and also give orders for your men
to ride as silently as possible, I will lead you, undiscovered, to the
fort in less than half an hour. The road is not very good, it is true;
but everything has been prepared for your reception at the other
approach, and I can tell you that you would never have stormed the
stronghold had you gone by that route."

All being now in read