became so loud that the Spaniards were clearly close at
hand. In another three or four minutes there issued from the wood a
party of some twenty men, leading two dogs by chains. The creatures
struggled to get forward, and their eyes seemed almost starting out
of their heads with their eagerness to reach the object of their
pursuit. Their speed was, however, moderated by the fact that the
band, who were all on horseback, had to pick their way through the
great boulders. The wood itself was difficult for horsemen, but
here and there were spaces, and they had been able to ride at a
fair pace.

On entering the mouth of the gorge, however, they were obliged to
fall into an order of two abreast, and sometimes even to go in
Indian file. Huge boulders strewed the bottom of the chasm; where
indeed a stream, in winter, poured through. The sides were by no
means perpendicular, but were exceedingly precipitous.

When the Spaniards had fairly got into the gorge Ned gave the
signal, and a shower of great stones came leaping down the sides of
the rocks upon the astonished foes. Several were struck from their
horses; many of the horses, themselves, were knocked down; and a
scene of confusion at once took place. The Spaniards, however, were
accustomed to fighting; and the person in command, giving a few
orders, led ten of his men up the rocks upon the side where the
assailants were in strongest force; while the rest of the party,
seizing the horses' heads, drove the frightened animals back
through the ravine to the mouth.

The instant that the Spaniards commenced their ascent, long habits
of fear told upon some of the slaves, and these took to their heels
at once. Many others stood more firmly, but were evidently
wavering. Ned and Gerald, however, kept them at work hurling stones
down, and more than one of the Spaniards was carried off his feet
by these missiles.

Still they bravely ascended. Then Ned, taking a deliberate aim with
his pistol, brought down one of the leaders; and this greatly
surprised and checked the advance. The pistol shot was followed by
that of Gerald, and the Spaniards wavered at this unexpected
addition to the forces of the natives. Then Ned in English shouted:

"Now, my brave Britons, show these Spaniards you can fight as well,
on land, as at sea."

The words were probably not understood by any of the Spaniards, but
they knew that the language was not Spanish or Indian; and the
thought that a number of