he had promised to await
at this place the coming of Navarro, whom he expected to see with each
minute.

Suddenly, as he impatiently wondered what he ought to do, there came a
quick rush of feet, and the young Spaniard, breathless with haste,
stood beside him.

"Amigo," he gasped, "you are in great danger. By some mischance the
General has discovered that you are an American, and Major Alvarez is
charged with your capture. You have been traced to this point, and
even now the hill is being surrounded to prevent your escape. Within
two minutes soldiers will ascend from all sides, and, until they come,
you are my prisoner."

At this Ridge started back and clapped a hand to his pistol.

"But I do not forget," continued the other, "that I am also your
prisoner, on parole not to fight against your countrymen, or that to
you I owe my life. So I am come to save yours and aid your escape, or
die beside you in making the attempt. First, though, let us exchange
prisoners, for, amigo, it has come to me within these two days that I
cannot desert my own people in this time of their need. Let me then
remain with them until all is over, which must be shortly. Then, if I
still live, I will return to you and seek my cousin. Oh, my friend,
grant me this favor, and with every breath I will thank you! May it be
so? Will you do as I ask?"

"Of course I will," answered Ridge, heartily. "I had already guessed
your feelings, and made up my mind to give back your parole if you
should ask for it. So now you are free to act as seems to you best."

"God bless you, amigo!" cried the young Spaniard, his face radiant with
joy. "Now they come! Conceal yourself, while I do what may be done to
save you."

CHAPTER XXII

ROLLO IN CUBA

The sound of voices and of men crashing through the underbrush as they
advanced up the hill from all sides was distinctly heard, and Ridge
realized, with dismay, how completely he was surrounded. It did not
seem possible that he could escape, but he mechanically obeyed his
friend's instructions, and, diving into a dense thicket, lay flat on
the ground beneath its leafy shelter.

At that same moment Navarro raised a great shout of "Here he is! There
he goes! Look out for him!" He also fired several shots in rapid
succession; and one of these wounding the horse that Ridge had ridden,
sent it crashing in terrified flight directly towards the Spanish
troops in the ravine. After the flying a