downward perpendicularly, until what seemed a bottomless pit was
hidden in a pool of gloom. A misstep by any member of the party would
have sent him or her to instant destruction. But the animals and men
moved confidently, though the pace was slow. Evidently, with the
exception of the women, all were familiar, not only with this method
of traveling, but with this particular route.

As soon as our friends had become accustomed to the work, the thoughts
of both reverted to the river, and they listened with shrinking
foreboding for the sound of the guns that would mark the opening of
the fight between the two craft. General Yozarro had declared that he
would not permit the boat of his enemy to reach the capital, and he
intimated that as soon as he was released from the care of the ladies,
he would be quick to open the naval battle.

"He steamed up stream," reflected Miss Starland, "but he will not go
far; he is seeking a favorable position near by and the conflict will
be a fierce one."

But the minutes passed and the silence was unbroken. Naught but the
myriad voices of the jungle thrummed into her ears and she found
herself wondering what the explanation of the continued silence could
be. Had General Yozarro changed his mind and hastened to his capital,
with the decision to offer defence there? She could not believe it. It
seemed more probable that he had hurried down the river toward
Zalapata to meet his antagonist, who may have turned and fled to his
own town. Even this looked unlikely, but it was the only explanation
that presented itself. She would have liked to converse with her
friend, but the circumstances were unfavorable. The continual shifting
of conditions compelled her to keep a firm seat and rein and to watch
every step of her horse.

As the minutes passed and they penetrated farther into the interior,
without hearing the boom of the gun, a disquieting question forced
itself upon her. How did it come about that when she and her friend
were put ashore, two soldiers were awaiting them, with properly
saddled animals? It could not have been accident or coincidence. They
must have been there by order of General Yozarro, who intended from
the first that the landing should be made. No other theory was
reasonable. Had any doubt lingered, it would have been removed by the
silence of the armed craft.

This question inevitably suggested the other as to the reason why
General Yozarro had adopted so extraordinary