hout evil consequences. It would not do for him to repeat the
crime. He might claim, as doubtless he meant to claim, that the first
shot was fired as a warning to bring the smaller craft to, though in
all his life he never tried harder to destroy and kill.

He shouted to the Captain to head for land, and the officer did so
with a skill born of experience. In rounding to, he narrowly missed
smashing the smaller boat.

Now, through one of those coincidences which occur oftener in this
life than is supposed, the catboat had touched shore at the opening of
a clearly-marked trail, leading into the interior. It was pure chance
or providence, for even Martella knew nothing of the path, which was
one of many that wound down to the river. It was his intention to
plunge into the jungle with no other thought than that of immediately
finding a hiding place for his friends and himself, when he happened
upon the path. Yielding to impulse, he called out the fact and told
the others to follow, as he hurried up the slight incline.

But a few paces told him this would never do, for their pursuers would
be right behind them. He abruptly stopped.

"We must turn off," he said, "and let them pass us."

"They may not do so," suggested Starland.

"They will not know where to look for us."

He began picking a course among the matted vegetation, unmindful of
the dangers that might threaten. Miss Starland went next, then her
brother, and then Captain Guzman. They penetrated no more than twenty
feet, when, at a whispered word from Martella, all halted, and, as
they had done earlier in the evening, watched for their pursuers to
pass. In this instance, however, the path was so screened that nothing
could be seen, and our friends depended wholly upon their sense of
hearing.

Less than ten minutes elapsed between the landing of the two parties.
General Yozarro was the first to set foot on shore, and, noting the
trail, he started up it on a lope, with the others hurrying after him.
Their footsteps were heard by the crouching fugitives, who were unable
to see a single shadowy form.

"How long will they keep that up?" asked Major Starland when the last
had gone by.

"Not long," answered Captain Guzman; "they know the Senorita cannot
travel fast, and that, if we took the trail, they must quickly come up
with us."

"Failing to overtake us, what will they do next?"

But for the darkness, the Captain would have been seen to shrug his
shoulder