n no rain for weeks, and the dust raised by a
large body of horsemen is simply stifling. However, we may as well go
forward to certain death as go back to it. Besides, I hate going back in
any circumstances. And we have just one chance. We must hurry on and ride
for our lives."

"I don't quite see that. We shall meet them all the sooner."

Carmen made some reply which I failed to catch, and as the way was rough
and Pizarro required all my attention, I did not repeat the question.

We passed rapidly up the brow, and when we reached more even ground, put
our horses to the gallop and went on, up hill and down dale, until Carmen,
uttering an exclamation, pulled his horse into a walk.

"I think we can get down here," he said.

We had reached a place where, although the mountain to our right was still
precipitous, the ravine seemed narrower and the sides less steep.

"I think we can," repeated Carmen. "At any rate, we must try."

And with that he dismounted, and leading his horse to the brink of the
ravine, incontinently disappeared.

"Come on! It will do!" he cried, dragging his horse after him.

I followed with Pizarro, who missing his footing landed on his head. As
for myself, I rolled from top to bottom, the descent being much steeper
than I had expected.

CHAPTER XII.

BETWEEN TWO FIRES.

The ravine was filled with shrubs and trees, through which we partly
forced, partly threaded our way, until we reached a spot where we were
invisible from the road.

"Now off with your _cobija_ and throw it over your horse's head," said
Carmen. "If they don't hear they won't neigh, and a single neigh might be
our ruin."

"You mean to stay here until the troops have gone past?"

"Exactly, I knew there was a good hiding-place hereabout, and that if we
reached it before the troops came up we should be safe. If there be any
more of them they will pass us in a few minutes. Now, if you will hitch
Pizarro to that tree--oh, you have done so already. Good! Well, let us
return to the road and watch. We can hide in the grass, or behind the
bushes."

We returned accordingly, and choosing a place where we could see without
being seen, we lay down and listened, exchanging now and then a whispered
remark.

"Hist!" said Carmen, presently, putting his ear to the ground. He had been
so long on the war-path and lived so much in the open air, that his senses
were almost as acute as those of a wild animal.

"They are coming!"