hing feasible. I like a fight
immensely--when the odds are not too great--and I hope to die fighting.
All the same, I have no very strong desire to die at this particular
moment."

"Neither have I. So let us go on like peaceable travellers, and the
chances are that these men, taking for granted that the others have let us
pass, will not meddle with us. If they do, we must make the best fight we
can."

"A happy thought! Let us act on it. If they ask any questions I will
answer. Your English accent might excite suspicion."

The party before us consisted of nine horsemen, several of whom appeared
to be officers.

"_Buene noche, senores_," said Carmen, so soon as we were within speaking
distance.

"_Buene noche, senores_. You have met the troops, of course. How far are
they ahead?" asked one of the officers.

"The main body are quite a league ahead by this time. The pack-mules and
_arrieros_ passed us about fifteen minutes ago."

"_Gracias!_ Who are you, and whither may you be wending, senores?"

"I am Sancho Mencar, at your service, _senor coronel_, a Government
messenger, carrying despatches to General Salazar, at La Victoria. My
companion is Senor Tesco, a merchant, who is journeying to the same place
on business."

"Good! you can go on. You will meet two troopers who are bringing on a
prisoner. Do me the favor to tell them to make haste."

"Certainly, _senor coronel. Adios, senores_."

"_Adio senores._"

And with that we rode on our respective ways.

"Two troopers and prisoner," said Carmen, thoughtfully.

"So there are more of them, after all! How many, I wonder? If this
prisoner be a patriot we must rescue him, senor Fortescue."

"With all my heart--if we can."

"Only two troopers! You and I are a match for six."

"Possibly. But we don't know that the two are not followed by a score!
There seems to be no end of them."

"I don't think so. If there were the colonel would have asked us to tell
them also to hurry up. But we shall soon find out. When we meet the
fellows we will speak them fair and ask a few questions."

Ten minutes later we met them.

"_Buene noche, senores!_" said Carmen, riding forward. "We bring a message
from the colonel. He bids you make haste."

"All very fine. But how can we make haste when we are hampered by this
rascal? I should like to blow his brains out."

"This rascal" was the prisoner, a big powerful fellow who seemed to be
either a zambo or a negro. His arms were