, who had been talking with his huntsman and Captain Guzman,
whereupon two of the troopers rode off in pursuit, a proceeding which made
Pizarro gallop all the faster, and I knew that, follow him as long as they
might, they would not overtake him.

Griscelli resumed his conversation with Captain Guzman, an opportunity by
which I profited to glance at the hounds, and though I was unable just
then to regard them with very kindly feelings, I could not help admiring
them. Taller and more strongly built than fox-hounds, muscular and
broad-chested, with pendulous ears and upper lips, and stern, thoughtful
faces, they were splendid specimens of the canine race; even sized too,
well under control, and in appearance no more ferocious than other hounds.
Why should they be? All hounds are blood-hounds in a sense, and it is
probably indifferent to them whether they pursue a fox, a deer, or a man;
it is entirely a matter of training.

"I am going to let you have more law than I mentioned just now" said
Griscelli, turning to Carmen and me. "Captain Guzman, here, and the
huntsmen think twenty minutes would not give us much of a run--these
hounds are very fast--so I shall make it forty. But you must first submit
to a little operation. Make them ready, Jose."

Whereupon one of the attendants, producing a bottle, smeared our shoes and
legs with a liquid which looked like blood, and was, no doubt, intended to
insure a good scent and render our escape impossible. While this was going
on Carmen and I took off our coats and threw them on the ground."

"When I give the word you may start," said Griscelli, "and forty minutes
afterward the hounds will be laid on--Now!"

"This way! Toward the hills!" said Carmen. "Are you in good condition?"

"Never better."

"We must make all the haste we can, before the hounds are laid on. If we
can keep this up we shall reach the hills in forty minutes--perhaps less."

"And then? These hounds will follow us for ever--no possibility of
throwing them out--unless--is there a river?"

"None near enough, still--"

"You have hope, then--"

"Just a little--I have an idea--if we can go on running two hours--have
you a flint and steel?"

"Yes, and a loaded pistol and a knife."

"Good! That is better than I thought. But don't talk. We shall want every
bit of breath in our bodies before we have done. This way! By the
cane-piece there!"

With heads erect, arms well back, and our chests expanded to their ut