help us! Hang _me_, Salvador Carmen! You have had a sunstroke and lost
your wits; that's what it is, Guido Pasto, you have lost your wits--but,
perhaps you are joking. Say, now, you are joking."

"No, _senor_. It would ill become me to make a foolish joke at your
expense. Neither have I lost my wits, as you are pleased to suggest. It is
only too true; you are in deadly peril. We may be observed, even now. Let
us go behind these bushes, where we may converse in safety. It was to warn
you of your danger that Gahra and I have been watching for you. Gahra will
be here presently, and he will tell you that what I say is true."

"This passes comprehension. What does it all mean? Out with it, good
Guido; you have always been faithful, and I don't think you are a fool."

"Thanks for your good opinion, senor. Well, it is very painful for me to
have to say it; but the general believes, and save your own personal
friends, all the army believes, that you and senor Fortescue are
traitors--that you betrayed them to the enemy."

"On what grounds?" asked Carmen, highly indignant.

"You went to reconnoitre; you did not come back; the next morning we were
attacked by Griscelli in force, and Senor Fortescue was seen among the
enemy, seen by General Mejia himself. It was, moreover, reported this
morning in the camp that Griscelli had let you go."

"So he did, and hunted us with his infernal blood-hounds, and we only
escaped by the skin of our teeth. We were surprised and taken prisoners.
Senor Fortescue was a prisoner on parole when the general saw him. I
believe Griscelli obtained his parole and took him to the _quebrada_ for
no other purpose than to compromise him with the patriots. And that I, who
have killed more than a hundred Spaniards with my own hand, should be
suspected of deserting to the enemy is too monstrous for belief."

"Of course, it is an absurd mistake. Appearances are certainly rather
against us--at any rate, against me; but a word of explanation will put
the matter right. Let us go to the camp at once and have it out."

"Not so fast, Senor Fortescue. I should like to have it out much. But
there is one little difficulty in the way which you may not have taken
into account. Mejia never listens to explanations, and never goes back on
his word. If he said he would hang us he will. He would be very sorry
afterward, I have no doubt; but that would not bring us back to life, and
it would be rather ridiculous to escape G