ssion of the Jarocho at that moment. His
sallow face turned black, his lips white, his eyes burned like a
demon's, and, springing forward with a fierce oath, he planted his
iron-shod heel upon the face of our comrade. The skin peeled off, and
the blood followed.

There was something so cowardly--so redolent of a brutal ferocity--in
the act, that I could not remain quiet. With a desperate wrench I freed
my hands, skinning my wrists in the effort, and, flinging myself upon
him, I clutched at the monster's throat.

He stepped back; my ankles were tied, and I fell upon my face at his
feet.

"Ho! ho!" cried he, "what have we here? An officer, eh? Come!" he
continued, "rise up from your prayers and let me look at you. Ha! a
captain? And this?--a lieutenant! Gentlemen, you're too dainty to be
shot like common dogs; we'll not let the wolves have you; we'll put you
out of their reach; ha! ha! ha! Out of reach of wolves, do you hear!
And what's this?" continued he, turning to Chane and examining his
shoulders.

"Bah! _soldado raso--Irlandes, carajo_!" (A common soldier--an
Irishman, too!) "What do _you_ do fighting among these heretics against
your own religion? There, renegade!" and he kicked the Irishman in the
ribs.

"Thank yer honner!" said Chane, with a grunt, "small fayvours thankfully
received; much good may it do yer honner!"

"Here, Lopez!" shouted the brigand.

"Now for the fire!" thought we.

"Lopez, I say!" continued he, calling louder.

"_Aca, aca_!" (here!) answered a voice, and the griffe who had guarded
us came up, swinging his scarlet manga.

"Lopez, these I perceive are gentlemen of rank, and we must send them
out of the world a little more gracefully, do you hear?"

"Yes, Captain," answered the other, with stoical composure.

"Over the cliffs, Lopez. _Facilis descensus Averni_--but you don't
understand Latin, Lopez. Over the cliffs, do you hear? You understand
that?"

"Yes, Captain," repeated the Jarocho, moving only his lips.

"You will have them at the Eagle's Cave by six in the morning; by six,
do you hear?"

"Yes, Captain," again replied the subordinate.

"And if any of them is missing--is missing, do you hear?"

"Yes, Captain."

"You will take his place in the dance--the dance--ha! ha! ha! You
understand that, Lopez?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Enough then, good Lopez--handsome Lopez! beautiful Lopez!--enough, and
good-night to you!"

So saying, the Jarocho drew his qu