the gorge
beneath; and, even so, it needed a man with a steady head and good
nerves to traverse it, for it was necessary to get from the overhanging
rock across a chasm of nearly twelve feet in width to another large rock
on the opposite side. A careful examination of this spot convinced Jack
that a few pounds of blasting powder, judiciously placed beneath the
overhanging mass of rock, would send it hurtling down into the gorge
beneath and thus effectually bar all passage in that direction; and this
was immediately done. The carriage road from Pinar del Rio could be
almost, as easily defended, for, at a few yards from the main road, the
private road giving access to Don Hermoso's estate was carried across a
wide stream by means of a single-arched masonry bridge, which bridge
could be readily destroyed by means of dynamite; and Jack soon made all
the arrangements for its destruction, if necessary, at a moment's
notice. As for the cross-country road, it, too, led across a stream,
much too deep and swift to be forded, and only passable at the point
where Jack, Carlos, and their guide, Carnero, had jumped their horses
across it. The country on the far side was open for more than a mile,
affording not sufficient cover to shelter a rabbit, much less a man; and
Jack was of opinion that a Maxim, mounted in a small earthwork which
might be thrown up by a few men in less than an hour, would prove amply
sufficient to defend the passage against any force that would be likely
to be sent against them. Three days, therefore, after Maceo's visit to
the hacienda saw their preparations for defence complete, save in the
important matter of the Maxims and their ammunition; and two of these,
together with a number of rifles, came to hand some three weeks later,
Jack having undertaken to proceed to the Laguna de Cortes and there
await the arrival of the _Thetis_ with another cargo of contraband of
war which she was to land at that spot. The stuff had been purchased
with Don Hermoso's money, and Jack therefore felt justified in
appropriating as much of it as he considered might be required. He also
commandeered one of half a dozen very handsome twelve-pounder field
guns, together with a considerable quantity of ammunition. And when he
got back with his spoils he took upon himself the duties of musketry
instructor to the negroes on the estate, who were knocked off work an
hour earlier every evening for the purpose; and, by dint of the ex