e operations
before a late hour--until the relief of the guard.

Carlos had well calculated his measures. He had determined to remain as
he was, and keep up the counterfeit of his being fast bound until such
time as the guard should be changed. He knew that it was the duty of
the old guard to deliver him to the relief; and these would assure
themselves of his being in the cell by ocular inspection. He guessed
that the hour of guard-mounting must be near. He would, therefore, not
have long to wait before the new sentries should present themselves in
his cell.

One thought troubled him. Would they keep him in the Calabozo that
night, or take him back to the Presidio for better security? If the
latter, his only chance would be--as she had suggested--to make a
desperate effort, and escape on the route. Once lodged in the
guard-house prison, he would be surrounded by walls of stone. There
would be no hope of cutting his way through them.

It was probable enough he should be taken there; and yet why should they
fear his escape from the Calabozo--fast bound as they believed him--
unarmed, guarded by vigilant sentinels? No. They would not dream of
his getting off. Besides, it would be more convenient to keep him all
night in the latter prison. It was close to the place of his intended
execution, which no doubt was to take place on the morrow. The garrote
had been already erected in front of his gaol!

Partly influenced by such considerations, and partly that they were
occupied with pleasanter matters, the authorities had resolved on
leaving him where he was for the night, though Carlos was ignorant of
this.

He had, however, prepared himself for either contingency. Should they
convey him back to the Presidio, he would seek the best opportunity that
offered, and risk his life in a bold effort to escape. Should he be
permitted to remain in the Calabozo, he would wait till the guard had
visited him--then set to work upon the wall after they had gone out. In
the event of being detected while at work, but one course remained,--run
the gauntlet of the guard, and cut his way through their midst.

His escape was not an affair of such improbability. A determined man
with a long knife in his grasp--one who will yield only to death--is a
difficult thing to secure under any circumstances. Such an one will
often effect his freedom, even when hemmed in by a host of enemies.
With Carlos, however, the probabilities of