d bleeding, and our vagabond air increased with every mile we covered.
Of our looks, however, we thought nothing; but we were perforce obliged
to think a good deal of our unfortunate stomachs, which had not been
either filled or reasonably satisfied since we set foot in those
regions. Hunger and privation, in short, were doing their work upon us,
and we were doubtful if we should manage to hold out until we had
crossed the country and made Acapulco.

Towards evening of the sixth day of our travels, we were lying asleep in
a little gully formed by the descent of a mountain stream into the plain
which we were then quitting. We had arrived at this spot early that
morning, and finding sweet and fresh water there had drunk heartily of
it and lain down to sleep in a sheltered spot. We were both well-nigh
exhausted that morning, and our hunger was exceeding fierce; but
sharp-set as we were our limbs refused to carry us on any foraging
expedition, and therefore we sank to sleep, and slept despite our hunger
and danger. It was well towards evening when I suddenly awoke. I know
not what it was that made me open my eyes so suddenly, but there flashed
through my mind at that moment a notion that we were being watched. It
was a strange feeling, and one that occasioned me considerable
discomposure, not to say fright, and it seemed to enter my brain with
the same ray of sunlight that lifted my eyelids. And so strong was this
feeling, that I experienced no surprise or astonishment when I saw two
eyes looking straight into mine from over the top of a rock which rose
immediately in front.

Nevertheless it was a hideous and fearful sight that I looked upon. The
eyes shone, not out of a human face foul or fair, but out of the slits
in a black cowl, drawn so tightly over its wearer's head that nothing of
him was to be seen from forehead to chin. There was this horrible black
thing, a blot upon the bright sunlit sky behind, peeping at me from over
the rock, and out of its eye-holes gleamed two eyes, as keen and bright
as those of a wild animal. If I had not just then been parched with
thirst I should have screamed in my terror. As it was, I gave a feeble
cry, and the black head instantly vanished. I leapt to my feet and ran
forward to the rock. Below it the ground was broken and rocky, and at a
few yards' distance was a belt of wood which stretched down to the
plain. I fancied I could see a black robe disappearing amongst the
trees, but tho