h the passage;
so I let them talk on till the alguazil peremptorily ordered me to open
the door, threatening me with all sorts of pains and penalties if I
refused to obey.

"I have heard that there is a long passage leading no one knows where,"
exclaimed Jose; "so, Senores, if you are going to explore it, you had
better take some torches, or you may chance lose your way."

"Bring them here instantly," shouted the alguazil.

"If you are wise men you will amuse yourselves with the wine flasks
while I go to prepare them," said Jose. The advice was too agreeable to
be neglected, and I was very glad to see the men return and again seat
themselves at the table. While they were drinking and Jose was absent,
the dog however continued running up and down the steps, and smelling in
every direction.

The officers seemed to enjoy their wine so much that I was in hopes that
their suspicions were lulled, and at all events I rejoiced that the
Indian would have more time afforded him for making his escape. Jose at
last returned with the torches, which were composed of twisted straw
dipped in pitch; and the chief officer descending with less caution than
before, led the way, the rest following. At the bottom of the steps was
a tolerably broad space, which enabled me to pass the men so as to reach
the door, where the hound, snarling at me as I approached, stood ready
to rush through at his prey as I supposed. How the Indian could have
escaped, still, however, remained a mystery to me. After several
attempts I succeeded in turning the rusty lock, and a dark passage cut
through the solid rock opened before us. The wet dropped from the roof
as we proceeded, and, combined with the noxious exhalations which
proceeded from the farther end, almost extinguished the torches.

"It is folly in me accompanying these men," I thought to myself; and
just then a recess appearing in the rock, I stepped into it and let the
rest pass me. Jose was the last; I touched him as he reached me, and
whispered to him to return.

He either did not hear me, or wished to watch the proceedings of the
alguazil and his subordinates. As I had no torch, I groped my way with
no little difficulty to the foot of the stairs, thinking Jose was
following me. To my horror, just as I was about to ascend, I heard the
low-muttered growl of the savage hound, and the next instant I found my
leg seized in his jaws.

"Help, Jose, help!" I cried out, but not loud, lest