suggestion was entertained, no other course seeming safe,
except at the probable sacrifice of the creature's life. And that none
of them contemplated for a moment. In fine, it was determined to take
him on.

The colloquy now coming to an end, Rivas and the Irishman caught up the
pieces of chain still attached to their ankles, each making the end of
his own fast round his wrist, so as not to impede their onward march.
This done, they all moved on again, the Mexican, of course, foremost,
Kearney at his heels. After him, Cris Rock, chain in hand, half
leading, half-dragging the dwarf, as a showman might his monkey.

In this way there was no danger of his betraying them. He could shout
and still have been heard by those behind. But an expressive gesture of
the Texan admonished him that if he made a noise, it would be the last
of him.

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.

A SUSPICION OF CONNIVANCE.

"Suspicious, to say the least of it! If a coincidence, certainly the
strangest in my experience, or that I've ever heard of. A score of
other carriages passing, and they to have chosen that one of all!
_Carrai_! it cannot have been chance--improbable--impossible!"

So soliloquised the Chief Magistrate of Mexico, after receiving a report
of what had occurred in the Calle de Plateros. He had as yet only been
furnished with a general account of it; but particularising the
prisoners who had escaped, with their mode of making off, as also whose
carriage they had seized upon. He had been told, also, that there were
two ladies in it, but needed not telling who they were.

All this was made known by a messenger who came post-haste to the
Palace, soon after the occurrence. He had been sent by Colonel
Santander, who could not come himself; too busy getting the Hussars into
their saddles for the pursuit--for he it was who led it. And never did
man follow fugitives with more eagerness to overtake them, or more
bitter chagrin in their flight.

Not much, if anything, less was that of Santa Anna himself, as he now
sat reflecting over it. He, too, had seen the two Texans with Rivas in
the sewers; the latter a well-known enemy in war, and, as he late
believed, a dangerous rival in love. He had glanced exultingly at him,
with the thought of that danger past. The rebel proscribed, and for
years sought for, had at length been found; was in his power, with life
forfeit, and the determination it should be taken. That but a short
hour ag