ving got nearly across
the lava field, and under the shadow of Ajusco, which, like a black
wall, towered up against the horizon. They had stooped for a moment,
Rivas himself cautiously creeping up to an elevated spot, and
reconnoitring the ground in front.

"It will be necessary for us to reach the mountains before morning," he
added after a pause. "Were we but common gaol-birds who had bolted, it
wouldn't much signify, and we'd be safe here for days, or indeed for
ever. The authorities of Mexico, such as they are at present, don't
show themselves very zealous in the pursuit of escaped criminals. But
neither you nor I, Senor Kearney, come under that category--unluckily
for us, just now--and the Pedregal, labyrinth though it be, will get
surrounded and explored--every inch of it within the next forty-eight
hours. So out of it we must move this night, or never."

Twilight on the table-lands of the western world is a matter of only a
few minutes: and, while he was still speaking, the night darkness had
drawn around them. It hindered them not from proceeding onwards,
however, the Mexican once more leading off, after enforcing upon the
others to keep close to him, and make no noise avoidable.

Another half-hour of clambering over rocks, with here and there a
scrambling through thickets of cactus, and he again came to a stop, all,
of course, doing the same. This time to use their ears, rather than
eyes; since around all was black as a pot of pitch, the nearest object,
rock or bush, being scarcely visible.

For a time they stood listening intently. Not long, however, before
hearing sounds--the voices of men--and seeing a glimmer of light, which
rose in radiation above the crest of a low ridge at some distance ahead.

"_Un piquet_!" pronounced Rivas, in a half-whisper.

"_Soto en la puerto--mozo_!" (knave in the door--winner) came a voice
in a long-drawn accentuation, from the direction of the light.

"Good!" mutteringly exclaimed the Mexican, on hearing it. "They're at
their game of _monte_. While so engaged, not much fear they'll think of
aught else. I know the spot they're in, and a way that will take us
round it. Come on, _camarados_! The trick's ours!"

Sure enough it proved so. A path that showed no sign of having ever
been trodden, but still passable, led out past the gambling soldiers,
without near approach to them. And they were still absorbed in their
game--as could be told by its calls every n