torrent--each seizing, as he passed, a broom-handle, or any piece of
timber that might form a handy weapon.

Of course the other guards, and such of the maltreated ones as retained
consciousness, shouted loudly, but they did not dare to give chase, lest
the other slaves should take it into their heads to follow their
comrades. Poor creatures! most of them were incapable of making such an
effort, and the few who might have joined had they known of the plot,
saw that it was too late, and remained still.

Thus it happened that the fugitives reached the northern gate of the
city before the alarm had been conveyed thither.

The sun had just set, and the warders were about to close the gates for
the night, when the desperadoes, bursting suddenly round the corner of a
neighbouring lane, bounded in perfect silence through the archway.

The sentinel on duty was for a few moments bereft of the power of
action. Recovering himself, he discharged his musket, and gave the
alarm. The whole guard turned out at once and gave chase, but the few
moments lost by them had been well used by the fugitives; besides,
Despair, Terror, and Hope are powerful stimulators. After running a
short time together up the steep ascent of the Frais Vallon, or Fresh
Valley, they scattered, according to arrangement, and each man shifted
for himself--with the single exception of Mariano, who would not leave
his father.

Seeing this, the Turks also scattered, but in this condition they began
to waver--all the more that the short twilight of those regions was
rapidly deepening into night. They reflected that the guarding of their
gate was a prior duty to the hunting down of runaway slaves, and, one by
one, dropped off, each supposing that the others would, no doubt, go on,
so that the officer of the guard soon found himself alone with only one
of his men.

Having observed that two of the fugitives kept together, these Turks
resolved to keep them in view. This was not difficult, for they were
both young and active, while Francisco was middle-aged and rather heavy.

"Stay a moment, boy," cried the bluff padrone, as they tolled up the
rather steep ascent of the valley.

Mariano stopped.

"Come on, father; they are overhauling us."

"I know it, boy," said Francisco, taking Mariano by the shoulders and
kissing his forehead. "Go thou; run! It is all over with me. God
bless thee, my son."

"Father," said the youth impressively, grasping a mass of