the young Spaniard was cut in
twain by the sweeping blow of a machete.

At the same moment a pistol-shot rang out, followed by another and
another. There was a smothered yell, a rush of feet, a brief struggle
from the place where the horses were tethered, a crash, and directly
afterwards Senorita, trembling in every limb, made her way to where her
young master stood, as he had leaped from his hammock, dazed, and
uncertain what to do.

CHAPTER XVII

IN THE HANDS OP SPANISH GUERILLAS

In addition to his alarm, Ridge was overcome with a guilty knowledge of
having fallen asleep while on guard. Of course, he felt certain that
he had only closed his eyes for a minute; but in that minute something
dreadful, for which he was responsible, had happened. He had no idea
what it was, but imagined the worst, and was greatly relieved to hear
the voice of his prisoner-comrade at his side.

"What on earth--" he began; but just then Senorita dashed up to him in
a state of terror, and for the moment demanded his attention. As he
soothed her he called loudly for Dionysio, but there was no response.

"I am afraid he has escaped," said the young Spaniard, in rather a
faint voice, from the ground, to which he had dropped exhausted by
weakness and the intense strain of the past few hours. "He tried to
kill me, you know."

"Tried to kill you!" exclaimed Ridge, incredulously. "But wait a
moment. We must have a light. This darkness is awful."

Thus saying, he stepped to where a few coals of the camp-fire still
smouldered, and began to throw on sticks, which, after a little
coaxing, sprang into a bright blaze. By its light he detected two dark
forms lying motionless a short distance away, and, with pistol held
ready for action, went to discover their nature.

"Navarro must have been dreaming, or else greatly mistaken," he said to
himself, "for here is Dionysio fast asleep. Come, wake up!" he cried
aloud, at the same time prodding the prostrate form with his toe. As
there was no response, he stooped to give the sleeper a vigorous
shaking; but almost with the first touch he sprang back in horror. The
man lay on his back, but with his head so twisted about that only its
rear portion was visible, and Ridge instinctively knew that he was
dead. The other motionless form was that of a dead horse, the one
recently ridden by Lieutenant Navarro.

Having made this ghastly discovery, Ridge hastily returned to the hut
to gain fr