ut my trust in my _machete_, a long broad-bladed sword like a knife,
formidable as a lethal weapon, yet chiefly used for clearing away brambles
and cutting down trees.

All went well at the beginning. We were up betimes and off with our horses
before daylight. The braves on duty asked no questions, there was no
reason why they should, and we passed through the village without meeting
a soul.

So far, good. The omens seemed favorable, and my hopes ran high. We should
get off without anybody knowing which way we had taken, and several hours
before Senora de la Vega was likely to be missed.

But when we reached the rendezvous she was not there. I whistled and
called softly; nobody answered.

"She will be here presently, we must wait," I said to Gahra.

It was terribly annoying. Every minute was precious. The Pachatupecs are
early risers, and if Senora de la Vega did not join us before daylight we
might be seen and the opportunity lost. The sun rose; still she did not
come, and I had just made up my mind to put off our departure until the
next morning, and try to communicate with Senora de la Vega in the
meantime, when Gahra pointed to a pathway in the wood, where his sharp
eyes had detected the fluttering of a robe.

At last she was coming. But too late. To start at that time would be
madness, and I was about to tell her so, send her back, and ask her to
meet me on the next morning, when she ran forward with terrified face and
uplifted hands.

"Save me! Save me!" she cried, "I could not get away sooner. I have been
watched. They are following me, even now."

This was a frightful misfortune, and I feared that the senora had acted
very imprudently. But it was no time either for reproaches or regrets, and
the words were scarcely out of her mouth when I lifted her into the
saddle; as I did so, I caught sight of two horsemen and several
foot-people, coming down the pathway.

"Go!" I said to Gahra, "I shall stay here."

"But, senor--"

"Go, I say; as you love me, go at once. This lady is in your charge. Take
good care of her. I can keep these fellows at bay until you are out of
sight and, if possible, I will follow. At once, please, at once!"

They went, Gahra's face expressing the keenest anguish, the senora half
dead with fear. As they rode away I turned into the pathway and prepared
for the encounter. The foot-people might do as they liked, they could not
overtake the fugitives, but I was resolved that the hors