lf; and yet I knew that I must pass as he was doing. I was
thankful that the distance was not great, at all events. I breathed
more freely when at length I saw him alight on the platform. I
entreated Don Jose to go next. "It will give me more courage," I said.
"As you wish," he replied. "Let me caution you, only before I go, to
shut your eyes, and not to think of the gulf below you. You will then
find the passage perfectly easy."

Saying this, he took hold of the rope, and began to work his way across.
Scarcely, however, had he got into the centre, when I saw Isoro
pointing in the direction we had come from.

"Hasten! hasten!" he shouted out.

I looked round, and caught sight of two enormous hounds approaching at
full speed. I could hear their loud, baying voices as they came on
panting up the mountain-side. I did not hesitate a moment, when urged
by Isoro to cross at once. "The rope will bear you," he shouted
out--"not a moment is to be lost!"

Seizing the rope, I shut my eyes and began the awful passage; for awful
it was, as, in spite of my resolution, I could not help thinking of the
deep chasm over which I was making my way. I should be unwilling again
to attempt so fearful a passage; and yet, perhaps, once accustomed to
it, I should have thought nothing of the undertaking. I was surprised
when I felt my friend take my arm.

"You are safe," he said; "lower your feet;"--and I found myself standing
on the platform.

On opening my eyes, and looking towards the cliff from which we had
come, I saw two huge blood-hounds, with open mouths, baying at us.
Isoro, I should have said, had taken my rifle as well as his own, and
placed it against the tree.

"We must get rid of these animals," said Don Jose, "or they will betray
the road we have taken."

Saying this, he levelled his piece, and one of the dogs, as it sprung
forward on receiving the bullet, fell over the chasm into the depths
below. Isoro followed his master's example. His bullet took effect;
but the blood-hound, though wounded, was not killed outright, and
retreated a few paces. I was afraid he would have escaped; but before
he had gone far, he fell over, and after a few struggles, was dead.

"The animal must not remain there," observed Isoro, throwing himself
upon the rope; and in a few minutes he had again crossed the chasm.

Seizing the dog by the legs, he drew it to the edge, and hurled it after
its companion. Then, searching about in