to.
Just sling on your guns, Professor, an' let's mosey back an' get th'
percession started. It's hard lines on Rayburn t' tumble him into a hole
like that when he's feelin' so bad; but I guess it's better t' take th'
chances o' killin' him that way ourselves than it is t' let these devils
do it for sure. Come on!"

While he was speaking, Young had buckled his revolvers about his waist
and had slung his rifle over his shoulder, and I also in like manner had
armed myself--whereby was restored to me a most comforting feeling of
strength. As for Young, the recovery of his weapons seemed to make him
grow two inches taller, and he swaggered in his walk.

XXXVI.

THE VENGEANCE OF THE GODS.

Almost in the moment that we thus found ourselves in condition to show
fight again, the need for fighting seemed like to be forced upon us; for
as we turned to leave the treasure-chamber we were startled by hearing a
creaking sound that we knew came from the sliding upward of the grating
in its metal grooves wherewith the entrance to our prison was made fast.

We paused for a moment, and then Young motioned to me to follow him,
stepping lightly; and as we came out into the oratory we heard a fresh
creaking, by which we knew that the grating had been closed.

"I guess it's only th' fellow puttin' in th' grub," Young whispered.
"But go easy, Professor, an' have your guns all handy, so's you can
shoot. If anybody _has_ come in it won't do t' let 'em get out again.
Only mind you don't shoot unless you really have to. If there's only two
or three of 'em we'd better try t' club 'em with our Winchesters, so's
not t' bring all hands down on us with a rush before we can get Rayburn
away."

As he spoke, we were assured that some one had entered when the grating
was raised and had remained on our side of the grating when it was
closed again, for we heard footsteps in the room where we ordinarily
lay; and then the footsteps drew nearer, as though the unseen person
were examining the other rooms in search of us, and we knew that in
another moment or two this person would enter the chamber wherein we
were. Rayburn was lying so quietly that it seemed as though he had
fallen into a swoon again; and Pablo, as we could tell by hearing his
sobs, had betaken himself to the room in which El Sabio was tethered in
search of solacing companionship. Young motioned me to stand on one side
of the entrance to the oratory, and himself stood on the oth