oldiers on foot! Several remained
by the entrance, while the rest ran forward.

Carlos had for a moment contemplated escape in that direction. It
occurred to him, if he could get up to the house and on the azotea, he
might drop off on either side, and, favoured by the darkness, return to
the meadow at some distant point. This idea vanished the moment he saw
that the entrance was occupied. He glanced to the walls. They were too
high to be scaled. He would be attacked while attempting it. No other
chance offered but to cut his way through by the bridge, he now saw the
error he had committed in returning. She was in no danger--at least in
no peril of her life. Indeed her greater danger would arise from his
remaining near her. He should have crossed the bridge at first. He was
now separated from his horse. He might summon the latter by his call--
he knew that--but it would only bring the noble animal within reach of
his foes--perhaps to be captured. That would be as much as taking his
own life. No: he could not summon his steed from where he was, and he
did not utter the signal. What was he to do? To remain by the side of
Catalina, to be surrounded and captured, perhaps cut down like a dog?
To imperil her life as well?--No. He must make a desperate struggle to
get out of the enclosure, to reach the open country if possible, and
then--

His thoughts went no farther. He cried out--

"Querida, farewell! I must leave you--do not despair. If I die, I
shall carry your love to heaven! Farewell, farewell!"

These words were uttered in the parting haste of the moment, and he had
sprung away so suddenly that he did not hear the answering farewell.

The moment he was gone the lady dropped to her knees, and with hands
clasped, and eyes raised to heaven, offered her prayer for his safety.

Half-a-dozen springs brought Carlos once more under the shadow of the
grove. He saw his foes on the opposite bank, and from their voices he
could tell there were many of them. They were talking loudly and
shouting directions to one another. He could distinguish the voice of
Roblado above the rest. He was calling upon some of the men to dismount
and follow him over the bridge. He was himself on foot, for the purpose
of crossing.

Carlos saw no other prospect of escape than by making a quick rush
across the bridge, and cutting his way through the crowd. By that means
he might reach the open plain, and fight his way unti