quate defence.

This done and his foot-men disposed to the best advantage for the
protection of the still crippled mounted force, it was expected by all
that a few hours' rest might be obtained.

The position was bad, and their leader had intended to have pressed on
downward to the plains; but the enemy in the rear had advanced so
swiftly, their allies given way so stubbornly, that he was forced to
seize upon the hollow which offered itself as being a natural
stronghold, here to breathe his men and recruit for a few hours before
making a final dash.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.

THE CHIEF.

Marcus woke up that same evening to find himself lying back in the
chariot with Lupe sitting watching him intently.

"Hallo, Lupe," said the boy, thickly; "what's the matter?"

The dog's answer was given with his tail--just one sharp rap on the
floor of the vehicle, nothing more. So Marcus looked round him, feeling
confused, and wondering what it all meant, for after so much exertion
and excitement his brain had taken a thorough rest from which the boy's
body was now awakened, but not his thinking powers.

"I don't quite understand it," he said to himself, as he caught sight of
clusters of armed men, whose spears glittered in the evening sunshine,
gathered together upon the mountain slopes around, and he soon satisfied
himself that they were not Romans or any of the mercenaries whose
appearance he knew.

It was easy to see, for nearer to him were his own people, one here and
there perched upon some eminence, evidently on the look-out, and by
running his eye along the edge of the rough amphitheatre he could trace
nearly all the sentries, and at the same time note that beyond them in
every ravine running downward there were hundreds of those who he at
once concluded were the enemy.

"There are a great many of them," said Marcus to himself coolly, for he
was not yet fully awake to his position, "and they seem to be very near;
but our men appear to be ready for them, and the cavalry are standing
with their horses waiting, I suppose, for orders, while--yes, the
chariots! The horses are harnessed in. Are mine? Yes, and the driver
ready."

Marcus had raised himself to look over the front of his chariot--a
movement which excited the dog, who began to whine, and then watched his
master eagerly as if to see what he would do next.

"It looks as if we are going to make a fresh start," thought Marcus;
"and a good thing too, for it