driver.

The man obeyed, and the ponies stopped short, looking full of go, but
with their sides marked heavily with sweat and foam.

"Now," cried Marcus, laying down his spear and leaping out of the
chariot, "out with you both. Lie down, Lupe! Quiet, sir!"

The driver and Serge sprang from their places and followed Marcus to the
heads of their steeds, to begin patting and caressing them in the full
sight of the army.

"Now," continued Marcus, "you get back into the car," and the driver
stepped into his place.

"Take hold of the reins and hold them ready, but sit down as if your
work was done. You, Serge, lead one pony; I'll lead the other, and
we'll walk them slowly towards the enemy away here to the left."

"So as to let them think we have given up trying to escape, and are
going to surrender?" said Serge, quickly. "Well done, boy! That's just
about what I was going to say."

"Then," continued Marcus, "when we have slowly walked the ponies as near
to the enemy as we dare, resting them all the while, I'll give the word
to gallop off, and as the ponies are turned we two spring into the
chariot as it passes, and we'll tear away for liberty. No stopping this
time, but use our spears."

"That's right," said Serge, rubbing his hands softly; "and I think they
will be so taken by surprise that we shall get through; and if we
don't--"

"Well, Serge, finish what you were going to say," said Marcus, sadly.

"It will be because it couldn't be done."

"But it must be done."

Just then a faint burst of cheering came to the adventurers' ears and
began to run along the line upon their left, towards which they now
began to move at a walk.

The next instant it was taken up in front to their right and rear.

"They think we've surrendered, Marcus, boy," said Serge, with a chuckle.
"Here, do as I do; take off your helmet and pitch it into the chariot.
It will look better."

Marcus followed his companion's example, and leading the ponies, the
adventurers advanced slowly towards the enemy on their left, still about
a quarter of a mile away, and Marcus had the satisfaction of seeing that
the men had all halted, and those on the left were awaiting their
approach, while all ideas of order or discipline were at an end, the
lines breaking up and becoming so many loose crowds of armed men,
instead of roughly-formed Greek-like phalanxes ready for action.

Those were exciting moments, and as the time neared for giving the