observed.

We were not aware whether he had seen the Spaniards coming.

"Haul away," shouted Uncle Richard.

We obeyed him, and he was soon able to spring on to the ground. His
first action on doing so was to grasp Antonio's sword, and to hack away
at the rope, to the great astonishment of the old Indian, who loudly
expostulated, and attempted to stop him. But Antonio and I seized the
bridge-keeper and held him fast while Uncle Richard finished the
operation, and soon the rope swung across to the opposite cliff.

"Now," said Uncle Richard, "we shall have to make the best use of our
legs, or we may chance to have some bullets whistling about our ears."

We hurried on, hoping to get beyond the range of the firearms of our
enemies before they had reached the bank; and we had completely lost
sight of them when we heard a volley fired. We only hoped that the poor
old Indian had hidden himself in time, and that it was not aimed at him.
Whether there was any ford, or other means of crossing the river,
further down, we could not tell; it was therefore important to make as
rapid progress as possible. A moon was in the sky, about half full,
which, in that atmosphere, allowed us to see our way for some distance,
so we took great care to profit by it.

At length we saw a light ahead of us. It proceeded from an Indian's
hut, in the centre of which a large fire was blazing. We made our way
towards it, hoping to obtain a guide; besides, we required rest, and it
was necessary to obtain it at all risks.

The owner of the hut was seated before the fire boiling a pot of cocoa,
and he did not appear to be surprised on seeing us.

"Travellers are constantly coming this way, and I was getting some cocoa
ready lest any should come in," he observed.

Uncle Richard said that we should be glad to rest for a few hours, and
inquired whether he would guide us over the mountains.

"I cannot do so myself; but my son, who will be here shortly, will
willingly do so. He has guided many travellers across the Paramo," was
the answer.

We took our seats around the fire, and the Indian cooked some plantains,
which, with the cocoa, served us for supper.

In a short time the son of whom our host had spoken made his appearance.
He was a fine, strong youth, and seemed well fitted for acting in the
capacity of guide.

He told us that as he was coming over the mountains from a village on
this side of the river, to which he had escorted some