o have occupied," observed Mr
Laffan; "and if they are in the neighbourhood, we shall find them
there."

We now approached more cautiously than before, while Lion showed a
considerable amount of excitement, as if he believed that an enemy was
near. Presently he stopped short, then advanced slowly, like a tiger
stealing on its prey, glancing back every now and then to ascertain if
we were following. Again he stopped, and then came running towards us,
when, placing himself directly before me, he pointed with his nose in
the direction he had before been taking.

We at once guessed that some one was concealed behind the brushwood; but
if a sentry, he had not discovered us, or he would have fired. We
accordingly determined to seize him and gain what information we could.
Making a sign to Lion to keep behind, we cautiously crept on, bending
almost to the ground, and completely hidden by the bushes. I made a
motion to Lion to seize the man, if there was one. He understood me;
and as he sprang forward we heard a half-stifled cry. The next instant
we saw Lion struggling with a soldier, who had dropped his musket, and
was endeavouring to draw his knife to thrust into the dog's body.

We grasped the fellow's arms, and quickly mastered him. It was at once
evident that he had been sitting down, while we were approaching, to
light his cigarrillo; or perhaps he might have dropped off to sleep.
Releasing him from Lion, we threatened him with instant death if he
opened his mouth or attempted to escape. Then, each of us taking an
arm, we dragged him along towards the fort.

"If we carry this fellow with us, he will to a certainty be put to
death," I observed to Mr Laffan.

"I don't like the idea of that," said he.

"Nor do I," I answered. "The best thing we can do is to get what
information we can out of him, then bind him to a tree, and leave him.
The Spaniards will discover him in time, and will yet be none the
wiser."

"A good idea," said Mr Laffan.

The captive Spanish soldier looked imploringly at us, fully expecting
that his minutes were numbered.

"We do not intend to kill you," I said, "if you will give us a faithful
account of the number of troops in this neighbourhood, and what it is
intended they should do,--whether they are about to attack the fort
again, or to march away; and if so, where they are going."

"Have I your word of honour?" asked the Spaniard, looking at me, very
much puzzled to know who I c