so critical a position."

"Think not of me," answered Juan. "I have a duty to perform, and I may
well rejoice if I am called upon to die for the sake of my country."

We accordingly settled that we were to set out about three hours before
dawn, which would give us time to get beyond the enemy, and out of their
sight, when we should have the advantage of daylight for seeing our way.
I confess I felt more out of spirits than usual when I bade my friend
Juan farewell. A presentiment of evil oppressed me, as I thought of the
dangers by which he was beset.

It was shortly after two o'clock in the morning, when Mr Laffan and I,
having our horses' hoofs muffled, and followed, of course, by Lion, led
them down to the river; crossing which, we took the road we had before
followed for some distance. We then turned to the left, along the base
of the hills. Between these and the hamlet occupied by the enemy, it
was possible that patrols might be met with, and if so we had agreed to
mount and cut our way through them. As we were on foot, we hoped that
we should not be perceived until close upon the enemy; we should then
have a good chance of escaping. We trudged on, therefore, holding our
horses by the left rein, so that we might mount in a moment.

We had got a good way to the westward, and, as we fancied, clear of the
enemy, when, on doubling a high rock, round which the path led, we came
suddenly upon a picket. Owing to the precautions we had taken, however,
they did not hear or see us until almost within a dozen paces. To leap
on our horses and dig our spurs into their flanks, was the work of a
moment; and before the Spanish soldiers could spring forward and seize
our reins, we had already got to a considerable distance beyond them.
They immediately opened fire, but, owing to the darkness and their
surprise, took very bad aim. Possibly, not hearing any sound, they took
us for phantom horsemen; but they continued to pepper away in the
direction we had taken, long after the darkness had hidden us from their
sight.

Not supposing that we should meet with another picket, we now dashed
forward at full speed, the increasing light enabling us to see our way.
Our horses, being perfectly fresh, went on for several leagues without
flagging, and we now felt confident that there was but little chance of
our being pursued. Not, however, being acquainted with the country, we
knew that unless we could obtain a guide we should ve