“I think the Spaniards are likely to be disturbed over what has happened,” said Henry.

In fact, the shiftless one, who was the scout the following night, returned with a story that the Spanish camp was greatly agitated.  Braxton Wyatt and Alvarez were positive that the five were still lingering somewhere near, but the uneducated soldiers were not sure that a spirit was not lurking in the wilderness.  It might be a beneficent spirit, as it had saved Luiz, but, on the other hand, it had taken away the American prisoner, and they were afraid of the unknown and mysterious.  These vast, dark woods were so different from the open and sunny plains of Spain, where a man knew what to expect, that they were inspired with awe.

Yet Alvarez would not move, so Shif’less Sol reported.  He seemed to be still waiting for something, and on the following night Henry, Paul, and Shif’less Sol went forth to watch the Spanish camp again.

“I’ve a feelin’ in me,” said the shiftless one, “that somethin’ is goin’ to happen to-night.  I often have these feelin’s, omens some people call ‘em, min’-readin’ other people say.  I notice that I gena’lly have ’em jest about when all the circumstances show that things are comm’ to a head, jest ez ef Paul here wuz to feel along about 6 or 7 o’clock in the afternoon that sundown couldn’t be fur away.  You can’t beat it.  Now when I’ve gone fifteen or eighteen hours without food I have a feelin’—­an’ it’s a strong one, too—­that I’m goin’ to be hungry, an’ I’m sca’cely ever mistook, jest ez I’ve got a feelin’ when the skies are filled with big black clouds that it’s liable to rain purty soon.  I tell you, Paul, it’s a great thing to have this here power you call second sight.”

The three walked steadily on in Indian file through the forest, their trained feet making no sound among the trunks and brushes.  The night was dark, just suited to their purpose, and clouds floated up to dim the skies.  No stars came out, and the moon was hidden.  By and bye the wind rose, and dashes of rain were whipped into their faces.

But the three did not mind.  Such things as these had become trifles to them long since.  Henry led with sure step, Shif’less Sol came next, and Paul brought up the rear.  Henry stopped after a while, and sank down among the bushes.  The other two did likewise, and, after a little pause in which they heard nothing, they began to creep forward, taking the utmost care to make not even the slightest sound.  They saw presently through the trees and bushes a faint red shade that grew fast to a glow and then to a glare.

Henry stopped, sank lower, and beckoned to his comrades.  They crept to his side and looked over a steep little cliff directly upon the Spanish camp.  Most of the soldiers were grouped about a large camp fire, and Francisco Alvarez was among them in a place of honor.