“You seem to be afraid of it yourself,” said Paul who was regarding him closely.

A flush, despite himself, came into the Spaniard’s cheeks, and it was partly of anger because a boy had read his mind so well.  It was not a thing to be endured.

“I repeat that I came merely to give you a chance,” he said.  “Whatever you may suffer you can now bear in mind that you are the cause of it.  Come, Luiz, I have wasted too much time.”

He walked out followed by the soldier, but Francisco Alvarez had known before entering the prison that his offer would be declined.  He merely wished to clear away any light burden that might rest on his conscience, before proceeding with another plan that he had in mind.

Paul and Jim did not say a word until the door was fastened and they were left to the darkness.  Then it was Jim who unburdened himself.

“Paul,” he said, “did you ever see a panther gittin’ ready to jump?  Notice how his eyes turn a yellery-green, ‘cause he thinks he’s goin’ to git what he wants right away?  Notice how his mouth is slobberin’ ’cause he thinks he’s goin’ to hev his dinner on the spot.  Notice how his body is drawed up, an’ his tail is slowly movin’ side to side, ’cause he thinks he’s goin’ to sink his claws in tender flesh the next second!  Wa’al that panther makes me think uv this here Spaniard, Alvarez.  I think we kin look fur jest about ez much kindness an’ gentlin’ from him ez a fawn could expect from a hungry panther.”

“You are certainly right, Jim,” said Paul.

“Uv course!  Ef I didn’t know thar wuz so many soldiers about, I’d send a whoop through one uv them little winders thar, an’ bring Henry, Tom, an’ Sol here to let us out.”

“As we can’t do that, Jim,” said Paul, “I think I’ll go to sleep.”

CHAPTER X

A BARBARIC ORDEAL

When Paul awoke the next morning just after daylight, he did not feel very good.  Accustomed all his life to fresh air and infinite spaces, the close, hot little log house oppressed him.  His head felt heavy and his lungs choked.  Jim felt likewise and made audible complaint, but the door was soon opened, and again it was Luiz and a comrade with food.

“Luiz, you ain’t no beauty an’ you can’t talk a real decent language,” said Long Jim, “but I’m pow’ful glad to see you.”

The words were foreign to Luiz, but he understood Long Jim’s tone.  He smiled and showed his white teeth, but when his glance fell upon Paul he became sad.  Then he looked quickly away.  He did not wish either Paul or his comrade to read anything in that glance.  Luiz did not have a bad heart and he was troubled.

When they had eaten their breakfast, Luiz put his hand on Paul’s shoulder, and pointed to the door, beckoning also to Long Jim.  His manner indicated plainly that they were to leave the prison.

“All right, pardner,” said Long Jim.  “You won’t have to git no pole to pry me out uv this place.”