The coals of the fire went out, one by one, and where they had glowed only black ashes lay.  The wind among the ruins played all kinds of strange variations, and Ned was never more awake in his life.  He took a last look at the sentinels, and he was sure that they slept, sitting, with their muskets across their laps.  Then he rose to his knees and with difficulty checked a cry of astonishment when he saw Obed rising at the same time.  They remained on their knees a moment or two looking at each other and then, simultaneously they rose to their feet.  Their comprehension was complete.

Ned looked down at Carossa.  The brigand chief slept soundly and his face in repose was wholly evil.  The gayety and courtesy that they had seen upon it awake were only a mask.

Obed stepped lightly to one of the pillars and Ned followed him.  He knew what Obed was seeking.  Here was the great chance.  The brigands, careless from long immunity, had stacked their guns against the pillar, and Ned and Obed promptly selected the two American rifles that Ned had noticed.  Hung by each was a large supply of powder and bullets to fit which they also took.  Two of the best machetes were chosen too, and then they were ready to go.  With the rifle in his hand, the great weapon with which the pioneer made his way from ocean to ocean, Ned had strength and courage.  He believed that Obed and he could defeat the entire force of brigands, but he awaited the signal of his older comrade.

Standing close together behind the massive pillar they could not now see the sentinels at the doorway.  Ned was quite sure that they were sleeping and that he and his comrade could steal past them.  But Obed turned in another direction and Ned followed without a word.  The man had caught a glimpse of a second entrance at the opposite side of this hall of pillars, and the two darted into it.

They found themselves in a passage less than the height of a man, and only about three feet wide, but Obed led on boldly, and Ned, with equal boldness, followed.  The wall was about five feet thick, and they came out into a court or patio surrounded by four ruined buildings.  The floor of the patio was cement, upon which their footsteps made no noise, and, going through the great apertures in one of the ruined buildings, they stood entirely on the outside of the mass of ancient temples, or whatever it may have been.

“Ned,” whispered Obed, “we ought to go right down on our knees and give thanks.  We’ve not only escaped from Carossa and his cutthroats, but we’ve brought with us two American rifles; good enough for anybody and two or three hundred rounds of ammunition, the things that we needed most of all.”

“It must have been more than chance,” said Ned with emotion.  “It must have been a hand leading us.”

“When I proposed to go with them I thought we might have a chance of some kind or other.  Well, Captain Carossa, you meant us evil, but you did us good.  Come, Ned, the faster we get away from these ghosts the better.  Besides, we’ve got more to carry now.”