Year: 1859

tlOn ana up ana uOWU, over uWe, over meHuUWs
or over fields through groves or through woods,
nevcr--not for one single moment-raisng their
noses moro than half an inch above the level Of
tho ground.


1t was warm work, although, the heat of the
tropical sun being intense but when hour after
hour had passed. and still the dogs went on, neith-
er hurrying nor slackening their speed, but al
ways in the same steady and determined manner,
they seemed to put new life into hot and jad-
ed cabeeros. They would sooner have thought Of
parting with their souls .han of abandoning the
chase.


Porto Rico, to the south is very mountainous,
and tho nearer draw to the sea coast, the
wider, the more picturesque is the surrounding
country. Rocky wales, with gaping precipices OF
an unfathomless depth, steep and lofty crags with
enormous peaks, follow each other in quick sue
ccsson. Some of the peaks rise more than
thousand feet above the level of the sea, their in
accessible tops visited only by the eagles, which
ay round them in majestic circles The stony
ground is torn by clefts and chasms large piec-
es of rocks, of monstrous sizo are scattered
about wildly.


The cavalcado had long since allghted, and the
cabelleros leaving their horses in charge tf some
of their servants, wero following the dogs on foot.
The march became moro difficult for these nicely
booted gentlemen but they held on, nevertheless.
Even although they knew that they were upon per-
ilous ground, as this remote part of the island is
notorious place of refuge for the runaways (Marron
negroes, as they called here), they seemed the
more disposed to persist in the chase. The dogs
advanced but slowly over this rough ground, now
and then hal.ing before q cleft over which they
could not leap and passing around it by by-way,
but still never failing TO pick up the track on the
opposite side-always sure, always eager, with
their noses always close to the ground.


Suddenly they came to dead stop, and lifting
up their heads for the first time, barked furi'
ously.


When the cabeleros reached the spot, they stood
before deep abyss. On the opposite side lofty
rock rose to the height of more than eight hundred
feet Its reverse side fell off steepy towards the
sea, and the breakers were to be heard dashing
with sullen roar against it. The dogs might
bark and yelp-thoy were but dogs, and oven the
iuruar would look twice before he leaped such o
chasm.


1t was about nine O'clock and the scene was be-
ginning to change rapidly The blue tinge of that
wonderful sky began gradually to deepen. the
stars came out one after the other, shining forth
the southern cross above all-with splendor
never dreamed about in England. Darkness was
setting in upon the paradise of Porto Rico.


ANY attem pt to continue the chase during the
night would have been madness. Some of ,he
servants we're ordered, therefore, TO light large
fre whilst others sent back for the requisite
refreshments and accommodations. few SEN
tries were SET and the cabelleros stretched them
selves upon the ground.


When the most minute aud accurate search was


made the next morning for means of descen ling


the cliff and scaling the opposite rock, cleft was
discovered which offered indeed, some means OF
descending and as to the rock, negro servant
pointed out a way by which it was admitted that
; However poor the chance might be-there was,
at least, the possibility of climbing. Both passa-
ges, however, were unanimously declared TO be
Iimpractcable for any other feet than those OF a
chamos or Marion negro. and the gentlemen ac-
cordingly consulted over what should next be
done.


After some deiberation. it was resolved that
since more runaways were doubtless gathered up
on the spot, and it was desirable to put STOP 10
this sort of vagabondage the best plan would be
to starve them out.


The necessary measures were then taken' sehl-
nels were posted at every spot offering tho slight
est chance of escape. A regular method of field
dutv WAS put into practice. The vedettes were re-


ieyed at appointed intervals, and during the night
one could hear the outposts calling to each other
as formally as in military camp.


The cabelleros established themselves quite at
their ease. Tents were brought down from the
plantations, flying camp was pitched near the
n,oce and the ultimate result of the blockade was


awaited.


The days or hours of its duration were caiculat-


ed in advance But hour after hour day after day
e nassed and still the bloodhOunds never howled-
, as tbey are sure to do the moment they scent
: death. Each morning they gathered near the CHI
It by which the track led down to the abyss and


lifting up their noses high into tho air parked on
d with the same undated fury. Day alter DAY
y thin pillar of smoke was seen during few hours
vbirling from the top of the platform through the
n deep blue sky.
Q The matter became altogether q mystery. a
y whole week, ten days, a fortnight went by, anc
D still the dogs were to be heard barking as usual
r sill that column of smoke was to be seen whirl
Q ing up 10 the sky. 1t was all very well for the


cabolleros to direct their spy'glasses toward the
d naked rock-they could see nothing understand
$ nothing.
q "Madre de Dosl-Whas on earth can those black
: rascals be feeding upon up there !"


q AT last, one Of the negro servants offered him
self as spy advising his master, for appearance


soLs to raise the siege till he came back.
y The offer was accepted the siege broken up
: Only few sentinels were left oehlaa' oareiIii'


hidden, lest the spy should prove to be double
q traitor The fellow however, knew but too wei


tba, little was to be got from the Marron'' ane
v much from Don Gomez de Mier.
It When after the lapse of five days he came back
a ,afe and sound from the perilous expedition. NJ
4 had a strange story to tell. He had descended th'
r abyss and climbed the rock at the risk oil his neck