Knowing Sarita as I did, I felt the truth of this.
"We will see," I said; and as our young guide again hurried us forward then I said no more. The way was more open for a mile or two now, and we rattled forward at a sharp trot in single file. Then came another steep climb up the shoulder of the mountain and down on the other side, both so steep that we had to dismount and lead our horses, and at the bottom I was told we were within a mile of our destination.
Instinctively then we rode in dead silence, keeping to cover for every possible yard of the way, Andreas leading some little distance ahead.
Suddenly we saw him halt, turn in the saddle, hold up a hand to warn us, and then slip from his horse and lead him right under the shadow of some olive trees. We followed his example, and a minute later he came back on foot.
"Soldiers, on the road down there," he whispered, pointing ahead of us. "We have to cross the road and must wait. You may leave your horse, senor, he is trained like the rest, and will stand for hours if need be. We can creep forward and watch them."
He and I went forward then, and he led me to a point from which, ourselves unseen, we could see the road below.
"How came they here?" I whispered, "so close to Calvarro's?"
"I don't understand it; but they are not on the direct road there; merely patrolling, I think, on chance."
"I can see five," I whispered; "how many do you make out?"
"There are seven horses, senor."