"One in a hundred, no more."
"Ah, well," said he thoughtfully, "let us sleep on it."
I could not help thinking that my chum must want his freedom badly to even suggest such a venture. Any hot-blooded enterprise, I knew well, appealed to him strongly; but this one required cool, dogged patience and nerves of iron. Barriero was a brave fellow too, but he honestly admitted he would rather be shot than try to cross the morass in the dark. As for me, I trembled at the thought of taking part in so hazardous an enterprise.
However, it seemed to me that Alzura was making up his mind to go. Every day he let fall broad hints, and at last stated his intentions without reserve.
"Juan," said he one evening, "I'm going. The war may last a couple of years yet. Are you coming with me? Don't if you'd rather not risk it."
"Have you counted the cost?"
"Yes. I know it's a touch-and-go affair; that is why I won't press you to join me."
"Two will stand a better chance than one," said I thoughtfully, "and you mustn't try it alone. Shall we ask Barriero to come with us?"
"May as well pass the compliment," answered Alzura, laughing. "But he won't, I'm positive."
And he was right; for Barriero, on being asked, said hotly,—