However, I repeated my statement, told him we had fought under the Englishman Miller, and at last introduced the name of Raymon Sorillo.
"We know him well," I said in conclusion, "and are good friends of the Silver Key."
Apparently my words were interpreted for the benefit of our captors, who jabbered together for a considerable time, while Alzura and I anxiously awaited the result of the conference.
At last the leader of the horsemen, turning to me, said, "Señor, it is decided that I shall take you to the army, where your words can be proved. If your story is not true, you will be shot as spies."
"All right; we agree!" I exclaimed joyfully, for it was a delightful thought that we were to escape the strange beings who spent their time in running about the rocks.
"We shall start early," he continued, "so you had better get some rest." Which we did, as soon as our excited state permitted.
"Bravo!" exclaimed Alzura, after breakfast the next morning; "this is an improvement. Fancy being on horseback again! This will be better than trudging on foot, Juan, eh?"
"What about the men who have lent us their horses?"
"Oh," said he merrily, "I believe they would as soon walk as ride, and I'm sure they could keep up longer than the animals."
By this talk you will understand we had been provided with a couple of horses; and taking leave of our original captors, we rode off with our new ones. Of course, both Alzura and I were unarmed, and the leader, in a quiet way, so arranged that we were never very far from a man with a musket.