The one sweeping glance which he had taken around had told him of an avenue where a desperate man could find a chance.
As in many parts of San Juan the houses in this narrow calle were rich in the possession of balconies—Spaniards would be lost without some such addition to their homes, for the women live half of the time upon these overhanging galleries.
The sound of angry voices in the street had brought a number of people out, and they were curious spectators of what followed.
Chance, or Providence, as you will, had taken Roderic directly underneath one of these balconies.
By raising his hands above his head he could just touch it.
To an agile man it was a small matter to give an upward leap and secure a firm grasp above; nor did he consider it any extraordinary feat to draw himself over the railing after the manner of an athlete.
Cries of astonishment announced that his intention had become known to the crowd, and almost paralyzed them.
Mingled with these exclamations were shouts of rage from those more disposed to action.
Julio, being the nearest was the first to make a spring for the swaying body of the Yankee, but miscalculating the pendulum movement of his body he was just in time to receive the full impetus of his forward swing.
As a consequence he took a sudden tumble, bringing up in the arms of the nearest soldiers.