Besides, while temporarily suffering from these accumulation of years, Roderic knew they were soon to profit through something in the same line.
Leon had escaped from his former prison by means of a gaping aperture made by an inquisitive Yankee shell—the story of his thrilling adventure had made a deep impression on the mind of Owen, and discovering just such a grand opening in the wall of the old medieval structure against which he had now pitted his forces he resolved to improve upon the experience of Georgia's brother.
They could, if given half a show, both enter and make their final exit by this means.
He had the location of the opening pretty well in mind, and was heading for it now.
They had fully embarked upon their perilous mission, and please Heaven, would sooner or later meet with the anticipated reward.
The sentinels paced their beats above on the broad walls, and their "quien vive" as they approached each other, together with the answer, came plainly to the ears of those crowded below.
Roderic breathed easier when he discovered that they had reached the vicinity of this ragged aperture, for at least one portion of their dangerous journey was over.
He exercised double care at this point, for while the coast had appeared clear during the day, that was no sign that it might not be policed after nightfall.
These Spanish sentries have little scruples about opening fire upon any suspicious person seen in the act of endeavoring to enter one of their fortifications under the protecting shades of night—scores of wretched reconcentradoes in Cuba thus paid the penalty of rashness or curiosity with their lives.
A little close observation told him that in all likelihood the opening had not been made an especial object of surveillance—two slow moving automatons, yclept sentries, in the process of following their beats to a conclusion approached this scene of wreck about once in five minutes, exchanged salutation according to the discipline of the army, indulged in a little good natured chaff, perhaps spoke of the chance of soon beholding the beloved hills of their native land again when the inevitable end came to the dramatic farce old Spain was playing for the benefit of those Frenchmen and others holding five hundred million dollars worth of Cuban bonds—and then wheeling left the spot to darkness and the bats for another spell.