He never magnified evils that cast their ugly shadows before, while at the same time it was not his principle to under estimate a foe.
At length they drew near the breach in the wall, which had offered Roderic such friendly assistance when entering the fortress of San Juan.
He had not forgotten the two sentries to whose interesting remarks he had listened as he crouched there in the dark aperture under their feet.
He could see them plainly standing there in an expectant attitude, as though under the belief that an attack of some sort was coming, for in no other way could they account for the loud shouts borne to their ears.
It was a case necessitating heroic treatment.
Roderic knew that nothing could be gained by delay and that the demoralization of the guards was what would be to their best advantage.
He crawled in advance of the others and deliberately opened fire upon the two men.
It was his intention to wound rather than slay, but he had life and liberty at stake, and could not be blamed if he sent in the shots thick and fast. The way must be cleared and those fellows above held it in their power to prevent an escape, since they controlled the only exit with which he was acquainted.
Nor was the bombardment all one sided.