It was quite dark where they were, apparently surrounded by a lonely woods. But by such light as there was Clif looked at the officer anxiously.
Now since he had heard that story he was more than anxious to study his face, to see what manner of man this was.
The lieutenant still wore the calm, quiet look; he seemed almost inspired.
"If you will follow me a short distance," he said, "we shall reach a place where we can remain concealed until morning."
He started across the country, after a few words with the driver of the carriage; they had not gone very far before the faint roaring of the breakers on the beach became audible.
"You see," said the Spaniard, "we are near the sea. We are only about four miles from Havana harbor, and you may make an effort to reach the blockading fleet in the morning."
Obviously, it would not do to try it in the darkness. They might be run down or lost or fired on or swept out to sea.
"But it will be daylight in a few hours," said the lieutenant.
And then the three went on in silence until suddenly a small hut loomed up in the darkness.
"It is deserted," said their guide. "We can conceal ourselves there."