Scarcely yet persuaded that Captain Lopez was acting treacherously, as Captain Laffan supposed, I half expected to see him return.
“If he does, it will be with a party of the enemy,” said my companion, “and we shall be made prisoners, unless we get due notice and can gallop off.”
This idea made us more wakeful than we should otherwise have been, for Lion doing duty as sentry was sufficient protection. The morning, however, came, and no enemy appeared. I shared my portion of the remaining stock of food with Lion, who had been for some time on short commons, as vegetable diet did not suit his constitution.
We had gone some distance when, as we were stopping to water our horses at a stream, my ear caught the tramp of feet.
“There is a large body of infantry coming along the road,” I exclaimed; “I trust that they may be friends, or we shall have to cut across the country to avoid them.”
Captain Laffan listened, and was satisfied that I was right.
“We must approach cautiously,” he said, “and be prepared to turn to the right-about if they should prove to be enemies.”
We instantly mounted and rode on, and before long came in sight of the troops.
“They are Patriots, I am sure, from their dress, and the flags they carry,” said Captain Laffan.
He was right. As we got nearer a mounted officer rode forward. To my infinite satisfaction I saw that he was Uncle Richard; while Antonio came close behind him, dressed as an officer.