When we returned to the room, the two men who had been left there inquired what had become of their comrades.
“Hunting rats or spirits, for they will find nothing else down there I am sure,” answered José, unconcernedly. “They will be back soon, I warrant, after their fool’s chase, begging your pardon, Señores.”
His words were verified more speedily than he expected, for at that moment cries and shouts were heard, and the officers came tumbling up the steps as fast as their legs could carry them, with their hair almost standing on end, and their eye-balls starting from their heads. One had lost his cap, another his sword, and all their torches; they were also wet and dirty from scraping against the sides of the cavern. They declared that they had been set upon by a whole legion of demons, who had blown out their torches and attacked them with teeth and claws, so that they were glad to escape with their lives.
“For the love of heaven shut the door, or they will be up here after us!” shouted the last of the men, as he rushed into the room.
I, as may be supposed, hurried down with joyful alacrity to obey the order, and coming back without encountering any of the demons, closed the upper door after me.
“I said you were going on a fool’s errand,” said José; “your pardon for the remark, Señores. But let me fill up your glasses, the wine will soon make you forget your mishaps.” The men were easily induced to apply the proposed remedy.
“But what has become of the dog?” asked the chief.
“Carried off by the demons,” observed José.
“Let him go,” growled one who was the most bruised and dirty. “He led us into the scrape, and deserves his fate; if it had not been for him, we should not have known of that horrid vault.”
The chief, notwithstanding these remarks, ordered his men to go and look for the dog; but as he showed no readiness to set the example, none of the others would obey him, declaring that they would rather be shot at once than venture again among such horrors. I felt very much relieved at the turn events had taken. The Indian had escaped, the means of the bloodhound’s death was not suspected, and the officers would probably at early dawn continue their search after the fugitive.