CHAPTER XXXI.

A PERILOUS ESCAPE--A GOOD SHOT.

The morning dawned bright and warm. Outside of the mansion the numerous tropical birds sang loudly and merrily, utterly regardless of the horrible war which was bringing destruction upon every hand.

An hour before Estella had dropped into a troubled doze, but now she roused up with a start. Day had come and she was just so many hours nearer her awful fate.

As she lay upon the bed, still dressed, she brought from her bosom the little dagger, and toyed with it suggestively. In that sad hour it seemed to be her only friend.

"Howard is dead," she mused, "and papa will not listen to my pleadings. Why should I not end it all?"

The knock of a servant made her put the cruel bit of steel away. She bade the woman enter.

"Breakfast is served, Doña Estella. Shall I bring it up to you?"

"I want nothing, Luola," replied the beautiful girl, wearily. "I wish only to be alone. Say! Has my father left the mansion?"

"Yes, he went at five o'clock."

The servant departed, and Estella was left once more to herself. She walked to the window and looked out.

With the coming of day the distant firing had ceased, and now no unusual sounds broke the stillness. The town, but a short distance away, seemed asleep, as was its usual wont in days of peace.

"If papa is away, he may not receive the letter I sent, and if he comes back, and Cara should succeed----"

She suddenly paused as she heard a hand upon her door. The next instant Cara glided in as silently as a shadow.

"Hush!" said the maid, warningly, ere her mistress could speak. "I found Captain Martinez, and he says he cannot attack this place to-night. But he has sent help--six soldiers--who wait below at the entrance to the secret passage. Come at once, if you want to escape."

"But the guards below----" began Estella.

"They have just had their morning drink, and I drugged it well. They will be more than half asleep. We can get away from here easily, but it will be difficult to leave the city, dear mistress."

"I am prepared to dare anything," said Estella, and catching up a few things, she followed Cara out of the bedroom, taking the precaution to lock the door after her, that the servants might suppose she was still inside.

The lower floor of the mansion was easily gained. From this they passed into the buttery, and here entered an arched place, which covered the stream of spring water which flowed through the buttery to the river beyond. It was a low opening, scarcely four feet high, and in places they were compelled to wade through the water. Estella shivered with the cold, but no thought of turning back entered her head.

"Here we are," said Cara, and stopped at a spot where there was an opening overhead.

She thrust up a hand, and two rebel soldiers drew her up. Estella immediately followed, and the little party ran for the shelter of some bushes which lined the river bank. They were soon joined by the four remaining rebels, who had been on guard about the mansion.

"The coast is clear," said the leader. "I trust we shall have as easy a time at the city line."

No more was said. They walked to a bit of woods skirting the river, and then entered a bypath leading to the rebel camp. In a quarter of an hour the leader called a halt.

"We will go ahead and reconnoitre," he said. "You two women remain where you are. This is where we came in. I want to see if our men are still doing duty as Spanish pickets."

Estella and her maid were left behind in the shelter of a cattle herder's lodge, and the soldiers went on silently, and with guns ready for use. With wildly beating hearts, the pair waited for them to return. Five--ten--fifteen minutes passed. Then suddenly they heard half a dozen shots and loud shouting. Soon one of the soldiers came running toward them.

"We are discovered! Run for it!" he cried, and hurried on.

Estella started and grasped Cara's hand. What course was now best to pursue?

A bold light sprang into the beautiful girl's eyes.

"Cara, I am going to brave the pickets," she said. "I would rather die than remain in the city."

"I will accompany you, no matter what the consequences," responded the maid.

"But it may mean death, Cara."

"Let us hope for the best," was the cheery reply.

They left the lodge and struck out into the woods. The firing still continued, but grew fainter and fainter to their ears. Soon they reached the edge of the woods. Beyond was a large meadow filled with grazing cattle.

"If we can but cross yonder meadow, I think we shall be safe," said Estella. "Come! every moment is precious."

She went on, Cara closely following. The cattle looked up in wonder as they flew along, but offered them no harm.

Presently a shout rang out from behind.

"Halt!"

"We are discovered, dear mistress!" cried Cara.

"Come, come! do not waste a second," ejaculated Estella. "Turn to the left. Beyond that strip of brush is another meadow, and that must reach beyond the picket lines."

She dashed on, her wet skirts impeding her progress, and Cara came after. A shot was fired to warn them, but it did no harm, nor did it make them come to a halt.

The second meadow reached, they climbed the rough stone fence and continued to run. But soon Cara uttered a shout of dismay and turned off to one side.

"The bulls! the bulls!"

Estella looked ahead and saw a sight that caused her very heart to stand still. The meadow contained half a dozen powerful bulls, all savage-looking creatures. One of the beasts was advancing straight for her, his head bent low, and his small eyes rolling angrily!

She tried to cry out, but the words stuck in her throat. Then she started to run, but stumbled, and gave herself up for lost.

Bang!

The shot came from the woods on the opposite side of the meadow.

The aim of the marksman was true, for, struck directly in the neck, the bull turned from his course and staggered away to the edge of the field, there to die. Alarmed by the shot, the other bulls also fled.

Wondering who her preserver could be, Estella hurried to the spot whence the thin wreath of smoke was curling from the discharged gun. Soon the woods were reached, and a man rushed out to meet her.

"Estella, my darling!"

She paused in wonder and delight. Was she dreaming or was this really her noble lover who stood before her? She gave a little cry of intense joy and threw herself into his arms.

"Howard! And they told me you were dead!"

"They? Who?" he asked, as he rained lingering kisses upon her lips and stroked her silken hair, which had fallen down over her graceful shoulders.

"Lieutenant Mazenas and my father. They declared that you had been cut down by the discharge of a Spanish cannon, several days ago."

"Ah! I remember that. I was trying to get at the rascally lieutenant when the cannon ball came so close to me that it took the breath right out of me, and I fell to the ground unconscious. I was picked up by some rebel friends and taken to the rear, and in an hour I was as well as ever."

"Thank Heaven you are alive!" she murmured. "Oh, Howard, you cannot imagine how I felt when they told me you were dead."

Once more he pressed her to his bosom, and showered kiss after kiss upon her ruby lips ere he went on.

"I was just coming from Captain Martinez's headquarters. He told me Cara had been there, and he had sent six soldiers to your assistance. I came out to be on the watch. I had determined, if it was necessary, to make my way directly to your father's mansion."

"They were going to force me into a marriage with Lieutenant Mazenas," shuddered Estella. "The ceremony was to take place this evening."

"Force you into such an odious contract!" cried Howard, with flashing eyes. "And you----"

Estella showed the dagger she possessed.

"I would have killed myself with this ere I would have submitted."

Her dark eyes flashed, showing that she meant what she said. He drew her still closer, while a joyful mist dimmed her eyes, and she began to sob in his arms.

"Oh, Howard, my king, you will protect me now?"

"I will do all that mortal man can do. I will save you from the lieutenant forevermore, if you will do as I desire."

"And that is----"

She hesitated, while a sudden warm flush came to her dark cheeks.

"Will you become my wife now, Estella?" he asked, tenderly. "You know how much I love you--more than words can tell. Say you will be mine this very day and thus make me the happiest man on earth."

He looked down into those dark eyes so wistfully, his own so full of tender passion, that she could not turn away. She threw her arms about his neck and kissed him lightly, yet with an intensity of emotion that thrilled him to the soul.

"As you will, Howard," she whispered, "I am yours, all yours, forevermore!"