The door shivered but stood firm. Again and again the log was launched against the heavy door. With sweat pouring from their bodies, their lungs choked with dust, they put forth their entire strength. “It’s giving,” cried Phil, as the ram struck the door a powerful blow, and it gave way suddenly, throwing them face downward on the earth. A flash of a pistol almost in their faces; a sharp report echoing deafeningly in the tunnel, and all was darkness. The lads on their hands and knees crawled noiselessly to the side of the tunnel. The lamp had been upset and had plunged the tunnel into night. The soldiers’ stumbling footsteps as they retreated in a panic toward the exit came to their ears. They strained their eyes in the direction of the fallen door but could see nothing. They knew their enemies were near; the pistol flashed so close above their heads that their nostrils were stung with the pungent fumes of burnt powder. CHAPTER XV THE DEFENSE The lads dared not move. Even their breathing might attract the attention of their enemies, ready to open fire at the first sound; their number they could but conjecture; O’Neil had not been overpowered by only one man, they felt sure. Down on their hands and knees in darkness so intense that they could not see an inch before their eyes they waited, with bated breath, for they knew not what. Suddenly a noise in front of them awakened their failing hopes. A faint glimmer of light, only enough to penetrate the inky veil of night, came through an opening beyond the fallen door. An excited whisper in Spanish caught their ears. “The houses are surrounded by those miserable soldiers; they haven’t the courage to attack us themselves, but these meddling Americans fear nothing.” “They seem to fear something, judging by their hasty retreat just now in face of my revolver,” another voice replied in a louder tone. “We have cut the claws of one of them at least and if the Americans return down the tunnel they’ll find us prepared to give them a hot reception.” Phil’s heart leaped to his throat; it was the voice of Colonel Juarez. How badly had O’Neil been injured? This man was quite capable of making away with him entirely if it would serve his ends. “You must not stay here,” the first speaker declared; “you should go at once to General Ruiz’s lines and tell him how I am situated. He must attack immediately; if he delays the arms may fall into our enemy’s hands through the aid of these Americans.” “How can I escape capture?” Juarez asked; “even if I could avoid the soldiers, I could not pass through the government lines without challenge; if it were night it might be possible, but by sunset the attack will have begun.” “It is now but two o’clock,” urged the other, “and if I am captured here I shall be killed. The president would have me shot immediately as a traitor.” “You could readily explain your mission here,” replied Juarez’s voice, “you, who have been so loyal to the government cause.”