He continued his movement as unconcernedly as though it were a private instead of a public exhibition, which feature was one of the strongest points in Owen's general make up. Several of the soldiers seemed to have some common sense about them, or at least found inspiration in the action led by Julio, for they too made a forward movement, intending to clutch hold of Roderic's swaying body ere he could snatch it out of their reach. That they were unsuccessful in this endeavor was not so much their fault as their misfortune, since no one could doubt the hearty enthusiasm with which they meant to pull the Yankee's leg, an undertaking in general at which Spanish regulars are usually proficient, especially those who have attained officer's rank. The girl came between them and their intended victim--she had saved one Yankee from barbarous treatment at the hands of her people, and having thus entered the field as a champion of the oppressed, considered that she might as well continue her labors. Of course she could not effectually bar the enthusiastic rush of the military forces, but for a few seconds she served as an obstacle to their forward movement, and even that brief time was enough for Roderic. He completed his deal. There was at least some satisfaction in the knowledge that he stood temporarily out of the reach of those who would destroy him. A partial success brings with it new difficulties, new problems to be solved, and one must be always ready to grapple with the forces that are thrown to the front. Owen did not consider that he had taken more than the first step toward safety. The wolves were just below, clamoring for his blood, for his sudden flight had crystalized the various shouts into one mad outburst of rage. So far as he knew there was nothing to prevent some of them from copying his example; he judged there must be athletes enough in the throng for this business. It was not his purpose to remain there upon the balcony, and meet all comers in a Greco-Roman wrestle for the mastery. He had started to escape, and it were useless lingering longer in view of the rapidly growing throng. One way was open to him, through the house to which the balcony was attached. CHAPTER XX. A RENDEZVOUS AT THE TOBACCONIST'S. Some men have a passion for the uncertainties of chance--they delight in wagering all they possess in the shape of filthy lucre on the turn of a die. Doubtless such inveterate gamesters might have found some satisfaction in Roderic's position when, upon turning from the friendly balcony he pitched himself and his fortunes through the open window of the house. All was uncertainty before him, and the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter would have found it extremely difficult to declare just what turn fortune's wheel was about to take for him. Roderic himself experienced no pleasure in this groping in the dark, and would have been much better satisfied could he have known just what lay before him.