"I had brought him some garments to put on, such as the Spanish soldiers wear, but knowing the hour was near when the officer of the guard would come along to see that each sentry was in his place it was decided that until that critical time passed I was to remain in the cell, while with the door barred Leon would take the sentry's gun and mount guard----" Inez uttered a startled cry that seemed to come from her very soul, and turning from them darted toward the door of the dungeon. Roderic knew what it meant. He suddenly remembered how he had placed the nervous guard _hors de combat_--at the time he considered this a remarkably clever piece of business--now he was ready to call himself a fool for his action. Good Heavens! what if he had gone a little further than he intended--what if the breath had refused to return to the seeming guard after his fall--it was Leon whom he had assailed, Leon, the very man for whose sake, considering the fact that he was _her_ brother, he had taken all this deadly risk. No wonder then he hurried after the impulsive wife, whom love sent flying through the cell door. And Georgia, as yet failing to grasp the true sense of the situation, and unwilling to remain behind, also followed. As Roderic issued from the dungeon he discovered Inez bending over the form of the bound guard, and the American held his breath with suspense as he hurried toward them. Ere he arrived however he was reassured. "He lives, senor, thanks be to the Virgin--it is I, my Leon, your Inez who has sworn to save you nor share your fate. A knife Senor Owen, so that we may cut loose his arms. Oh! blessed moment that I behold you alive!" Thus alternately addressing Roderic and anon her husband, Inez pillowed the head of the bound man, who seemed too amazed to speak. When however Roderic had opened his pocket knife and severed the bonds with which he had so carefully bound his victim, he was rejoiced to see him immediately sit up. All seemed to be going well. Perhaps fortune had other favors in store for them--at least the clouds were rolling away, leaving a clear sky above. Inez had by this time managed to get her arms around the neck of her husband, and was uttering happy expressions of endearment. Roderic himself would not have minded copying this example, with the being he loved so close by, but just at this juncture the happy scene was rudely and suddenly disturbed by a gruff voice uttering in vigorous Spanish some astonishment at what was occurring in the grim passage of the old fortress. Of course it was the miserable officer making his rounds, and who had arrived just at this interesting moment. CHAPTER XXVI. A RACE TO THE BOAT. It was dreadfully unfortunate that such a miserable _contretemps_ seemed bound to occur as that the officer of the guard must arrive upon the scene just at this moment.