Time passed. The señora suddenly spurred her horse. The startled animal leaped forward. "Come, Captain, let us go to town," she called, already several lengths ahead. They rode persistently on till they reached a small shed far down where they stopped for rest. "Perdition on this inactivity! If we could only do something--anything to fill in the time in this dead little hole." "Yes, Captain," in a detached voice. "I have a suggestion. My good hostess, Señora Ramon, showed me yesterday a chess-board most remarkable in workmanship, brought by the señor her husband from Spain years ago. They spend many evenings over the game, she tells me. Let us borrow the board and its men and while away a few hours. At least with these we can have the satisfaction of planning--and executing--our own maneuvers. I wish we had done this before, instead of indulging in useless, nerve-wracking vigils." "Thank you, Captain, but I--I shall be otherwise engaged this afternoon." "I understand, señora. You do, truly, need a good rest. Excuse me for my thoughtlessness. I know you are worn out. I believe, now that I think of it, I'll follow your example, go to my quarters and turn in for a time myself." After partaking of a warm luncheon which her friend Señora Aguirre had prepared, the señora went to her room. In the home of Señor Ramon, at the other end of the village, the Captain settled himself for a siesta. Not so the señora. Tying her hair closely, she put on a long, thick cloak which she carefully buttoned, placing the hood on her head and well down over her ears; lastly, a veil around her face. Then she wrote a short note. Opening a window she dropped lightly to the ground, keeping under the eaves till the rear of the house was reached. As swiftly as would a boy she ran to the stable and ordered the sleepy groom to give her an untired horse. She was soon off, vying with the wind in speed, ignoring, in her eagerness, both storm and cutting sand. She came to the cabins near which she and the Captain had been standing not two hours ago. Taking the first house at hand she unceremoniously opened the door. The surprised occupants, a man and woman, with three nearly grown sons, started from various attitudes of inertia and excitedly greeted the lady. "Quick! Quick!" she said. "A boat at once! I must reach those ships out there before the night falls." "Never, señora. It would mean the life of anyone attempting it." "No, no! Come! Let us be off! Quick!" hastily opening a small chamois bag. Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, one hundred dollars in gold she counted out. "It is all yours, if you will but come." The youngest of the sons would do as she wished, if the father and brothers would join. They would not. Yet she urged. The wailing of the woman of the family offset any progress she might have made with the men.