The man laughed. "I cannot discuss what occurred to you before we found you outside this cave. Neither can I tell you where you are, for I know only in a vague way the location of the place. Let it suffice that you are safe here. Now, warm yourself with this drink and seek to sleep. The morning brings, doubtless, searchers for you." The man who seemed the leader had been speaking in Spanish. A trace of foreign accent was in each word, though he spoke the language fluently and correctly. The other man broke in with: "Coffee's cooling fast, Cap'. If they don't take it now, I'll have to heat it up again all over. Kiyi that to 'em in their own lingo. Wish I knew how to." He had been standing holding in one hand a steaming saucepan, in the other an improvised wooden tray on which were two metal goblets. The Señorita Carmelita struggled with some difficulty to a sitting position. "We thank you for your thoughtfulness," she said. "The young lady says she won't have the mess--is that it, Cap'?" asked the man holding the saucepan and goblets. Carmelita was about to reply in English, but the leader said, quickly: "Give them your preparation there, Brown. Don't be slow. They should have had it drunk by this time." Brown complied with the order. The woman and the girl sipped the steaming liquid. "Now I remember," said the dueña. "We left the road just after that awful thunder clap. The water washed us down and down. Then my horses ran and ran, downhill, over rocks and gullies--O it was awful!" covering her face with her hands. "Then came the crash; and I really knew no more until this moment. Thank you, sirs, for this," sipping the black coffee. "It shall be no loss, and I will see you have ample reward. Besides, this señorita here----" "Is the old lady saying she wants another swig?" interrupted the man holding the saucepan. "Because if she's still thirsty, there's more of this coffee and aggydenty right here," shaking the contents of the vessel, "and if this ain't plenty I can manyfactur more." "Hush, Brown!" spoke the other. "If you have anything more to do I'll tell you." "Just as you say," agreed the other, unperturbed. "The crash you tell of brought my man here and myself out to where the accident met you. Your vehicle had struck a huge rock which forms one side of this cave. Needless to say the carriage was in kindling wood. You," to the dueña, "and the young lady had been thrown entirely free from the melee into a thick bed of dried leaves--or leaves that had been dry before the rain," this with a smile. "Your horses were floundering in the mud." "O, my brave, beautiful horses!" exclaimed the dueña. "Where are they? O, where are they?"