I came near to crying out that he should think only of himself, leaving us to such fate as might be in store, so eager was I that he cease efforts which seemed to promise only danger for himself, without a chance that we might be benefited, and then was shown me how foolish is he who would try to change, by even so much as a hair’s-breadth, the course of events. The soldiers were not so foolish as to run at his summons; but halted where, by advancing a single pace, the search would have been ended, and began to parley with him. “What have you found?” one asked, and the lad replied:-- “Only what appears to be a trail, but it leads toward the water.” I heard one of the men propose that they go back to investigate the matter; but a second called attention to the fact that they had been ordered to make certain no one was concealed within the line marked out, and with this difference of opinion came a parley which finally resulted in the saving of our lives. The soldiers argued one with another, in the meanwhile moving nearer the point from which Leon was calling, and each second of time seemed to lessen our peril. “Now has come the moment when we must make a move of some kind!” Alec said, clutching me by the arm fiercely to be certain I gave due weight to his words. “Leon can delay them only a few moments, and once they return to the search we are lost! It is better to make a venturesome move than be caught here like rats in a trap.” “But how can we benefit ourselves?” I asked stupidly. “It will be only an exchange of hiding-places, for there is no possibility of our leaving the shore in the daytime.” “That remains to be proven. It is almost certain death to stay here, and can be no worse to make a bold dash.” While speaking he literally pulled me to my feet, and as I stood near the entrance to the shallow cave only partially hidden by the bushes, I heard Leon cry:-- “Since you have declared that I am in league with those who saved my life when you would have taken it so cruelly, it is only fair to give me the opportunity of proving that I have spoken truly. Here is a trail, and if you neglect to follow it I shall insist that through your carelessness or wilfulness the spies escaped!” It was this threat which stirred the soldiers to decided movement, and an instant later the sound of hurried footsteps told that they were moving in his direction. The most flimsy of tricks had availed to save our lives, and it would be worse than folly if we failed to avail ourselves of the opportunity which might never occur again. “Come!” Alec whispered, pulling me yet nearer the mouth of the cave. “At the worst we can only be captured, which is what must surely happen if we stay here.” “Where would you go?” I asked, giving rein to the cowardly fear which had beset me when death seemed so near.