There was a circle of savages around the starting-point; old men and
idlers of the village, who stood there only to witness the sport.
There was no apprehension of our escaping; that was never thought of: an
inclosed valley, with guards at each entrance; plenty of horses standing
close by, that could be mounted in a few minutes. It would be
impossible for any of us to get away from the ground. At least, so
thought they.
O'Cork started.
Poor Barney! His race was not a long one. He had not run ten paces
down the living avenue when he was knocked over, and carried back,
bleeding and senseless, amidst the yells of the delighted crowd.
Another of the men shared a similar fate, and another; and then they
unbound me.
I rose to my feet, and, during the short interval allowed me, stretched
my limbs, imbuing my soul and body with all the energy that my desperate
circumstances enabled me to concentrate within them.
The signal was again given for the Indians to be ready, and they were
soon in their places, brandishing their long clubs, and impatiently
waiting for me to make the start.
Dacoma was behind me. With a side glance I had marked well where he
stood; and backing towards him, under pretence of getting a fairer
"break," I came close up to the savage. Then suddenly wheeling, with
the spring of a cat and the dexterity of a thief, I caught the tomahawk
and jerked it from his belt.
I aimed a blow, but in my hurry missed him. I had no time for another.
I turned and ran. He was so taken by surprise that I was out of his
reach before he could make a motion to follow me.
I ran, not for the open avenue, but to one side of the circle of
spectators, where were the old men and idlers.
These had drawn their hand weapons, and were closing towards me in a
thick rank. Instead of endeavouring to break through them, which I
doubted my ability to accomplish, I threw all my energy into the spring,
and leaped clear over their shoulders. Two or three stragglers struck
at me as I passed them, but missed their aim; and the next moment I was
out upon the open plain, with the whole village yelling at my heels.
I well knew for what I was running. Had it not been for that, I should
never have made the start. I was running for the caballada.
I was running, too, for my life, and I required no encouragement to
induce me to make the best of it.
I soon distanced those who had been nearest me at starting; but the
swiftest of the Indians were the young men who had formed the lines, and
I saw that these were now forging ahead of the others.
Still they were not gaining upon me. My school training stood me in
service now.
After a mile's chase, I saw that I was within less than half that
distance of the caballada, and at least three hundred yards ahead of my
pursuers; but to my horror, as I glanced back, I saw mounted men! They
were still far behind, but I knew they would soon come up. Was it
possible he could hear me?
I knew that in these elevated regions sounds are heard twice the
ordinary distance; and I shouted, at the top of my voice, "Moro! Moro!"