This I felt sure they would not have done had they been going to certain death, since they would have preferred to take their chance of mercy at the hands of the brigands.

Moreover, these gentry themselves had driven the mules into the abyss whither those wise animals would never have gone unless there was some foothold for them.
I looked behind me but could discover nothing, for, as is common in Mexico at the hour of dawn, the gulf was absolutely filled with dense vapours.

Then I made up my mind that I would risk it and began to shuffle slowly backwards.

Already I was near the edge when I remembered Emma Becker and paused to reflect.

If I took her with me it would considerably lessen my chances of escape, and at any rate her life was not threatened.