But you must first submit to a little operation.

Make them ready, Jose." Whereupon one of the attendants, producing a bottle, smeared our shoes and legs with a liquid which looked like blood, and was, no doubt, intended to insure a good scent and render our escape impossible.

While this was going on Carmen and I took off our coats and threw them on the ground." "When I give the word you may start," said Griscelli, "and forty minutes afterward the hounds will be laid on--Now!" "This way! Toward the hills!" said Carmen.

"Are you in good condition ?" "Never better." "We must make all the haste we can, before the hounds are laid on.

If we can keep this up we shall reach the hills in forty minutes--perhaps less." "And then?
These hounds will follow us for ever--no possibility of throwing them out--unless--is there a river ?" "None near enough, still--" "You have hope, then--" "Just a little--I have an idea--if we can go on running two hours--have you a flint and steel ?" "Yes, and a loaded pistol and a knife." "Good! That is better than I thought.