Now they seized our young trooper, took his weapons, and marched him away, though allowing him to retain his hold on Senorita's bridle.

For a few paces they crashed through the underbrush, hacking a rude path for the mare with their machetes as they went.

Then they struck a dim trail that ended at a grass-grown and little-used road.

Crossing this, they entered the grounds of what had evidently been a fine plantation, though a young forest growth was now rapidly spreading over its once well-cultivated fields.

A weedy approach between rows of noble trees led to the blackened ruins of a large house and outlying buildings.
The stone walls were already over-run with a tangle of vines from which flamed blood-red blossoms.