An immense cavern gaped open before them through which, as through a tunnel, they could reach the valley on the other side.

This was the so-called "Roman Gate." Many believe that the Romans dug this passage through the mountain, but this marvellous piece of workmanship has been carried out on too vast a scale for anybody else but Nature to be its architect; it is possible, however, that the Romans may have used this passage for their campaigns.
And now the _pandurs_ understood the plan of their young leader and were ready to follow him blindly through fire and water.
In another half hour they had passed through the "Roman Gate" and reached the valley beyond, and by next morning Vamhidy had lit down like a thunderbolt from the sky where nobody expected him.
By the evening he had run down eight persons who were under very strong suspicion.

After dusk the same day he sent the following letter to Gerzson by one of his men: "I feel certain I hold the thread of the whole conspiracy in my hands.

We are on their track." At nightfall he encamped in a lonely mill, which he chose because, in case of necessity, it could easily be defended.

He had reasons for thinking that he might be attacked in the night.
The mill was built over a rushing mountain-stream so that the stream shot through and under the building, over the wheels.