In a narrow place, in one of the valleys at the entrance of the forest, a somewhat heavy gallery had been erected.
This was made of wood heaped with great stones, and was so arranged that any animal running through it would push aside a stick, which acted as a trigger.

This would release a lever, and the heavy logs above would fall, crushing to death anything beneath it.

A lookout was always placed to intercept any fugitive slaves who might enter the forest, and to guide them through this trap; which was, of course, not set until after they had passed.

This had been done in the case of the two negroes who had arrived the previous day, and the boys felt that any pursuit of them by bloodhounds would at once be cut short, and the Spaniards left to their own devices.
This anticipation proved correct.

The scouts reported that they could hear, in the distance, the baying of dogs; and that, undoubtedly, the enemy were proceeding on the track of the slaves.
The four companies were each told off, to positions considerably apart from each other; while Ned and Gerald, with the cacique, or chief, of the Indians, one negro, and four or five fleet-footed young men, remained to watch the success of the trap.
This was all that they had hoped.