They are sure to be in force in the pass; and since they are behind us, also, our only hope is to try and scale the hill to the left." Bathalda, without a word, moved forward in the direction indicated.
The trees grew thinner in front, and through them they could see rocky ground rising steeply up.

They issued out and began to climb, when the sound of a horn rose loudly in the air, and a moment afterwards a number of men were seen, running from the right along the edge of the trees.
"They will not shoot," Roger said.

"They want to take me alive.
Never mind their arrows, it is a question of legs, at present." The rocks were extremely steep, and in many places they had to use their hands, as well as their feet, in making the ascent.

The Aztecs, who had on first seeing them broken into loud cries, were now silent, and were toiling up the hillside in pursuit.
"Now," Roger said, after a very severe piece of climbing, "we must stop them." He strung his bow and, placing an arrow to the string, shouted to the Aztecs that he should shoot unless they desisted from pursuit.
They paid no attention, their officer shouting to them to press on.
They were now less than a hundred yards behind.
Roger drew his bow to the fullest, and the arrow whizzed through the air.

It struck the officer in the throat, and he fell prone.