Another moment and they encountered a
taut strand of barbed wire. The metallic snip of Hilario's shears
sounded like a pistol-shot to O'Reilly. Into the maze of strands
they penetrated, yard by yard, clipping and carefully laying back
the wire as they went. Progress was slow; they had to feel their
way; the sharp barbs brought blood and muttered profanity at every
step.
None of the four ever knew what gave the alarm. Their first
intimation of discovery came with a startling "Quien vive?" hurled
at them from somewhere at their backs.
An instant and the challenge was followed by a Mauser shot. Other
reports rang out as the sentry emptied his rifle in their
direction.
"So! They are shooting-bats," Hilario grunted.
Antonio swung about and cocked his Remington, but the other spoke
sharply. "Fool! If you shoot they will see the fire and riddle us.
A curse on the spider that spun this web!"
It was a test of courage to crouch among the charred stumps,
enmeshed in that cruel tangle of wire, while the night was stabbed
by daggers of fire and while the trocha awoke to the wild alarm.
From somewhere in the distance came a shouted command and the
sound of running feet, suddenly putting an end to further
inaction. Antonio began to hack viciously with his machete, in an
effort to aid Hilario's labors.
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