The rain was still blown about by the wind, and it was very cold. But
the influence of both wind and rain were inspiring to the boy. They were
a tonic to body and mind, and he grew bolder as he came nearer to the
ground. At last he stepped upon the level earth, and stood for a little
while black and motionless against the pyramid.
He was aware that the cordon of Cos' army completely enclosed the
Pyramid of the Moon, the Pyramid of the Sun, the Calle de los Muertos
and the other principal ruins, and he now heard the sentinels much more
distinctly as they walked back and forth. Straining his eyes he could
see two of them, short, sallow men, musket on shoulder. The beat of one
lay directly across the path that he had chosen, reaching from the far
edge of the Pyramid of the Moon to a point about twenty yards away. He
believed that when this sentinel marched to the other end of his beat he
could slip by. At any rate, if he were seen he might make a successful
flight, and he slipped his hand to the handle of the machete in his
belt in order that he might be ready for resistance.
He saw presently two or three dark heaps near him, and as his eyes grew
used to the darkness he made out camp equipage and supplies.
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