The dogs had proved valuable assistants, and these were tracking the paths used by them, and steadily leading them towards the stronghold.
That they would finally escape detection none of the defenders had much hope.

The Spaniards would be sure that they must be somewhere within their line; and after the loss suffered, and the immense preparations made, it was certain that they would not retire until they had solved the mystery, and, if possible, annihilated the forest bands.
On the fourth day after entering the wood, the Spaniards came to the point where the barricade of trees had been erected.

So skilfully had this been constructed that they would have retired, believing that there was no path beyond this little gorge; however, the restlessness and anger of the dogs convinced them that there must be something behind.

Slowly a passage was cut, with axes, through the virgin forest on either side; for the lesson they had received had checked their impetuosity.

They came down at the side of the barricade, and thus having passed it, pressed forward in steady array until they came to the foot of the great cliff.