Hate gleamed in the man’s eyes, the irrational hatred of a sadistic enemy. Delgado. Steve broke out in a cold sweat. The metallic taste of fear filled his mouth and throat, though he had no intention of being left at the mercy of Delgado or the guards again.

Once before, when he had gone back to the prison where he’d been forced to slave, Steve had not been able to free the men chained together. This time he would not leave until every last man bound to servitude in this living hell was set free. There were too many like Juan Rodriguez who had died for no reason, like Juan Rodriguez, who never saw his wife again, never knew if his child had lived.

Stripped to the basics of survival, denied their humanity, the hell of virtual slavery in these mines would be stopped for a while at least, forever if he could manage it.

“I will put him in our manacles,” Delgado was saying. Paco swiftly objected.

“Not until the papers are all signed, Jefe, for I have my orders. He is my responsibility, you see, and I will not take the risk of his escaping you again until he is in your custody.”

Delgado sounded displeased, but agreed. “All these rules are unnecessary, Lieutenant, but if it will hasten the process, I will do it. Come with me. You, Perez! Come and watch the prisoner!”

“My men will watch him,” Paco said coolly, “until the papers are signed. Then he will be yours to do with as you wish.”

Delgado swore softly, but spun on his heel to mount the short flight of stairs that led to the offices, Paco close on his heels.

When the door shut behind them, Steve shifted position, his muscles tense and aching with strain. The sun beat down on his bare head and sweat stuck his cotton shirt to his sides as he waited. The wool serape was heavy, weighing him down. The reassuring press of the pistol cut into his rib cage.

At last Paco appeared in the doorway above them. He held up a small ring of keys and nodded.

It was the signal. Steve twisted his hands inside the loose coil of iron manacles, sliding them free, reaching under his wool serape for his gun at the same time as those with him leaped upon the unsuspecting guards.

The struggle was brief and decisive, the guards brutally overwhelmed. It was done so swiftly that none of the guards across the compound even noticed. Steve bent and took the huge ring of keys from one of the dead guards.

By the time the other guards saw their fallen comrades, they were surrounded; only two resisted, and were quickly defeated. Paco ran to open the gates for Tige and Charley, swinging them wide in a loud shriek of rusty metal.