make a line long
enough to reach the ground, and strong enough to haul up a thick rope.
We forthwith, therefore, set to work; and having tried each bit as we
fastened it on, we were satisfied that our line would answer our
purpose.

It was nearly dusk by the time we had finished it; and lest some one
should by chance come in and see what we had been about, we hid it away
under the mattress. It was fortunate that we took this precaution, for
just as we had done so the door opened, and a gaoler, accompanied by our
kind friend, Don Eduardo, and another person, entered the room. Don
Eduardo bowed to us, and as he took a seat which Sancho offered him, he
looked at us rather sternly, as much as to signify that we must not
appear on familiar terms.

"I have brought this gentleman to prepare your defence for you, Senores,
as I hear that you are to be tried to-morrow," he said, in a kind tone.
"I am sorry to tell you that it will go hard with you if you cannot
establish your innocence."

"I have to thank you very much, Don Eduardo," I answered; "but all we
can do is to protest our innocence--we have no witnesses. The Indians,
who might have proved that we were ourselves taken prisoners by their
chief, have this morning been shot."

"It is indeed a difficult case," remarked the advocate. "I will do my
best, Don Eduardo; and we must hope that something will appear in their
favour."

I need not repeat all that took place. The advocate asked us a variety
of questions, and made a number of notes; and then rising, followed Don
Eduardo, who stiffly bowed to us as before, out of the room. Sancho,
who went last, turned his head over his shoulder, and shook his head,
with a grave expression on his face, which showed us that he thought our
case was desperate. This circumstance made us more anxious than ever to
effect our escape; and we waited anxiously for the signal the English
sailor had promised us. By degrees the noises inside and outside the
prison died away. People, fatigued with the excitement of the morning,
had retired earlier than usual to their homes, and the square was
totally deserted. It was very dark, for there was no moon, and a thick
mist rising from the river, hung over the town; and what was of more use
to us, there was a strong wind, which howled and moaned among the
buildings, and rattled about the tiles. The time seemed to pass very
slowly; and we began to fancy that the seaman might have been preven