inst a thousand, no
Spaniard could come at them. So the little group, leaving the wretched
women, the two prisoners, and Hornigold, sallied out into the infernal
night. It was a difficult thing for them to find a sufficient number of
sober pirates, but by persuading, threatening, and compelling they at
last gathered a force of the least drunken knaves, with which they set
forth on the road.

The fires which had been wantonly kindled in different places by the
buccaneers were making such headway that Morgan instantly saw that
especial efforts would be needed to prevent the complete destruction of
the town. He wanted La Guayra for his base of supplies for the present,
and with tremendous energy, seconded by de Lussan and some of the
soberer men, he routed out the buccaneers and set them to work.

"You have saved me for the moment," said Mercedes, gratefully, turning
to Hornigold as he led her away from the hall.

"'Twas not for care of you," hissed out the old man, malevolently, "but
that I'd fain balk him in every desire he cherishes, even of possessing
you."

"Whatever it was, I am thankful, senor. You have my prayers----"

"Prayers," laughed the old sailor, "it hath been sixty years since I
heard those canting Puritans, my mother and father, pray. I want no
prayers. But come, I must put you in ward. There should be strong-rooms
in this castle."

He summoned a slave and found what he wanted. Mercedes, and Senora
Agapida, who was fetched by other slaves, were locked in one room,
Alvarado was thrust into another. As soon as he could do so, after
making some provision for the comfort of the woman, Hornigold came down
to him.

"Senor," he said, "the band is drunk and helpless. One hundred resolute
men could master them. Morgan means to march to Caracas to-morrow. He
can not get his men in shape to do so as long as liquor flows in La
Guayra. If I set you free, what can you do?"

"There is a way over the mountains," answered Alvarado. "A secret way,
known only to the Indians."

"Know you this path?"

"It has been pointed out to me."

"Is it a practicable way?"

"It has been abandoned for fifty years, but I could follow it to
Caracas."

"And once there, what then?"

"There, if the Viceroy be not gone, and I do not believe he has yet
departed, are one thousand soldiers to re-take the city."

"And if they be gone?"

"I'll raise the citizens, the household guards, the savages, and the
slaves!"

"Can you d