thee to the son of such as yon!"

"My lord, 'tis just," answered Alvarado. His anguish was pitiful to
behold. "I am as innocent of my parentage as any child, yet the
suffering must be mine. The sins of the fathers are visited on the
children. I did deem it yesterday a coward's act to cut the thread of my
life but now--I cannot survive--I cannot live--and know that in my
veins--runs the blood of such a monster. My lord, you have been good to
me. Gentlemen, you have honored me. Mercedes, you have loved me--O God!
You, infamous man, you have fathered me. May the curse of God, that God
whom you mock, rest upon you! My mother loved this man once, it seems.
Well, nobly did she expiate. I go to join her. Pray for me. Stay not my
hand. Farewell!"

He raised his poniard.

"Let no one stop him," cried the old Viceroy as Alvarado darted the
weapon straight at his own heart. "This were the best end."

Mercedes had stood dazed during this conversation, but with a shriek of
horror, as she saw the flash of the blade, she threw herself upon her
lover, and strove to wrench the dagger from him.

"Alvarado!" she cried, "whatever thou art, thou hast my heart! Nay, slay
me first, if thou wilt."

CHAPTER XXIII

HOW THE GOOD PRIEST FRA ANTONIO DE LAS CASAS TOLD THE TRUTH, TO THE
GREAT RELIEF OF CAPTAIN ALVARADO AND DONNA MERCEDES, AND THE
DISCOMFITURE OF MASTER BENJAMIN HORNIGOLD AND SIR HENRY MORGAN

[Illustration]

"Ay, strike, Alvarado," cried the Viceroy, filled with shame and
surprise at the sight of his daughter's extraordinary boldness, "for
though I love her, I'd rather see her dead than married to the son of
such as he. Drive home your weapon!" he cried in bitter scorn. "Why stay
your hand? Only blood can wash out the shame she hath put upon me before
you all this day. Thou hast a dagger. Use it, I say!"

"Do you hear my father's words, Alvarado?" cried Mercedes sinking on her
knees and stretching up her hands to him. "'Tis a sharp weapon. One
touch will end it all, and you can follow."

"God help me!" cried the unhappy young Captain, throwing aside the
poniard and clasping his hands to his eyes. "I cannot! Hath no one here
a point for me? If I have deserved well of you or the State, sir, bid
them strike home."

"Live, young sir," interrupted Morgan, "there are other women in the
world. Come with me and----"

"If you are my father, you have but little time in this world,"
interrupted the Spaniard, turning to