There is now no Barrier between us. I pray the
Blessed Virgin that you may also cross the Gulf! But you still
wear my colors. You have not honored them with your faith and
courage to shrink now from the greater task! You should know,
dear friend, that according to the Spanish law my uncle, who is
my guardian, has the bestowal of my hand. Therefore be
discreet. He will refuse your suit for a reason which I will
tell you another time. Talk as you please. It is the custom to
pay the ladies of my people extravagant compliments. But for a
time restrain yourself as to action, and pray be prudent in
what you say about political affairs. I fear for you! He who is
to decide your fate is in doubt as to how far policy will
permit him to venture. He would like to execute you as a spy,
or at least fling you into his dungeon, but hesitates for fear
the outrage might precipitate war with your Republic. Such was
the representation made to him by my uncle and the friends he
has interested in your fate. Therefore do not infuriate him
beyond his self-control. Seek out Father Rocus. He is a true
gentleman and my friend. You have made a good impression upon
him. He may be able to aid you to cross the Gulf and avoid the
danger which besets you. Then it will be for me to overcome the
objections of my uncle. Now farewell. God preserve you, dear
Knight! I press my lips to that name, for you have earned the
salute many times over. _Au revoir_, my Knight!"

CHAPTER XXV

A VICTORY

Delighted as I should have been, and was, to receive such a missive from
my lady, its effect was to rouse in me all the greater longing to see
her and win from her dear lips the admission that she loved me. In this
thought I now forgot all else. Even the demand of patriotism that I
should exert every effort on behalf of my country found me deaf.

I stilled my conscience with the argument that if I, the accredited spy,
should devote my whole effort to a personal affair, it would tend to
divert attention from the splendid work of Pike. Every day saw important
additions to his notes and memoranda, and he had already hit upon the
ingenious plan of securing the notes in tight rolls inside waxed
wrappings and packing them down into the barrel of one of the muskets of
the men, who were quartered in the same building as ourselves. As the
gun's muzzle