ehow I could not get rid of the
uneasy feeling. If Alzura's suspicions were correct, the man might be
taken and hanged at any moment. I said again it would serve him right,
but the justice of his sentence would not lessen Rosa's suffering.

All that night I lay awake thinking. I could not get the girl out of
my head. You see, I had known her so long; we had played together like
brother and sister; she was so pretty and winsome that I hated the idea
of trouble assailing her.

In the morning I was inclined to laugh at my fears. Every one knew
there were many people in Lima willing to welcome the Royalists, and it
had been openly stated more than once that Don Felipe Montilla had only
changed sides to secure his property. Doubtless Alzura, knowing this,
had jumped to the conclusion that he would willingly return to his
former allegiance.

"That is about all there is in it," said I, feeling a little more
assured. "It is marvellous what stories some men can build up from a
word here and there! If Alzura lives till the end of the war, he
should be a novelist."

At this time I was a great deal in Lima, being employed by Colonel
Miller in connection with the new expedition which Santa Cruz was to
lead south. Several nights a week I slept at home, much to mother's
satisfaction. My father continued to be busy in public matters, though
he had resigned his office as a protest against the invitation to
Bolivar.

Now, it chanced, about a fortnight after young Alzura's disquieting
talk, that I had occasion to go late at night to Callao, and Jose
offered to accompany me. It is likely enough that my mother put the
idea into his head, for though brave enough herself, she was always
fearful on my account. However, I was glad to avail myself of Jose's
offer. The night was fine, the sky was studded with stars, and the
moon, nearly at the full, gave forth a splendid light.

"You may go to bed, Antonio," said I to the old janitor, as he opened
the gate. "We are not likely to return till morning."

"Do you remember our first night ride to Callao?" asked Jose. "There
was no need for any one to sit up for us then."

"Yes, that I do. And the voyage in the schooner," I added gaily.
"That was an adventure, if you like! We were as near to death then,
Jose, as ever we have been since."

"Yes," he said thoughtfully. "I have often wondered how we managed to
escape."

Passing through the outer gates of the park on to the hi