rning on his heel he walked out.

From the window I watched him cross the courtyard and enter the
commandant's quarters. Ten minutes afterwards Santiago appeared with a
file of soldiers.

"Very sorry, my boy," said the young captain, coming into the room,
"but a soldier must obey orders. You are my prisoner."

"I couldn't wish for a better jailer," said I, laughing.

"I'm glad you take it like that, but unfortunately you won't be under
my care. Have you all your things? This way, then."

We marched very solemnly side by side along the corridor, the soldiers
a few paces in the rear. At the end stood a half-dressed Indian,
holding open the door of a cell.

"Oh, come," said I, looking in, "it's not so bad."

The cell was, indeed, almost a counterpart of Santiago's room, only the
window was high up and heavily barred. The furniture consisted of
bedstead and rugs, a chair, small table, and one or two other articles.
The floor was of earth, but quite dry; and altogether I was fairly
satisfied with my new home.

"You'll have decent food and sufficient exercise," said the captain,
who had entered with me; "but"--and here he lowered his voice to a
whisper--"don't be foolish and try to escape. Barejo's orders are
strict, and though it may not appear so, you will be closely guarded."

"Thanks for the hint," said I as he turned away.

The Indian shut the door, the bolts were shot, the footsteps of the
soldiers grew fainter, and I was alone.

I shall not dwell long on my prison life. I had ample food, and twice
a day was allowed to wander unmolested about the courtyard. The
general had gone, and most of the officers, including Santiago, showed
me many acts of kindness, which, though trifling in themselves, did
much towards keeping me cheerful.

Several weeks passed without incident, and I began to get very tired of
doing nothing. There seemed to be little chance of escape, however.
Every outlet was guarded by an armed sentry, and I was carefully
watched. One day I dragged my bedstead under the window, and making a
ladder of the table and chair, climbed to the bars. A single glance
showed the folly of trying to escape that way without the aid of wings.
That part of the fort stood on the brink of a frightful precipice which
fell sheer away for hundreds of feet to the rocky coast.

Of course I had no weapon of any kind, but the Spaniards had allowed me
to keep the silver key, which hung around my neck by a th