y were mistaken; for they found,
upon revisiting him several hours later, that he was still in a state of
insensibility. The two rascals then became not a little alarmed for the
success of their scheme, and they at once did all in their power to
revive their victim, with the result that, late that same evening, he
recovered his senses, although he was much too dazed to answer the
questions which they tried to put to him. The men therefore gave up
their attempt for that night, and left Jim in peace, handing him a
little bread and water, and promising themselves that they would return
early the next morning.

Douglas recovered his faculties soon after Carlos and Lopes had left
him, and while eating his frugal meal tried to unravel the mystery of
his capture, and to calculate how long it would probably be before
Admiral Williams should take any steps to find him. He was, however,
still very dull and heavy, and presently dropped into a deep sleep, from
which he was awakened, just as dawn was breaking, by the entrance of his
captors. They immediately began to interrogate him about the number of
men in the fleet, the condition of the ships, the number of their guns,
and, above all, as to the plans which Admiral Williams had formed for
the forthcoming attack on Peruvian ports.

Jim, of course, firmly refused to give them any information whatever
upon the matters in question, but loudly denounced the way in which he
had been treated, and demanded to be set at liberty immediately. Carlos
and his accomplice merely laughed, and Lopes remarked: "So you refuse to
tell us anything, do you, my young cockerel? Well, we shall see, we
shall see. I will wager that you change your mind within the next half-
hour; what say you, Carlos, eh? Now, once more will you tell me what--"

"No!" roared Douglas, in a fit of exasperation, "I will tell you
_nothing_! and you may do what you please, I will still keep silent. My
captain will know how to avenge me if you offer me any injury."

"Hark how loudly it crows, Manuel," laughed Carlos, showing all his
teeth. "However, I think we had better not waste any more time; bring
in the playthings, Lopes, my brave."

The latter went out of the cell, and presently returned, carrying an
iron brazier filled with glowing charcoal, and bearing under his left
arm a cloth which, when unrolled, disclosed to Jim's horrified gaze a
glittering array of instruments, the suggestiveness of the shapes of
wh