A courier, Senhor," said a sailor, "wants to come with us."

"Oh, Raffaello, by George!" exclaimed the other; "I knew he 'd be up.
Put back, men; he belongs to us."

"Pardon, signori," said I, stepping lightly over the gunwale, "I have
had a sharp run for it;" and away we went! Seated on a great-coat of
black sheepskin, which from its style and cut I knew must have belonged
to my predecessor, Raffaello, I could see the rapid passage of lights on
the shore in the direction of my late prison, and at last could detect
one glimmering from a part of the building where my cell stood. The roll
of drums beating to arms was soon heard, and it was evident to me that
my escape had become known,--that the garrison of the fortress was on
the alert to recapture me. Although fully a mile from land, and rowing
with all the vigor of twelve stout sailors towards a vessel whose steam
was already whizzing through the escape funnel, my heart almost sunk
within me from very fear; and rather than be retaken I would have jumped
into the boiling tide that swelled and broke around me.

The sailors more than once relaxed their efforts to watch what was
going forward on shore; and how fervently did I, in silence, curse their
curiosity! Externally, however, I maintained my calm demeanor, and even
ventured to conjecture that a fire must have broken out in the fortress,
such was the commotion and excitement discernible in that quarter.

Another suggested the possibility of its being some prisoner that
had made his escape,--a notion which I took occasion to ridicule, by
averring that the Carcel was reputed to be the strongest prison in
Spain, and an instance of evasion altogether unknown.

Thus chatting, we reached the steamer. To my intense delight, the anchor
was already weighed; and scarcely had we mounted the ladder than she
broached round, head to sea, and clove through the water like a fish.

Every plunge of the great ship shook the strong timbers and made her
huge framework tremble, sending a thrill of pleasure through me. With
each mountain wave that rolled past, I saw my chance of safety increase,
and knew that no boat--manned by Spaniards, at least--would dare pursuit
in such a storm. I had abundant leisure for these reflections, since
my "masters" had only time to get on board when they retired to their
berths, overcome by sea-sickness, so that I was at full liberty to
indulge my own thoughts, and dispose of myself without the slightest