join them, as is proved by your possession of a letter to so base a
traitor as Senor Ulloa."

On this I explained how I had obtained the letter, and pointed out that
the very fact of my asking the _posadero_ to direct me to Ulloa's house,
and going thither openly, was proof positive of my innocence. Had my
purpose been that which he imputed to me, I should have shown more
caution.

"That does not at all follow," rejoined the president. "You may have
intended to disarm suspicion by a pretence of ignorance. Moreover, you
expressed to the _senor posadero_ sentiments hostile to the Government of
his Majesty the King."

"It is untrue. I did nothing of the sort," I exclaimed, impetuously.

"Mind what you say, prisoner. Unless you treat the tribunal with due
respect you shall be sent back to the _carcel_ and tried in your absence."

"Do you call this a trial?" I exclaimed, indignantly. "I am a British
subject. I have committed no offence; but if I must be tried I demand the
right of being tried by a civil tribunal."

"British subjects who venture into a city under martial law must take the
consequences. We can show them no more consideration than we show Spanish
subjects. They deserve much less, indeed. At this moment a force is being
organized in England, with the sanction and encouragement of the British
Government, to serve against our troops in these colonies. This is an act
of war, and if the king, my master, were of my mind, he would declare war
against England. Better an open foe than a treacherous friend. Do you hold
a commission in the Legion, senor?"

"No."

"Know you anybody who does?"

"Yes; I believe that several men with whom I served in Spain have accepted
commissions. But you will surely not hold me responsible for the doings of
others?"

"Not at all. You have quite enough sins of your own to answer for. You may
not actually hold a commission in this force of filibusters, but you are
acquainted with people who do; and from your own admission and facts that
have come to our knowledge, we believe that you are acting as an
intermediary between the rebels in this country and their agents in
England. It is an insult to our understanding to tell us that you have
come here out of idle curiosity. You have come to spy out the nakedness of
the land, and being a soldier you know how spies are dealt with."

Here the president held a whispered consultation with his colleagues. Then
he turned to me, and continue