the trouble. As it
happens, I know already. He has about two thousand infantry and one
thousand cavalry. What has he come here for? Does the fool actually
suppose that with a force like that he can capture San Felipe? Such
presumption deserves punishment, and I shall give him a lesson he will not
easily forget--if he lives to remember it. Your name and quality, senor"
(to Carmen).

"Salvador Carmen, _teniente_ in the patriot army."

"I suppose you have heard how I treat patriots?"

"Yes, general, and I should like to treat you in the same way."

"You mean you would like to hang me. In that case you cannot complain if I
hang you. However I won't hang you--to-day. I will either send you to the
next world in the company of your general, or let you go with--"

"Senor Fortescue?"

"Thank you--with Senor Fortescue. That is all, I think. Take him to the
guard-house, sergeant--Stay! If you will give me your parole not to
leave the town without my permission, or make any attempt to escape, you
may remain at large, Senor Fortescue."

"For how long?"

"Two days."

As the escape in the circumstances seemed quite out of the question, I
gave my parole without hesitation, and asked the same favor for my
companion.

"No" (sternly). "I could not believe a rebel Creole on his oath. Take him
away, sergeant, and see that he is well guarded. If you let him escape I
will hang you in his stead."

Despite our bonds Carmen and I contrived to shake hands, or rather, touch
fingers, for it was little more.

"We shall meet again." I whispered. "If I had known that he would not take
your parole I would not have given mine. Let courage be our watchword.
_Hasta manana!_"

"Pray take a seat, Senor Fortescue, and we will have a talk about old
times in Spain. Allow me to offer you a cigar--I beg your pardon, I was
forgetting that my fellows had tied you up. Captain Guzman (to one of the
loungers), will you kindly loose Mr. Fortescue? _Gracias!_ Now you can
take a cigar, and here is a chair for you."

I was by no means sure that this sudden display of urbanity boded me good,
but being a prisoner, and at Griscelli's mercy, I thought it as well to
humor him, so accepted the cigar and seated myself by his side.

After a talk about the late war in Spain, in the course of which Griscelli
told some wonderful stories of the feats he had performed there (for the
man was egregiously vain) he led the conversation to the present war in
South Amer