to the galleys, some--as I just now had the honour to mention to you,
died in prison of their wounds, and the remainder were claimed by the
Chief Inquisitor."

"I see," commented George. "Yes, I think I begin to understand, and see
my way. Now, senor, I will furnish you with pens and paper, and you can
proceed to draft the document to which you just now referred, while I
place on record the nature and extent of my claims. When we have done
that, I will go ashore with you, taking with me a party of armed men,
accompanied by whom I purpose to call at your Inquisition and remove
from thence any Englishmen whom I may find within its walls. I have
decided to take this step, not only to save time, but also because,
having seen something of your fellow-countrymen in Old Spain, I know the
extreme reluctance with which you would regard any suggestion of mine
that you should bring pressure of any kind to bear upon your own clergy,
therefore I will relieve you of all embarrassment on that score by
personally assuming the responsibility. It will also probably be
necessary that I should have an interview with the commander of your
military forces, as I presume that he is the official who will be able
to furnish me with the names of the Englishmen captured, with
particulars of the manner in which they were disposed of. Indeed, upon
second thoughts, I am inclined to believe that he is the man upon whom I
ought first to call; and since I presume that it will be necessary for
you also to call upon him--in the interests of your friends here--we
will make the call together."

So saying George produced writing materials, and, handing a liberal
supply to the alcalde, seated himself at the table and proceeded to
enumerate in writing the several demands which he had already made by
word of mouth, quite undisturbed by the excited discussion which was
proceeding among the Spaniards as to the precise terms in which their
own document should be worded so as to render it as impressive as
possible to those to whom it might be necessary to exhibit it. His own
work was soon done, and a copy taken for retention and reference, if
needful; and then he sat patiently for nearly half-an-hour until the
hostages' letter had been drafted to their satisfaction, and duly
signed. Next, having formally handed his written demand to the alcalde,
he invited the latter to follow him out on deck, where, summoning
Basset, the captain of the soldiers, and Dyer,