You are rebels
and traitors every one of you. Gomez, do you and Martinez take this man
back to San Carlos, and hand him over to the governor. I will ride on with
Sancho and see if we can come up with the other fellows; as there are half
a dozen parties out in search we are pretty sure to lay hands on them
before nightfall."

On the way back Stephen, as he walked between the two horsemen, debated
whether it would be better to allow them to remain under the impression
that he was a Chilian, or declare himself an English officer. In the
former case he would most likely be shot without ceremony, in the latter
he might probably be sent up to Callao or Lima. It might make no
difference in his fate, but at least might delay it; and if he could but
manage to communicate his position to Lord Cochrane, the latter would
certainly take instant steps to offer one or more of the many Spanish
officers who were prisoners in his hands in exchange for him, or would
threaten that if any harm came to him he would give no quarter to Spanish
officers in future. At any rate the latter seemed to promise him the
better chance, and accordingly when on his arrival at San Carlos he was
taken before the governor, he replied boldly to the question, "Who are
you?"

"I am Lieutenant Stephen Embleton, flag officer to Admiral Cochrane."

The words created a sensation among the officers standing behind the
governor.

"You dare to say this!" the governor exclaimed furiously.

"I am giving a simple answer to your question, senor," Stephen said
quietly. "When we ask the Spanish officers who fall into our hands what
their names are, they reply as I have done, truthfully, and they are
treated as I expect to be treated, honourably; especially as I have not
been captured by you when in arms, but have simply had the misfortune to
be shipwrecked on your coast."

The quiet tone of the reply had its effect. The officers spoke a few words
together in a low tone, and the governor said more calmly than he had
before spoken:

"How am I to know that this story is true?"

"I have no means of proving it now," Stephen replied; "but if I am taken
to Callao, a message sent to Lord Cochrane under a flag of truce would
speedily bring back a letter verifying my story."

"But how did you come to be on board that craft that was wrecked?"

"I was wounded, senor, at the action in the port of Callao. A splinter
caused by a shot from one of your batteries struck me when o