n the deck of
the _Esmeralda_. I was sent down to Valparaiso. Your surgeon can examine
me and will find that the wound has but lately healed. Being anxious to
rejoin my ship as soon as possible, I did not wait for a ship of war going
up, but took passage in a Chilian trader."

[Illustration: STEPHEN IS BOUND AND BROUGHT BEFORE THE GOVERNOR OF SAN
CARLOS.]

"Doubtless conveying stores to the Chilian fleet," the governor remarked.

"She may have had stores of that kind on board," Stephen said, "but that
was no affair of mine. I simply took a passage in her, and paid for it.
The admiral is expecting me, and will, I am sure, be ready to exchange an
officer of superior rank for me."

By the governor's orders Stephen was now taken into another room. In a
quarter of an hour he was brought back again. The governor had left the
room, but a Spanish colonel said to him:

"It has been decided to send you to Callao, where, no doubt, inquiries
will be made into the truth of your story, and his excellency the Viceroy
will himself decide upon your fate."

Stephen bowed.

"I can have no doubt, senor, that his excellency will treat me with the
same courtesy with which some score of Spanish officers are at present
treated by Lord Cochrane; especially as he will know that were I,--which I
cannot for a moment believe,--badly treated, it is in the power of our
admiral to carry out wholesale reprisals."

The colonel made no reply, but ordered the guards to remove the prisoner.
An hour later a young Spanish officer entered.

"I have been ordered to accompany you to Callao," he said courteously. "I
take four men with me, and I am told that I am to be responsible for your
safety. It would be painful indeed for me to have to take any stringent
measures to prevent you from escaping on the road, and if you will give me
your parole not to attempt evasion it will be far more pleasant for us
both."

"If you will give me a little time to think it over," Stephen replied, "I
will give you an answer. It is too serious a matter for me to decide at
once. However, whether I accept or refuse I thank you greatly for your
courtesy in making me the offer."

"We shall start in an hour's time," the Spaniard said. "A meal, of which
you are doubtless much in need, will be brought to you at once, and when
you have concluded it I will return for your reply."

He then left the room, and in two or three minutes a soldier entered with
a substantial meal. A