n sakes he must be found and brought on board this ship before noon.
And when that is done we will talk further with you. But if by noon he
is not found and delivered up to us, then I say to you that we will
first bombard your town, and afterwards sack and destroy it, as a lesson
to you and all Spaniards to beware henceforward how you meddle with
Englishmen, even when they seem to be absolutely at your mercy. Now,
translate that to the illustrious senors your companions."

The interpreter did so; and as he proceeded the varied emotions of
indignation, horror, and fear that were evoked by Bascomb's plain
speaking were easily enough discernible upon the countenances of his
audience. They flushed and turned pale by turns, they wrung their
hands, and once his Excellency the Governor started to his feet and
shook his fist savagely at the little group on the _Adventure's_ poop,
but was instantly dragged down again by his comrades, who evidently
feared the English more than they did him. When at length the
interpreter had finished and the Governor burst into a torrent of
apparently violent language, which he seemed to wish the interpreter to
translate to the Englishmen, the others interposed with what appeared to
be an emphatic veto. This was followed by a somewhat lengthy and very
animated discussion among themselves, during which the boat was kept in
place by an occasional stroke of the oars. At length a resolution of
some sort seemed to be arrived at, for the alcalde was seen to speak
earnestly to the interpreter, who presently rose to his feet and hailed.

"Illustrious senors," he said, "I am desired by Don Ricardo Garcia, our
respected Alcalde, to say that every possible effort shall be made to
find the missing Capitan; and when found he shall at once be restored to
you. But, senors, the time you have allowed us is much too brief for an
effective search to be made, and--"

"Did you not say that the search was begun yesterday, and is still being
actively prosecuted?" interrupted Bascomb.

"Even so, illustrious General," answered the interpreter.

"Very well, then," retorted the master; "if he is in the city, and is
alive and well, he will be found before noon. If he is not found, then
it will be because some evil has befallen him, for which Cartagena shall
be made to suffer. Look in your Inquisition for him, senor; he is as
likely to be there as anywhere. And tell your Inquisitors that if he is
not forthcomin