e City of Mexico, and it immediately began to be whispered amongst
us that the examinations were shortly to begin. We soon found that this
was the truth, and the first intimation of it came to us in highly
unpleasant form. On Ash Wednesday we were removed from the hospital in
which we had been confined until then, and were taken through the city
to certain cells or dungeons, in which we were separately placed, so
that from that time forward we saw nothing of each other, and thus had
no companion to turn to for sympathy when our need was sorest. But as
God would have it, it befell to Pharaoh Nanjulian and to me, that as we
were being led across the market-square by our guards, there came up to
us the old gentleman whom we had saved from highwaymen on the road to
Oaxaca. He seemed vastly surprised to find us in that unhappy condition,
and insisted with some slight show of authority on our guards allowing
him to speak with us.

"Surely," said he, "ye are the two brave men who preserved me and my
daughter from those cut-throat villains as we traveled to Oaxaca. How
came ye in this company?"

"Sir," said Pharaoh, "that is what we do not know ourselves. We are two
inoffensive Englishmen, brought into this country against our wills, and
wishing or intending no harm to any man, but only anxious to find a ship
that will carry us back to our own land. Here we are treated like
malefactors and criminals, and yet we have broken no law that we know
of, nor are we brought before any judge to hear what our jailer hath
against us. If you indeed are grateful for what we did for you help us
to our liberty."

"I am grateful, friend," answered the old man, "and will do what I can
for you. But tell me your story."

So we told him all that had happened to us from the time of our leaving
England, and mentioning more particularly the treacheries practiced upon
us by Captain Nunez and Frey Bartolomeo, at the mention of whose names
he shook his head.

"I am sorry indeed for you," said he when we made an end, "and the more
so because ye are in a very grievous plight. But now, keep up your
hearts, for I have some influence with the Chief Inquisitor, and it
shall be exerted on your behalf. 'Tis truly a pity that ye are
Englishmen, but I hope ye are Christians."

"Christians we are," said Pharaoh, "and will say our Paternoster and
Credo with any man."

"'Tis well, and therefore keep up your hearts, I say. I will see to this
matter at once."