notes of their
contents; and that then Lion jumped up and seized him by the throat.
The dominie and I sprang to his rescue, but could not find the letters.
I thought that he addressed us both by name, however, and appeared to
know all about our affairs.

The captain got up at daybreak, and awoke us by shouting for his
breakfast. During the meal, which he hurried over, he asked Mr Laffan
a number of questions; then suddenly turning to me he said--

"How is it that you, who have been some months in the country, cannot
speak Spanish?"

I looked at Mr Laffan and signed to him to reply.

"The young milord has no aptitude for learning languages," he observed.
"If you were to go to England, it might be some months before you could
make yourself understood."

The Spaniard, smiling grimly, said, "That's strange, for I was awakened
during the night by hearing him cry out, in very good Spanish,
threatening to shoot somebody. I recognised his voice, and could not be
mistaken."

I endeavoured to look perfectly unconcerned, as if I had not understood
what was said.

"You must have been dreaming, senor captain," observed Mr Laffan; "I
was nearer to him than you, and did not hear his voice."

He then, turning to me, asked what the Spaniard could mean.

"Tell him that the young English lord is indignant at having such
remarks made; that he must apologise for venturing to say such things.
It will be better to carry matters with a high hand."

The captain again smiled grimly, and muttered, "We shall see, we shall
see."

Having finished his meal, without even offering to pay the landlady he
left the house and joined his men, who were waiting for him at the door
with the captive silleros and peons. I followed him out unobserved, and
heard him remark "that they must push on as fast as they could go, and
keep ahead of the two English travellers."

"They are not likely to start for a couple of hours," answered the
sergeant; "and if you wish it, we may find means to stop them."

Some further conversation ensued, when the captain took out a paper, on
which he wrote several sentences.

"Give this to Major Alvez, and if he thinks fit he will despatch a party
to arrest them. You may accompany it, as you know them, and so there
will be no mistake."

Not wishing to be discovered, I returned into the house before I could
hear more. The captain, mounting a strong mule, rode off, followed by
the soldiers and the prisoners.

A