ominious manner, were the commander and Villamonte.

Harry could not refrain from gloating a little over his fallen enemy.

"How about the glory of Spain, Mr. Interpreter?" he enquired. Villamonte
scowled but did not reply.

"Come now, boys, we must be moving. This place is pretty hot for me,"
said O'Connor.

At this moment some one knocked loudly on the door of the prison and a
deep voice called in Spanish:

"Open, captain of the guard; it is I."

"Who is I?" asked O'Connor.

"Open at once. I am General Serano."

The boys caught the name and it struck terror to their souls. O'Connor
smiled.

"Is General Serano alone?" he enquired.

"Yes; why do you keep me here. Open, I say."

O'Connor motioned to the boys to step behind the men, who were grouped a
few feet in the rear of the corridor awaiting instructions. Then he
threw open the prison door and stood back for General Serano to enter.

CHAPTER XXII

THE ESCAPE--VILLAMONTE AGAIN BEATEN.

As General Serano stepped ever the threshold of the jail, O'Connor
slipped the heavy bolts and turned the big key in the lock; then he
placed the key in his pocket.

"Who are you, and where is the captain of the guard?" asked Serano,
starting back in surprise when he saw O'Connor.

"The captain is engaged at present," said O'Connor, bowing and smiling
impudently; "what can I do for your excellency?"

"Take me at once to the American prisoners. I have decided to revoke the
two days' reprieve. Their sentence shall be executed in the morning
unless they choose to bend their stubborn spirits and tell me for whom
they are acting. They are not alone in this thing. Even now their
friends may be gathering and threatening our outposts."

"That is quite true, your excellency; it certainly is wise to take every
precaution. Your visit was very well timed, as a few minutes later you
might have found the prisoners out. They were just starting for a little
airing. The prison is very close, don't you think?"

Serano looked puzzled, and O'Connor said, in English:

"Step forward, boys, and say 'How-de' to his excellency."

Harry and Bert came from behind the men, and stopping in front of the
general, saluted him gravely.

"What does this mean?" demanded Serano, looking from the boys to
O'Connor, as a suspicion that all was not right flashed into his mind.
"Where is the captain of the guard? I insist that he shall report to me
at once. And who are you, sir, who usurps