forthwith; and in the meantime I will
relate to you our adventures, and you can form your own conclusion."

The doctor then described our having seen the scout shot by the Indians,
and expressed his belief that the place would be attacked ere long. The
commandant took the information very coolly. He prided himself, I
observed, on his dignified behaviour on all occasions; for though he had
joined the Republicans, he could still boast that the bluest of blue
blood of the ancient hidalgoes of Castille flowed in his veins.

"Care shall be taken that the sentries keep their eyes open," he
replied; "and we will be prepared for the savages."

The news we brought very soon spread through the fort, and I observed
that the sentries were doubled; but otherwise the people occupied
themselves as before, in smoking, gambling, and cock-fighting, which
seemed especially to interest all classes. My uncle listened
attentively to the account I gave him.

"Possibly the enemy may not approach the fort for several days, and we
shall lose the opportunity of assisting to defend it, for I cannot
possibly delay beyond to-morrow," he remarked. "I hope, however, that
our friends will be successful."

My uncle had made arrangements, I found, for starting at daybreak the
next morning, and Tim was busily employed in getting the bongo--the boat
we had engaged--ready for the voyage, and having our luggage conveyed on
board. Finding that we were really about to start, the doctor asked
leave to accompany us a part of the distance, observing that he liked
good society, and that he hoped by his agreeable conversation to repay
us for our kindness.

Tim had procured some mosquito-curtains, which we were to take with us
on our voyage, when we should require them even more than at Cervanos.
We accordingly lay down within them at an early hour. It was pleasant
to hear our abominable tormentors of the previous night humming about
outside, and trying in vain to get at us; but we had to be very quick in
closing the opening, or a host would otherwise have made their way in,
in spite of us.

Having wished my uncle good-night, and ascertained that not a living
mosquito was inside the curtain, I closed my eyes, and was in another
instant asleep. Tim was to call us half-an-hour before daybreak, that
we might take some chocolate before starting.

I had been asleep for some time, when I was awakened by the report of a
musket, rapidly followed by several