the building was
used as a fortification, and was probably intended to enable the
garrison to make a sudden sortie on the enemy at an unexpected point.
The outside entrance was blocked up by rubbish overgrown with
vegetation; and my father had caused a strong door to be placed to the
vault, to prevent any intruder, who might by chance have found his way
through it, from entering the house. He always kept the keys himself;
and as no one ever thought of wishing to enter the recess, a securer
place for the concealment of the fugitive could not have been found.
Our evening meal was, fortunately, spread in the parlour, so that we
were able to supply our guest with the refreshment he so much required,
without exciting the suspicion of the servants. I must remark that
several of them, of the higher class, were Spanish, though the rest were
Indians; and though we believed them to be honest and faithful, my
father did not consider it right to trust them with a secret which might
compromise them as well as himself and all his family.

He was very sensible, even as it was, of the risk that he was running;
but he had resolved, at all hazards, to preserve the unfortunate man who
had thrown himself on his protection. While I kept watch, my mother
collected some bedding, and took it into the closet; so that in a few
minutes our guest was made as comfortable as circumstances could allow.
He ate sparingly of the food placed before him, and then, expressing his
deep gratitude for the protection afforded him, he threw himself on his
couch, and sought the repose he so much needed. My father having
secured the door, called me to him, and we all again assembled in the
sitting-room as if nothing had occurred, till summoned by the servant to
our evening meal. The arrival of the stranger had, however, an
influence on my future fortunes.

While our servant Jose, who was a Spanish Creole, was waiting at table,
I could not help looking into his face to try and discover if he
suspected anything; but the look of perfect unconsciousness which his
countenance bore reassured me. I was afraid also that the children
might betray it to their nurses; but our mother had kept them carefully
shut up in the sitting-room while our father was concealing the
stranger, so that they were under the impression that he had gone away.
Lilly and I were therefore the only ones in the secret.

CHAPTER TWO.

UNWELCOME VISITORS.

When we retired to rest, al