accordingly with all our might; but I could not help
trembling at times with alarm lest we should be heard; for though the
wind howled and whistled in a most satisfactory manner, yet there is
something so peculiar in the sound of filing, that I was afraid the
sharp ears of the gaoler or guards might hear it. Pedro and I had got
through more than two-thirds of our bar, and we agreed that we might
easily wrench it out of its place, when our arms began to ache, and as
we rested for a minute, we heard a footstep approaching the room. In
great alarm, we told the sailor.

"Never mind," he answered, quite calmly. "Stow the files away, and lie
down on the bed, and pretend to be fast asleep. I've got a lump of
pitch in my pocket, and I'll just fill up the grooves we've made in the
bars, so that they'll not be observed. There, that will do. Now I'll
just wait down below till your visitor has gone."

We threw ourselves on the bed, as he advised, and listened with intense
anxiety. The footsteps passed by, and we heard doors opening near us.
All was again silent for some time; and we had just sprung up, and were
about to call the sailor, when we heard the footsteps returning. We
threw ourselves down once more on the bed. Just as we had done so, the
door opened, and Sancho, holding a lantern in his hand, put his head
into the room. His two assistants appeared behind him. As the light
flashed on my eyes, I closed them fast.

"All right here, the lads are fast asleep," he said, turning to the men.
"Hillo! Senores, wake up, will you. The governor has received notice
that some stranger was seen this morning, wandering about outside the
prison; and he has sent us round to see that all our inmates were safe.
Just remember, then, that we paid you a visit, that's all. Now go to
sleep again, for you won't have many more nights to rest here. Ha! ha!
ha!"

The men laughed as he said this, as if they thought it a very good joke;
and Pedro and I sat up and rubbed our eyes.

"_Buenos noches_, good night, Senores," he repeated; and to our infinite
satisfaction, without approaching the window, he and his assistants
retired, and closed the door behind them.

We listened till their footsteps had died away in the distance; and then
jumping up, we went to the window, where I gave a low mew, which was
answered by the sailor, who quickly climbed back again to his former
post. I told him in hurried accents what had occurred.

"Never