"Pardon me, senor; but by this daylight I should have seen that armor
before."

"I doubt it not, senor, as having been yourself also in the forefront of
the battle," said the Spaniard, with a proud smile.

"If I am right, senor, you are he who yesterday held up the standard
after it was shot down."

"I do not deny that undeserved honor; and I have to thank the courtesy
of you and your countrymen for having permitted me to do so with
impunity."

"Ah, I heard of that brave feat," said the lord deputy. "You should
consider yourself, Mr. Leigh, honored by being enabled to show courtesy
to such a warrior."

How long this interchange of solemn compliments, of which Amyas was
getting somewhat weary, would have gone on, I know not; but at that
moment Raleigh entered hastily--

"My lord, they have hung out a white flag, and are calling for a
parley!"

The Spaniard turned pale, and felt for his sword, which was gone; and
then, with a bitter laugh, murmured to himself--"As I expected."

"I am very sorry to hear it. Would to Heaven they had simply fought it
out!" said Lord Grey, half to himself; and then, "Go, Captain Raleigh,
and answer them that (saving this gentleman's presence) the laws of
war forbid a parley with any who are leagued with rebels against their
lawful sovereign."

"But what if they wish to treat for this gentleman's ransom?"

"For their own, more likely," said the Spaniard; "but tell them, on my
part, senor, that Don Guzman refuses to be ransomed; and will return to
no camp where the commanding officer, unable to infect his captains with
his own cowardice, dishonors them against their will."

"You speak sharply, senor," said Winter, after Raleigh had gone out.

"I have reason, Senor Admiral, as you will find, I fear, erelong."

"We shall have the honor of leaving you here, for the present, sir, as
Admiral Winter's guest," said the lord deputy.

"But not my sword, it seems."

"Pardon me, senor; but no one has deprived you of your sword," said
Winter.

"I don't wish to pain you, sir," said Amyas, "but I fear that we were
both careless enough to leave it behind last night."

A flash passed over the Spaniard's face, which disclosed terrible depths
of fury and hatred beneath that quiet mask, as the summer lightning
displays the black abysses of the thunder-storm; but like the summer
lightning it passed almost unseen; and blandly as ever, he answered:

"I can forgive you for such a neglect, m