had of course bolted; but one man remained, and my
fellows were on the point of cutting him into ten thousand pieces with
their borachios, when I arrived in the room time enough to prevent
the catastrophe. Seeing before me an individual in the costume of a
civilian--a white hat, a light blue satin cravat, embroidered with
butterflies and other quadrupeds, a green coat and brass buttons, and
a pair of blue plaid trousers, I recognized at once a countryman, and
interposed to save his life.

In an agonized brogue the unhappy young man was saying all that he could
to induce the chapel-churies to give up their intention of slaughtering
him; but it is very little likely that his protestations would have had
any effect upon them, had not I appeared in the room, and shouted to the
ruffians to hold their hand.

Seeing a general officer before them (I have the honor to hold that rank
in the service of his Catholic Majesty), and moreover one six feet four
in height, and armed with that terrible cabecilla (a sword so called,
because it is five feet long) which is so well known among the Spanish
armies--seeing, I say, this figure, the fellows retired, exclaiming,
"Adios, corpo di bacco, nosotros," and so on, clearly proving (by their
words) that they would, if they dared, have immolated the victim whom
I had thus rescued from their fury. "Villains!" shouted I, hearing them
grumble, "away! quit the apartment!" Each man, sulkily sheathing his
sombrero, obeyed, and quitted the camarilla.

It was then that Mr. Sheeny detailed to me the particulars to which I
have briefly adverted; and, informing me at the same time that he had a
family in England who would feel obliged to me for his release, and that
his most intimate friend the English ambassador would move heaven and
earth to revenge his fall, he directed my attention to a portmanteau
passably well filled, which he hoped would satisfy the cupidity of my
troops. I said, though with much regret, that I must subject his person
to a search; and hence arose the circumstance which has called for what
I fear you will consider a somewhat tedious explanation. I found upon
Mr. Sheeny's person three sovereigns in English money (which I have to
this day), and singularly enough a copy of The New Monthly Magazine,
containing a portion of my adventures. It was a toss-up whether I should
let the poor young man be shot or no, but this little circumstance saved
his life. The gratified vanity of auth