e done anything in my power to keep you
out of it, but I must admit that my motive was not the generous one that
has been attributed to me. It was a rather selfish motive, you see,
between you and me. I am a moving spirit in this revolution which is
brewing, and I have important business with the Government soldiers
inside the Cabildo. In the ordinary course, since I am known as a
revolutionist, I cannot possibly get into open or secret communication
with them--so of course I had to get arrested, and you gave me that
chance!"

I was about to ask him, boylike, whether he was successful in his
mission, when he added, "The only pity is that you didn't let me stay
there a bit longer--but you were not to know, so I appreciate your
promptness."

However, I had reason to believe afterwards that he had not succeeded
in his object, which, I have no doubt, was to "buy" all the _soldados_
over to his side, for up to this day the political party to which the
Colonel belonged is out of power, though it has repeatedly made efforts
to get in.

XVII

A DROWNING MESSMATE

It is as one of the most popular sea-novelists of all times that Captain
Marryat is best known to his countrymen--oldsters and youngsters alike.
The whole life of this gallant seaman, however, was made up of one long
series of exciting adventures, both on land and sea, many of these
experiences being made use of in after years to supply material for his
sea-romances.

One of Marryat's most characteristic acts of self-devotion was his
springing overboard into the waters of Malta Harbour in order to save
the life of a middy messmate, Cobbett by name, who had accidentally
fallen overboard. What made this action an especially noble one was the
fact that Cobbett was one of the greatest bullies in the midshipmen's
berth, and had specially singled out Marryat for cowardly and brutal
treatment. Again, we must remember that sharks are often seen in Malta
Harbour, and any one rash enough to enter its waters takes his life in
his hands.

Thank God the gunroom of a British man-of-war of the present day is
managed in an entirely different manner from what it was in Marryat's
day. Says that gallant officer: "There was no species of tyranny,
injustice, and persecution to which youngsters were not compelled to
submit from those who were their superiors in bodily strength."

The entire management and organisation of the Royal Navy at that period
was rotten to the co