tion of Ned's Spanish, and the fact that Tom was quite
ignorant of the language, rendered it difficult for them to pass as
Spaniards. But they thought that, by giving out that they had been
carried away in childhood--Tom at an earlier age than Ned--their
ignorance of the language would be accounted for.

It had been a struggle, with both of them, to decide upon telling
an untruth. This is a point upon which differences of opinion must
always arise. Some will assert that under no circumstances can a
falsehood be justified. Others will say that to deceive an enemy in
war, or to save life, deceit is justifiable, especially when that
deceit injures no one. It was only after very great hesitation that
the boys had overcome their natural instincts and teaching, and
agreed to conceal their nationality under false colors Ned, indeed,
held out for a long time; but Tom had cited many examples, from
ancient and modern history, showing that people of all nations had,
to deceive an enemy, adopted such a course; and that to throw away
their lives, rather than tell a falsehood which could hurt no one,
would be an act of folly. Both, however, determined that, should it
become necessary to keep up their character as Spaniards by
pretending to be true Catholics, they would disclose the truth.

The first sight of the young men struck the captain of the Spanish
escort with astonishment. Bronzed to the darkest brown by the sun
of the plains and by the hardships they had undergone, dressed in
the skins of animals, and carrying weapons altogether uncouth and
savage to the Spanish eye, he found it difficult to believe that
these figures were those of his countrymen.

His first question, however, concerned the savages who had, as he
supposed, attacked his escort. A few words from Ned, however,
explained the circumstances; and that the yells he had heard had
been uttered by the Indians pursuing them, and had no reference,
whatever, to the convoy. This consisted of some two hundred mules,
laden with provisions and implements on its way to the mines.
Guarded by a hundred soldiers were a large number of natives; who,
fastened together as slaves, were on their way up to work for their
cruel taskmasters.

When the curiosity of the captain concerning the natives was
allayed, he asked Ned where he and his comrade had sprung from. Ned
assured him that the story was a very long one; and that, at a
convenient opportunity, he would enter into all deta