of the soldiers, have easily broken from the hold of your men. We
are willing, however, to proceed with you to Lima; where we doubt
not that the justice of our judges will result in our acquittal. No
one can blame us that we are of the religion of our fathers. Had we
been born Catholics, and then relapsed into heresy, it would have
been reasonable for you to have considered our case; but as we but
hold the religion which we have been taught, and know indeed of no
other, we see not how, in any man's eyes, blame can rest upon us."

"I take note," the officer said, "of the docility with which you
have remained in our hands; and will so far testify in your favor
Touching the other matter, it is beyond my jurisdiction."

The vessel in which the boys were embarked was a slow one and, two
days after leaving Arica, they saw a small sailing craft pass them,
at no great distance, sailing far more rapidly than they themselves
were going. The boys gave no thought to this occurrence, until they
arrived at the harbor of Lima. A large number of ships were here
anchored and, after the solitude of the sea, which they had endured
during their voyage from England, this collection of fine galleons
greatly pleased the boys, who had never seen so large a number of
ships collected together, there being nigh forty sail then in
harbor.

As the officers of the Inquisition scarcely ever pass through the
streets in the daytime, owing to the known hostility of the mass of
the population, no attempt at a landing was made, until nightfall.
The officer in charge was however surprised, upon reaching the
landing place, to find a large crowd assembled, who saluted his
party with hisses and groans, and loud cries of "shame!" Those
behind pressed forward, and those in front were forced into the
ranks of the alguazils; and it seemed, at one time, as if the
prisoners would be separated from their guards.

A man in a rough peasant's dress was forced in contact with Ned,
and said hastily, in a low voice to him:

"Keep up your heart. When preparations are made, I will act."

Ned recognized the voice of the young Spanish gentleman, whom he
had left at Arica; and guessed immediately that he had taken
passage in the swift-sailing caravel, in order to be able to reach
Lima before the vessel containing the prisoners. Ned had, in
confidence, in his talks with him, informed him that he still
hoped, although his hopes had now fallen almost to zero from the
lon