e of almost complete imbecility; so that, so far as
assisting in the matter of his own escape was concerned, he was helpless
as an infant There was, however, one point in Leicester's favour; and it
was this. Walford still _knew_ him, and appeared to recognise, in spite
of the mists which obscured his intellect, the fact that George was
keenly interested in him; and he was always passively obedient to any
injunction which the latter laid upon him.

The unfortunate crew of the _Aurora_ were kept confined in this
enclosure four days, during which their condition was somewhat
ameliorated by the administration of a better quality and a more liberal
quantity of food than before, and also by the permission--or rather, the
command--to exercise their cramped and stiffened limbs by a
daily-increasing amount of exercise.

The cause for this altered treatment soon became apparent. On the
morning of the fifth day--by which time their haggard, half-starved, and
feeble appearance had to some slight extent passed away, and they were
once more able to keep upon their feet for an hour or so without
dropping exhausted to the ground--the Spaniard who had charge of them
made his appearance in the enclosure, still arrayed in the filthy
habiliments which he wore on board the _Aurora_, and armed as usual with
whip, cutlass, and pistol; and, flourishing the former threateningly in
the air, roughly bade them rise to their feet. This command being
obeyed, a chain was produced--somewhat lighter than the one before
used--the prisoners were secured to it, and then the negro who acted as
the Spaniard's _aide_ or chief mate, unlocked the door, and the whole
party marched out.

The route on this occasion, as on the last, was along a narrow
bridle-path of heavy sand, which led through a dense growth of tropical
trees and plants. Following this path for about a mile, the party
emerged upon a road crossing the path at right angles, into which they
turned, when, at a distance of about two miles, a straggling town of
low, white, flat-roofed houses became visible, with blue water beyond,
just beginning to be ruffled by the sea-breeze.

A toilsome march, of about an hour's duration, along the glaring white
road, during which they were scorched by the fierce rays of the sun, and
nearly blinded by the whirling clouds of fine dust, and they entered the
town. Passing along a number of narrow sandy streets--deserted, save
for the presence of a few negroes