ean by that, Punch?" said Pen excitedly, as he sat,
looking pinched of face and half-wild with excitement.

"It means, comrade, that you ain't fit to go on the march. That's what
he means; I can make him out. He is saying as you must give it up, and
I don't think now as he means any harm.--I say, you don't, do you, old
chap?" he continued, turning sharply on the priest.

It seemed as if their host comprehended the boy's words, for he patted
Punch on the shoulder, smiling, and pointed to the basket, which he
opened and displayed its contents.

Punch only caught a glimpse thereof; but he saw that there were bread
and onions and goat's-milk cheese before he turned sharply round,
startled by a quick tapping at the closed door.

It was not only he who was startled, for the priest turned sharply and
hurried to the door.

"Oh, comrade," cried Punch in an excited whisper, "don't say that he's
against us after all!"

But with the sturdy boy it was a word and a blow, for he made for his
loaded musket and caught it up.

"Hist!" ejaculated the priest, turning upon him and raising one hand.

"Oh, I don't care for that," whispered Punch, "and I don't mind what you
are. If you sold us to the enemy you shall have the first shot."

The priest shook his hand at him as if to bid him be silent; and then,
placing his lips close to the door, he said something in Spanish, and
listened to a reply that came in a hurried voice.

"Ah!" ejaculated the priest; and then he whispered again.

The next minute he was busy barring the closed door; and this done, he
turned to the boys, to cross the room and open wide the cupboard-like
door in the corner. Then, returning to Pen, he helped him to rise
again, guided his halting steps, and half-carrying him to the step-like
ladder urged him with a word or two to climb up.

"What does he mean, comrade?" whispered Punch.

"He means there's somebody coming, and we are to go upstairs."

"Let's stop here, comrade, and fight it out."

"No, he means well," replied Pen; and, making a brave effort, he began
to climb the ladder, pulling himself up, but panting heavily the while
and drawing his breath with pain.

As soon as the old man saw that he was being obeyed he turned to Punch,
caught up Pen's musket, and signed to the boy to follow him.

"Well, you can't mean to give us up," said Punch excitedly, "or you
wouldn't want me to keep my gun and his."

Disposition to resist passed away the next