o," said the smuggler. "Tell his Majesty that in a short time
he will see the Frenchmen coming on lighting their way with torches, and
that he and his followers will show a good front; but do as we do--keep
on retreating farther and farther through the black passages of this old
copper-mine."

"But retreating?" said the officer.

"Yes; they will keep pressing us on, driving us back, as they think,
till they can make a rush and capture us to a man--King, noble, and
simple smuggler; and when at last they make their final rush they will
capture nothing but the darkness, for we shall have doubled round by one
of the side-passages and be making our way back into the passes to find
liberty and life."

"But one moment," said a stern voice from the deeper darkness behind.
"What of the entrance to this great cavern-mine? Do you think these
French officers are such poor tacticians that they will leave the
entrance unguarded by a body of troops?"

"One entrance, sire," said the smuggler deferentially.

"Your Majesty!" said the officer, "I did not know that you were within
hearing."

"I had grown weary of waiting, Count," said the King. "I came on, and I
have heard all that I wished. Senor Contrabandista, I, your King, ask
your pardon. I ask it as a bitterly stricken, hunted man who has been
driven by his misfortunes to see enemies on every hand, and who has
grown accustomed to lead a weary life, halting ever between doubt and
despair."

"Your Majesty trusts me then," said the smuggler, sinking upon one knee
to seize the hand that was extended to him and pressing it to his lips.

"Ha!" ejaculated the monarch. "Your plans are those of a general; but
there is one thing presses hard upon me. For hours I was watching the
way in which those two boys held the enemy at bay, fighting in my poor
cause like heroes; and again and again as I stood watching, my fingers
tingled to grasp my sword and lead my few brave fellows to lend them
aid. But it was ever the same: I was hemmed in by those who were ready
to give their lives in my defence, and I was forced to yield to their
assurances that such an advance would be not merely to throw their lives
away and my own, but giving life to the usurper, death to Spain."

"They spoke the truth, sire," said the smuggler gravely.

"But tell me," cried the King with a piteous sigh, "can nothing be done?
Your men, you say, will be refreshed. My friends here are as ready as
I am. Before