in hand, and has gone I do
not know in what direction; but he cannot be far--saddle all the horses
in my stable and pursue the sacrilegious wretch. I would sacrifice half
my worldly wealth, that he should not escape my vengeance."

As Don Alvarez was the informant, and uttered these words with the
apparent violence of rage, the inquisitors had no suspicion, but
hastened to comply with his request. As soon as they had departed, he
opened the panel and let me out.

"So far, Don Pedro, have I proved the sincerity of my assertion; but
now, what remains to be done?"

"But one thing, Don Alvarez, to conceal the truth from my poor wife and
mother. I could bear it all with firmness, but for them," (and I fell
on a sofa, and burst into tears.) Don Alvarez was much affected.

"Oh, Don Pedro! it is too late now, or I should say, `What a warning
this ought to be to us--that honesty is the best policy!' had you
communicated to me the mystery of your birth, this never would have
occurred. Instead of having been your persecutor, I should have been
your friend--What can I do?"

"Kill me, Don Alvarez," replied I, baring my breast, "and I will bless
you for the deed. My death may afflict them, but they will recover from
their grief in time; but to know that I am murdered by the Inquisition,
as a sacrilegious impostor, will bring them to their grave with shame
and mortification."

"Your observation is correct; but kill you I must not. I will, however,
so far comply with your wishes, that I will bear the news of your death,
and their hatred of the deed, rather than the family should be
disgraced." He then went to his scrutoire, and taking out a bag of one
thousand pistoles--"This is all the money that I have at present--it
will serve you for some time. Put on one of my servant's dresses, and I
will accompany you to a seaport, and secure your safety before I leave
you. I will then state, that I met you in a fair duel, and will bribe
the officers of the Inquisition to hold their tongues about the
circumstances which have been communicated."

The advice was good, and I agreed to it; following him as a servant, I
arrived safely at Carthagena, whence I took a passage for New Spain. We
sailed; and before we were clear of the Straits of Gibraltar, we were
attacked by one of the cruisers of the state. We fought desperately,
but were overpowered by numbers; and they took possession, after we had
lost more than half of our crew.