to one of the lowest dungeons.
The next day the familiars appeared, and led me to the hall of judgment,
where I was asked whether I confessed my crime. I replied that I did
not know what I was accused of. They again asked me if I would confess,
and on my making the same answer I was ordered to the torture.

As I knew that I had no chance, I thought I might as well avoid
unnecessary pain, and declared that I did confess it.

"What instigated you to the deed?"

Not well knowing what to reply, as I was not exactly aware of the nature
of my offence, I answered that it was the blessed Virgin.

"Blasphemer!" cried the grand inquisitor, "what! the blessed Virgin
desired you to throw St. Antonio overboard?"

"Yes," replied I (glad that at all events the crime was not what I had
anticipated), "she did; and told me that it would be the saving of the
vessel."

"Where were you?"

"On the deck."

"Where did you see her?"

"She was sitting on a small blue cloud, a little above the topsail-yard.
`Fear not, Francois,' said she, motioning with her hand, `to throw the
image overboard.'" The inquisitors were astonished at my boldness: a
consultation was held, as to whether I should be treated as a
blasphemer, or the circumstance blazoned into a miracle. But it
unfortunately happened for me that a miracle had occurred very lately;
and there were very few people to be burnt at the _auto-da-fe_ of the
ensuing month.

It was therefore decided against me. I was reviled, abused, and
sentenced to the flames; but I determined, as my only chance, to put a
good face upon the matter to the very last. Looking up, as if to a
point in the ceiling of the dark hall of judgment, and holding my hands
before, as if in amazement--"Holy Virgin," cried I, bending on my knee,
"I thank thee for the sign. My Lord," continued I fiercely, "I fear you
not; you have sentenced me to perish by the flames; I tell you that I
shall leave my dungeon with honour, and be as much courted as I have
been now reviled."

The inquisitors were for a moment staggered, but their surprise gave
place to their cruelty, when they considered how long they had tortured
thousands for doubting points to which they themselves had never for a
moment given credence. I was remanded to my dungeon; and the gaoler,
who had never before witnessed such boldness in the hall of justice, and
was impressed with the conviction that I was supported as I had
affirmed, treated me with