ions to his
own men, George hastened back to Government House, where he found Don
Sebastian anxiously awaiting his return. He explained to the Don the
state of affairs at that moment existing, so far as he had been able to
ascertain it, expressed the opinion that bloodshed might yet be averted,
and then proceeded to unfold to the Governor the precise nature of the
business that had brought him and his men to Nombre de Dios; that
business being of course the liberation of his brother and such other
prisoners as still remained in the hands of the Spaniards.

"I have already had the honour of explaining to your Excellency," he
said in conclusion, "that I am not here with a view to pillage; I have
exacted from San Juan what I regard as fair and just pecuniary
compensation for the Viceroy's treachery to my friends, Hawkins and
Drake, while they lay in the harbour of that city, a year ago; and, as I
have already pointed out, I have only seized Nombre in order that I may
be in a position to drive a bargain with you.

"Now, I learned from the authorities at San Juan de Ulua that, of the
Englishmen who fell into their hands upon the occasion just referred to,
seventeen--of whom my brother was one--were sentenced to the galleys,
and shipped on board a vessel named the _San Mathias_, bound to this
port. Now, senor, your city is in my hands, and it is in my power to
sack it, if I will. But I am prepared to hold the city to ransom upon
ridiculously advantageous terms to you; those terms being simply that,
in return for the surrender of those seventeen Englishmen into my hands,
safe and sound, I will withdraw my men, and retire from Nombre, leaving
the city itself and the property of its inhabitants untouched."

Don Sebastian gasped. "Senor," he exclaimed, throwing out his hands
appealingly, "how shall I say it? How shall I make you understand and
believe that you have asked practically the only thing that it is out of
my power to grant?"

"Why? What do you mean?" demanded George, in his turn. "Out of your
power to grant? I do not understand your Excellency. Do you mean to
tell me that those seventeen men are dead? That your accursed
Inquisition has claimed them? Or--what do you mean?"

"I mean, illustrious senor, that not one of those men now remains in
Nombre. They doubtless came here, since the authorities of San Juan say
so, but--stay now--let me think--yes--if those men ever arrived here
there will doubtless be