nti-climax began to force itself upon his notice; and, being a
lad with a keen appreciation of humour, it was with difficulty that he
conquered an almost irresistible inclination to laugh aloud while he
reflected upon the situation. By an effort of will, however, he
conquered the desire to indulge in untimely mirth--for he fully realised
that he and his followers were standing upon the crumbling brink of a
volcano, and said, with an air of great dissatisfaction and annoyance:

"That is all you can tell me about them! But, senor, this is really
most unsatisfactory. For all practical purposes I am no wiser than I
was when I left Saint Juan. This information will not materially assist
me to find and procure the release of my unfortunate fellow-countrymen.
I am afraid I must ask you to offer me a suggestion. You must remember
that I am here to avenge and obtain satisfaction for the treacherous
treatment of my countrymen last year, by your King's representative, the
Viceroy of Mexico; and, whatever hardship, or suffering, or loss his
Most Catholic Majesty's lieges in this country may be called upon to
endure at my hands, in my determination to obtain satisfaction for that
outrage, they must lay to the door of his Excellency Don Martin
Enriquez. Therefore, for your own sakes, I look to you to assist me in
every possible way. I have explained to you the nature of my business
here, which, I repeat, is to procure the immediate release of those
seventeen unfortunate Englishmen, unjustly doomed to life-long servitude
in your galleys. How is it to be done? I look to you for suggestions."

Don Sebastian shrugged his shoulders, and stared helplessly at his
secretary; and the latter, recognising the nature of the appeal conveyed
by his chief's eyes, folded his arms, sank his chin upon his chest, and
proceeded to stalk meditatively to and fro the length of the room. His
meditations continued for close upon ten minutes, then, as George began
to manifest symptoms of growing impatience, Senor Montalvo flung up his
head with the triumphant air of one who has solved a difficult problem,
and said:

"It appears to me, Excellency, and most noble Adelantado, that the only
thing to be done is for your Excellency to address a letter to the
Governor of Panama, explaining the situation, and requesting his help to
determine the present whereabouts of the prisoners, entrust that letter
to a reliable and intelligent messenger, who fully und