any of the men here enumerated
are still within the jurisdiction of the Governor of Panama. I have not
a doubt that every one of them has, long ere this, been apportioned out
among the various galleys belonging to the port, and in all likelihood
every man is at this moment somewhere at sea. The utmost that Don
Silvio will probably be able to do will be to indicate the name of the
galley to which each man has been condemned, and perhaps to state, in a
few cases, the present approximate locality of the galleys."

"You think so?" returned George, an ominous frown gathering upon his
brow. "Then, all I can say, Don Sebastian, is that if the Governor of
Panama can do no more than that, it will be disastrously unfortunate for
you and your city!"

Don Sebastian became visibly paler as he stirred uneasily in his chair,
regarding the young Englishman questioningly and in silence for a few
moments. Then he said:

"Senor, pardon me if I say that I scarcely understand you. You surely
cannot mean that you will hold this town responsible for your inability
to obtain possession of the men you seek?"

"You are mistaken, senor, if you imagine any such thing," retorted
George. "I hold _every_ Spaniard on the continent responsible for the
safety and well-being of those men. It was by Spanish treachery that
they are at this moment living in hell upon earth--for I know something
of what life as a galley-slave means--and I am going to employ every
possible means at my disposal to bring pressure upon you and your
fellow-countrymen to right the wrong that has been done. Therefore, I
beg that, in communicating with the Governor of Panama, you will make it
clear to him that, to save Nombre from sack and destruction, he must
exhaust his utmost powers to secure the speedy release of those men."

"But, senor--" began Don Sebastian, remonstratingly.

"Not another word, senor," interrupted George, determinedly. "What I
have said, I have said. Tell Don Silvio that I hold the shore battery,
and that, therefore, Nombre de Dios is absolutely at my mercy. Tell him
also that I am holding you, among others, as a hostage to secure
ourselves from interference or attack by soldiery or civilians, and, in
short, make it clear to him that if those men are not speedily
surrendered to me, the Spaniards will have to pay dearly for them in
blood and treasure. Now, please proceed with the preparation of your
communication to Don Silvio, for time is f