ough formal and
dignified, and so far fitted to have intercourse with the Spaniards, his
manners were not sufficiently conciliatory to have gained their
affections, and they consequently neglected to give him the information
on many points which it was most important for him to obtain.

Job and Bob exchanged a few passing remarks as they bumped along in a
way to which they were not at all accustomed, and which caused their
words to come out like shot from guns irregularly served in action, or
the pantings of a broken-down steam-engine; only such an invention was
not known in those days.

"I'd sooner be serving my gun aboard the frigate than be on the top of
this here brute," observed Bob. "But it's no odds, I suppose; if we
catches the Mounseers, and drubs them, we shall ride back on their
backs--eh, Job?"

"Not so sure of that; they'll sham lame and refuse to carry us,"
answered the other seaman. "But I say, Bob, what a hurry our
lieutenant's in; to my mind, it's all about that young lady at the
window; mark my words, there'll be a splice some day or other, and good
luck to him too; a finer-hearted fellow never stepped, for all he's a
boatswain's son. There's some men born to be officers, and he's one of
'em."

People seldom dream of the way in which they and their acts are
discussed by their inferiors.

Don Josef now told Ronald that they were approaching the spot where he
hoped to overtake Colonel Armytage and his party, but no traces of them
could be seen. They must have proceeded faster than Don Josef had
calculated. "On, on!" was the cry. They met a peasant, a half-witted
fellow; he had seen such a party--a carriage with ladies, a waggon and
some horsemen--pass an hour before.

"We shall be too late, I fear," exclaimed Don Josef; "but on, my
friends; we may still overtake the enemy."

The party redoubled their speed; never had Ronald been worked up to such
a pitch of anxiety and eagerness.

The sound of shots was heard; the road wound among low broken cliffs,
and trees growing thickly together; it was a likely place for an
assault; so frequent were the bends made by the road that seldom was
there a direct view of more than a hundred yards. Horse and foot rushed
on, till Ronald remembering that their impetuosity might do more harm
than good, halted them; and begging Don Josef to remain with them and
not to advance till summoned, rode on with the two seamen, and six other
men, of the best-equipped