he had done in the dirty worn-out clothes in which he had
escaped from the prison.

Murray steered directly for the landing-place, and boldly stepped on
shore, regardless of the crowd collected to gaze at the commander of the
dare-devil Englishmen, who had so quickly beaten their fleet. They,
however, treated him with respect, drawing back on either side to allow
him a free passage, as he marched with his flag and attendants towards
the consul's house. He found that functionary and the vice-consul in a
state of great agitation.

"You have indeed, captain, taught the Government here a lesson which
they will not easily forget, but I'm afraid that you have overdone it.
General Carmona sent to warn me that on the first shot fired he would
shoot all his prisoners, and I greatly fear that he has carried out his
threat."

"Surely he would not dare to murder Colonel O'Regan and his daughter,
and the English midshipmen," exclaimed Murray, his voice trembling with
agitation.

"I scarcely dare to say what he may have done," answered the consul; "he
is a villain of the first water, and would shoot his own father and
mother if they offended him."

Murray could scarcely speak for some time, so overpowering were his
feelings. By a great effort he recovered himself, and said, "I must beg
you to accompany me at once to the general, and I will insist on seeing
him."

It was evident that neither the consul nor vice-consul liked the duty
imposed on them, but they could not refuse to comply with the young
commander's request.

The ladies of the latter's family evidently thought that he was going on
a dangerous expedition, as they clung round him, weeping, as if they
were parting from him for ever.

"Pray don't be alarmed," exclaimed Paddy Desmond, who did not see
anything so very hazardous in the undertaking; "depend on it, your
respected papa will come back with a whole skin, and if not, we shall
have the satisfaction of knocking the city down over the ears of its
inhabitants."

The young ladies, who had not before recognised Paddy, now knew him by
the sound of his voice.

"What!" they all cried out together; "are you the young officer who got
out of prison in such a wonderful way? The people affirmed that you got
out with the help of a magician, as they have never discovered how you
made your escape; and the gaoler, who declares that you were safely shut
up when he last visited you, swears that it is impossible you shoul