"I must insist, also, that the two vessels captured by your squadron be
brought into this harbour and anchored astern of my brig before
to-morrow evening. I give you until then as the winds are light, but
there must be no delay. Now, general, I must have your answer, as time
is passing, or, before long, we shall have your vessels blown into the
air. I require the immediate liberation of all the prisoners still
alive. With regard to the rest, my government will settle with you
by-and-by," and Murray took out his watch, and carelessly held it up, so
that the general and his officers might see the time.

The action had an electric effect on all present; the general held a
brief consultation with his officers, and, though he attempted to
bluster a little, they agreed forthwith to give up the prisoners.

"You have got on admirably, captain," observed the consul, as he and his
companions left the hall. "Your mode of proceeding will always be
successful when practised on people like those with whom we have at
present to deal, and on a larger scale, probably, with most of the
nations of the earth."

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

TOM AND ARCHY IN PRISON--THEIR TRICK ON THE GAOLER--SOLDIERS APPEAR--
TAKEN FROM PRISON--MEET COLONEL O'REGAN--MARCHED THROUGH THE TOWN--
PRISONERS GOING TO EXECUTION--DISTANT CANNONADING HEARD--THE
FIRING-PARTY--DEATH OF COLONEL O'REGAN--THE MIDSHIPMEN TRY TO HELP HIM--
CARRIED BACK TO PRISON--THEY AND STELLA LIBERATED BY MURRAY.

We must return to the night when Gerald Desmond and Needham made their
escape from the prison.

As soon as they were gone, Tom Rogers and Archy Gordon set to work on
the bar, and by hauling and pulling gradually worked it back into its
former position. They then stuck on the rust as before, and swept the
windows clear of the filings and remaining bits of rust, which might
have betrayed them.

"Now, Miss O'Regan, do lie down and take some rest," said Tom, ever
thoughtful of others. "You need it much already, and you cannot tell
what fatigue you may have shortly to go through. I have hopes that
before long we shall get out of prison, and in the meantime it will
puzzle the gaoler to know how our friends have escaped, unless he
happens to hit upon this bar, and that I hope he will not do."

Tom and Archy returned to their own room.

"The longer the gaolers remain ignorant of the escape of Desmond and
Needham the better," observed Tom. "I think that I can contrive t