ot think of
examining the bars, as it did not occur to them that the fugitives had
escaped by the window; at last they came back, looking very
disheartened. Four of the soldiers, roughly dragging the midshipmen
into the passage, led them downstairs. They were then conducted into a
courtyard, where a number of other prisoners were collected, some
heavily-manacled, and others with their arms secured as theirs were, by
ropes. They looked round, and, before long, recognised Colonel O'Regan,
as also the masters, mates, and men of the two merchantmen. There were,
besides, a number of prisoners in military uniform, whose countenances
all wore an agitated and anxious expression, though some tried to hold
up their heads and to look indifferent as to the fate awaiting them.
All the Englishmen were manacled, as though their captors supposed that
they would make an attempt to escape. The midshipmen would scarcely
have known Colonel O'Regan had it not been for his dress and his tall,
commanding figure, so pale and haggard had he become; their guards not
stopping them, they made their way up to him. He recognised them with a
smile of satisfaction.

"What are they going to do with us, Colonel O'Regan?" asked Tom,
naturally beginning to feel more nervous than at first.

"To murder us, I fear," answered the colonel, in a low voice; "for
myself, I care not, but for her and for you my heart bleeds. Tell me,
young gentlemen, where is she? How does she bear up against the cruel
fate which has overtaken her? I have been unable to learn anything
about her since I was shut up in that horrid den with these ruffians."

The poor colonel was somewhat relieved at hearing that his daughter was
not ill-treated, and that her black maid was allowed to remain with her.
Tom told him also of the kindness of the gaoler's wife.

"She is not ungrateful, then, for a slight service I once did her,
little thinking at the time how it would be repaid," he remarked. "Poor
girl, these barbarians would not allow me even a last parting farewell
with her."

"But do you really suppose that there is no hope for us, Colonel
O'Regan?" exclaimed Tom. "Surely they will not dare to shoot us!"

"For myself I certainly expect no mercy," answered the colonel,
gloomily. "I have, however, hopes that though they may not be
influenced by pity for you and your companion, they will hesitate before
they injure those clad in the uniform of the British navy. I do not,