he window, which was very closely
barred, a view of the bay could be obtained, and Stephen felt that his
quarters were better than he had expected. As soon as he was alone he
examined the apartment more closely. Looking down as well as he could
between the bars he could see the top of a wall some twenty yards away,
and decided that a courtyard surrounded the building, so that even could
he find any means of descending from his window it would be necessary
afterwards for him to climb this wall. At present, however, he had no idea
of trying to escape. To do so would, were he caught, greatly prejudice his
case, and might be used as an excuse for his instant execution. However,
he concluded that if he could loosen the bars it would be as well to do so
without loss of time, as it might be necessary to make the attempt at very
short notice.

Upon examining the bars he found that they were so strongly built into the
wall that it would be a task demanding a very long time to execute.
Turning from this he examined the door. The framework was massive, and he
had noticed as he had entered that it was fastened outside by two heavy
iron bolts. "There is not much to be done that way," he said. "Now I must
wait to see how my meals are brought in. The only possible way that I can
think of is that of overpowering the warder and getting out in his
clothes. I don't suppose that there is much order or discipline in a
Spanish prison, and if I could once get down into the yard after dark, I
might walk quietly out if there is a gate open, or climb that wall if
there isn't."

That evening his supper was brought in by the warder into whose charge he
had been given. He was accompanied by another armed with sword and musket.

"Two of them," Stephen said to himself, as, after retiring without having
spoken a word, his guards closed and bolted the door behind them. "I think
I could manage them at a pinch. It seems to me that an escape is possible,
but the question is what should I do with myself when I got out. If the
fleet had been still off the town I might have made along the shore,
stolen a boat, and rowed out; but as it has gone there is nothing to be
done that way. A journey on foot from here to the frontier and down
through Chili would be a tremendous affair. I should be pursued, and as it
would be guessed that I had gone that way, orders would be sent to every
town and village to look after me, and a man in the dress of a Spanish
officer