s real name gets wind, and great
alarm is excited even amongst the very judges and officials who have had
to do with his capture and condemnation, as to what the consequences of
his death may be. Already have two of the alguazils who apprehended him,
been stabbed in the open street; there is a rumour and a murmur throughout
the city of Mexico, which bodes no good. Nevertheless the viceroy holds
firm, trusting to his Spanish bayonets to keep down rebellious
demonstrations, and to his assumed ignorance of Don Manuel's identity to
bear him harmless with Count San Jago. It is a critical time; the hour
appointed for Manuel's death draws near; the Count, apparently unaware of
his nephew's peril, has made no visible effort to rescue him; when, by a
boldly devised and rapidly executed scheme, which several Spanish
officials are induced by their fears either to aid or connive at, the
viceroy's secretary, who has been commissioned to witness the secret
execution of Don Manuel, is deceived, and the young Creole's life saved.
We will extract the chapter in which this occurs, and the one that
precedes it. The action of them both passes in the prisons beneath the
viceregal palace.

CHAPTER THE FORTY-FIRST.

"I'll see if his head will stand steadier on a pole or no:--Take him
away, and behead him."--_King Henry VI._

Don Penafil, alcalde of the right worshipful _cabildo_ or town-council of
Mexico, was in the act of raising a glass of sangaree to his lips, when
the chief alguazil entered the vault and informed him that his excellency
the Oidor of the Audiencia wished to speak with him. Setting down his
glass, he looked searchingly at the messenger.

"His excellency wishes to speak with us? Shall be at his service as soon
as we have finished with this rabble. Will cut it short; Don Ferro," added
he to his coadjutor, who was busily writing, "how far have we got?"

"No. 4," answered the escribano.

"Bring up No. 4," growled a voice at the further end of the vault, and a
hoarse laugh was heard, although the person who uttered it still remained
invisible. The lower part of the vault was gloomy, being only lighted by
glimmering lamps that hung on either side of a pillar, and shed a misty
imperfect gleam over surrounding objects. In various recesses, dark
figures might be seen lurking in the gloom, as if they shrank from
observation. Some of them were lying stretched upon stone benches, wrapped
in sheep-skin garments, and sn