uit ye
better."

None of the Indians made any reply.

"Would you object to cry, '_Viva el Rey?_'" asked the alcalde with a sneer.
"They will not answer," he added, shaking his head. "Away with them all."

And at the word, half a dozen familiars sprang from the stone benches and
out of the recesses, passed lassos through the iron collars of the
prisoners' fetters, and dragged them away, like calves to the slaughter.

"Cut it short, Don Ferro," said the alcalde abruptly. "The shorter the
better; his excellency is waiting for us. You know they do not pay much
attention to the writing part of the business, and right enough too,
seeing that the sentence is generally executed before it is signed."

The escribano took the hint, and handed the paper to the Alcalde, who
signed it, as did also the chief alguazil.

"Caramba!" exclaimed the magistrate, yawning and stretching himself. "We
have done for to-night, but it is only to begin again to-morrow.
Well--_oremos, Senores!_"

And so saying, the man rose from his seat, approached a sideboard, on
which was a basin and can of water, and after he and his two companions
had washed their hands, they took from the table the candles, a crucifix,
and an image of the Virgin de los Remedios, placed them upon a stool that
stood against the wall, knelt down, and prayed audibly, "Ave Maria, regina
coeli, audi nos peccatores!" Those of the verdugos and jailers who still
remained in the vault, joined in the supplication with that solemn fervor
which Spaniards are wont to blend with their devotions. When the prayer
was ended, the alcalde rose, took up his papers, and left the vault,
accompanied by the escribano and chief alguazil, and followed by the
inferior officials, with the exception of one, whose blue and white dress
indicated an executioner. To this man the alguazil, in going out, had
whispered something which made him start. Recovering, however, from his
surprise, he extinguished the candles, wrapped himself in a sheep-skin,
and lay down upon one of the benches.

CHAPTER THE FORTY-SECOND.

"Per me si va nella citta dolente,
Per me si va nell' eterno dolore,
Per me si va tra la perduta gente."
DANTE.

All was now still in the spacious vault, with the exception of a distant
clank of chains and murmur of voices, which echoed dismally along the
massive walls and under the gloomy arches. Suddenly, rapid but cautious
footsteps were heard, a