talk to you--he will convert you."

"We'll argue that point, Agnes. I will convert him if he has common
sense; if not, it's no use arguing with him. Where is he?"

"He will soon be at home."

"Tell me, Agnes, if you had your own will, would you marry me?"

"I don't know; I have never seen any one I liked so well."

"Is that all?"

"Is it not enough for a maiden to say?" replied Agnes, raising her eyes,
and looking reproachfully. "Signor, let me go, here comes my father."

Notwithstanding, Jack cast his eyes to the window where Gascoigne and
the senora were in converse, and perceiving that the old lady's back was
turned, he pressed Agnes to his bosom before he released her. The
gentlemen then returned with all the fire-arms and destructive weapons
they could collect.

"We have enough," observed Don Philip, "to arm all the people we have
with us."

"And we are all well armed," replied Jack, who had left Agnes standing
alone. "What now are your plans?"

"Those we must now consult about. It appears"--but at this moment the
conversation was interrupted by the sudden entrance of Pedro, who had
been despatched to the town with the load of wine. He rushed in,
flurried and heated, with his red cap in his hand.

"How now, Pedro, back so early!"

"O signor!" exclaimed the man--"they have taken the cart and the wine,
and have drawn it away up to the mountains."

"Who?" inquired Don Rebiera.

"The galley-slaves who have been let loose--and by the body of our
blessed saint, they have done pretty mischief--they have broken into the
houses, robbed everything--murdered many--clothed themselves with the
best--collected all the arms, provisions, and wine they could lay their
hands on, and have marched away into the mountains. This took place
last night. As I was coming down within a mile of the town, they met me
with my loaded cart, and they turned the bullocks round and drove them
away along with the rest. By the blessed Virgin! but they are stained
with blood, but not altogether of men, for they have cut up some of the
oxen. I heard this from one of the herdsmen, but he too fled and could
not tell me more. But, signor, I heard them mention your name."

"I have no doubt of it," replied Don Rebiera. "As for the wine, I only
hope they will drink too much of it to-night. But, Pedro, they will be
here, and we must defend ourselves--so call the men together; I must
speak to them."

"We shall never see the bu