they were temporarily released from
their loathsome prison--where their bed had consisted merely of a thin
layer of damp straw cast upon the stone flags with which the dungeon was
paved, and where the only ventilation consisted of a small iron grating
let into the masonry above the door--and conducted, under a strong
guard, into the presence of the Governor of the city, who questioned
them closely concerning their names, nationality, where they had come
from, where they were bound for, and why they wished to go there. At
first the two Englishmen resolutely refused to answer any of the
questions put to them; but when at length the Governor, growing
exasperated at their obstinacy, threatened them with the torture of the
boot, Phil so far satisfied the man's curiosity as to inform him
truthfully of their names and nationality, adding the fictitious
information that, having quarrelled with their captain, they had been
forcibly put ashore somewhere in the Gulf of Darien, and had since been
wandering aimlessly about the country, not knowing where to go or how to
escape from it. The story was well enough concocted, considering that
it was made up on the spur of the moment; but it was evident that it did
not altogether satisfy his Excellency, who finally ordered them to be
taken back to their dungeon and kept there pending certain enquiries
which he proposed to make. Later in the day, when they once more found
themselves alone, and again chained to the dungeon wall, Dick, in his
simplicity, ventured to question Phil as to his reasons for resorting to
fiction instead of boldly telling the truth, or refusing to say anything
at all; to which Phil replied:

"My gentle buzzard, if I had persisted in refusing the Don's request for
information, we should have been put to the torture; for when these
fellows threaten a thing like that, they usually mean it; or, if they do
not actually mean it at the moment, they would unhesitatingly carry out
their threat, rather than give themselves the lie; and we should show
ourselves singularly deficient in common sense were we to submit to be
tormented for hours, and probably maimed for life, rather than impart a
little information--so long as that information is of such a nature as
to harm nobody. At all costs we must avoid being tortured, if we can;
for how could we hope to escape, or, having escaped, hope to carry out
our plans, if our bones were broken, or our limbs twisted out of joint.
T