ion,
"as a port of supply, by which the ships can always throw provisions
into the castle. But not to dispute the point, am I to understand that
your Excellency fixes the price at a thousand dollars? I agree to that
sum. You say you have captured ten thousand. Unfortunately for me, I
have the opportunity of selling the fortress only once."

"A thousand dollars down, do you mean?" inquired the General.

"Oh, no," replied the artilleryman; "what security would you have of my
keeping my word? Five hundred, cash down, and the balance when the
castle is delivered up to you."

"Agreed! And now, Senor Pepe Gago, what are your means for bringing
about the surrender?"

"I shall have the command of the portcullis guard from two till five
to-morrow morning. A lantern hung up on the bridge of Hornos to advise
me of your approach--a password between us--and your presence. I
presume your Excellency will not yield to any one the taking of the
place?"

"I shall be there in person," replied Morelos. "With regard to the
password, here it is."

The General handed to the Gallician a scrap of paper, on which he had
written two words, which neither Costal nor Lantejas were near enough to
read.

A somewhat prolonged conversation was now commenced between Morelos and
Pepe Gago, but carried on in a tone so low that the others did not
understand it import. At length the Spaniard was about to take his
departure, when Costal, advancing towards him, laid his hand firmly on
his shoulder.

"Listen to me, Pepe Gago!" said he to the Gallician in a serious voice.
"It is I who am responsible for you here; but I swear by the bones of
the Caciques of Tehuantepec--from whom I have the undoubted honour of
being descended--if you play traitor in this affair, look out for
Costal, the Zapoteque. Though you may dive like the sharks to the
bottom of the ocean, or like the jaguars hide yourself in the thickest
jungles of the forest, you shall not escape, any more than shark or
jaguar, from my carbine or my knife. I have said it."

The Spaniard again repeated his declarations of good faith, and retired
from the tent under the safe conduct of Costal.

"By-and-by," said the General to Lantejas when the others had gone, "I
shall speak to you of the mission I intend sending you upon. Meanwhile,
go and get some rest, as I shall want you at an early hour in the
morning. At four o'clock I shall myself take a party of men up to the
castle. As i