t is best that no one should know our intention, you and
Costal must hang a lantern on the bridge of Hornos. That is to be the
signal for our approach to the gate."

Saying this, the commander-in-chief dismissed his captain--who strode
forth out of the marquee, with no very sanguine anticipations of
obtaining a tranquil night's rest.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

THE SECRET SIGNAL.

The fortress castle of Acapulco stands at some little distance from the
town, commanding the latter. It is built upon the summit of the cliffs
that inclose the Acapulco Bay--against whose base the waves of the South
Sea are continually breaking. On each side of the fortress a deep
ravine or barranca pierces the precipice down to the depths of the
ocean--so that the castle stands upon a sort of island promontory or
_voladero_. The cliff upon the right flank of the castle is called the
_Voladero de los Hornos_; and over the ravine between it and the citadel
stretches a narrow bridge called _El Puento de los Hornos_.

Early in the following morning--while the insurgent camp was in
some confusion consequent upon an unexpected order from the
commander-in-chief; and while a strong detachment was getting under
arms, not knowing where they were to be conducted--Captain Don Cornelio
Lantejas and Costal the Indian were seen gliding silently along the
sea-beach in the direction of the fortress.

The night was still dark--for it wanted yet two hours to sunrise--and
both the town and castle were wrapped in the most profound slumber. The
only sounds heard distinctly were the continuous murmuring of the waves
as they broke along the beach.

The two men, after cautiously advancing towards the black cliff, on
which stood the fortress, commenced climbing upward. It was not without
much exertion, and danger too, that they at length succeeded in
ascending to the bridge of Los Hornos.

The Indian now struck a light; and kindling a resin candle, which he
carried inside his lantern, he hung the latter to a post that stood near
the middle of the bridge, fixing it in such a manner that the light
should shine in the direction of the fortress. It was the signal agreed
upon by the Gallician; and as their part of the performance was now
over, the two men sat down to await the attack which was soon to be made
by the General in person.

The position which they occupied commanded an extensive view--taking in
the town, the castle, and the ocean. Of the three,