lantern from the post, and blew
out the light.

"Here, Clara," he continued, "help me to make a hole. I intend hiding
it--so that I can get it again, whenever I may want it."

The two men kneeling down, and using the blades of their knives, soon
carved out a hollow place, in which Costal deposited the lamp still
containing the resin candle.

"Now, friend Clara," said the Indian, as soon as they had covered it in,
"sit down here, and let us try if we can't think of some way to capture
this castle, as well as the _picaro_ who is within it."

"Willingly, I will," answered the black; and seating themselves side by
side, the two associates commenced with all due gravity their important
deliberation.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

THE ISLE OF ROQUETA.

While thus on the summit of the _Voladero de los Hornos_ the Indian
Costal and the negro Clara were debating between themselves how the
castle might be captured--the same subject was being discussed by two
persons of more importance in the tent of the insurgent general. These
were Morelos himself, and Don Hermenegildo Galeana--now usually styled
the "Marshal," to distinguish him from another Galeana, his own nephew,
who was also an officer in the insurgent army.

The countenance of Morelos had not yet cast off the shadow caused by the
failure of their assault upon the castle; and his garments were still
soiled with dust, which, under the agitation of violent passions, he
disdained to wipe off.

The brow of the Marshal was also clouded; but that was rather by
reflecting the unpleasant thoughts that were troubling the spirit of his
well-beloved General: for no care of his own ever darkened the
countenance of the warlike Galeana.

A chart of the bay and roadstead of Acapulco lay upon the table before
them, illuminated by two candles, whose light was every moment becoming
paler, as the day began to break into the tent.

They had been for some time engaged in discussing the important matter
in question. The Marshal had been endeavouring to press upon the
General the necessity of at least capturing the town: since the troops
were not only badly provided with tents and other equipage, but were in
such a position among the burning sands, that it was difficult to
transport provisions to the camp. Moreover, the situation on the
river's bank was exceedingly unhealthy; and fever was daily thinning the
ranks, and prostrating some of their best soldiers. The Marshal urged,