entials
would have been sufficient had it not been for the evidence of the
peasant.

'Ask him,' ordered the President of the Court, 'if he loves the
Spaniards?'

'Yes,' replied Leckinski, when this question was put to him, 'and I
honour their devotion. I wish that our two nations were friends.'

'The prisoner,' said the interpreter, in French, 'declares that he hates
and despises us. He regrets that it is not in his power to unite our
whole nation into a single man, that he might annihilate us all with one
blow.'

As the interpreter spoke, every eye was bent on Leckinski, watching for
the effect upon him of this false interpretation, but not the slightest
change of expression was visible on his face. He had expected something
of this sort, and was firmly resolved not to betray himself.

Castagnos was present, an unwilling witness to this last trial, in which
he had refused to take an active part. He now rose, and spoke in the
voice of authority. 'The peasant must have been mistaken,' said he. 'Let
the young man be instantly set at liberty. We have treated him hardly,
but I hope that he will take into consideration the continual danger of
our position, which forces us to be suspicious and severe.'

And so at last Leckinski got back his arms and dispatches, and went
forth victorious. He reached Lisbon in safety, and fulfilled his
commission. Then he would have returned to Madrid, but Junot, full of
admiration for his pluck, would not allow him to run such another
risk.

[Illustration: "Thomas hurled the stone with all his force."]

THE GIANT OF THE TREASURE CAVES.

(_Continued from page 315._)

Estelle's cry was one of joy and relief, and her eyes soon discerned the
form of the sailor swimming towards her. Having no desire to encounter
Jack under such circumstances, Thomas hesitated no longer in getting out
of danger by climbing to the ledge above. The few moments that Estelle
would be in peril were not worth considering, as Jack was so near.
Thomas's chief feeling was bitterness at this renewed disappointment of
his hopes. Still, as long as the child was alive, his chance might come
again. So he lay quietly and silently, watching the sailor effect the
rescue. There was even some curiosity as to how Jack meant to save her.
Rage was in his heart, and as he watched his hand crept out almost
against his will and took up a stone lying near. For one mad moment, as
the sailor dragged himself up by the rock