d out who they were. The escort, however, at length halted in the
plaza of a village, which, being of considerable width, enabled us to
ride past them. Pretending not to be much concerned, yet eagerly
scanning the countenances of the prisoners, I saw several whom I knew,
but among them my uncle, Doctor Cazalla, who, with the rest, had been
compelled to walk, his hands secured behind his back with a rope. He
was now, with his companions in misfortune, seated on a log of wood. I
felt sure that he knew me, though he made no sign of recognition, and I
dared not make any to him; but my appearance showed him, I trusted, that
every effort would be made for his liberation. Further on was another
group of prisoners, some lying on the ground, others seated on a stone
bench. Fearing that the account the Spanish captain had given might not
be true, I half expected to see Dona Dolores and her father. The
Spaniards, of course, would not have treated her with more consideration
than they did their other prisoners; but I could see neither her nor
Senor Monteverde.

At that instant Lion rushed forward towards one of the people seated on
the bench, and what was my dismay to discover Uncle Richard! Fearful
lest the dog should betray us, I loudly called him back, pretending that
I thought he was about to fly at the prisoners. Though always obedient,
on this occasion he did not seem to heed me, until Uncle Richard spoke
to him in a stern voice, when the sagacious animal returned to my side
and remained there, as if he had never before seen Uncle Richard. He, I
saw, immediately recognised Mr Laffan and me, by the glance he cast at
us; but retaining his presence of mind, he made no sign to show that he
had done so.

I rode close to him, and turning round to Mr Laffan, I said aloud,--"I
wish he would address us as Englishmen, which he might easily do without
causing suspicion; we could then learn all we want to know, and form a
plan for helping him."

Directly I had said this, Uncle Richard shouted out, "I am sure those
are Englishmen! Have pity on me, noble gentlemen; I am your countryman,
made prisoner by the Spaniards, and shall very likely be shot if I am
not rescued."

He turned to the soldiers standing by, and said in Spanish, "Those are
English travellers--my countrymen. Allow them to speak to me; they are
always generous, and will reward you."

Without waiting for leave, we turned our horses towards the bench; and
lea