nor Captain," he said, "to join the other
foreign prisoners? They are my fellow-countrymen, and, in fact, my
intimate friends."

"Certainly, senor," said the Carlist chief, graciously. "For my own
part, I have no objection--that is, for the present. But I must first
see what they have to say about it."

He did so.

Ashby would have gained his wish if it had not been for Russell. When
the Carlist chief informed them that the other Englishman wished to
join them, Russell made Harry translate this to him. The moment that
he understood the request, he burst forth into a passionate tirade
against Ashby; and all the rage and fury that might be due to this
misadventure was now poured forth upon Ashby's head.

"The infernal puppy!" he cried. "He join us? Never! I'd rather turn
Carlist myself, or brigand. If he is forced upon us, I will keep my
wife and my ward apart and aloof from him. Oh, curse it all! if I
could only speak Spanish! But, Mr. Rivers, I insist upon your telling
this Spanish captain that we will not have it."

And so on. Harry found it useless to argue with him, and so he told
the Carlist chief that Russell objected. The Carlist chief then
returned and told Ashby, to whom this was another cruel blow.

"It will make no difference," said the Carlist chief, who saw his
dejection, "as you will all be taken to the same place."

Two mules were now driven up, harnessed to a curious vehicle that
might have taken Noah and family to the ark. Into this the Russell
party entered, namely, Mr. Russell, Mrs. Russell, Katie, Dolores, and
Harry. In addition to these there was the driver. Armed men followed
on foot.

Another similar vehicle drove up to take the luggage, and into this
Ashby was told to go. Some time was occupied in loading this, so that
when Ashby started the others were already far ahead.

The Russell party were conveyed very slowly. At first their route lay
along a plain, and then when this was traversed they began to ascend
among the mountains. The pace had all along been slow enough, but now
it became a crawl. The party were variously occupied. Russell was
grumbling and growling; Mrs. Russell was sighing and whining; Dolores
was silent and thoughtful; Harry, however, maintained his usual flow
of spirits, and found in Katie a congenial soul. These two had been
devoting themselves to one another during the whole journey, and by
this time they felt quite like old friends. Each had a lively
disposition,