rning, to my great joy, I
found that the bar moved, and that it could be wrenched out without much
difficulty.

As dawn broke I replaced my bedstead, hiding the place where I had
broken out the piece of iron with the bedclothes. I then got in, and,
overcome with my exertions, was soon asleep.

When the jailer appeared, he placed a small basket of provisions, in
addition to the usual prison fare, on my table.

"I thought I was right," he said, looking at me. "You are paler than
yesterday. The doctor has done you no good. You had better let me send
for a confessor. But, before long, he will be sure to come. Prisoners
of your rank are never sent out of the world without a visit from him."

"When he comes, I will do my best to satisfy him," I answered,
evasively; and the jailer, with a shake of the head, took his departure.

Later in the day the doctor appeared. "Your young prisoner requires a
severe operation," he observed, as he entered. "I won't ask you to
wait, as I can perform it alone; but you need not be in a hurry to
return."

Without looking to see whether the jailer had gone away, he approached
me, and in a rough voice told me to show him my wound. He then dressed
it as he had done before, and whispered,--"It is going on favourably;
but we must not let the commandant know that. I have good and bad news
to give you; good if you manage to make your escape, but otherwise bad.
I yesterday met an old friend of yours, who commands a schooner which
has come in here under English colours. Finding him a bold, dashing
fellow, I told him that a young Englishman in whom I was interested was
shut up in prison, and would very likely be put to death if not rescued.
When I mentioned your name, he exclaimed,--`I know him well! He came
out with his uncle not long ago from England. I will run every risk to
save the lad's life. With my brave fellows we might take the castle by
surprise, and, before the Spaniards could collect to oppose us, carry
him off.' I talked the matter over with Captain Longswill, and
dissuaded him from following the plan he proposed, feeling sure that it
would be much safer for you to try and effect your escape as before
intended. Finally, the captain agreed to get a plan of the fort and
surrounding ground, that you might be the better able to direct your
course should you succeed in getting out of prison. The next day he
brought it to me--and here it is;" and the doctor put a paper care