About eighty Carlist prisoners were put to death, among them Colonel O’Donnell and a priest, who, after their heads had been cut off, were dragged by the heels a roundabout way through streets towards the opposite end of the great public Rambla. The Consul could not leave his office. Skipwith and I went to meet them. Being in uniform, we were not likely to be molested. We found the headless bodies on an open space, between the cathedral and the theatre, where a performance took place by torchlight. A cloaked Spaniard stepped from the crowd, and demanded: “Cuyo cadaver es aguel?” The reply came from one of the assassins: “Aguel es el cadaver de O’Donnell, el traidor.” The first speaker drew a dagger from his cloak, and plunged it into the body, on drawing it out touched the blade with his lips. The performance was repeated on the priest. Then followed some of the softer sex, chiefly well dressed, and men alternately. In the Ataxarnes Fort were confined peasants, who had been seized because some Carlist troops had passed through their village. It was now past midnight; the Spanish General still held council at the palace, which was surrounded by a large body of the National Guard. At the palace we were allowed to ascend to the council chamber. Doubting the power of the General to prevent the mob repeating their butcheries at the Ataxarnes Fort, I sent Skipwith off to the _Rodney_ to inform Captain Parker what I proposed doing, which was, to offer the services of the _Childers_ to protect life, by taking joint possession, with the Spanish troops, of the Ataxarnes Fort, which could be done on the sea-front by scaling-ladders from the brig, and so, with the Spanish garrison and English marines, hold the fort until the force from the _Rodney_, some 800 men, could join. It was evident my proposition caused a division in the court. At daybreak, before we had time to act, the Spanish flag and the Union Jack were flying together on the Ataxarnes Fort. The doctor who was in attendance on the prima donna of the opera in her confinement, considered her life saved when he informed her of the fact. [Sidenote: Jan. 14. Mar. 14.] After two months’ work on the coast, arrived at Gibraltar. It was now the middle of the hunting season. The Calpe hounds were as perfect as pains and money could make them. Fresh blood was imported as opportunity offered. The prickly-pear nearly the only obstacle that could check a run. On occasions when bull-fights took place at Algeciras, notice was sent to the regimental messes that _Childers_ would be ready to convey officers across. There was no steamer, but my little brig never failed to land friends in time. [Sidenote: Mar. 23.] Left Gibraltar and rejoined my worthy chief at Port Mahon. The _Rodney_ refitting in the most commodious of ports, lying alongside the dockyard without the inconvenience of a rise and fall of tide.