Those from the Guardian-Mother who understood the testimony could not refrain from laughing heartily at the number of lies Gray had crowded into his evidence. Captain Velazquez and the seamen backed up the statement of Gray, and it was plain enough that the Scotchman had dictated the story they were to tell. Louis asked an officer of the court if the prisoners had been confined in the same cell, and learned that such was the case. Of course they had talked over the situation, and had agreed upon what they were to say. The question was then asked if the Dutch witnesses spoke Spanish. Only one of those who had been on board of the little steamer could do so, and Louis was called upon to give his testimony. He had some doubts in regard to the sufficiency of his linguistic ability for such an occasion; but he promptly took his place in front of the judge. The dignitary of the bench was an old man, who looked as though he might have seen eighty Spanish winters, judging by the innumerable wrinkles on his face and the paucity of the white hairs on his head. "What is your name?" asked the venerable dispenser of justice. [Illustration: "'WHAT'S YOUR NAME?' ASKED THE VENERABLE DISPENSER OF JUSTICE."] "Louis Belgrave, _su merced_" (your honor), replied the owner of the Guardian-Mother. "You are a Dutchman; from what part of Holland do you come?" "From no part of Holland; I am an American, your honor," replied Louis, who had entirely recovered the self-possession he had lost for the moment. He proceeded to explain that he resided in Von Blonk Park, which was a town in the State of New Jersey, and quite near the city of New York. The name of the town had led Señor Gray to suppose he was a Dutchman, though he had fully explained to him that he was an American, and that neither he nor any of his companions were Dutch. "What is your business?" "I have no business," replied the witness with a smile. "Why do you come to Gibraltar?" asked the judge, evidently puzzled by the answer and the manner of the young gentleman. "I am going all over the world in my steam-yacht, the Guardian-Mother, which lies at the New Mole in Gibraltar; and we put in there to see the place," replied Louis, blushing in spite of himself, for he felt compelled to speak the exact truth. "_Muy ricos!_" (Very rich!) exclaimed the judge. "_Si, su merced._" "You are only a boy!" "No, _su merced_. My mother is with me;" whereupon Captain Ringgold and Mr. Gaskette laughed, and there was a smile on the face of the judge. Louis did not like to "blow his own horn," even so far as to state the facts in regard to himself as the owner of the steam-yacht, and he took the liberty to explain that his mother was his guardian, and that the trustee of his property was present, and would inform him fully as to his affairs.