’I have had it often on my conscience that God was punishing me for my many discontented thoughts,’ said the boy; ’and yet I think Mr. Aylett would not put it so. He must have told my parents that I was willing to stay.’ ’No, no; he could not blame you,’ said Etta, clasping her hands, ’for then you would have also to say that God is punishing me for having been often in a passion when I was but ten years old. We must always be friends now, Harry, for our stories are much alike; but some day you will get back home, and you will tell your parents all you went through and of all your adventures, and then you will remember me and send some good merchant to take me away from St. Catherine to my uncle’s house in Kent. I will show you the letters I have some time.’ ’If an English man-of-war was to touch here, then I would run away,’ said Harry. ’I have never given my word not to escape.’ ’And did you really always say your prayers?’ said Etta under her breath, who looked upon Harry as a very saintly hero. ’For sometimes I have forgotten them when nobody reminded me; and you must have found it very difficult.’ ’Nay, but without them I think I should have despaired entirely.’ Catalina now broke in upon their talk by saying, ’Come, young Englishman, if you are as friendly as you pretend, why can you not get my poor Carlo out of that dungeon? He will die there, for I am sure those ruffians will give him no food.’ ’I will do my best,’ said Harry, ’and anyhow I will bring you news later in the day; and I will go now and see if I can do aught with the Captain for him.’ When he was gone, Felipa and Etta fell fast asleep on a low couch, being quite wearied out with the events of the long night and morning, and so for a little while they forgot their troubles. CHAPTER XI. THE SECRET PASSAGE. Etta’s courage came back with new energy after her long rest; the presence of Harry Fenn in the castle seemed to lessen the dangers which now evidently surrounded the little party; and, at all events, so long as he was here they would not be left in uncertainty. But it was nearly sunset before any one came to break their solitude in the sitting-room. At last there was a sound. ’Hish! Open: it is Harry Fenn. Have no fears.’ Etta ran to the door and let him in. He had a basket in his hands full of fruit, and also some bread, on which Catalina seized with joy. ’I knew you must be hungry,’ said Harry, ’so I took these when no one was looking. All the slaves are working with unusual activity. In truth, the Captain has enough to do, and the Marquis has been sent to San Salvador to make the garrison deliver up all the guns that are there. It is sad to see him so cast down.’