’It is impossible, I fear. I am only at liberty because I can be useful with the cattle and the horses in the compound.’ ’But, good Andreas, you cannot know how important it is that this Spanish gentleman should know that Captain Morgan has taken St. Catherine,’ said Harry quickly. ’If you cannot go, could you find some one else? Surely we have had enough horrors here and elsewhere,’ he added, half to himself. ’The blacks cannot be trusted, and none of my tribe would care to go. However, give it me, Señora; if I cannot go no one shall take the writing from me.’ And with this Etta had to be satisfied; but she added in English: ’If Andreas says no, it means no; for he is the cleverest and bravest Indian there is in all the island.’ ’When do you think the pirates will go, Andreas?’ she asked anxiously. ’The Captain is asking for men who know the roads on the mainland. I believe they intend to attack Panama; and yet that is a big rich city, and is not badly defended, so that I can hardly believe that such is really their intention.’ After this, Andreas said he must not stay longer, as he was obliged to go back to the compound, but that he would come the next day at sundown to the same place, if in the meanwhile he were unable to escape from the vigilance of his new masters in order to go to the mainland, where, some short distance down the Chagres River, stood the castle of that name, strongly garrisoned by Spanish soldiers. As Harry and Etta returned towards the sitting-room the former promised he would come back early the next morning and bring what food he could find, only begging that the Señorita and Etta would not dream of showing themselves below stairs; for indeed the scenes that went on--the drinking, swearing, and quarrelling--were no fit sight for them--’or, indeed, for any Christian man,’ added Harry. ’They will soon fall to and begin to cross their cudgels, fancying they are full of wit and valour; though, indeed, there are many who have only joined them because misfortunes have come upon them in the old country, and they fancy this wild life is better than starving. Some, too, were trained to fight in the late wars, and say that life is naught without a sword and a war-cry; yet I know that many of them disapprove of the cruel deeds they see.’ ’But you would escape if you could?’ asked Etta. ’Yes, indeed; but Captain Morgan knows that, and I feel sure I am often watched. Good-night, Mistress Etta. I will do my best to free you out of this distress.’ Etta found on her return that everything looked more cheerful, and indeed Felipa ran towards her friend and began kissing her as she laughed and cried alternately. ’What is the matter? what has happened?’ said Etta; for Catalina looked just as happy, and was praising all the saints in the calendar. ’Catalina is so clever and so good! Fancy! she has seen Carlo, and, look, he has shared our supper!’ ’Where is he? have they freed him?’