’Marry! pretty dove, do not have the doleful dumps on that score, for such a message will not be difficult to deliver,’ laughed Captain Morgan; ’the little Señorita can give it to that valiant warrior her brother, for I purpose despatching four of my ships there this very evening.’ Felipa and Catalina lifted up their heads in horror, and the former burst into tears as she exclaimed, ’You will go to Chagres and attack the great Don Alvarez! That cannot be!’ ’Why not? Before the whole cheese is taken one must taste a little bit of it and see if it is good. From Chagres we can easily cross the narrow neck of land, but we want good guides to traverse that marshy region. Know you any such?’ ’I will send and warn my uncle,’ said Felipa proudly, drying her tears; ’he is better armed than we were here, and he will receive you in a manner you will not like--that I can well foreknow.’ Captain Morgan nodded to his companion. ’So said I, pretty maid. Mark you, Maintenon, I will tell Captain Brodely to keep the ships well together; I hear from that vile caitiff Espada that the mouth of the river is dangerous, and that there are several gunboats stationed there.’ ’And if it were not,’ put in Felipa incautiously, ’the castle is on the top of the mountain and can never be taken. My uncle Don Alvarez will not be deceived by your tricks as was my father, and your fair promises will be laughed to scorn by him, for he will fight to the death.’ ’Thank you, pretty Señorita, for your advice. I will not forget to tell my men what kind of brave gentlemen they will have to meet; an we are worsted we must yield on honourable terms. But, doubtless, your brother will tell us more. I’faith, Maintenon, I must see that the ships are well manned and victualled: it does not do to trust any one but oneself when there is much risk in an enterprise, and, for all we know, a mortal crisis and some mangling of Christian bones.’ So saying, the Captain moved away, and smiled as he noticed old Catalina in her corner busily muttering her usual imprecations against him. When not thwarted Henry Morgan was an agreeable man with much sense of humour; and it was partly this that had enabled him to keep his heterogeneous horde together, though quarrels were frequent enough, and led, as he said, to bangs and knocks sufficient to harden any softer fists. There was much indignation and many exclamations of despair from the girls and their old nurse when they were once more alone, which were only calmed when Felipa indignantly remarked: ’My uncle Don Alvarez will never be conquered by such people, and dear Carlo will see him and tell him, when he has routed these knaves, to come to our help. If only I could see my brother!’ But it was not thought prudent to descend again after the narrow escape Etta had had, for they could not tell at what hour Carlo might be released.