I was seated one morning tête-à-tête with the General, waiting the arrival of the Messenger with letters, &c. from the Fortress, when we observed a guard of Spanish soldiers pass by the window, headed by an officer on horseback, and having a prisoner in charge; and to our astonishment they stopped at the General's door. We were waiting with some little curiosity to learn the cause of this extraordinary visit, and were lost in conjectures as to whom the delinquent could be, when the door of the apartment was thrown open, and in rushed the prisoner himself, exclaiming with great excitement and the volubility of his nation--"General, you doubtless know me--I am Prince Napoleon Lucien Murat--I throw myself upon and claim your protection--I have been entrapped by the vile Spanish government" (this was soon after the restoration of the "_inclito_" Ferdinand). "Invited by the Commandant of San Roque to pay him a visit, I was seduced to leave Gibraltar, and on arriving at the Spanish lines was seized upon and hurried off under an escort, to be imprisoned at Algeciras, where I should have been murdered, but that fortunately I succeeded in persuading the officer charged with my safeguard to pass through San Roque on his way and allow me to speak to you. He unwittingly acceded to my request, and I now place myself under the protection of the British flag." "Monsieur," replied the General, with no slight astonishment, "this is indeed a very extraordinary, and apparently most unjustifiable proceeding; but I am sorry to inform you that I can afford you no _protection_. The British flag does not fly at San Roque; and I myself reside here only by permission of the Spanish government. My good offices,--as far as they can be of service in liberating you,--shall not be wanting; but, in the mean time, pray let me hear further particulars of this plot against your liberty; and Scott,"--turning to me--"have the goodness to go to the Spanish Commandant, and request he will favour me with a few minutes' conversation." I proceeded as directed to the quarters of the Colonel of the Regiment of Granada, which at that time formed the garrison of San Roque, and was ushered in to the Commandant, whom I found at his toilet, and not a little surprised at my early visit.