The captain got up at daybreak, and awoke us by shouting for his breakfast. During the meal, which he hurried over, he asked Mr Laffan a number of questions; then suddenly turning to me he said-- "How is it that you, who have been some months in the country, cannot speak Spanish?" I looked at Mr Laffan and signed to him to reply. "The young milord has no aptitude for learning languages," he observed. "If you were to go to England, it might be some months before you could make yourself understood." The Spaniard, smiling grimly, said, "That's strange, for I was awakened during the night by hearing him cry out, in very good Spanish, threatening to shoot somebody. I recognised his voice, and could not be mistaken." I endeavoured to look perfectly unconcerned, as if I had not understood what was said. "You must have been dreaming, senor captain," observed Mr Laffan; "I was nearer to him than you, and did not hear his voice." He then, turning to me, asked what the Spaniard could mean. "Tell him that the young English lord is indignant at having such remarks made; that he must apologise for venturing to say such things. It will be better to carry matters with a high hand." The captain again smiled grimly, and muttered, "We shall see, we shall see." Having finished his meal, without even offering to pay the landlady he left the house and joined his men, who were waiting for him at the door with the captive silleros and peons. I followed him out unobserved, and heard him remark "that they must push on as fast as they could go, and keep ahead of the two English travellers." "They are not likely to start for a couple of hours," answered the sergeant; "and if you wish it, we may find means to stop them." Some further conversation ensued, when the captain took out a paper, on which he wrote several sentences. "Give this to Major Alvez, and if he thinks fit he will despatch a party to arrest them. You may accompany it, as you know them, and so there will be no mistake." Not wishing to be discovered, I returned into the house before I could hear more. The captain, mounting a strong mule, rode off, followed by the soldiers and the prisoners.