He had a military or naval cut about his appearance, and no doubt could swell with importance when on the deck of his ship or at the head of his brigade. "Tis well, comrades, we have secured the beast. What can prevail against Spanish valor? Those who are foolish enough to get in our way must pay the penalty, poor fools. Now that we have caught the great American eagle what shall we do with him?" he asked, still maintaining a consequential grip upon Roderic's coat tails. "Clip his wings!" said one in Castilian. Various other suggestions were offered, some amusing, others diabolical in their cruelty. Roderic laughed good naturedly. "Ah! gentlemen all," he remarked in that calm and pleasant way that indicates perfect control over the emotions, "you seem to forget you are not in Spain or Cuba, where such delightful little picnic parties as you mention are of daily occurrence. You are in the dominion of Her Majesty Queen Victoria--her officers are watching every move you make, and at this moment the shadow of Portland prison hangs over you, every man. "Don't imagine for a moment my presence is not known to these men from Scotland Yard, for we are working hand in glove. I am in your power, and you may do as you please, but mark me, if a hair of my head is injured every man here will be in irons before two hours have passed. That is all!" It was enough. The Jack Spaniards were shaky at the knees. Their respect for grim English laws and customs was bred in the bone--since the days when the Great Armada was destroyed by Providence and British valor, these people of the Iberian peninsula have seldom desired to pick a quarrel with Albion. So, upon hearing what Owen had to say, they looked at each other fearfully and then eyed the doors and windows as though half expecting to see the officers representing good old English law bursting upon the scene. Naturally a cock fights best upon his own ground, and this is particularly true of Spaniards as a people. Handicapped by their presence under a flag that was known to be more friendly toward the Americans than any other among the Powers, they found their claws cut. A hasty council of war was entered into. Self preservation is the first law of nature, and they were clamorous as to the means to be employed that would best insure his safety. No matter how wretched the cur, he has the same inherent love of life that nature gives to the finest created creature. Several times Don Porfidio attempted to take the reins and drive, but a spirit of communism was rampant, and the others would yield to no dictation. At other times perhaps they would give ready heed to all he had to say, since he occupied a high position in the councils of Spain; but just now all were on a common level and it was a case of life and death they had to settle. At length it was decided.