“And what became of the document?” “That man there”--the man pointed out Ned--“thrust it into his sailor upper garment.” Once more the general stepped to the door. “Search these men,” he ordered, summoning in the squad of insurgent cavalry outside. Restraining a strong inclination to knock their searchers “galley west,” as Stanley put it, the Americans submitted to the ordeal. Of course, nothing was found of the will. “Will you tell me where the document is?” demanded the general. “It is your last chance.” “Oh, go away and don’t bother us,” said Stanley. “We want to sleep.” “I am not addressing you, sir,” said the general, with almost a pleading note in his voice. “Remember, you are young, and life is sweet,” he added, turning to Ned; “one word and you are free.” “All of us?” “Yes, all of you. I will trust to your honor to deliver the document to me if you promise to do so.” In that moment Ned was tried as men have seldom been tested. As the cunning general had pointed out, life was very sweet to him--so sweet that he had not dared to think of the last grim scene which would be enacted the next morning. But in his decision he held all their fates. By saying one word he could procure their liberation. But to do so he would have to sacrifice a girl’s happiness and rob a woman of estates that belonged to her by right. While he hesitated the same thoughts had been running through the minds of his comrades. Ned, gazing at them, saw that they were all of the same mind. “Come!” It was the general’s voice. He was encouraged by the Dreadnought Boy’s hesitation, and put it down to a tacit acceptance of his base proposal. “Come, you will say yes?” “Not if it was the last day I had to live!” shot out Ned, and then halted, with a gasp of dismay, as he realized that, in all probability--short of a miracle happening--it was his last day to live. “Unanimous again!” proclaimed Stanley, as the general turned inquiringly to him. “Fools! You have signed your own death warrants,” snarled the insurgent leader, as he turned impatiently and, followed by his companions, left the cell. As he did so a dull, booming sound came from seaward, followed by a loud, screeching rush overhead. “What on earth is that?” gasped Ned. As he spoke, a terrific explosion sounded without, and the air became filled with sharp commands, outcries and groans. “Sounds like a six-inch shell!” exclaimed Stanley. CHAPTER XVI. THE BOMBARDMENT. “A shell!” echoed Ned. As he spoke there came another screaming rush, and this time it was followed by a reverberating crash. The earth shook. The projectile had burst near at hand. “Thought I hadn’t forgotten the tune,” muttered Stanley. “There must be a ship to seaward pumping metal into this wasp nest!” exclaimed Midshipman Stark, his face burning with excitement. “That’s it, sir, I think. Here, Strong, give me a leg up--so.” Once more Stanley peered through the window, supporting himself as before.