“Mr. O’Halloran,” he said, “your parole is ended--are you willing to renew it? If so, ride in any part of the column you think fit, and consider yourself at perfect freedom.” “Colonel,” I replied, “to do so would be to abandon my last hope of liberty. Treat me as a close prisoner; I will not give the pledge you ask from me.” He looked at me suspiciously. “Is there any secret understanding with the enemy? have you received any private information? What hope of escape can you have? The escort is strong--our soldiers vigilant.” “Still--hopeless as they may be, 1 will not throw chances away. I tell you honestly, Colonel La Coste, that I will use every means of effecting an escape--” “Which I shall take precautions to render impracticable,” he added. “I have a stern duty to perform; and even though it cost mine ancient friend a son, La Coste shall not be wanting.” He waived his hand--the chasseurs resumed a place at either side--and one took my bridle in his hand. The commandant addressed them-- “Should this gentleman endeavour to get away, or should an attempt be made to rescue him that seems likely to succeed, shoot him on the spot. We lost one that we should have captured; we must not lose another. Look first, to this gentleman’s security; and secondly, to his comfort. Impose no unnecessary restraint--but deliver him safely at Toledo, or, mark the consequences!--your lives shall be the forfeit of his liberty,” he said--spurred his horse forward, and took his place at the head of the column, which had now left Casa Mora in its rear. The line of march ran through a country, wild, picturesque, and difficult. A sierra of steep ascent was immediately in our front--the summit crowned with broken crags--and the sides clothed thickly with ilex, cork, and olive trees. As we advanced, the woods grew thicker, and the road was surmounted by rocks on either hand. It seemed as if it had been originally a great water-course, which human labour had converted into a passage through the mountain. We approached the gorge of the pass with military caution. Videttes preceded the advanced guard; and, on either side, voltigeurs were thrown out in extended order, to feel the woods, and keep the flanks secure. Colonel La Coste, after making every disposition against surprise, joined the centre of the column, where I was riding with my friends the chasseurs, who had been so particularly entrusted with the pleasant duty of dispatching me on the first alarm. The Colonel ordered them to fall back once more; and, satisfied that we were secure from any molestation, he indulged again in fresh details of some of the many scenes and services which he had passed through during his adventurous career. Still, evidently he was not at ease; and as we entered the defile, he could not repress feelings of apprehension.