* Francisco Manuel de Cordova. The intellectual part of Fabrique's face, though exceedingly handsome, was immovable as that of a statue, his two black eyes remained fixedly regarding us, and even when his bearded mouth relaxed into a grim smile, one-half of his face remained unmoved. He seemed calm and pale in the white moon-light--but the cicatrised wound which traversed his cheek was of a deep and dusky red. "Well, señor," said I, briskly, "are you fully prepared to answer for the attack you have made upon us?" "Answer," he reiterated, with something between a frown and disdainful smile; "to whom?" "The captain general of Andalusia." "I have so many things to answer for already to that illustrious Caballero of Seville, that he will be very apt to forget your little affair among others." "But the Governor of Her Brittanic Majesty's garrison at Gibraltar will refresh both his memory and yours, rascal!" said poor Slingsby, whose face was streaming with blood. "Stuff, señores. Our Lady Donna Isabella II. alone is Queen of Gibraltar, whatever you may believe to the contrary." "Then there is our ambassador at Madrid," said I, swelling with passion. "Let the Señor Embajador come hither to seek you, if he chooses," replied Fabrique, with a scowl, while his band made the wooded hollow ring with their laughter. "For what reason, and with what purpose, is this outrage committed upon us?" asked Jack, more calmly. "The reason is here," said Fabrique, throwing up a heavy purse. "From the noble Don Joaquim, Major in the service of the young king Don Pedro V., I have received one thousand duros to intercept you----" "And the purpose?" "To avenge his brother's death." "In what manner?" "By taking your lives, that is all; blood for blood, you know; an eye for an eye, a limb for a limb, and a life for a life, are law and justice all the world over. If my friend the blind abagado of Jaen were here, he could not explain the law better." Zumalacarregui, when giving a light from his own cigar to the Carlist prisoners he was just about to shoot, could not have spoken more coolly. "And so, fellow, you have received a thousand duros to murder us?" said Jack, abruptly. "One thousand, señor," was the quiet reply. "Conduct us to the harbour of San Lucar, and I will give you my word of honour that two thousand shall be sent to you." "You would not break your plighted word?" "I would rather die!" "Then bear in mind that I have pledged mine; and that I also would rather die than break it. No, señores; all the gold in Madrid would not save you." After a pause,-- "How came you to discover us so readily on this road?" I asked. "Easily. I had spies planted at every gate of Seville. A Franciscan begged alms of you at the Puerto of the San Lucar road." "To whom I gave a peseta." "'T was I." "You! I wish that I had recognised you then."