buttress behind him, and an uneven pavement in front, the lamp of Saint Anthony affording sufficient light to see objects around with tolerable distinctness. He was, notwithstanding, obliged to exert his utmost activity and skill to keep his assailants at bay, being happily a good swordsman, an accomplishment even then considered a necessary part of a gentleman's education. The clash of steel rang loudly through the silence of night, but none put their heads out of their windows to inquire the cause; and, Luis disdaining to give the usual cry for assistance, was well nigh exhausted with his exertions, when, most opportunely, a person, passing a neighbouring street, was attracted by the noise, and appeared so suddenly on the scene of action, that the bravoes had scarce time to turn and defend themselves. "Fight on, gallant sir, for the honour of gentlemen!" shouted a clear, manly voice. "Help here! _Acad el rey_! help, ye lazy citizens, to drive away a set of cowardly rascals, who dare not face us man to man! No matter, we might call till doomsday, and no one could come; so here is at you, sir villains;" saying which, Captain Pinto, for he was the speaker, redoubled his efforts to repel the marauders. "Thanks for your aid, thanks, Captain Pinto," cried Don Luis, recognising his voice; "I have but short breathing time to speak." "Ah, my young friend, Don Luis, is it you?" answered the Captain. "Back, ye villains, back!" "Don Luis!" exclaimed one of the men, with an oath. "We have made a mistake." "No, no," shouted another,--"cut them both down--they must not escape." At that instant, a broad glare of red light burst on the scene of action, proceeding from several torches borne by a party who were turning the corner of the street. "Fly," cried the ruffians, "fly! or we shall be captured." "You shall not get off so easily," cried the Captain. "We will teach you not to attack gentlemen in this way in future." The men attempted to escape; but Don Luis and his friend held them in check on one side; while, on the other, the party with the torches, led on by a person who seemed of distinction, rapidly approached. Making, however, a desperate effort, they rushed past them, and were lost in the obscurity, except one, through whose arm, Captain Pinto's sword entered, and brought him to the ground. The chief of the new comers, taking a torch from the hand of one of his attendants, ordered them, in an authoritative tone, to seize the disturbers of the public peace, and advanced towards the Captain and Don Luis, on whom they were on the point of laying hold. "Ah!" he exclaimed, "my good friend, Captain Pinto!--not yet tired of fighting? I trust you are not injured,--and your companion?" he added, holding the torch nearer Don Luis's countenance. "Don Luis d'Almeida, my fellow voyager," answered the Captain. "Ah, the son of an excellent father," observed the stranger; "I hope he, too, is safe?"