The colonel heard the last remark. "I was a mere boy at the time, having only just joined my regiment," he observed, with a smile. "It was not a very hazardous expedition, and had there been any fighting the navy would have borne the brunt of it; but the gallant Spanish Admiral Apodaca, whose memory is not held in the highest repute hereabouts, as soon as he saw the British fleet, having landed his men, set fire to four of his ships, and galloped off, that he might be the first to convey the intelligence to the Governor Chacon, who was preparing to defend the city from the expected assault. He entered at the head of a band of priests, piously counting his rosary. `Burnt your ships, admiral!' exclaimed Chacon, in astonishment. `Then I fear all is lost.' `Oh, no, most noble governor, all is not lost, I assure you,' answered the admiral. `I have saved! only think I have saved the image of Santiago de Compostella, the patron of my ships and myself.'" "Come, come, you are rather hard on the worthy Apodaca--his ships were only half manned, and Admiral Harvey would have captured them all after giving him a sound drubbing," observed Don Antonio, laughing notwithstanding. "Besides it is a proof that we had pious men among us in those days. Remember that we had not long before been deprived of the holy Inquisition." "You did not regret its loss, I presume," said the colonel. "I saw something of what it must have been in Spain when its dungeons were revealed to view." "As to that I live under the English government, and prefer the English system of managing matters," answered Don Antonio, but wishing to change the subject he asked, "What news from the Main, colonel?" "Unsatisfactory as usual," was the answer. "Something, however, must be done or the cause will be lost, and I am resolved to be no longer influenced by those half-hearted patriots as they call themselves." Just then the horses were announced. "You will meet Colonel O'Regan, as he will accompany me by-and-by," said Don Antonio to the lieutenants. They found two richly caparisoned steeds waiting for them, with a sable attendant in livery, mounted on a third. He would have astonished an English groom. He wore huge spurs strapped to naked feet--a light blue coat richly laced, an enormously high hat with a deep band, and a flaming red waistcoat. He, however, was evidently satisfied with his own appearance, and considered himself a person of no small importance. "Mr Pedro Padillo show dee way to Massa Lieutenants," he said, bowing after they had mounted. "When say starboard, keep to starboard; when say larboard, keep to port; oderwise make way ahead." "Thank you, Pedro--you have been at sea, I perceive," said Jack. "Oh yes, massa. I serve aboard de King's ships, and oder craft many years before turn head groom to Don Antonio," answered the black. "He great man, as you shall see presently."