"Yankees are animals, not men," he said, savagely. "No matter, the world is about to be rid of one of them." "We shall see." The words were not spoken by Dan, yet they seemed to come from the spot where he was standing. Instantly the door in the wall was thrown open, and a man dashed through. He seemed to be a Spaniard, for he was wearing the Spanish costume. Before the officer could raise a hand to defend himself, the stranger was within a yard of him, holding a six-shooter at his head. Dan was paralyzed with astonishment. The firing party had lowered their rifles. They had broken their ranks, and were talking together excitedly and rapidly. By this time the Spanish officer had somewhat recovered from his surprise, and the color which had left his cheeks began to return. "Who are you?" he demanded, sternly. "Speak lower, senor, a little lower. I allow no one to address me thus." "Address you! Caramba! I speak as I please. I am master here!" The stranger laughed mockingly. "We won't discuss that point, for I see we shall not agree." "What do you want?" "Ah! That's a different question, and I'll give you an answer. You have a prisoner here, an American sailor." "What of it?" "He is your prisoner no longer. He is mine." "You dare to interfere between me and an enemy of your country!" "I dare do even more than that, senor capitan." "I will soon put an end to this farce. Hold!" The officer called to his men, and instantly they were all attention. "Put a bullet into this impudent rascal." Quick as lightning the rifles went to the shoulders of the soldiers. But the stranger was quite prepared for this maneuver. Like lightning he grasped the Spanish officer and drew him towards himself. "Now, senor capitan, you are between me and your soldiers. Your late prisoner is behind me. If your men fire, whom will they hit?" The officer trembled. He saw that it was impossible for his assailant to receive one bullet. The soldiers were also aware of this fact, and so they stood motionless, not daring to fire. The Spaniard then assumed an air of bravado. "This is all childish," he said. "You think so?" "I know it. You have, by a trick, got me in your power, but for how long?" "For a sufficient time." "You are foolish. You have sacrificed your life without helping the prisoner." "We shall see." "Yes, and quickly. Supposing you kill me. What follows?" "Faith, you're dead!" It was the first word the Irishman had spoken. The Spaniard glanced ferociously at him. "I was not speaking to that fool, but to you. I ask, supposing you kill me, what follows?" "Senor capitan, that won't happen, so we'll not talk of it. Come!" "Come!" "You heard me. Walk steadily forward. I'll step backwards keeping my eye fixed on your soldiers. I don't want any harm to happen to you, and they may fire without thinking."