"The soldiers will protect him," said Garibay, who was terribly upset at the discovery of their loss. He was very fond of Jack. "Did they protect us?" said Tim, who was quite beside himself with grief and rage. "Turn her head back, Philip." Don Rafael, Tim, and the baronet were all in favour of doing this, but Don Alonzo and Garibay said it would be madness. By this time they were beyond the range of the fort guns, and in safety; but notwithstanding the remonstrances of the terrified Intendante, Philip altered the course of the boat, and started back to the harbour. "I will save Jack, if I die for it," he said, fiercely. Just as _The Bohemian_ approached the warships, a puff of smoke burst from the sides of both, and two balls ricochetted across the waves. "Not blank cartridge this time," muttered Tim, grimly, "The dirty cowards, to fire on an unarmed boat. And the forts!" One! two! three! four! A perfect cannonade thundered from the forts, and one of the spars of the boat was carried away. The warships repeated their fire, and, against his will, Philip was forced to stop the engines. It was no use running into a hornet's nest. Another quarter of a mile, nay less, and _The Bohemian_ would be smashed to pieces. The engines were reversed, and Philip shook his fist wildly at the town. "First Dolores! then Jack! Oh, cursed, cursed town!" CHAPTER IV. RIVALS. I this side! You that side!--a woman between us, You love her!--I love her!--each fain would caress her. By Paul, I will never surrender this Venus, For I in my arms would for ever possess her. You say that she loves you! A lie!--for she told me Her heart had no caring for love or for lover. Let her but a moment behold you! behold me! And he whom she chooses we'll quickly discover. Well, say!--we'll suppose it!--to you she is tender! And goes with you thither; while I remain lonely, Think you that this woman I thus would surrender? Nay! she shall remain with me! mine to be only. Why, you are my captive! but though I can slay you! Give over this folly--you'll find me a true man! Nay more, you are free, honoured, wealthy--what say you? What madman refuse you!--then lose life and woman. Jack recovered his senses in complete darkness. He put his hand to his head and heard the clank of a fetter, felt the cold iron clasp his wrist. He moved his legs, more chains, and the unexpected discovery that he was lying on straw. Not a ray of light anywhere to be seen. On all sides darkness, the darkness of Egypt. Rolling heavily to one side with a groan of pain forced from him by his aching head, he felt the cold chill of a stone floor. Straw, chains, stones, darkness! What did it all mean? He tried to think, but his head was confused, stunned as with a blow. It was a blow! For at the back of his cranium he felt a wound, his fingers were moist with his own blood.