"I, also!" cried Eulalia, who had in some mysterious way become possessed of the history. "I vow a jewel to San Felipe, for it was his namesake who preserved them from the Indians." Jack and Philip were much gratified by these marks of attention; but Peter, being left out in the cold, was inclined to be cross. "They might vow a candle or so to San Pedro," he grumbled, "seeing the whole Church of Rome is under his care." "Offer him some beetles, Peter," said Jack, in the little doctor's ear; but the suggestion was not received favourably by the entomologist. Having wept and cried over Dolores to their hearts' content, the ladies proceeded to lead her away to resume her own dress; but before doing so, both aunt and niece flung themselves on Jack's neck, and embraced him with fervour. Duval did not mind a kiss from Eulalia, but he objected to the aunt. Nevertheless, as he had to take the bitter with the sweet, he passively submitted to be made much of. "Caro, Señor! You are an angel from heaven," cried Serafina, with fervour. "As valiant as the Cid," said Eulalia, kissing Jack's bronzed cheek. "We will pray for you to the saints." "Your face shall be in my soul!" This last remark came from Eulalia, whereat Philip winced. Seeing this, Jack brought the duet to a speedy end. "I am your servant, Señoritas! What I have done is nothing, and thanks are rather due to Cocom than to me." "But without you, Don Juan, Cocom could not have saved Dolores." "And without the boat of Señor Felipe," added Eulalia, glancing at the baronet, "none of the three would be here." Philip made a polite gesture of dissent, though in his heart he was glad that Eulalia inclined so kindly towards him. Then Jack kissed the hands of the ladies in a most gallant fashion, and they, after removing Dolores once more from the arms of Don Miguel, whither she had flown, led her out of the patio. This being done, while waiting for the evening meal, Don Miguel demanded from Jack an account of his adventures, a request which was at once seconded by Philip, Rafael, and Peter, who protested that they could listen to a dozen repetitions of his hairbreadth escapes. Thus adjured, Jack, with as much suppression of himself as possible, narrated the events which had taken place from the earliest period of his capture by Xuarez down to the present time when he was rescued by Philip. Frequently the story was interrupted by ejaculations from his auditors, and by the time the story was finished they were all furious with Don Hypolito, particularly Señor Maraquando. "To think, Señor," he cried, indignantly, "that I have touched the hand of that man. Carambo! To give up a white man to the cursed altar of Huitzilopochtli. It is infamous! It is unheard of!" "But you forget, Señor, he is a pure-blooded Indian." "I ever thought so," said Rafael, sagely. "There were many ways about Xuarez, my father, that were not those of a Spaniard."