disorganization of the steam service) remained for
a whole fortnight cut off from the rest of the world like a besieged city.
    »One would not have believed it possible; but so it was, sir. A full
fortnight.«
    The account of the extraordinary things that happened during that time, and
the powerful emotions he experienced, acquired a comic impressiveness from the
pompous manner of his personal narrative. He opened it always by assuring his
hearer that he was in the thick of things from first to last. Then he would
begin by describing the getting away of the silver, and his natural anxiety lest
his fellow in charge of the lighter should make some mistake. Apart from the
loss of so much precious metal, the life of Señor Martin Decoud, an agreeable,
wealthy, and well-informed young gentleman, would have been jeopardized through
his falling into the hands of his political enemies. Captain Mitchell also
admitted that in his solitary vigil on the wharf he had felt a certain measure
of concern for the future of the whole country.
    »A feeling, sir,« he explained, »perfectly comprehensible in a man properly
grateful for the many kindnesses received from the best families of merchants
and other native gentlemen of independent means, who, barely saved by us from
the excesses of the mob, seemed, to my mind's eye, destined to become the prey
in person and fortune of the native soldiery, which, as is well known, behave
with regrettable barbarity to the inhabitants during their civil commotions. And
then, sir, there were the Goulds, for both of whom, man and wife, I could not
but entertain the warmest feelings deserved by their hospitality and kindness. I
felt, too, the dangers of the gentlemen of the Amarilla Club, who had made me
honorary member, and had treated me with uniform regard and civility, both in my
capacity of Consular Agent and as Superintendent of an important Steam Service.
Miss Antonia Avellanos, the most beautiful and accomplished young lady whom it
had ever been my privilege to speak to, was not a little in my mind, I confess.
How the interests of my Company would be affected by the impending change of
officials claimed a large share of my attention, too. In short, sir, I was
extremely anxious and very tired, as you may suppose, by the exciting and
memorable events in which I had taken my little part. The Company's building
containing my residence was within five minutes' walk, with the attraction of
some supper and of my hammock (I always take my nightly rest in a hammock