354 The Smugglers of Algesiras. [Ocr. 
advance. There was little or no light from heaven to guide them as’ 
they went, and they had consequently to trust to a dark lantern, which 
from time to time was allowed to throw out a single suspicious gleam in 
their front, and then was closed again. But the road seemed familiar to 
them, and they had no fears of lengthening it by unnecessary circuits. 
It now ascended a little from the beach, and, winding round some angu-’ 
lar rocks, lay for a while in the bosom of two banks, from which again 
it emerged, and traversed the open moor in a direction at right angles 
to the line of coast. They passed, at a distance, one or two rustic 
buildings, with here and there a feeble lamp, displayed in honour of the 
tutelar saint ; and this object, whenever it occurred, served at the same 
time to assist them in their route, and to caution them against the least 
noise on their progress. A larger structure, as of an opulent farmer, 
at last stood before them, and it seemed that this was the end of their 
journey ; for although from its windows gleamed more and brighter 
lights than they had yet seen, they deviated not a whit to avcid them, 
but advanced boldly and even hurriedly up to the gateway of the house. 
The foremost of the troop halted, and called out in some low patois to 
the inmates. The door was instantly opened, and one attired in their 
out-dress, and apparently a member of the same class, welcomed them 
upon their return. Having passed the threshold, Captain Saavedra stood 
forward, and inquired if the secretary could be seen. A lean, suspicious- 
looking rogue answered the inquiry in person, and demanded the wants 
of the interrogator. Saavedra looked at him significantly, and having 
briefly explained his present employment and circumstances, added, that 
he wished to have a personal interview with the master. 
«The master?” exclaimed the other; “he’s at St. Rocque, you 
know :”—and a grim smile sharpened the angles of his countenance. 
« No, no!” replied the captain—“ I am better informed than that ; 
*tis no use hesitating with me ; I have a passport.’”—And he exhibited a 
card, on which were drawn sundry figures in masonic hieroglyphics, 
and which, when recognized by the other, produced an instant change 
of visage. 
« I beg pardon, Sir,” said he, more meekly ; “ I was mistaken in my 
appreciation of your merit and qualifications. Come forward, Sir ; 
mind the step, Sir—here, to the right.” 
And the two important gentlemen retired through the secretary’s door, 
and soon to an inner room, in which the great personage, the zrnominato, 
the master himself, was to be found. Without at present describing this 
mysterious character, or the exact particulars of their secret conversation 
—important as must be the conversation of three such men, in such a 
place, at such a time, and with such strange characters round and about 
them—it will be enough to observe, that a sudden pause was, after a 
time, created in it by a tumult in the outer apartments, and the clashing 
of weapons, as of many men in contest. Fierce and loud exclamations 
were tossed to the skies—horrid cries of rage and agony, clamorque 
virum clangorque ! The countenances of the triumvirate fell; the secre- 
tary’s face was as a parchment, on which nature had long ago written 
some features in bad ink—the captain seemed to smell bilgewater—the 
master was conquered. Still, but with less riot, the commotion continued. 
The sounds came nearer as they diminished in violence ; and all had 
subsided, save a dying oath, or the moan as of a suffering man—when 
the sanctuary of the invisible three was burst open by a troop of Spanish 
