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He hurried to the town, where an alguacil named Juan Escudero was found.

“Juan, do you want to earn a hundred pistoles?" the irate governor asked.

With a smile, Juan answered that nothing would suit him better. "You can do so," continued the governor. "Hernando Cortez, a vagabond who has been breeding dissensions and hatching conspiracies, escaped from prison last night and is hiding at the church. Watch your opportunity, and when he comes out from the wall of the church, seize him."

Eager to earn the reward Juan began at once to spy upon the church. Little Christopher Estevan carried food to Cortez at the church, for the child was permitted to go and come as he pleased. On the third day of his forced confinement in the sanctuary, Cortez, enticed by the silver laughter of some señoritas on the street, ventured beyond the walls, and Juan Escudero suddenly sprang on him from behind, pinioning his arms, while others rushed to his aid and the escaped prisoner was secured.

"I will hang you for this," cried Cortez, trembling with rage and exertion.

A second time Cortez was put in irons. This time he was placed on board a vessel which was to sail for Hispaniola next morning, where he was to be tried for treason. Though the charge was of a

serious nature, Cortez knew that the Xuarez family were at the bottom of his persecutions, and that he could put an end to the trouble at any time by becoming reconciled to Catalina. It was an odd courtship, but the period of Spanish conquests was noted for oddities. During the night, Cortez slipped his irons, crept to the deck of the ship anchored in the harbor of St. Jago, and climbing down into a boat, pulled ashore. Next morning, looking from the window of the self-same church, he saw the governor riding by, and called to him:

"Good-morning, governor, do you wish me to remember you in my prayers?"

Velasquez, amazed and enraged at the fellow's impudence, answered:

"I have a mind to hang you!"

"You might save me for a better purpose, governor. I am coming to see you soon.

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The governor, overcome with exasperation, rode away and Cortez sent for Estevan. On his arrival, the jolly, good-natured prisoner took his hand and said:

"I am in a devil of a fix. Here I am cooped up like a monk in a cloister, passing the days in studying the carvings of the altar. I have resolved to arrange matters."

"How?"

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"I will marry Catalina, and that will assuage the grief and anger of the governor. "Do you love Catalina, Cortez?"

"Love her, my friend? Why, a poor devil like me loves all pretty women alike. But I must make a choice at last. I am done with this roystering life, and, when I am married, I will become a man. Go to Catalina and give her this letter; then bring my sword, buckler, and daggers."

Estevan complied with his friend's wishes, and that same evening the fair Catalina paid her fickle lover a visit in the church. It is evident that matters were satisfactorily arranged, for she quitted the sanctuary with a smile on her face.

"It is all settled," Cortez said, next day, when Estevan presented himself to his friend. "Catalina and I have made up our quarrel, and I am going to call on the governor."

"Call on the governor! Are you mad?"

"No.

I will beard the lion in his den, and within twenty-four hours we will be the best of friends."

The governor was on a military excursion some distance from the capital that evening, and Cortez left the sanctuary, and, hastening to the camp, presented himself unexpectedly before Velasquez. The governor was startled by the sudden apparition of his enemy, completely armed, before him.

"What does this visit mean?" he asked, with some dismay.

"I came to make an explanation of my conduct, governor," said Cortez, coolly, but courteously. "You have? Don't you know I can have your head cut off?"

"Yes, but you won't."

"Won't I?" cried Velasquez, his anger rising. "Sit down, governor, calm yourself; pray don't allow yourself to become excited."

So great was the magnetic power of Cortez, that the governor, without knowing why, obeyed.

Then Cortez coolly drew a chair to his side, and, seating himself, told the governor of his reconciliation with Catalina, that it was his intention to marry, settle down, and become a good citizen. The governor, charmed with the boldness of the young scapegrace, and overjoyed to know that there was a prospect of his becoming a worthy and respectable citizen, embraced him.

"My friend, we will now have a bottle of wine, and you shall spend the night with me," said the governor. They drank until both became merry, and retired. When the messenger arrived to announce the escape of Cortez, he found him in the apartments of his excellency, where both were actually sleeping in the same bed.

CHAPTER V.

LOVE AND DEATH.

AGAIN we find ourselves in Darien. It is evening, and beautiful is the moonlight of the tropics. In those salubrious climes the day so quickly glides into the night that twilight seems scarce a bridge between them. One moment of darker purple in the sky, of a thousand rose hues in the bay, of shade half victorious over light, and then burst forth at once the countless thousands of stars-the moon is up, night has resumed her sway.

There is a great bustle in the little village, and on the soft sounds of early night break the rude clank of arms and tread of tired men. The remnant of the little army which set out but a short time ago has returned, bringing back the news of the discovery of an ocean. Never Castilian maid met conquering knight with more joyous affection, than did Fulvia, who flew down the sandy beach to greet her lord as he disembarked, and lead him back to the home in which she so long and so anxiously had waited for him. With her own

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