The long building was surrounded by troops, which

were already piling arms by companies ami preparing f|> pass the night lying on the ground in their pon> with their sarks under their heads. ('<>rp.>ruls moved with swinging lantenis, posting sentries all round the walls wherever there was a door or an opening. So- tillo was taking his measures to protect his conquest as if it had indeed contained the treasure. His desire W make his fortune at one audacious stroke of genius kd overmastered his reasoning faculties. He would not believe in the possibility of failure. The mere hint of such a thing made his brain reel with rage. Every circumstance pointing to it appeared incredible. The ftatement of Hirsch, which was so absolutely fatal to his hopes, could by no means be admitted. It is true, that Hirsch "s story had been told so incoherently, with such excessive signs of distraction, that it really looked improbable. It was extremely difficult, as the lying is, to make head or tail of it. On the bridge of the steamer, directly after his rescue, Sotillo and his officers, in their impatience and excitement, would not ve the wretched man time to collect such few wits as lined to him. He ought to have been quieted, soothed, and reassured; whereas he had been roughly handled, cuffed, shaken, and addressed in menacing ones. His struggles, his wriggles, his attempts to get down on his knees, followed by the most violent efforts reak away, as if he meant incontinently to jump overboard; his shrieks and shrinkings and cowering wild glances had filled them first with amazement then with a doubt of his genuineness, as men are wont

b suspect the sincerity of every great passion. His