drinking establishment for the purpose of keeping up the perspiration, and while taking a drink at the counter, two Mexican officers came in and drank by my side. One of these officers I knew; and as my disguise prevented his recognition of me, I concluded compliments were unnecessary. I am sure the free use of the bath kept me from taking the disease; for my companions, contrary to my advice, not making such constant use of it, were both taken down, upon reaching home, with the severest cases of fever.

During our seclusion here, several seafaring men from the United States, then in port, found out where we were hid, and came to see us and offer their services. Among them was my old friend Captain F------, and Captain H------, and Captain -------. These gentlemen were of the most essential service to us, and I regret that it might be doing them a disservice by returning thanks to them by name.

The good Donna E., to while away our time, frequently sang for us, and her charming voice, like balm upon a wound, soothed our spirits, and made our confinement more tolerable. This good lady never seemed tired of serving us, and long shall we [359] cherish the kindest remembrance both of her and the Don's goodness.

In her absence we had two room-mates in two loquacious parrots. The younger of the two had much to say. He rolled the drum and blew the bugle after the manner of the guards. He imitated the bray of the burros, sang the chorus to several of the Donna's songs, and at times was exceedingly wicked, and would swear outrageously.

The other was an old housekeeper, and entirely blind. She would sit upon the door for hours together, occasionally muttering to herself like some superannuated grandmother, who fancied that she was neglected by the rising generation. No sooner, however, were our meals brought in, than her worn-out nature seemed to reanimate; and, unless she was quickly served, would bawl out in the most emphatic and indignant tone, "Here am I, old and cross-eyed, and you don't care a ------ for me." This rebuke never failed to procure her a breakfast. Indeed, in the absence of more dishonest bipeds, we found much company in these birds.

After we had been several days in our dark room, looking into the street one day, who should pass but Dick Barclay. Dick was the first of our escaped companions we had seen: we called him in, and learned the following account of the balance:

It was now one month since we left the prison walls of Perote. During this time, Dick, with his chum Cornegay, had kept in the mountains, occasionally [360] venturing into the huts of poor people to purchase supplies, and had most ingeniously worked his way into this place under assumed characters: that the night after our separation at the castle, the Herculean John Young had fallen