Page:Madrid shaver's singular adventures, and wonderful escape from the Spanish Inquisition (3).pdf/17

17 the governor, whose countenance bespoke a constituation far gone in a decline, had thrown himself on a sofa, in the last state of despair, and given way to an effusion of tears : when the lieutenant entered the cabin he rose trembling from his couch, and with the most supplicating action, presented to him his sword, and with it a casket which he carried in his other hand : as he tendered these spoils to his conqueror, whether through his weakness, or of his own will, he made a motion of bending his knee: the generous Briton, shocked at the unmanly overture, caught him suddenly with both hands, and turning to Pedrosa, said aloud,—Convince this gentleman he is fallen into the hands of an honourable enemy. Is it possible ! cried Don Manuel, and lifting up his streaming eyes to the countenance of the British officer, saw humanity, valour, and generous pity, so strongly characterized in his youthful features, that the conviction was irresistable. Will he not accept my sword? cried the Spaniard. He desires you to wear it, till he has the honour of presenting you to his captain. Ah! then he has a captain, exclaimed Don Manuel, his supperior will be of another way of thinking; tell him this casket contains my jewels; they are valuable; let him present them as a lawful prize, which will enrich the captor; his superior will not hesitate to take them from me.—If they are your excellency’s private property, replied Predrosa, I am ordered to assure you, that if your ship were laden with jewels, no British officer in the service of his king will take them at your hands; the ship and effects of his Catholic Majesty are the only