Page:Rowland--The Mountain of Fears.djvu/165

  ; and as he spoke, the violent coughing broke out again from some dark recess.

There is a poor wretch who seems very ill,' said I, conversationally. 'Is it one of the garrison?'

" 'It must be one of the political prisoners, Señor Capitan,' replied the soldier. 'They are all confined in the casemates yonder.'

" 'Poor wretch!' said I, and, nodding to the soldier, strolled on toward the ramparts. Before I had gone far I was halted by another sentry. I peered at him through the murk.

" 'Are you one of the new men?' I demanded.

" 'No, Señor Capitan,' he answered, saluting.

" 'The lazy rascals!' said I, tersely. 'I gave orders that they were to go on duty immediately as a reward for abusing my good nature and getting drunk. Are they in the cuartel with you?'

" 'No, Señor Capitan; they are in the cuartel yonder at the angle of the wall.' [ 149 ]