'And I am Don Estevan del Campo's son,' murmured the unhappy boy. 'Is it true that you are none of them? If so, I will accept your help; for my knee hurts me much, and I must get back to my sister.'
With some unwillingness Carlo put his hand on Harry Fenn's arm, and in spite of what had just taken place a sudden wave of sympathy seemed to flow between them; each felt that among the crowd of fierce men they seemed to be both of them sadly out of place.
The central gate was now deserted; the pirates and the defenders had both disappeared; so the two lads found no difficulty in entering unperceived by a side door into the castle itself.
'You are witness that I have never surrendered,' repeated Carlo several times, afraid, in spite of Harry's kindness, that a trap was being laid for him.
Harry almost smiled as he answered in the affirmative, adding:
'But how is it you talk English, Señor? Yesterday I could not make myself understood; and had I known you understood my language I would have spoken out.'
'My father wished us to learn it. Here, this way; follow me, sir. I do not know what has happened to the garrison, but I fear I cannot fight with this horrid pain. Our men have outrun their fears.'
The two now crept silently up a back way, avoiding the entrance-hall, where, from the sounds that rose toward them, it was not difficult to guess that the pirates were intent on refreshing themselves with what good things Santa Teresa could provide, and making up for the privations of the previous day and night by a carousal.
When Carlo limped up to his sister's door, he found it strongly barricaded within, and it was some time before Catalina could be persuaded to open it and admit him. Then her exclamations knew no end.
'Señorito! where have you been? And who is this young serpent?' she added, looking at Harry; but as she spoke in Spanish he did not understand her, though he noticed her look of disgust.