It was proved that the goods were smuggled into Spain from Gibraltar. The principals were Gray and Captain Velazquez, and they were heavily fined, and sentenced to imprisonment for one year for smuggling, and one for the assault upon the party on board the little steamer. The others received a much milder sentence. The court adjourned, and his honor hastened to pay his respects to Mrs. Belgrave, and insisted upon sending her and the other ladies to the landing in his carriage. Then he had quite a talk about the Guardian-Mother with the captain, and was invited to visit her with his family.
CHAPTER XV
EXPLORING THE ROCK OF GIBRALTAR
Captain Ringgold had been formally presented to the judge by an officer who seemed to be the chief of police, or something of that sort. "El Juez Salazar" was what he called him. If any reader wishes to pronounce as he reads, he will say el hwaith Sah-lah-thar; and if he utters it like that, the chief of police would understand him.
Judge Salazar smiled when the commander invited him and his family to visit the Guardian-Mother, declaring that he had no wife or children, being still a bachelor.
"But if I had met the Señora Belgrave when I was fifty years younger, it might have been otherwise," added the judge. "That is to say, if she had not frowned upon me."
"Just my case!" exclaimed the commander.
"But you are still a young man, while I am seventy-five. 'It might have been,' as your poet Whittier said, in my case; and it may be, in yours," added his honor very jocosely.
"I don't know," laughed the captain. "But I hope you will visit my ship, Judge Salazar. Will you not dine with us at six to-day? I will have a boat at the landing for you at five."
"The temptation is very great, and I cannot decline the invitation," replied the venerable dignitary.