For a time the functions of justice were suspended; there was a
universal scramble after the glittering fugitives. The governor alone,
who was imbued with true Spanish pride, maintained his stately
decorum, though his eye betrayed a little anxiety until the last
coin and jewel was restored to the sack.
The friar was not so calm; his whole face glowed like a furnace, and
his eyes twinkled and flashed at sight of the rosaries and crosses.
"Sacrilegious wretch that thou art!" exclaimed he; "what church or
sanctuary hast thou been plundering of these sacred relics?"
"Neither one nor the other, holy father. If they be sacrilegious
spoils, they must have been taken, in times long past, by the
infidel trooper I have mentioned. I was just going to tell his
excellency when he interrupted me, that on taking possession of the
trooper's horse, I unhooked a leathern sack which hung at the
saddle-bow, and which I presume contained the plunder of his
campaignings in days of old, when the Moors overran the country."
"Mighty well; at present you will make up your mind to take up
your quarters in a chamber of the Vermilion Tower, which, though not
under a magic spell, will hold you as safe as any cave of your
enchanted Moors."
"Your excellency will do as you think proper," said the prisoner,
coolly. "I shall be thankful to your excellency for any
accommodation in the fortress.
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