Regla shore, opposite the city, looming up in the dim light.

Ruez had mounted the parapet, and with his feet carelessly dangling
on the other side, sat gazing off upon the sea, now straining his
eye to make out the rig of some dark hull in the distance, and now
following back the moon's glittering wake until it met the shore. At
this moment the hound, leaving his mistress's side, put his fore
paws upon the top of the parapet and his nose into one of the boy's
hands, causing him to turn round suddenly to see what it was that
touched him; in doing which he lost his balance, and with a faint
cry fell from the parapet far down to the water below. Each of the
gentlemen at once sprang upon the stone work and looked over where
the boy had fallen, but it would have been madness for any one,
however good a swimmer; and as they realized this and their helpless
situation, they stood for a moment dumb with consternation.

At that moment a plunge was heard in the water from the edge of the
quay far below the parapet, and a dark form was traced making its
way through the water with that strong bold stroke that shows the
effort of a confident and powerful swimmer.

"Thank God some one has seen his fall from below, and they will
rescue him," said Don Gonzales, springing swiftly down the Plato
steps, followed by Isabella and the officers, and seeking the street
that led to the quay below.

"O hasten, father, hasten!" exclaimed Isabella, impatiently.

"Nay, Isabella, my old limbs totter with fear for dear Ruez," was
the hasty reply of the old don, as he hurried forward with his