s useless, Mr. Musgrave; all you have to do is to go
quietly with these men. As soon as the schooner has sailed, you will
be released."

"Well," replied I, "it maybe so, Olivarez; but mark my words, you will
repent this, and I shall see you on a gibbet."

"I trust the wood is not yet out of the ground," replied he; "but I
cannot waste any more words with you."

He then spoke to the Portuguese, who appeared to be government
officers of some kind, and they led us to the gangway; we went into
the boat, and they pulled us to the shore.

"Where can they be taking us, Ingram?" said I.

"Heaven knows, Sir, but we shall find out."

I attempted to speak to the officers, but they cried "_Silentio_,"
which word I fully understood to mean "silence," and finding that I
could not induce them to hear me, I said no more. We landed at a
jetty, and were then led through the streets to a large square. On one
side of it was a heavy building, to which they directed their steps.
The door was opened for us, and we were led in. A paper was produced
by our conductors, and was apparently copied into a book, after which
they went away, leaving us with the people who had received us, and
who, by their appearance, I knew to be gaolers.

"Of what crime am I accused?" inquired I.

No reply was given, but two of the subordinates took us away, unlocked
a massive door, and thrust us into a large court-yard, full of men of
every colour.

"Well," said I, as the door closed upon us, "we are in gaol at all
events; but the question now is, shall we be released as Olivarez had
stated?"

"It is hard to say," replied Ingram. "The question is, what gaol is
this? Could we find any one who could speak English, we might
discover."

Several of those around us had come towards us to examine us, and then
left us, when, as we were conversing, a negro came up, and hearing
what we said, addressed us in English.

"Massa want one to speak English--I speak English--some long while on
board English vessel."

"Well, then, my good fellow," said I, "can you tell us what this gaol
is, and what prisoners are confined here for?"

"Yes, massa, every body know that, suppose he live at Rio. This gaol
for people that go dig diamonds."

"How do you mean?"

"Mean! massa--people sent here to work in diamond-mines all life long
till they die. Keep 'em here till hab plenty to send up all at one
time. Then guard take them up the country, and they go dig and wash
for d