that he should wire from his last port of call when
passing down the Mediterranean. He fixed his mind on the amount he was
to receive, and did not inquire too closely into the character of the
business. He would have been virtuously indignant if any one had
hinted that he was capable of going beyond the limits of stern
rectitude, although he admitted the undertaking to be extraordinary,
otherwise he would not have been so well paid for it. His knowledge of
character told him that he was going to do business with a squad of
rascals who knew no moral law, and yet the fascination of exciting
enterprise held him in its grip. So it came to pass that he sent his
telegram announcing approximately when he might be expected at
Gibraltar, and asking them to have all in readiness against his
arrival. In the early morning of the eighth day after leaving Malta,
the steamer crept from under the Great Rock into the beautiful bay,
and was promptly boarded by a few gentlemen of effusive manners who
were greatly concerned about the health of Captain S----. The latter
requested them to cease their chatter and to get to business.

"Are the craft ready?" said he.

"Oh yes," replied the Rock-scorpions; "but you will have to wait until
dark before they can be brought from their moorings."

This was agreed to. The captain put his vessel alongside the coal
hulk, and by noon the required bunker coal had been shipped, and
through the kindness of the captain of the hulk she was allowed to
remain alongside until darkness set in, on the plea of repairs being
done to defective machinery. She was then slowly moved towards three
feluccas which lay waiting in the bay. The night was still, and the
moon shone bright and made the sea silvery by its reflection; but a
large halo encircled it, and the seamen knew that foreboded stormy
weather. "Telegraph boys" were coming up from the west very swiftly.
There was to be trouble outside Cape Spartel, and they were anxious to
get through the stream before the gale had developed strength. A boat
came alongside. Two Levantines stepped aboard. The captain said--

"So you have come at last. Have you got the money with you? Let me
have no wriggling, or I will have you put over the side and steam away
without your merchandize."

"No, no, capitan, you must not do that! Come to the charthouse and you
shall be paid at once."

After three-fourths of the agreed sum had been counted out the
paymaster stuck, and said,