ssed such boldness in the hall of justice, and was
impressed with the conviction that I was supported as I had affirmed,
treated me with kindness, affording me comforts, which, had it been
known, would have cost him his situation.

In the meantime the cargo of the vessel was landed at the Custom House,
and she was hauled on shore to have her bottom caulked and pitched,
when, to the astonishment of the captain and crew, the hole which had
occasioned the leak was discovered with the head of the figure of the
saint, which I had thrown overboard, so firmly wedged in, that it
required some force to pull it out. "A miracle! a miracle!" was cried
from the quays, and proclaimed through every part of the town. It was
evident that the Virgin had instigated me to throw over the image, as
the only means of stopping the leak. The friars of the nearest convent
claimed the image from their propinquity, and came down to the ship in
grand procession to carry it to their church. The grand inquisitor,
hearing the circumstance, acknowledged to the bishop and heads of the
clergy my intrepid behaviour in the hall of judgment; and not three
hours after the ship had been hauled on shore, I was visited in my
dungeon by the grand inquisitor, the bishop, and a long procession, my
pardon requested, and the kiss of peace demanded and given. I was taken
away with every mark of respect, and looked upon as one under special
favour of the Virgin. "Did I not say, my lord, that I should leave my
dungeon in honour?"

"You did, my friend," answered the inquisitor; and I heard him mutter,
"either there is such a person as the Virgin Mary, or you are a most
ready-witted scoundrel."

During my stay at Valencia, I was courted and feasted by everybody, and
sold my goods at an enormous price; for everyone thought that to possess
anything that had belonged to me must bring them good fortune. I
received many handsome presents, had divers requests to become a member
of the different fraternities of monks, and eventually quitted the town
with a large sum of money, with which I proceeded to Toulon, with the
intention of making some inquiry after my dear Cerise, whose image was
still the object of my dreams, as well as of my waking thoughts.

* * * * *

"Stop," said the pacha; "I wish to know, whether you believe that the
Virgin, as you call her, did thrust the head of the image into the hole
in the bottom of the ship."

"May it p