my progenitors a visit next day.

As I did not keep my word, and two suns descended without my return,
the imaginary "mother" applied to the ministers of law to enforce her
rights over the truant boy. The _Alcalde_, after hearing my story,
dismissed the claim; but my dissatisfied relatives summoned me, on
appeal, before the governor of the district, nor was it without
infinite difficulty that I at last succeeded in shaking off their
annoying consanguinity.

I have always been at a loss to account for this queer mistake. It is
true that my father was in Spain with the French army during
Napoleon's invasion, but that excellent gentleman was a faithful
spouse as well as valiant soldier, and I do not remember that he ever
sojourned in the pleasant port of Ferrol!

* * * * *

At length, we sailed for Havana, and nothing of importance occurred to
break the monotony of our hot and sweltering voyage, save a sudden
flurry of jealousy on the part of the captain, who imagined I made an
attempt to conquer the pious and economical heart of his wife! In
truth, nothing was further from my mind or taste than such an
enterprise; but as the demon had complete possession of him, and his
passion was stimulated by the lies of a cabin-boy, I was forced to
undergo an inquisitorial examination, which I resisted manfully but
fruitlessly. The Bloomer-dame, who knew her man, assumed such an air
of outraged innocence and calumniated virtue, interlarded with sobs,
tears, and hysterics, that her perplexed husband was quite at his
wit's end, but terminated the scene by abruptly ordering me to my
state-room.

This was at nightfall. I left the cabin willingly but with great
mortification; yet the surly pair eyed each other with so much anger
that I had some fear for the _denouement_. I know not what passed
during the silent watches of that night; but doubtless woman's
witchcraft had much to do in pouring oil on the seared heart of the
skipper. At daylight he emerged from his cabin with orders to have the
tell-tale cabin-boy soundly thrashed; and, when Madame mounted the
deck, I saw at a glance that her influence was completely restored.
Nor was I neglected in this round of reconciliation. In the course of
the day, I was requested to resume my duty on board, but I stubbornly
refused. Indeed, my denial caused the captain great uneasiness, for he
was a miserable navigator, and, now that we approached the Bahamas, my
s