e had besides a pound and a half of wax candles.
A portion of the biscuits and sausages had already been consumed, but I
now put the crew on an allowance, so that the food might last us for
eight or nine days--the time I calculated it would take us, should the
wind hold from the westward, to reach this place, for which I at once
steered. The sausages were soon gone, and then the wax candles helped
out the biscuits. We should have died, I think, though, had not we
caught six flying fish on one day and three another--for our last crumb
of biscuit and drop of water were gone before we sighted the land."

"I hope that Captain Hake will at once sail in search of the `Lady
Alice,'" I exclaimed, "no time should be lost."

I thought of the schooner, but I did not mention my fears respecting
her, lest I should increase the anxiety of my friend.

"Captain Hake has not yet offered to sail, but I trust that he will
without delay," he answered.

Soon afterwards Captain Hake entered the cabin. My friend at once told
him his wishes.

"Sorry that part of my crew are on shore; we must wait till they
return," was his answer.

"Could not you send for them?" asked Captain Bland. "I wish to relieve
the anxiety of my wife and daughter."

"I'll go on shore, sir, and bring them back!" I exclaimed, eagerly.

"More easily said than done," observed the captain. "However, you may
go."

I hurried on deck, selected Pepper and Salt and two Sandwich islanders,
all of whom I could trust--which I could not the English seamen--lowered
a boat, and pulled away. I trusted to Medley and the doctor, who were
on shore, to help me. My aim was to get hold of the men before they
were too tipsy to move. Going up the river we landed at Donna Anna's,
where I found Medley, and together we hastened on to Tumbez. On the way
we fell in with our doctor, McCabe. We told him our object.

"I'll manage it for you," he said. "I'll frighten them out of their
wits, and make them ready enough to return on board. I'll just hint to
them that the liquor is poisoned, and so it is, for it's poison itself.
They saw how the other watch looked when they came back, more dead than
alive, and they'll be ready enough to believe me. I'll go on first, and
then do you come up, and we'll get them down to the boat before they've
time to think about it."

We agreed, and the doctor hurried on. We followed slowly. On arriving
at the town we found some of the men already