f human beings which usually
throng the deck of an armed ship, or that was necessary to render the
engines effective. It might be that her people were in their hammocks, as
usual at that hour, but still it was customary to leave a sufficient
number on the watch, to look to the safety of the vessel. Finding himself
so unexpectedly confronted with a single individual, our adventurer began
to be sensible of the awkwardness of his situation, and of the necessity
of some explanation.

"You are no doubt surprised, sir," he said, "at the lateness of the hour
that I have chosen for my visit."

"You were certainly expected earlier," was the laconic answer.

"Expected!"

"Ay, expected. Have I not seen you, and your two companions who are in the
boat, reconnoitring us half the day, from the wharfs of the town, and even
from the old tower on the hill? What did all this curiosity foretel, but
an intention to come on board?"

"This is odd, I will acknowledge!" exclaimed Wilder, in some secret alarm.
"And, then, you had notice of my intentions?"

"Hark ye, friend," interrupted the other, indulging in a short, low laugh;
"from your outfit and appearance I think I am right in calling you a
seaman: Do you imagine that glasses were forgotten in the inventory of
this ship? or, do you fancy that we don't know how to use them?"

"You must have strong reasons for looking so deeply into the movements of
strangers on the land."

"Hum! Perhaps we expect our cargo from the country. But I suppose you have
not come so far in the dark to look at our manifest. You would see the
Captain?"

"Do I not see him?"

"Where?" demanded the other, with a start that manifested he stood in a
salutary awe of his superior.

"In yourself."

"I! I have not got so high in the books, though my time may come yet, some
fair day. Hark ye, friend; you passed under the stern of yonder ship,
which has been hauling into the stream, in coming out to us?"

"Certainly; she lies, as you see, directly in my course."

"A wholesome-looking craft that! and one well found, I warrant you. She
is quite ready to be off they tell me."

"It would so seem: her sails are bent, and she floats like a ship that is
full."

"Of what?" abruptly demanded the other.

"Of articles mentioned in her manifest, no doubt. But you seem light
yourself: if you are to load at this port, it will be some days before you
put to sea."

"Hum! I don't think we shall be long after our neighb