d down quietly again, wondering what the
run-down schooner could have been, and pitying her unfortunate crew,
when a faint shout from the forecastle was heard in a lull of the
storm.

"Lord save us! what can that be?" exclaimed a dozen of the crew in a
breath.

"_In nomine Pathris_--" began Teddy, crossing himself in a fright.

"Silence there!" cried the skipper; "Mr. Stewart, can it be one of the
schooner's crew, who has saved himself by the bowsprit rigging?"

"Plaze yer honor," said Teddy, "it's more likely it's one of their
ghosts."

"Silence, I tell you! who gave you liberty to tell your opinion. Mr.
Brewster, hail 'em, whoever they be."

"Folk'stle, ahoy!" sung out the second mate; "who's there?"

"Help! help! for God's sake!" faintly answered the mysterious voice.

"Go forward, there, two hands," ordered the captain; "'t is one of the
schooner's crew."

After a moment's hesitation, the second mate and Jack Reeves started
on this mission of mercy, and were soon followed by nearly all the
crew. Upon reaching the forecastle we found the body of a man lying
across the heel of the bowsprit, jammed against the windlass pawl. The
insensible form was lifted from its resting place, and, by the
captain's order, finally deposited in the cabin on the transom. The
skipper, steward, and myself, remained below to try and resuscitate
the apparently lifeless body. The means we used were effectual; and
the wrecked seaman opened his eyes, and finally sat up.

"I must go on deck now," said the captain. "Stay below, Frank, and
help the steward undress him, and put him into a berth."

Our benevolent darky had by this time concocted a glass of brandy
grog, very stiff, but, alas! not hot, which I handed to the object of
our care, who, after drinking it, seemed much better; and we then
proceeded to help him strip. I noticed that his clothes were very
coarse, and parti-colored; there were also marks of fetters on his
ancles, and his back was scarred by the lash. I conjectured from these
circumstances that our new shipmate was not of the most immaculate
purity of character, and after I had got him into a berth, between two
warm woollen blankets, I made free to ask him a few questions, not
only about himself, but also about his vessel. I could get no reply
but in Spanish, as I took his lingo to be, though, from his hailing
for help in English, I knew that he must understand that language.
When I went upon deck I reported mysel