had undertaken the
delicate office of transporting those forbidden articles, contraband
of war, to the Dry Tortugas.

Mulford by this time was high in the confidence and esteem of all on
board the Poughkeepsie. He had frankly explained his whole connection
with Spike, not even attempting to conceal the reluctance he had felt
to betray the brig after he had fully ascertained the fact of his
commander's treason. The manly gentlemen with whom he was now brought
in contact entered into his feelings, and admitted that it was an
office no one could desire, to turn against the craft in which he
sailed. It is true, they could not and would not be traitors, but
Mulford had stopped far short of this; and the distinction between
such a character and that of an informer was wide enough to satisfy
all their scruples.

Then Rose had the greatest success with the gentlemen of the
Poughkeepsie. Her youth, beauty, and modesty, told largely in her
favor; and the simple, womanly affection she unconsciously betrayed
in behalf of Harry, touched the heart of every observer. When the
intelligence of her aunt's fate reached her, the sorrow she manifested
was so profound and natural, that every one sympathized with her
grief. Nor would she be satisfied unless Mulford would consent to go
in search of the bodies. The latter knew the hopelessness of such an
excursion, but he could not refuse to comply. He was absent on that
melancholy duty, therefore, at the moment of the scene related in our
last chapter, and did not return until after that which we are now
about to lay before the reader. Mrs. Budd, Biddy, and all of those who
perished after the yawl got clear of the reef, were drowned in deep
water, and no more was ever seen of any of them; or, if wreckers did
pass them, they did not stop to bury the dead. It was different,
however, with those who were first sacrificed to Spike's selfishness.
They were drowned on the reef, and Harry did actually recover the
bodies of the Senor Montefalderon, and of Josh, the steward. They had
washed upon a rock that is bare at low water. He took them both to the
Dry Tortugas, and had them interred along with the other dead at that
place. Don Juan was placed side by side with his unfortunate
country-man, the master of his equally unfortunate schooner.

While Harry was absent and thus employed, Rose wept much and prayed
more. She would have felt herself almost alone in the world, but for
the youth to whom she