at won't keep, and must be set about at once.
Fortunately, the road that takes us to a place of concealment, is the
same we have to travel upon business; and that is to the rancho of
Rocas. There I've appointed to meet Diaz, who'd have come with us here,
but that he preferred staying all night in the town. But he'll be here
betimes, and we can all remain with old Rafael till this ugly wind blows
past; which it will in a week, or soon as the English ship sails off.
If not, we must keep out of sight a little longer, or leave San
Francisco for good."

"I hope we'll not be forced to that. I shouldn't at all like to leave
it."

"Like it or not, you may have no choice. And what does it signify where
a man lives, so long as he's got sixty thousand dollars to live on?"

"True; that ought to make any place pleasant."

"Well; I tell you you'll have it--maybe more. But not if we stand
palavering here. _Nos vamos_!"

A call from Calderon summoned a servant, who is directed to have the
horses brought to the door.

These soon appear, under the guidance of two ragged grooms; who,
delivering them, see their masters mount and ride off they know not
whither; nor care they so long as they are themselves left to idleness,
with a plentiful supply of black beans, jerked-meat, and _monte_.

Soon the two horsemen disappear behind a ridge of hills; and the
hypothecated house resumes its wonted look of desolation.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

A CONVERSATION WITH QUADRUMANA.

Notwithstanding his comfortable quarters in the frigate's forecastle,
Harry Blew is up by early daybreak, and off from the ship before six
bells have sounded.

Ere retiring to rest, he had communicated to his patron, Crozier, a full
account of his zigzag wanderings through the streets of San Francisco,
and how he came to bring the cutter's crew to the rescue.

As neither of the young officers is on the early morning watch, but both
still abed, he does not wait their rising. For, knowing that the adage,
"First come, first served," is often true, he is anxious as soon as
possible to present himself at the office of the agent Silvestre, and
from him get directions for going on board the Chilian ship. He is
alive to the hint given him by Crozier, that there may be a chance of
his being made a mate.

As yet he does not even know the name of the vessel, but that he will
learn at the office, as also where she is tying.

His request to the lieutenant on duty