ies down to the cabin to get his
quadrant.

His leaving them is a relief, for they see the first mate moving about,
and have hopes of being able to accost, and enter into conversation with
him. True, he seems busy as ever; but it is nigh the hour when the men
of the forecastle go down to their dinners, and then they may have the
opportunity while he is disengaged.

For some time they sit watching, and waiting. He is in the waist with
several of the sailors around him, occupied about one of the boats,
there slung upon its davits.

While regarding him and his movements, the ladies cannot avoid also
observing those of the men, nor help being struck by them. Not so much
their movements, as their appearance, and the expression seen on some of
their countenances. On no one of them is it pleasant, but on the
contrary scowling and savage. Never before have they seen so many faces
wearing such disagreeable looks, that is, gathered in one group--and
they have passed through the streets of San Francisco, where the worst
types may be met. Many of them--indeed nearly all--are not only
unprepossessing, but positively forbidding; and the young girls, not
desiring to encounter certain glances, sent towards them, with an
impudent effrontery, turn their eyes away.

Just then, Harry Blew, separating from the sailors, is seen coming aft.
It is in obedience to a message which the black cook has brought up out
of the cabin--an order from Captain Lantanas for his first officer to
meet him on the quarterdeck, and assist in "taking the sun."

But the captain has not yet come up; and, on reaching the quarter, the
ex-man-o'-war's man, for the first time since he shipped on the Chilian
craft, finds himself alone in the presence of the ladies.

They salute him with an _empressement_, which, to their surprise, is but
coldly returned! Only a slight bow; after which he appears to busy
himself with the log-slate lying on the capstan-head.

One closely scrutinising him, however, would see that this is pretence;
for his eyes are not on the slate, but furtively turned towards the
ship's waist, watching the men, from whom he has just separated, and who
seem to have their eyes upon _him_.

The young ladies thus repulsed--and almost rudely, as they take it--make
no farther attempt to bring on a conversation; but, forsaking their
chairs, hasten down the companion-stairs, and on to their own
state-room--there to talk over a disappointment that