The dialogue is interrupted by the striking of bells to summon the
relief-watch on duty.

Soon as the change is effected, Harry Blew takes charge, Striker
replacing Gomez at the helm.

Just at this instant, the head of Captain Lantanas shows above the
coaming of the companion stair.

Gomez seeing him, glides back to the wheel, gives a strong pull at the
spokes, Striker assisting him, so as to bring the barque's head up, and
the wind upon her beam.

"Good heavens!" exclaims the skipper excitedly, rushing on up the stair,
and out. For he sees what not only excites his surprise, but makes him
exceedingly angry.

Soon as setting his foot on deck, he steps briskly on to the rail, and
looks out over the sea--shoreward, towards land, where no land should be
seen!

First he glances ahead, then over the port-side, and again in the
direction of the vessel's course. What sees he there to make such an
impression upon him? A high promontory stretching out into the ocean,
almost butting against the bows of his ship! It is Punta Marietta! He
knows the headland, but knows, too, it should not be on the bow had his
instructions been attended to.

"_Que cosa_!" he cries in a bewildered way, rubbing his eyes, to make
sure they are not deceiving him; then to the helmsman:

"What does this mean, sir? You've been keeping too close inshore--the
very contrary to what I commanded! Helm down--hard!"

Striker grumblingly obeys, bringing the barque up close to wind. Then
the skipper turning angrily upon him, demands to know why his orders
have not been carried out.

The ex-convict excuses himself, saying, that he has just commenced his
trick, and knows nothing of what has been done before. He is keeping
the vessel too on the same course she was on, when he took her from the
last steersman.

"Who was the last?" thunders the irate skipper.

"Gil Gomez," gruffly replies Striker.

"Yes; it was he," says the first mate, who has come aft along with the
captain. "The watch was Senor Padilla's, and Gomez has just left the
wheel."

"Where is Gomez?" asks the captain, still in a towering passion, unusual
for him.

"Gone forward, sir: he's down in the forecastle."

"Call him up! Send him to me at once!"

The first officer hurries away towards the head, and soon returns, Gomez
with him.

The latter meets the gaze of Lantanas with a sullen look, which seems to
threaten disobedience.

"How is this?" asks the Chilian. "You