had the wheel during the last
watch. Where have you been running to?"

"In the course you commanded, Captain Lantanas."

"That can't be, sir. If you'd kept her on as I set her, the land
couldn't have been there, lying almost across, our cut-water. I
understand my chart too well to have made such a mistake."

"I don't know anything about your chart," sulkily rejoins the sailor.
"All I know is, that I kept the barque's head as directed. If she
hasn't answered to it, that's no fault of mine; and I don't much like
being told it is."

The puzzled skipper again rubs his eyes, and takes a fresh look at the
coast-line. He is as much mystified as ever. Still the mistake may
have been his own; and as the relieved steersman appears confident about
it, he dismisses him without further parley, or reprimand.

Seeing that there will be no difficulty in yet clearing the point, his
anger cools down, and he is but too glad to withdraw from an angry
discussion uncongenial to his nature.

The _Condor_ now hauled close to wind, soon regains lost weather-way,
sufficient for the doubling of Punta Marietta; and before the bells of
the second dog-watch are sounded, she is in a fair way of weathering the
cape. The difficulty has been more easily removed by the wind veering
suddenly round to the opposite point of the compass. For now near
night, the land-breeze has commenced blowing off-shore.

Well acquainted with the coast, and noticing the change, Captain
Lantanas believes all danger past; and with the tranquillity of his
temper restored, goes back into his cabin, to join his passengers at
dinner, just in the act of being served.

CHAPTER FIFTY SIX.

PANAMA OR SANTIAGO?

It is the hour of setting the first night-watch, and the bells have been
struck; not to summon any sailor from the forecastle, but intended only
for the cabin and the ears of Captain Lantanas--lest the absence of the
usual sound should awaken his suspicion, that all was not going right.

This night neither watch will be below, but all hands on deck, mates as
foremast-men; and engaged in something besides the navigation of the
vessel--in short, in destroying her! And, soon as the first shades of
night descend over her, the crew is seen assembling by the manger-board
close to the night-heads--all save the man who has charge of the
steering, on this occasion Slush.

The muster by the manger-board is to take measures for carrying out
their scheme of pir