ad actual experience of it, and need no
reminding of its dangers. To a man, they feel their safety as much
compromised, as if the spot of earth under their feet, instead of being
but three leagues from land--were three thousand--for that matter in the
middle of the Pacific.

What would they not now give to be again on board the barque sent
sailing thither to miserably perish? Ah! their cruelty has come back
upon them like a curse.

The interrupted duel--what of it? Nothing. It is not likely ever to be
fought. Between the _ci-devant_ combatants, mad anger and jealous
rivalry may still remain. But neither shows it now; both subdued, in
contemplation of the common peril.

Blew, to all appearance, is less affected than his antagonist; but all
are cowed--awed by a combination of occurrences, that look as though an
avenging angel had been sent to punish them.

From that moment Carmen Montijo and Inez Alvarez will be safe in their
midst, as if promenading the streets of Cadiz, or flirting their fans at
a _funcion de toros_.

Safe, as far as being molested by the ruffians around them. Yet, alas!
exposed to the danger overhanging all--death from starvation.

A fearful fate threatens the late crew of the Chilian barque, in horror
equalling that to which those left aboard of her have been consigned.
Well may they deem it a retribution--that God's hand is upon them,
meting out a punishment apportioned to their crime!

But surely He will not permit the innocent to suffer with the guilty?
Let us hope--pray, He will not.

CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHT.

LONG-SUFFERING.

"_Virgen Santissima_! Mother of God, have mercy!"

The cry is heard in the cabin of the _Condor_--Don Gregorio Montijo
giving utterance to it.

Several days have elapsed since the desertion of her crew, and she is
still afloat, drifting in a south-westerly direction, with all sail set,
just as when the pirates put away from her.

Why she has not gone to the bottom is known but to two men--they
entrusted with the scuttling.

And just as when left, are the three unfortunate beings aboard: the
black cook on his galley bench, the captain and his passenger
_vis-a-vis_ at the cabin-table, bound to and bolt upright in their
chairs.

But though the attitudes of all three are unchanged, there is a marked
change in their appearance, especially of those in the cabin. For the
white man shown the effects of physical suffering sooner than the
Ethiopian.

Fo