tor seized him by the neck. He roared most
piteously; the animal, either alarmed at the noise he made, or wishing to
have a more convenient grip, threw him up, and in so doing he fortunately
fell on the raft. His companion bound up his wounds, which were deep, and
soon after he arrived at Belize he was sent to the hospital, when, on his
recovery, he became my servant." "It was a most providential escape,"
exclaimed I. "Indeed it was," replied the Colonel, "and so he thinks
himself." On reaching the ship in the evening I found a beautiful mahogany
canoe alongside, and on entering my cabin the steward brought me a glass
globe containing two Panama tortoises, which, when full-grown, are richly
marked and not larger than a crown piece. The native name of these pretty
animals is _chinqua_. They were a present from Captain Bromley. At the
time appointed, seven vessels, deeply laden with mahogany, were ready for
sea. I spent the last day on shore, dined at the military mess, bade adieu
to all my red-coat friends, and the following morning got under weigh with
my haystack convoy for England.

We doubled Cape Antonio on the third day, and when off the Havannah we
perceived a frigate standing out of the harbour. We concluded she was
Spanish. I consulted the officers respecting the probability of taking her
by laying her alongside and boarding her. They thought it might be
effected. I turned the hands up and acquainted them of my intention. Three
hearty cheers was the response. We prepared for action, and stood towards
her. We were three gunshots from her when it fell calm, as well as dusk,
and about an hour afterwards a large boat came near us. We presumed she
was a Spanish gunboat, and had taken us for a merchant vessel. I let her
come alongside, having the marines ready to give them a reception when
they boarded, and to quietly disarm and hand them down the hatchway. The
first man who came up was a lieutenant of our service. "Hulloa, sir, how
is this, and where have you come from?" said I. "From the _Melpomene_,"
replied he, "the frigate you see off the Havannah." "This is a terrible
disappointment," resumed I. "We had made up our minds to board and, if
possible, carry that frigate, supposing her Spanish." "Why, sir," said he,
"we yesterday carried the disagreeable news to the Governor of Cuba of a
Spanish peace, and seeing you with a convoy, Captain Parker despatched me
with some letters for England, if you will have the goodnes