the first storm), under the control of two men of whom
I knew no good, and who, as I feared, might play us false?

But whether I had acted wisely or unwisely, there was no going back now,
and as I did not want Angela to perceive that I was either dubious or
downcast, I pulled myself together, put on a cheerful countenance, and
spoke hopefully of our prospects.

She was with us on deck, Kidd being at the helm.

"I have no very precise idea how far we maybe from Callao," I said, "but
if this wind lasts we should be there in five or six days at the outside.
Don't you think so, Kidd?"

"May be. You still think of going to Callao, then?"

"Still think of going to Callao! I am determined to go to Callao. Why do
you ask? Did not I distinctly say so before we started?"

"I thought you had maybe changed your mind. And Callao won't be easy to
make. Neither Yawl nor me has ever been there; we don't know the bearings,
and we have no compass, and I don't know much about the stars in these
latitudes."

"But I do, and better still, I have a compass."

"A compass! Do you hear that, Bill Yawl? Mr. Fortescue has got a compass.
Go to Callao! Why, we can go a'most anywhere. Where have you got it,
sir--in the cabin?"

"Yes, Abbe Balthazar and I made it, ever so long since. It is only rudely
fashioned, and has never been adjusted, but I dare say it will answer the
purpose as well as another."

"Of course it will, and if you'll kindly bring it here, it'll be a great
help. I reckon if I keep her head about--"

"Nor' by west."

"Ay, ay, sir, that's it, I have no doubt. If I keep her head nor' by west,
I dare say we shall fetch Callao as soon as you was a-saying just now. But
Bill and me should have the compass before us when we're steering; and
to-morrow we'll try to rig up a bit of a binnacle. You, perhaps, would not
mind fetching it now, sir?--Bring that patent lantern of yours, Bill."

I fetched the compass and Yawl the lantern, made of a glass bottle and a
piece of copper sheeting (like the rest of our equipments, the spoil of
the sea).

Kidd was quite delighted with the compass, the card of which was properly
marked and framed in a block of wood, and said it could easily be
suspended on gimbals and fixed on a binnacle.

After a while, Angela, who felt tired, went below, and I with her, but
only to fetch my _cobija_ and a pillow, for, as I told Kidd, I intended to
remain on deck all night, the cabin being too close and stu