me is _Nostra Senora del Carmen_."

"Ah!" answered I musingly; "then she is likely to prove a pretty tough
customer!"

"Not too tough for this schooner and her crew, sir," exclaimed Hoard
eagerly. "Why, sir, one Englishman is equal to six Spaniards, any day;
and as to her guns, a little management will keep the schooner out of
the way of their shot. Besides, sir, I don't suppose you'd engage her
in a regular `hammer and tongs' fight? The proper way 'll be to let her
pass ahead, and then run alongside, and carry her by boardin'! She'll
be but a slow ship, from the looks of her. For the Lord's sake," he
continued anxiously, "don't go to say or to think that she's too big for
you! Or, if you think that she is, get a man-o'-war to help you!
You've only to repeat in the proper quarter what I've told you, and
you'll be certain to get all the help you want--"

"No doubt," interrupted I drily; "but if I undertake the matter at all,
I will undertake it single-handed. Meanwhile, it is so well worth
consideration that I will countermand my orders for overhauling the
rigging; so, if you have nothing more to tell me at present, Hoard, just
ask the mate to step below, will you?"

"Ay, that will I, most gladly, sir," answered Hoard. "And I'm quite
sure, Cap'n Bowen," he continued, pausing with his hand upon the handle
of the door, "that when you've had time to think about the matter,
you'll make up your mind to have a try for the _Senora_."

With which he turned and left the cabin, and presently, in obedience to
my message, Saunders came down. I gave him my instructions, and then
proceeded with my letters, which I had to considerably abbreviate in
consequence of the rather heavy demand that Hoard had made upon my time.
However, I got them finished in time for the _Calypso_--which was the
vessel selected by the Admiral for the conveyance of the Spanish
despatches to England--and had the satisfaction of placing them in the
hands of the Honourable Augustus Montague himself, and of receiving his
assurance that he would undertake to forward them to their destination
upon his arrival home.

During the afternoon a boat came alongside the schooner with a note from
the Admiral, inviting me to dine with him that evening, the invitation
being accentuated by the statement that he had some news of importance
for me. I despatched an acceptance by the boat that had brought the
information, and in due time once more found myself withi