e vessel, coming down to speak to me,
perceived that she was arrayed in the religious attire. He started when
he viewed it, and hastily quitted the cabin. I had a presentiment that
all was not right, and, removing my arms from Rosina, repaired on deck,
where I found him in consultation with the crew. The subject in
agitation was their immediate return to Cadiz to deliver us to the
Inquisition. I resisted the suggestion; claimed the vessel as my own,
having chartered her, and threatened immediate death to any one who
should attempt to alter her course; but it was in vain. Their horror at
the sacrilege, and their fear of being implicated in, and suffering the
dreadful penalties attending it, bore down all my arguments; my promises
and my threats were alike disregarded.

I was seized, overpowered, and the vessel steered in for land. I raved,
stamped, and imprecated in vain: at last I declared that we all should
suffer together, as I would denounce them as having been aware of my
intentions, and state that it was only in consequence of my having
refused to submit to farther extortion, that they had not fulfilled
their agreement. This startled them; for they knew that the Inquisition
gladly seized upon all pretexts; and that even if not convicted, their
imprisonment would be long. Again they consulted; and heaving the
vessel to the wind, they hoisted out the long boat. Having thrown into
her a scanty supply of provisions and water, with a few necessaries,
they brought up the terrified Rosina from the cabin, and, placing her in
the boat, released and ordered me to follow. As soon as I was in the
boat, they cut the rope by which it was towed, and we were soon left at
a distance astern.

Glad to escape from the cruelty of man, I cared little for the danger to
which we were subjected from the elements. I consoled my frightened
Rosina; I stepped the mast, hoisted the sail, and steered in a southerly
direction, with the intention of landing on some part of the African
coast. So far from being alarmed at my situation, I felt happy. I was
in a frail bark; but I had within it all that I cared for in this world.
I sailed I knew not where, but Rosina was in my company; I felt the
uncertainty of our fate, but was more than compensated by the certainty
of possession. The wind rose, the sea ran high, and curled in
threatening foam; we darted with rapidity before it; and steering with
one arm, while Rosina was clasped in the