ves are left behind.

Their chief regret was, however, that Tom and Gerald had not been
recovered before she sailed.

Previous to this, numerous merchantmen had been for some time collecting
at the mouth of the river, awaiting the convoy of the men-of-war up the
Parana. They now lay at anchor together, forming a large fleet, with
the flags of all nations flying from their peaks, while fresh arrivals
came gliding up to an anchorage, and boats were pulling about in all
directions.

Jack and Terence employed the interval in visiting the shore, for the
purpose of finding some one who would undertake to search for the
midshipmen, and endeavour to obtain their liberation or assist them to
escape.

They could not, however, be long absent from the brig, as a breeze might
spring up, and not a moment was to be lost in looking after the Buenos
Ayrian schooner.

They ran some risk in going on shore of being cut off by the enemy, who
might possibly pounce upon them. The country people, however, very
frequently came down to the beach with their provisions, for which they
were sure to obtain a good price, and the two lieutenants hoped that
through their means they might find some person willing to undertake the
task about which they were so anxious.

At length, one evening after the market-people had taken their
departure, just as they were about to step into their boat, a
dark-skinned man, with a coloured poncho over his shoulder, leathern
leggings, and a broad-brimmed hat, made his appearance from behind a
bank, and fearlessly came up to them. Though both Jack and Terence by
this time spoke a little Spanish, they could not clearly understand him;
they made out, however, that he wished to accompany them on board the
ship, and that he had some information of importance to give.

"Well, step in, my friend," said Jack. "We will hear what you have got
to say as we pull on board."

By degrees they made out that he had heard of their inquiries about the
two young midshipmen, and that he was willing to try and recover them,
provided he was sufficiently rewarded; he confessed that he had lost his
last real in gambling, and, being a ruined man, he set but little value
on his life, or that he certainly would not have offered to undertake
the task. As he only demanded a hundred dollars, they very willingly
promised him the sum.

"And who have we the honour of addressing?" asked Jack.

"Jose Gonzalves, an hidalgo of pure blood,