e water in those
latitudes, near the coast. Still, astern I could distinguish the brig
standing on in our wake with all the sail she had hitherto carried, in
spite of the still increasing breeze. The Portuguese captain and his
officers stood carefully watching their spars strained to the utmost by
the almost cracking canvas, every now and then glancing astern at their
pursuer. I kept my eye fixed on her. Now it seemed to _me_ that she
was again coming up with us. My hopes revived that she would bring the
schooner to, and settle the doubts as to her character. As I was
looking at her, I saw what looked like a vast cloud floating away from
her mast-head. Some of the Portuguese saw it too, and cheered loudly.
Her topgallant-sails, if not her topsails, had been blown away, probably
with their respective masts; but the thickening gloom prevented us
seeing the exact nature of the damage she had received. The Portuguese
no longer feared being overtaken, but still they continued standing on
as before. A few minutes afterwards we altogether lost sight of the
brig. The mist, as I expected, came on, and at length the steward
announcing supper, being very hungry, I went below to partake of it.
The Portuguese captain and Senhor Silva were in very good spirits, and
courteous as usual. I had said nothing about the brig, and was about to
mention her appearance when Senhor Silva stopped me.

"There is no use talking about that matter, Mr Crawford," he observed.
"The young ladies will not be interested by it, and--you understand me--
I will explain matters by-and-by."

Of course after this I said nothing, and we all parted, when we retired
to our berths, very good friends. The next day no sail was in sight.
My cousins were on deck, and the officers treated them with the same
attention as at first. With Timbo I had not exchanged words, but I got
an opportunity at last of speaking to Jack Handspike without being
observed. I asked him if he had seen the man-of-war brig, and what he
thought of the matter.

"Yes, I did see her, and a rum thing I thought it for another man-of-war
of a friendly nation to run away from her. To tell you the truth, Mr
Crawford, I have a notion that this here craft--"

What he was going to say I could not tell, for at that moment one of the
Portuguese officers passing, took my arm, and led me to where Senhor
Silva was standing.

"Our friends do not like to see you talking to your people," he obs