r."

"I think we shall get plenty of both in any case," the other said.
"Two-thirds of the people down there are rebels, and whether there is
resistance or not their possessions of all kinds will be justly
forfeited."

"That is so; but it is the government who will forfeit them, and but a
small proportion indeed will fall to the share of the army and navy."

The conversation then turning upon other subjects, Stephen rose and
strolled out of the room, and going down to the wharf seated himself on a
balk of timber to think the matter out. That Lord Cochrane should have
been driven to resign his position in Chili he could well understand, for
he had wondered many times that he put up with the treatment that he
received and the utter ingratitude that had been the sole reward of his
great services; but it was singular indeed that just as he himself arrived
on the eastern coast of the continent he should receive the news, that
Cochrane would ere long appear on the coast to take command of the
Brazilian fleet. Of course, now his plans would be changed, and instead of
going to England he should endeavour to make his way down to Rio, and
there join the admiral.

The question was how was it to be done? The journey by land would be out
of the question; the distance was almost as vast as that he had already
travelled, and he would be exposed to constant questioning. Upon the other
hand, it was certain that no ships would be sailing from Para to Rio. He
might get down to Bahia, but the same difficulty would present itself. It
seemed to him that there was but one possible method of reaching Rio,
namely to take passage by ship to the Cape de Verde Islands, and there to
take another ship bound for Rio. The distance was great, but under
favourable circumstances the journey might be made in a few weeks.

The next morning he was early down at the wharf. There were several ships
lading for Europe, but one of them was English, and this he learned on
going on board would, unless driven east by stress of weather, make for
the Azores direct without touching at St. Vincent. There were, however,
two Portuguese vessels that would touch at Cape de Verde, and would stay
some days there. One of these would start the next day.

In this he secured a passage forward for a very small sum, on his saying
that he knew something of the sea, and was willing to make himself useful.
He had only now to purchase a few rough clothes suitable for the voyage,