way if the money I have is not sufficient to pay for a
passage. I do not look like it at present, but I am one of Lord Cochrane's
officers, and as he is now either at Rio or within a short distance of it,
I wish to join him there."

The mate went into the captain's cabin, and on coming out again asked
Stephen to follow him. The captain looked at him attentively.

"This is rather a strange yarn of yours."

"It is a strange one, captain, but it is true."

"If you are one of Cochrane's officers what are you doing here? and why
are you masquerading in that dress? Have you already served with him?"

"I was his flag-lieutenant on the Chilian coast."

The captain repeated incredulously: "Why, I should not guess you to be
above twenty."

"That is about my age, sir; but what I say is nevertheless the fact. My
story is too long to tell you now; but, briefly, I was wounded in the
cutting out of the _Esmeralda_, and was sent back to be cured at
Valparaiso. On my way up in a coasting craft to rejoin, I was wrecked on
the Peruvian coast and made prisoner. I escaped by the aid of friends, and
finding it impossible to make my way down to Chili, I crossed the Andes
and came down by the great rivers to Para. There I heard that Lord
Cochrane was about to assume the command of the Brazilian fleet. It was
absolutely impossible to make my way there direct, either by land or sea,
and I therefore took passage here in that Portuguese lying a hundred yards
away, and now want to be taken on to Rio. The stock of money with which I
started is reduced to twenty pounds. I must have something when I land, as
the admiral may not have arrived; but I am ready to pay fifteen for my
passage, and equally willing, if that is not sufficient, to work my way
before the mast."

"Well, sir," the captain said, "if you are one of Cochrane's officers I
shall be proud to carry you without any charge for the passage; but you
can, if you like, pay five pounds for the cost of your food, which, as it
belongs to the owner, I have no right to give away. Are the clothes you
stand in all your kit?"

"No; I have a bundle on deck with another and somewhat more respectable
suit. I bought it at Bahia, and although it is hardly the dress one would
choose on board a ship, it is at least respectable, being that of a
Brazilian merchant."

"I will lend you some togs for the voyage," the mate said. "We have no
passengers on board, so that if they don't quite fit you it won'