onization as well as discovery. After reaching the Solomon
group the fleet dispersed. The "Santa Isabel", as her log informed us,
spent five years in a fine harbour on the Southern Continent, from
whence she had returned without establishing a settlement. Another of
the ships and the frigate remained for a time at the islands, where the
crews left many evidences of their visit. But it was reserved for us to
ascertain what had befallen the "Concordia", the third of the vessels
of Mendana's fleet. This ship, under the command of Captain Barreto,
had reached New Holland, where the present settlement had been formed,
and the town built. There were turbulent elements, however, among the
crew, who had been allowed a license at the islands which their captain
was not disposed to continue. He ordered the execution of some, before
the rest were brought to submission. But there was sullen discontent
remaining. To make matters worse, sickness broke out. It carried off a
large number of the Spaniards, and Barreto himself died, as did his
first officer. The pilot then claimed to take command, but to this
Donna Isabel objected. As the captain's wife, she declared it to be her
right to rule the settlement, and, marrying a young Spanish officer,
Fernando de Castro, she assumed the title of queen, with Fernando as
prince consort. To complicate matters still further, the pilot and
those who were attached to him sailed away in the "Concordia", taking
the infant son of Fernando and Isabel with them, and leaving the
adherents of the queen marooned in this pleasant and fertile valley.
Fernando, soon after the sailing of the "Concordia", died, since when
Donna Isabel, who had resumed the name of Barreto, had reigned alone.
This was, in brief, the story the Queen had to tell; and on hearing it
Pedro de Castro threw himself at her feet, and claimed to be her son.

Donna Isabel was now past middle age, being near forty years old, but
she bore herself with a degree of uprightness and vigour which defied
the advance of time. She was readily convinced of the truth of Pedro's
statement, and when she had bidden him to rise she embraced him, and
acknowledged him to be her son.

"You have been led back to me," she said, "by the will of heaven, and
by the courage of these brave men who shall henceforth be to me my
brothers."

Fair words, but lacking the ring of sincerity, as we were subsequently
to find.

Queen Barreto then begged us to consider he