the dollars not mine; but I hab plenty of
gold in Don Silvio's purse--plenty, plenty of gold. I keep my property,
Massa Easy, and you keep yours."

"I'm afraid that this affair may be found out, Mesty; the woman will
spread the report of having been attacked by a black friar, and that
will lead to suspicion, as the other friars of the convent knew that you
left with Friar Thomaso."

"So I tink dat, but when a man starve, he quite forget his thought."

"I don't blame you; but now I must talk to Don Philip."

"Suppose you no objection, while you talk I eat something from the table
then, Massa Easy; for I hungry enough to eat de friar, mule and all."

"Eat, my good fellow, and drink as much as you please."

The consultation between our two midshipmen and Don Philip was not long:
they perceived the immediate necessity for the departure of Mesty, and
the suspicion which would attach to themselves. Don Philip and Agnes
left them, to go to Don Rebiera, and make him acquainted with what had
passed, and to ask his advice.

When they went into the room, Don Rebiera immediately accosted his son.

"Have you heard, Philip, that Friar Thomaso has returned at last?--so
the servants tell me."

"The report may be fortunate," replied Don Philip; "but I have another
story to tell you."

He then sat down and imparted to Don Rebiera all the adventures of
Mesty. Don Rebiera was for some time in deep thought; at last he
replied:

"That Don Silvio is no more is fortunate, and the negro would be
entitled to reward for his destruction--but for the friar, that is a bad
business. The negro might remain and tell the whole story, and the
facts might be proved by the evidence of Signor Easy and the letters;
but what then? we should raise the whole host of the clergy against our
house, and we have suffered too much from them already; the best plan
would be the immediate departure, not only of the negro, but of our two
young friends. The supposition of Friar Thomaso being here, and their
departure with the negro servant to rejoin their ship, will remove much
suspicion and destroy all inquiry. They must be off immediately. Go to
them, Philip, and point out to them the absolute necessity of this
measure, and tell our young friend that I rigidly adhere to my promise,
and as soon as he has his father's sanction I will bestow upon him my
daughter. In the meantime I will send down and see if a vessel can be
chartered for Malta."

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