nture_ in those seas; consequently he resolved to remain where he
was until the last possible moment. Such work, therefore, as needed to
be done was done with the utmost deliberation and nicety; and when at
length all was finished there still remained time to spare, which the
men were permitted to employ pretty much as they liked, it having by
this time been ascertained conclusively that, apart from themselves, the
island was absolutely without inhabitants.

At length, however, the time arrived when it became necessary to put to
sea again; and on a certain brilliant morning the camp was struck, all
their goods and chattels were taken back to the ship; and, with every
man once more in the enjoyment of perfect health, with every water cask
full to the bung-hole of sweet, crystal-clear water, and with an ample
supply of fruit and vegetables on board, the _Adventure_ weighed anchor
and stood away to the westward under easy sail, passing between the
islands of Saint Vincent and Becquia with the first of the dawn on the
following morning.

Marshall had estimated that the passage from Barbados to Cartagena would
occupy eight days; but to provide against unforeseen delays he allowed
twelve days for its accomplishment, with the result that, no unforeseen
delays having arisen, the _Adventure_ arrived off Cartagena just four
days before the date upon which, according to the information obtained
from the _Santa Clara_, the plate ship was to sail. It was just about
midnight when, according to Bascomb's reckoning, the ship reached the
latitude of Cartagena, when she was hove-to. But as Marshall had
observed the precaution of maintaining a good offing during the entire
passage, merely hauling in to the southward sufficiently to sight Point
Gallinas in passing, and thus verify his position, it was not surprising
that when the daylight came no land was in sight, even from the
masthead. This was perfectly satisfactory and as it should be;
nevertheless it was important that explicit information should now be at
once obtained concerning the plate ship, the progress which she was
making toward the completion of her loading, and especially whether she
would be ready to sail on the date originally named. Marshall therefore
summoned a council of war consisting of, in addition to himself,
Bascomb, the master, Winter and Dick Chichester, the lieutenants, and
Messrs. Dyer and Harvey, the two gentlemen adventurers. The meeting was
held in t