agine that the
instinct of these fierce sea-wolves told them--"

"What?" inquired Lantejas, with an anxious air.

"Why, that this vessel we are in is not sea-worthy. She is as rotten
and ricketty as an old tub; and very little--Bah! I only wish that my
friend Pepe Gago was one of those fellows in the water, and I had
nothing more to do than leap in and poniard him in presence of the
others!"

"What! are you thinking still of that fellow?"

"More than ever!" replied Costal, grinding his teeth; "and I shall never
leave the army of Morelos--even when my time of service is out--so long
as there's a hope of capturing the castle of Acapulco, and getting my
hands on the miserable traitor."

Lantejas was paying only slight attention to what the Indian said. The
doubt which the latter had expressed about the sea-worthiness of the
canoe, was at that moment occupying his thoughts more than Costal's
project of vengeance; and he was desirous that they should reach the
island as soon as possible. Even an engagement with a human enemy--so
long as it should take place on _terra firma_--would be less perilous
than a struggle in the water with those terrible monsters--the sharks.

"The canoe goes very slowly!" remarked he to Costal mere than once.

"Senor Don Cornelio!" exclaimed the Indian with a smile, "you are always
in a hurry to get into the fight; but we are now approaching the isle;
and, with your permission, I think we would do well to obtain leave from
the admiral (by his title Costal designated Don Hermenegildo) to go a
little more in advance, and reconnoitre the way for the others. The
canoe can approach near the schooner without much risk of being seen;
whereas those great whale-boats would just now stand a pretty fair
chance of being discovered. That's my advice--do you agree to it,
Captain?"

"Willingly," replied Lantejas, scarce knowing between the two dangers
which might be the greatest.

At a command from Costal the two rowers now rested upon their oars; and,
shortly after, one of the barges arrived alongside. It was that which
carried the admiral.

"What is it?" inquired the latter, seeing that the canoe had stopped for
him. "Have you discovered anything?"

Don Cornelio communicated to him the proposition of Costal. The idea
appeared good to the Marshal; and, in accordance with it, the three
barges were ordered to lie to, while the lighter craft glided on in
advance.

In a short time the isle ap