ellow, remarkably free and unreserved in
his manner--for a Spaniard--and whilst I was shifting my rig, and
subsequently partaking of some refreshments which had been laid out for
me upon the ward-room table, I learned from him a great deal about the
ship and her skipper, one item of my acquired information being the fact
that the _Santa Catalina_ was undoubtedly the identical vessel which I
had been despatched to look out for. I learned that Don Felix, though a
good enough man in the main, was not very greatly respected by his
officers, who found him very deficient in seamanship, and suspected him
of being also somewhat wanting in courage. He was new to the ship, it
seemed, this being his first voyage in her; and young Albuquerque more
than hinted his suspicion that Don Felix owed his command a great deal
more to influence than to merit. My meal ended, I returned to the deck,
and was then introduced in due form to each of the quarter-deck officers
in succession, more than one of whom were polite enough to compliment me
upon my Spanish.

When I had time to look about a bit I was greatly surprised to notice
that no preparations were going forward to replace the spars lost by the
ship during the hurricane; and upon my noticing it to the first
lieutenant he replied, with rather a contemptuous shrug of the
shoulders, that it was Captain Calderon's intention to put into Cumana
to refit, and also to land us Englishmen.

This was by no means pleasant news for me. I was in hopes we should
have been carried across the Atlantic, which would have afforded us at
least a chance of recapture by one of our own men-of-war; moreover Inez
and her father were on board, and though I augured ill from the studied
coolness of the latter's reception of me, I thought I should never have
a better opportunity than that afforded by an Atlantic voyage for
ingratiating myself with him and forwarding my love affairs. I thought
matters over a little, and at length hit upon a plan which I thought
might serve to render our visit to Cumana unnecessary, at least so far
as the spars were concerned. I knew that a quick passage was regarded
by the authorities as of the most vital importance, for my friend the
second lieutenant had told me so; I therefore awaited my opportunity,
and, taking advantage of a moment when Don Felix and several of his
officers were chatting with me, I suddenly changed the topic of
conversation by thanking the captain for the