it was a judgment
from heaven because of their cruelty and wickedness.

To this I answered that the judgment was working on the captives as well
as on the captors, and asked him where was Sarceda, as they named de
Garcia. Then I learned that he had been taken sick that morning, and I
rejoiced at the news, for if I had hated him before, it may be judged
how deeply I hated him now. Presently the priest left me and returned
with water mixed with the juice of limes, that tasted to me like nectar
from the gods, and some good meat and fruit. These he gave me through
the hole in the planks, and I made shift to seize them in my manacled
hands and devoured them. After this he went away, to my great chagrin;
why, I did not discover till the following morning.

That day passed and the long night passed, and when at length the
Spaniards visited the hold once more, there were forty bodies to be
dragged out of it, and many others were sick. After they had gone I
stood up, watching for my friend the priest, but he did not come then,
nor ever again.

CHAPTER XII

THOMAS COMES TO SHORE

For an hour or more I stood thus craning my neck upwards to seek for
the priest. At length when I was about to sink back into the hold, for
I could stand no longer in that cramped posture, I saw a woman's dress
pass by the hole in the deck, and knew it for one that was worn by a
lady who had escaped with me in the boat.

'Senora,' I whispered, 'for the love of God listen to me. It is I,
d'Aila, who am chained down here among the slaves.'

She started, then as the priest had done, she sat herself down upon the
deck, and I told her of my dreadful plight, not knowing that she was
acquainted with it, and of the horrors below.

'Alas! senor,' she answered, 'they can be little worse than those above.
A dreadful sickness is raging among the crew, six are already dead and
many more are raving in their last madness. I would that the sea had
swallowed us with the rest, for we have been rescued from it only to
fall into hell. Already my mother is dead and my little brother is
dying.'

'Where is the priest?' I asked.

'He died this morning and has just been cast into the sea. Before he
died he spoke of you, and prayed me to help you if I could. But his
words were wild and I thought that he might be distraught. And indeed
how can I help you?'

'Perhaps you can find me food and drink,' I answered 'and for our
friend, God rest his soul. What of the