as you speak Spanish, you had better tell the captain
that he will be hard and fast on shore in a few minutes if he does not
alter his course," said Boxall to me.

Followed by my companions, I accordingly stepped aft to an officer whom
I took to be the commander, and told him that we had only just before
left a reef which ran north and south, and that he would soon be upon it
unless he steered more to the westward; also that, if he kept a sharp
look-out, he would see the sand-bank behind it. He seemed very much
astonished, and at once gave orders to port the helm and trim the sails
so as to stand off from the dangerous neighbourhood. I observed that
our raft was towing astern. "We will hoist it on board by-and-by," said
the captain; "it will serve for firewood, of which we have not too large
a supply."

I heard several people talking about the reef. One very
consequential-looking gentleman declared that we had not spoken the
truth, and that the reef must be much further off than we had said. I
took no notice of this; indeed, I thought that I might possibly be
mistaken, especially as I was not accustomed to hear Spanish spoken,
although, thanks to honest Andrew, I was able to express myself with
tolerable clearness on simple subjects. We convinced the captain,
however, that my account was true, by showing him the oysters with which
our pockets were filled, and which we were very glad to get rid of.
Being about to throw them overboard, the young negro stopped us and
begged to have them, as they would be very welcome at the mess to which
he belonged. "We no get too much food here," he observed; "very
different to English man-of-war."

I asked the young black his name.

"They call me Pedro aboard here; but I got many names, according to the
people I live among," he answered with a laugh. "The English sailors
call me Black Jack; and when I once lived with the Moors, my name was
Selim; and in my own country, Quasho Tumbo Popo."

"And what is the name of the big black man who helped me up the side?"
I asked.

"Him called Antonio here," answered Pedro, glancing round to ascertain
that the person we were speaking of was not near. "Take care of him,
massa; him no good. Once got flogging aboard man-of-war, and no love
English officers, depend on that. He pretend to be great friend to you,
but you see what he do."

I thanked Pedro for his caution, feeling certain from the tone in which
he spoke that he was since