south of
Spain, and was bound out to Manilla in the Philippine Islands, carrying
a number of official persons, with some settlers of lower grade. But
having told the captain of the danger near him, we hoped that he would
do his best to avoid it, and so ceased to let the matter trouble us.

As may be supposed, we slept soundly, worn out as we were with our
exertions; and it was daylight next morning when we awoke. I apologised
to those whom we had kept out of their berths; but they were very civil,
and replied that they had slept on sofas, and that we evidently required
all the rest we could obtain.

On going on deck we found that the calm still continued, and the ship
lay on the glass-like surface, her sails idly hanging down against the
masts. I observed that a hand was in the chains, heaving the lead; and
on going into the mizzen-top, I made out the reef and the sand-bank
behind it,--although, had I not known it was there, I might not have
been certain what it was. Going forward, I found Ben, and asked him how
he had fared.

"Pretty well, thank you, sir; owing to the black Antonio, who looked
after me," he answered. "He is a rum sort of a chap, though; and I
shouldn't wish to have many such aboard a ship with me. He is civil
enough, to be sure, as far as I am concerned; but he is bitter as olives
against all above him: and it's my opinion he would work you, and Mr
Boxall, and Mr Halliday a mischief, if he had the power, though you
never did him any harm. I see clearly enough what he is about: he wants
to gain me over to side with him--and that's the reason he's so terribly
civil. Depend on it, Mr Blore, there'll be a mutiny aboard before
long; and when it comes there'll be murder and fighting, and we shall
fare ill among the villains. I cannot say much for the discipline of
this ship, either; she is more like a privateer than a man-of-war. It's
a wonder she has got as far as she has without meeting with some
misfortune; and I only hope that we shall touch at a port before long,
where we can get clear of her."

"What you say is not pleasant; and, from certain things I have observed,
I am afraid it is true," I answered. "If we don't touch anywhere, we
may fall in with an English vessel; and I am sure Mr Boxall will agree
with me, that we had better go on board her, even though she may be a
merchant-man. But if we meet with a man-of-war, we shall be all right."

"I hope we shall, sir," said Ben. "Antoni