self, for
despite his utmost efforts, there was a perceptible shrinking and
embarrassment of manner apparent in him during the progress of the meal.
Nevertheless, he exerted himself manfully to obliterate the exceedingly
disagreeable impression that he knew had been made upon me by his late
conduct; and it was evident that he was sincerely desirous of
re-establishing friendly relations between us, whether from any selfish
motive or not I cannot of course say, but I think not--I believe his
pride was hurt at his late lamentable exhibition of weakness, and he was
chiefly anxious to recover his own self-respect. Whatever his motive
may have been, his demeanour was a perfect blending of politeness and
cordiality that won upon me in spite of myself; and before the meal was
over I had determined to render him the small amount of assistance that
he had asked of me, reserving to myself the right to withdraw it at any
moment that I might deem fit. He seemed sincerely grateful for my
offer, and accepted it frankly and cordially with the reservation that I
had attached to it; and having accompanied me on deck and turned the
hands up, he informed them that I had offered to temporarily perform the
duties of chief mate, and that they were to obey my orders as implicitly
as they would those from his own lips; after which, as I had offered to
take charge until midnight, he said that he was tired and would try to
get a little sleep, and so retired below to his own cabin.

The breeze continued easterly, and very moderate, frequently dropping
almost calm, on which occasion we were almost invariably treated to
deluges of rain, with occasional thunder and lightning. Our progress to
the eastward was therefore slow, and for three whole days and nights
nothing occurred to break the monotony of the voyage. On the morning of
the fourth day, however, when I went on deck just before eight bells--it
having been my eight hours in, that night--I found the brigantine once
more before the wind, with a slashing breeze blowing after her, and she
with every rag of canvas packed upon her that could be induced to draw.
But, to my exceeding surprise, we were heading to the _westward_, and,
hull-down about ten miles distant, was another craft dead ahead of us,
also carrying a press of canvas.

I turned to Mendouca for an explanation; and in answer to my look of
inquiry he said--

"Yes, I want to overtake that brig, if I can. I am ashamed to say that
a