ll standin'
as the saying is. Christopher, didn't that match wake me up!"

"I am afraid it is my fault," said Carmela, who could look sympathetic
where Iris would want to laugh. "I have just arrived here, and
everybody seems to be so full of troubles that I am glad to hear you
singing."

"Oh, that's just hummin', mum. If you're fond of music you ought to
'ear Schmidt, Captain Schmidt of the _Unser Fritz_----"

Carmela struck an attitude.

"Wot, d'ye know 'im?" asked Watts.

"No, it is something--rather important. I must go back to my father.
Ah, I ought to explain. I am the Senhora De Sylva, Dom Corria's
daughter."

"Are you really, mum,--miss?" exclaimed Watts, highly interested. "'Ow
in the world did ye manage to come up from the coast? Accordin' to all
accounts----"

"Yes, what were you going to say?" for the man hesitated.

"Well, some of our chaps will 'ave it that we're runnin' close-hauled
on a lee shore."

Carmela knit her brows. The Watts idioms were not those of her
governess.

"We had no great difficulty in passing through Dom Barraca's lines, if
that is what you mean," she said. "Mr. Verity and Mr. Bulmer had
obtained special permits, but in my case----"

"Mr. 'oo, did you say, miss?" demanded Watts, whose lower jaw actually
dropped from sheer amazement.

"Mr. Verity, the owner of the _Andromeda_. You are one of the crew, I
suppose?"

"I'm the chief officer. Watts is my name, miss. But d'you mean to
tell me that ole David Verity 'as come 'ere--to Brazil--to this rotten
. . . Sorry, miss, but you gev' me a turn, you did. An' Dickey
Bulmer--is _'e_ 'ere too?"

"Yes, or he soon will be here. I rode on in advance of the others."

"Well--there--if that don't beat cock-fightin'!" cried Watts. "Wot'll
Coke say? W'y, 'e'll 'ave a fit. An' Miss Iris! She's to marry ole
Dickey. Fancy 'im turnin' up! There'll be the deuce an' all to pay,
now, wot between 'im an' Hozier an' the dashin' colonel."

The horse, trying to nibble some grass at Carmela's feet, suddenly
threw his head up, for the cruel South American bit had tightened under
a jerk of the reins.

"Who is Mr. Hozier?" asked the girl calmly.

"He is, or was, our second mate, but since the colonel an' 'e got to
loggerheads 'e took an' raised a corps of scouts. Some of our fellows
joined, but not me. Killin' other folks don't agree with me a little
bit. I don't mind a shine in a snug or a friendly scrap over an extry