nd, and I hope a new day may now dawn for the Portuguese
colonies in South Africa," said the noble. "The country is rich in
mineral products. Cattle and animals of all kinds abound in the plains,
while coal, gold, iron, and copper could be procured for the labour of
taking them," he continued; "but that is Captain Weber, is it not,
leaning over the bulwarks; will you go with me, Senhor, and serve me as
interpreter? I wish much to thank him for the arrangements he has made
for our comfort."

Hughes thus left with Dona Isabel, a silence ensued. The sails were
banging loosely in the brails, flapping against the masts, for the night
was perfectly calm, but still there was the never ceasing throb of the
ocean, causing the brig to roll lazily, the cordage and blocks to strain
and creak, the studding sail booms to rattle, and the timbers of the
stout brig herself to groan and moan.

"I was wondering, Senhora," said Hughes, breaking the silence at last,
"what made you think of a voyage to so remote a region as Africa?"

"Oh, that is easily told. My father has a long pedigree, but a cramped
estate. Our Portuguese nobility are mostly in the same position. My
mother, of the old and princely house of the Guzmans, died when I was
quite a child, and my life has been passed with an aunt, in France.
She, too, died, and the convent of the Augustine sisters was no longer a
home for me; besides, my education was finished."

"I wish it had comprised the English language, Senhora," said Hughes,
smiling.

"I wish it had, too, for I should like to talk to Captain Weber,"
replied the girl, laughing. "To continue, my father was honoured with
his present mission, and was about to refuse it on my account. It may
lead to a definite appointment, and as he never denies me anything, I
easily persuaded him to accept, and to let me accompany him."

The brig's bows had been during the last hour all round the compass, but
at that moment she lay with her head to the southward. A heavy puff of
hot wind struck her suddenly, taking her aback and giving her sternway,
the studding sail booms snapping off short in the irons, the broken ends
with their gear coming tumbling down, those of the mainyard falling on
the quarter-deck. The whole was over in an instant.

"In with the studding-sails, my lads, look alive," called the captain,
as the watch on deck busied themselves with the useless sails.

"You will excuse me, gentlemen," said Captain We