the lower growth. The crew, with
the exception of two men, had been sent below, the brig being
land-locked, or nearly so, and no possible danger apprehended, and as
these men had been regularly relieved during the darkness, both crew and
passengers had enjoyed a good night's repose.

It was about eight o'clock when Captain Weber appeared on the
quarter-deck; walking aft, he looked at the now useless compass, and
then glanced aloft, from a seaman's habit.

"Let the men have their breakfast, Mr Lowe, comfortably, and then we'll
go to work."

"We have a spare topmast and topgallant mast, Captain Weber; but I have
been rummaging over the spars, and can find nothing that will do for the
main-topgallant mast."

"Is there any stick that will serve for a jib-boom?"

"Yes, sir; there is a spare fore-yard, which the carpenter thinks may
do."

"Very good. The moment the men have done breakfast get the boats into
the water. We will carry out an anchor astern, and keep the jade a
close prisoner, to teach her not to pitch the spars out of her. Call me
when they are towing astern." And Captain Weber dived down to finish
his toilet.

Below, all marks of the late gale had disappeared. The steward and his
mate had been busy since daylight, and the more than ordinarily
comfortable though small cabin was in perfect order, when the passengers
sat down at the breakfast table at nine o'clock. Of course the brig had
not the slightest motion; in fact, she was as though in dock.

"Rather a difference this from yesterday, Dom Maxara," said Wyzinski, as
that nobleman appeared coming from his cabin.

"A difference for the better. Will you oblige me by explaining to our
captain," continued the old gentleman, "that my daughter, Donna Isabel,
begs to be excused from joining the party? She is still suffering from
the shock of late emotions."

A ceremonious bow followed the interpretation, on the part of the
Portuguese, the Englishman replying with his mouth full.

"Ay, ay, signor, and small blame to her. It is not every day the fishes
get the picking of so tight a lad and thorough-bred a sailor as poor
Blount."

"How long do you propose lying here, Captain Weber?"

"A couple of days will set us all a-tanto again, and give us time to
overhaul the standing and running gear."

"I suppose there is not any danger here?" asked Hughes.

"Danger!--how can there be? Let it blow as hard as it likes, and from
what quarter it chooses