ning at the rate of twelve knots an hour. were hardly accomplished, when the wind shifted, and took us a-back with As I expected, Captain Mahone Mahone such violence as nearly to capsize the proved to be, in point of acquirements, vessel. The ship was put round as not at all above the common run of soon as possible, and brought-to till shipmasters. He was haughty and the gale should fall: while all hands overbearing, and domineered over the remained on deck in case of any emercrew with a high hand; in return for gency. About ten, in the interval of a which, he was evidently feared and squall, we heard a gun fired as a signal detested by them all. He had been of distress. The night was as black as many years in the West Indies; part pitch; but the flash showed us that the of which he had ranged as commander stranger was not far to leeward; so, of a privateer, and had, between the to avoid drifting on the wreck during fervid suns of such high latitudes and the darkness, the main-top-sail was the copious use of grog, become of a braced round, and filled, and the ship rich mahogany colour, or something hauled to windward. In this manner between vermillion and the tint of a we kept alternately beating or heavingsheet of new copper. He was a mid- to as the gale rose or fell till the morndle-sized man; square built, with a po- ing broke, when, through the haze, we werful and muscular frame. His aspect, perceived a small vessel with her masts naturally harsh and forbidding, was carried away. As the wind had taken rendered more so by the sinister expres off, the captain had gone to bed; so it sion of his left eye, which had been was the mate's watch on deck. The nearly forced out by some accident- steersman, an old grey-headed seaman, and the lineaments of his countenance named James Gemmel, proposed to bear expressed plainly that he was passionate down and save the people, saying he and furious in the extreme. In conse- had been twice wrecked himself, and quence of this, I kept rather distant and knew what it was to be in such a situaaloof; and, except at meals, we seldom tion. As the captain was below, the exchanged more than ordinary civilities. mate was irresolute what to do; being By our reckoning, our ship had now aware that the success of the speculagot into the latitude of the Bermudas, tion depended on their getting to Suriwhen one evening, at sunset, the wind, nam before it was given up: however, which had hitherto been favourable, he was at length persuaded-the helm fell at once into a dead calm. The day was put up, and the ship bore away. had been clear and bright; but now, huge masses of dark and conical-shaped clouds began to tower over each other in the western horizon, which, being tinged with the rays of the sun, displayed that lurid and deep brassy tint so well known to mariners as the token of an approaching storm. All the sailors were of opinion, that we should have a coarse night; and every precaution that good seamanship could suggest was taken to make the vessel snug before the gale came on. The oldest boys were sent up to hand and send down the royal and top-gallant sails, and strike the masts, while the top-sails and stays were close-reefed. These preparations As we neared the wreck, and were standing by the mizen shrouds with our glasses, the captain came up from the cabin. He looked up with astonishment to the sails, and the direction of the vessel's head, and, in a voice of suppressed passion, said, as he turned to the mate, "What is the meaning of this, Mr. Wyllie? Who has dared to alter the ship's course without my leave when you knew very well that we shall hardly be in time for the market, use what expedition we may?" The young man was confused by this unexpected challenge, and stammered out something about Gemmel having persuaded him. "It was me, Sir !" res pectfully interfered the old sailor, wishing to avert the storm froin the mate; "I thought you wouldn't have the heart to leave the wreck and these people to perish, without lending a hand to save them! We should be neither Christians nor true seamen to desert her, and "Damn you and the wreck, you old canting rascal! do you pretend to stand there and preach to me?" thundered the captain, his fury breaking out," I'll teach you to disobey my orders!-I'll give you something to think of and seizing a capstan-bar which lay near him, he hurled it at the steers man with all his might. The blow was effectual one end of it struck him across the head with such force as to sweep him in an instant from his station at the wheel, and to dash him with violence against the lee-bulwarks, where he lay bleeding and motionless. "Take that, and be damned !" exclaimed the wretch, as he took the helm, and sang out to the men,-" Stand by sheets, and braces hard a-lee-let go !" In a twinkling the yards were braced round, and the Dart, laid within six points of the wind, was flying through the water. Meanwhile Gemmel was lying without any one daring to assist him; for the crew were so confounded that they seemed quite undetermined how to act. I stepped to him, therefore, and the mate following my example, we lifted him up. As there was no appearance of respiration, I placed my hand to his heart-but pulsation had entirely ceased -the old man was dead. The bar had struck him directly on the temporal bone, and had completely fractured that part of his scull. who dare open his mouth to me in this ship." "I promise you," returned I, "that though you rule and tyrannise here at present, your power shall have a termination, and you shall be called to account for your conduct in this day's work-rest assured that this blood shall be required at your hands, though you have hitherto escaped punishment for what has stained them already." This allusion to the murder of little Bill Burnet seemed to stagger him considerably-he stopped short before me, and, while his face grew black with suppressed wrath and fury, whispered, "I warn you again, young man to busy yourself with your own matters-meddle not with what does not concern you; and belay your slack jaw, or, by-! Rink Mahone will find a way to make it fast for you!" He then turned round, and walked forward to the forecastle. During this affray no attention had been paid to the wreck, though the crew had set up a yell of despair on seeing us leave them. Signals and shouts were still repeated, and a voice, louder in agony than the rest, implored our help for the love of the blessed Virgin; and offered riches and absolution to the whole ship's company if they would but come back. The captain was pacing fore and aft without appearing to mind them, when, as if struck with some sudden thought, he lifted his glass to his eye-seemed to hesitate-walked on-and then, all at once changing his mind, he ordered the vessel again before the wind. On speaking the wreck, she proved to be a Spanish felucca from the island of Cuba, bound for Curaçoa, on the coast of the Curaccas. As they had lost their boats in the storm, and could not leave their vessel, our captain lowered and manned our jolly-boat, and went off to them. "He is a murdered man, Captain Mahone!" said I, laying down the body, "murdered without cause or provocation."-"None of your remarks, Sir!" he retorted; "what the devil have you to do with it? Do you mean to stir up After an absence of some hours he my men to mutiny? Or do you call dis-returned with the passengers, consistobeying my orders no provocation? I'll answer it to those who have a right to ask; but till then, let me see the man ing of an elderly person in the garb of a catholic priest, a sick gentleman, a young lady, apparently daughter of the latter, and a female black slave. With the utmost difficulty, and writhing under some excruciating pain, the invalid was got on board, and carried down to the cabin, where he was laid on a bed on the floor. To the tender of my professional services the invalid returned his thanks, and would have declined them, expressing his conviction of being past human aid, but the young lady, eagerly catching at even a remote hope of success, implored him with tears to accept my offer. On examination I found his fears were but too well grounded. In his endeavours to assist the crew during the gale he had been standing near the mast, part of which, or the rigging, having fallen on him, had dislocated several of his ribs, and injured his spine beyond remedy. All that could now be done was to afford a little temporary relief from pain, which I did; and, leaving him to the care of the young lady and the priest, I left the cabin. frequently joined, and urged him to 66 On deck I found all bustle and confusion. The ship was still lying-to, and the boats employed in bringing the goods out of the felucca, both of which were the property of the wounded gentleman. The body of the old man, Gemmel, had been removed somewhere out of sight; no trace of blood was visible. ble, and Captain Mahone seemed desirous to banish all recollections both of our quarrel and its origin. As the invalid was lying in the cabin, and my state-room occupied by the lady and her female attendant, I got a temporary birth in the steerage made up for myself for the night. I had not long thrown myself down on the cot, which was only divided from the main-cabin by a bulk-head, when I was awakened by the deep groans of the Spaniard. The violence of his pain had again returned, and between the spasms I heard the weeping and gentle voice of the lady soothing his agony, and trying to impart hopes prospects to him, which her own hysterical sobs told plainly she did not herself feel. The priest also Now," continued the dying man, "listen to me while I have strength. You have only known me as a merchant in Cuba; but such I have not always been. Mine is an ancient and noble family in Catalonia; though I unhappily disgraced it, and have been estranged from it long. I had the misfortune to have weak and indulgent parents, who idolized me as the heir of their house, and did not possess resolution enough to thwart me in any of my wishes or desires, however unreasonable. My boyhood being thus spoiled, it is no matter of wonder that my youth should have proved wild and dissolute, My companions were as dissolute as myself, and much of my time was spent in gambling and other extravagances. One evening at play I quarrelled with a young nobleman of high rank and influence; we were both of us hot and passionate, so we drew on the spot and fought, and I had the misfortune to run him through the heart, and leave him dead. Not daring to remain longer at home, I fled in disguise to Barcelona, where I procured a passage in a vessel for the Spanish Main. On our voyage we were taken by buccaneers; and the roving and adventurous mode of life of these bold and daring men suiting both my inclinations and finances, I agreed On an errand of mercy came I to this land; and if the heathen receive it, how much more a daughter of our most holy church? I, therefore, in behalf of our community, accept of your offer, and swear on this blessed emblem to fulfil all your wishes to the best of my poor abilities." to make one of their number. For many months we were successful in our enterprises: we ranged the whole of these seas, and made a number of prizes, some of which were rich ships of our own colonies. In course of time we amassed such a quantity of specie as to make us unwilling to venture it in one bottom; so we agreed to hide it ashore, "Enough, enough!" said Montaldo, and divide it on our return from our "I am satisfied! Among that archipenext expedition. But our good fortune lago of desert islands, known by the forsook us this time. During a calm name of the Roccas, situated on the the boats of the Guarda-costa came on coast of the province of Venezuela, in us, overpowered the ship, and made all New Grenada, there is one called the the crew, except myself and two others, Wolf-rock it is the longest and most prisoners. We escaped with our boat, northern of the group, and lies the most and succeeded in gaining the island of to seaward. At the eastern point, which Cuba, where both of my comrades died runs a little way into the sea, there of their wounds. Subsequent events stands an old vanilla, blasted and wiinduced me to settle at St. Juan de Bue- thered, and retaining but a single solinavista, where I married, and as a mer- tary branch. On the eve of the festival chant prospered and became a rich man. of St. Jago the moon will be at her full But my happiness lasted not! My wife in the west. At twenty minutes past caught the yellow fever and died, leaving midnight she will attain to her highest me only this one child. I now loathed altitude in the heavens, and then the the scene of my departed happiness, shadow of the tree will be thrown due and felt all the longings of an exile to east. Watch till the branch and stem revisit my native country. For this of the tree unite and form only one line purpose I converted all my effects into of shade-mark its extremity for there, money; and am thus far on my way to ten feet below the surface, the cask conthe hidden treasure with which I intend- taining the gold is buried. The gold, ed to return to Spain. But the green father, was sinfully got; but fasts and hills of Catalonia will never more glad-penances have been done, masses withden mine eyes! My hopes and wishes were only for my poor girl. Holy father! you know not a parent's feelings -its anxiety and its fears! The thoughts of leaving my child to the mercy of strangers; or, it may be, to their barbarities, in this lawless country, is far more dreadful than the anguish of my personal sufferings. With you rests my only hope.-Promise me your protection towards her, and the half of all my wealth is yours." "Earthly treasures," replied the priest, "avail not with one whose desires are fixed beyond the little handful of dust which perisheth-my life is devoted to the service of my Creator, and the conversion of ignorant men-men who have never heard of his salvation. out number have been said, and I trust that the blessed Virgin has interceded for the forgiveness of that great wickedness! I have now confessed all, and confide in your promise; and as you perform your oath, so will the blessing or curse of a dying man abide with you. 1 feel faint, dying-Oh! let me clasp my child once more to my heart be-fore I" Here the rest of the sentence became indistinct from the death-rattle in his throat. I leaped off my cot, and sprang up the hatchway, and had my foot on the top of the companion-ladder, when a piercing shriek from below making me quicken my steps, I missed my hold, and fell on some person stationed on the outside of the cabin door. The per son, without uttering a single word, rose and ascended the steps; but as he emerged into the faint light which still lingered in the horizon, I fancied that I could distinguish him to be the Capàtain. On my entering, I found the Spaniard dead, and his daughter lying in a state of insensibility by his side; while the female slave was howling and tearing her hair like one in a phrenzy. The priest was entirely absorbed in his devotions; so, without disturbing him, I lifted the lady and bore her into the state-room. The greater part of the night was passed in trying to restore her to sensation. Fit after fit followed each other in such quick succession that I began to apprehend the result: but at length the hysterical paroxism subsided, and tears coming to her relief, she became somewhat composed, when I left her in charge of her attend iant. The next day was spent in taking out the remainder of the felucca's cargo. There seemed now no anxiety on the Captain's part to proceed on his voyage he appeared to have forgot the necessity, expressed on a former occasion, of being in port within a limited time. He was often in a state of inebriety; for the wine and spirits of the Spaniards were lavishly served out to the whole ship's company, with whom he also mixed more; and banished that haughtiness of bearing which had marked his conduct hitherto. In the evening the body of Don Diego was brought upon deck, where his crew, under the superintendence of the priest, prepared it for its commitment to the deep. The corpse was, as is usual in such cases, wrapped up in the blankets and sheets in which it had lain, and a white napkin was tied over the face and head. In its right hand, which was crossed over the breast, was placed a gold doubloon. Its left held a small bag containing a book, a hammer, and a candle, while on the bosom was laid the little crucifix worn by the deceased. It was next enveloped in a hammock, with a couple of eight-pound shots, and a bag of ballast at the feet to sink itthe hammock was then carefully and closely sewed up, and the whole operation finished by leaving the sail-needle thrust transversely through the nose. At midnight the vessel was hove-to, and all the ship's company assembled at the lee-gangway. The Spaniards and negroes bore each a burning torch in his hand; the blaze of which, as they held them elevated above their heads, cast a strange and fearful light through the deep darkness, and illumined the ocean far and wide with a supernatural effulgence. When all was ready, the priest, accompanied by Isabella, came up from the cabin, and the Spaniards lifting up the body, carried it forward to the waist, where one of the ship's gratings had been put projecting over the side, and on this the corpse was laid, with its feet to the water. Around this the torchbearers formed a circle, and the priest, standing at the head, began the funeral service for the dead at sea. The wind had now subsided into a gentle breeze; and nothing disturbed the profound silence of the crew during mass, save the slight splashing of the waves against the windward side of the ship, and the deepdrawr, convulsive sobs of the young lady as she stood, enveloped in her mantillo, in the obscurity of the main rigging. Mass being concluded, the priest solemnly chaunted the funeral anthem :"May the angels conduct thee into Paradise; may the martyrs receive thee at thy coming; and mayst thou have eternal rest with Lazarus, who was formerly poor!" He then sprinkled the body with holy water, and continued :-" As it hath pleased God to take the soul of our dear brother here departed unto himself, we, therefore, commit his body to the deep, in the sure and certain hope of a joyful resurrection on that day when the sea shall give up its dead. Let him rest in peace!" The Spaniards responded "Amen!" and the priest repeating, "May his soul, and the soul of all the faithful departed, |