he rock-drawing of
Salvator Rosa, a painter whom he gently depreciated. Had Miss
Plinlimmon ever visited the Apennines? He plucked a few of the ferns
growing in the spray and discoursed on them, comparing them with the
common European polypody. He turned to music, and challenged his
fair visitors to guess the note made by the falling water: it hummed
on E natural, rising now and then by something less than a semitone.

With all this it was not easy to suspect him of acting, as it was
next to impossible to mistake him for a trifler. His tall figure,
his carriage, the fine pose of his head, his resonant manly voice,
all forbade it, no less than did the wild scenery to which he drew
our attention with an easy proprietary wave of the hand. I observed
that Captain Branscome listened to him with a puzzled frown.

The waterfall having been duly admired, we retraced our steps to the
shore. The gig carried a small mast and lugsail, and, the faint wind
blowing fair down the creek, the Captain suggested our hoisting them.
I think it annoyed him to find himself appealing to Dr. Beauregard.

"By all means," said the Doctor, affably. "It will save labour till
we reach open water, when I will ask you to lower them. We had best
use the paddles after rounding the point to eastward, and keep close
inshore. I have my reasons for recommending this--reasons which I
shall be happy to explain to you, sir, at the proper time."
Here he bowed to Captain Branscome.

Accordingly we hoisted sail, and in a few minutes opened the view of
the lower reach, with the _Espriella_ swinging softly at her cables,
her masts reflected on the scarcely rippled water. Miss Belcher
broke into a laugh at sight of Mr. Rogers wistfully eyeing us from
the deck. Dr. Beauregard echoed it, just audibly.

"Well, well, ma'am; it is hard upon Mr.--Rogers, did you tell me?
But we must not blame the Captain for taking precautions.
A very neat craft, Captain, and Jamaica-built, by the look of her."

"We picked her up at Savannah-la-Mar," announced Miss Belcher.

"After burning your boats, madam? Pardon me, but I find your
frankness as admirable as it is unexpected. Moreover, though Captain
Branscome deprecates it, no policy could be wiser."

"I see no reason, sir, for being less than candid with you," said
Miss Belcher. "You know whence we come end you know why we are here.
How we came is a trifling matter in comparison."

"Believe me, ma'am, your frank