e low and even tones, but with a curious new thrill in
his voice.

"Yes," replied Jim, looking him straight in the face, "I had the honour
to command that ship upon the occasion when she encountered the _Union_
in the Straits of Magellan. If I remember rightly, the _Union_ did not
stay to finish our little encounter."

"Ah-h-h," breathed Villavicencio, through his teeth, "so you _were_ the
man in command of the cruiser. I thought you might be when I heard your
name, but you struck me as being rather young for the post. By the way,
how old are you?"

Jim told him, not without a certain curious sinking sensation about his
heart.

"So young as that? Dear me, dear me! it certainly _does_ seem a pity,
but it cannot be helped," said the captain. "Your name does not sound
like a Chilian one, however. Of what nationality are you, if I may
ask?"

"I am an Englishman," replied Jim, "and proud of the fact," he
immediately added.

Villavicencio appeared to be sunk in thought for a few seconds, during
which he ejaculated "_Caramba_!" and "_Carrajo_!" several times. The
last item of information seemed to be both unexpected and unpleasant.
Presently, however, he muttered to himself, "Well, I don't suppose it
matters very much. People are liable to accidents here as well as
elsewhere, and if inquiries should be made I can easily plead ignorance.
Only, I shall have to alter the method of it. My first idea _might_
possibly attract too much attention. However--I shall see." Aloud, he
went on, "Have you any relations in this part of the world, Senor
Douglas?"

Inconsequent as the question appeared to be, Jim felt an uncanny, creepy
sensation about the roots of his hair, but his voice did not shake as he
replied, "No, I have no relations either in Chili or in any other part
of the world. I am absolutely alone."

Villavicencio's face at once brightened, and he rubbed his hands,
remarking, "Ah! then so much the better, Senor Douglas, for in that case
they will not miss you." Then his whole appearance changed, and his
voice dropped to a harsh, hissing note as he resumed, "It is a great
pity, though, that you are an Englishman, and so well known in the
Chilian navy, for that fact prevents me from dealing as I had intended
with the miscreant who destroyed two of our ships and seriously damaged
a third. But though I cannot punish you as I should have liked, I can
and _will_ have you shot, and that immediately, on the deck