la,
and from there proceed to Newcastle, in New South Wales, and load a
cargo of coal for Valparaiso. This letter had reached him by an American
whale-ship which had touched at Samoa (a month or two after the
_Esmeralda_ had sailed for Manila), and which, after cruising among the
Galapagos Islands, had, as the master had told Mrs. Marston would be
very likely, called at Valparaiso to refit.

* * * * *

A few days after the burial of Captain Marston his wife asked Frewen
to take command of the ship, as Villari would be incapacitated for some
months.

Villari himself had at first strenuously, and even somewhat bitterly,
protested.

"Why should Mr. Frewen, much as he has done to help you to recapture
the ship, be given command?" he said excitedly to Raymond. "Does Mrs.
Marston distrust me? Do I not possess her confidence as I did that of
her husband? Beg her to come to me. Surely she will not give the command
of the ship to a stranger! I tell you, Mr. Raymond, that I would give my
life for Mrs. Marston, as I was ready to give it for her husband," and
his dark eyes blazed.

"There is no reflection either upon your integrity or ability, Mr.
Villari," said the planter. "But here is the situation--and I am sure
your own sound sense will make you approve of Mrs. Marston asking Mr.
Frewen to take charge of the _Esmeralda_. And, before I go any further,
I must tell you that Mr. Frewen not only did not seek the position, but
said pointedly to Mrs. Marston--only an hour or two ago--that he would
be quite satisfied to sail with you as mate. He is as honest as the sun.
Pray do not for one moment imagine that he has supplanted you."

"Then let him come with me as mate," urged the Italian.

Raymond shook his head. "It is quite out of the question your taking
command, Mr. Villari. You will not be able to get about for some months,
and I, as a business man, see the necessity of the ship proceeding on
her voyage as quickly as possible. She has a cargo that will bring a
large sum of money to Mrs. Marston if it is delivered in Manila in
good time. But in this humid climate it would become worthless in a
few months. And it was purely my suggestion to Mrs. Marston to ask Mr.
Frewen to take charge. She is, as you know, almost heartbroken at the
calamity which has overtaken her. And then your remaining here will,
I am sure, be a source of comfort to her, for she has the very highest
opinion of you."

Villari's eyes sparkled with plea