abin and went upon deck.

I looked up from the chair where I sat, into the faces of my two
guardians, and a more ill-favored pair of gentlemen I never beheld.
Ill-fed but dissipated-looking rascals, they seemed more like highwaymen
than soldiers. Still, even a chance was not to be thrown away, and so
I whispered in a soft voice: "My worthy friends, in that writing-case
yonder there are bank-notes to a very large amount. In a few moments
they will be taken away from me, never to be restored. I may as well
have the satisfaction of knowing that two brave but poor men are
benefited by them. Bring me the desk, and I'll give them to you." They
looked at each other and they looked at me; they then looked towards
the door and the skylight, and although without speaking, it was plain
enough to see what was passing in their minds.

"Remember," said I, "I ask nothing in return from you. I shall not
attempt to escape, nor, were I to do so, could you aid me in any way. I
merely wish to assist two worthy fellows who certainly do not look like
the 'spoiled children of fortune.'"

They hesitated and seemed afraid, and at last they whispered for a few
seconds together; and then one of them went over, and, taking up the
desk, laid it down before me. "You can make a fair division at another
time," said I; "it is better not to waste precious moments now, but at
once conceal the money about your persons. Here are some eight or ten
thousand piastres,--and here, fully as much more for you. These are
Mexican notes for a large sum, and these are bills on Amsterdam and
Hamburgh for great amounts. That's right, my lads, make short work of
it,--in your boots, in your shakos; anywhere for the present, only be
quiet!"

Truly they merited all my encomiums! To "stow away" plunder, I 'd back
them against any pair who ever stopped a diligence on the high road; nor
was it without some little difficulty I could persuade them to leave any
money in the desk, as a precaution to prevent the suspicion of what
had actually occurred. As I aided them in the work of concealment,
I artfully contrived to possess myself of one paper,--the Havannah
banker's receipt for the large deposits I had left in his hands; and
this I managed to slip within the lining of my travelling-cap. It was a
last anchor of hope, if ever I were to weather the storm around me!

Our work had scarcely been completed, and the desk replaced in its
former situation, when the officer returned