us go forward."

I hardly need say that we were not quite so long in returning to Rio as
we were in going to the mines. We accomplished our journey, without
using extreme haste, in about half of the time. On our arrival, we took
up our quarters at a magnificent palace, which had been appropriated to
the superior during his residence at Rio, and I found myself sumptuously
lodged. For some days, during which the superior had frequent
interviews with the viceroy, I did not see him, but one day I was
summoned to his presence.

"My son," said he, "I have lost no time in investigating your affair,
and I find that all you have said is quite correct. To the disgrace of
the government here, and the manner in which justice is administered, it
appears that this man, Olivarez, on his arrival, went to the secretary
of the judge of that court in which such offences are tried, and stated
that he had two English mutineers on board, who had attempted to take
the vessel, and wounded several of his men dangerously; that he wished,
of course, to deliver them up to justice, but that the immediate
departure of his vessel would be prevented by so doing, as his crew
would be required as evidence; that the delay would be very
disadvantageous; and he inquired whether it could not be managed that
these men might be punished without the appearance of himself and his
men, as he would pay a good sum rather than be detained. The secretary
perfectly understood the trick, and, upon the receipt of five hundred
cruzados, he accepted the deposition of Olivarez, sworn to by him, as
sufficient evidence, and you were consigned to the mines upon this
deposition by a warrant from the judge. We have had some trouble to
obtain all the facts, but the question has been severely applied, and
has elicited them. Now, first, as to the judge and his secretary, they
have gone to the gaol, and will take your place in the mines for life.
Next as to Olivarez. It appears that, on his arrival, he sold his cargo
of slaves very advantageously; that having received the money he gave a
small portion to each of his men, and that they went on shore, and, like
all English seamen, were soon in a state of intoxication; that Olivarez
took such steps with the police, as to have them all thrown into prison
when in that state; and, on the following morning, he went to them,
persuaded them that they had committed themselves during their
intoxication, and that it required a large