hat I've heard of you,
Senor Lantanas, I feel sure I can confide in you."

"You compliment me, Senor Montijo."

"No, no; nothing of the kind. I but speak from the account Silvestre
has given me of your character. But now to business. Your ship is
advertised for freight, or passage?"

"Either, or both."

"Bound for Valparaiso and intermediate ports?"

"Anywhere down the coast."

"Have you passengers already engaged?"

"Not any as yet."

"How many can you take?"

"Well, senor, to speak truth, my craft is not intended to carry
passengers. She's a trading-vessel, as you see. But if you'll step
down to the cabin, you can judge for yourself. There's a saloon--not
very large, it is true--and sleeping accommodation for six--two snug
staterooms that will serve, if need be, for ladies."

"That'll do. Now about the freight. Don Tomas tells me you have some
cargo aboard."

"A portion of my ship is already occupied."

"That won't signify to me. I suppose there's enough room left for
something that weighs less than a ton, and isn't of any great bulk. Say
it will take a score or two of cubic feet. You can find stowage for
that?"

"Oh, yes, that and much more."

"So far good. And you can accommodate three passengers: a gentleman and
two ladies? In short, myself and the female members of my family--my
daughter and grand-daughter?"

"Will the Senor Montijo step into the _Condor's_ cabin, and see for
himself?"

"By all means."

Captain Lantanas leads down the stairway, his visitor following.

The saloon is inspected; after it the sleeping-rooms, right and left.

"Just the thing," says Don Gregorio, speaking as in soliloquy, and
evidently satisfied. "It will do admirably," he adds, addressing
himself to the skipper. "And now about terms. What are they to be?"

"That, senor, will depend on what is wanted. To what port do you wish
me to take you?"

"Panama. 'Tis one of the ports mentioned in your advertisement?"

"It is, senor."

"Well, for this freight--as I've told you, about a ton, with some
trifling household effects--and the three passengers, how much?"

"The terms of freight, as you may be aware, are usually rated according
to the class of goods. Is it gold, senor? From your description. I
suppose it is."

The skipper has guessed aright. It is gold, nearly a ton of it,
accruing to Don Gregorio from the sale of his land, for which he has
been paid in dust and nuggets, at that time