impatient to get
away from the place; which under the circumstances, you won't wonder at.
And I am naturally anxious about my gold. At any hour a band of these
lawless ruffians may take it into their heads to strip me of it--or, at
all events, attempt to do so. Therefore, I wish to get it on board a
ship--one where it will be safe, and in whose captain I can thoroughly
confide. Now, you understand me?"

"I do," is the simple response of the Chilian. He is about to add that
Don Gregorio's property, as his secret, will be safe enough, so far as
he can protect it, when the latter interrupts him by continuing:

"I may add that it is my intention to return to Spain, of which I am a
native--to Cadiz, where I have a house. That I intended doing anyhow.
But now, I want to take departure at once. As a Spaniard, senor, I
needn't point out to you, who are of the same race, that the society of
California cannot be congenial--now that the rowdies of the United
States have become its rulers. I am most anxious to get away from the
place, and soon as possible. It is exceedingly awkward your not having
a crew. Can't something be done to procure one?"

"The only thing is to offer extra pay. There are plenty of sailors in
San Francisco; for they've not all gone to gather gold. Some are
engaged in scattering it. Unfortunately, most are worthless, drunken
fellows. Still it is possible that a few good men might be found, were
the wages made sufficiently tempting. No doubt, an advertisement in the
_Diario_, offering double pay, might attract as many as would be needed
for working my ship."

"How much would it all amount to?"

"Possibly an extra thousand dollars."

"Suppose I pay that, will you engage the whole ship to me? That is,
take no other passengers, or wait for any more freight, but sail at
once--soon as you've secured a crew? Do you agree to these terms?"

"Si, senor; they are perfectly satisfactory."

"I'll be answerable for the extra wages. Anything to get away from this
Pandemonium of a place."

"In that case, senor, I think we'll have no great difficulty in
procuring hands. You authorise me to advertise for them?"

"I do," answers Don Gregorio.

"Enough!" rejoins the skipper. "And now, Senor Montijo, you may make
your preparations for embarking."

"I've not many to make; nearly all has been done already. It's only to
get our personal baggage aboard, with the freight safely stowed. By the
way," a