, Inez!"

"Some words I overheard, while he was conversing with the English sailor
who's now in the ship with us. I'm almost certain there was something
in Mr Crozier's letter relating to De Lara and Calderon. What it was,
grandpa seems desirous of keeping to himself; else he would have told
us. We must endeavour to find it out from the sailor."

"You're a cunning schemer, _sobrina_. I should never have thought of
that. We shall try. Now I remember, Eduardo once saved this man's
life. Wasn't it a noble, daring deed? For all, I'm very angry with
him, leaving me as he has done; and sha'n't be pacified until I see him
on his knees, and he apologise for it. That he shall do at Cadiz!"

"To confess the truth, _tia_, I was a little spited myself at first. On
reflection, I feel sure there's been some mischance, and we've been
wronging them both. I sha'n't blame my darling till I see him again.
Then if he can't clear himself, oh, won't I!"

"You forgive too easily. I can't."

"Yes, you can. Look at yonder hill. Recall the pleasant hour passed
upon it, and you will be lenient, as I am."

Carmen obeys, and again turns her glance toward the spot consecrated by
sweetest remembrances.

As she continues to gaze at it, the cloud lifts from her brow, replaced
by a smile, and promises easy pardon to him who has offended her.

In silence the two stand, straining their eyes upon the far summit, till
shore and sea become one--both blending into the purple of twilight.

"_Adios, California_!"

Land no longer in sight. The ship is _au large_ on the ocean.

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN.

A TATTOO THAT NEEDS RETOUCHING.

The great Pacific current in many respects resembles the Gulf Stream of
the Atlantic. Passing eastward under the Aleutian Archipelago, it
impinges upon the American continent by Vancouver's Island; thence
setting southward, along the Californian coast, curves round horseshoe
shape, and sets back for the central part of the South Sea, sweeping on
past the Sandwich Isles.

By this disposition, a ship bound from San Francisco for Honolulu has
the flow in her favour; and if the wind be also favourable, she will
make fast way.

As chance has it, both are propitious to the _Crusader_, and the warship
standing for the Sandwich Islands will likely reach them after an
incredibly short voyage.

There are two individuals on board of her who wish it to be so; counting
every day, almost every hour, of her cou