coast, as Gil Gomez proposes. I second his
proposal; but, if you like, let it go to a vote."

"No need; we all agree to it."

"Ay; all of us."

"Well, shipmates," says Harry Blew, seeing himself obliged to give way,
and conceding the point with apparent reluctance; "if ye're all in
favour o' steerin' up coast, I an't goin' to stand out against it. It
be the same to me one way or t'other. Only I thought, an' still think,
we'd do better by runnin' up toward Panyma."

"No, no; Santiago's the place for us. We've decided to go there."

"Then to Santiago let's go. An' if the barque's to be put about, I tell
ye there's no time to be lost. Otherways, we'll go into them whitecaps,
sure; the which would send this craft to Davy Jones sooner than we
intend. If we're smart about it, I dar say we can manage to scrape
clear o' them; the more likely, as the wind's shifted, an' is now
off-shore. It'll be a close shave, for all that."

"Plenty of sea-room," says the second mate. "But let's about with her
at once!"

"You see to it, Padilla!" directs Gomez, who, from his success in having
his plan adopted in opposition to that of the Englishman, feels his
influence increased so much, he may now take command.

The second mate starts aft, and going up to the helmsman, whispers a
word in his ear.

Instantly the helm is put hard up, and the barque paying off, wears
round from east to west-nor'-west. The sailors at the same time brace
about her yards, and trim her sails for the changed course; executing
the manoeuvre, not, as is usual, with a chorused chant, but silently, as
if the ship were a spectre, and her crew but spectral shadows.

CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN.

A CHEERFUL CUDDY.

The _Condor's_ cabin is a snug little saloon, such as are often found on
trading-vessels, not necessarily for passengers, but where the skipper
has an eye to his own comforts, with tastes that require gratification.

Those of Captain Lantanas are refined, beyond the common run of men who
follow his profession--usually rough sea dogs--caring little for aught
else save their grub and grog.

That the Chilian skipper is not of this class is proved by the
appearance of his "cuddy," which is neatly, if not luxuriously,
furnished, and prettily decorated. In addition to the instruments that
appertain to his calling--telescope, aneroid barometer, sextant, and
compass, all placed conspicuously in racks--there is a bookcase of
ornamental wood, fill