nts that would have
imperilled the ribs of any craft depending on the winds alone for its
salvation; but the "_Waring_," its pulse of steam throbbing with a slow
measured beat, picked its way in the glimmering night with a confidence
that made light of dangers past, present, and to come.

It had struck eight-bells forward; midnight; the air was warm, moist,
caressing; it stole forth from invisible but not far distant vales
ladened with the unmistakable odor of the land--a fragrance that was at
times faint enough, but at other times was almost overwhelming; from the
heart of the tropics only, is such perfume distilled; few who inhale it
for the first time can resist its subtle charm; its influence once
yielded to, the soul is soon enslaved and the dreams that follow are
never to be forgotten.

Eight-bells, and silence broken only by the swish of the propeller as it
ploughed slowly, deliberately, through the sea; the slap of the ripples
under the prow, and an occasional harp-like sigh of the zephyr in the
softly-vibrating shrouds; Paul Clitheroe had stolen out of the cabin and
was sitting by the companion-way on the port side. A small ladder still
hung there, for there had been boating and bathing just before dinner,
and there was sure to be more or less fishing whenever the weather was
favorable. Moreover, it must be acknowledged that the yacht was
liberty-hall afloat, yes, adrift, on a go-as-you-please cruise, and
things were not always in ship-shape.

An old half-breed Trader, who knew these seas as the star-gazer knows
the skies, was in the wheelhouse; every wakeful eye among officers and
crew, was at the prow peering into the depth in search of
danger-signals; every ear was listening intently for an order from the
lips of the pilot, and for the first whisper of the wave upon the reef.
Meanwhile the vessel crept forward with utmost caution, barely ruffling
the water under her keel.

_One Bell! Two Bells!_ Clitheroe had for a long time been sitting
unobserved by the companion-way. He had dined with a riotous company and
withdrew as soon after dinner as possible; this privilege was freely
accorded him, for he was at intervals gloomy, or silent, and his
companions were quite willing to dispense with his society. Hilarity had
ceased for the night, the fact was patent. The truth is, there was apt
to be something too much of it aboard that ship. When a young gentleman,
on the death of a distant relative, comes suddenly