roceed again on her way. The next morning sails were hoisted and
the anchor weighed. The natives came out in great numbers in their
canoes, and surrounded the Swan as she glided away from her anchorage,
waving their hands and raising cries of farewell--evidently greatly
satisfied at the treatment they had received at the hands of their
white visitors.

For a fortnight the Swan cruised from island to island; but beyond
giving the crew a run ashore at each, and so building up their
strength and getting them in fighting trim, should there be
occasion to call upon them for action, little advantage was
obtained from these visits. Fruit and vegetables were obtainable in
abundance; but beyond these, and little trinkets and feathers,
there was no trade to be done.

"It is clear," Captain Reuben said, as he and his officers were
gathered in the cabin, "that there is neither gain nor advantage to
be obtained from trade here. The natives have doubtless sufficient
for their wants, which are of the simplest; but of wealth such as
we prize in England there is none to be had. It is different with
the Spaniards--they make slaves of these poor creatures, and force
them to till their plantations, to raise crops for them, and to
work mines; but we, who cannot do these things, can get nothing
from a longer stay in these coasts.

"We touched here chiefly to get water and fruit, to keep us all in
health, and in that we have abundantly succeeded. We had best now
shape our course westward, and try to find this new land, rich in
gold, of which my friend the Spanish captain learned by report from
the natives. So far we have fallen in with no Spaniards, but we may
do so at any time; and although I have no fear of beating off any
that might meddle with us, it would do us great harm did the news
spread that a strange ship was in these waters; for they would
assuredly send out expeditions in search of us, from all their
ports, as soon as the news reached them."

The others quite agreed with Captain Reuben's views, and the next
morning the ship's head was pointed west. Two days later, when
passing an island they saw, on opening a headland, a port with many
houses, and a Spanish flag flying from a mast on shore. Two large
Spanish vessels were lying there. They were apparently on the point
of sailing, for the sails were already dropped.

An exclamation of surprise broke from all on the deck of the Swan,
and the men ran to the braces and sheets,