comfortably seated at my father's
fire-side. In the mean time, Captain Williams knows how I am situated,
and will give the most effective assistance to my plans. We shall
probably be detained here for two or three weeks, and I shall have daily
opportunities of seeing you."

Time flies with lovers, and they had been nearly an hour in
conversation, when Juanita put them in mind of its lapse, and urged the
danger of Isabella's staying away from her uncle's house any longer.
They separated with a thousand promises to meet again.

In a day or two, Captain Williams had made arrangements for disposing of
the remnant of his cargo, in a quiet way, to certain merchants who are
always and every where to be found, ready and willing to evade the
exactions of the custom-house.

One branch of the river empties into the north-eastern, part of the bay,
from which the slope up to the plaza on the summit of the hill is
gradual. The point formed by this branch and the bay is covered with a
thick growth of limes and other trees, through which winds a scrambling
sort of path, passable by mules, and but very seldom used. After winding
through the trees and bushes, and up a steep hill, that farther to the
left, or westward, becomes an abrupt precipice of two hundred feet in
height; it emerges in an obscure and narrow street on the eastern side
of the town.

The Albatross's launch was sent every night, under the command of one or
other of the mates, with a cargo of goods, which were landed near the
termination of the above-mentioned winding path, and loaded upon mules
that were always ready, concealed among the bushes, to be brought out at
an appointed signal from the boat. It would be difficult to select a
place better adapted for the peculiar purpose; unguarded and
unsuspected, nobody had ever dreamed of any smuggling attempt being made
there.

This plan of landing cargo had been carried on with equal secrecy and
success for many nights, till nearly all was discharged. In the mean
time, information had been conveyed to the commandant, by some person
who had accidentally seen the boat one night engaged in discharging her
precious freight, and the mules loading on the beach. In consequence of
this intelligence, orders had been issued to the officer commanding the
troops at San Blas, to march a strong party to the place, and secure all
merchandize and persons found there. Part of this behest was executed to
the letter; the remainder Jupit