s written in a woman's
hand, but without signature, and was as follows:

"SIR:--A friend of Mr. Morton is making every possible exertion to
deliver him and his companions from imprisonment. That friend
entreats that you would do nothing rashly, or that may give cause
of alarm or suspicion to the governor or garrison, or to any of the
inhabitants. If you will call this evening at the shop of dame
Juanita Gomez, in the plaza of San Blas, a person will meet you
there, and explain more fully the friendly intentions of the
writer."

The honest seaman, after mature deliberation, came to the conclusion
that the writer of this anonymous epistle could be no other than the
fair Isabella, of whom he had heard Morton speak so often; and he
resolved to attend to its directions most strictly. Accordingly, as a
preliminary step, he thought best to reconnoitre the plaza as soon as
possible, that he might make no unpleasant mistakes in the dusk of
evening.

While at St. Blas, he had another interview with the governor, and
endeavored to ascertain the intentions of that dignitary with regard to
the destination of his prisoners. The governor, however, seemed to
regard that as a state secret, and declined making any but a very
evasive answer. As some amends for his severity, he condescended to give
Captain Williams full permission to visit the prisoners, of which the
veteran immediately availed himself. The kind-hearted old seaman was
deeply affected, as he held Morton in his arms with all the affection of
a fond father--

"That ever I should live to see my old school-fellow Jonathan Morton's
son in such a situation, and not be able to help him,"--were the first
words he was able to articulate. Morton endeavored to calm him, by
repeated assurances that he felt no apprehension; that he had no doubt
that a certain friend was busy in projecting a plan for their
deliverance. It was some time before he was sufficiently composed to
converse.

"Have you tried the old Don with a few doubloons?" asked Morton.

"No, d--n him, I never thought of that; I can't get a word of common
sense or common civility out of the old mule."

"I believe if he had taken the boat-load of goods when he took us, that
he would have been more willing to listen to you."

"Ah, very like; the old fox missed the goose, and he is venting his
malice upon you in stead. But, my dear boy, I don't exactly know how to
go to work to