n the
hospitable portals of the Pen. As usual, the room was full of guests,
but after dinner my host found an opportunity to invite me into his
office for a short time, when I learned that the important news referred
to in his note of invitation consisted simply of some intelligence,
gleaned from the Spanish documents taken by me out of the wreck of the
_Magdalena_, confirming Hoard's story of the galleon.

"I have told you this for a twofold reason," said the Admiral, when he
had read out from his translation the extracts relating to the galleon.
"In the first place, I am, as usual, without a ship upon which I can lay
my hands; the departure of the _Calypso_ to-day depriving me of the only
vessel I had in a fit state to go to sea. And, in the next place, as
you brought me this news I think it only right that you should be the
one to profit by it. So there you are, and, if you will take my advice,
you will not remain in port a single hour longer than is absolutely
necessary, or you may miss her; and, if what these papers state be
true--as I have no doubt it is--she is a ship worth taking a good deal
of trouble to find."

I thanked the Admiral for his information, but deemed it best to let him
understand that I was indebted to him only for details, and shortly
afterwards took my leave, having suddenly made up my mind to sail that
same night, if I found that the stores and water had been sent aboard
that afternoon, as promised.

I reached the schooner about half-past ten o'clock, and found all hands
excepting the mate turned in. Saunders was considerably surprised to
see me, as he did not expect me aboard that night; but, upon my
questioning him with regard to the stores and water, he informed me that
both had come alongside almost immediately after my departure for
Kingston. There was consequently no reason why we should delay another
moment; and within half an hour we had got up our anchor and were
bowling away to the southward and westward before the land breeze.
Before daylight the high land of Jamaica had sunk beneath the horizon,
and we had caught the trade-wind.

It now became necessary for me to form some sort of a plan of
operations; and for this purpose I determined to consult with Hoard. As
soon, therefore, as I had secured my sights for the longitude, after
breakfast, I sent for him, and he came down into the cabin.

"I have sent for you, Hoard," said I, "because, as no doubt you already
guess, I h