when we broke up; towards two o'clock we got on
board the schooner and retired to rest. The next morning I returned to
my sails, but thought incessantly of my plan for escape, and how it
could be most prudently carried into execution, for the danger of such
an attempt was immense. I believed that I could possess myself of one
of the boats, but where could I find a companion to be depended upon?
Yet such a one was absolutely necessary. I could never row alone for
five or six leagues, which was the shortest distance that would place
me out of reach of the pirates. Whether I should confide in the
steward, I could not exactly decide. Imagine my astonishment when the
honest fellow came to me while the captain was taking his afternoon's
nap in the cabin, and began gently to whisper in my ear.

"My friend, we must fly. In a few days there will be horrible work on
board here; a new conspiracy has been formed against the captain, and
his death is inevitable. We must seize the first opportunity to get
away. I know these waters well, for I was born upon the Cuban coast.
You know that quantities of fishing boats come every evening to
exchange their fish for brandy, and their owners often remain all
night on board, while their boats are floating by the side of the
vessel. My plan is to get into one of these about midnight, and trust
ourselves to the wind and the current, until the next morning, when we
can find our way to Havana."

"Well, my honest friend," I replied, "I agree with you entirely; in
this way we cannot fail to succeed. We will, therefore, hold ourselves
in readiness any day, and God will not forsake us in our hour of
need."

Thus we separated.

When the captain awoke he complained of violent pain in his limbs, and
I saw clearly that a fever had attacked him. With his consent, I
opened a vein and took from him thirteen ounces of blood. His bed was
placed on the forward deck, and an awning spread above it, for the
cabin was too close and hot. I left him for the night and prescribed
almond milk and orange flower water.

VIII.

It was about sunset, the weather was sultry, and towards the south
masses of clouds were forming, which betokened a storm. The sea, too,
began to be disturbed. Two fishing boats, that had ventured too far
into the open sea, came alongside and asked to be allowed to lodge on
board for the night. The lieutenant granted their request, after
conferring with the captain, and told them to make