eve I am a coward;
but I confess that the information thus calmly communicated to me by
this Spaniard--who was most probably a naturalised British subject--
caused my blood to run cold; for I had heard quite enough of Morillo to
feel tolerably well assured that if his motive in causing me to be
kidnapped was revenge, he would not be satisfied with merely shooting
me, or stabbing me to the heart; he would undoubtedly exercise his
utmost ingenuity to render my passage out of this world as lingering and
painful as possible; and, from all accounts, he was quite an adept in
the art of torture!

"You seem disturbed at my intelligence, amigo," remarked my companion,
gazing upon me with a smile of amusement. "Well," he continued,
"perhaps you have cause to be; who knows? I have heard that it was you
who, taking advantage of my friend's absence at sea, visited Cariacou
and destroyed poor Morillo's batteries and buildings there, carrying off
his brig and everything else that you and your crew could lay hands
upon. I hope, for _your_ sake, that Morillo was misinformed, and that
you will be able to demonstrate to his complete satisfaction your entire
freedom from all complicity in that very ill-advised and malicious
transaction; he may then be content to simply hang you at his yardarm.
But if you fail to convince him--phew! I sincerely pity you; I do
indeed, senor."

"Thanks, very much," retorted I, with the best attempt at sarcasm that I
could muster,--for I began to perceive that this fellow was amusing
himself by endeavouring to frighten me, and I did not intend to afford
him very much gratification in that way,--"your pity is infinitely
comforting to me, especially as it is evident to me that the feeling is
genuine. May I ask whether your share in this present transaction is
undertaken purely out of friendship for Morillo, or is it being carried
out upon a business basis?"

"Well, to be strictly truthful, there is a little of both," answered
Dominguez. "Why do you inquire, if it is not an indiscreet question?"

"Now," thought I, "I wonder whether this question of his is intended to
indicate that he is open to a bribe--a bribe to put me ashore again,
safe and sound, provided that I make him a sufficiently liberal offer.
Perhaps the attempt may be worth making; it will, at all events, enable
me to judge what are my chances, so far as he is concerned." So I
replied--

"To be candid with you, friend Dominguez, it occur