arry_ of 1514--probably regarding them from the point of view of
convenient lodging-places for French cannon-balls. In his eyes, nations
only existed for their naval institutions. He indulged in some odd
figures of speech on this subject. He considered the term "The Trinity
House" as sufficiently indicating England. The "Northern Commissioners"
were in like manner synonymous in his mind with Scotland; the "Ballast
Board," with Ireland. He was full of nautical information. He was, in
himself, a marine alphabet and almanack, a tariff and low-water mark,
all combined. He knew by heart all the lighthouse dues--particularly
those of the English coast--one penny per ton for passing before this;
one farthing before that. He would tell you that the Small Rock Light
which once used to burn two hundred gallons of oil, now consumes fifteen
hundred. Once, aboard ship, he was attacked by a dangerous disease, and
was believed to be dying. The crew assembled round his hammock, and in
the midst of his groans and agony he addressed the chief carpenter with
the words, "You had better make a mortise in each side of the main caps,
and put in a bit of iron to help pass the top ropes through." His habit
of command had given to his countenance an expression of authority.

It was rare that the subjects of conversation at the captains' table and
at that of the custom-house men were the same. This, however, did happen
to be the case in the first days of that month of February to which the
course of this history has now brought us. The three-master
_Tamaulipas_, Captain Zuela, arrived from Chili, and bound thither
again, was the theme of discussion at both tables.

At the captains' table they were talking of her cargo; and at that of
the custom-house people, of certain circumstances connected with her
recent proceedings.

Captain Zuela, of Copiapo, was partly a Chilian and partly a Columbian.
He had taken a part in the War of Independence in a true independent
fashion, adhering sometimes to Bolivar, sometimes to Morillo, according
as he had found it to his interest. He had enriched himself by serving
all causes. No man in the world could have been more Bourbonist, more
Bonapartist, more absolutist, more liberal, more atheistical, or more
devoutly catholic. He belonged to that great and renowned party which
may be called the Lucrative party. From time to time he made his
appearance in France on commercial voyages; and if report spoke truly,
he w