e past few weeks seemed to Charles Bramble more like
dream than reality; he could hardly compose his mind sufficiently to
realize the serious bearings of his present situation. Of course, it was
now useless longer to disguise his relationship to Robert, who had lost
his life by means of the poisoned barb which Maud had intended for his
brother. Charles took possession of his body, and informed all those
necessary duties that his own feelings suggested, and form required. The
second officer of the ship assumed the command vacated by Captain
Robert's death, and as the time had now arrived for the return of the
vessel to England, he sailed at once for Liverpool.

Though Charles was loth to be separated from Helen, yet he urged upon
herself and mother to join the English man-of-war, in which they could
secure the most comfortable and safest passage to Liverpool; while for
himself, there was still left business matters which it was imperative
for him to consummate before he left the region where he was. It was at
last decided that the mother and daughter should improve this mode of
conveyance home, and Helen reluctantly bade him she so tenderly loved a
tearful farewell, and in secret they pledged to each other their hearts
for life.

Charles Bramble watched the receding ship which contained her so dear to
him, until it was a mere speck upon the waters, and then felt that it
was possibly the last token he might ever see of her. The path before
him was not one strewn with roses, he had serious dangers to encounter,
a long voyage to make, and an unhealthy climate to endure; for he must
cross the ocean, he found, in order to settle honorably with those men
who had placed such unlimited faith in his integrity. But he had no ship
or craft of any sort at his command, and must wait an opportunity for
reaching the West Indies, doubtless, on board some vessel in the trade
which he had just abandoned.

Don Leonardo seemed to little heed the death of his daughter. In fact,
he did not trouble himself to inquire into its particulars, further than
to understand the immediate cause. He was a sensual and intemperate man,
half of whose life was passed under the effects of unnatural stimulus,
and provided his appetite was not interfered with, cared little what
befell others. Since the English man-of-war had sailed, his barracoons
began to fill once more with negroes from the interior, and he was now
prepared to ship a cargo by the first adve