a general cargo of cocoa, coffee and hides, besides a
mixed assortment of indigo, orris root, sarsaparilla and other raw drugs
for the English market."

"Were you and your little daughter the only passengers?"

"No, Senor Applegarth," replied the other. "There were also on board
Monsieur and Madame Boisson, from Caracas, returning home to Europe
after a lengthened residence in the Venezuelan capital, where they had
carried on a large millinery business, supplying the dusky _senoritas_
of the hybrid Spanish and native republic with the latest Parisian
modes; Don Miguel, the proprietor of an extensive estancia in the
interior; and little Mr Johnson, a Britisher, of not much account in
your country, I guess, not a gentleman--at all events, in my humble
opinion. He was travelling for some mercantile house in London
connected with the manufactory of chocolates or sweets, or something of
that sort. I cannot say I cared much for the lot, as they were not
people of my class, so I did not allow my Elsie, my darling, my pet, to
associate with them more than could be helped, save with Madame Boisson,
who was a kind, good-natured sort of woman, though decidedly vulgar. Oh
dear me! It was a thousand pities we ever started on that disastrous
voyage. It was unlucky from the very first!"

"Faith!" interposed Garry O'Neil. "But how was that, sor?"

"We were too late in reaching La Guayra in the first instance," replied
Colonel Vereker. "I had planned, my friend, to take the French steamer
for Brest, but on arriving at the port I found she had already left, and
while deliberating about what I should do under the circumstances--for
there would not be another mail boat for a fortnight at least--I met
Captain Alphonse. He was an old friend of mine, a friend of long
standing, so, on his telling me that his vessel was going to sail on the
following day, and would probably convey me to Brest, where he said he
would have to report himself prior to proceeding to Liverpool with his
cargo, quite as soon as I should arrive if I waited for the next
steamer, I made up my mind to accompany him."

"But, colonel," suggested Captain Applegarth, "you might have gone
direct to England by one of the West India mail steamers which touch at
La Guayra on their route homeward from Colon."

"I know that, my friend," said the other. "I could have caught one of
them the following week. This would not have suited my purpose,
however, sir. I wished