t of manager, at least for the present, upon condition
that he was found to serve his new master faithfully: and that, finally,
Senor Calderon was henceforward to account to Major Alvaros for all
income and expenditure connected with the estate. Don Ramon then went
on to state that, upon receipt of this communication, he had taken it
upon himself to pay a flying visit to Senor Calderon, upon which
occasion he, Don Ramon, had informed the Senor of the escape of Don
Hermoso from the convict ship, and had instructed him to hold the
property, at all hazards, until Don Hermoso's return. And the letter
wound up by strongly urging Don Hermoso to return to his property
forthwith and hold it against all comers, arming his peons and
dependents, if necessary; although the writer was of opinion that the
Government generally, and Alvaros in particular, would soon be much too
busy to find time to dispute Don Hermoso's right to the possession of
his property.

Thereupon a council of war was held on the yacht's quarter-deck--the
members consisting of Don Hermoso, Carlos, Jack, and Milsom--at which it
was ultimately decided that the _Thetis_ should weigh anchor forthwith
and run over to Calonna, there to land Don Hermoso, the Senora, Carlos,
and Jack, who would then proceed to the hacienda with all speed; while
the yacht, under Milsom's command, was to proceed to the Laguna de
Cortes, and there remain concealed until it should be seen in what way
she could best be employed, after which Milsom was to return by boat to
Calonna, and from thence make his way to the hacienda, in order that he
might be on the spot to receive such verbal instructions as might be
necessary. This arrangement was duly carried out, and the evening of
the following day witnessed the return of the little party to the home
which they had so joyously left some months before, little dreaming of
the sad circumstances under which they would next gaze upon the familiar
surroundings.

They were welcomed back by the _employes_ of the estate with every sign
of the utmost satisfaction, tempered with deep and sincere sorrow at the
tragic fate of the young and beautiful daughter of the house, who had
contrived during her short life to render herself idolised by every
individual in her father's service, from Senor Calderon downward. In
the presence of the master and mistress the negroes, with that innate
sense of delicacy which governs their conduct toward those whom they