to materially reduce our spread of canvas
to avoid running away from her altogether. The _Felicidad_, on the
other hand, sailed like a witch, and kept her station without
difficulty, under a single-reefed mainsail, foresail, and inner jib,
with all her square canvas stowed. The master informed me that as we
passed Banana Point he had remembered to subject the anchorage to a very
careful scrutiny through his telescope, and, as he had foretold, the
handsome Spanish brig had disappeared, the Englishman and the Dutchman
being the only craft still lying off the wharf. Having made an offing
of about twenty miles, we hauled up some three points to the northward
for Cape Palmas, our destination being of course Sierra Leone.

On the third day out, the captain of the _Mercedes_--whom I had shot in
self-defence in his own cabin, it will be remembered--died of his wound,
solemnly declaring with his last breath that he was absolutely innocent
of any complicity in the destruction of the _Sapphire's_ two boats with
their crews, or in the disappearance of the _Wasp_. He admitted that he
had heard of both occurrences, and had been told the name of the
individual who was said to be responsible for them, but he stubbornly
persisted in his refusal to give any information whatever, and carried
the secret to his ocean grave with him.

In due time we reached Sierra Leone without mishap and without
adventure, after a moderately quick passage; and, our prizes having been
taken _in flagrante delicto_, they were forthwith condemned. At Captain
Stopford's suggestion, however, the _Felicidad_ was purchased into the
service, and with all speed fitted to serve as a tender to the
_Barracouta_, her extraordinary speed peculiarly fitting her for such
employment, while her exceedingly light draught promised to render her
especially useful in the exploration of the various rivers along the
coast, many of which are very shallow. We remained in harbour a trifle
over three weeks while the necessary alterations were being effected--
during which time, owing to the unremitting vigilance and skill of
"Paddy" Blake, our doctor, we lost only one man through fever--and then,
all being ready, the _Felicidad_ was commissioned, Ryan, our second
lieutenant, being given the command of her, with--to my great delight--
myself as his chief officer, Pierrepoint and Gowland being our
shipmates. We also shipped as surgeon a young fellow named Armstrong, a
Scotchman,