he other side
of the Atlantic."

"I was certain of it, or you would know Anegada," answered Pedro.
"Anegada is the most easterly of the Virgin Islands; and my father
always endeavours to pick it up on his westerly runs. It makes a good
landfall, and enables us to continue the rest of our run with
confidence, and to dodge those pestilent cruisers of yours. Anegada
once sighted, my father knows every inch of the rest of the way, and
could take his ship from thence to Havana blindfold, I believe. But
while we are talking this water is cooling, and I want to bathe your
wound and bind it up afresh. So; am I hurting you?"

"Not at all," I answered. "Your touch is as light as a woman's. By the
way, where are my clothes, Pedro? I shall turn out as soon as you have
done with me, if you will kindly send somebody with some water. That
ewer seems to be empty."

"It can soon be filled, however," remarked the lad. "As to your
clothes, they are forward, drying. They were so stained and stiff with
blood that you could not possibly have put them on again, so I had them
washed. You see my clothes would not be big enough for you, while my
father's would be too big; so you will be obliged to make shift with
what you have until we reach Havana. I am glad that you feel well
enough to dress, for I am anxious that you should meet my father as soon
as possible. I fervently hope that you will succeed in impressing him
favourably."

"Why?" I demanded, laughingly. "Is he so very formidable a personage,
then?"

"Formidable enough, for one in your situation, if he should happen to
take a dislike to you," the lad answered gravely. "Not that I have very
much fear of that, however," he continued; "and in any case, my father
is all right except when anything has occurred to vex him."

"Well, I suppose that holds good of most people," I remarked. "However,
we must hope for the best. And now, since you have coopered me up so
nicely, if you will let me have some water and my clothes, I will make
my toilet as far as I can."

Upon leaving my bunk I found that I was still very shaky, with a
tendency to giddiness, added to which my head was aching most
distressingly; but I thought it possible that these disagreeable
symptoms would perhaps pass off as soon as I found myself in the open
air; I therefore dressed as quickly as possible, and made my way on
deck.

The morning was brilliantly fine, with a slashing breeze from about
east,