ly. "A midshipman is a
perfect marvel in the way of prudence and discretion; everybody knows
_that_! However," he continued, in a much more genial tone, "I will do
you the justice to say that you seem to have your ballast pretty well
stowed, and that you stand up to your canvas as steadily as any
youngster that I've ever fallen in with; so I don't suppose there'll be
very much harm in trusting you. You must know, then, that there's a bit
of a creek, called Chango Creek, some fourteen or fifteen miles up the
river from here; and in that creek there is at this moment lying snugly
at anchor, quite unconscious of our proximity, and leisurely filling up
her complement of blacks, a large Spanish brig called the _Mercedes_
hailing from Havana. She is a notorious slaver, and is strongly
suspected of having played the part of pirate more than once, when
circumstances were favourable. Moreover, from what our Portuguese
friend Lobo says, she was in the river when the _Sapphire's_ two boats
with their crews disappeared; and according to the dates he gives, she
must also have been the craft that the plucky little _Wasp_ was in chase
of when last seen. There is very little doubt, therefore, that the
_Mercedes_ is the craft--or, at all events, one of them--which it is our
especial mission to capture at any cost; and we are therefore going to
weigh this afternoon for the purpose of beating up her quarters. Lobo
has undertaken to pilot us as far as the mouth of the creek; and as he
tells us that the brig is fully a hundred tons bigger than ourselves, is
armed to the teeth, and is manned by a big crowd of desperadoes, every
man of whom has bound himself by a fearful oath never to lay down his
arms while the breath remains in his body, I shouldn't wonder if we find
out before all is done that we have undertaken a pretty tough job."

"It would seem like it, if Senor Lobo's information is to be relied
upon," said I, an involuntary shudder and qualm thrilling me as my vivid
imagination instantly conjured up a vision of the impending conflict.
"But I suppose every precaution will be taken to catch the rascals
unawares?"

"You may be sure of that," answered the master, peering curiously into
my face as he spoke. "Captain Stopford is not the man to court a
reverse, or a heavy loss of life, by unduly advertising his intentions.
But you look pale, boy! You are surely not beginning to funk, are you?"

"No," said I, a little dubiously, "