asper
Stapleton, I will break his head for his share in this foul conspiracy."

"I do not object in the least, Master Salkeld. But you do well to say,
when you next meet him."

"Why so, Senor?"

"Because it is so highly improbable. Indeed, you will never be so near
England again as you are at this moment."

I looked through the port, and saw the long, flat Lincolnshire coast.
The day was dull and heavy, and the land was little more than a gray
bank, but it meant much to me. I was being carried away from all that I
loved, from my sweetheart, my uncle, my friends, from everything that
had grown a part of my daily life. And I was going--where? That I knew
not. Not to the West Indies--no, I was sure of that. Captain Manuel
Nunez was an accomplished liar in everything, and I felt sure that he
had another lie in reserve yet. At the thought of him and of Jasper's
villainy the blood boiled in my veins, and tears of rage and despair
gathered in my eyes. But what was the use of anger or sorrow? I was
powerless.

I now made up my mind to show a good face to all these troubles and
difficulties, and, therefore, I strove to be as much at my ease as was
possible under the circumstances. I walked the decks, talked with such
of the men as knew a word or two of English, and cultivated as much of
the captain's acquaintance as my aversion to his wickedness would
permit. I learnt the names of masts, sheets, stays, and sprits, and
picked up other information of seafaring matters, thinking that it
might some day be useful to me. I am bound to say that Senor Manuel
Nunez was very courteous towards me. But what avails courtesy, when the
courteous man is only waiting his time to injure you?

We had been at sea something like three weeks, and had passed Ushant
four days previously, when, sailing south-by-west, we were overtaken by
a gale and had to run before it with bare poles. Upon the second
morning, our lookout, gazing across a stormy sea, cried that he saw a
man clinging to a piece of wreckage on the lee bow, and presently all
those on deck were conscious of the same sight. The man was drifting and
tossing half a mile away, and had seen us, for he was making frantic
efforts to attract our notice. I was somewhat surprised when Captain
Nunez took steps to rescue him, for it would have fitted in with my
notion of his character if he had suffered the wretch to remain unaided,
However, he sent off a boat, which eventually brought away the