ss the time of day."

So for that time we parted, and during the next few days I watched for
Pharaoh Nanjulian's sign eagerly, and was sadly disappointed when I
received it not. Indeed, for nearly a week he took no notice of me
whatever, giving me not even a sign of recognition as I passed him on
the deck, so that Nunez was minded to remark upon his indifference.

"Your countryman seems but a surly dog," said he. "I should have thought
he would have sought your company, Master Salkeld, but he seems to care
no more for it than for that of the ship's dog."

"He is a Cornishman and a sailor, and I am a Yorkshireman and a
gentleman," said I. "In England we should not associate one with the
other, so wherefore should we here?"

"Nay, true, unless that you are companions in adversity, and that makes
strange bedfellows," said he. "But you English are not given to
talking."

I hoped that he really thought so, and that he had no idea of the
thoughts within me. I was ready enough to talk when Pharaoh Nanjulian
gave the signal.

It came at last as he stood at the wheel one night, and I stood near,
apparently idling away my time.

"Now, master," said he, "continue looking over the side and I will talk.
I have found out where we are going."

"Well?" I said, eager enough for his news.

"We are bound for Vera Cruz, master."

"Where is that? In the West Indies?"

"It is a port of Mexico, master, and in the possession of the Spaniards,
who are devils in human shape."

"And what will they do with us there?"

"That I have also found out. It seems that your good cousin, Master
Stapleton, did make a bargain with this noble Spanish gentleman, Captain
Nunez, for getting you out of the way. The bo's'n, Pedro, says that
your cousin suggested that Nunez should sail you out to sea, and then
knock you on the head and heave you overboard. But Nunez would have none
of that, and decided that he would carry you with him to Vera Cruz."

"And what will befall me at Vera Cruz?"

"He, being a pious man, will hand you over to the Holy Office."

"To the Holy Office! You mean the Inquisitors? And they----"

"They will burn you for a Lutheran dog, master."

We were both silent for awhile. I was thinking of naught but the
fiendish cruelty which existed in such a man as Manuel Nunez. Presently
I thought of Pharaoh Nanjulian.

"And yourself?" I said. "What will he do with you?"

"I am to share your fate, master. Senor Nunez is a good and