ocean at a comfortable rate. Hour after
hour he toiled, and would hear naught of my relieving him, though his
throat grew dry with thirst and his arms ached. Gradually the coast
loomed higher and higher through the gloom, and at length Pharaoh pulled
in his oars, and stood up in the bow to look around him.

"When I was off this coast ten years ago," said he, "I remember a spot
hereabouts where a boat might land with safety and ease. We will lie
quiet till the light comes, master, and then attempt a landing."

"But suppose Nunez should see us?"

"He could not catch us ere we land if he did, unless by some strange
chance he has gotten to the east of us--and that's not possible," said
Pharaoh. "I reckon that by this time he is twenty miles to westward of
us, and therefore we are well out of his reach."

So we hove-to until the morning began to break, when, spying a
convenient creek, we ran the boat ashore, and so set foot on Mexican
soil, wondering what was to befall us next.

Now, to me, who had never seen aught of any land save England, these new
surroundings were exceeding strange and wonderful. Although it was yet
but a half-light all round us on shore, the giant peak of Orizaba,
rising high and magnificent across the land to the north-west, was
already blazing in the saffron-colored tints of early morning, while
directly above us the lower heights of Tuxtla also reflected the rays of
the rising sun. Once away from the shore the vegetation surprised and
delighted me exceedingly. Great trees, such as I had never seen or heard
of, sprang from the rocks and towered above us like gigantic ferns; the
undergrowth was thick and luxurious, and the grass under foot was soft
and heavy as velvet. Also, though it was winter, there were flowers and
plants blossoming in the open such as never blossom in our English
glass-houses, so that altogether I was amazed at the richness and
prodigality of the land, and said so to my companion.

"Aye," said he, "'tis indeed a fair land, master, and would be very well
if these murderous Spaniards had left it alone. As it is, they have
simply turned it into a pandemonium, such as all lands, fair or foul,
become when men go a-lusting for gold and treasure. Yea, not even the
Indians, with all their heathenish practices, were half so cruel as
these Spaniards with their racks and thumb-screws, their stakes and
daggers. And therefore the more reason why we should avoid them."

Having somewhat