until the stout ash staves creaked and
bent in the rowlocks. The dark hull of the brig had slowly forged
ahead, and at the moment Isabel spoke, the "Halcyon" had passed the
entrance of the harbour, and was rising and falling on the long gentle
swell outside. She did not feel the wind, being under the shelter of
the coast; but slight cat's-paws were playing on the water about
half-a-mile ahead, and so the boats continued towing, while on board the
main-topgallant and main-topsails were being sheeted home.

"There is our last sight of the Bay," said Hughes, sighing. "It must
now live only in the memories of the past. Plans--no, dearest Isabel; I
have been enjoying the present without care for the future."

"And now the fairy dream is over, what do you intend to do when we reach
the Cape, Enrico? Surely I have a right to ask," said Isabel.

"If you have eighteen months' leave of absence, Senhor," said the noble,
"come with us to Portugal for your answer; you can make your
arrangements in England."

The Senhor Enrico could not have wished for a pleasanter invitation, and
he eagerly closed with it.

"That topgallant sail is drawing, Mr Lowe; cast off the tow-rope,
recall the boats, and hoist them in. Tell off the watch, and send the
crew to supper. Let the steward give them an extra ration of grog.
Take a pull at the starboard tacks and sheets. Lay her head to the
west-south-west."

The wind, which was very light, was from the eastward, consequently the
brig, her yards rounded in, was running free, the boom-mainsail was
hauled out, the heavy folds of the mainsail let fall, and the jib
hoisted. One by one the studding-sails were set, and the black hull
once more supported a towering mass of white canvas. With all this the
"Halcyon" only just held steerage way, the wind coming in hot puffs from
the distant mountains of the Amboitmena range, at times filling the
canvas and making the bubbles fly past as the "Halcyon" felt the breeze,
then dying away, while the useless sails flapped heavily with the gentle
roll of the waves.

Her captain seemed silent and anxious, and would not leave the deck.
Dinner had been announced, but Captain Weber had only dived below to
reappear again in a few minutes, and, telescope in hand, was sweeping
the coast line with his glass. He bad evinced no signs of anxiety to
his guests, but as he paced the lee gangway of the brig, he showed no
such reticence to his mate.

"One hour's