A SKETCH IX THE TROPICS. 147 



" Young man," said he in Spanish, " you are no 

 merchant. What do you want at Philadelphia ? " 



" I want to go to Philadelphia. Here is my pas- 

 sage-money, here my pass. You are captain of the 

 schooner. What do you require more ? " 



There was a wild vehemence in the tone and 

 manner in which these words were spoken, that in- 

 disposed the seaman still more against his would-be 

 passenger. Again he shook his head, and was about 

 to pass on. The young man seized his arm. 



" Por el amor de Dios, Capitan, take me with you. 

 Take my unhappy wife and my poor children." 



" AYife and children ! " repeated the captain. 

 " Have you a wife and children 1 " 



The stranger groaned. 



" You have committed no crime ? you are not 

 flying from the arm of justice?" asked the American, 

 sharply. 



" So may God help me, no crime whatever have I 

 committed," replied the young man, raising his hand 

 towards heaven. 



" In that case I will take you. Keep your money 

 till you are on board. In an hour at furthest I weigh 

 anchor." 



The stranger answered nothing, but as if relieved 

 from some dreadful anxiety, drew a deep breath, and 

 with a grateful look to heaven, hurried from the 

 spot. 



AVhen Captain Ready, of the smart-sailing Balti- 



