148 TKAVEL, ADVENTUKE, AND SPOKT. 



more-built schooner, The Speedy Tom, returned on 

 board his vessel, and descended into the cabin, he 

 was met by his new passenger, on whose arm was 

 hanging a lady of dazzling beauty and grace. She 

 was very plainly dressed, as were also two beautiful 

 children who accompanied her ; but their clothes were 

 of the finest materials, and the elegance of their 

 appearance contrasted strangely with the rags and 

 wretchedness of their husband and father. Lying 

 on a chest, however, Captain Ready saw a pelisse 

 and two children's cloaks of the shabbiest descrip- 

 tion, and which the new-comers had evidently just 

 taken off 



The seaman's suspicions returned at all this dis- 

 guise and mystery ; and a doubt again arose in his 

 mind as to the propriety of taking passengers who 

 came on board under such equivocal circumstances. 

 A feeling of compassion, however, added to the 

 graceful manners and sweet voice of the lady, de- 

 cided him to persevere in his original intention ; and 

 politely requesting her to make herself at home in 

 the cabin, he returned on deck. Ten minutes later 

 the anchor was weighed, and the schooner in 

 motion. 



The sun had risen and dissipated the morning mist. 

 Some distance astern of the now fast -advancing 

 schooner rose the streets and houses of the Havannah, 

 and the forest of masts occupying its port; to the 

 right frowned the castle of the Molo, whose threaten- 



