A SKETCH IN THE TROPICS. 155 



surely did not expect, Senor, that we were going to 

 miss the finest breeze that ever filled a sail." 



Without answering, the officer rushed upon deck, 

 and looked in the direction of the Molo. They had 

 left the fort full two miles behind them. The Spaniard 

 literally foamed at the mouth. 



" Soldiers ! " vociferated he, "seize the captain and 

 the prisoners. "We are betrayed. And you, steers- 

 man, put about," 



And betrayed they assuredly were ; for while the 

 officer had been quaffing his Madeira, and the soldiers 

 and boatmen regaling themselves with the steward's 

 rum, sail had been made on the vessel without noise 

 or bustle, and, favoured by the breeze, she was rapidly 

 increasing her distance from land. Meantime Ready 

 preserved the utmost composure. 



" Betrayed ! " repeated he, replying to the vehe- 

 ment ejaculation of the Spaniard. " Thank God we 

 are Americans, and have no trust to break, nothing 

 to betray. As to this prisoner of yours, however, he 

 must remain here." 



" Here ! " sneered the Spaniard. " "We'll soon see 

 about that, you treacherous " 



" Here," quietly interrupted the captain. " Do 

 not give yourself needless trouble, Senor ; your sol- 

 diers' guns are, as you perceive, in our hands, and my 

 six sailors well provided with pistols and cutlasses. 

 "We are more than a match for your ten, and at the 

 first suspicious movement you make, Ave fire on you." 



