A SKETCH IN THE TROPICS. 175 



seaman's iron features lost their usual imperturbabil- 

 ity, and his lips quivered as he stammered out the 

 two words 



"Amigo siempre." 



The following day we passed in the camp, and the 

 one after returned to Lima the general insisting on 

 our taking up our quarters in his house. 



From Hualero and his lady I learned the origin of 

 the friendship existing between the distinguished 

 Columbian general and my taciturn Yankee captain. 

 It was the honourable explanation of the mysterious 

 stain upon Ready's character. 



Our difficulties regarding the brig were now soon 

 at an end. The vessel and cargo were returned to 

 us, with the exception of a large quantity of cigars 

 belonging to the Spanish Government. These were, 

 of course, confiscated ; but the general bought them 

 and made them a present to Captain Ready, who sold 

 them by auction; and cigars being in no small de- 

 mand amongst that tobacco-loving population, they 

 fetched immense prices, and put thirty thousand 

 dollars into my friend's pocket. 



To be brief, at the end of three weeks we sailed 

 from Lima, and in a vastly better humour than when 

 we arrived there. 



