66 : to a glass of wine, I said to him, " How long might it take a good sailing vessel to beat up from this place to Kingston ?"-"I can't say," he replied; "I guess three weeks, over or under, as the trade wind might veer.”- "Well now, if it is a fair question," I rejoined," what may you have for the run from Norfolk to Santa Martha and back?" "Why," said he, "six hundred dollars it should be seven hundred, but then I made more than that by the black fellows I bought at St. Domingo, on my way; and I had need, for I shipped two extra hands on their account: four, and myself, are men enough for the schooner." Pray," continued I, "what time did you give yourself for the run, as you call it ?", Why, I guess," said he, "about three months at most; but I shan't do it, now, within time." "Well now," said I, "after all this, will you undertake to give me up your cabin, for my wife and myself, and some money, to bę landed at Kingston: and wait there three days, to see whether I can meet with a small vessel to purchase, to bring me back here to save the brig and her cargo? And for this trip I would give you half the amount you would receive for three months' run." "That would be three hundred and fifty dollars, I reckon," he replied." No,” I said, "three hundred dollars." - "I will think of it," answered he," and let you know in the afternoon." He then went away, and returned a little before coffee time. "I have been thinking over your offer," said he, " and have a mind to take it; but I am afraid it would break my charter-party.". My dear wife, who hitherto had preserved silence when he and I were discussing the subject, abruptly spoke, and with energy. "You seem to forget," said she, "that the Spaniard would have broken your charter-party, and reduced you and yours to beggary, if my brave and generous husband there had not saved you." On uttering this just reproof, she got up, and walked into the adjoining room. The fellow was struck dumb by this appeal. At length something recovering himself, he stammered out"Well, I think I shall run all risks to oblige you; for, as your wife says, it would have been all up with us, but for you and your people. So I will undertake to land you at Kingston, with any money you may take in the cabin, on the terms you propose; but we will have a written agreement, if you please." "Certainly," said I; "two; one for you and one for me. But, now, if I take one of my men with me, what will you charge for his passage?" it "I don't know," returned he; "will ten dollars be too much?" "No," I replied; "I will pay if he goes; and ten for a woman, if my wife chooses a female attendant." I now got pen, ink, and paper, and without delay wrote an agreement, which he copied, and we duly signed them both, he taking the one written by me, I the one written by him. CHAP. XII. AFTER coffee, I begged the captain would excuse my requesting him to take his cigar to-night at his own quarters, as I wished to lose no time in making my arrangements for departure. He accordingly took his leave. I instantly communicated to my Eliza my decisive step, and almost in the same moment sent for Diego to come to me. He obeyed, and I opened the business. He was too much astonished to make me any collected remarks for some time; but my point was gained so far, that he had learnt my intention first from myself, and thereby I had obviated the misgivings that might have arisen had the people been first told it from any other quarter. I bade Diego come to me at sunrise next day, and bring Xavier with him, also the two Bermudians. When we retired to rest, my dear wife and myself threw ourselves on that God who never had forsaken us; and after we had prayed, we turned the matter over, looking at all the circumstances of the case as narrowly as we could, the peace and comfort and security of our adopted family being near to our hearts. Friday, 28th. My dearest helpmate, as well as myself, was up at daylight, and dressed, ready to receive our people. We had discussed together the propriety of giving Mira in marriage to one of the Bermudians, before we should leave our little establishment for even a temporary absence; and we determined on making the proposal at once to the damsel and her parents. When the people arrived, and were standing respectfully before us in the great hall, in a few words I told them I was going to Jamaica for the purpose of buying a schooner to bring back for our use here, and also to collect a crew for the brig, to refit her for my future purposes. I added, that I wished to take one or two of them with me, and especially Diego. The others all immediately volunteered. “I shall have occasion for only one more," said I; " and if you will leave it to me, I will decide." To this they cheerfully acquiesced. I took Diego aside into the store-room, and requested my wife to call in Rota. "You have heard," repeated I, "what I am going to do; and I think, Diego, we must take one of our Bermudians with us.""I think so, sír," he replied." Well, then," resumed I: "Mira is a comely young woman, and if she would have no objection to accept of one of those clever fellows for a husband, I will marry them before I go, and we will take the other with us, and let him find a wife for himself at Kingston." Diego and Rota laughed heartily, giving their immediate assent; but my wife desired Rota to bring in Mira, and ask her if she would like either of the Bermudians for a husband. When the question was put to the girl, she courtesied, and said she would rather go with her Donna Señora to Jamaica. My dear Eliza thanked her most graciously for this mark of her attachment, but told her it could not be: however, she must make herself happy in knowing her affection was properly estimated; and so she would find on her mistress's return. The poor girl cried a good deal, and we left her and her parents together. While they were communing, I told Xavier to make an account of how many days he and the others had worked on the schooner, and bring it to me after breakfast. By the time I had finished my directions to him, Diego and Rota re-appeared in the hall with their daughter, who now looked much abashed. The mother whispered something to my wife, who again whispered to me, that Mira had fixed on Jack Martin. On hearing this, I got up and called Martin out. I asked him, would he like to settle here, and marry Mira, and live as we lived? Mira was a pretty negress, and gentle too. "Yes, sir," he replied, "would like it. I like you, sir - I like the place-I like Mira: her fader and moder very good people, and she very pretty; good little girl, sir: will be very happy!"—" Very well, Martin," said I; "I will marry you to her on Sunday. And, now that the girl is to be your wife, come in, and her father and mother shall offer her to you, and you shall accept her in my presence. The scene was rather ludicrous. Martin entered, bowing as he approached Diego, who returned the bows with a variety of steps and attitudes, and a pretended taking off the hat. Rota spoke first. "You to be Mira's husband, Jack Martin ?". "If Mira will have Jack Martin," replied the bridegroom. Mira hung down her head, but Rota clasped the son-in-law in her arms, |