His errand fortunately fitted in with the instructions of the master of the brig. Jack had to spend the night at Vigo, where he learned that Craufurd had embarked his brigade some days before, and had already sailed for home. Next morning he was standing on deck, watching the last bales of a miscellaneous cargo as they were lowered into the hold, when, looking along the quay, he saw hurrying towards him two figures which he recognized with no little astonishment. The one was a tall Spaniard in military uniform; the other, still taller, was covered with a ragged brown cloak, and staggered along under the weight of a large valise. Perceiving Jack’s eyes fixed on him, the foremost figure waved his hand with easy condescension, and smiled, and when he was still several yards away, began to speak: "Ah, amigo mio, you look surprised! As for me, I am both surprised and delighted. I had not hoped for the pleasure of an old comrade’s company on this voyage. We will talk over old times, Jackino, and help each other to face the perils of the sea." "You anticipate a storm, then?" said Jack, with a meaning look. "Not anticipate, my friend; but one must be prepared. And there is one peril that, storm or no storm, every traveller has to endure." "That is?" "Mareamiento, amigo mio! The motion of a ship produces an unpleasant perturbation of the internal organs, resulting in—" Jack laughed. "That’s your peril! Well, it’s one that everyone has to face for himself. If I were you, when you feel the perturbation beginning, I should lie on my back." "But then I should have to turn over," said Miguel seriously. "However, you do not ask why I am prepared to endure this disagreeable accident of travel; you show no curiosity, my dear friend." "About other people’s business—no. But I see that your man appears none the worse for the punishment which, no doubt, the Marquis of La Romana awarded him for his outrage at Astorga—you remember?—the occasion when you were so much shocked at the man’s heartless treachery." "I remember well, dear friend. Perez was the victim of a sudden temptation, poor fellow. You see, he has only one eye. He is not all there. Oh, he was punished! He was made to take off his uniform—it had gold lace, you remember?—and to dress as a servant, and that, to a man of Perez’ illustrious connections and personal pride, was a great, an overpowering humiliation. He felt the disgrace so keenly that he assured me he could not live unless I took him back into my service. What could I do? I could not be responsible for the miserable wretch’s self-destruction. I did what every man of heart would have done, and— But we are moving, my friend; the ship is oscillating like a child’s cradle; the wind catches the sails. Yes, the voyage has begun. I think I will—ah!—descend."