"We are cautious, senor. So cautious that we shall sail with the first tide." "For Havana?" "For Havana, senor." "Well, now I wish you to take me to the vessel. I must see the captain." "Surely, senor," said the obsequious mate, as the viscount stepped into the boat. "Give way, men! Back to the brigantine," said the mate. And the men laid themselves to their oars, and soon reached the vessel's side. Lord Vincent was received with the greatest respect by the captain, who came obsequiously to the starboard gangway to meet him. "Let us go into your cabin at once, Costo; I have business to discuss with you," said the viscount. "Surely, senor," replied the captain, leading the way down to a small, snug cabin. It was flanked each side by two comfortable berths, and furnished with a buffet at one end and a round table and two chairs in the center. "Will the senor deign to seat himself?" said the captain, offering one of these chairs to the visitor and taking the other himself. There were decanters of spirits, glasses, cigars, pipes, and tobacco on the table. "Will the senor deign to taste this rum, which is of fine quality, and try one of these cigars, which are at once so strong and so delicate of aroma?" For an answer the viscount poured out a liberal portion of the spirits and quaffed it almost at a draught, and then lighted a cigar and commenced smoking. He smoked away for a few minutes, during which Costo waited respectfully for him to open communications. At length the viscount spoke: "Costo, in your island of Cuba able-bodied men and women of the negro race command good prices, do they not?" "Yes, senor--great prices, since your illustrious statesmen have abolished the African slave-trade over all the ocean." "For instance, how much would a fine young man, of say twenty-one years of age, bring?" "From two to five thousand dollars, according to his health, good looks, and accomplishments. I have known a likely boy of fourteen to sell for three thousand dollars. He is now one of the best cooks on the island." "Humph! then I should say the one I speak of would bring near the highest price you have named. How much would a healthy, handsome girl of eighteen bring?" "Mulatress or quadroon?" "Oh, neither. She is a negress, black as the blackest satin, but with a skin as smooth and soft--a Venus carved in jet." "From a thousand to two thousand dollars, perhaps, as she is a negress but if she were a mulatress she would bring more, or if a quadroon most of all--other things being equal." "And how much would a stout, healthy, strong-minded woman of fifty bring?" "That depends upon other circumstances, senor. If, together with her health and intelligence, she should be a good housekeeper and nurse, as women of her age are apt to be, why, then she might bring from nine to twelve hundred dollars." "Well, Costo, I have three such negroes as I have just described to dispose of."