"It was eleven o'clock before the boat came alongside. We heard it racing across the water--for the night was very still. Then it drew alongside, and a number of gentlemen came on board. They were all talking excitedly, and seemed as though they had walked a long distance, for, by the light of the branch lamp that lit the gangway, I saw that their boots and trousers were white with dust, such as I believe lies on the road outside Cadiz. One was in a state of great fear; he was very stout. Another, and he was the leader, spoke to our captain, and soon after I heard the order given--'Quartermaster, stand by for going out of harbour,' and the captain gave the navigating officer his course. We went out at full speed, steering a course due west. "It was a perfectly calm night, with stars, but no moon. When (as near as I can guess) we were twenty miles from the coast, the captain sent for me and Alverez to his cabin. "'My friends,' he said, 'I have a proposition to make to you, but first let me ask you if you are good patriots.' "We said that we were. "'What,' said the captain, addressing himself to me, 'do you value your patriotism at?' "I was silent. "Monsieur," said the prisoner earnestly, "I assure you I was not considering the insult offered to me, because we had got to a point outside of abstract morality. In my mind was a dilemma--if I ask too much I might lose an opportunity, if I ask too little I should assuredly lose money. Such was also the consideration in Alverez's mind. 'Señor Capitan,' I said, 'as an honest man----' "'We will leave that out of the question,' said the captain. 'Name a price.' "And so, at random, I suggested a sum equal to £3,000, and Alverez, not a man of any originality, repeated '£3,000.' "The captain nodded; 'This sum I will pay you,' he said. 'Moreover, I will give you your discharge from the Navy of Brazil, and you may leave the ship to-night.' "I did not ask him why. I realised he had some high scheme which it was not proper I should know, besides which I had not been ashore for a month--and there was the £3,000. "'Before you go,' said the captain, 'I will explain to you, that my honour and my reputation may not suffer. In a few days' time, when we are at sea, the comrades you leave behind will be offered a new service, a service under a new and wealthier government, a government that will offer large and generous rewards for faithful service and obedience.'" The prisoner chuckled softly, as at some thought which amused him. "We went ashore in the steam pinnace; the captain himself superintending our landing. It was a remarkable journey, señor.