"More than ever!" replied Costal, grinding his teeth; "and I shall never leave the army of Morelos--even when my time of service is out--so long as there's a hope of capturing the castle of Acapulco, and getting my hands on the miserable traitor." Lantejas was paying only slight attention to what the Indian said. The doubt which the latter had expressed about the sea-worthiness of the canoe, was at that moment occupying his thoughts more than Costal's project of vengeance; and he was desirous that they should reach the island as soon as possible. Even an engagement with a human enemy--so long as it should take place on _terra firma_--would be less perilous than a struggle in the water with those terrible monsters--the sharks. "The canoe goes very slowly!" remarked he to Costal mere than once. "Senor Don Cornelio!" exclaimed the Indian with a smile, "you are always in a hurry to get into the fight; but we are now approaching the isle; and, with your permission, I think we would do well to obtain leave from the admiral (by his title Costal designated Don Hermenegildo) to go a little more in advance, and reconnoitre the way for the others. The canoe can approach near the schooner without much risk of being seen; whereas those great whale-boats would just now stand a pretty fair chance of being discovered. That's my advice--do you agree to it, Captain?" "Willingly," replied Lantejas, scarce knowing between the two dangers which might be the greatest. At a command from Costal the two rowers now rested upon their oars; and, shortly after, one of the barges arrived alongside. It was that which carried the admiral. "What is it?" inquired the latter, seeing that the canoe had stopped for him. "Have you discovered anything?" Don Cornelio communicated to him the proposition of Costal. The idea appeared good to the Marshal; and, in accordance with it, the three barges were ordered to lie to, while the lighter craft glided on in advance. In a short time the isle appeared in sight--a dark spot upon the bosom of the water, like some vast sea-bird that had settled down upon the waves, to rest a moment before resuming its flight. Presently, as they drew nearer, the dark mass appeared to grow larger, but still lay buried in sombre silence, with no light nor any visible object distinguishable through the gloom. Still drawing nearer, they at length perceived, rising over the tops of the trees that thickly covered the island, the tall tapering masts and cross-yards of a ship. It was the schooner they were in search of.