Spike’s next material advantage was obtained by means of the cargo.  By the time the sun had set, fully two hundred barrels had been rolled into the hatchway, and passed on deck, whence about half of them were sent in the lighthouse boat to the nearest islet, and the remainder were transferred to the deck of the brig.  These last were placed on the off side of the Swash, and aided in bringing her nearer upright.  A great deal was gained in getting rid of these barrels.  The water in the schooner lowered just as much as the space they had occupied,-and the vessel was relieved at once of twenty tons in weight.

Just after the sun had set, Senor Don Juan Montefalderon and his party returned on board.  They had staid on the island to the last moment, at Rose’s request, for she had taken as close an observation of everything as possible, in order to ascertain if any means of concealment existed, in the event of her aunt, Biddy, and herself quitting the brig.  The islets were all too naked and too small, however; and she was compelled to return to the Swash, without any hopes derived from this quarter.

Spike had just directed the people to get their suppers as the Mexican came on board.  Together they descended to the schooner’s deck, where they had a long but secret conference.  Senor Montefalderon was a calm, quiet and reasonable man, and while he felt as one would be apt to feel who had recently seen so many associates swept suddenly out of existence, the late catastrophe did not in the least unman him.  It is too much the habit of the American people to receive their impressions from newspapers, which throw off their articles unreflectingly, and often ignorantly, as crones in petticoats utter their gossip.  In a word, the opinions thus obtained are very much on a level, in value, with the thoughts of those who are said to think aloud, and who give utterance to all the crudities and trivial rumours that may happen to reach their ears.  In this manner, we apprehend, very false notions of our neighbours of Mexico have become circulated among us.  That nation is a mixed race, and has necessarily the various characteristics of such an origin, and it is unfortunately little influenced by the diffusion of intelligence which certainly exists here.  Although an enemy, it ought to be acknowledged, however, that even Mexico has her redeeming points.  Anglo-Saxons as we are, we have no desire unnecessarily to illustrate that very marked feature in the Anglo-Saxon character, which prompts the mother stock to calumniate all who oppose it, but would rather adopt some of that chivalrous courtesy of which so much that is lofty and commendable is to be found among the descendants of Old Spain.