must have done under process, there being no other claimant.  These doubloons, however, did not amount to the full price of the flour and powder that composed the cargo of the Swash.  The cargo had been purchased with Mexican funds; and all that Spike or his heirs could claim, was the high freight for which he had undertaken the delicate office of transporting those forbidden articles, contraband of war, to the Dry Tortugas.

Mulford by this time was high in the confidence and esteem of all on board the Poughkeepsie.  He had frankly explained his whole connexion with Spike, not even attempting to conceal the reluctance he had felt to betray the brig after he had fully ascertained the fact of his commander’s treason.  The manly gentlemen with whom he was now brought in contact entered into his feelings, and admitted that it was an office no one could desire, to turn against the craft in which he sailed.  It is true, they could not and would not be traitors, but Mulford had stopped far short of this; and the distinction between such a character and that of an informer was wide enough to satisfy all their scruples.

Then Rose had the greatest success with the gentlemen of the Poughkeepsie.  Her youth, beauty, and modesty, told largely in her favour; and the simple, womanly affection she unconsciously betrayed in behalf of Harry, touched the heart of every observer.  When the intelligence of her aunt’s fate reached her, the sorrow she manifested was so profound and natural, that every one sympathized with her grief.  Nor would she be satisfied unless Mulford would consent to go in search of the bodies.  The latter knew the hopelessness of such an excursion, but he could not refuse to comply.  He was absent on that melancholy duty, therefore, at the moment of the scene related in our last chapter, and did not return until after that which we are now about to lay before the reader.  Mrs. Budd, Biddy, and all of those who perished after the yawl got clear of the reef, were drowned in deep water, and no more was ever seen of any of them; or, if wreckers did pass them, they did not stop to bury the dead.  It was different, however, with those, who were first sacrificed to Spike’s selfishness.  They were drowned on the reef, and Harry did actually recover the bodies of the Senor Montefalderon, and of Josh, the steward.  They had washed upon a rock that is bare at low water.  He took them both to the Dry Tortugas, and had them interred along with the other dead at that place.  Don Juan was placed side by side with his unfortunate countryman, the master of his equally unfortunate schooner.