“What a dreadful catastrophe it has been, Senor,” said Rose, whose sweet countenance eloquently expressed the horror and regret she so naturally felt—­“Twenty fellow-beings hurried into eternity without even an instant for prayer!”

“You feel for them, Senorita—­it is natural you should, and it is natural that I, their countryman and leader, should feel for them, also.  I do not know what God has in reserve for my unfortunate country!  We may have cruel and unscrupulous men among us, Senorita, but we have thousands who are just, and brave, and honourable.”

“So Mr. Mulford tells me, Senor; and he has been much in your ports, on the west coast.”

“I like that young man, and wonder not a little at his and your situation in this brig—­” rejoined the Mexican, dropping his voice so as not to be heard by their companions, as they walked a little ahead of Mrs. Budd and Biddy.  “The Senor Spike is scarcely worthy to be his commander or your guardian.”

“Yet you find him worthy of your intercourse and trust, Don Juan?”

The Mexican shrugged his shoulders, and smiled equivocally; still, in a melancholy manner.  It would seem he did not deem it wise to push this branch of the subject further, since he turned to another.

“I like the Senor Mulford,” he resumed, “for his general deportment and principles, so far as I can judge of him on so short an acquaintance.”

“Excuse me, Senor,” interrupted Rose, hurriedly—­“but you never saw him until you met him here.”

“Never—­I understand you, Senorita, and can do full justice to the young man’s character.  I am willing to think he did not know the errand of his vessel, or I should not have seen him now.  But what I most like him for, is this:  Last night, during the gale, he and I walked the deck together, for an hour.  We talked of Mexico, and of this war, so unfortunate for my country already, and which may become still more so, when he uttered this noble sentiment—­`My country is more powerful than yours, Senor Montefalderon,’ he said, `and in this it has been more favoured by God.  You have suffered from ambitious rulers, and from military rule, while we have been advancing under the arts of peace, favoured by a most beneficent Providence.  As for this war, I know but little about it, though I dare say the Mexican government may have been wrong in some things that it might have controlled and some that it might not—­but let right be where it will, I am sorry to see a nation that has taken so firm a stand in favour of popular government, pressed upon so hard by another that is supposed to be the great support of such principles.  America and Mexico are neighbours, and ought to be friends; and while I do not, cannot blame my own country for pursuing the war with vigour, nothing would please me more than to hear peace proclaimed.’”

“That is just like Harry Mulford,” said Rose, thoughtfully, as soon as her companion ceased to speak.  “I do wish, Senor, that there could be no use for this powder, that is now buried in the sea.”