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to look upon, with trees growing among them in great abundance, lofty, and of a marvellous verdure. Some buildings there were of the Spaniards of a more stately sort; and the country rou: 1 about seemed exceedingly inviting, stretching her and there into green pastures, with much diversity of rock, and wood, and mountain. Of natives they saw a vast number, but they were at a great distance, and came not any nigher; but at the landingplace there was seen a company of Spaniards drawn up as if keeping guard, whereof were some stately fellows in long high-crowned hats with feathers in them, carrying of famous long pieces: seeing of the strength of those in the ships, they prudently gave them no molestation. Indeed some of them presently got into boats and came on board, and Sir Walter had them treated very courteously; went amongst them himself, giving of them a plenty of wine and good cheer, of the which having been without a long time, it made them exceeding merry in a small space, and he talked to them in their own language enquiringly of Guiana-of the riches thereof-and of the bays and passages that were most practicable; making it appear all the while that he cared not for the going there, being, bound for the English colony he had planted in Virginia; and the simple soldiers, charmed with his courtesy, not only told him all they knew, but all they had heard of, one eagerly interrupting of

the other in some alluring narration of the wondrous riches of the place.

It did look exceeding picturesque to see those Spaniards grouped about on the deck, some a sitting where they could; one or two lying of their length, resting of themselves upon their elbows; and the rest lolling wherever they might find a conveniency; their Spanish habits looking soiled and worn; their faces swarthy, with peaked beards, long mustachios, piercing eyes, and curly hair, all very black; every man armed, yet passing of the wine-cup from one to another with as cheerful a spirit as if such a thing as strife was gone clean out of their hearts; and Sir Walter standing amongst themwhose princely figure and noble countenance as much won their admiration as did the liberality of his spirit as evinced in his treatment of them-doing of every courtesy that could make them feel at their ease, the whilst he was dexterously intent upon the getting of such information as might be. serviceable to him in his hoped for conquest of Guiana. Close unto his elbow stood Master Francis, apparently somewhat interested at what was going forward, for he understood the language pretty well, and he was describing to two or three of the officers what was said. There was a strong guard of soldiers posted about the ship for fear of any sudden treachery, and the mariners were looking on from different places about the deck and up

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aloft, as if with some distrust, yet with a singular curiosity of their visitors.

A little apart from the other Spaniards, leaning against a mast by which he was partly hid from Sir Walter and those about him, stood a man, evidently from his long black habit, a priest of the order of Jesus. His figure appeared to be rather above the ordinary, formed in a mould more graceful than bulky, as far as could be seen of it under the ample folds of his garment. His face was mostly shaded by his arms, which were against the mast, but above them two large dark eyes peered upon Master Francis with an expression so fierce and penetrating, that once seen it was not possible to forget. Ever and anon he would take a stealthy glance round the ship, doubtless noticing of all things there, if he thought he could do so without being observed of any; but if he saw the eyes of one upon him, he would on the instant the more shade his face, and seem intent only upon what was going on before him. There was a group round a gun on the other side of the vessel, at some distance, but not far enough to be shut out from a fair view of these proceedings, and it consisted of Harry Daring, Simon Mainsail, a rough looking fellow with proper broad shoulders and body thick and short, whose right ugly countenance looked none the handsomer for a huge scar across the face, who was no other than Tom Growler

VOL. II.

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the boatswain-as surly a piece of goods as you shall see anywhere-and they, with divers others of the petty officers, were discoursing about the strangers.

"Methinks it be clean contrary to all rule and reason to let these caitiffs live," observed Harry Daring. "If they be the monstrous villains they must needs be being Spaniards, I marvel they should be so well treated of us.”

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Hang 'em!" exclaimed Growler emphatically. "Doubtless our commander is well advised of their true natures," said the old gunner. "He be not of that sort likely to venture upon a strange coast without taking soundings; and mayhap we shall find profit in what he be a doing of."

"Mayhap we shan't," muttered the boatswain.

"At least they seem proper men enough for killing," added Harry. "I expected not to have found such tall goodly-looking fellows. I do long to out with my tool upon them, and see of what stuff they be made of."

"They be dogs!" cried Tom Growler.

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Despicable papists!" exclaimed one.

"The very cowardliest villains that live!" added another.

“Wretched traitors and scurvy rogues!" said a third; and in a moment nothing seemed too vile to be said of them by any there.

"They say the devil may be painted blacker than

he is," remarked Simon Mainsail. "But if you seek to paint any of these villain Spaniards, depend on't, you shall find no colour of a sufficient blackness."

"Hang 'em!" again cried the boatswain, is very gruffest voice that ever was heard.

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By Gog and Magog, my masters !-it must needs be a good action to rid the earth of such !” exclaimed Harry Daring with a very marvellous earnestness. "Instead of giving of them good cheer, it seemeth to me the best thing they should have is no other than cold iron; and I for one would be well pleased to see they had enough of it. For mine own part, I think it be quite monstrous that these our enemies should be allowed to come aboard of us, each man armed as if ready to do us all manner of hurt, and only lying in wait for an opportunity to take us off our guard. How villainously familiar they be! Some lolling in this place, and some in that; and jabbering away as if there was either sense or honesty in their speech. I do hugely suspect those who cannot speak honest English. There be no good in them, that's a sure thing." "Never was and never will be," muttered Growler.

"But mark you that fellow leaning of himself against the mast," said the boy quickly, as he pointed out to his companions the figure of the priest." Hath he not the very air of a skulker?

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