Salvé, who, like the generality of sailors, could talk a good deal of
English, gradually attached himself to the Spaniard, and found him an
entertaining and clever fellow.

Before a light afternoon breeze they glided at last from the sea into
the narrow channel that runs up to Rio de Janeiro--one of the loveliest
in the world, with majestic granite mountains on either side, one of
which was already blazing in the ruddy light of the evening sun, while
the other in shade stood out a deep violet against the clear blue of the
sky above. On the one side, at the foot of the Sugarloaf Mountain, they
had the fortress of Praja; on the other, the Castle of Santa Cruz; and
facing them on the highest point in the harbour, the slender
signal-tower that announces every ship as it appears at the entrance of
the channel.

So beautiful was the scene that under its softening influence Salvé felt
almost inclined to regret his determination to desert. The feeling,
however, lasted no longer than the beauty which produced it. The soft
lights died away upon the hills, and with them the softer feelings which
had crept in upon his heart. Night settled down upon the outer world,
and with it returned the gloomy thoughts that now for many days had made
his mind their home.

It had occurred to him that the Brazilian would have it in his power to
assist him in effecting his purpose, when they arrived in the harbour,
and he had, therefore, found opportunities of rendering him indebted to
him for many small services. He lent him clothes now to appear among the
other sailors when they were mustered before the authorities, who came
on board immediately after the ship entered the harbour, and it thus
escaped their notice that there was one over the number returned by the