notwithstanding Maud evidently loved him, he could hardly entertain any
peculiar regard for her. Could he have deceived the girl? she thought.
No, deceit was no part of his nature; that she felt sure of, and thus
she mused alone to herself, placing the relationship of the two in all
manner of lights, until she saw him again.

Having moored the "Sea Witch" safely amid the jungle of one of the many
winding rivers that indent the coast of Africa, and sent down her upper
spars to prevent her from being discovered by any exhibition of the
top-hamper above the trees and jungle growth, Captain Ratlin left his
crew under charge of the first officer, Mr. Faulkner, and returned once
more to the seaboard and the establishment of Don Leonardo. Here it
would be necessary for him to remain for a week or more, while the
Spaniard sent his runners inland to the chiefs of the various coast
tribes to forward the prisoners of war to his barracoons. This period of
time was passed in various domestic amusements, in observing the sports
and games of the natives, their habits, and studying their
nationalities--for the slaves in Don Leonardo's barracoons represented a
score of different tribes, each characteristic of its origin.

Mrs. Huntington regarded Captain Ratlin's intercourse with Maud with
much interest, which she did not attempt to disguise, while her daughter
did so under the disguise of indifference, but with the most intense
interest. Not a word, look, or sign between them betrayed the least
token of any understanding or peculiar confidence as existing between
the commander and the Quadroon.

Maud, on her part, began to change somewhat since the first day of the
arrival of the strangers. Then she was as free and unconstrained as
innocence itself--now she seemed to regard the new-comers with a jealous