AFFAIRS in the immediate vicinity of Don Leonardo's residence began to
assume a singular and very peculiar aspect. In the first place, there
was within doors, and under his immediate roof, four new comers, nearly
each of which was actuated by some contrary purpose or design. Mrs.
Huntington was exceedingly desirous to obtain passage up the coast to
Sierra Leone, and thence home to England; her daughter secretly dreaded
the approach of the hour that was to separate her from one whom in her
unrevealed heart she devotedly loved. Captain Ratlin was, of course, all
impatience to have the English cruiser up anchor and leave the harbor,
her proximity to his own fleet clipper ship being altogether too close,
while, Captain Bramble felt in no haste to leave port for several
reasons. First, he had a suspicion that he should soon be able to trip
up the heels of his rival, as it regarded this business on the coast;
and secondly, he was very content to have Miss Huntington remain here,
because he knew if she was once landed at Sierra Leone, she would
directly sail for England.

Don Leonardo heartily wished them all at the bottom of the sea, or any
other place except his house, with the exception, of course, of Captain
Ratlin, whose business with him was seriously impeded by the presence of
these parties. Maud, too, was not a disinterested party, as the reader
may well imagine, after the audacious treachery which she had already
evinced; but she was comparatively passive now, and seemed quietly to
bide her time for accomplishing her second resolve touching him she once
loved but now hated, as well as satisfying her revengeful spirit by the
misery or destruction of her rival. We say affairs in Don Leonardo's
residence had assumed a singular and peculiar aspect, and the dull