slowly gave life to those who could breathe the air on deck,
Conyngham lay in his little cabin and heeded nothing; for when the
fever left him he was only conscious of a great lassitude, and
scarce could raise himself to take such nourishment as the steward,
with a rough but kindly skill, prepared for him.

'Why the deuce I ever came--why the deuce I ever went overboard
after a couple of senoras--I don't know,' he repeated to himself
during the hours of that long watch below.

Why, indeed? except that youth must needs go forth into the world
and play the only stake it owns there. Nor is Frederick Conyngham
the first who, having no knowledge of the game of life, throws all
upon the board to wait upon the hazard of a die.



CHAPTER IV. LE PREMIER PAS.



'Be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.'

The little town of Algeciras lies, as many know, within sight of
Gibraltar, and separated from that stronghold by a broad bay. It is
on the mainland of Spain, and in direct communication by road with
the great port of Cadiz. Another road, little better than a bridle-
path, runs northward to Ximena and through the corkwood forests of
that plain towards the mountain ranges that rise between Ronda and
the sea.