"I heard," said Jack, "that I was, in some mysterious way, to be sent as a slave to the diamond mines."
"Not by me, at all events," laughed the captain.
"Are you sure?"
"Perfectly. My instructions are simply to land you at Rio, and there will end my duty as regards you."
Jack could not make this out.
He was forced, however, to be content with the assurance given him by Captain Moreland, and there the conversation ended.
There were plenty of books in the cabin. He messed with Moreland. Everything he wanted was placed at his service, and he really had a very pleasant voyage round Cape Horn.
The captain succeeded in thoroughly gaining his confidence, and he soon voted him an excellent fellow, from whom he would be sorry to part when the time came.
At length Rio was reached, and as Jack was almost without money, Moreland volunteered to advance him some for current expenses, taking in return a sight draft on his agent in San Francisco.
When the ship swung into the dock, and the bills of lading had been given to the consignees, Moreland invited Jack to dine with him.