"Not while my flag covers you. The fiery flag of England is one that grasping fingers have been burnt again afore now, Señor. Now let's bless the ship with the presence within her bulwarks of your life companion, let's have her here."
Benito shook the generous foreigner's hand cordially, ran up the companionway and vanished for a short moment, after which he returned, preceding Dolores. She had even sooner and more completely than her young mate recovered from the privations of the desert, and grief at the loss of her only parent. Her beauty was exhilarating, and Gladsden was really enchanted at her salutation, so fraught with modesty and grace. Her soft, harmonious voice fluttered faintly in her answer to his welcoming address, but she was soon encouraged to the top of her heart, and even laughed at having been fearful up to then.
To think they were in some sort old friends; that this indolent captain had been on the trail of her abductor, and had besides visited with condign punishment the assassin of her father. It was as good as her brightest dreams.
[CHAPTER XI.]
THE TWO CAPTAINS OF THE "GOLETA."
Whilst señora Bustamente was formally taking some refreshment, Gladsden summoned Ignacio.
"Lieutenant," said he, sternly, "it is a honour for me to have Madam Vázquez, the bride of Benito Vázquez, the pearl diver, to present to you."
Ignacio bowed, and darted from his widely distended eyes an enormous show of admiration at the young Mexican.
"The famous pearl fisher," murmured he; "the take will be rare and splendid now."