EXPECTATION 269

defence, that Ker Karraje, Serké, and Spade are enduring
anxiety they strive in vain to hide. They hold frequent.
consultations together. Perhaps they are discussing the
advisability of abandoning Backcup and of carrying off
their spoil; for if the haunt is known, it can easily be
reduced by famine.

I do not know what to think on this point, but. the
one thing certain is that I have never been suspected of
having launched that keg so providentially picked up on
the Bermudas. Never—I am convinced. Serké has
not given the slightest hint on this subject. No, I am
not suspected. If it had been otherwise, I am sufficiently
acquainted with Ker Karraje’s character to know that I
should have joined Lieutenant Davon and the Swora’s
crew at the bottom ere now.

These islands are being daily visited by fearful hurricanes,
and the wind howls through the crater. Whirlwinds
rush through the forest of pillars, producing marvellous
sounds, as if the cavern were some gigantic musical instru-
ment, and this noise is so great sometimes that it would
drown the guns of a whole squadron. A number of marine
birds come into the interior to avoid the storm, and during
the rare lulls we are deafened by their shrill screaming.

It is presumable that in such bad weather the schooner
could not live at sea. But there is no question of this,
for Backcup has more than enough provisions for
the whole season. I imagine, too, that for the future
Count d’Artigas will be less anxious to cruise along the
American coast, where he might no longer receive the-