20
tempt it.—Keep close in this asylum, then, resumed the captain, and fear nothing: had it been our fate to have been captured by the Spaniard, what would have become of thee.—In the worst of extremities, replied Nicolas, I should have applied to the inquisitor’s vial; but I confess I had no fears of that sort; a ship so commanded and so manned is in little danger of being carried into a Spanish port.—I hope not, said the captain, and I promise thee, thou shall take thy chance in her as long as she is afloat under my command: and if we live to conduct her to England, thou shall have thy proper share of prize-money, which, if the galleon breaks up according to her entries, will be something towards enabling thee to shift, and if thou art as diligent in thy calling, as I am persuaded thou wilt be, whilst I live thou shall never want a seaman’s friends—At these cheering words, little Nicolas threw himself at the feet of his generous preserver, and, with streaming eyes, poured out his thanks from a heart animated with joy and gratitude.—The captain raising him by the hand, forbade him as he prized his friendship, ever to address him in that posture any more: thank me if you will, added he, but thank me as one man should another; let no knee bend in this ship but in adoration of God.—But now, continued he, let us turn our thoughts to the situation of our unhappy Casafonda: we are now drawing near Lisbon, where he will look to be liberated on his parole. By no means let him venture into Spain, said Pedrosa: I am well assured there are orders to arrest him in every port, or frontier
