"Has he entirely recovered ?" "Strictland!" replied the mate.

"Have you not seen him?
Don't you KNOW where he is ?" "Certainly not," said I, somewhat alarmed at his manner, "if he is not on board the brig!" "He left the brig this morning," said the mate, "and is now on board that vessel in the offing," pointing to a rakish clipper brig under American colors that was outside the harbor, and seemed to be flying away under a cloud of canvas.

"He has taken his chest and everything belonging to you both," continued the mate, seeing my astonishment.
"I thought you were with him, and that the whole thing was arranged by mutual agreement." I was thunderstruck at this intelligence; but after a moment's reflection, I refused to believe it.

"It must be a mistake," said I; "Strictland would not go off to America, and leave me here without means or employment.

He cannot be so ungrateful." The mate looked as if he thought such a thing were possible.
"And if he HAS availed himself of a chance to go to the United States, he has undoubtedly left the chest, which is mine, and other property belonging to me where I can easily find it." "I hope you MAY find it," said the mate dryly, "but I don't believe you will." I went forward and conversed with the men who had taken Strictland on board the brig, and from them learned the particulars of the transaction.