In one direction rose the misty heights of St.Domingo, and in another the cloud-capped summits of Cuba.

Sometimes the highest peaks of the latter pierced the veil that enveloped them, and seemed like islands floating in the sky, or heads of a race of giants.
"The air here is almost as balmy and fragrant as that of New Switzerland," remarked Fritz.
"Aye, aye," said the Pilot; "but it is not all gold that glitters: in these sweet smells a nasty fever is concealed, with which I have no wish to renew my acquaintance." "By the way, talking about acquaintances, Willis, have you obtained any further intelligence from your friend Bill, _alias_ Bob ?" inquired Jack.
"No, not a syllable; the viper is as cunning as a fox, and keeps his mouth as close as a mouse-trap." "He seems as obstinate as a mule, and as obdurate as a Chinaman into the bargain." "All that, and more than that; but," added Willis, "I have found out from the mate that he was pressed on board this ship at New Orleans." "Pressed on board ?" said Fritz, inquiringly.
"Yes; that is a mode of recruiting for the navy peculiar to England and the United States.

Would you like to hear something about how the system is carried out ?" "Yes, Willis, very much." "The transactions, however, that I shall have to relate are in no way creditable, either to myself or anybody else connected with them; and I am afraid, when you hear the particulars, you will be ready to turn round and say, your friend the Pilot is no good after all." "Have you, then, been desperately wicked, Willis ?" "Well, that depends entirely upon the view you take of what I am to tell you.

Listen." FOOTNOTES: [H] Sometimes called the _Ladrones_ or _Archipelago of Saint Lazarus_..