ere you landed them, and all the events of your cruise, for I
have heard but little from those who brought in the prizes taken by
the Arrow. Captain Levee is too busy with his own vessel and the prize
to come on shore for these two hours, and I wish to talk with you
alone upon this affair."

After I had narrated all that had passed, and the manner in which the
French privateer had been captured, the owner said--

"If the government spies, and there are plenty of them about, find out
from your crew that you landed passengers at Bordeaux, depend upon it
you will be arrested and examined, without you get out of the way till
the affair has blown over. Now, the men will narrate in the taverns
the curious history of this French privateer, and in so doing cannot
fail to state that you were on shore in France. Now, Elrington, you
have run the risk to oblige me, and I must keep you out of difficulty;
and, if you feel inclined to hide yourself for a time, I will of
course pay all your expenses."

"No," I replied; "if they find out what has taken place, and wish to
get hold of me in consequence, I think it will be better to brave it
out. If I hide away, it will make them more anxious to have me, and
will confirm their suspicions that I am what they are pleased to call
a traitor; a reward will be offered for my apprehension, and at any
time that I do appear, the reward will cause me to be taken up. If, on
the contrary, I brave it out, and if I am asked, say at once that I
did land passengers, at all events they will not make it high treason;
so, with your leave, I will stay. I hardly need say that I shall take
the whole responsibility on myself, and declare that I took them on
board without your knowledge; that you may rest assured of."

"On consideration, I think that your plan is the best," replied my
owner. "I am grateful for your offer of screening me, which I would
not permit, were it not that I shall be useful to you if any mischance
takes place, and, if in prison, could be of no service."

"Then, Sir," I replied, "the wisest course will be for you at once to
dismiss me from the command of the privateer, in consequence of your
having been informed that I carried passengers and landed them in
France. That step will prove you a friend to the government, and will
enable you, after a time, to get me out of my scrape more
effectually."

"You are sacrificing yourself, Elrington, and all for me."

"Not so, Sir. I am only sec