refore ordered that you shall now leave the State and
never presume to enter it again, without leave from the
Republic. Post-horses, with a guard to see you over the
border, are now ready for you. We trust that you shall
have a safe journey.

"By order of the

"GOVERNOR OF LUCCA."

"These Italians are the most unreasonable people alive," growled
Captain Wright. But he pocketed both his pride and his pistols,
entered the post-chaise at the door, and was soon rolling forth for
other parts. In spite of this order--he continued to reside in Italy,
with the true independence of a privateersman.

In December, 1746, the bold seafarer made an exceptionally good
capture: a French vessel on a voyage from Marseilles to Naples, with a
rich cargo and the servants and luggage of a real potentate,--the
Prince of Campo Florida.

When valorous Wright stepped aboard of her, her captain was scraping
and bowing near the rail.

"Ah, Seigneur!" said he, "you have taken me, that is true. But you
cannot touch my cargo or my men. See,--here is a pass from King George
the Second of England. It says, 'All of the cargo, passengers, and
crew of _La Belle Florence_ shall be exempt from molestation by
English cruisers and privateers.' What say you to that?"

Captain Wright looked sad, but he seized the paper and read it with
care. His smile broadened as he perused the document.

"How am I to know that this particular ship is to go free?" said he.
"For although you told me that the name of your vessel (_La Belle
Florence_) was mentioned in this document, I do not find that it is
mentioned. The paper merely states that 'the vessel' shall not be
molested, and, my boy, you may have stolen this from some other
skipper. Ah! Ha! You are my prize and shall go with me into Leghorn."

You should have seen the face of the Frenchman!

"I vill haf revenge!" said he. And he had it.

For, when the matter was referred to the British Minister, he turned
it over to the Admiral who commanded the English ships at this
station, and this high official made Captain Wright give up both
vessel and cargo. He did so with the same unwillingness that he had
shown when asked to leave the quaint, little town of Lucca. Captain
Wright, you see, had that bull-dog stubbornness which is
characteristic of men of the British Isles. He believed in hanging on
to everything which he took.

A bit later, this trait got him into serious diffi