r?

Captain Horn gave up the treasure as lost. The _Dunkery Beacon_ was
probably shaping her course for the coast of Africa, and even if he had
a swifter vessel and could overhaul her, what could he do?

But now he almost forgot his trouble about the treasure, in his deep
concern in the fate of Mrs. Cliff and her yacht. He had made up his mind
that his friends on board that little vessel--he had very shadowy ideas
as to what sort of a yacht it was--had embarked upon this cruise
entirely for his sake. They knew that he took such a deep personal
interest in the safety of the _Dunkery Beacon_; they knew that he had
done everything possible to detain that vessel at Jamaica, and that now,
for his peace of mind, for the gratification of his feelings of
honor,--no matter how exaggerated they might consider them,--they were
following in a little pleasure craft a steamer which they supposed to be
a peaceful merchantman, but which was in fact a pirate ship manned by
miscreants without conscience.

His plan was soon decided upon. He told Captain Hagar that he would
take him and his men on his own vessel, and that he would carry them
with him on his search for the yacht on which his friends had sailed.
Captain Hagar agreed in part to this proposition. He would be glad to go
with Captain Horn, for it was possible he might hear news of his lost
vessel, but he did not wish to give up the French steamer. She was worth
money, and if she could be got into port, he felt it his duty to get her
there. So he left on board a crew sufficient to work her to Georgetown,
but with the majority of his crew came on board the _Monterey_, and
Captain Horn continued on his southern course.

When on the following morning Captain Horn perceived far away to the
south a steamer which Captain Hagar, standing by with a glass to his
eye, declared to be none other than his old vessel, the _Dunkery
Beacon_, and when, not long afterwards, he made out a smaller vessel,
apparently keeping company with the _Dunkery Beacon_, with another
steamer lying off to the eastward, he was absolutely amazed and
confounded. He could not comprehend the state of affairs. What was the
_Dunkery Beacon_ doing down south, when by this time she ought to be far
away to the east, if she were running away with the treasure, and what
were those two other vessels keeping so close to her?

He could not imagine what they could be, unless, indeed, they were her
pirate consorts. "If that'