ith a charming young wife, than knocking
about at sea with the chance of being shot or drowned."

Le Duc having communicated his good fortune to Jack and his other
friends, and invited them to pay him a visit whenever they could get on
shore, took his leave.

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.

FRESH SUCCESSES AND PERILS.

Our hero had now got the first step up the ratlines as an officer. As
the _Lily's_ repairs were likely to occupy some time, Captain Saltwell
had, by the admiral's permission, fitted out one of the prizes, a fine
and fast little schooner, to which the name of the _Active_ had been
given. He intended to man her from his own and the _Ariel's_ crews, and
to send her cruising in search of the piratical craft which, under the
guise of privateers, in vast numbers infested those seas.

The admiral had intended to send a _protege_ of his own in charge of the
vessel, but that officer was taken ill, and both Lieutenant Horrocks and
the first lieutenant of the _Ariel_ were engaged in attending to their
respective ships.

Rayner was sent for, and the command was offered to him. He accepted it
with delight, and begged that Crofton might be allowed to accompany him.
He took also Jack and Brown, and though he did not ask for Tom
Fletcher, Tom was sent among the men drafted for the purpose.

The schooner was furnished with four carronades and two long
six-pounders. Her crew mustered twenty men.

"We can dare and do anything in such a craft as this," he exclaimed,
enthusiastically, as he and Oliver were walking the deck together, while
the schooner, under all sail, was steering a course for San Domingo.

Before long they both dared and did several gallant actions. Just as
they had sighted the land they fell in with three piratical feluccas,
either one of which was a match for the _Active_.

One, after a desperate resistance, was captured, another was sunk, and
the third, while the British crew were securing their first prize, and
endeavouring to save the drowning men, effected her escape. She was,
however, shortly afterwards taken, and on the return of the _Active_ to
Port Royal with her prizes, the thanks of the merchants of Jamaica were
offered to Lieutenant Rayner for the service he had rendered to
commerce.

The admiral the next day sent for Rayner, and received him with more
cordiality than is generally awarded to junior officers. Having
listened to his report, and commended him for his gallantry.

"How