ad been so well treated on board her that he
felt no ill-will toward her. But her capture meant his deliverance.

He thought over the matter as he ran, and wondered first why the
frigate did not take the line to cut the privateers off, instead of
going round by the other end of the island. He could only suppose that
it was because the schooner was the fastest vessel, and was more
likely to arrive in time at the point. Beside, if she showed there
before the privateers reached the point they might double back again,
and the frigate would make the other end of the island before they
were halfway back. It might be, too, that the captain has suspected
the truth, knowing that the privateers had a rendezvous somewhere in
that neighborhood, and that his object in remaining so long behind the
island was to give them time to enter their port in ignorance of his
being in the neighborhood. At any rate, the great thing was, that the
schooner and brig should enter the little harbor before knowing that
they were pursued. Once in, it would be impossible for them to get out
again and beat off shore with the wind blowing dead on the land,
before both the schooner and frigate had rounded their respective ends
of the island.

Therefore, although Ralph ran fast enough to keep well ahead of the
sailor, he made no effort to keep up a greater rate of speed than was
necessary for this. As soon as he reached the shore a boat rowed off
from the brig to fetch him. He saw with satisfaction that although the
men were all on board, no preparations were made for getting under way
at once; and, indeed, the captain would have no anxiety for his own
ship, as he would know that the privateers, if they saw the frigate
coming out to meet them, would sail right away from the island, and
the frigate would be sure to pursue until out of sight of land.

"What news, boy?" the captain asked as the boat came close alongside.
"Is the frigate in chase of the others?"

"Yes, sir," Ralph replied; "the frigate and a schooner are both in
chase."

"Which way are they bearing?"

"The privateers do not know they are chased sir. The frigate did not
show round the island over there until the schooner and brig were
hidden behind the end of this island. She made toward the western end,
and the schooner is making for the eastern end. The sailors who came
up told me to tell you that the schooner is the Cerf, one of the
fastest vessels out here."

The captain uttered an