s far as I could see during the hour I was
watching them, was increasing her lead. Unless the wind freshens I
think she is safe. The other two were on the opposite tack, ten or
twelve miles away to the west. The schooner was heading after them,
but was at least fifteen miles from them."

"She is very fast in a light wind like this, they say."

"Well, if she should catch them, they ought to be able to beat her
off, Jacques, as they are two to one. So far I think your chance of
getting your three shares is a good one."

"Maybe, lad. I have not had much luck so far. I began on the sea when
I was eleven. At twenty-one I had to go into the navy, and it was
seven years later when I got back to Dunkirk after that spell in the
prison. I did not report myself, for I had no wish to do any more
man-of-wars' work; and now I have had six years privateers' work, and
have not made much by it. If I get back this time and get those three
shares I will buy a fine fishing smack for myself and a snug little
house on shore. There is some one I promised--if the voyage turned out
well--she should have a nice little house of her own, and she promised
to wait for me. After that, no more long voyages for me. I suppose we
may as well go down to the harbor now, lad. They are sure to come back
sooner or later, whether they catch any of the privateers or not."

"Oh, yes! we shall be all safe now. We will be on the beach when they
come in. When they see that we are alone and unarmed there's no chance
of their firing. We can go up occasionally to the cliffs and watch for
them."

It was not until the following evening that the frigate was seen
approaching the island.

"She will take another four or five hours to work in," Jacques said,
"and they are not likely to try to land till to-morrow morning. All
their boats and half their men are away in the schooner. I should
think she would be back to-morrow morning. Either she caught them
before it got dark last night--which I don't think likely--or they
will have given her the slip in the night. In that case she might look
about for another day and then make sail to rejoin."

As Jacques predicted the schooner was seen by daylight eight or ten
miles away.

"We may as well hoist a white flag, Jacques. The captain of the
frigate will be savage that all the privateers have escaped him, but
it may put him into a good temper if he takes possession here before
the schooner arrives."

Ralph ran down to t