e a lot of trouble and time."

It was found that the channel and the harbor inside contained an
abundance of water for the frigate. The width between the rocks was,
however, only just sufficient to let her through; and, therefore,
while the schooner sailed boldly in, the frigate was towed in by her
boats. The next morning the work of shipping the contents of the
storehouses commenced, but so large was the quantity of goods stored
up that it took six days of hard work before all was safely on board.
The sailors, however, did not grudge the trouble, for they knew that
every box and bale meant so much prize-money.

"I hope we shall meet nothing we ought to chase on our way to Port
Royal," Captain Wilson said, looking with some disgust at the two
vessels. "It has brought the Alert nearly two feet lower in the water;
while as to the Seagull she is laden down like a collier."

"Yes, her wings are clipped for the present," Captain Chambers
replied. "Of course those rascals carried off the pick of their booty
with them; but we may be well content with what they left behind. It
will be the best haul that we have made for some years. As a rule, the
most we have to hope for is the money fetched by the sale of any
privateer we may catch, and they generally go for next to nothing. I
retract what I said--that I would give my share of the prize-money to
come up with the privateers. I certainly never calculated on such a
haul as this. I suppose they intend to have gone on storing away their
booty till the war came to an end, and then to have chartered a dozen
ships to carry it away."

Captain Wilson had introduced Ralph to the midshipmen, telling them he
would be in their mess till he reached port. He was soon at home among
them, and his clothes were replaced by some they lent him. Jacques
made himself equally at home among the crew. Captain Wilson had
intimated to the first lieutenant that the man was not to be
considered as a prisoner, but as a castaway, picked up on the island;
and from his cheery temper, his willingness to lend a hand and make
himself useful in any way, and his knowledge of their language, he was
soon a favorite with them.

When all the goods were on board fire was applied to the storehouses
and huts. The two vessels were then towed out of the harbor, and
hoisting sail made for Port Royal. The winds were light, and it was
six days before they entered the harbor. A signal was at once hoisted
from the flagship