orders an armed boat's crew was at
once despatched to the _Aurora_, the prisoners were released from their
bonds, passed into the man-o'-war's boat, and in little more than an
hour from their arrival in the Sound safely lodged on board a
prison-hulk.

So far, so good. But George had yet to learn that there was one
inconvenient result generally attendant upon a request to a man-o'-war
for assistance. The boat, after conveying the Frenchmen to the
prison-hulk, duly returned to the admiral's ship; but, instead of the
crew at once passing out of her, they were ordered to remain where they
were, the lieutenant in charge alone going on deck and holding a short
conference with the captain, after which he re-entered the boat, and she
proceeded once more alongside the _Aurora_.

George saw her coming, and wondered what could possibly be her errand.
He was not left long in doubt.

"I am very sorry to trouble you," remarked the lieutenant, as he
encountered George at the gangway, whither the latter had repaired to
meet him, "but I must ask you to kindly muster your men."

George knew only too well then what this visit boded, but he was quite
helpless; so, putting the best face he could upon the matter, he
answered as cheerfully as he could, and directed that all hands should
be summoned on deck.

"I hope, however," he remarked to the officer, "that you will not
deprive me of any of my crew. I have shipped only just sufficient men
to handle her, and I assure you that even with the fine weather we have
had in our trip down Channel I have found that we have not a hand too
many for the efficient management of the ship."

"Ah, yes," answered the lieutenant with a laugh; "all you
merchant-skippers tell the same story; but we shall see--we shall see.
They must be exceptionally good men, however, or you would never have
succeeded in recovering possession of your ship. Ah! here they are, and
a fine smart crew they look, too. Upon my word I must congratulate you,
Mr--a--um--a, upon your good luck in securing so many fine fellows;
why, they look capable of taking care of a ship twice your size. I
really _must_ relieve you of one or two of them; it would be nothing
short of treason to his most gracious Majesty to allow you to keep them
all, when the navy is in such urgent want of men."

The crew were by this time assembled on deck, and a very disconcerted
and disgusted-looking set of men they were; they had submitted to weeks