arms with them, so that they could not interfere with
the proceedings of the conquerors. Mr Cherry did not think it worth
while to follow them; indeed, as they appeared to have treated the
prisoners well he did not think that he should do right to inflict on
them any further punishment than the loss of their vessel and booty.
The junk's huge wooden anchor was therefore hove up to her bows, and the
boats, taking her in tow, carried her off in triumph out of the bay.
Before leaving, however, Mr Cherry told the interpreter to impress on
the minds of the two pirate prisoners that, if they returned to their
old habits, they would be caught, and if caught they would be hung, but
that if they took to any honest calling they would be protected and
favoured by the British.

"Go and tell your countrymen this, and don't forget it yourselves,"
added the interpreter. The men were then landed, and off they scampered
to join their friends; but whether or not they benefited by the advice
given them, it is impossible to say. Jack, with Mr Cherry and a few of
the men, went on board the junk, when Jack inquired of Miss Cecile how
it was she and her mamma had come to assume the attire in which he found
them clothed.

"Oh, it was all Mr Hudson," answered the young lady. "He say we must,
to run away. But poor mamma, she does look very funny, ha! ha! ha!"

"Your respectable relation has certainly a very curious appearance,"
answered Jack, not particularly well pleased with Miss Cecile's tone.
"It strikes me indeed, young lady, that the sooner she changes her
dress, the less ridiculous she will appear."

Miss Cecile, however, did not seem to care much about this point, and
continued laughing as heartily as before. Hudson afterwards explained
that, having found a chest of Chinese clothes in the cabin in which they
were shut up, they had dressed themselves in them, in the hopes that
thus disguised they should be the better able to make their escape.

Before night the _Blenny_ hove in sight, and taking the boats on board
and the junk in tow, the expedition returned to Hong Kong, where they
found the frigate at anchor. Jack and Alick here bade the companions of
their late adventure good-bye. Jack was a little sentimental when
parting with Miss Cecile, but he very speedily recovered his usual state
of feeling when he heard that she was about to be married to Mr Joe
Hudson, the mate of the American brig.

While the _Dugong_ and _Blenny