ared not speak. Anne was now tugging and twisting at the
rope which held her father's wrists, and managed to loosen it so that he
could work his hands free. Then they both began to loosen Captain
Starkweather's cords, and in a few minutes he too was free. The same
thought was running through the minds of both men: If a girl like Anne
had such courage, why couldn't two sailors make a prize of this good
English boat?

"Go back to the sloop's cabin, Anne. We'll follow," whispered her
father. And Anne obeyed. She was not afraid now. How easy it had been,
she thought happily, as she slid down the rope to the sloop's deck, and
found herself again in the little cabin.

The dark figure, dozing at the schooner's helm, did not see the two
creeping men who so suddenly were upon him. A twisted scarf over his
mouth, and no sound to warn his mates, his hands and feet bound with
the very cords that had secured his prisoners, he was left a captive.
Then John Nelson and Captain Starkweather sped toward the forecastle;
the open hatchway was closed so quickly that the men below hardly
realized what had happened, and it was securely fastened before they
could help themselves.

"The breeze is coming," declared Captain Starkweather. "Shall we put
back to Boston, John? We'll not know what to do with this craft in
Province Town."

"A good night's work this, and Boston folk will be glad to see this
English 'Sea Bird' come in to her harbor. 'Tis the same craft that has
caused so much trouble to fishing boats. I'll bring Anne on board," and
John Nelson ran to the schooner's side and called, "Anne! Anne!" A
moment later and he lifted his little daughter to the deck of the
schooner.

"You are a brave child," declared Captain Starkweather. "This schooner
is really your prize, for 'tis by your courage that we have taken her."

The schooner's course was changed, and, the wind increasing, she swept
off toward Boston harbor.

"'Twill be a good tale for Mr. Samuel Adams to hear," said Captain
Starkweather, "and you will indeed be proud of your little daughter,
John. I doubt not but this will be printed in the Boston papers, and
news of it sent to General Washington himself."

It was hardly sunrise when the "Sea Bird," towing Captain Starkweather's
sloop, came to anchor off the Freemans' wharf. John Nelson's hail to a
friendly fisherman brought a number of boats alongside, and when he had
told them of how the capture was made a chorus of huzzas