that she was only the _Flying Dutchman_, taking a longer
cruise than usual," muttered Stubbs. "There's no saying what tricks
that fellow is not up to."

"What, not got the _Dutchman_ out of your head yet, Stubbs?" said
Randolph. "Why, Biddulph saw his brother on board, and two or three of
our people know the _Phoebe_, and recognised her."

"Yes, I know that's what often happens. The _Dutchman_ can make his
ship look like any vessel he chooses," persisted Stubbs; "naturally--
that is to say as she generally appears--she is a curious old-fashioned
rigged craft--you may depend on that."

While we were speaking--taking a breath between our labours, for all
hands had been working hard--"A sail, a sail!" was shouted by one of the
seamen. We all looked in the direction in which he pointed, and there
appeared the upper sails of a ship. Our hopes made us believe that it
was the frigate. "As likely the Frenchman come to finish us off, or
maybe only the _Flying Dutchman_ again," said Stubbs. I thought that I
detected a gleam of humour in his eye, as if he was not quite so
credulous as he pretended to be. As the stranger approached, the belief
that she was the _Phoebe_ gained ground. At length those who knew her
best said that there was no doubt about the matter. They were right.
Before dark she hove-to close to us, and a boat with a midshipman in her
boarded us. The midshipman was my brother William. He almost tumbled
back with surprise at seeing me, for he did not even know that I was
coming out.

"Why, James, where have you sprung from?" he exclaimed. "I am thankful
to see you unhurt, for we have been anxious about you all day. Couldn't
tell how much damage the rascal might have done you. Well, he escaped
after all. He has a fast pair of heels, indeed, and he led us a pretty
chase, till he got in among some reefs, on which we were nearly leaving
our bones. We saw our danger, however, and by the time we were clear he
was out of sight."

The boat's crew were directed to remain on board to put the ship to
rights. When, however, Captain Young found that this would occupy some
time, he offered to take us in tow. A hawser was accordingly passed on
board, and away we went in the wake of the frigate. Our course was for
the Isle of Bourbon, lately captured from the French. At the end of a
week we anchored in the Bay of Saint Paul in that island. On our way
there we had done our best to get the ship in order.