eze. We sat down on the
ground, watching anxiously. They came nearer and nearer. We had no
longer any doubt that the _Phoebe_ had captured the privateer. The
midshipmen declared positively that the largest was their ship.

"We ought to know her, though, to be sure, it is more of the inside than
the out we see of her," observed Toby.

All our doubts were set at rest at length, when the British ensign was
seen flying proudly over that of the French.

Three cheers burst almost involuntarily from our throats, which could
hardly have failed to have shown our whereabouts to the French soldiers;
but if they guessed the cause, they thought it prudent to take no notice
of our proceedings, but, as we supposed, hurried back to their abodes,
to conceal any property of value which they might possess. William and
Trundle meantime were unable to resist the temptation of going on board
the Indiaman, to give our new friends the joyful news. They said that
they should be back in plenty of time to see the ships enter the
harbour. O'Carroll and I preferred waiting to watch proceedings. At
length the frigate and privateer got close in with the land, when both
hove-to. What was now to happen? Boats were seen passing between the
two vessels, and then the _Mignonne's_ head came slowly round towards
the mouth of the harbour, and on she glided towards it. The flags
remained as they were, and men, we saw, were stationed at the guns.
Some opposition was probably expected. There was a fort at the entrance
of the harbour--not a very formidable-looking affair--with five ship's
guns mounted in it. Round them we saw the greater part of the mongrel
garrison clustering as if they were going to show fight, but if so, they
thought better of it, for, after a short consultation, they sneaked
away, leaving the fort to take care of itself. The _Mignonne_ came
gliding on, bearing evident traces in her masts and rigging of the
punishment she had received, and of the obstinacy--or what would have
been valour in a better cause--with which she had been defended. We met
the midshipmen running down towards the landing-place, and jumping into
the first boat we could find, we got alongside her directly she dropped
anchor.

"Why, Braithwaite, Trundle! where have you come from?" exclaimed several
voices, as the midshipmen clambered up the side.

They soon gave an account of themselves, and I need scarcely say that we
were heartily welcomed by the offi