by the Dutch,
but since the French occupation of the island had been repaired and
considerably strengthened. I was told that the commandant boasted that
he could hold out against any force likely to be sent against him, even
should my countrymen gain the day. I was taken at once before him and
examined, but though he had no evidence to prove me guilty, as I was
accused of being a spy he would not take my parole. I was by his orders
accordingly locked up in a cell with iron bars to the windows, a
three-legged stool, and a heap of straw in a corner for a bed. Mr Van
Deck had not entered the fort. In a little time Jack was thrust into
the cell with very little ceremony. He brought me a message from my
Dutch friend, saying that there had been a battle, and he suspected that
the French had been defeated. I heartily hoped that he was correct. I
had reason to believe that my prison, bad as it was, was the best in the
fort, for Jack told me that he had seen guards going round with messes
of food which they had put into wretched dark holes, and in one, as he
was led along, he saw a miserable gaunt man, with long matted hair, put
out a lean yellow hand to take the food. This information made me hope
more than ever than Van Deck was right in his suspicions, for I had no
fancy to be shut up in a dark cell for months in such a climate, with
the possibility of being taken out and shot as a spy. Had I been a
naval or military man I should not have been thus treated. Several very
unpleasant days and nights passed by, a scanty allowance of coarse food
only being brought to me and my young companion.

At length, one day the sergeant threw open my prison door, and Van Deck
appearing, took me by the hand and led me out of my noisome dungeon,
followed by Jack, who gave a shout of joy as he found himself in the
open air.

"I sent to Batavia, where your ship has arrived, and where your
statement was fully corroborated, and the commandant had therefore no
further excuse for keeping you a prisoner," said my friend. "But there
is another reason why he would not venture to do so much longer. Look
there!"

He pointed seaward where several large ships were seen approaching the
land. He handed me a glass. I examined them eagerly; they were
frigates, with the flag of Old England flying at their peaks. Jack,
when he heard this, gave a loud huzza, and threw up his cap with
delight, jumping and clapping his hands, and committing other