The passengers very naturally begged that they might be carried to
Bombay, but Morton conceived that they ought to return to Calcutta.
However, that was a point Captain Calder could alone decide. Poor
Captain Winslow, on his part, wanted to get back the command of his
ship; but that of course, Morton had no power to bestow on him. All
were eager for the morning, but never did a night appear to pass by more
slowly. Dawn broke at last, and a sail was seen to the southward. She
proved to be the "Thisbe"--the corvette had escaped.

"We'll catch the fellow one of these days, though," exclaimed Captain
Calder. "And if he proves to be a pirate, and I believe he is very
little better, we'll hang him without compunction at his own yard-arm."

His captain highly commended Morton for his conduct, and decided that
the "Osterley" should return under his charge to Calcutta, where Admiral
Rainier still was, that he might decide how she should be disposed of.

"She's worth some thousand pounds to us Morton," he observed. "It will
help you to furnish house whenever you set up in that way ashore."

Ronald hoped that it would not be long before he should employ his
well-gained prize money in the manner his captain suggested. He cared
little to which port the "Osterley" might be sent, except that he would
have preferred the one at the greatest distance, which might have
prolonged the voyage.

Never had Ronald Morton been so happy. He was in the constant enjoyment
of the society of Edda Armytage. She no longer concealed her love for
him, and his attentions appeared to meet the approval of both her
parents. The days thus glided swiftly by. It was with anything but
satisfaction to him that the "Osterley" at length made the mouth of the
Hooghly. A line-of-battle ship was at the anchorage. As the "Thisbe"
brought up, the two men-of-war exchanged numbers, and Morton discovered
with infinite satisfaction that she was the old "Lion," on board of
which his father was boatswain.

Ronald was unwilling to leave the "Osterley" even for a short time, so
he despatched a boat with a note to his father, to inquire after his
health, at the same time giving an account of what had occurred, and
promising to visit him as soon as he was at liberty. No reply was sent,
but in a short time a boat from the "Lion" came alongside the
"Osterley," and Rolf Morton himself stepped on board. Ronald welcomed
his father with the affection of a son. He