ledges," cried the captain. "Have on deck those chests with the
golden candlesticks, Mr Nibs," he added, turning to the purser. The
chests were got up, and tackles being made ready to each mast-head, a
golden candlestick was sent up and fixed above the truck. It was no
easy work, but sailors can do anything that is possible. Thus with bags
of dollars at the yard-arms, and rich brocades pendant from the stays,
the frigate sailed up Plymouth Sound. Great was the excitement she
caused, though she had already been looked for, as her four prizes, in
spite of Hardman's prognostications, had arrived in safety before her.

All her crew who wished it got leave on shore; there was no fear of any
running from her; their places would instantly have been filled by
hundreds of eager applicants for a berth on board. Fully did Bob Doull
carry out his intentions; and strange, though not very unusual, were the
scenes witnessed in Plymouth and its neighbourhood for several days
after the arrival of the "Pallas."

Coaches-and-four and coaches-and-six were seen driving about Plymouth,
laden inside and out with seamen and their sweethearts, decked out in
costumes of the most gaudy colours and extravagant fashion. Suppers and
dancing closed the day. There was no great variety, perhaps, in the
style of their amusements. The great object seemed to be to get rid of
their money as rapidly as possible.

Ronald Morton, for the first time in his life, found himself possessed
of what appeared to him a very large sum of money.

"It will be enough to sift this affair of my father's to the bottom, and
if claims he has, to establish them thoroughly," he observed to his
captain.

Lord Claymore laughed heartily.

"My dear fellow, you know not what amount a lawyer's maw is capable of
swallowing," he answered. "It will prove a mere soppit if the matter is
contested, as undoubtedly it will be. However, we will see about it
when we return from our next cruise. Till your father returns home, you
can do nothing."

Once more, her officers and crew having spent all their superfluous
cash, the "Golden Pallas," as she was now called, put to sea.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

LORD CLAYMORE AND THE FIRE SHIPS--"PALLAS" ENGAGES BLACK FRIGATE--
COLONEL ARMYTAGE IN THE PENINSULA.

"Morton, we ought to be content with the prizes we have made; we must
now do something in the fighting way, or we shall be looked upon as mere
buccaneers, who think of not