s the marquis and his daughter, and the priest, were removed on
board.

After inspecting the felucca, the captain resolved to keep her as a
tender to the frigate, believing that she might be made very useful in
capturing the enemy's merchantmen, as, from her rig, she might get close
to them without being suspected.

Lord Claymore highly commended Morton for the gallant way in which he
had taken the vessel.

"I scarcely know what to do with the prisoners," he observed. "We must
not cut their throats, or hang them at the yard-arms, but that would be
the simplest way of disposing of them, and they probably will not come
to any better end."

Ronald also told his captain all he had heard of the Marquis of Medea.

"The old scoundrel!" was the answer. "However, he is our guest, and he
has a lovely daughter; we must treat him politely."

The most important information, however, was the statement made by the
marquis, that Spain had at length declared herself independent of
France, and formed a league with England.

"It may be true, but we must not trust to it till we have more certain
information," remarked Lord Claymore.

The calm lasted long enough to have the felucca over-hauled, somewhat
cleansed, and put in order. Glover was placed in command of her, with
two midshipmen and twenty men. The prisoners were secured below on
board the frigate, and sentries put over them, while Lord Claymore gave
up a cabin to the young lady, and accommodated the marquis and the
priest with cots in his own. It was very difficult to please the old
marquis, who, notwithstanding the trouble taken to attend to his
comfort, grumbled at everything--so much so, that Lord Claymore would
have sent him on board the felucca to shift for himself, had it not been
for his daughter, who showed herself contented and thankful for the
kindness she and her father were receiving, while her brilliant smiles
and joyous laughter proved that she was sincere in her expressions.

The breeze came at last, and the frigate, followed by the little
felucca, stood on towards the Spanish coast.

In the course of his duty, Morton was going the round of the decks, when
he heard a voice from among the prisoners calling to him in French: "A
poor dying wretch would speak to you. Have pity, brave Englishman, and
hear what he has to say!"

"Who are you?" asked Morton.

"I was captain of the felucca. I am now a criminal, expecting speedy
death," returned the speak