utlasses sharpened
and pistols in order. Should the calm continue I will lead an
expedition on shore, and insist on the liberation of the prisoners. The
sight of the British flag will probably put the Dons on their good
behaviour, and, if not, we must try what force can do. I will leave
you, Higson, in charge of the brig with twenty hands, and as soon as a
breeze springs up you will stand in after me, and act according to
circumstances."

"I am afraid, sir, that if the Carthagenans, or whatever they call
themselves, are threatened with force, they will retaliate on their
prisoners," observed Higson.

"Mongrels as they are, if they have a drop of Spanish blood running in
their veins, they would not surely injure a lady!" exclaimed Murray.

"Not so sure of that. Whether whole or half-blooded, Spaniards are
savage fellows when their temper's up," answered Higson. "However, let
us hope for the best. All I can make out is that our friends are
prisoners, but the why and the wherefore I don't understand; only as
Desmond and Needham were evidently in a great hurry to get off to us,
I'm afraid that they must be in some danger."

Higson's remarks contributed to make Murray feel more anxious even than
at first. The forebodings which had oppressed him since Stella and her
father left Antigua had, too, probably been realised. While Higson
issued the orders he had just received, Murray went up to where the
young midshipman and Needham had been placed under an awning, attended
by the surgeon. The cook had, meantime, been preparing some broth, a
few spoonsful of which as soon as they could swallow them, were poured
down their throats. This treatment had an almost magical effect Needham
was soon able to sit up and speak, and even Gerald, though his strength
had been more completely prostrated, recovered sufficiently soon
afterwards to give a clear account of the way they had been saved, and
of what had afterwards happened. In consequence, however, of Murray's
anxiety, they narrated the latter part of their adventures first; though
they will be better understood if they are described in their proper
sequence.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

NEEDHAM'S NARRATIVE--THE DROGHER DRIVEN OFF FROM SABA--CAPSIZED--THE
MIDSHIPMEN SAVE THEMSELVES ON HER SIDE--TAKEN OFF BY THE SARAH JANE--
STEER FOR CARTHAGENA--THE COLONEL ON SHORE--LOOK OUT FOR HIS RETURN.

"You remember that night at Saba, Mr Higson, when the three young
gentlemen and I w