however, to save her from
injury, though he himself was somewhat severely hurt. Jack, hastening
up, apologised, explaining that the officer was but little accustomed to
this sort of amusement, and, pretending to be very angry, ordered him
forthwith to return on board. Green, who had received his instructions,
putting on a sulky look, obeyed, and joined the surgeon and purser, who
had been waiting for him outside.

Jack, who was in a hurry to be off, walked up to his host and hostess,
and thanked them for their hospitality, observing that he felt it his
duty to go and look after his officers. In vain Don Matteo pressed him
to remain, and offered to send an escort with him to the harbour.

"It may be safer for you not to go alone, my dear friend," observed the
Don, with a bland smile. "There are villains of all sorts about in the
streets at night, and you know that you English are not held in much
love by those slaving gentry to whose business you are attempting to put
a stop. They would not scruple to stick a knife into your back if they
found you walking alone."

"I am much obliged to you for the warning, and coming from you, who must
be well acquainted with the proceedings of the rascals, it is of value;
but I am not afraid of them," answered Jack, laughing. "We are prepared
for all the tricks they may attempt to play us. Good night, Don
Matteo."

Donna Isabella, the Don's buxom wife, joined her solicitations to those
of her husband and their fair daughters, who gathered round Jack,
resolved to prevent him from leaving, but he was as determined as they
were, and, making his best bow, hurried out of the room.

He found his officers, as had been agreed on, a short distance from the
house, and, keeping their swords ready for defence should they be
attacked, an event they were aware not at all unlikely to happen, they
made their way down to the landing-place as quickly as possible. Bevan
and the midshipmen had already reached the boat, and, jumping in, they
pulled rapidly towards the _Supplejack_. As they did so, they caught
sight of a vessel gliding across the harbour, which, having passed the
brig, was soon lost to sight.

"She has slipped by us, sir, and is standing out to sea," exclaimed
Needham, as soon as they stepped on board. "She is the _Venus_, sir, I
know, for I was not far from her in the dinghy as she began to haul out
from the quay. I went away soon after dark to watch her, as I felt sure
w