drey and Cicely especially gave us an account of all that had occurred
since we left home, praying that we might soon return.

October came, and with it a furious gale, which once more scattered the
blockading squadron. In vain the _Triumph_ endeavoured to maintain her
station. Still she kept the sea in spite of the furious blasts which
laid her over and threatened to carry away her masts and spars, and hurl
her, a helpless wreck, on the rocky coast. A few other captains
imitated the example of their dauntless commander, but it was impossible
to remain in sight of Kinsale. At length, the weather moderating, we
once more came off the old headland, and, by degrees the ships
assembling, the frigates were sent in towards the harbour's mouth to
inspect the squadron of Prince Rupert. They returned with the
intelligence that the corsair prince, with, several of his ships, had
escaped, leaving behind, however, a considerable number, which fell into
our hands.

CHAPTER SIX.

AFLOAT IN THE SQUADRON.

I must pass over some months, during which the _Triumph_, having
returned into port, we three friends paid a visit to Lyme, the admiral
promising to send for us when he should next go to sea. We had not long
to wait. It being reported that Prince Rupert and his brother had fled
to the Tagus, Admiral Blake was appointed to the command of a small
squadron, of which the _Tiger_ was his flag-ship, with orders to pursue
the pirates, and to seize, make prizes, fight with, and destroy all
their ships he could overtake, while he was to protect all lawful
traders in the exercise of their calling. The other ships were the
_John, Tenth, Whelp, Signet_, and _Constant Warwick_, carrying
altogether one hundred and fourteen guns.

We were glad to find that young Robert Blake was one of the lieutenants
of the _Tiger_, and equally rejoiced were we to see Martin Shobbrok
walking the deck with a chain and silver whistle round his neck doing
duty as boatswain. Although it was midwinter, no time was lost, and
with a fair breeze we stood down channel. The winds, and the necessity
of chasing every suspicious sail, prevented us from reaching our
destination--the month of the Tagus--until the approach of spring. To
our infinite satisfaction, we found that the Prince's squadron was at
anchor in the river, and forthwith the admiral despatched his nephew,
whom I had the honour of accompanying, with a message to King John of
Portugal, reques