sailed close up to the castle of
Porto Ferino, piloted by Lieutenant Aylett, that the admiral might
obtain an idea of its strength. He then (the envoy being sent on shore)
sailed away with the larger ships, leaving Captain Stayner with the
smaller frigates to watch the entrance of the harbour.

Lancelot and I could not help expressing our disappointment to each
other; we soon found, however, that the admiral had no intention of
abandoning the undertaking, but that it was necessary to obtain
provisions before we commenced operations, our stock having run short.

We now steered for Cagliari in Sardinia, where we lay while vessels were
despatched in all directions to obtain bread, and the ships in harbour
were being refitted. Our hearts beat high when once more the tall
minarets and domes of the pirate city appeared in sight, for we made no
doubt that the Dey would yield, and that we should ere long recover our
friends. Again the admiral sent an officer on shore, repeating his
former demands and requesting water for his ships.

The Dey insolently replied that "there stood his castles of Porto Ferino
and Goletta, and until the English could carry them off in their ships,
nothing should they have from him."

"Let the Dey understand that such conduct shall not go unpunished,"
answered the admiral to the barbarian envoy, his anger rising, and his
usually calm eye flashing fire; "God has given water to all His
creatures, and the sin which one commits who refuses it to another is
great indeed."

No sooner had the envoy taken his departure than, to the surprise of
all, the admiral ordered the fleet to sail away from the harbour, not
leaving a ship behind.

"Can the admiral really intend thus to allow the pirates to escape with
impunity?" said Dick to Lancelot and me, as we watched the Moorish city
recede from our eyes. "I much fear that your relatives will be left to
languish in hopeless captivity."

"Have you sailed so many years with our good commander, and yet can
fancy such a thing?" exclaimed Martin, who overheard the remark.
"Depend upon it, he has his reasons, and I shrewdly guess wishes to
throw the pirates off their guard. Rest assured before long we shall
get a nearer sight of Tunis than we have hitherto had."

Notwithstanding what Martin said, we steered on until we once more
entered the Bay of Cagliari. We had good reason, however, to believe
that the admiral intended after all to attack Tunis. Orders