our kind sympathy, and for
the assistance you so liberally offer me," I exclaimed, as soon as I
could recover myself. "But supposing I could or would persuade her to
leave her home, and the protection of her family, just consider all the
hardships, inconveniences, and danger she would be exposed to on board
ship before I could place her in safety; and then, how could she,
delicately brought up, live on a lieutenant's pay, even with such
prize-money as I might save, and your aid, my kind fellow!" I added.
"No, no! the thing is out of the question."

"Faith, I hadn't thought all about those little obstructions to
matrimonial felicity," he answered. "Still I can't give up the idea, in
case the chance should offer, of your running away with the young lady.
It seems such a natural thing to do. There's a fine fellow, be
prepared, that's all--and only just let me help you."

"Well, well! I have no friend on whom I can more fully rely than you,"
I replied. "I promise you that I will not fail to apply to you if I see
that you can in any way help me."

"That's all right," said he, fully satisfied. "I knew that you would,
before long, come into my views."

Our passage to the south was very tedious, for we had light winds, sad
were also constantly compelled to heave-to for the laggards.

Soon after the conversation I have mentioned, on the 23rd of December,
it being still calm, one of the leading ships signalled that a ship and
four small sail were in sight to the southward, and that they had all
the appearance of enemies. We, accordingly, crowded all sail in chase,
but scarcely had we got beyond the van of the fleet when it became
evident that, at the rate we were progressing, we should not come up
with the chase before dark. We had, in company, a small privateer
schooner fitted with long sweeps, and which rowed remarkably well.
Captain Symonds directed her by signal to come within hail, and then
ordered me to take thirty men and go on board her and to proceed in
chase of the strangers.

"If they prove to be enemies," said he, "bring them to action, and keep
them engaged at long range, knocking away their spars, if you can, so
that they cannot escape till we come up. If we take the ship, as I have
no doubt we shall, I will give you the command of her to take her to New
York. She is evidently a big craft, and will be worth not a little."

I suspect that it was with no good grace that I thanked the captain for
the