If you do that, you need not have much fear of their gunboats.

"I don't suppose the authorities will want to keep the prisoners,
but of course you will report them on your arrival; and can give
them one of the boats, to land across the bay, if they are not
wanted. If the governor wants to buy the cargo for the garrison,
let him have it, at once. Don't stand out for exorbitant terms, but
take a fair price. It is just as well to be on good terms with the
authorities. We might have to put in to refit, and want spars,
etc., from the naval yard. If the governor doesn't want the cargo,
don't sell it to anyone else till we return. There is no fear of
prices going down. The longer we keep it, the more we shall get for
it."

"Hadn't I better bring the ship's papers on board with us, Captain
Lockett?"

"What for, Bob? I don't see that they would be any use to us, and
the bills of lading will be useful for selling the cargo."

"I can copy them, sir, for Mr. Crofts.

"What I thought was this: the brig is just our own size and, if we
should get becalmed anywhere near the shore, and a boat put off, we
might possibly be able to pass, with her papers."

"That is a capital idea, Bob; capital! I will have a bit of canvas
painted 'Alonzo, Cadiz,' in readiness to nail over our stern,
should there be any occasion for it.

"Well, goodbye Mr. Crofts, and a safe journey to you. I needn't
tell you to keep a sharp lookout."

"You may trust us for that, sir. We have no desire to rot in one of
their prisons, till the end of the war."

The captain's gig took him back to the Antelope. The weather sheets
of the fore-staysail were eased off, and the square sails swung
round. As they drew, the two brigs got under way, heading in
exactly opposite directions.

Before nightfall the captain pronounced that they were now abreast
of Alicante and, under easy sail, the vessel's head was turned
towards the land; and the next morning she was running along the
shore, at a distance of three miles. Beyond fishing boats, and
small craft hugging the land, nothing was met with, until they
neared Cartagena. Then the sound of firing was heard ahead and, on
rounding a headland, they saw a vessel of war chasing some five or
six craft, nearer inshore.

"That is a British frigate," the captain exclaimed; "but I don't
think she will get them. There is Cartagena only three or four
miles ahead, and the frigate will not be able to cut them off,
before they are