up alongside, Captain Reay, the master, and half a dozen
other officers were standing on the main deck.

"By Heavens, gentlemen, it's true!" cried Captain Reay to the others.
"Here, show more light at the gangway!"

And then amid a babble of excitement, Lieutenant Channing, pale,
hatless, and excited, ascended the gangway, carrying in his arms a woman
whose white face and dark hair stood clearly revealed under the blaze
of lights held aloft by the seamen. As he touched the deck, the sleeping
babe in her arms awoke, and uttered a wailing cry.

"Take her to my cabin, Channing," said Reay, without waiting to question
him. "Here! give me the youngster, quick! Sentry, pass the word for the
doctor."

The moment the officers had disappeared a buzz of talk hummed, and
Private Watts was besieged with questions. "Give us a tot, an' I'll
tell ye all about it, afore I'm sent for by the captain," was his prompt
answer; and then swallowing the generous draught provided him, he told
his story in as few words as possible.

A big, bony sergeant slapped him on the shoulder, "Mon, ye'll hae your
stripes for this."

"Ay, that he will," said a hairy-chested boatswain. "Well, it's a
uncommon curious ewent: this 'ere young covey goes a-shootin', and
bags a Frenchman, and the soger officer brings a hangel and a cherrybim
aboard."

*****

The officers of the Triton sat long over their wine that night, and
Lieutenant Channing was the recipient of much merry badinage; but there
was behind it all a sincere feeling of joy that he had escaped such
a treacherous death. Private Watts being sent for, was excused by the
Scotch sergeant, who gravely reported that he was bad in the legs,
whereat the officers laughed, and straightway made up a purse of guineas
for him. Suddenly, as Captain Reay entered, the babble ceased.

"Gentlemen, let Mr. Channing turn in; he wants rest. The lady and her
baby are now sound asleep. She has told me her strange story. To-morrow,
Mr. West, you can take a boat's crew, and bring aboard a large sum
of money concealed in a spot of which I shall give you an exact
description. It belongs to this lady undoubtedly, now that Watts's lucky
shot has settled her ruffianly husband."

*****

Two days after, the frigate had cleared her harbour of refuge, and
was bowling along on her course for Ternate when Captain Reay sent for
Lieutenant Channing to come to his cabin.

"Channing," he said, taking his hand with a smile,