towed upon my conduct during my first brief cruise in the
_Tern_. Yet, despite all this, it was not difficult for me to perceive
that the reflection that Morillo and his gang were still at large
greatly nettled him, and that I could not find a surer way to his
continued favour than by finding and capturing or destroying the
audacious pirate.

Accordingly I made what inquiries I could relating to the whereabouts of
the fellow's headquarters, and also instructed Black Peter to try his
luck in the same direction; but, up to within twenty-four hours of the
time when the schooner would again be ready for sea, neither of us had
met with the slightest success. When, however, the twenty-four hours
had dwindled down to ten, I received the welcome intimation that Black
Peter had at length contrived to get upon Morillo's trail. The
information was brought to me by Black Peter himself, who, having
secured an afternoon's liberty, which he broke by coming aboard about
ten-thirty instead of at six o'clock p.m., presented himself--
considerably the worse for liquor, I regret to say--at my cabin door,
beaming hilariously all over his sable countenance as he stuttered--

"We-e-ll, M-mistah Cour'-nay, I g-got him a' las', sah!"

"Got who, you black rascal? And what do you mean, sir, by breaking your
leave, and then presenting yourself in this disgraceful condition? You
are drunk, sir; too drunk to stand steadily, too drunk to speak plainly;
and I should only be giving you your deserts if I were to turn you over
to the master-at-arms. What have you to say for yourself, eh, sir?" I
fiercely demanded.

"Wha' have I to s-s-say for 'shelf, Mistah C-Cour'-nay? Ha! ha! I has
p-plenty to s-s-shay. Why, sah, I--I--I've _g-got_ him, sah!"

"Got who, you villain? Got who?" I reiterated.

"Why--why--M-M- Mor--the pirate!" blurted Peter, finding himself unable
to successfully pronounce Morillo's name.

"Do you mean to say that you have succeeded in obtaining news of
Morillo, Peter?" I demanded eagerly, my anger at the fellow's condition
at once giving way to the keenest curiosity.

"I--just dat, sah; no less," answered Peter, nodding his head as he
leered at me with a drunken look of preternatural smartness.

"Then," said I, "go and get somebody to pump cold water upon your head
until you are sober, after which you may come back here and tell me all
about it. And if you fail to give a good account of yourself, stand
clear, my m