one blow the most powerful
collection of pirates in those seas had been annihilated. The officers
were received on shore and treated with festivities of all sorts. Next
to the Commodore, Captain Simon Bates--as he was now called, being
commander of a frigate--received the most honour. Being often on shore,
he made inquiries about the unfortunate ship sent out some years before
on account of Monmouth's rebellion, and he could hear of very few
survivors. Several had succumbed to the climate, and others had been
sent to the different estates in the interior, of whom he could gain no
further tidings. He was the means, however, of rescuing his old
acquaintance, Simon Stubbs, and helping two or three others. Simon's
owner was very unwilling to part with him, and Bates had to pay a large
amount to obtain his liberty. Although the exploit which has been
described was among the most important performed at that period, Captain
Benbow and his subordinates employed themselves in putting down piracy
for the remainder of their stay in the West Indies.

At length, to the infinite satisfaction of the British crews, the order
was received to return home.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

Commodore Benbow's squadron met with tolerably severe weather on its
passage to Old England. Not that the Commodore was much given to think
about foul weather or fine; blow high or blow low, it was all the same
to him; but as the gales were from the eastward, the squadron was
considerably delayed, and at length, being in want of water, the
Commodore put into Plymouth. Among the first who went on shore was
Simon Bates, who was anxious once more to visit his native land. Roger
Willoughby accompanied him.

"I congratulate you, my dear fellow," said Roger, "on being once more a
free man, with no one to suspect, except your own immediate relatives,
the errant Captain Bates."

They heard a great deal of talking going round, people speaking in an
excited manner, and just then arrived at an inn, from the sign-board of
which the countenance of the Prince of Orange was portrayed. They
instantly made inquiries.

"Have you not heard? On the 5th of November last the Dutch William,
sailing from Holland with a fleet of six hundred vessels, landed at
Brixham, and marched with an army of cavalry, artillery, and infantry on
to Exeter, while he has since been joined by numerous noblemen and
gentlemen of influence."

"This is indeed glorious news!" exclaimed Cap