t once
send him the money, and accepted his generous offer. I could not help
hoping that we might meet with a foul wind and be compelled to put into
some nearer port; but the wind held fair, and we at length sighted the
Eddystone, when, however, it fell calm. Not far off lay a frigate which
had come out of the Sound. Several other vessels were also becalmed
near us. I was looking at the frigate, when a boat put off from her and
pulled towards one of the other vessels. She then steered for another
and another, remaining a short time only alongside each.

"She's after no good," observed Ned; "I shouldn't be surprised if she
was picking up hands. We've all protections aboard here. You'd better
stow yourself away, Will. Jump into my berth and pretend to be sick,
it's your only safe plan."

This I did not like to do, and I guessed if Ned was right in his
conjectures, that the officer who visited us would soon ascertain there
was one more hand on board than the brig's complement. Unhappily he was
right--the boat came alongside. It was the old story over again. Just
as I had expected to obtain my freedom, I was seized, having only time
to give Ned the address of my wife, to whom he promised to write, and to
wish him and my other shipmates good-bye, when I was ordered to get into
the boat waiting alongside. She, having picked up three or four more
men from the other vessels becalmed, returned to the frigate, which was,
I found, the _Cleopatra_, of thirty-two twelve-pounder guns, commanded
by Captain Sir Robert Laurie, Bart., and bound out to the West Indies.

I very nearly gave way altogether. In vain, however, I pleaded to be
allowed to go on shore. I acknowledged that I belonged to the
_Glatton_, and promised faithfully to return to her as soon as I had
visited my wife. My petition was disregarded, my statement being
probably not even believed. A breeze springing up, all sail was made,
and the _Cleopatra_ stood down Channel.

I must pass over several weeks. They were the most miserable of my
existence. Three times I had been pressed, when on the very point, as I
supposed, of getting free. I began at last to fancy that I never should
return on shore. Though my spirits were low, I retained my health, but
I did my duty in a mechanical fashion. My shipmates declared that for
months together they never saw me smile.

At length, after we had visited the West Indies, we were cruising in
search of an enemy,