of more than three or four weeks," said Mr
Oxbelly; "and the expenses have been very great."

"But--"

"But what, Jack?"

"Agnes."

"Agnes will be better defended going home by men who have been
accustomed to be in action. And, as for her waiting a little longer, it
will only make her love you a little more."

"Sleep single a little longer, Mr Easy, it's very pleasant," said Mr
Oxbelly.

"That's not very bad advice of yours," observed Gascoigne.

"_Stop a little_, Massa Easy," said Mesty, "you know dat very good
advice."

"Well, then," replied Jack, "I will, as I am quite in the minority. We
will work up the whole coast--up to Toulon. After all, there's
something very pleasant in commanding your own ship, and I'm not in a
hurry to resign it--so that point's decided."

The _Rebiera_ was steered in to the land, and at sunset they were not
four miles from the lofty blue mountains which overhang the town of
Malaga. There were many vessels lying at the bottom of the bay, close
in with the town; the wind now fell light, and the _Rebiera_, as she
could not fetch the town, tacked as if she were a merchant vessel
standing in, and showed American colours, a hint which they took from
perceiving three or four large vessels lying in the outer roads, with
the colours of that nation hoisted at the peak.

"What is your intention, Jack?" said Gascoigne.

"I'll be hanged if I know yet. I think of working up to the outer
roads, and anchoring at night--boarding the American vessels, and
gaining intelligence."

"Not a bad idea; we shall then learn if there is anything to be done,
and if not, we may be off at daylight."

"The pratique boat will not come off after sunset."

"And if they did, we could pass for an American, bound to Barcelona or
anywhere else--the outer roads where the vessels lie are hardly within
gun-shot."

Mesty, who had resumed his sailor's clothes, now observed, "What we do,
Massa Easy, we do quickly--time for all ting, time for show face and
fight--time for hide face, crawl, and steal."

"Very true, Mesty, we'll crawl this time, and steal if we can. It's not
the warfare I like best of the two."

"Both good, Massa Easy; suppose you no steal board of polacca ship, you
not see Missy Agnes."

"Very true, Mesty. 'Bout ship, Mr Oxbelly."

"Mr Oxbelly not good for boat sarvice," observed Mesty, showing his
teeth.

It was dark before the _Rebiera_ was anchored in the outer roads, a
cable's le