_ letter of marque, and that the papers were ready
for his inspection.

"And the other vessels?"

"Prizes to the _Rebiera_, cut out of Malaga Bay," replied Jack.

"Then you are a privateer," observed the disappointed officer. "Where
are your papers?"

"Mr Oxbelly, oblige me by bringing them up," said Jack.

"Fat Jack of the bone house," observed the lieutenant, looking at
Oxbelly.

"A lieutenant in his Majesty's service, of longer standing than
yourself, young man," replied Oxbelly firmly;--"and who, if he ever
meets you in any other situation--will make you answer for your insolent
remark."

"Indeed!" observed the lieutenant ironically; "now, if you had said you
were once a boatswain or gunner."

"Consider yourself kicked," roared Oxbelly, losing his temper.

"Hey day! why, you old porpoise!"

"Sir," observed Jack, who listened with indignation, "Mr Oxbelly is a
lieutenant in his Majesty's service, and you have no right to insult
him, even if he were not."

"I presume you are all officers," replied the lieutenant.

"I am, sir," retorted Gascoigne, "an officer in his Majesty's service,
and on board of this vessel by permission of Captain Sawbridge of the
_Latona_."

"And I was, until a few months ago, sir," continued Jack; "at present I
am captain and owner of this vessel--but here are the papers. You will
have no obstruction from us in the execution of your duty--at the same
time, I call upon the two young gentlemen by your side, and your own
men, to bear witness to what takes place."

"Oh, very well, sir--just as you please. Your papers I perceive are all
right. Now you will oblige me by mustering your men."

"Certainly, sir," replied Jack; "send all the men aft to muster, Mr
Oxbelly."

The men came aft to the mainmast, with Mesty at their head, and answered
to their names. As the men passed over, the lieutenant made a
pencil-mark against ten of them, who appeared the finest seamen; and,
when the roll had been called, he ordered those men to get their bags
and go into the boat.

"Sir, as you must observe, I am short-handed, with my men away in
prizes; and I, as commander of this vessel, protest against this
proceeding: if you insist upon taking them, of course I can do nothing,"
observed Jack.

"I do insist, sir; I'm not going on board empty-handed, at all events."

"Well, sir, I can say no more," said Jack, walking aft to the taffrail,
to which Oxbelly and Gascoigne had retreated.

"C