away from the brig, whose captain did
not manifest any intention of coming farther in.

As they were parting company Rodd was standing right forward close to
Cross, who stood spelling out the name of the brig they were leaving
behind.

"_Jenny de Arc_" he grunted to Rodd. "That's a rum name for a smart
brig like that. Wonder what she is. I never see'd Jenny spelt like
that afore. That's the French way of doing it, I suppose."

Rodd took upon himself to explain whose name the brig bore, and the
sailor gave vent to a musical growl.

"Shouldn't have knowed it," he said; "but as I was a-saying, I wonder
what she is. Looks to me like what they calls a private ear."

"Why, that's a man-of-war, isn't it, Joe?"

"Well, a kind of a sort of one, you know, sir. One of them as goes off
in war times to hark in private for any bit of news about well-laden
merchantmen, and then goes off to capture them."

"But what makes you think that, Joe?" asked Rodd. "Why, look at her
rig, sir. See what a heap of sail she could carry. I don't hold with a
brig for fast-sailing, but look at the length of them two masts, and see
how she's pierced for guns. She has shut up shop snug enough on account
of the storm, but I'll wager she could run out some bulldogs--I mean,
French poodles--as could bark if she liked. Then there's a big long gun
amidships."

"I didn't see it," said Rodd. "Maybe not, my lad, but I did."

"Well, but a merchantman might carry guns to defend herself, Joe."

"Ay, she might, sir; but she wouldn't, unless she was going on a job
like ours and wanted to scare off savages; and that aren't likely, for I
should say we are the only vessel afloat as is going on such a fishing
expedition as ours. And then look at her crew."

"What about her crew?" said Rodd. "It seemed to be a very good one so
far as I could see."

"A deal too good, sir. Who ever saw a merchantman with such a crew as
that? Didn't you see how smart they were in obeying orders and getting
down that anchor?"

"Why, no smarter than our crew," said Rodd rather indignantly.

"Smarter than our crew, Mr Rodd, sir! I should think not!" cried the
sailor. "Why, they are French! Still it was very tidy for them. I
should like to know, though, what they are. I do believe I'm right, and
that she is a private ear. Not been watching us, has she? Seems rather
queer."

"Why should she be watching us?"

"Why should a private ear be watching any sma