ight. Why? What were you thinking?"

"I was wondering why she came in so close after us, and then anchored
where she is."

"Oh, I can tell you that," said the skipper, chuckling. "It was because
she couldn't help herself."

"Then you don't think she was watching us?"

"No-o! What should she want to watch us for?"

"Why, to take us as a prize, seeing what a beautiful little schooner it
is."

"Bah! She'd better not try," said the skipper grimly. "Why, what stuff
have you got in your head, boy? We are not at war with France."

"No-o," said Rodd thoughtfully; "but her captain might have taken a
fancy to the _Maid of Salcombe_, and I've read that privateers are not
very particular when they get a chance. And the war's only just over."

"No. But then, you see, my lad, even if you were right, that brig
wouldn't have a chance."

"Why, suppose she waited till we had sailed, and followed till she
thought it was a good opportunity, and then her captain led his men
aboard and took her?"

"Oh, I see," said the skipper dryly. "Well, my lad, as I say, she
wouldn't have a chance. First, because she couldn't catch us, for give
me sea room I could sail right round her."

"Ah, but suppose it was a calm, and she sent her boats full of men on
board to take us?"

"Well, what then?"

"What then? Why, wouldn't that be very awkward?" asked Rodd.

"Very, for them," said the skipper grimly. "What would my boys be
about?"

"Why, they'd be taken prisoners."

"I should just like to see her try," said the skipper. "If the boats'
crews of that brig were to get a lodgment aboard my craft, how long do
you think it would take our lads to clear them off?"

"Oh, I am sure our crew would be very brave, but I should say that
brig's got twice as many men as we have."

"What of that?" said the skipper contemptuously.

"Well, then," said Rodd argumentatively, "she's got her guns, and might
sink us."

"And we've got our guns, and might sink her," growled the skipper.
"Look here, my lad; why did I give my lads gun drill and cutlass and
pike drill, while you and the doctor were taking in your tackle and bags
of tricks?"

"Why, to defend the schooner against any savages who might attack us
when we are off the West Coast or among the islands."

"Right, my lad. Well, as Pat would say, by the same token couldn't they
just as well fight a pack of Frenchies as a tribe of niggers? Bah!
You're all wrong. It's quite like enoug