h that yon brig may have been
fitted out for a privateer, though I rather think she wouldn't be fast
enough. But that game's all over, and we are all going to be at peace
now we have put Bony away like a wild beast in a cage and he can't do
anybody any hurt. There, you needn't fidget yourself about that. All
the same, I don't quite understand why a craft that isn't a man-of-war,
but carries a long gun amidships and has officers in uniform aboard,
should be taking refuge in this port. I dunno. She looks too smart and
clean, but it might mean that she's going to the West Coast,
blackbirding."

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Rodd. "Why, that's what you thought about us,
Captain Chubb."

"So I did; so I did, my lad," said the skipper good-humouredly. "You
see, I am like other men--think I am very wise, but I do stupid things
sometimes. Well, I'll be safe this time, and say I don't know what she
is, and I don't much care. But I am pretty sure that she aren't after
us, and I dare say, if the truth's known, she don't think we are after
her. There, squint out yonder to windward. That don't look like fine
weather, does it?"

"No; worse than ever!" cried Rodd.

"That's so, my lad, and you may take this for certain; we shan't sail
to-day, and you won't see another vessel put out to sea. Take my word
for it."

"That I will, Captain Chubb!" cried the boy earnestly, and the skipper
nodded his head so quickly that the water flew off in a shower.

But, as some wag once said, the wisest way is to wait till after
something has happened before you begin to prophesy about it.

Captain Chubb had probably never heard about the wisdom of this
proceeding in foretelling events, for it so happened that in spite of
the storm increasing in violence for many hours, his words proved to be
entirely wrong.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

AN EXCITING TIME.

About mid-day there was a sudden lull. The wind blew nearly as hard as
ever, but the clouds were broken up, allowing a few gleams of sunshine
to pass through, and soon after the sky seemed to be completely swept;
the streaming wharves and streets began to show patches of dry paving,
and nearly every vessel near was hung with the men's oilskins, Rodd
being one of the first to shed his awkward garments and come out looking
more like himself.

There was such a transformation scene, and all looked so bright in the
sunshine, that the boy took the first opportunity to ask the skipper
what he th