n was joyfully hailed by the officers and men, which
is not always the case. I found her, as may be supposed, ready for sea
at a minute's warning, so that I had nothing to do but to embark my
effects, which I did before the noon was passed, and then went on
shore to Mr. Trevannion, to receive his orders. I found him with
Captain Levee in the back room; and I told Mr. Trevannion that I had
resumed the command, and was ready to sail as soon as he pleased.

"We must make up for lost time, Elrington," replied he; "I have
ordered Captain Levee to cruise to the northward of the Western Isles,
occasionally working up as far as the Scilly Isles. Now, I think, you
had better take your ground in the Channel, between Dunkirk and
Calais. There is as much to be made by salvage in recapturing English
vessels in that quarter, as there is in taking the enemy's vessels;
and I am sure," added Mr. Trevannion, smiling, "you will think that
legitimate warfare."

At this Captain Levee laughed, and said, "I have been told what you
said to Mr. Trevannion, Elrington. I said that it was the effects of
being condemned for high treason, and would wear off in a
three-months' cruise."

"Good impressions do wear off very soon, I fear," replied I; "but I
hope that it will not be the case in this instance."

"We shall see, my good fellow," replied Captain Levee; "for my part I
hope they will, for otherwise we shall lose the best privateer's-man I
ever fell in with. However, it's no use bringing up the question now,
let us wait till our cruises are over, and we meet again. Good-bye,
Elrington, and may you be fortunate. My anchor is short stay apeak,
and I shall be under sail in half an hour."

Captain Levee sailed at the time that he mentioned; I remained at
anchor till the next morning, and then once more was running down the
Irish Channel before a stiff breeze. I forgot to mention that while
at Mr. Trevannion's I had looked at the address of the Catholic priest
who had announced to me my release from prison, and had left copies of
it, as well as of that of the lady at Paris, in the care of Mr.
Trevannion. It was now cold, autumnal weather, and the Channel was but
rough sailing-ground. During the first fortnight we were fortunate
enough to make two recaptures of considerable value, which arrived
safely in the Thames, after which we had a succession of gales front
the southward, it being the time of the equinox, which drove us close
to the sands o