heir deck.

"Who are you, you lubbers?" said he. "Where' yer papers, and where'
yer bound to?"

"I'm a British officer," replied the astute Joshua, opening his coat
and disclosing the uniform of the service. "I am bound for France upon
official business."

The Captain snickered.

"An' with two others in er' launch? Aw go tell that to th' marines!"

"It's God's truth. I'm in a state secret."

"Wall--be that as it may be--you must come aboard of my vessel and
tell yer state secret to th' authorities in England. Meanwhile, I'll
put a skipper of my own aboard yer vessel and we'll travel
together--bein' friends."

Barney swore beneath his breath.

Thus the two boats beat towards the coast of Merrie England in
company, and upon the day following, came to anchor in a small harbor,
six miles from Plymouth. The captain of the privateer went ashore in
order to report to Admiral Digby at Plymouth, while most of the crew
also hastened to the beach in order to avoid the chance of being
seized by the press-gang, which harried incoming vessels for recruits
for His Majesty's service.

"Can't I go, too?" asked the cautious "Josh."

"No, you must remain on board until we come for you," said the
captain, as he jumped into his boat en route for the shore. "Mister
Officer, I want to search your record." Then he laughed brutishly.

But Barney's thinking cap was working like a mill race. There was a
jolly-boat tied to the stern of the privateer, and, when all were safe
ashore, he gently slipped into this, purposely skinning his leg as he
did so. Then he sculled to the beach; where a group of idlers stood
looking out to sea.

"Here," he cried, as he neared them. "Help me haul up this boat, will
yer? She's awful heavy."

A custom's officer was among these loiterers and he was inquisitive.

"Who are you?" said he. "What regiment and where stationed, pray?"

"That I cannot answer, my friend," calmly replied the acute "Josh,"
pointing to the blood as it trickled through his stocking. "I am badly
injured, you see, and must go away in order to get my leg tied up.
Prithee, kind sir, can you tell me where the crew from my vessel have
gone to?"

"They are at the Red Lion at the end of the village," replied the
official of the law. "You are, indeed, badly hurt."

"Wall, I reckon," replied the American, and, stumbling up the beach,
he was soon headed for the end of the little village.

But things were not to go too well with him.