or thirty feet)
in order to transfer the pilot. Suddenly a few uttered exclamations of
surprise and dismay. The French colors rose to the mast of the
sorrowful-looking pilot-boat, and with a flash and a roar, a heavy
dose of canister and grape ploughed into the unsuspecting persons upon
the deck of the Indiaman. Many sought shelter from the hail of iron.

A moment more, and the brig was alongside. A crunching: a splitting of
timber as the privateer struck and ground into the bulwarks of the
_Triton_, and, with a wild yell--Surcouf leaped upon the deck of his
adversary--followed by his eighteen men, with cutlass, dirks and
pistols.

There was but little resistance. The Captain of the _Triton_ seized a
sword and made a vain attempt to stem the onslaught of the boarders,
but he was immediately cut down. The rest were driven below, and the
hatches clapped tight above them. In five minutes the affair was over,
with five killed and six wounded upon the side of the English: one
killed and one wounded among the French. Surcouf had made a master
stroke. The _Triton_ was his own.

The many prisoners were placed on board the _Diana_ and allowed to
make their way to Calcutta, but the _Triton_ was triumphantly steered
to the Mauritius, where Surcouf received a tremendous ovation.

"Hurrah for Robert Surcouf: the sea-hound from St. Malo!" shrieked the
townsfolk.

"Your captures are all condemned," said the Governor of the island, a
few days after his triumphant arrival. "For you sailed and fought not
under a Letter of Marque, so you are a pirate and not a privateer.
Those who go a-pirating must pay the piper. Your prizes belong to the
Government of France, and its representative. I hereby seize them."

Surcouf was nonplussed.

"We will take this matter to France, itself," cried he. "And we shall
see whether or no all my exertions shall go for nought."

So the case was referred to the French courts, where Robert appeared
in person to plead his cause. And the verdict was:

"The captures of Captain Robert Surcouf of St. Malo are all declared
'good prize' and belong to him and the owners of his vessel."

So the wild man from St. Malo was very happy, and he and his owners
pocketed a good, round sum of money. But he really was a pirate and
not a privateer. _Tenez!_ He had the money, at any rate, so why should
he care?

The remaining days of Robert's life were full of battle, and, just a
little love, for he returned to his na