t we manage to have a little cruise on our own
account? The skipper would forgive us, I'm sure, if we were lucky
enough to take in a prize or two."

"Not to be thought of, my friend," answered I severely. "We are to make
the best of our way to Sierra Leone--the best of our way, do you
understand? Besides, the brig and we are to sail in company; and
Fawcett won't stand any nonsense, even if I were disposed to listen to
your suggestion."

At this moment San Domingo came along. "You want me, Mr Grenvile?" he
asked.

"Yes, San Domingo," said I. "Get the kits of Mr Keene and myself
ready, and also your own, as quickly as possible. We are all to go
aboard the schooner."

"Yes, massa, sartinly. I hab um ready in nex' to no time," answered the
negro, with an expansive smile of joy irradiating his face. "P'rhaps we
hab anoder adventure! Who can say?" he muttered to himself.

It was getting well on toward noon when, both prizes having been
thoroughly overhauled, and such deficiencies as were discovered made
good from the stores of the _Shark_, Mr Fawcett and I formally took
over our own respective commands, and the three craft weighed and made
sail in company.

I confess that I felt in exceedingly buoyant spirits, and the pain of my
wounds was completely forgotten as, with young Keene beside me, I
stumped fore and aft on the short quarter-deck of the schooner and
keenly compared her behaviour with that of her bigger companions. The
sea breeze was piping up strong, and there was enough sea running to
render the advantage all in favour of the two brigs; yet,
notwithstanding this, we were able to spare the _Shark_ our topgallant-
sail and still keep pace with her. But, good as was the schooner, the
_Dona Inez_ was better; so much better, indeed, that, in order to avoid
running away from us, Fawcett was obliged not only to furl both
topgallant-sails, but also to take a single reef in both topsails,
while, even then, the brig persisted in creeping ahead, and had to be
constantly checked by keeping the weather leaches of her topsails a-
shiver. She was undoubtedly a wonderful craft, and doubtless Fawcett
was extremely proud of her. I fear that poor Captain Bentinck felt
somewhat disgusted at the indifferent figure that the _Shark_ was
cutting, compared with the other two craft, for he quite unexpectedly
made the signal to part company, fired a gun, and went in stays
preparatory to bearing away on a southerly course