rench craft."

"Yes, that is hard, no doubt," Jacques agreed; "and I don't say to you
don't escape when you get a chance, I only say wait until the chance
is a good one. Just at present we are not specially on the lookout for
prizes. We are going to join two other vessels belonging to the same
owners. They have been out here some time and have got a snug
hiding-place somewhere, though I don't think any one on board except
the captain knows where."

For three weeks the brig cruised among the islands. They had picked up
no prizes in that time, as the captain did not wish to commence
operations until he had joined his consorts and obtained information
from them as to the British men-of-war on the station. They had
overhauled one or two native craft, purchased fish and fruit, and
cautiously asked questions as to the cruisers. The answers were not
satisfactory. They learned that owing to the numbers of vessels that
had been captured by the privateers a very vigilant lookout was being
kept; that two or three French craft that had been captured by the
cruisers had been bought into the service, and were constantly in
search of the headquarters of the privateers. This was bad news; for
although the brig with her great spread of canvas could in light winds
run away from any of the ships of war, it was by no means certain she
would be able to do so from the converted privateers.

One morning two vessels--a schooner and a brig--were seen coming round
a headland. The captain and officers examined them with their
telescopes, and a flag was run up to the masthead. Almost immediately
two answering flags were hoisted by the strangers, and an exclamation
of satisfaction broke from the captain:

"We are in luck," he said. "If we had not run across them we might
have had to search for the rendezvous. I have got the spot marked down
on the chart, but they told me before sailing that they understood it
was very difficult to find the entrance, and we might pass by within a
hundred yards without noticing it."

In half an hour the ships closed up together, and the captains of the
other crafts came on board in their boats. A hearty greeting was
exchanged between them and the captain of La Belle Marie, and the
three then descended to the cabin. After a time they reappeared, and
the visitors returned to their respective ships. Five minutes later
the schooner got under way, and La Belle Marie followed her, leaving
the other brig to continue h