ACTION.

On our arrival, Captain Levee and I, as soon as we had got rid of the
dust of travel, called upon the owner, who informed us that all the
alterations in Captain Levee's vessel, which was a large lugger of
fourteen guns and a hundred and twenty men, were complete, and that my
vessel was also ready for me, and manned; but that I had better go on
board and see if anything else was required, or if there was any
alteration that I would propose. Captain Levee and I immediately went
down to the wharf, alongside of which my vessel lay, that we might
examine her now that she was fitted out as a vessel of war.

She had been a schooner in the Spanish trade, and had been captured by
Captain Levee, who had taken her out from under a battery as she lay at
anchor, having just made her port from a voyage from South America,
being at that time laden with copper and cochineal,--a most valuable
prize she had proved,--and as she was found to be a surprising fast
sailer, the owner had resolved to fit her out as a privateer.

She was not a large vessel, being of about a hundred and sixty tons, but
she was very beautifully built. She was now armed with eight brass
guns, of a calibre of six pounds each, four howitzers aft, and two
cohorns on the taffrail.

"You have a very sweet little craft here, Elrington," said Captain
Levee, after he had walked all over her, and examined her below and
aloft. "She will sail better than before, I should think, for she then
had a very full cargo, and now her top hamper is a mere nothing. Did
the owner say how many men you had?"

"Fifty-four is, I believe, to be our full complement," I replied, "and I
should think quite enough."

"Yes, if they are good men and true. You may do a great deal with this
vessel, for you see she draws so little water, that you may run in where
I dare not venture. Come, we will now return to our lodgings, pack up,
and each go on board of our vessels. We have had play enough, now to
work again, and in good earnest."

"I was about to propose it myself;" I replied, "for with a new vessel,
officers and men not known to me, the sooner I am on board and with them
the better. It will take some time to get everything and everybody in
their places."

"Spoken like a man who understands his business," replied Captain Levee.
"I wonder whether we shall be sent out together?"

"I can only say that I hope so," I replied, "as I should profit much by
your experience, and