. I will first thank you, my dear Levee, for your kind
assistance, which I would not avail myself of; as I calculated (wrongly,
I own) that it would be wiser to remain a prisoner; and I considered
that my very refusal to escape would be admitted by the government as a
proof of my innocence. I did not know that I had to deal with such
malignant people."

I then commenced my narrative, which occupied the remainder of the
evening, and, having received their congratulations, we had a pipe or
two, and, as I was fatigued, we retired to bed. I slept little on this,
I may say, first night of rest and quiet, after my liberation. I was
happy, and yet perplexed. During the time of my imprisonment, it had
occurred to me that the life of a privateersman was not one which I
could follow up with a good conscience; and I had, on my journey down to
Liverpool, made up my mind that I would give it up. I knew this might
annoy Mr Trevannion, and that I should have to meet with the ridicule
of Captain Levee, and I was thinking whether it were possible, in the
first place, that I could give some well-grounded excuse; and, in the
next, what other means of gaining my livelihood I could substitute in
its stead. My restlessness induced me to get up earlier than usual, and
I went out for an hour's walk upon the wharfs. I saw my little schooner
riding on the stream, and, as she gently rose and dipped to the swell
which ran in with the tide, she looked so beautiful that my resolutions
were already giving way. I would look at her no longer; so I turned
from the river, and walked back to the owner's house. It was still
early when I went into the eating-hall, where I found Miss Trevannion
alone.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

I STATE MY NEWLY-AWAKENED SCRUPLES AS TO THE LAWFULNESS OF A
PRIVATEERSMAN'S LIFE TO MR. TREVANNION, BUT NEVERTHELESS UNDERTAKE
ANOTHER CRUISE--SAVE A YOUTH FROM DROWNING, WHO HE PROVES TO BE--
CONFLICT WITH A FRENCH PRIVATEER--TAKE HER AND DELIVER A PRIZE--RETURN
TO LIVERPOOL--RESIGN THE COMMAND OF THE SPARROW-HAWK, AND AGREE TO
SUPERINTEND MR. TREVANNION'S BUSINESS.

Miss Trevannion, my dear Madam, was taller than your sex usually are,
her figure slight, and still unformed to a certain degree, but promising
perfection. Her hair was very dark, her features regular and handsome,
her complexion very pale, and her skin fair as the snow. As she stood
in silence, she reminded you of a classical antique statue, and hardly
appea