, could not battle
with a fleet. The men were longing for home, looking forward to the
delight of spending the great share of prize money which would fall
to each. The sudden death which had stricken many of their comrades
had, too, cast a chill on the expedition, and made all long more
eagerly to be away from those beautiful, but deadly, shores.

When, therefore, on the day after the return of Captain Francis,
the word was given to prepare for the homeward voyage, the most
lively joy prevailed. The stores were embarked; the Simeroons, who
had done them good service, dismissed with rich presents; and all
embarked, with much joy and thankfulness that their labors and
dangers were overpast.

They were, however, extremely shorthanded, and were scattered among
the three or four prizes which were the best among the ships which
they had taken. Ned and Gerald, being now able to give good
assistance, in case of need, to the sailors, were put on board one
of the prizes with four seamen. Captain Drake had determined to
keep, for a time, the prizes with him; for as it might well be that
they should meet, upon their way, a great Spanish fleet, he thought
that by keeping together, with the flag of Saint George flying on
all the ships, the Spaniards would believe that the Pacha had been
joined by ships from England, and so would assuredly let her and
her consorts pass at large. At the last land at which they touched
Captain Drake intended to dismiss all but one of the prizes, and to
sail across the Atlantic with her and the Pacha.

This, however, was not to be.

One day, shortly after their departure, Ned said to Gerald:

"I do not like the look of the sky. It reminds me of the sky that
we had before that terrible hurricane, when we were moored off the
Isle of Pines; and with our scanty crew we should be in a mightily
unfavorable position, should the wind come on to blow."

In that wise the sailors shared Ned's apprehensions, and in the
speediest possible time all sail was lowered, and the ship prepared
to meet the gale. It was not long before the whole sky was covered
with black clouds. Captain Drake signaled to the vessels that each
was to do its best; and, if separated, was to rendezvous at the
spot before agreed upon. Then, all having been done that could be
thought of, they waited the bursting of the storm.

It came at last, with the suddenness and almost the force of an
explosion. A faint rumbling noise was first heard