my suspicions were very much excited,
especially when I found, on inquiry, that Delano was her master. Her
crew, also, were said to have come on shore in gay-coloured silk
waistcoats, and to have spent more money than seamen are likely to have
lawfully possessed."

"Oh, let us at once try and find out what was the nature of the cargo
sold by Delano," exclaimed Mr Vernon. "Can you tell me what the
_Ariadne_ had on board?"

"I see the drift of your question," answered Mr Dunnage; "but I do not
think that, foolhardy as Delano may be, he would have ventured to offer
for sale articles which had been shipped from this, and would be so
easily recognised. No; all that we can hope to prove without a doubt
is, that the _William_ is the brig which plundered the _Helen_; and we
must then take means to find out, without delay, what has become of her,
and to put a stop to her career. Stay; let me consider what is best to
be done. The Admiral will, I am sure, gladly send all the men-of-war
that can be spared to look out for her."

"I have thought of that already," said Mr Vernon; "but, my dear sir, I
suspect that such would not be the best way to capture the pirate crew.
They would very likely hear of our being on the search for them, or
would become suspicious at the sight of a man-of-war, and contrive to
make their escape. We shall require to use great caution to get hold of
so clever a fellow as Delano is described to be. I would propose rather
to fit out a small merchantman, a xebeque or schooner, and to man her
with men-of-war's men. We may, in a craft of that description, be able
to get alongside the _William_, unsuspected, and to capture her without
loss of life."

"A capital idea," exclaimed Mr Dunnage. "I have a craft in my eye,
which I think you will consider suitable for the object; and I am
certain the merchants here will gladly defray all expenses."

So the matter was settled; and as neither Mr Dunnage nor my lieutenant
were men who would allow the anchor to block up Mr Neptune's cottage
door for many days together, we immediately set off to have a look of
the vessel proposed. She was a small schooner, the _Thisbe_,--most
vessels in the Mediterranean have classical names; and the result of the
examination was the opinion that she was well suited for the purpose.

"Now, my dear lieutenant," said Mr Dunnage, "do you go on board and
beat up for a crew. I will run round to the merchants to get them to
share