the expenses. By this evening she shall have her stores on board
and be ready for sea. Don't suppose I'm bragging. Where there is a
will there is a way."

Off ran our excellent friend, while Mr Vernon and I hastened on board
to describe the proposed plan to Captain Poynder, and to get his leave
to borrow some of the _Harold's_ men. As may be supposed, there were
plenty of volunteers for the expedition,--indeed, everybody wanted to
go; but we had to wait patiently till Mr Dunnage came on board, as he
promised to do, to announce what arrangements he had made. When I got
back into the berth, I found all the youngsters discussing the subject
of the disappearance of the _Ariadne_. It was the general opinion that
it was possible Delano and his crew might have fallen in with her; but
still she had had ample time to reach Gibraltar. We made up our minds
that Mr Vernon would be placed in command of the expedition, and we
each of us hoped to be selected to accompany him. Adam Stallman, who
was in the berth, did not make any remark; but after a time he got up
and went on deck. He looked, I observed, more sad and full of care than
even Mr Vernon. At last Mr Dunnage came on board with a despatch from
the Admiral to Captain Poynder. Mr Vernon was soon afterwards sent for
into the cabin. The consultation was very short. When he came out, he
informed Adam Stallman that he had applied for him as his mate, and, to
my great satisfaction, told me that I was also to accompany him. I was
very anxious to get Dicky Sharpe; so, mustering up all my courage, I
boldly asked Captain Poynder if he might be of the party.

"I suppose Mr Du Pre can dispense with his valuable services in the
ship for a time," replied the captain; "so, if Mr Vernon will take
charge of him, and you, Mr D'Arcy, will undertake that he gets into no
mischief, he has my leave to go."

The truth was, the captain was glad to allow the mates and youngsters to
go away in small craft, as he considered that they thus gained more
knowledge of seamanship, and confidence in their own resources, than
they could have done by remaining on board. Twenty picked men were
selected from among the volunteers to man the schooner. Mr Hudson, and
four of his crew, were also asked to go, to identify, if they could, the
pirates. As soon as the volunteers had got their bags ready, and been
mustered, we were ordered away in the boats to bring the schooner down
to the frigate, from u