into
what looked very much like a tent. Old Rough-and-Ready grumbled as if
he were not at all pleased at what he had to do, but he did it
notwithstanding. All the officers then turned out in full uniform, and
shortly afterwards we saw a magnificent barge coming off, followed by a
number of smaller boats. The barge came alongside, and the captain went
down the accommodation ladder which had been rigged to receive his royal
guests. They seemed highly pleased with the appearance of the ship,
and, it was said, did good justice to the banquet which had been
prepared for them. We then very quickly unrigged the tent and hauled
down the flags, and, getting under weigh, took a cruise round the bay.
As the water was perfectly smooth, their majesties seemed to enjoy
themselves, and the king remarked that he was not surprised that the
King of England's son should become a sailor.

"I've a notion that the prince has a very different sort of life to
this," remarked old Rough-and-Ready, "though I have no doubt they make
it as easy for him as they can."

When we came to an anchor, their majesties, with their courtiers, went
ashore, and we had the ship to ourselves. We got leave to visit a
number of ruins and other places. As far as we could judge, we should
have time to become well acquainted with the neighbourhood, as our
captain was evidently intent on enjoying himself after his own fashion,
and showed no inclination to put to sea. Lord Robert knew, however,
that even he must not remain there for ever, and, fearing that the
commodore might come in and send him off, with orders not to return,
reluctantly came on board; the anchor was weighed, and we sailed on a
cruise along the African coast. At that time the Barbary States, as
they were called, were nominally at peace with England, but their
cruisers didn't object to capture English merchantmen when they could
fall in with them, and carry off their crews into slavery. In the
daytime we stood close to the coast, and at night kept at a respectful
distance. We had one night been standing to the eastward, about nine
miles off the land.

Just as day dawned the look-out from aloft shouted, "Two sail ahead!"

"What are they like?" inquired the first lieutenant.

"I can't make out, sir," was the answer. "One seems to me as if she had
boarded the other, for she's close alongside."

Mr Saunders at once sent me aloft to have a look at the strangers. I
was also at first puzz