nstant watch over the Frenchmen, lest they should suddenly attack
the English and attempt to regain the ship. Jack did not allow himself
a moment's rest, but continued, with arms by his side, pacing the deck,
while a constant watch was kept on the movements of the mutineers.

Dawn at length broke; and soon after the sun rose above the horizon its
bright rays struck on the sails of a large vessel which was seen
standing towards the "Coquille," with a light breeze then blowing. Jack
anxiously watched her through his glass, hoping, from the cut of her
sails, that she might prove an English man-of-war. As she came on, he
hoisted on the stump of the main-mast the English ensign reversed, the
signal of distress. On the nearer approach of the stranger, however,
Deane observed that the English flag was not hoisted in return, which
would have been the case had she been a friend. If she had been at sea
during the hurricane, she had escaped wonderfully well, for her masts
and yards were as trim as if she had just come out of port. Her decks,
too, seemed crowded with men. In a short time, running under the stern
of the "Coquille," she "hove to," and a man with a speaking-trumpet
hailed from her deck, demanding the name of the vessel, and where she
was bound to.

"A prize to Her Majesty's ship `Venus,' and bound for Port Royal,"
answered Jack.

"And very little chance you'll have of getting there," replied the man
with the speaking-trumpet, "We will send a boat aboard you and see about
the matter."

In another minute two well-armed boats were lowered from the stranger,
and soon came alongside the "Coquille." Their crews jumped on board.

"You have been caught in the hurricane, I see," said the man who seemed
to act as the officer. "What is your cargo?"

Jack told him.

"Lucky for us, then, that you did not go down," was the answer. "And
now set to work and get the ship in order. You must understand that you
are a prize to the `Black Hawk,' belonging to a company of gentlemen
adventurers. There's no use grumbling: it's the fortune of war. And
now bear a hand and get your ship to rights as fast as you can. We will
help you, and carry you safely into port, though not the port maybe you
were bound for."

Jack's heart sank within him when he heard this. Resistance would be
utterly useless. Even had the Frenchmen remained faithful, the pirates,
for such he had little doubt they were, numbered ten to one of his own