filled the air.
The news was carried to the other vessels in the harbor, and the "Sea
Bird" was soon surrounded by small boats. One of these boats pulled for
the shore, and its crew spread the news that a little girl and two
sailors from Province Town had captured and brought into harbor a fine
English schooner. Mr. Freeman heard the news on his way to the wharf,
and saw the crew of the "Sea Bird" being marched up the street under a
strong guard. The church bells were rung, and when John Nelson and Anne
reached shore they were welcomed by cheers.

Rose came hurrying through the crowd.

"Oh, Anne!" she exclaimed. "Here is Mr. Samuel Adams waiting to speak to
you! You are the bravest girl in the colony."

"'Twill be a wonderful thing to tell Amanda," said Anne happily. "Even
Amos could hope for no finer adventure."

"There'll be prize money," added Frederick. "I heard my father say that
there'll be a large sum for you and your father and for Captain
Starkweather."

It was a week later when they sailed once more for Province Town. It was
decided that it would be safer to leave the harbor at nightfall, when
there would be a better chance of the sloop not being recognized and
followed by some watchful craft lurking in the lower harbor. This time
the little cabin was nearly filled, for Captain Starkweather was taking
gifts to each one of his six boys, beside wonderful packages for their
mother, and Anne and her father could hardly wait for the time when
Uncle Enos and Aunt Martha should see the set of lustre ware, the fine
pewter, and the boxes of figs, dates, jellies and sweets which they were
taking to Province Town.

[Illustration: "YOU ARE THE BRAVEST GIRL IN THE COLONY"]

CHAPTER XIX

"HOMEWARD BOUND"

Captain Starkweather had renamed his sloop. The old name had been
painted out, and now, on each side of the boat, in gilt letters on a
white scroll the new name "Anne Nelson" could be seen.

The little craft was anchored off the Freeman wharf, and at early
twilight Mr. Nelson and Anne said their good-byes to the Freemans, and
put off in the sloop's tender. Captain Starkweather was on board the
sloop, and as noiselessly as possible they made ready to start.

The favoring winds swept the little craft along, and as the sun came
smiling up from the far horizon Anne awoke, and was quite ready for the
crackers, boiled eggs and doughnuts that Mrs. Freeman had packed for
their breakfast.

The long "arm" of