h sixty prime seamen,--every one of whom had served on
board a man-o'-war,--upon payment of a guinea a head for them. It was a
tolerably stiff premium to pay; but, as times then were, they would be
fully worth it, should they turn out to be as represented, so I agreed
to go and see them that night; with the result that--not to dwell at
unnecessary length upon this part of my story--I next morning found
myself in command of as smart a crew as a man need wish to have at his
back. I found that I was indebted for this slice of good fortune
principally to the fact that the crew of a privateer were exempt from
impressment, which exemption was allowed to hold good in the West
Indies, although the exemption was frequently little better than a dead
letter at home and in other parts of the world. I now went to work to
provision and water the schooner for a three-months' cruise; and so well
did my agent work for me that, within seventy-two hours of my arrival at
Port Royal, I was able to report myself ready for sea and at the
Admiral's service.

"That is well!" exclaimed the Admiral, rubbing his hands, when I so
reported myself. "I congratulate you upon your smartness, Mr Bowen,
and also upon your good fortune in finding a crew; it is a good deal
more than our own people could have done. And now, if you are willing
to render your country a further important service, I can afford you the
opportunity. I am convinced that Lord Nelson will not remain inactive
at home, now that Admiral Villeneuve has contrived to give him the slip,
he will chase the combined fleet round the world, if need be. But it is
important that Villeneuve should be watched. What, therefore, I want
you to do is to sail in search of the combined fleet, and find them;
ascertain as much as you can relative to their projected movements, and
then find the British fleet and acquaint Nelson with all that you have
been able to learn. When you have done that, you will be free to cruise
wherever you please; but make an excuse to return to Jamaica at your
earliest convenience, and do not fail to call on me."

I thanked the Admiral for his kindness, promised to execute his
commission to the best of my ability, and took my leave. Two hours
later the schooner, which I had rechristened the _Sword Fish_, was
outside the Pallisades, working her way to the eastward under as heavy a
press of canvas as I dared pile upon her.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

I PERFORM AN IMPORTANT