immediately."

"Ay, ay, sir."

"Turn the hands up? Shorten sail!"

The top-gallant and courses of the frigate were taken in, and the
mainsail hove to the mast.

"Signalman, whereabouts is that other schooner now?"

"The schooner, sir? On the quarter," replied the signalman, who with
everybody else on board, was so anxious about the _Enterprise_, that
they had neglected to watch the motions of the supposed American. The
man had replied at random, and he now jumped upon the signal-chests
abaft to look for her. But she was not to be seen. Cain, who had
watched all that passed between the other two vessels, and had been
prepared to slip off at a moment's warning, as soon as the gun was fired
at the other schooner, had wore round and made all sail on a wind. The
night-glass discovered her half a mile astern; and the _ruse_ was
immediately perceived. The frigate filled and made sail, leaving Edward
to return on board--for there was no time to stop for the boat--tacked,
and gave chase. But the _Avenger_ was soon in the wind's-eye of her;
and at daylight was no longer to be seen.

In the meantime, Edward Templemore had followed the frigate as soon as
he could set sail on his vessel, indignant at his treatment, and vowing
that he would demand a court-martial. About noon the frigate rejoined
him, when matters were fully explained. Annoyed as they all felt at not
having captured the pirate, it was unanimously agreed, that by his
audacity and coolness he deserved to escape. It was found that the mast
of the _Enterprise_ could be fished and scarfed, so as to enable her to
continue her cruise. The carpenters of the frigate were sent on board;
and in two days the injury was repaired, and Edward Templemore once more
went in pursuit of the _Avenger_.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

THE MISTAKE.

The _Avenger_ stood under a press of sail to the northward. She had
left her pursuers far behind; and there was not a speck on the horizon,
when, on the second morning, Francisco, who had resumed his berth in the
captain's cabin, went up on deck. Notwithstanding the request of Cain,
Francisco refused to take any part in the command of the schooner,
considering himself as a passenger, or prisoner on parole.

He had not been on deck but a few minutes, when he observed the two
Spanish fishermen belonging to the establishment of Don Cumanos
conversing together forward. Their capture had quite escaped his
memory, and he went forwar