wisely did not wish to run any
unnecessary risk, and he, therefore, ordered the mistico to get under
weigh, and to sweep close in shore after him, that he might, in case of
necessity, have some support at hand; she was, however, not to come
nearer than a mile from the harbour, where he expected to find the brig,
for fear of causing his character to be suspected. Every arrangement
being made, the boat shoved off--away she pulled, while he quietly sat
on the top of the nets, smoking his pipe with perfect unconcern, as if
he had nothing else to think of besides where he should find the best
market for his fish.

For about four miles the men pulled on at a rapid pace, laughing and
joking as they toiled at their oars. A headland, from which a reef of
rock projected some way out into the sea, then presented itself, and, as
they pulled round it, the mouth of a harbour gradually opened on them.
It was a secure and landlocked place, and some way up it Zappa discerned
the tall masts of the brig he was looking for. His practised eye at
once recognised her as a brig-of-war, and, as he drew nearer, he had
little doubt from her build that she was British. He had, however, made
up his mind to run every risk, so he pulled boldly up the harbour
towards her.

"Now, my men," he said, addressing his crew, "remember, everything
depends on your coolness and courage. We are going to put our heads
into the lion's mouth, and, by all the gods of our ancestors, if we give
him cause he will bite them off without the slightest ceremony. Do not
stir from your seats, and pretend not to understand a word which is said
to you, which it is not very likely you will do; but should any on board
speak Romaic, make any excuse which occurs to you for not leaving your
boat while I am on board."

By the time he had finished this address, they were within a cable's
length of the brig.

"What boat is that?" hailed the sentry on the poop.

On which Zappa, concluding that the hail was intended for him, held up a
large fish in his hand.

"A fishing-boat coming up astern, sir," said the sentry to the officer
of the watch.

"Let her come alongside, then--we want some fish," said the officer in
return.

"Ah! I think I know that brig!" exclaimed Zappa--"I am certain of it--
she is no other than the one which lay in Valetta harbour when I was
last there; and her captain, too, was, I learnt, the very officer I met
at the ball, who was dancing so frequent