some food and a glass of grog, and we'll see about it in the
morning."

I went below. I was soon rigged out in warm, dry things, had a jolly
hot supper, and I must say was never more kindly treated in my life.
When I turned in, I felt that I ought to be thankful that I had not been
killed like some of my shipmates. But still I could not help thinking,
"The curse is still following me--the boat I was aboard was the only one
destroyed."

The next morning, when I went on deck, I saw one of the officers doing
duty. I looked at him hard. I was certain I knew his face. I put out
my hand. "La Motte," said I, "do you know me?"

"I should think I did indeed, Weatherhelm," he answered, laughing, and
shaking my fist warmly; "it is a good many years since we saw each
other." I told him that the captain said he would have to take me to a
Spanish prison. "Oh, that is all nonsense," he answered; "I'll soon
manage that. All you have to do is to join this craft, and we can
protect you. I'll just say that you are an old shipmate of mine, and
I'll soon make it all right."

Accordingly he took me to the captain, who was too glad to get an able
seaman on board his vessel, and he promised me if I would sign the
articles that I should have thirty dollars a month. I had not much
difficulty in balancing this offer against the prospect of a Spanish
prison. Now I honestly believe, that had she been a privateer, and I
should have had to fight against my own countrymen, nothing would have
tempted me to accept the offer. However, I decided at once. "I'll join
you," said I, "and am ready to sign the articles whenever you like."

That evening I found myself, like many other British seamen, converted
suddenly into an American. La Motte told me that he had been wrecked on
the American coast, and having been kindly treated, he had joined one of
their merchantmen, when shortly afterwards he was made a mate. The
schooner was called the _Skylark_, and was a remarkably fine and fast
vessel. At that time, while all the rest of the world were at war, the
Americans remained neutral, and their merchantmen made a great deal of
money by becoming the carriers for all the belligerent parties. This
was a wise policy in all respects, but still wiser would they have
proved themselves had they adhered to it. While it brought wealth and
prosperity to their newly established republic, it laid the foundation
of that naval power which enabled them t