at he had slept so long:
he went on deck; it was dark and still calm, but he could easily
perceive that the _Harpy_ and corvette were still hove-to, repairing
damages. He ordered the men to lower down the small boat, and leaving
Mesty in charge, with two oars he pulled to the _Harpy_. What with
wounded men, with prisoners, and boats going and coming between the
vessels, every one on board the _Harpy_ were well employed; and in the
dark Jack's little boat came alongside without notice. This should not
have been the case, but it was, and there was some excuse for it. Jack
ascended the side, and pushed his way through the prisoners, who were
being mustered to be victualled. He was wrapped up in one of the
gregos, and many of the prisoners wore the same.

Jack was amused at not being recognised: he slipped down the main
ladder, and had to stoop under the hammocks of the wounded men, and was
about to go aft to the captain's cabin to report himself, when he heard
young Gossett crying out, and the sound of the rope. "Hang me, if that
brute Vigors an't thrashing young Gossett," thought Jack. "I dare say
the poor fellow had had plenty of it since I have been away; I'll save
him this time at least." Jack, wrapped up in his grego, went to the
window of the berth, looked in, and found it was as he expected. He
cried out in an angry voice, "_Mr Vigors, I'll thank you to leave
Gossett alone_." At the sound of the voice Vigors turned round with his
colt in his hand, saw Jack's face at the window, and, impressed with the
idea that the reappearance was supernatural, uttered a yell and fell
down in a fit--little Gossett also trembling in every limb, stared with
his mouth open. Jack was satisfied, and immediately disappeared. He
then went aft to the cabin, pushed by the servant, who was giving some
orders from the captain to the officer on deck, and entering the cabin,
where the captain was seated with two Spanish officers, took off his hat
and said:

"Come on board, Captain Wilson."

Captain Wilson did not fall down in a fit, but he jumped up and upset
the glass before him.

"Merciful God! Mr Easy, where did you come from?"

"From that ship astern, sir," replied Jack.

"That ship astern! what is she?--where have you been so long?"

"It's a long story, sir," replied Jack.

Captain Wilson extended his hand and shook Jack's heartily.

"At all events, I'm delighted to see you, boy: now sit down and tell me
your story