bound up my arm, and stopped the
flow of blood. In a short time I returned to consciousness, when I
found A'Dale sitting by me. At first I could not recollect where I was,
or what had happened. My first question, however, on coming to my
senses, was whether anything more had been seen of the pirates.

"No," answered A'Dale; "but two or three boats have passed near us in
the dark, and the captain is afraid that they are still on the watch for
us. He proposes, therefore, directly the tide serves, to get under
weigh, and to drop farther down the river. Perhaps we shall fall in
with our friend Captain Rover, but if not, we must take care of
ourselves, and our fellows have shown that they are both willing and
able to fight."

Soon after he had said this, we heard the sound of heaving up the
anchor, and other familiar noises showed us that the vessel was already
moving. A'Dale told me that he had left all the men on deck, with their
hangers buckled by their sides, and their pikes ready to their hands, to
repel any sudden assault.

"I scarcely like to remain so long down here with you;" he added, "lest
they should think I am skulking."

I begged him not to think of me, but to go on deck, if he thought fit.

"Very well," he said; "but I must come and have a look at you
occasionally."

He was as good as his word. I remember his coming down once, but I was
very sleepy, and soon dropped off, so that I was no longer aware of what
was taking place.

The grey light of morning had found its way into the cabin when I awoke.
All was then quiet; the only sounds which reached my ears being the
heavy tread of the men on deck, the occasional creaking of a block, and
the ripple of the water against the sides of the vessel. By this I knew
that the vessel was under weigh. Feeling much better, I managed to get
out of my bed, and throwing a cloak over my shoulders, crawled up on
deck. We were standing down the Scheld, with all sail set, for the wind
had changed. The crew were still on deck, and, with the captain and
mates and A'Dale, were watching a large vessel which was following us.
So intent were they in watching the stranger that they did not observe
me. As soon, however, as Captain Davis's eyes rested on me, he
exclaimed:

"Go down below, Master Verner, and turn into your berth again. You had
no business to come on deck, and run the chance of getting the cold into
your wound. I am your doctor, as well as the captain