nearly round the harbour, concealing the masts even of
the largest ships from being seen by any passing stranger. In one place
the land sloped more gradually from the water, and on it were a number
of huts, mostly well-built and of considerable size, forming a regular
village. Some way above the village were several more huts surrounded
by a high palisade with a gateway, before which paced a couple of
sentries. I had not had much time to make my observations when I was
ordered into a boat, and on landing was at once conducted up to the
last-mentioned group of huts. Entering the gate I was led into a hut
close to it, in which sat an officer who told me that I must consider
myself a prisoner of war, and that as the English shut up the French who
fell into their hands in Porchester Castle, I had no reason to complain.
I urged that I had not been taken prisoner, and that after years of
absence from my home I was anxious to return there. He shrugged his
shoulders, smiling grimly, and made no reply. I found between thirty
and forty persons living within the palisade, most of them masters and
mates of captured ships. Several had been there from nearly the
commencement of the war. They told me that they were strictly watched,
and that they found it impossible to send letters home to inform their
friends of their fate. Civilians and common seamen had of late not been
allowed to land, but had been sent away immediately; the object of the
French being, it was evident, to conceal this convenient rendezvous of
their privateers from the enemy. I found this account too true, and
though I made many attempts to send letters to you I was unable to
succeed. We were not otherwise harshly treated, but we all pined for
freedom, and great was our joy when peace was concluded, and we were
sent off to the Cape. Care was even then taken to prevent us from
learning the exact position of the island of our captivity; but we
ascertained it pretty correctly, and should another war break out it is
not likely to be again used for the same purpose. On reaching the Cape
I at once obtained, as you know, the command of a ship, and thus had no
means of informing you of my existence before my arrival."

Much more interesting conversation, as may be supposed, passed between
the father and daughter.

Jessie was very anxious to repeat what she had heard to her friend Mrs
Chandos, and Captain Flamank consented to accompany her to the house of
that