the
ships were nearer the land, notwithstanding all their endeavours to beat
off it, than they had been on the previous evening. Many a glass was
turned westward in search of the _Concorde_, though the hope of
discovering her was slight. Not a trace of her was to be seen. She,
with her prize-crew, had probably foundered or gone on shore at the
moment her lights had disappeared. Still it was thought possible that
she might have been driven into some bay, or between high rocks, and be
concealed by them from sight. Soon after dawn the _Falcon_ made the
signal to bear up for the harbour. She leading, and the two re-captured
whalers following, they stood towards it. Though the sea broke
impetuously on the rocks on either side, they safely entered the
magnificent harbour of Rio de Janeiro, and dropped their anchors off the
town.

Lieutenant Handsel at once applied to the authorities for guides, and a
party was sent off, under the master and purser, to search the coast to
the northward for the wreck of the _Concorde_, and to assist any of the
crew who might have escaped. The sea was still too rough to allow of an
expedition by water. Ralph in the meantime was ordered to return to the
_Falcon_ with Mr Chandos and the men-of-war's men who had accompanied
him on board the _Eagle_. Mr Handsel then told him that as there was
no probability of an English master being found at Rio to take the
_Eagle_ home, he should direct him to do so, and would furnish him with
a document which would enable him to obtain a passage to rejoin the
_Falcon_ in India, should he desire to remain in the navy. "I would
strongly advise you to do so," he added; "and it will not be my fault it
you do not gain promotion."

Ralph heartily thanked his commander, and begged that he might be
allowed to defer his decision till his arrival in England. Before going
on shore, which he had to visit to obtain workmen for the repairs of the
_Eagle_, he went below to speak to Dick Bracewell. He hoped to soothe
his anger and to persuade him to give up his intention of deserting. He
did not see him as he went along the decks. He ascertained that he had
not formed one of the exploring party. He sent others to search for
him, but he was nowhere to be found. A number of shore-boats had been
going backwards and forwards all day between the ship and the shore, and
Ralph had too much reason to fear that Dick had smuggled himself into
one of them and made his e