for the part, as he would be able to look after the wounded
French sailors, who would naturally go in the ship as they were the
principal witnesses against the blacks on the charges that would be
brought against them of "piracy on the high seas."

It was dark when all these details were finally arranged, and all of
them went back aboard on our vessel for rest and refreshment, the
colonel and his daughter, of course, accompanying us.

Madame and Monsieur Boisson, however, could not be made to leave the
ship, saying they would not do so--Madame, that is, said it, and the
_brave Hercule_, following her lead as usual, "would not leave," said
she repeatedly, "until they once more touched _terra firma_," and not
wishing they should be starved for their obstinacy, the skipper ordered
Weston to look after the happy pair and provide them with food at the
same time as he did the wounded and prisoners.

The two vessels remained for the night, still lashed alongside for
better security, all hands being too tired out besides to be able to do
anything further beyond "turning in" and getting as much rest and sleep
as they could after the fatigue and excitement of the day.

Next morning at sunrise Garry O'Neil went back to his ship with his crew
of eight men--all the skipper was able to spare him--and by breakfast
time they had made her all atauto, bending new sails, which they found
below in the forepeak, in place of the tattered rags that hung from some
of the yards, and otherwise making good defects, preparing the vessel
for her passage home.

We were all sorry to part with Garry even for the short period that
would elapse before he would rejoin the old barquey, for he was the life
of all us aboard; but the same regret was not felt for Master Spokeshave
when we saw him go over the side to accompany the Irishman, the skipper
having so decreed, as his assistant navigator, the damage to his nose
not necessarily affecting his "taking the sun," though it might
interfere with the little beggar's altitudes of another character.

By eight bells all the details necessary under the circumstances were
satisfactorily arranged, including the transfer of the effects belonging
to the colonel and Miss Elsie, these two preferring to voyage with us,
unlike their whilom passengers, the Boissons, who remained in their old
quarters, going with "Captain Garry," as we all dubbed our mess-mate on
his promotion to a separate command; and half an hour o