ouse. It is sure to get known about, and I should never feel
safe."

"Very well, mother, take the money up to Mr. Warden, and ask him to hand
you a guinea every Monday."

"Tom Stevens," said the old woman, "I will ask you to go up to the rectory
with me this very evening. I daren't keep it here, and I daren't carry it
through the village, for there might be a pedlar about, and everybody
knows that pedlars are apt to be thieves."

"Very well," Tom said with a smile, "I will go with you, missis, when Will
has left. I am big enough to tackle a pedlar if we meet one on the way."

"Thank you very heartily, Tom! I'll be comfortable now; but I should never
get a wink of sleep with fifty gold guineas in the house."

Will had noticed that the old couple's clothes were sorely patched, and
the next morning he purchased a complete new outfit for both. These he
sent over by a carrier, with a note, saying: "My dear father, it is only
right that you should start with a fair outfit, and I therefore send you
and the missis a supply that will last you for some time."

Tom Stevens came over two days later, and he and Will started together for
London. On their arrival at Portsmouth they at once joined the _Tartar_,
which was quite ready to sail, and which was under orders to join Lord
Hood's fleet in the Mediterranean.

CHAPTER XI

CAPTIVES AMONG THE MOORS

A week later the _Tartar_ proceeded to the Mediterranean. One morning
after cruising there for some weeks, when the light mist lifted, a vessel
was seen some three miles away. The captain looked at her through his
telescope.

"That is a suspicious-looking craft," he said to the first lieutenant, Mr.
Roberts. "We will lower a cutter and overhaul her."

The cutter's crew were at once mustered. Will was the midshipman in charge
of her, and took his place by the side of the third lieutenant, Mr.
Saxton. The lieutenant ordered the men to take their muskets with them.

"May I take Dimchurch and Stevens?" Will asked.

"Yes, if you like. There is room for them in the bow, and two extra
muskets may be useful."

The two men, who were standing close by, took their places when they heard
the permission given.

"I certainly don't like her appearance, Gilmore," the lieutenant said. "I
cannot help thinking that she is an Algerine by her rig; and though every
Algerine is not necessarily a pirate, a very large number o