At last what he dreaded arrived. He sailed into port one day, to find his recall; and he went back on board ship, ordered all sail to be made, and, ignoring the order, determined to find the Commodore or die. CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. THE BLACK SCHOONER. Commodore Junk's schooner, with its enormous spars and sails, had been lying-to off the harbour of Saint Geronimo one afternoon, where she had taken in a good store of fresh fruit for her crew, while waiting the return of one of her officers who had been overland to Belize to pick up information that might be useful to the captain. Bart Wrigley was silent that calm, still evening for a long time after the captain had spoken, and then-- "It's a mistake, my dear lad," he said angrily. "You do as you like, and I'll follow you through with it, and so will the men; but I say it's a mistake." "And why!" asked the captain, coldly. "Are you afraid to meet the ship!" "Nay, I don't know as I'm afraid," said Bart; "but where's the good? She's twice stronger than we, and we shall get nothing but hard knocks." "Do you think I should be so mad as to attack such a ship as that on equal terms?" "I dunno," growled Bart: "May be. Where's the good of fighting her at all?" "Why do I pursue so many vessels, and take such revenge as I do!" said the captain. "Do you think I've forgotten mine and my brother's wrongs!" "No; you wouldn't forget them," said Bart, slowly; "but you're going to run too much risk." "Not too much to gain such sweet revenge, Bart," said the captain, excitedly; and the dark eyes which gazed at the rough, Devon man seemed to burn. "Do you know who commands this ship that has been hunting us these six mouths?" "Yes; a brave officer in the king's service." "A brave officer!" cried the captain, contemptuously. "Well, that's what they say; and that he has sworn to die or take us." "He--sworn!" cried the captain. "A brave captain! Did you and poor Abel find him so brave when you met him that night on the road to Slapton Lea?" "What!" cried Bart. "No; 'tisn't him!" "That ship is commanded by Captain Armstrong," said the captain, hoarsely; "by the man, Bart, who blasted my life; who sent my brother to his death out here, for it was through him poor Abel died." "No! Never!" cried Bart, incredulously. "It's true, Bart. I have just learned that it is he by Dinny, who has returned from Belize. She is commanded by the man I once thought I loved." "But you don't love him now?" "Love! Bart Wrigley, can you believe in a person's nature being changed by cruelty and wrong." "No. Not yours," growled Bart. "Then you may believe it, Bart; and now the time has come, and I am going to have my revenge. Do you know what I am going to do?" "You told me," said Bart, roughly. "Fight."