Under these circumstances, Justin and Britomarte, taking Judith with them, went into Cape Town, and spent the day with their hospitable friends, the Burneys, at Silver Tree Villa. In the meantime Captain Yetsom, who had now resumed command of his ship, went on shore, and made arrangements with the American consul there concerning the prisoners of the _Sea Scourge_, who he proposed should be paroled and put ashore at Cape Town. This measure, when made known to the prisoners, was met by different individuals in different ways. Some among them who were vagrants belonging to no particular country, such as might be picked up at any seaport to serve under any flag, were willing enough to be turned loose at Cape Town, where they would be sure to find employment. Others, chiefly American and Irish, rather than be left in a foreign port, were willing to take the oath of allegiance to their own or their adopted government, and to ship as seamen on board the _Xyphias_, which, by reason of the large number killed and wounded, was now short handed. Others again were neither willing to remain at Cape Town nor to take service on the _Xyphias_, and they earnestly exclaimed against the enormity of Captain Yetsom’s cruelty in turning them loose upon a foreign shore. Captain Yetsom, when he good naturedly condescended to notice these grumbling remonstrances, answered them in a few words: “Military, or rather naval necessity!” The _Xyphias_, going on her cruise after more privateers, could not be encumbered with prisoners—could not be converted into a floating gaol; and the prisoners could not be trusted on the _Sea Scourge_, which was to be sent home. So these malcontents were left with the others. The prisoners thus disposed of, Captain Yetsom turned his attention to other and equally important matters. He relieved Passed Midshipman Bestor of his charge, and ordered Lieutenant Ethel to take command of the prize to take her home to New York. He reinforced the crew of the prize with some of the best seamen from the _Xyphias_, and he wrote his dispatches to the Secretary of the Navy, describing the capture of the privateer, praising the conduct of his officers and crew, especially recommending Lieutenant Ethel for promotion. Britomarte, Justin and Judith were to go home on the prize. So on the afternoon of that day all their luggage was transferred from the cabin of the _Xyphias_ to the quarters prepared for them on the _Sea Scourge_. But they themselves, yielding no less to their own inclinations than to the solicitations of the captain, determined to remain with their friends on the man-of-war all that night, and up to the hour of sailing the next morning. Very early the next morning all was cheerful bustle on both ships, making ready to sail. Lieutenant Ethel came on board the _Xyphias_ to receive his captain’s last orders, and then immediately returned to the _Sea Scourge_.