After several days a fine breeze filled the sails of the Raker; it did not come in consequence of the vast amount of grumbling, and perhaps of swearing, which the uneasy tars had given vent to, but from whatever cause it filled them with joy, and every countenance among them was lighted with pleasure. Captain Greene had so far recovered as to be able to reach the deck of his brig, and as his smart little craft walked off before the wind, he sat on the quarter-deck with a pleasant smile upon his weather-beaten countenance, conversing with Captain Horton and Mr. Williams. Each of the three old gentlemen held a short pipe in his mouth, and all seemed to be decidedly enjoying themselves. "I say, Captain Greene," exclaimed the commander of the lost merchantman, "nobody would think our two countries were at war to see us now," and the worthy tar blew a long column of smoke from his mouth and laughed merrily. "Truly not, and it don't seem more than half natural that we should be." "Why, we English all think that the Americans cherish feelings of hatred toward us." "Not a bit of it sir--there is, on the contrary, a strong feeling of attachment among us all for our mother country." "Well, what are you fighting us for now then?" "Because we think we have been wronged; your naval officers have time and again impressed our free-born American citizens, on board their own craft, though it was clearly shown that they owed no allegiance to the king." "Well, if that is so, it looks wrong to be sure; I don't know much about the war, but as an Englishman, I am bound to believe my country is in the right, some way or other, even if it looks otherwise." "Of course, captain--at any rate, I don't believe we shall quarrel about it. Fill up again, captain, I see your pipe is out." "Thank you, I believe I will. Mr. Williams, you don't seem to feel as well as usual, you look a little gloomy." "My thoughts just then were running upon my great disappointment, in being so unfortunately prevented from proceeding to the Indies." "The fortune of war, Mr. Williams," said Capt. Horton, as he lit his pipe from the American commander's. "It's bad, I know, and I've lost as nice a little brig as ever sailed out of London, and don't know as I shall ever get another, even if I ever get home to old England again. Speaking of that, Captain Greene, do you hold us prisoners of war, or how?" "Not at all, sir," replied the captain. "If I'd overhauled your brig before that pirate fell a-foul of you, why, then, it would have been a different thing; but, shiver my timbers, if I ever make war against a ship's crew in distress. No, no--I picked you up at sea, and I don't consider you at all in the light of enemies. I will set you adrift again the first chance I have." "Not on a raft, I hope, Captain Greene, ha! ha! ha!"