With the usual celerity of the service these orders were obeyed. The pirates, among whom Francisco was included, were secured, the boats hoisted up, and in half an hour the _Comus_ displayed her ensign, and made all sail on a wind, leaving Edward Templemore, with the _Enterprise_, at the back of the reef, to perform the duties entailed upon him; and Clara, who was on board of the schooner, to remove the suspicion and jealousy which had arisen in the bosom of her lover. CHAPTER XVII THE TRIAL In a week, the _Comus_ arrived at Port Royal, and the captain went up to the Penn to inform the admiral of the successful result of the expedition. 'Thank God,' said the admiral, 'we have caught these villains at last! A little hanging will do them no harm. The captain, you say, was drowned?' 'So it is reported, sir,' replied Captain Manly; 'he was in the last boat which left the schooner, and she was sunk by a shot from the launch.' 'I am sorry for that; the death was too good for him. However, we must make an example of the rest; they must be tried by the Admiralty Court, which has the jurisdiction of the high seas. Send them on shore, Manly, and we wash our hands of them.' 'Very good, sir; but there are still some left on the island, we have reason to believe, and the _Enterprise_ is in search of them.' 'By the bye, did Templemore find his lady?' 'Oh yes, sir; and--all's right, I believe: but I had very little to say to him on the subject.' 'Humph!' replied the admiral. 'I am glad to hear it. Well, send them on shore, Manly, to the proper authorities. If any more be found, they must be hung afterwards when Templemore brings them in. I am more pleased at having secured these scoundrels than if we had taken a French frigate.' About three weeks after this conversation, the secretary reported to the admiral that the _Enterprise_ had made her number outside; but that she was becalmed, and would not probably be in until the evening. 'That's a pity,' replied the admiral; 'for the pirates are to be tried this morning. He may have more of them on board.' 'Very true, sir; but the trial will hardly be over to-day: the judge will not be in court till one o'clock at the soonest.' 'It's of little consequence, certainly; as it is, there are so many that they must be hanged by divisions. However, as he is within signal distance, let them telegraph 'Pirates now on trial.' He can pull on shore in his gig, if he pleases.' It was about noon on the same day that the pirates, and among them Francisco, escorted by a strong guard, were conducted to the court-house and placed at the bar. The court-house was crowded to excess, for the interest excited was intense.