I am put in command of the Sparrow-Hawk--Am directed to take four Jacobite Gentlemen secretly on board--Run with them to Bordeaux--Land them in safety--Dine with the Governor--Meet with the Widow of the French Gentleman I had unfortunately killed--Am insulted by her second Husband--Agree to fight with him--Sail down the River and prepare for Action. On our arrival, Captain Levee and I, as soon as we had got rid of the dust of travel, called upon the owner, who informed us that all the alterations in Captain Levee's vessel, which was a large lugger of fourteen guns, and a hundred and twenty men, were complete, and that my vessel was also ready for me, and manned; but that I had better go on board and see if any thing else was required, or if there was any alteration that I would propose. Captain Levee and I immediately went down to the wharf, alongside of which my vessel lay, that we might examine her now that she was fitted out as a vessel of war. She had been a schooner in the Spanish trade, and had been captured by Captain Levee, who had taken her out from under a battery as she lay at anchor, having just made her port from a voyage from South America, being at that time laden with copper and cochineal--a most valuable prize she had proved--and as she was found to be a surprising fast sailer, the owner had resolved to fit her out as a privateer. She was not a large vessel, being of about a hundred and sixty tons, but she was very beautifully built. She was now armed with eight brass guns, of a calibre of six pounds each, four howitzers aft, and two cohorns on the taffrail. "You have a very sweet little craft here, Elrington," said Captain Levee, after he had walked all over her, and examined her below and aloft. "She will sail better than before, I should think, for she then had a very full cargo, and now her top hamper is a mere nothing. Did the owner say how many men you had?" "Fifty-four is, I believe, to be our full complement," I replied, "and I should think quite enough." "Yes, if they are good men and true. You may do a great deal with this vessel, for you see she draws so little water, that you may run in where I dare not venture. Come, we will now return to our lodgings, pack up, and each go on board of our vessels. We have had play enough, now to work again, and in good earnest." "I was about to propose it myself," I replied, "for with a new vessel, officers and men not known to me, the sooner I am on board and with them the better. It will take some time to get every thing and everybody in their places." "Spoken like a man who understands his business," replied Captain Levee. "I wonder whether we shall be sent out together?" "I can only say, that I hope so," I replied, "as I should profit much by your experience, and hope to prove to you that, if necessary, I shall not be a bad second." And as I made this reply, we arrived at the house where we had lodged.