permitted to remain in the brig, but the captain, myself, and four of the crew were removed into the privateer. I suppressed any mention of my feelings on this untoward conclusion to our voyage; I could only press poor Cherry’s hand—the tears were in her eyes; but her brave, noble father cheered us by his example, and put faith and trust in a merciful Providence who had hitherto protected us through so many trials. The next morning a brig under French colours hove in sight. Captain Eltherme, who commanded the Sanspareil privateer, said to me— “‘That’s a wolf in a sheep’s skin; that’s an English brig, and too strong for me.’ “How my heart beat with hope! The privateer hoisted signals, the brig answered by hoisting English colours and firing a gun. The Frenchman cursed and swore against luck, stamped upon deck, but ended by crowding sail and abandoning the prize. “‘Ah!’ said Captain Eltherme, looking into my face, and seeing, I suppose, my delight at the colonel and his daughter’s escape, though cut to the heart at my own situation; ‘don’t you think he’s going to catch me; I have the legs of that confounded brig;’ and he had. The privateer ran into the river of Bordeaux, whilst the brig returned, and I dare say re-took the English craft. “My prospects were now dismal in the extreme; I was taken as an Englishman, and might remain years in prison. I might be recognised as Julian Coulancourt, and then shot as a deserter from the Volentier. “‘I tell you what, monsieur,’ said Captain Eltherme to me, ‘I’m not a bad kind of man for a privateer’s man—eh, mon garçon?’ “‘Well, no,’ I replied; ‘I have found you very kind, and you behaved generously to my friends.’ “‘Eh, bien, mon garçon, listen to me. You speak French too much like a native to be an Englishman—besides, you have something of the Frenchman about you.’ I did not consider the captain very complimentary, but I let him go on. ‘If I send you ashore with the rest, you may remain in prison for years. You speak English like a native.’ “‘I am a native,’ I exclaimed, rather vexed. “‘Eh, bien! be it so,’ he returned. ‘Still, you can be useful to me when I capture English vessels; stay with me.’ “‘But you do not suppose, Captain Eltherme,’ I exclaimed, ‘that I am going to fight against my own countrymen?’ “‘No; mon Dieu! no,’ said he; ‘I do not want you to fight; parole d’honneur; but take my advice, and do not go to prison. I may be taken in my turn, then you will have your liberty; are you satisfied? You shall share my cabin with my officers, and no one shall insult you.’