"`That's all very well, my fine fellow,' says he, `and I don't doubt but what you're telling the truth; but, you see,' says he, `you can't _prove_ it. Now I _must_ have something beyond your bare word before I give up possession of the brig. When you can bring me something in the shape of proof that what you say is true, come to me again, and I'll see what can be done in the matter.' "Of course that was all right and straight-for'ard enough, so I went away, and troubled no more about it. The craft is safe enough; they've been using her as a cruiser, and taking care of her, and I don't doubt but what she's in just as good order as she was on the night when we took her. And now, all we've got to do is to go to the admiral again, and make our claim. There's _three_ of us this time, so that there'll be no difficulty at all in getting her delivered over to us." CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. THE "AURORA" TURNS UP AGAIN. That same day George waited upon the admiral and formally laid claim to the _Jeune Virginie_. He was very well received, his statement patiently listened to, and--to make a long story short--in about three weeks afterwards the claim was actually allowed, and the vessel handed over to her rightful owners. George was agreeably surprised, for--notwithstanding Bowen's implicit confidence--he fully anticipated that there would be some trouble over the matter. Legal possession once obtained, Leicester had no difficulty in raising money by means of a bottomry bond, and with this he provisioned the brig for six months, intending to take out letters of marque, and endeavour to make good his losses--a resolution in which he was cordially seconded by Bowen. But, though all this gave him plenty of occupation, he had not forgotten his old crew, and he found--or rather took--time, not only to prepare a complete list of the names and a full description of all those who were still--so far as he knew--in a state of slavery, but also to put it into the hands of the proper authorities, with such an urgent representation of their probable sufferings, that the matter was at once taken up; and he had the satisfaction of knowing, before he sailed, that negotiations were already in progress for their discovery and deliverance. Considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining a crew for the brig, good men being scarce; but at last this was overcome, and on a bright September morning the anchor was hove up, and the _Virginie_ started upon her cruise. The shoals outside the harbour were cleared in due time, the brig working like a top, and sailing like a witch, to the unbounded delight of all hands; and then George hauled sharp up on the port tack, his intention being to cruise for a few days in the Windward and Caycos Passages before shaping a course for home. For the first five days of their cruise they were singularly unlucky, seeing nothing but a man-o'-war schooner, which, on speaking, they found had been equally as unfortunate as themselves.