He opened his portfolio, and breaking the seal displayed some pages of closely written matter that was undated and unsigned. It merely stated that Mr. Hodge, merchant, had given his guarantee and bond, together with Messrs. Ross and Allan, that the American vessel about to depart from Dunkirk should respect all English commerce and should make the best of her way to the United States. Conyngham’s name was not even mentioned. As soon as he had read it, the captain exclaimed aloud: “We are trapped again! By the Powers, there’s a large rat somewhere. Where is my commission? I can not sail without one, and I refuse to put myself and my crew in such jeopardy.” “Dr. Franklin spoke to me of the paper that he had given you, and that he had sent to the Count de Vergennes. He understood from the latter that it had been returned to either Mr. Arthur Lee or Mr. Silas Deane, who had sent it to you at this place.” “I have never received it.” “Well,” said Mr. Carmichael, “this must be attended to before sailing. We will meet ashore this afternoon with Hodge, Allan, and the rest, and hold a council of war. Perhaps I had better see them first, and I will ask you to send me off in one of your boats immediately.” The secretary and the captain repaired on deck. Conyngham felt no little pride in his vessel, and indeed she was one to make the heart of any captain glad. Everything about her was as neat as a pin. Her crew of nearly one hundred men, forty-four of whom were Americans, had picked up wonderfully in their work. On her decks were fourteen six-pounders and twenty small two-pounder swivels capable of making great havoc at short range when loaded with grape or ball. He pointed out the good points of his vessel to Mr. Carmichael, who appeared in a great hurry to get away, and was soon sent off in the captain’s gig, intending to look up Mr. Hodge as soon as possible. After drilling the crew all one afternoon, Conyngham early in the evening went ashore, and repaired at once to the usual rendezvous. There he found the others awaiting him. All seemed to be in good humor. “Ho, Captain Glumface,” cried Hodge, “sit down with us. I have some news that will give thee comfort.” “Has it arrived?” asked Conyngham eagerly. “Hear the man!” replied Hodge. “Look!” He handed Conyngham a paper. “It is one that just by luck I found in my possession. A blank commission, and I have dated it to cover your last cruise.” “But this is a privateersman’s commission,” Conyngham said, looking up from his perusal of the paper. “I do not consider myself in that light.” “I went on your bond,” replied Hodge. “Yes, but it was not your money that paid for the outfitting; it was money belonging to the United Colonies of America, or borrowed on their account, and I am an officer in the regular navy, and that vessel sails under the flag.”