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career that practically he did all the talking； and was the
Council of War himself。 It was to be an affair of boats； he
explained。 A boat's…crew would be told off to cut the cables；
and two boats'…crews to climb stealthily on board and overpower
the sleeping Frenchmen； and two more boats' crews to haul the
doomed vessel out of the bay。 This made rather a demand on my
limited resources as to crews； but I was prepared to stretch a
point in a case like this； and I speedily brought my numbers up
to the requisite efficiency。
The night was both moonless and star…lessI had arranged all
thatwhen the boats pushed off from the side of our vessel； and
made their way toward the ship that； unfortunately for itself；
had been singled out by Fate to carry me home in triumph。 I was
in excellent spirits； and； indeed； as I stepped over the side； a
lawless idea crossed my mind； of discovering another Princess on
board the frigatea French one this time； I had heard that that
sort was rather nice。 But I abandoned the notion at once；
recollecting that the heroes of all history had always been noted
for their unswerving constancy。
The French captain was snug in bed when I clambered in through
his cabin window and held a naked cutlass to his throat。
Naturally he was surprised and considerably alarmed； till I
discharged one of my set speeches at him； pointing out that my
men already had his crew under hatchways； that his vessel
was even then being towed out of harbour； and that； on his
accepting the situation with a good grace； his person and private
property would be treated with all the respect due to the
representative of a great nation for which I entertained feelings
of the profoundest admiration and regard and all that sort of
thing。 It was a beautiful speech。 The Frenchman at once
presented me with his parole； in the usual way； and； in a reply
of some power and pathos； only begged that I would retire a
moment while he put on his trousers。 This I gracefully consented
to do； and the incident ended。
Two of my boats were sunk by the fire from the forts on the
shore； and several brave fellows were severely wounded in the
hand…to…hand struggle with the French crew for the possession of
the frigate。 But the bo'sun's admirable strategy； and my
own reckless gallantry in securing the French captain at the
outset； had the fortunate result of keeping down the death…rate。
It was all for the sake of the Princess that I had arranged so
comparatively tame a victory。 For myself； I rather liked a fair
amount of blood…letting； red…hot shot； and flying splinters。 But
when you have girls about the place； they have got to be
considered to a certain extent。
There was another supper…party that night； in my cabin； as soon
as we had got well out to sea； and the French captain； who was
the guest of the evening； was in the greatest possible form。 We
became sworn friends； and exchanged invitations to come and stay
at each other's homes； and really it was quite difficult to
induce him to take his leave。 But at last he and his crew were
bundled into their boats； and after I had pressed some pirate
bullion upon themdelicately； of course； but in a pleasant
manner that admitted of no denialthe gallant fellows quite
broke down； and we parted； our bosoms heaving with a full sense
of each other's magnanimity and good…fellowship。
The next day； which was nearly all taken up with shifting our
quarters into the new frigate； so honourably and easily acquired；
was a very pleasant one； as everyone who has gone up in the world
and moved into a larger house will readily understand。 At last I
had grim； black guns all along each side； instead of a rotten
brass carronade； at last I had a square…rigged ship； with real
yards； and a proper quarter…deck。 In fact； now that I had soared
as high as could be hoped in a single voyage； it seemed about
time to go home and cut a dash and show off a bit。 The worst of
this ocean…theatre was； it held no proper audience。 It was
hard； of course； to relinquish all the adventures that still lay
untouched in these Southern seas。 Whaling； for instance； had not
yet been entered upon； the joys of exploration； and strange
inland cities innocent of the white man； still awaited me； and
the book of wrecks and rescues was not yet even opened。 But I
had achieved a frigate and a Princess； and that was not so bad
for a beginning； and more than enough to show off with before
those dull unadventurous folk who continued on their mill…horse
round at home。
The voyage home was a record one； so far as mere speed was
concerned； and all adventures were scornfully left behind； as we
rattled along； for other adventurers who had still their laurels
to win。 Hardly later than the noon of next day we dropped anchor
in Plymouth Sound； and heard the intoxicating clamour of bells；
the roar of artillery； and the hoarse cheers of an excited
populace surging down to the quays； that told us we were being
appreciated at something like our true merits。 The Lord Mayor
was waiting there to receive us； and with him several Admirals of
the Fleet； as we walked down the lane of pushing； enthusiastic
Devonians； the Princess and I； and our war…worn； weather…beaten；
spoil…laden crew。 Everybody was very nice about the French
frigate； and the pirate booty； and the scars still fresh on our
young limbs； yet I think what I liked best of all was； that they
all pronounced the Princess to be a duck； and a peerless； brown…
haired darling； and a true mate for a hero； and of the right
Princess…breed。
The air was thick with invitations and with the smell of civic
banquets in a forward stage； but I sternly waved all festivities
aside。 The coaches…and…four I had ordered immediately on
arriving were blocking the whole of the High Street； the
champing of bits and the pawing of gravel summoned us to take our
seats and be off； to where the real performance awaited us；
compared with which all this was but an interlude。 I placed the
Princess in the most highly gilded coach of the lot； and mounted
to my place at her side； and the rest of the crew scrambled on
board of the others as best they might。 The whips cracked and
the crowd scattered and cheered as we broke into a gallop for
home。 The noisy bells burst into a farewell peal
Yes； that was undoubtedly the usual bell for school…room tea。
And high time too； I thought； as I tumbled out of the bath； which
was beginning to feel very hard to the projecting portions of my
frame…work。 As I trotted downstairs； hungrier even than usual；
farewells floated up from the front door； and I heard the
departing voices of our angular elderly visitors as they made
their way down the walk。 Man was still catching it； apparently
Man was getting it hot。 And much Man cared！ The seas were his；
and their islands； he had his frigates for the taking； his
pirates and their hoards for an unregarded cutlass…str