Captain Yetsom also improved very rapidly under the skillful treatment of the surgeon.
On the tenth day, at night, every one was awakened by the lusty cry:
“Land ho!”
And on the morning of the eleventh, coming on deck, they found themselves anchored in Table Bay.
Here the captain announced that they should remain for twenty-four hours, as he had to see the American consul, and parole a portion of his prisoners.
Under these circumstances, Justin and Britomarte, taking Judith with them, went into Cape Town, and spent the day with their hospitable friends, the Burneys, at Silver Tree Villa.
In the meantime Captain Yetsom, who had now resumed command of his ship, went on shore, and made arrangements with the American consul there concerning the prisoners of the Sea Scourge, who he proposed should be paroled and put ashore at Cape Town. This measure, when made known to the prisoners, was met by different individuals in different ways. Some among them who were vagrants belonging to no particular country, such as might be picked up at any seaport to serve under any flag, were willing enough to be turned loose at Cape Town, where they would be sure to find employment.
Others, chiefly American and Irish, rather than be left in a foreign port, were willing to take the oath of allegiance to their own or their adopted government, and to ship as seamen on board the Xyphias, which, by reason of the large number killed and wounded, was now short handed.
Others again were neither willing to remain at Cape Town nor to take service on the Xyphias, and they earnestly exclaimed against the enormity of Captain Yetsom’s cruelty in turning them loose upon a foreign shore.
Captain Yetsom, when he good naturedly condescended to notice these grumbling remonstrances, answered them in a few words: “Military, or rather naval necessity!” The Xyphias, going on her cruise after more privateers, could not be encumbered with prisoners—could not be converted into a floating gaol; and the prisoners could not be trusted on the Sea Scourge, which was to be sent home.