"I'm sure they will readily agree to that," replied the captain; "they are gentlemen in every sense of the word, and nothing more need be said on that point."
My second mate went with a prize-crew to take charge of the prize, and as rapidly as it could be done the crew of the Camperdown was transferred to the Marguerite and confined below. After the transfers had been completed, I went on board the ship to see the passengers and take the paroles, which they had sent word they would readily give on condition of being allowed to remain on the ship.
As I stepped on the deck of the ship, I heard expressions of astonishment in feminine tones; as I turned my attention in the direction of the sounds, there was occasion for me to show astonishment too. In the group of passengers near the entrance of the after cabin was Captain Graham with his wife and two daughters.
Under the circumstances, they were just at that moment very glad to see me; in fact, they were far more willing to be captives in my hands than in those of a total stranger. We had a cordial greeting on both sides, and I was introduced to their fellow-passengers.
"There will be no difficulty about your paroles," I said with a smile, as soon as the formalities were over; "and I will see that your private property is carefully respected." Then, after a little conversation referring to their personal comfort on the way to New York, I went to the cabin and wrote a letter to the owners of the Marguerite, telling briefly how and where I had known the Graham family, and asking that every possible courtesy be shown to them on my account.
I had no opportunity for a chat with Mrs. Graham and her daughters, and it was much to my disappointment that I felt obliged to shorten my stay on board. Mrs. Graham asked for Haines; and on learning that he was my third mate on the Marguerite, she expressed such a desire to see him that I hailed the schooner, and told him to come aboard the ship immediately.
He came, and was as much surprised as I had been at meeting the Graham family. He blushed as much as it was possible for a sun-browned face like his to blush, and his manner was decidedly awkward. He remained only a few moments, leaving the ship shortly before I did, and taking with him the second mate of the Camperdown, who had been supervising the transfer of the crew.
When it came my turn to go I had a hearty farewell from my old friends, whom I especially commended to my second mate, and in their hearing instructed him to see that they were well cared for during the voyage, and promptly landed on reaching New York. Hardly had I cast off from the ship before she filled away on her course for New York, bearing proudly aloft the "Stars and Stripes," and below our national banner the Red Cross of St. George.
My crew gave three cheers as the Camperdown sailed away; and then we turned our attention to the horizon, which we scanned in search of other possible prizes.