As soon as the felucca was towed alongside the frigate, the prisoners, as well as the marquis and his daughter, and the priest, were removed on board.
After inspecting the felucca, the captain resolved to keep her as a tender to the frigate, believing that she might be made very useful in capturing the enemy’s merchantmen, as, from her rig, she might get close to them without being suspected.
Lord Claymore highly commended Morton for the gallant way in which he had taken the vessel.
“I scarcely know what to do with the prisoners,” he observed. “We must not cut their throats, or hang them at the yard-arms, but that would be the simplest way of disposing of them, and they probably will not come to any better end.”
Ronald also told his captain all he had heard of the Marquis of Medea.
“The old scoundrel!” was the answer. “However, he is our guest, and he has a lovely daughter; we must treat him politely.”
The most important information, however, was the statement made by the marquis, that Spain had at length declared herself independent of France, and formed a league with England.
“It may be true, but we must not trust to it till we have more certain information,” remarked Lord Claymore.
The calm lasted long enough to have the felucca over-hauled, somewhat cleansed, and put in order. Glover was placed in command of her, with two midshipmen and twenty men. The prisoners were secured below on board the frigate, and sentries put over them, while Lord Claymore gave up a cabin to the young lady, and accommodated the marquis and the priest with cots in his own. It was very difficult to please the old marquis, who, notwithstanding the trouble taken to attend to his comfort, grumbled at everything—so much so, that Lord Claymore would have sent him on board the felucca to shift for himself, had it not been for his daughter, who showed herself contented and thankful for the kindness she and her father were receiving, while her brilliant smiles and joyous laughter proved that she was sincere in her expressions.
The breeze came at last, and the frigate, followed by the little felucca, stood on towards the Spanish coast.