The ensign looked puzzled at this and said: 

“This is strange,—­this is certainly very extraordinary!  Would he stay on the island all night?”

Terrence assured him that the lieutenant was a great sport and that the best shooting was just before day.  The Englishman returned to his boat and was rowed to the man-of-war to report, while the schooner weighed anchor and sailed out of the harbor.  The Xenophon followed two hours later, having first sent a boat to Duck Island for the lieutenant, who swore to shoot the Irishman at sight.  There was no time for him to call on Morgianna and explain why he had not brought her the ducks, for soon after his arrival the ship departed for Halifax, where the commander had to give an account of his conduct at Baltimore.

Meanwhile, the schooner on which the three students had taken passage stood out to sea and started down the coast.

A strong breeze blowing from off land swept her out of sight of the coast, when the wind suddenly shifted, until the skipper declared they had it right in their teeth, and, despite all the skill of master and crew, the vessel continued to drift farther out to sea, while Sukey once more bewailed his fate at risking his life on the water.

“Don’t count me in this game again,” he groaned.  “If I live to get on shore, I’ll never risk myself on water broader than the Ohio.”

With such headwinds, the schooner could not possibly reach Baltimore that night.  All night long she struggled first on one tack and then on the other, and at dawn only the blue mist, seen like a fog in the West, marked the line of the Maryland coast.

“Don’t be discouraged, lads,” said the skipper cheerfully.  “Come down to breakfast, and afore night I’ll have ye snug in port.”

They went to breakfast, and when they returned found the master and three seamen in the forecastle holding a very earnest conversation.  The fourth sailor was at the wheel.  Fernando, glancing off to their larboard saw a large ship, flying English colors, bearing down upon them, and he had no doubt that this vessel was the subject of discussion.

She signalled to the schooner to heave to, and as they were within range of her powerful guns, the skipper was forced to obey.  This vessel was the English frigate Macedonian cruising along the American coast, and at this time short of hands.  In a few moments, the frigate came near and hove to, while a boat with a dozen marines and an officer came alongside the schooner.

“What is your business?” asked the skipper.

“We are looking for deserters and Englishmen.”

“Well, here are my crew,” said the skipper pointing to his sailors.  “Every one I will swear is American born!”

“But who are these young men?”

“Three passengers I am taking to Baltimore.”

The three students began to entertain some grave apprehensions.  Terrence for once was quiet.  His dialect he knew would betray him, and when he was asked where he lived and where he was from, he tried hard to conceal his brogue; but it was in vain.