All was done, accordingly.  In half an hour, the Dawn was steering for the western coast of England, with everything set we thought it prudent to carry.  Two hours after we began to move away from the spot where they lay, the frigates had sunk behind the curvature of the earth, and we lost sight of them altogether.  The weather continued good, the breeze steady and fresh, and the Dawn did her duty admirably.  We began to get accustomed to our situations, and found them less arduous than had been apprehended.  The direction of the wind was so favourable, that it kept hope alive; though we trebled our distance by going round the British islands, instead of passing directly up channel.  Twenty-four hours were necessary to carry us as far north as the Land’s End, however; and I determined to be then governed by circumstances.  Should the wind shift, we always had the direct route before us; and I had my doubts whether putting a bold face on the matter, running close in with the English shore, and appearing to be bound for London, were not the wisest course.  There certainly was the danger of the Speedy’s telling our story, in which case there would be a sharp look-out for us; while there was the equal chance that she might speak nothing for a week.  Eight-and-forty hours ahead of her, I should not have feared much from her account of us.

It is unnecessary to dwell minutely on the events of the next few days.  The weather continued good, the wind fair and our progress was in proportion.  We saw nothing until we got within two leagues of Scilly Light, when we were boarded by a pilot-boat out from those islands.  This occurred at sunrise, with the wind light at north-east, and one sail in sight to windward, that had the appearance of a brig-of-war, though she was still hull down, and not heading for us.

I saw that the smallness of our crew, and the course we were steering, struck these pilots, the moment they had time to ascertain the first fact.  It was not usual, in that day, nor do I suppose it is now, for deep-laden Americans to pass so near England, coming from the south-east and steering to the north-west.  A remark to this effect fell from the mouth of the principal pilot, as soon as I told him I did not wish to go in to any of the neighbouring ports.

“I am short of hands, and am desirous of obtaining three or four good men,” I said, “who shall be well paid for their services, and sent back, without cost, to the place whence they came.”

“Ay, I see you’ve a small crew for so stout a craft, master,” the pilot answered.  “May I ask what has happened to bring you down so low?”

“Why, you know how it is among your cruisers, in war-time—­an English frigate carried away all hands, with the exception of these you see.”

Now, this was true to the ear, at least, though I saw, plainly enough, that I was not believed.

“It’s not often His Majesty’s officers shave so close,” the pilot answered, with a sort of sneer I did not like.  “They commonly send in hands with a ship, when they find it necessary to take her own men.”