Those who know what it is to meet with an unexpected piece of great good fortune, can imagine the delight with which Ruby stood at the helm on the night in question, and steered for home!  He was known by all on board to be the man who understood best the navigation of the Forth, so that implicit trust was placed in him by the young officer who had charge of the prize.

The man-of-war happened to be short-handed at the time the privateer was captured, owing to her boats having been sent in chase of a suspicious craft during a calm.  Some of the French crew were therefore left on board to assist in navigating the vessel.

This was unfortunate, for the officer sent in charge turned out to be a careless man, and treated the Frenchmen with contempt.  He did not keep strict watch over them, and the result was, that, shortly after the storm began, they took the English crew by surprise, and overpowered them.

Ruby was the first to fall.  As he stood at the wheel, indulging in pleasant dreams, a Frenchman stole up behind him, and felled him with a handspike.  When he recovered he found that he was firmly bound, along with his comrades, and that the vessel was lying-to.  One of the Frenchmen came forward at that moment, and addressed the prisoners in broken English.

“Now, me boys,” said he, “you was see we have konker you again.  You behold the sea?” pointing over the side; “well, that bees your bed to-night if you no behave.  Now, I wants to know, who is best man of you as onderstand dis cost?  Speak de trut’, else you die.”

The English lieutenant at once turned to Ruby.

“Well, cast him loose; de rest of you go b’low—­good day, ver’ moch indeed.”

Here the Frenchman made a low bow to the English, who were led below, with the exception of Ruby.

“Now, my goot mans, you onderstand dis cost?”

“Yes.  I know it well.”

“It is dangereoux?”

“It is—­very; but not so much so as it used to be before the Bell Rock Light was shown.”

“Have you see dat light?”

“No; never.  It was first lighted when I was at sea; but I have seen a description of it in the newspapers, and should know it well.”

“Ver goot; you will try to come to dat light an’ den you will steer out from dis place to de open sea.  Afterwards we will show you to France.  If you try mischief—­voila!”

The Frenchman pointed to two of his comrades who stood, one on each side of the wheel, with pistols in their hands, ready to keep Ruby in order.

“Now, cut him free.  Go, sare; do your dooty.”  Ruby stepped to the wheel at once, and, glancing at the compass, directed the vessel’s head in the direction of the Bell Rock.