American Boys Afloat by Oliver Optic

Captain Ringgold, when he realized that the owner of the Guardian-Mother had been engaged in another adventure, was absolutely delighted to see the young knight-errant return in safety, and he continued to press his two hands for a considerable time. He was certainly the young man's devoted friend, as much for his own sake as for that of his mother, to whom also he was so devoted that others had begun to talk a little in whispers.

"I was sure that you would tumble into an adventure of some sort, Sir Louis," said the commander; "and you have made me a true prophet."

"We have certainly had an adventure, Captain; but I am no more a knight-errant than my companions. We did not plunge into this affair as Don Quixote did into the windmill and the wine sacks; but the affair plunged into us, and we got entangled in it in spite of ourselves," protested Louis.

"But I will venture to say that you were the leading spirit in the enterprise, whatever it was," persisted the captain.

"I must deny even that soft impeachment. Sir George Scott Fencelowe did vastly more than I, or any other of the fellows, did to bring the adventure to a happy conclusion, like the last chapter of the novel. He is the hero of the occasion, though he always called me 'Captain Belgrave'; and if any fellow is to be lathered with praise, Sir Scott is the one."

"I shall be my own judge of the merits of the actors in the comedy, for it does not yet appear to be a tragedy, after I have learned more about it," added Captain Ringgold.

"I may add that Sir Felix McGavonty and Sir Morris Woolridge did their full and fair share of the acting in the comedy, as you call it, though I think the three smugglers who are prisoners in the cabin and pilot-house will be disposed to regard it as more like a tragedy. Probably the captain of the schooner in tow will be inclined to take that view of the occasion."

"Three prisoners? " queried the commander.

"That is the number on board of the little steamer; and the captain of the vessel astern may be included in the same category."

"Are they men or boys?"

"Men, of course, for small boys don't go out smuggling, as a rule."

"Are they English?"

"Four of them are Spaniards who don't speak a word of English, and one who seems to be a partner with the captain in the enterprise is a Scotchman by the name of Gray."

"Is there anything to be done immediately, Sir Louis?"

"I think Sir Felix has put Mr. Boulong in the way of securing the captain of the schooner, who is on board of her, and Lucio, one of his men. The others are all made fast to the steamer, with their hands tied behind them. But, Captain Ringgold, I want you to settle up this business by deciding what shall be done with the Golondrina and the prisoners, for you know all about such things, and I know nothing," said Louis.

"You know nothing, Sir Louis! " exclaimed the commander. "Will you be so kind as to tell me what you would have done if the Guardian-Mother and her captain had not been here?"

"I thought of running into Algeciras, instead of coming over here, where the gates are all locked after sunset, and giving up the vessel and the prisoners to the police and the custom-house officers over there," replied Louis.

"Very likely that is just what I shall do after I have learned more about the affair. Where did you fall in with these smugglers?"

"They fell in with us at the mouth of the Palmones River."

"That is in Spanish territory, and the offence is doubtless against the Spanish government. Probably the English authorities would take the matter in hand, but I don't know where to find the officers at this time of night, for it is after ten o'clock. Now we will go below and see what is to be done."