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Updated: June 29, 2025
No sooner had the man reached the top of the mast than he called down “Sail ho!” “Where away?” Mr. Farrance shouted. “On the port bow, sir.” “What do you make her out to be?” “I should say she was a schooner by her topsails.” The ship’s course was at once changed, and every rag of sail put upon her.
"That alters the case; we will see him without delay, and if he has the means we are right to take advantage of his liberality," said Mr Hanson. The two officers, therefore, accompanied by Tom Baraka, proceeded to the address of Mr Farrance in one of the fashionable parts of London.
Mr Hanson was not a man to let the grass grow under his feet, and the old lieutenant was even more eager than his friend to get under weigh. Within three days they paid another visit to Mr Farrance. They had purchased a schooner of about 150 tons, which had once been a yacht a fast craft.
“I have no doubt whatever that it is the work of pirates,” the officer said on his return. “Her bulwarks are burnt away, and I could make out several piles on deck which looked like dead men.” “Send a man up to the mast-head, Farrance, and tell him to scan the horizon carefully for a sail. I should say this ship can’t have been burning above three hours at most.”
Though the voyage was long, Ned had scarcely finished the account of his adventures when the schooner reached the Thames, and the two lieutenants, richer men than they had ever before been in their lives, accompanied by Ned and Charley, set off to report to Mr Farrance the success of their undertaking.
“We had a very sharp fight, sir, and I am sorry to say that the casualties are heavy, twenty-eight killed and nearly forty wounded more or less severely.” “That is a heavy list indeed, Mr. Farrance, very heavy, and we are the less able to bear it since we have some seventy men away on the French prize. The rascals must have fought desperately.” “They did, sir.
"How very, very kind of Mr Farrance to help you to become a midshipman, and some day you may perhaps be made a lieutenant. I am indeed glad!" exclaimed Mary, though her faltering voice and the tears which filled her eyes belied her words, as she remembered that Ned must go away, and perhaps not come back for many long years.
He was not accustomed to have his plans approved of by midshipmen. However, he only said: “I think it will work. Should any other suggestion occur to you, you will mention it to Mr. Farrance. I am really obliged to you for the idea, which does great credit to your sharpness.” “Thank you, sir!” said Will, and retired. An hour later the frigate was sailing away from the sand-banks.
The letter was signed, "Your faithful and deeply-obliged friend, J. Farrance." The tears started into Aunt Sally's eyes as she heard the letter read. They were tears which showed how grateful she felt at the thought of her brother's anxieties being relieved, mingled, however, with the feeling that dear Ned was so soon to leave them.
The lieutenant took a boat when it became dusk and rowed to the frigate, where he handed in his report of the fight. “I will read that later, Mr. Farrance,” the captain said. “Meanwhile, tell me briefly what is the result? Of course I saw you returning with the three vessels in tow.”
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