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Updated: June 18, 2025
The flotilla then ceased firing, passing about two cables' lengths ahead of the Rebiera, and making all possible sail for the land. Jack now fired at the flotilla as they passed, with his larboard broadside, while with his starboard he poured in grape and canister upon the unfortunate gun-boat which was dismasted, and which soon hauled down her colours.
Although rather short-handed, topsails, courses, and top-gallant sails were soon set, the men down to their quarters, and the guns cast loose, before the gun-boats were close under their stern. Then Jack rounded to, braced up, and the Rebiera stood across them to the westward. "Why the devil don't they fire?" said Jack. "I tink because they no ab powder," said Mesty.
In about six weeks all was ready, and the brigantine, which had taken out her British register and licence under the name of the Rebiera, went out of harbour, and anchored at Spithead. Dr Middleton had procured, as he thought, a very fit person to sail with Jack, and our hero and Mesty embarked, wishing the Doctor and Solicitor good-bye, and leaving them nothing to do but to pay the bills.
The commanders of the gun-boats had hailed each other, and agreed to board the Rebiera, but she now had good way on her, and sailed faster than they pulled.
Jack and Gascoigne were now as happy as could be; all their alarm was about Mesty, for whose return they were most anxious. To Don Rebiera, Jack made known formally his intentions with regard to Agnes. He fully satisfied him as to his qualifications and his property, and Don Rebiera was fully aware of his debt of gratitude to our hero.
"Both on leave of absence," replied the landlord, "and staying with Don Rebiera." "That's some comfort," thought Jack. "Now we must get horses as fast as we can. Mesty, can you ride?" "By all de power, can I ride, Massa Easy; suppose you ride Kentucky horse, you ride anyting."
The prizes were sold and the money distributed, and every man was satisfied, as the cargoes fetched a larger sum than they had anticipated. We must pass over the pros and cons of Don Rebiera and his lady, the pleading of Jack for immediate nuptials, the unwillingness of the mother to part with her only daughter, the family consultation, the dowry, and all these particulars.
Having seated her again, he was kindly greeted by the old people and the two young officers. After a few minutes dedicated to mutual inquiries, our hero stated the cause of their expeditious arrival. "Don Silvio with one hundred and fifty galleriens, let loose on the coast yesterday afternoon!" exclaimed Don Rebiera; "you are right, I only wonder they were not here last night.
The criminals trembled at the idea; Don Silvio was mad with rage he pointed out to the men the necessity of immediate attack the improbability of the troops arriving so soon, and the wealth which he expected was locked up by Don Rebiera in his mansion.
The Rebiera, as soon as Jack perceived that the gun-boats had retreated, was put before the wind, and soon closed with her captures, when she was hove-to till daylight with the three vessels in company. Gascoigne returned on board, prize-masters were selected, and Jack determined to keep them all with him, and take them to Palermo.
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