Notwithstanding the gravity of the situation, a smile flitted momentarily over the faces of the officers and crew.  The boat by this time was within hailing distance, though it had grown so dark the inmates of it could be only dimly seen.

“Boat, ahoy!” cried the captain.

“Aye, aye, sir!” came back the response.

“What boat is that?”

“A boat from his majesty’s ship the Sea-Wing. We wish to come aboard your vessel.”

When the captain asked them their business, they frankly confessed that they were deserters and had been secreted all day on the island watching an opportunity to reach the American brig.

Their story was a probable one, and the captain and his officers believed it.  A rope was tossed to them, and in a few moments five stalwart jack tars in the uniform of the British Navy stood on the deck.

One tall, fine-looking seaman, who was every inch a gentleman, and whose conversation was evidence of education and refinement, told their story.

Three of them were Americans, and two were Swedes.  They had been seized by the press gang and made slaves on board the frigate.

“It has been many years,” said the tall sailor, “since I saw my native land.  I am a native of Hartford, Connecticut.”

“Why didn’t you escape sooner?” the Captain asked.

“Escape, captain, is no easy matter, and is attended with serious consequences.  They usually hang one who tries to desert.  I am a gunner, by profession, and but for the fact they need my services against the French, I would have been hung long since for trying to desert.”

The gunner impressed Captain Parson favorably.  He was a man between forty and forty-five years of age.  His eyes were deep blue, his hair light.  His round, full face was smooth shaven.  As he stood on the deck, his brawny arms folded across his massive chest, he looked a perfect model of a man and a tower of strength.

Captain Parson led him aside and said: 

“You are no common sailor.”

“I’m only a gunner now, captain.”

“But in the past?”

“I once commanded a ship.  I will tell you my story on the morrow.  It is a sad one, but, thank God, there’s nothing in it at which I need blush.  For the present, however, let us get along as fast as your ship can make it, for the Sea-Wing is a swift vessel, and if we are not beyond reach of her vision before the dawn of day, we shall be overhauled.”

Captain Parson knew that some evil consequences might result from being overhauled by the Sea-Wing, and consequently every stitch of canvas was spread and the brig sped away with a good stiff breeze.  It was a long and anxious night; master and crew were all on deck.  No one slept.  The coming dawn would tell the story.  If the frigate were in sight, then they might expect the very worst; even the ship might be captured and borne away as a prize and the entire crew enslaved.