“I have great news, lads,” he said.  “Peace is proclaimed, and Napoleon has surrendered, and is to be shut up in the Isle of Elba in the Mediterranean.  No more fear of privateers or French prisons.”

The crew burst into a hearty cheer.  This was indeed surprising news.  It was known that Wellington was gradually driving back the French marshals in the south of France, and that the allies were marching toward Paris.  But Napoleon had been so long regarded as invincible, that no one had really believed that his downfall was imminent.

Four days later the cargo was all on board, and the Fanny sailed for England.  The voyage was accomplished without adventure.  As soon as the vessel entered dock and the crew were discharged Ralph landed, and having purchased a suit of landsman clothes, presented his kit to a lad of about his own age, who had been his special chum on board the Fanny, and then made his way to the inn from which the coaches for Dover started.  Having secured a place for next day, dined, and ordered a bed, he passed the evening strolling about the streets of London, and next morning at six o’clock took his place on the coach.

“Going back from school, I suppose, young gentleman?” a military-looking man seated next to him on the coach remarked as soon as they had left the streets behind them, and were rattling along the Old Kent Road.

“No, I am not going home from school,” Ralph said with a smile.  “At least not from the sort of school you mean; though I have been learning a good deal too.  I arrived yesterday from the West Indies.”

“Indeed!” the gentleman said, scrutinizing him closely.  “I see you look sunburned and weather-beaten now that I look at you; but somehow I should not have put you down as a sailor.”

“Well, I am not exactly a sailor; though I may say I have worked as one before the mast both out and home.  That was my first experience; and I suppose one takes longer than that to get the regular nautical manner.”

“Before the mast, were you?  Then I suppose you have been getting into some scrape at home, young sir, and run away; for, from your appearance, you would hardly have been before the mast otherwise.  Boys never know what is good for them.  But I suppose after your experience you will be inclined to put up with any disagreeables you may have at home rather than try running away again?”

“You are mistaken!” Ralph said with a laugh.  “I did not run away.  I was run away with!”

“Kidnapped!” the gentleman said in surprise.  “I know that merchantmen have often difficulty in getting hands owing to the need of men for the navy, but I did not know that they had taken to press-gangs on their own account.”

“No, I don’t know that they have come to that,” Ralph replied.  “The fact is, sir, I was out fishing a few miles off Dover, when the smack I was in was run down in the dark by a French privateer.  I was hauled on board, and as she was bound for the West Indies I had to make the voyage whether I liked it or not.”