Under Drake's Flag Author:George Alfred Henty Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III. ON THE SPANISH MAIN. The four boys, upon gaining the Pacha's deck, were taken below, and, after drink and food had been given them, were calle... more »d to the captain's cabin. He spoke to them gravely and inquired how it was that they had all got adrift together. They told him the circumstances, and said that they thought there was no chance of any mishap occurring; the knot was well fastened, the night was calm, and though they regretted much the pains and trouble which they had given and the delay to which they had put the fleet, yet it did not appear to them, they said frankly, that they had been so very much to blame, as they could hardly have believed that the boat would have broken afloat; and indeed, Ned said plainly, they believed that it was not the result of chance, but that an enemy had done them an evil turn. "Why think you so?" Captain Drake said sharply. " How can boys like you have an enemy? " Gerald then detailed the account of their trouble with Master Taunton. " He is a rough man," Captain Drake said, " and a violent man may be, but he is useful and brave. However, I will reason with him. Of course it is a mere suspicion, but I will speak to my brother." When the boat had first come in sight the Pacha had made the signal to the Swanne that the boys were found, and that she was to keep her c jurse, drawing gradually alongside. Before dark the vessels were within hailing distance, and Captain Drake, lowering a boat, went himself on board the Swanne with the four lads. Captain John wasat the top of the ladder and was about to rate them soundly. Captain Francis said, " Let us talk together, John, first"; and he repaired with him to his cabin, while the crew swarmed round the boys to gather an account of how they got adrift. Then Captain J...« less