CHAPTER XVII.
HOMEWARD BOUND.
The next day, the tempest having abated, and everything being snug onboard the Queer Fish, we weighed anchor, took the northeasterly tradeson our top-gallants, and started on our return round the Cape.
Every one was exceedingly jolly, as is usually the case on board avessel homeward bound, after a long and prosperous voyage.
Very little occurred worth recording. We didn't meet with a single prizeon our way to the Cape, but had another merry time with our Patagonianfriends.
On the voyage up, on the Atlantic side, however, we captured four moreprizes, one of them a very large and valuable ship, loaded down almostto the gunwales with coffee and spices.
When off the Bahama Banks, we were chased by a fast-sailing Britishwar-vessel, and had our mizzen-top knocked off by her bow-chasers. Butwe successfully returned the compliment with our swivel, and, as nothingcould overhaul the Queer Fish before a stiff breeze, succeeded in makingour escape.
We arrived at Boston in the early part of March, after one of the mostmemorably successful voyages on record. Our prizes numbered thirty-sixin all, and, of these, all but one safely reached American seaports.
So, with our pockets stuffed with prize-money, you may guess that we hada jolly time. My yarn is over, and you will hear no more at present fromThe Boy Privateer.
THE END.
FOOTNOTE:
[1] _Matadore_ is a name applied generally to the men who attack thebull, either on horse or on foot; but the distinctive and legitimatemeaning of the term applies to those footmen who carry swords and whoseoffice is especially that of the _coup de grace_.
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+1019 Burd Bayard's Close Call.+ By Capt. Hawthorne.
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+1012 The Cripple's Dead-Sure Clinch+; or, Trapping the Old Fraud. By Charles Morris.
+1013 Buffalo Bill's Texas Team.+ By Col. P. Ingraham.
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Barney Blake, the Boy Privateer; or, The Cruise of the Queer Fish Page 17