“Have a drink, girl,” the commander allowed, “It will help you to relax.” And Mrs. Liliana advises.

The captain took in his hand a pot-bellied decanter with a pinkish liquid and filled a glass in front of the girl.

“What do you need to pour, Mr. North?” Brits pointed at the clay bottle sealed with sealing wax. “There is fine rum.”

“Perhaps,” Chris agreed.

When the glasses were filled, the men rose, and the commander briefly and solemnly said:

- For Her Majesty!

Dana also wanted to get up, but the commander kept the girl in place with a flick of the wrist.

“Tell me, Mrs. Dana,” the captain addressed the slave, sitting down in her chair. “Where did you learn to dance so well?”

“Mr. Captain,” the girl smiled rather. “In my homeland, everyone dances very much.” I looked a little and remembered the basic movements. I do not know how to dance waltzes and minuets. But I will definitely learn.

All that was laid out on the plates of the cook was tasty and appetizing, and Dana enjoyed the long-forgotten treats with pleasure. The men talked slowly, sometimes giving the girl short, but understandable explanations. The slave girl was glad of such attention, remembering how she lived with Marquis Helene Bross and her brother. Only there, in that life, their guests were the prim inflated matrons, all of whose reasoning ended in talking about money.

Suddenly Muno, the same sailor who played music on deck, flew into the cabin. Taking a breath, he blurted out:

- Captain! On the right aboard an unknown ship!

- Everyone up! - shouted the captain.

- I'm coming with you, - Chris quickly got up, - Sailor! Take care of the girl!

“Yes, commander,” Muno entered the cabin, clearing the passage.

North and the captain ran out onto the deck. Indeed, the ship was approaching at high speed from the starboard, judging by the size, the corvette.

- Course downwind! - commanded Brits, pulling out of his pocket a telescope, - Team get ready for battle!

The commander also peered at the outlines of the uninvited guest, but so far he could not determine the identity and type.

- What do you say, Chris? - the captain handed the pipe to North.

- On the left on board our flagship frigate! - the voice of the looker rang out, - Comes to us in full sail!

- Raise the flags! - the team was distributed Brits.

A garland of multi-colored triangles soared above the boat, announcing that the vessel was owned. On the frigate answered the same. On the mast of the yacht has raised another flag, which reported a stranger. The frigate, quickly catching up the yacht, went a little to the side, demanding to clear his way.

- Right to board! - the captain stood next to the helmsman, - Get in, Dean! Still! Still! Keep it up!

The corvette, going against the yacht, noticed too late a ship that had emerged from behind its hull. Trying to turn around the whole course, he began to roll up to the starboard and lost speed. It was evident how the panic began on the ship. People jumped overboard, not even trying to save the ship.

The frigate, coming close to the sinking corvette, fired a volley from the side guns. Through the haze of smoke and the crash of the breaking superstructures, the boarding team shouted. The sailors of the frigate with their sabers rushed to the enemy's side, destroying everything in their path. Boil the fight.

Dana came out on deck accompanied by Muno. Wide-eyed, she looked at the picturesque picture of the battle, shuddering at each volley. Chris, embracing the girl, took her aside and sat her on the box.

“Do not worry, my girl,” he said softly, “We turn home.”

- Who is it? The slave asked in a trembling voice, pointing to the ship lying on its side.

“Your old friend,” North replied thoughtfully, “Captain Hull.”

- This is the pirate who attacked our village! - exclaimed the slave, but suddenly grabbed Chris by the hand, - But he had a big ship, like the one that stands nearby!

“He lost that frigate a year ago,” the commander took off his jacket and threw the girl on his shoulders, “And where does he have this one from, I don't know.”

- Will they kill him? Dana asked.

- Hang like a pirate.

- when?

“When the trial is over,” North shrugged. “Why do you ask?”

“Forgive me, master,” the girl lowered her eyes, “I wanted to ask him about my mother Marquise Helene and her brother Alan.”

“I promise you that you will ask,” the commander answered in a firm voice, “You will ask.”

- Course - to the port! - shouted the captain and quietly added - go home.

Returned home late. All the way, the girl was silent, buried in Chris's shoulder.

- Tired, - he thought to himself, - Nothing, for the night will rest.

But in the morning Dana looked sluggish. North was a little confused and brought Liliana to the afternoon. After seeing the slave and giving her her tincture, the woman went down to the living room.

“A little nervous,” Lily said calmly. “But don't do that anymore.” The body is not yet strong, and any surprises can only hurt.

“I had no way out,” said Chris, as if making excuses, “If we hadn’t been out to sea, this pirate would have dived somewhere again.” Look for him then!

- Is there success? - A woman at close range looked at the commander, - Caught?

“Yes,” North replied sluggishly. “Our brave judge has already begun the interrogation.” Listen, Dana wants to talk to him too.

- Interesting! - exclaimed Liliana, - About what?

- Once this Gull and his team ravaged and burned her village and took Dana along with other girls. On the way, many died, but the three managed to survive. I do not know how, but a certain Marquis Alan Bross and his sister Helen managed to buy them out from a pirate. Moreover, she said that she was standing on the deck when this deal was made. Gull behaved rudely, but he was a little afraid of these people, so he didn’t particularly bargain, but threatened to see you soon. That girl thinks that he may know something about their fate. What do you think about this, Lily?

- Well! - the woman thought for a moment, - there is little chance, but let him ask. The question is whether this villain will be frank with her? Such pity for other people is completely absent.

The next morning, Commander and Dana arrived at the fortress, where the pirate was kept, and went to the judge's office. After listening to the girl, Beni shrugged. They descended to the dungeon and approached the chamber in which Gull sat.

“You have visitors,” said the judge, “They want to ask a few questions.”

- I don't care about their questions! - dismissed the pirate.

“You growl in vain,” Chris said, “You have no conscience, I know that, but you could have been very frank before dying.”

- What do you want from me? - the gangster stared at the commander, - I will soon be hanged, why do I need this candor?

Then Gull saw the black woman and jumped aside. Having waved his hands, as if he was pestered by a whole swarm of bees, he pressed himself against the wall and howled like mad.

- This is the devil! - the pirate shouted, pointing his finger at Dan, - Go away, Satan!

“Don't pretend to be, Hull,” said Chris, looking at the hysterics, “I see what I have learned.” Here you can tell her everything.

- Her? - the pirate huddled even more strongly, - It is her fault in all my troubles! Why did I just go there? What for? What for?

“You yourself are to blame for all your troubles,” North interrupted. “Why did you even come into the world?” Quiet and answer questions. You're going to wriggle, I'll turn you up my neck without any trial.

Dana sat down on a rough stool and looked at the robber. How he was helped now! The girl even felt sorry for this once formidable and cruel person.

“Mr. Gull,” she began timidly.

- It is possible without the lord, - the judge corrected the girl.

“Let him say what she likes,” the commander intervened.

“Tell me, Mr. Gull,” Dana spoke again, “you know Alana and Helen Bross.” Have you met them more?

- To them burn in the underworld! - the pirate snapped.

“You've been asked a question,” Chris snapped again, “Answer me.”

“These are those,” Hull began, somewhat calmer, “Who bought you from me?”