In a quarter of an hour the officers left the house, carrying their booty.
At the porch they were met by a red-cheeked, spiteful-looking lass, who, with her brave lady's compliments, added two child's rattles of silver and coral to their load.
Now, one of the officers was a Frenchman, the other a Spaniard.
The Spaniard dashed his rattle indignantly to the ground.

The Frenchman took his very pleasantly, and kissed it, saying to the girl that he would long preserve the coral, as a memento of her rosy cheeks.
When the party arrived on the beach, they found Captain Paul writing with pencil on paper held up against the smooth tableted side of the cliff.

Next moment he seemed to be making his signature.

With a reproachful glance towards the two officers, he handed the slip to Israel, bidding him hasten immediately with it to the house and place it in Lady Selkirk's own hands.
The note was as follows: "Madame: "After so courteous a reception, I am disturbed to make you no better return than you have just experienced from the actions of certain persons under my command .-- actions, lady, which my profession of arms obliges me not only to brook, but, in a measure, to countenance.

From the bottom of my heart, my dear lady, I deplore this most melancholy necessity of my delicate position.