The authorities of the port had indeed sadly interfered with him.

They had heard reports about the unladen vessel and the big crew; and, although they felt loath to detain and to examine a fellow-townsman, hitherto of good report, they did detain him and they did examine him, and they would have gone immediately to the ship had it not been so dark.
But under the circumstances they contented themselves with the assurance of the respectable Mr.Bonnet that he would appear before them the next morning and give them every opportunity of examining his most respectable ship.

Having done this, they retired to their beds, and the respectable Bonnet immediately boarded his vessel.
"Now," cried Captain Bonnet, "where is my daughter?
I hope that Ben Greenway has caused her to retire to shelter ?" "Your daughter!" exclaimed Big Sam, before any one else could speak, "she is not here.

It was still early twilight when she told me she would wait no longer, and desired to be sent ashore in a boat.

This request, of course, I immediately granted, feeling bound thereto, as she was your daughter, and that I was, in a measure, under her orders." Captain Bonnet stood, knitting his brows.
"Well, well!" he presently cried, with an air of relief, "it is better so.