They were wild with astonishment and delight, when they found that their vessel had been recaptured.

Francis told them to keep by him through the night, as possibly he might need their assistance.
For some hours the gale increased.

The Pluto lay head to it, her mast serving as a floating anchor.

As soon as the lights of the Genoese squadron disappeared in the distance, Francis hoisted a lantern on his mainmast, as a signal to the other vessels to keep near him.
As soon as day broke, the galley they had last recaptured was seen, half a mile away, while the two others could be made out some six miles to leeward.

The gale died out soon after daybreak, and Francis at once set his crew to work to get the mast on board, and to ship it by its stump.
It was a difficult undertaking, for the vessel was rolling heavily.