On the afternoon of the fourth day, when they were off the Lizard, and creeping along very slowly under a light breeze, the look-out man reported a ship lying becalmed ahead.

Peter, who had the eyes of a hawk, climbed up the mast to look at her, and presently called down that he believed from her shape and rig she must be the caravel, though of this he could not be sure as he had never seen her.

Then the captain, Smith, went up also, and a few minutes later returned saying that without doubt it was the _San Antonio._ Now there was a great and joyful stir on board the _Margaret_, every man seeing to his sword and their long or cross bows, of which there were plenty, although they had no bombards or cannon, that as yet were rare on merchant ships.

Their plan was to run alongside the _San Antonio_ and board her, for thus they hoped to recover Margaret.

As for the anger of the king, which might well fall on them for this deed, since he would think little of the stealing of a pair of Englishwomen, of that they must take their chance.
Within half an hour everything was ready, and Peter, pacing to and fro, looked happier than he had done since he rode away to Dedham.