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Rh officers released the vessel, but it was then too late to sail.

On Wednesday, Captain Anthony telegraphed: —

I'll sail to-day. Good-by. Answer, if received.

Back came the reply: —

Your telegram received. Friday being Good Friday, I shall remain in Freemantle, and leave for York on Saturday morning. I wish you may strike oil. Answer, if received.

Captain Anthony at once appreciated the situation. He knew that the prisoners were detained in their cells on Sundays and holidays, and that his plan would have placed him at Rockingham on Friday. He replied to Breslin's telegram: —

Yours received. Did not leave to-day. Wind ahead and raining. Sail in the morning. Good-by.

That evening the captain discovered that his crew had been doing a rescue on its own account, and had stowed a ticket-of-leave man in the mizzen-topmast staysail. While he pitied the fellow, he was fearful that the authorities might discover the man hidden on his vessel, and make trouble which would interfere with the great object ahead. So he notified the police, and they came aboard and took the man ashore.