ther side of the rock.

Thus the "skrimmage," as John Potter styled it, became general.
Although out-numbered, the Englishmen were getting the best of it, when
the second boat plunged into the so-called harbour, and in a few seconds
the rock was covered with armed men. Of course the Englishmen were
overpowered. Their tools were collected and put into the boat. With
some difficulty the first boat was righted. The Englishmen were put
into it, with a strong guard of marines, and then the whole party were
carried on board the French schooner, which turned out to be a
privateer.

Thus were the builders of the Eddystone lighthouse carried off as
prisoners of war to France, and their feelings may be gathered from the
last remark of Teddy Maroon, who, as the white cliffs of England were
fading from his view, exclaimed bitterly, "Och hone! I'll never see
owld Ireland no more!"

Note. It may be as well to state, at this point, that the incidents
here related, and indeed all the important incidents of our tale, are
founded on, we believe, well authenticated facts.

CHAPTER FOUR.

UNLOOKED-FOR DELIVERANCE.

Behold, then, our lighthouse-builders entering a French port; Teddy
Maroon looking over the side of the vessel at the pier to which they are
drawing near, and grumbling sternly at his sad fate; John Potter beside
him, with his arms crossed, his eyes cast down, and his thoughts far
away with the opinionated Martha and the ingenious Tommy; Mr Franks and
the others standing near; all dismal and silent.

"You not seem for like ver moche to see la belle France," said the
French officer with the huge moustache, addressing Teddy.

"It's little Teddy Maroon cares whether he sees Bell France or Betsy
France," replied the Irishman, impudently. "No thanks _to you_ aither
for givin' me the chance. Sure it's the likes o' you that bring war
into disgrace intirely; goin' about the say on yer own hook, plunderin'
right an' left. It's pirate, and not privateers, ye should be called,
an' it's myself that would string ye all at the yard-arm av I only had
me own way."

"Hah!" exclaimed the Frenchman, with a scowl: "but by goot fortune you
not have your own vay. Perhaps you change you mind ven you see de
inside of French prisons, ha!"

"Perhaps I won't; ha!" cried Teddy, mimicking his captor. "Go away wid
yez, an' attind to yer own business."

The Frenchman turned angrily away. In a few seconds more they were
alongside