ight from the
shore, have turned toward the west, with an intention, as soon as
covered by the darkness, to incline to the east, again, and sail up
channel, under English ensigns, perhaps? Is it not possible for him to
pass the Straits of Dover, even, as an English squadron--your own, for
instance--and thus deceive the Hanoverian cruisers until ready to seize
or destroy any transports that may be sent?"

"Hardly, Sir Reginald," said Bluewater, smiling. "A French ship can no
more be mistaken for an English ship, than a Frenchman can pass for a
Briton. We sailors are not as easily deceived as that would show. It is
true, however, that a fleet might well stand in one direction, until far
enough off the land or covered by night, when it might change its course
suddenly, in an opposite direction; and it _is possible_ the Comte de
Vervillin has adopted some such stratagem. If he actually knew of the
intention to throw German troops into the island, it is even quite
_probable_. In that case, for one, I could actually wish him success!"

"Well, my dear sir, and what is to prevent it?" asked Sir Reginald, with
a triumph that was not feigned. "Nothing, you will say, unless he fall
in with Sir Gervaise Oakes. But you have not answered my inquiry, as to
the manner in which flag-officers divide their commands, at sea?"

"As soldiers divide their commands ashore. The superior orders, and the
inferior obeys."

"Ay, this is true; but it does not meet my question. Here are eleven
large ships, and two admirals; now what portion of these ships are under
your particular orders, and what portion under those of Sir Gervaise
Oakes?"

"The vice-admiral has assigned to himself a division of six of the
ships, and left me the other five. Each of us has his frigates and
smaller vessels. But an order that the commander-in-chief may choose to
give any captain must be obeyed by him, as the inferior submits, as a
rule, to the last order."

"And _you_," resumed Sir Reginald, with quickness; "how are _you_
situated, as respects these captains?"

"Should I give a direct order to any captain in the fleet, it would
certainly be his duty to obey it; though circumstances might occur which
would render it obligatory on him to let me know that he had different
instructions from our common superior. But, why these questions, Sir
Reginald?"

"Your patience, my dear admiral;--and what ships have you specifically
under your care?"

"The Caesar, my own;