s to revenge, as have my gallant people, and
bitterly will they revenge them some day, when your king and his nobles
are brought in chains to France."

"That won't be just yet, and may be never," answered Bill, who was
growing bold, and inclined to speak his mind. "I'll not bandy words
with you, boy. Take care what you are about!" exclaimed the colonel,
who did not like Bill's boldness, especially when he saw a broad grin on
Jack's countenance. "If you ever get back to England--and I don't say
you ever will get back--remember what you have seen to-day, and tell
those wretched slaves your countrymen what they are to expect."

"We'll not forget it, sir," answered Bill, thinking it wiser to be
civil; "and I hope the general won't think it necessary to keep in
prison two poor sailor boys who never did any harm to the French, and
never wished to do any harm, except to thrash them well in a fair
stand-up fight; and you will allow, sir, that that's all right and fair
play."

"Or receive a thrashing from them," answered the colonel; "however, come
along. I must see you stowed safely in the tower, where the general has
ordered you to be placed, and moind you kape quiet and don't kick up a
row, as you midshipmen are apt to do."

"We are not midshipmen, sir," said Bill, who had not forgotten what the
colonel had before said. "We are humble boys serving before the mast.
Jack, there, is a fisherman's son, and I am a poor boy out of the London
streets. I am only telling you the truth, sir."

"You are a very sharp boy, then," responded the colonel, looking at
Bill.

"Yes, sir," said Bill, "the school I went to is a place where boys are
apt to get their wits sharpened. They have little else to depend on."

The colonel still seemed to doubt whether Bill was speaking the truth,
and, perhaps fortunately for them, was fully impressed with the idea
that he had charge of a couple of midshipmen. Possibly Bill was a
lord's son; and though he railed against English lords, yet, when
brought into contact with them, he was inclined to pay them the deepest
respect.

Owing to the colonel's idea, Bill and Jack were treated with far more
attention than they otherwise would have received.

The room into which they were put, though small, had a table and chairs
in it, and a bed in one corner.

"You will remain here for the present," said the colonel, as he saw them
into the room; "probably before long the general may wish to examine