guard with fixed bayonets was
placed over them. For the remainder of the night they had to sit on a
hard bench, with their backs against the wall, sleeping as well as they
could in so uncomfortable a position. At daybreak the next morning
Sergeant Gabot, by whom they had been captured, entering the room,
ordered the guard to bring them along into the presence of Captain
Dupuis. The seamen, imitating their officers, quietly followed the
sergeant, who led the way to a room in the same building. Here Captain
Dupuis, a fierce-looking gentleman wearing a huge pair of moustaches,
and a long sword by his side, was found seated at a table with two other
officers.

He cast his eye over the prisoners and inquired their names. Here was a
puzzle, for neither Rayner nor Oliver had thought of assuming French
ones. They, therefore, without hesitation, gave their own, as did Jack.

"Please, sir, what does the chap say?" asked Brown, when the officer
addressed him.

"He wishes to know your name," said Oliver.

Captain Dupuis, twirling his moustaches, took them down as well as he
could.

"These names do not sound like those of Frenchmen," he said.

"And such we do not pretend to be," replied Rayner, stepping forward.
"We found it necessary to assume these disguises for the sake of
escaping from prison. We are not spies, and have no desire to injure
France or Frenchmen except in open warfare."

He then gave an account of their object in approaching the coast and the
way in which they had been so unwillingly compelled to land.

"I am inclined to believe you, monsieur," said Captain Dupuis, more
politely than at first. "But my duty is to convey you to Port Louis,
where my regiment is stationed, and the colonel will decide on your
case. We will march directly."

Captain Dupuis appeared not to be ill-disposed, for he ordered some
breakfast to be brought to them in the hall.

"Thank you for your kindness, monsieur," said Rayner. "With your
permission we will put on our proper dresses, which are contained in
these bundles."

"Assuredly you have my leave. It will show the people that we have two
English officers in captivity, as well as some of their men, and
probably the report will be spread that an English frigate and her crew
have been taken," observed the captain, laughing.

"Well, I do feel more like myself now," exclaimed Brown, as he put on
his shirt and jacket, and tied his black handkerchief in a lover's knot