those of your party who are attempting to escape; and my vessel will be
chased and searched. Now, although we might sail faster than any one
vessel in the Channel, yet it is very possible that in running away from
one, we may fall into the jaws of another. And besides, we are two
privateers, and cruising off Bordeaux will excite no suspicion, as it is
a favourite cruising-ground; so that, if we were boarded, there would be
little danger of discovery; but, of course, as long as I can prevent
that, by taking to my heels, I shall not be boarded by any one. The
only objection to what I propose is, that you will be confined longer in
a vessel than you may like, or than you would be if you were to gain a
nearer port."

"I agree with the captain of the vessel," said a grave-looking
personage, who had not yet spoken, and whom I afterwards discovered to
be a Catholic priest, "the staunchest adherent to the cause could not
have given better advice, and I should recommend that it be followed."

The others were of the same opinion; and, in consequence, I edged the
schooner down to the Arrow, and hailed Captain Levee, stating that we
were to run to Bordeaux. After that I prepared for them sleeping
accommodations as well as I could, and on my making apologies, they
laughed, and told me such stories of their hardships during their
escape, that I was not surprised at their not being difficult. I found
out their names by their addressing one another, to be Campbell,
McIntyre, Ferguson, and McDonald; all of them very refined gentlemen,
and of excellent discourse. They were very merry, and laughed at all
that they had suffered; sang Jacobite songs, as they were termed, and
certainly did not spare my locker of wine. The wind continued fair, and
we met with no interruption, and on the fourth evening, at dusk, we made
the mouth of the Garonne, and hove-to, with our heads off shore, for the
night. Captain Levee then came on board, and I introduced him to my
passengers. To my surprise, after some conversation, he said--"I have
now escorted Captain Elrington, according to the orders I received, and
shall return to Liverpool as soon as possible; if, therefore, gentlemen,
you have any letters to send to your friends announcing your safety, I
shall be most happy to present them in any way you may suggest as most
advisable."

That Captain Levee had some object in saying this, I was quite certain;
and therefore I made no remark. The pas