sengers thanked him for his
proposal; and, being provided with writing materials, they all wrote to
their friends, and put their letters into Captain Levee's hands, who
then bade them farewell, and went on deck with me.

"Of course, you were not serious in what you said, Captain Levee?" I
inquired, as we walked forward.

"No," he replied; "but I considered it prudent to make them believe so.
Although Englishmen, they are enemies to our country, so far as they are
enemies to our government, and, of course, wish no harm to the French,
who have so warmly supported them. Now, if they knew that I remained
here waiting for your coming out of the river, they would say so, and I
might lose the chance of a good prize, as nothing would sail, if they
knew that the coast was not clear. Now, I shall part company with you
in an hour, and make all sail for England, as they may suppose, but,
without fail, to-morrow night I shall be off here again, about five
leagues from the port, with my sails furled; therefore, stay in the
river as long as they will let you, as, while you are in port with the
flag of truce, vessels may sail out."

"I understand you, and will do all I can to assist your views, Captain
Levee. Now, we will go down again. I will give you a receipt for a
coil of rope, which you will send your boat for, and write a letter to
the owners, after which you will wish me good bye, and make sail."

"Exactly," Captain Levee replied, who then ordered his boat to go for a
coil of three-inch, and bring it on board.

We then descended to the cabin, and I wrote a letter to the owner, and
also a receipt for the coil of rope, which I delivered to Captain Levee.
The boat soon returned from the lugger, the rope was taken on board,
and then Captain Levee wished me farewell, and made his polite adieus to
the gentlemen, who followed him on deck, and waited there till he had
hoisted in his boat, and made all sail.

"How long will she be before she arrives at Liverpool with this wind?"
inquired Mr Campbell.

"She will carry her canvass night and day," I replied; "and, therefore,
as she sails so fast, I should say in five or six days."

"Well, I am grateful that we have such an early and safe opportunity of
communicating with our friends in England; we might have waited two
months otherwise."

"Very true," replied the priest, "but Heaven has assisted our anxious
wishes. Let us be grateful for all things."

My passengers watched