aybreak, the undulating valley of the Liane
claimed not one appreciative glance. The ancient city trembled in its
slumber at my feet. Already it became restless with the promise of
another day which clad its gables in flame and burned the rough old
towers with the shining gold of God. A little beyond, the waters
glimmered in the sun's first rays, and writhing seaward tossed
themselves in anger against the dim white cliffs of our hereditary foes.

As a picture laid away in memory this all comes back to me pure and
fresh, but on that morning I gave it no heed. From the heights I
passed along through quiet streets into the lower town, thence to the
beach, where I was soon inquiring among the sailors for the privateer.
These women looked askance at me, and regarded my unfamiliar uniform
with suspicion, but after great difficulty one of their number was
induced to carry me alongside an ominous looking craft lying in the
harbor--a black-hulled brig of probably six hundred and fifty tons
burden. Of the sentinel on deck I asked:

"Your captain--"

"Is here," and at the word a dark, wiry man, who had evidently been
watching my approach, appeared at the companion way.

"A word with you, sir, if you are the captain of this craft. I am told
you are refitting for a trip to west Florida. What your errand is I
care not; I want to go with you."

"We do not take passengers," he answered positively.

"Then take me as a marine, a seaman, what you will. I am a soldier,
familiar with the handspike as with the sword, though knowing little of
winds or currents."

Captain Levasseur eyed me closely, asked many questions concerning my
life and service, to which I replied, truthfully in part. He seemed
satisfied.

"Well, we do need a few more stout fellows who can handle a cutlass;
when could you come aboard?"

"At once; I have no baggage but the weapons at my side."

"Good. Your name?"

"Gaspard Cambronne," I answered at random.

The freebooter laughed.

"We care nothing for your name so you will fight. We sail the day
after to-morrow one week." And surveying my well knit frame, for I was
a sturdy youth, "If you know any more stout young fellows like yourself
we can give them a berth apiece."

So I scrambled aboard without more ado, and became at once a member of
the "Seamew's" crew. I hardly knew at first why I gave a false name.
But the character of the vessel was doubtful, its destination
uncertain, and knowing