eachery to
my country, you may count upon me to stand by you through thick and
thin. You hesitate, and very rightly, too, to speak of your plans
before me. It would be no advantage to you, and it might be
embarrassing to me, were you to discuss them in my presence; but I have
so little sympathy with Captain Renouf in his high-handed method of
dealing with you that, were I to accidentally become acquainted with any
portion of your intentions, I should feel quite justified in remaining
silent about them. If the fellow is foolish enough to compel you to
serve him against your will, he need feel no surprise at your taking an
early opportunity to free yourselves from so galling a yoke. And now,
in order that I may not be a restraint upon you, I will relieve you of
my presence by going aft and volunteering. But believe and trust in my
friendship always, even should circumstances assume such a character as
to suggest a doubt of it."

So saying, he grasped the hand I offered him, wrung it heartily, and
sprang up the ladder to the deck.

As soon as he was gone I translated to my four fellow-prisoners what he
had said, and we then resumed our discussion of the situation. I told
my companions that although I had consented to serve on board the _Jean
Bart_, nothing should induce me to take up arms against my fellow-
countrymen; that, on the contrary, if we should chance to fall in with a
British ship, I was fully determined, by every means in my power, to
frustrate Renouf's intentions, and to hamper and obstruct him in every
possible way, and at all hazards; and that, if they felt disposed to
accept service with a similar determination, it would be strange if five
resolute, determined men like ourselves could not do something very
material toward assisting in the capture of the schooner, and the safe
lodgment of Monsieur Renouf aboard a British hulk. The men seemed to
look at the matter in pretty much the same light that I did. They
recognised, as I did, that Renouf was an unscrupulous rascal, likely to
hesitate at little or nothing to gain his own headstrong will; they
realised the utter futility of attempting to resist him, backed as he
was by his whole crew; and, finally, they made up their minds to follow
my example, recognising me as their actual leader, and heartily pledging
themselves to be ready to act upon my initiative at a moment's notice,
and to obey me to the death whenever a suitable opportunity should arise