ve you lost your senses?"

"I beg your Majesty to listen. The sight of me revived that painful
recollection. We pulled out our swords and fell on each other,
forgetting, alas! that now we are both servants of your Majesty.
It is annoying; but before we could remember it, Captain van
Adrienssen was wounded."

William's brow was black as night.

"A duel?" he said sternly.

"Your Majesty, it could hardly be dignified by that name.
Say rather--"

"What shall I do with these incorrigibles?" asked the King, turning
to Portland. "At this time, too, when I've not a single other
commander of value within call!"

"If I may advise you, sire--But, first, will you command these
gentlemen to retire?"

William dismissed them with a wave of the hand, and they withdrew to
a little distance among the trees, where they waited in considerable
trepidation.

It was a full half an hour before Portland came towards them, trying
to hide a smile.

"Pouf!" he said, "that was a tough business, gentlemen. I have
persuaded his Majesty to accept the offer he declined a while ago,
and to use your services."

"In what way, my lord?"

"You will go at once to The Hague and find out the condition of
Captain van Adrienssen. If, as I suspect, he be unfit to travel, you
will, with this authority, take over his papers and post to
Amsterdam, where you will find the _Merry Maid_ frigate with her
convoy. You are to escort this convoy to the Thames--but you will
read your instructions in the papers which Van Adrienssen will give
you. You, Captain Barker, are the senior, I believe. Yes?
I thought so; and therefore you will take command. Unless your
friend declines to act on this occasion as your lieutenant--"

"My lord, how can we thank you?"

"By serving his Majesty," answered Portland; and added significantly,
"rather than the Earl of Marlborough."

The two friends walked away, treading on air. But perhaps their
friend the ensign, from whom they parted affectionately at the foot
of the avenue, was happier even than they. For not only did his
heart rejoice at their good fortune, but his Majesty had failed to
inquire whether the duel had been fought within or without the park
gates.

CHAPTER XIII.

CAPTAIN SALT EFFECTS ONE SURPRISE AND PLANS TWO MORE.

On the sixth day after his departure Captain Salt returned to Dunkirk
unexpectedly.

He arrived about four in the afternoon and was rowed at once to the
Commodore's galle