ter shoved
off from the side of the "Vigilant," and in another minute Bob and I
were shaking hands as vigorously as though we had not seen each other
for years. As soon as he had done with me, the young rascal turned to
Francesca, whereupon I introduced him in due form in French. Francesca
at once frankly gave him her hand, and made a pretty little speech as to
the happiness which it afforded her to make the acquaintance of any
friend of her "cher Ralph," etcetera, etcetera.

Master Bob, whose knowledge of French was of the slenderest and most
flimsy description, was in no wise disconcerted by being addressed in
what was to him practically an unknown tongue. He bowed with all the
elegance and grace he could muster, smiling meanwhile as suavely as he
knew how, and finally responding somewhat in this style,--

"_Je suis_ most happy _a avez le plaisir a-makez votre_ acquaintance,
Mile. Paoli. _J'ai_ already _l'honneur de_ being partially acquainted
with _votre oncle_, General di Paoli, and a fine fellow he is. And--my
eye! won't he be surprised to see you? I only wish you could stay on
board _le_ `Juno,' or, better still, take up your quarters aboard the
brig, the skipper giving her of course to Chester and me with a roving
commission. That _would_ be jolly; but there--what's the use of
thinking of such a thing? Of course it is ever so much too good to be
true. By the way, Chester,"--turning to me--"have you dined yet?
Neither have I. Now suppose we all go aboard the brig then; I'll leave
a couple of hands to help your crew here, and we can then make sail in
company. I say, we shall present quite an imposing appearance as we
bring-up in the roadstead. I expect the skipper will send for us on the
quarter-deck, and thank us before all hands for our gallantry and
important services."

Bob jumped into the boat alongside, as he concluded; I followed, and
then Francesca stepped daintily down into the dancing craft, where the
gallant Bob established her snugly in the stern-sheets, close alongside
himself. He then seized the yoke-lines, gave the order to "shove off
and give way" in his most authoritative manner, and in ten minutes more
we were all three comfortably established in the cosy little cabin of
the brig, with a very tolerable dinner on the table before us.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THE CONVENTION REDOUBT.

Bob's curiosity to hear my story was about equal to his appetite for
dinner, so while we proceed