ongue. Ah, if I had
you on shore!"

De Courval laughed. "Adieu, Citizen." The boat put off for the port, and
the two ships made all sail.

By and by the captain called to De Courval to come to the cabin. "Well,
Mr. Lewis,--if that is to be your name,--we are only at the beginning of
our troubles. These seas will swarm with ships of war and English
privateers, and we must stay by this old tub. If she is caught, they
will go over the manifest and take all they want out of her, and men,
too, damn 'em."

"I see," said De Courval. "Is there anything to do but take our chance
on the sea?"

"I shall run north and get away from the islands out of their cruising
grounds."

"What if we run over to Martinique? How long would it take?"

"Three days and a half as we sail, or as that old cask does. But what
for?"

"I heard that things are not so bad there. We might sell the old tub's
cargo."

"Sell it? They would take it."

"Perhaps. But we might lie off the port if there is no blockade
and--well, negotiate. Once rid of the cargo, she would sail better."

"Yes; but Mr. Wynne has said nothing of this. It is only to risk what we
have won. I won't risk it."

"I am sorry," said De Courval, "but now I mean to try it. Kindly run
your eye over these instructions. This is a matter of business only."

The captain reddened angrily as he said, "And I am to obey a boy like
you?"

"Yes, sir."

The master knew Hugh Wynne well, and after a pause said grimly: "Very
good. It is out of the frying-pan into the fire." He hated it, but there
was the order, and obedience to those over him and from those under him
was part of his sailor creed.

In four days, about dawn, delayed by the slower ship, they were off the
port of St. Pierre. The harbor was empty, and there was no blockade as
yet.

"And now," said the captain, "what to do? You are the master, it seems.
Run in, I suppose?"

"No, wait a little, Captain. If, when I say what I want done, it seems
to you unreasonable, I shall give it up. Get a bit nearer; beat about;
hoist our own flag. They will want to understand, and will send a boat
out. Then we shall see."

"I can do that, but every hour is full of risk." Still he obeyed,
beginning to comprehend his supercargo and to like the audacity of the
game.

Near to six o'clock the bait was taken. A boat put out and drew near
with caution. The captain began to enjoy it. "A nibble," he said.

"Give me a boat," said De Courval. "