Now tell
me what has happened to you. We knew by the firing that French sentries
saw the boat come to land last night."

Will gave a full account of his adventures.

"Well done indeed, Mr. Gilmore! I shall have much pleasure in reporting
your conduct. Now let us examine the list."

The words were a good deal blurred by water, but were still quite legible.

"They are stronger in gun-boats than I expected," the captain said when he
had read it. "If they had had an ounce of pluck about them they would have
come out and fought us. A thirty-two-gun frigate is no match for sixteen
gunboats. Well, now that we have got this despatch, we can make for
Sheerness at once. Have her headed for that port, Mr. Falcon, if you
please. We won't lose a moment before making for England."

CHAPTER XVI

A DARING EXPLOIT

On reaching Sheerness the captain at once went ashore, accompanied by
Will, and they proceeded to London. Will took up his quarters at the
Golden Cross, and next day called at the Admiralty, where he sent in his
name to the First Lord.

"I have received a most favourable report from Captain Knowles of your
conduct in landing on the coast of Holland, and of obtaining despatches of
much value. How were you taken prisoner?"

"At the attack by a force from the _Tartar_ on some batteries on one of
the Isles d'Hyeres. I was hit in the leg, and, being left behind in the
confusion of the retreat, fell into the hands of the French. I was
imprisoned for four months at Toulon, and then sent to Verdun. Six months
after leaving Toulon I effected my escape in a disguise procured for me by
a French girl. I had learned the language while in prison, and, travelling
through France in the disguise of a pedlar, reached Dunkirk. There I
worked in a fishing-boat for a month, and then, seeing the _Artemis_
cruising off the town, I shut up two of the sailors in their cabin, and
frightened the other two into taking me off to her."

"In consideration of the valuable services you have rendered I have much
pleasure in appointing you master's mate."

"Thank you, sir! but I own I had rather hopes of obtaining a lieutenancy."

"A lieutenancy!" the admiral said in a changed tone. "I am surprised to
hear you say so, when you have had no service as a master's mate. What
makes you entertain such a hope?"

"My past services, sir," Will said boldly.

"Captain Purfleet, will y