CAPTAIN THUROT DEMANDS A SUPPLY OF PROVISIONS--THE MERCHANTS SEND, FOR
THEM--CAPTAIN THUROT'S HISTORY--THE DISCOVERY--MOST OF THE GUESTS
ALLOWED TO TAKE THEIR DEPARTURE--MR. FERRIS, WITH ELLEN AND CAPTAIN
O'BRIEN, REMAIN AS HOSTAGES--THE CHAMPION APPEARS IN THE OFFING--CAPTAIN
THUROT ALLOWS THE HOSTAGES TO GO ON SHORE IN THE DINGHY.
The astonishment and dismay of the worthy burghers of Waterford, who had
thus been so unsuspectingly entrapped on board the French privateer, can
better be imagined than described. "I am surprised, Captain Thurot,
that since you are disposed to act so courteously towards us, you did
not when on shore mention your wish, to have the stores sent on board,
when I should have had no hesitation in procuring them for you," said
Mr Ferris.
"My good sir, I would have done so, but I thought it more than probable
that the stores would be stepped on their passage, and therefore, to
make sure of getting them, I adopted my present plan," replied Captain
Thurot; "besides which, I have enjoyed the opportunity of returning your
hospitality, though in a very inadequate manner, I must confess. I have
likewise recovered one of my officers, who, as he came on board with
your consent, will not break his parole by remaining. I have also to
request that you will send the men captured by the _Ouzel Galley_ in
exchange for your people, who will be detained on board till their
arrival."
"But, sir," exclaimed Captain O'Brien, who was by this time fuming with
rage, "how are we to return to Waterford without hands to man our
boats?"
"Most of the young gentlemen on deck can pull, as I have no doubt can
some of you, my friends," answered Captain Thurot; "and you may land at
Passage, from whence you can send over to Waterford for conveyances for
the ladies, as we should be sorry to detain them against their will--
though we hope that they will continue on board and keep up the dance
for some hours to come; it would be a pity to interfere with their
amusement by telling them of the little ruse which we have been under
the necessity of playing."
Mr Ferris and the other gentlemen consulted as to what was to be done.
One thing was very certain, that they could not help themselves; and
they finally agreed to send off privately for the stores and provisions
which had been demanded without letting those on deck know of what had
occurred. Writing materials were produced; each merchant was politely
requested to send for what he could supply.
"Be under no apprehension of any loss," said Captain Thurot; "I promise
to pay liberally for all the stores I may receive. Though a privateer,
I am not a robber; indeed, being your countryman, and loving Ireland as
the home of my ancestors, I should be sorry to treat any of you with
want of courtesy."
"A countryman of ours!" exclaimed Mr Ferris, looking up.
"Yes, sir," answered the captain. "I took the name of Thurot from my
mother; my grandfather's name was O'Farrel--and proud I am of a name
which has never been disgraced. But I must not interrupt you,
gentlemen. Go on with your writing; I will by-and-by, if you wish it,
entertain you with my history. I have nothing to be ashamed of."
The merchants resumed their pens, and having consulted together, their
orders were soon made out and despatched by one of the boats which had
brought them on board. In the mean time the party on deck were footing
it away right merrily, entirely ignorant of what had been taking place
below; the officers of militia, notwithstanding their gay uniforms,
finding themselves eclipsed by the superior terpsichorean attainments of
the Frenchmen. Lieutenant Vinoy seemed in high spirit, and efficiently
performed the office of master of the ceremonies, apparently feeling
himself quite at home. Some of the merchants, having finished their
despatches, were about to go on deck.
"Stay, gentlemen," exclaimed the captain; "we will discuss a few more
bottles of claret first. We will not interrupt the amusements of the
young people by letting them know the character of my ship, for, depend
on it, they will be treated with all due courtesy, and will not, I
trust, regret having come on board."
The claret, which had been pronounced first-rate, was a temptation not
to be resisted, and the guests, who had risen, making a virtue of
necessity, resumed their seats, prepared to do justice to as many
bottles as might be placed before them.
"Now, gentlemen," said Captain Thurot, "you shall, if it is your desire,
hear my history; it will serve to occupy some of the time till the
return of the boat."
"By all means, captain; we shall be glad to have an account of the life
of one whom none of us are likely to forget in a hurry," said Mr
Ferris. Others also expressed the same wish.
The captain laughed. "It is pleasant to feel that there is no risk of
being forgotten by one's friends," he observed; "and you will be still
less likely to do so when I have narrated a few of the incidents of my
life. I may remark that some of my acts may not be looked upon by you
in the same light as that in which I regard them. I must be judged by a
different code to yours. I have never owed allegiance to your
sovereign, and therefore you must not blame me for breaking his revenue
laws in the way which I shall have to tell you I have done. However, to
my history. My grandfather, Captain O'Farrel, was an officer in the
army of King James the Second, and fought at the battle of the Boyne, so
fatal to the royal cause. When the king was compelled to leave the
country and retire to France, Captain O'Farrel was among the loyal
gentlemen who followed his fortunes and accompanied him to Saint
Germain. Here my grandfather, having been appointed one of the
gentlemen of the king's household, met with Mademoiselle Thurot, a
beautiful and accomplished young lady of ancient lineage, whose uncle,
with whom she lived, was at that time a member of the parliament of
Paris. A penniless adventurer, as Captain O'Farrel was regarded, was
looked upon with distrust by the young lady's relatives, who endeavoured
to keep him at a distance. Love scorns difficulties, especially when
burning in the breast of an Irishman, and that Irishman a handsome,
dashing officer who has seen service. The captain carried off the young
lady, and she became his wife. So angry were her uncle and her other
wealthy relations in Paris that they discarded her, refusing to
contribute a sou to her support. My grandfather had alone the stipend
he received from his royal master, and when King James died he was left
to his own resources--they were small indeed. He tried by various means
to make an income, but the natives had in every way the advantage of
him; and at last, with his young wife, and the remnant of his property
contained in a valise, he retired to Boulogne, in the hope that some of
his wife's relatives who resided in that town would have larger bowels
of compassion than those he had left in the city. The once gay and
high-spirited officer found himself mistaken: they could not give any
encouragement to one who had set so bad an example to the younger
members of their families; should they support Madame O'Farrel, their
own daughters might be throwing themselves away on some of the Irish
adventurers, with whom the country swarmed, and expect to be provided
with houses and establishments.
"My poor grandfather, almost broken-hearted, was on the point of
starvation, when he received a small pension allowed by the Queen of
France to all those who had faithfully served their exiled sovereign.
Hard service, wounds, and disappointment soon terminated his life; and
three months after he had been laid in his grave my father was born--
fatherless before he saw the light--and soon became motherless, for
Madame O'Farrel survived her husband scarcely a year. The destitute
condition of the orphan at length moved the compassion of some of his
relatives of the Thurot family, who adopted him and brought him up under
their own name. He was intended for the law, and studied for some
years; but he had Irish blood coursing through his veins, and, under the
expectation of obtaining a fortune with a wife, he fell in love and
married. He was, however, disappointed in his hopes; but the lady soon
dying, gave him an opportunity of again trying the lottery of matrimony.
His second wife was Mademoiselle Picard, the daughter of a
wine-merchant, or, as some people might have called him, a vintner; but
if, as I hope was the case, he sold good wines, why should I be ashamed
of him? My father's second wife was my mother; but at the moment of my
birth my father was deprived of her by death, and I lost the advantage
of being nursed by a tender parent. My father was heartbroken, and when
he looked at me, a poor frail infant, he believed that I should not
survive. He had two duties to perform--to have my mother buried, and to
carry me to the baptismal font. While the tears were streaming from his
eyes, as he held me in his arms, a dignified and handsomely dressed lady
approached, and, having inquired and heard the cause of his grief,
offered herself as sponsor to the motherless child. She was Madame
Tallard, a lady of high rank and fortune--it being the custom of the
country for ladies of distinction to offer themselves at that period of
the year as sponsors for the children of the poorer classes. Madame
Tallard did more; she sent my father a present for me, and desired that
should I survive till her return I might be presented to her. She was
as good as her word, and not only contributed to the expenses of my
education, but I received much kindness from her and her family. When I
was about fifteen, a stranger called on my father, and hearing whose son
he was, announced that his name was O'Farrel, and claimed relationship.
He stated that he was the commander of an Irish trader, and so worked
upon my father and me by the account of the success of his voyages, that
he stirred up in my heart a strong desire to join him in his
enterprises. As our cousin promised to introduce me to various members
of the O'Farrel family, who were, he said, flourishing in Connaught, and
would be certain to welcome me cordially, my father, seeing also that
there was but little chance of my pushing my fortune in France,
consented to my going; but as I at that time could not speak a word of
English, I should have had considerable difficulty in making myself
understood by my relatives or in understanding them.
"My Irish cousin having fitted me out, I set sail with him for Limerick;
but I found him wonderfully addicted to the whisky bottle, and being
also of a harsh and tyrannical disposition, I soon quarrelled with him.
Instead of proceeding direct to Limerick, we put in to the Isle of Man,
where, not wishing to remain longer with my cousin, I took the liberty
of deserting the vessel, and, running away inland, I hid myself in the
barn of a farmhouse till I thought she would have sailed. On coming out
of my place of concealment, the first person I met was the owner of the
property. He addressed me in English, of which language I could not, as
I have said, then understand a word. On my telling him in French that
the vessel to which I belonged had sailed away without me, he spoke to
me in my native tongue, and asked if I was hungry--for I suppose I
looked so. I replied that I was, and should be thankful for a loaf of
bread and a bottle of wine. He laughed and said that wine was not the
liquor of the country, but that, if I would accompany him, he would give
me some bread and cheese and beer. I did not refuse his offer--and, _ma
foi_, very excellent I found his viands. I asked him if he had anything
for me to do, as I should be glad to serve him in return for his
hospitality. He laughed again, telling me that I was a sharp boy, and
that, if I wished it, he would take me into his employment. He did so,
when I found that he was the owner of several luggers which ran between
France and the English and Irish coasts to land contraband goods. After
I had remained on shore for some time, he asked me if I would like to
take a trip to sea. I was perfectly ready to do as he proposed, and the
next day I went on board one of his vessels. We were never idle;
sometimes bringing cargoes from France to the Isle of Man, and at others
running the goods across from France to Ireland. I thus gained a fair
knowledge of the trade. My employer was pleased with me, and after I
had served him for some time he sent me over to Carlingford, where I
remained for a year managing his business, which was to dispose of the
goods landed from the luggers. It was here that, by constantly
associating with the people of the country, and seldom meeting
Frenchmen, I learned to speak English with considerable fluency. On my
return to the Isle of Man I resolved to put into execution an idea I had
long entertained, of discovering my paternal relations. On telling my
employer, he advised me, should I fail in my object, to come back to him
without delay. Finding a vessel bound for Dublin, I took my passage on
board her. Great was my disappointment on my arrival to discover that,
although there was no end of O'Farrels, none of them would own me or
acknowledge themselves related to the _ci-devant_ captain of King
James's army. Still, I was not to be beaten, and with a dozen shillings
in my pocket I set off for Galway, where I heard that some of my family
resided. I was not disowned--for the reason that I could find no one to
disown me--and with my last shilling gone, I returned, footsore and
weary, to Dublin.
"Well, gentlemen, I was now in an unfortunate plight, when I had the
good luck to meet with the French valet of a certain noble lord whose
name I will not mention. He was pleased to fall in with a person who
could speak the language of _la belle France_, and on hearing that I was
of gentle birth, he offered to obtain for me the situation of my lord's
page. It suited my fancy, and, according to my notion, there was
nothing in it derogatory; so I accepted his offer, and for two years
enjoyed a pleasant and easy life--especially as her ladyship's
waiting-woman was a very amiable and agreeable person. An unfortunate
circumstance brought my connection with the family to a close, and I was
compelled to take service with a noble earl whose residence was on the
sea-coast of Antrim. I accompanied the earl on his shooting excursions,
more as a companion than as a servant; but he was frequently absent from
home, and I should have found the place very _triste_ had I not fallen
in with some of my old smuggling acquaintances. With them I
occasionally made trips, to keep up my knowledge of the sea, and by
their means I was able to supply my friends with pieces of Indian stuff,
a few yards of muslin, or tea, or any other articles in request. As
many other persons wished to possess these things, and were willing to
pay for them, I commenced a regular commerce, which quickly filled my
pockets with gold pieces. Leaving the earl's service, in which I could
not conscientiously remain, I again took regularly to the sea, and
having so many friends along the coast, I was able without difficulty to
dispose of my cargoes. A lady of some consideration in the county was
one of my chief purchasers. Some one giving information to the officers
of excise that her house was full of smuggled goods, it was searched,
and they were discovered, when I was accused of having brought them
over. The officers accordingly laid their plans to entrap me. I had
come across from the Isle of Man with three other boats in company; they
were seized, but I managed to make my escape, and sailed over to the
coast of Scotland. Here we landed our cargo, which we hid in a cave--
but how to sell it now that we had got it safely on shore was the
question. I proposed that three of us should assume the character of
pedlars, and dispose of it piecemeal throughout the country. My plan
was adopted; a pleasant time I had of it, travelling from place to place
and visiting the lord's castle and the farmer's cottage. So successful
were we that my share amounted to a hundred and fifty pounds. With this
sum in my pocket I travelled across to Edinburgh, where, dressing myself
as a gentleman, I took lodgings, intending after seeing the city and
enjoying myself for a brief space to return to France. I happened,
however, to meet a Frenchman long settled in Edinburgh, and the owner of
several vessels which ran between Leith and London. Happening to
require a master for one of these vessels, he asked if I would take
charge of her. To this I agreed, and carried her safely into the
Thames; but, unhappily, a fire breaking out in a large warehouse near
which she was moored, she with several other vessels was burnt, and I
with some difficulty escaped on shore with the property I possessed.
Assuming my Irish name, I took lodgings in Carey Street, Lincoln's Inn
Fields, for the sake of being near a Mr Donnell, an Irish gentleman
famous for his knowledge of mathematics, from whom I received
instruction in navigation. Through his recommendation I obtained the
command of a vessel, in which I made frequent trips backwards and
forwards between the English and French coasts, greatly increasing my
nautical knowledge and adding largely to my circle of friends. I
conceived a warm admiration for the English, for though they have their
faults, they are a brave and generous people, and my wish on all
occasions has been to acknowledge their bravery and generosity. It was
while I was in London that I used to visit a club held every Monday
evening in the Seven Dials, and frequented almost exclusively by
foreigners, mostly Frenchmen. One evening, after they had imbibed more
than their usual quantity of wine, some of them began to abuse the
English and Irish, speaking of them in the most contemptuous manner. I
listened without uttering a word for some time, till my patience
gradually evaporated, when, jumping up, I seized the two persons seated
close to me by their noses, and, holding them fast, dragged them to the
door, and then kicking them out, bolted it behind them. Returning to my
seat, I said quietly, `Come, gentlemen, fill your glasses and let us
change the subject.' Not one of the rest uttered a word, or ventured
again to speak ill of the nation among whom we were living.
"I shortly after this obtained the command of a vessel which ran between
Dunkirk and London, occasionally putting part of our cargo on shore in
any convenient spot where our agents were ready to receive it without
troubling the revenue. For some years I carried on a free trade between
various French ports and the English coast, my chief place of residence
being London, where I had to go to settle my accounts; and then, wishing
once more to see my father, I went to Boulogne, where he still lived. I
was now, in consequence of my successful voyages, looked upon as the
king of the smugglers. I was proud of the title--but pride is often, as
you know, doomed to have a fall. I may venture to say that during that
period I did not import and export less than twenty thousand pounds'
worth of goods every year. It happened, however, that the French
Government did not quite approve of my proceedings, and the president of
the province, who happened to be the son of my old friend, Madame
Tallard, received orders to put a stop to our commerce. Monsieur
Tallard had been my friend and playmate in our youth, but duty compelled
him to be vigilant, and I and several of my associates were arrested.
Some of them were hanged, but through his interference my life was
spared, though I was thrown into prison, where I languished for many a
long day. At length, however, the French Government requiring the
services of persons well acquainted with the English coast, I was sent
for to Paris, where I was desired to give such information as I
possessed. I now expected to obtain my liberty, but, instead of that,
those official gentlemen considered it prudent to keep me shut up till
they wanted me. My friend Monsieur Tallard again interfered, and I was
suddenly transferred from prison to the command of a fine sloop of war.
It was a pleasant change, I can assure you, gentlemen; but the intention
of invading England having been abandoned by the Government, I found
that my ship was not likely to be employed. I accordingly obtained
leave to resign my commission, and to take the command of the _Coquille_
privateer, the ship on board which I have had the pleasure of receiving
you as my guests."
Whatever might have been the opinion held by the Irish merchants as to
the career of their host, they did not think fit to express them.
"I congratulate you, Captain Thurot, on having at length attained a
position suited to your courage and talents," said Mr Ferris; "and as
you have thought fit to play a trick on us, we have to thank you for the
courteous way in which you have carried it out. I hope your wants will
be supplied, and that we shall stand exonerated with our Government for
having furnished an enemy with stores."
"I will give you a certificate to the effect that you are under
compulsion," said the captain; "and if you in any way suffer, I will do
my best to make good the loss."
"That would be a difficult matter," observed Captain O'Brien, "though I
hope that our known loyalty will prevent our being subject to any unjust
suspicions. Now, gentlemen," he continued, turning to friends, "we
should be wishing our entertainer farewell, or we shall lose the flood."
The party rose. "I am sorry that, if you do go, you will yourselves
have to pull the boats up the river, unless some of you gentlemen and
Mr Ferris like to remain as hostages instead of your men," said Captain
Thurot. "Pray understand that I do not doubt the word of any one of
you, but were I to allow all to return, the authorities on shore might
not consider themselves bound by your promises, and might withhold the
stores I require, as well as the men, I am somewhat anxious also about
my first lieutenant, who remained on shore about some business of his
own. I will not, however, make you answerable for him, unless he is
taken prisoner, and then I shall expect you to return him safe on board;
and I must have a promise from you that you will do so. Perhaps, in
order to induce those same authorities, who are collectively at times
somewhat stubborn, to act more promptly, it might be convenient if Mr
Ferris and his daughter and you, Captain O'Brien, would consent to
remain on board my ship until my people are sent back. Monsieur Vinoy
came on board with your full sanction, so that I consider myself at
liberty to detain him. In the case of Mr Ferris and Captain O'Brien
complying with my wish, you can take your men to row the boats up the
river. The plan will, I should think, greatly facilitate matters."
"Not a bad plan," exclaimed two or three of the other gentlemen who were
to obtain their liberty. "Ferris, you will not object to remain? nor
you, O'Brien? Without our men we shall be hours getting up to
Waterford."
Mr Ferris was always ready to sacrifice himself for the public good,
though he would have preferred returning home.
"I must hear what my daughter says on the subject," he answered; "I will
not detain her against her wish. At the same time, having perfect
confidence in the honour of Captain Thurot, I am ready to remain on
board, in order, my friends, to save you and your families from
inconvenience or anxiety."
"In that case, so am I," exclaimed Captain O'Brien. "I had my
suspicions from the first that all was not right, and I deserve some
punishment for allowing myself and you to be entrapped."
"Very kind!"
"Very generous!"
"Very public-spirited!" cried the other gentlemen, who were eager to get
out of the scrape as soon as possible. It became necessary at last to
let the party on deck know the true state of the case, and to desire
them to prepare for their departure. Some would not even now believe
that they had been deceived; others were very indignant. The militia
officers pulled their moustaches, swearing that they would return with
their men and capture the pirate, although they could not help
acknowledging that they had been politely treated by the Frenchmen.
Ellen was perfectly ready to remain with her father; she had a thorough
confidence in sailors of every nation, and as it now wanted but two or
three hours only to daylight, she could have the enjoyment of a row up
the river in the morning instead of during the night. She sent a
message to Norah begging that she would not be anxious on her account.
Nothing could exceed the politeness of Captain Thurot and his officers
as they handed their visitors into the boats, now manned by their proper
crews, who swore that the Jersey men were broths of boys, and it was
just a pity that they couldn't speak a little better Irish. Though
still able to pull, the boatmen gave undoubted proofs that they had not
been stinted in their liquor.
"Now, bhoys," cried one of the men, standing up and pulling off his hat,
"three cheers for the Jerseyman, and may good luck go with her on her
cruise--hip! hip! hurrah!" and their voices sounded far and wide across
the waters of the harbour. The boats were soon lost to sight in the
darkness. Mr Ferris and Ellen, with Captain O'Brien, having stood
watching them to the last, Lieutenant Vinoy drew near and expressed a
hope that Mr Ferris would not accuse him of breaking his parole. "For
had I done so, I should not have been worthy of addressing you," he
remarked.
"Certainly not, my friend," said Mr Ferris; "we brought you on board,
and your captain tells me that he has detained you."
"Ah, that is indeed a satisfaction," exclaimed the lieutenant. "I may
now give a message from the captain, who begs that you will take
possession of his cabin, which is entirely at your service; you must
consider it yours till the return of the boats with our men. They will
soon, I hope, for your sakes, make their appearance."
Mr Ferris felt satisfied at having sacrificed himself for the benefit
of his friends. Not that he experienced the slightest apprehension of
having to suffer any inconvenience. Ellen declared that she liked the
fun, and only hoped that Norah would not be anxious about her. Still
the time went by; the grey dawn was breaking, and no boats had appeared.
Captain O'Brien, who was much more fidgety than his friend, frequently
went on deck to take a look-out. Ellen, who was reclining on a sofa,
had fallen asleep, while her father sat by her side. A stream of bright
light coming through the cabin windows awoke her. Just then Captain
O'Brien came down.
"By my faith, I believe our friend is going to carry us off to sea!" he
exclaimed; "I suspected there was something in the wind, and, going
aloft, I discovered a large ship in the offing; so did the Frenchmen,
and they immediately commenced hauling on their spring and letting fall
the canvas ready to make sail in a moment. They don't like going
without their men and the promised provisions; but they will have to do
it if the boats don't return quickly, for I'm much mistaken if the
vessel I saw isn't the _Champion_, which we have so long been looking
for."
Ellen, who had hitherto been asleep, started as she heard Captain
O'Brien speak. "The _Champion_, do you say?" she asked.
"I think it more than probable that she is," said the captain. Ellen
did not reply, but the thought--and to her it was an agitating one--
immediately occurred to her mind, "The _Champion_ will surely attack the
French ship." It was confirmed by the next remark her father made.
"If so, the Frenchman will have to fight for it, for Captain Olding is
not likely to let him go without questioning him," said Mr Ferris.
"But where do you think, my friend, we shall be in that case?" asked
Captain O'Brien. "Thurot will scarcely send us on shore first in one of
his boats, and I see no signs of our own."
"Could we not get him to make a signal for a boat from the shore? He
surely will not detain my daughter, with the prospect of having to fight
his ship," exclaimed Mr Ferris, becoming anxious. "How mad I was to
allow her to remain!"
"Do not be alarmed about me. I trust that we shall have no difficulty
in getting on board the _Champion_ should she enter the harbour," said
Ellen.
"We may be confident that Thurot will not wait for her here," said
Captain O'Brien; "but I will go on deck and get him without delay to
make a signal for a boat from the shore, if ours are not in sight. If
they are, he will probably wait for them."
On going on deck Captain O'Brien found that the corvette had slipped her
cable, that the topsails were set, and that the crew were aloft loosing
the other sails. Still, in spite of the wide folds of canvas which were
rapidly spread on the ship, the wind was so light that she made but
little way. There was yet time for a boat to come off from the shore,
and Captain Thurot without hesitation made a signal as he was requested,
firing a gun to draw attention. No boat however, appeared.
"Captain Thurot," exclaimed Captain O'Brien, going up to him, "I must
beg that you will send Miss Ferris and her father on shore before you
leave the harbour. It would be terrible to expose her to all the risks
of a battle--and that you will be engaged in one with yonder ship, I
have no doubt. She is a British ship of war, and is sure to attack you
when she finds out your character."
"But I intend to avoid her if I possibly can, and if compelled to fight,
I will place Miss Ferris and you two gentlemen in as safe a position as
we can find on board," said Captain Thurot.
"The safest, however, would not be satisfactory under the
circumstances," replied Captain O'Brien. Captain Thurot looked greatly
annoyed.
"I know that," he said, "but it is necessary to send the boats ahead to
tow. Were I to run the risk of losing the ship, the crew, and even the
officers, would mutiny--these privateersmen are difficult characters to
deal with; as it is, they will be discontented at not obtaining the
stores and recovering their shipmates. My first lieutenant, also, is on
shore. If I send you away, I have no guarantee that the stores will be
delivered, or that my people will be restored to me."
"You shall have the word of honour of two Irish gentlemen," answered
Captain O'Brien, "that should yonder vessel not prove to be the
_Champion_, or any other man-of-war, everything shall be arranged as you
wish; the stores and men shall be sent off to you, and your first
lieutenant restored, if we can find him."
Still Captain Thurot hesitated. "You believe that ship out there to be
a British sloop of war?" he asked.
"I feel almost certain that she is the _Champion_; that she is a large
vessel of your own class, and carries eighteen guns of heavy metal; and,
moreover, I believe that if you venture to engage her she will take you.
If you follow my advice you will do your best to escape from her."
While this conversation was going on, the larger boats were being
lowered, and were now sent ahead to tow. There was a light air from the
westward; the stranger's courses were rising above the horizon in the
south-east, just clear of Hook Tower. Could the _Coquille_ once got out
to sea, she might either by running before the wind round the
south-eastern point of Ireland, or by keeping close-hauled stand along
the southern coast towards Cape Clear.
"I confess that I am unwilling to part with you till the last moment,"
said Captain Thurot, "but my courtesy will not allow me to detain the
young lady and to expose her to the risk she would have to run. I will
therefore give you my small boat, if you will take charge of her and
convey Miss Ferris and her father to the shore."
"With all my heart, and I am much obliged to you," exclaimed Captain
O'Brien. "If you will order the boat to be lowered, I will get them up
on deck. The sooner we are off the better; the tide is sweeping out of
the harbour, and we shall have a hard pull of it, at all events."
He hurried below, and conveyed the satisfactory intelligence to his
friends. By the time that they were on deck the dinghy was alongside,
the courses were hauled up, and the men ahead ordered to cease pulling.
Captain O'Brien stepped into the boat; Mr and Miss Ferris descended the
accommodation ladder. After a brief farewell to Captain Thurot, who
with his officers bowed them politely out of the ship, the dinghy shoved
off.