"Could not have happened better," said the lieutenant, as he was put in
possession of all particulars. "The accident happened well, and gave
them a lesson in our strength that may make them think twice before
attacking us."
"Then you think they will attack us?"
"Sorry to say I have no doubt about it, and since I have been lying here
I have come to the conclusion that it would be better to bring that
upper gun down, and mount it about twenty feet from the other. The
attack must come from the lower end. If, however, they could land, and
tried to scale the rocks at the top of the gap, you would have to defend
the upper battery the best way you could. Even if you had a gun there
you could not get more than one shot. Haul it down at once."
Syd went off and communicated the result of his conversation to Roylance
and Strake.
"Yes, I think he's right," said the former. "Eh, Strake?"
"Right, sir; why of course he is. I felt that when we got the guns up,
only it warn't for me to give my 'pinion. Speaking in parabolas like,
what I say is, that the t'other gun's worth twopence up there, but down
here it 'll be worth a hundred pound or more. Start at once, sir?"
"Yes, directly.--Roylance, will you see to making a platform and running
up a breastwork, while the bo'sun gets down the gun?"
All hands were soon at work, and meanwhile Syd had gone up to the
flagstaff with a glass to see that the boat was half-way back to the
French frigate.
"What will they do?" thought Syd. "Make sail and come and batter us
with their guns, or send out three or four boats?"
He waited patiently till the Frenchmen were alongside, and he watched
the officers through the glass go on the quarter-deck and make their
report to their captain.
"Now, then," said Syd, half-aloud, "which is it to be--boats, or come up
abreast of us?"
"Make sail, sir," said Rogers. "They're coming down on us to give us a
dusting with their guns. There'll be some chips o' rock flying far
to-night.--And something more for you to do, my lad," he muttered to
himself, as he recalled the lieutenant's injury.
Syd made no answer, and stood watching the French vessel's sails
gradually begin to fill and make her careen over.
"Here she comes," said Rogers; then, respectfully, "They won't have half
time to get that gun into place, will they, sir?"
"No, Rogers, no," said Syd, thoughtfully; "but look, she's changing her
course."
It was so indeed, for the French frigate curved gracefully around, and
went off on her old course toward the town of Saint Jacques.
Syd rubbed his eyes and stared, while Rogers in his excitement slapped
both his legs, shouting derisively--"Yah! Cowards! G'ome!" and then
darted to the flagstaff and began to haul the colours down a few feet,
and just as his young officer was about to stop him, seized the second
line and jigged them up again in a sort of dance that was intended in
mockery of the captain and crew of the departing frigate.
"That will do there," cried Syd, sharply.
"Beg pardon, sir," cried the sailor, starting away from the flagstaff;
"but for them to go away like that. The old chaps aboard were always
bragging that they could lick three Parlyvoos, but arter what I've seed
to-day, I'm ready to tackle six. I don't say I'd lick 'em, but I'd have
a good try."
"Don't judge them too soon," said Syd, quietly; and he went down to the
hospital and reported everything to the lieutenant.
"Well," he said, "what do you think of it, Mr Belton--that you've
frightened them away with one gun?"
"No, sir; I think they've gone for help."
"Or else to report, and perhaps deliver despatches."
"Yes, sir; think we shall have them back?"
"Not a doubt about it, Mr Belton. We laugh at and brag about our
superiority over the Frenchmen; but with all their chatter and
gesticulation and show, they know how to fight, and can fight bravely
and well. Get your other gun ready and keep the sharpest of look-outs,
as they'll be down upon you before you know where you are. What's the
matter yonder," he continued, raising his head and listening; "Mr Terry
in hot water again? We don't want trouble among ourselves. You are
wanted there, commandant."
Syd hurried out and found Terry up by the battery he had had in charge,
furiously refusing to let the men under Roylance remove the gun.
"Ah, you are there," he cried, savagely, and with his face convulsed
with passion. "It is a trick of yours to deprive me of my chance of
distinguishing myself in this wretched hole."
"It is nothing of the kind, Mr Terry," said Syd, quietly; "but are you
mad to go on like this before the men?"
"I should be mad if I held my tongue, and let every puppy of a boy be
placed over me to insult me. I say the gun shall not be moved."
"It is for the proper defence of the place."
"It is a piece of insolence to annoy me."
"You would have charge of the gun in its fresh place."
"I don't believe it," cried Terry, in his rage. "This is the gun's
place. It shall not be moved."
"Silence, sir!" cried Syd, flushing up, and something of his father's
stern way giving him an older and firmer look. "I gave orders for the
gun to be taken down. Mr Roylance, be smart with your men."
"It shall not be done," cried Terry. "I say--"
"And I say, sir," said Syd in an angry whisper, "that if you are not
silent, I'll put you in arrest; yes, and tied hand and foot for your
treachery of an hour or two ago."
Terry's jaw dropped, and he turned ashy in hue as he shrank away.
"Look here, sir," continued Syd, "you will no longer have charge of that
gun, but act under Mr Roylance's orders when I am not there. Fight
like a man, and do your duty, and I may forget to report your conduct to
the captain. Go on as you are behaving now, and everything shall be
known."
A curiously vindictive look shot from Terry's eyes as his hand
involuntarily played with the butt of the pistol he had in his belt.