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diff --git a/old/52816-0.txt b/old/52816-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e6d1290..0000000 --- a/old/52816-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5688 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of With The Flag In The Channel, by James Barnes - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: With The Flag In The Channel - or, The Adventures of Captain Gustavus Conyngham - -Author: James Barnes - -Illustrator: Carlton T. Chapman - -Release Date: August 16, 2016 [EBook #52816] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE FLAG IN THE CHANNEL *** - - - - -Produced by MWS, Charlie Howard, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber’s Note: Italics text is enclosed in _underscores_; boldface -text is enclosed in =equals signs=. - - - - -WITH THE FLAG IN THE CHANNEL - -[Illustration: He was past the sentry now. - - (See page 141.) -] - - - - - WITH THE FLAG IN THE CHANNEL - - OR, THE ADVENTURES OF - CAPTAIN GUSTAVUS CONYNGHAM - - BY - JAMES BARNES - - AUTHOR OF MIDSHIPMAN FARRAGUT, THE HERO OF THE ERIE, - COMMODORE BAINBRIDGE, ETC. - - _ILLUSTRATED BY CARLTON T. CHAPMAN_ - - - [Illustration] - - - NEW YORK - D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - 1902 - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1902 - BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY - - - _Published September, 1902_ - - - - -CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I.--THE PROJECT 1 - - II.--THE VOYAGE OF THE CHARMING PEGGY 10 - - III.--BOARDED 20 - - IV.--IN HOLLAND AND FRANCE 29 - - V.--COMMISSIONED 41 - - VI.--THE SURPRISE 47 - - VII.--THE CHANNEL CRUISE 55 - - VIII.--THE HARWICH PACKET 62 - - IX.--THE ARREST 70 - - X.--IN PARIS AGAIN 81 - - XI.--THE REVENGE 87 - - XII.--SAILING ORDERS 94 - - XIII.--IN THE CHANNEL 108 - - XIV.--ON THE IRISH COAST 116 - - XV.--THE CAPTURE 125 - - XVI.--IMPRISONMENT 133 - - XVII.--FREEDOM 144 - - XVIII.--CONCLUSION 154 - - - - -LIST OF FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS - - - FACING - PAGE - - He was past the Sentry now _Frontispiece_ - - The yawl was in the midst of the smother 51 - - A score of men poured over the bows 64 - - At the end of the wharf was a rakish-looking vessel 94 - - The dreaded Revenge was lying in the harbor 121 - - One after another the men were pulled forth 151 - - Facsimile of Conyngham’s petition to Congress, December 26, 1797 154 - - The “lost commission” 157 - - - - -WITH THE FLAG IN THE CHANNEL - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE PROJECT - - -Mr. James Nesbit, merchant of Philadelphia, stood leaning against -the long, polished desk at the farther end of which two clerks were -hard at work copying entries into a ponderous ledger. On Mr. Nesbit’s -face there was a look of preoccupation. He drew a deep breath, -rapped nervously with his finger on the desk, and, reaching behind -his ear, under the folds of his heavy white wig, threw down a large -quill pen. Then, taking a big silver snuff-box out of his pocket, -he helped himself neatly to a pinch of snuff. Having done this he -waited anxiously, as if the expected sneeze might jar his mind into -better working order. It seemed to answer, for, after a preliminary -rumbling gasp and an explosion, he blew his nose violently, and turning -addressed one of the clerks. - -“If Mr. Conyngham comes during the next few minutes, tell him I shall -be at ‘The Old Clock’ coffee-house”, he said. - -With that he took down a great cloak from one of the wooden pegs that -lined the wall and stepped to the door. It was raining torrents, and -the gutters were running full. With an agility that was surprising in -so heavy a man and one of his years, he gathered the cloak about him, -and picking up his heels ran swiftly around the corner. Just as he -turned he collided with another man much younger and slightly smaller, -who was hurrying in the opposite direction. They grasped each other in -order to keep their feet, and at once burst into laughter. - -“Well met, indeed, David!” cried Mr. Nesbit, even before he had uttered -a word of apology, “but you’ve well-nigh knocked the breath out of me.” - -“And me also,” responded the smaller man. “You charged around the -corner like a squadron of horse. Why such a hurry, sir?” - -“A short explanation,” was the answer, “’tis past my meal hour, and -I had waited for you till I could stand it no longer. Years ago, -methinks, I must have swallowed a wolf, and at feeding hours he’s wont -to grow rapacious and must be satisfied. Come, here we are at ‘The Old -Clock.’ In with us out of the rain and we’ll satisfy the ravenous one.” - -As he was speaking Mr. Nesbit almost pushed his friend ahead of him -through a doorway and entered the grill-room of the tavern. A mingled -odor of roast beef, ale, and tobacco smoke saluted their nostrils, and -the proprietor, his wide waistcoat covered by a gleaming new apron, -greeted them cheerfully. - -“A wet day, gentlemen,” he observed, “but good weather for the farmers.” - -“And for ducks and geese and all such,” interjected Mr. Nesbit, “but I -would have you observe, Mr. Turner, that I am a dry-goods merchant and -wish the bad weather would confine itself to the country.” - -As he spoke he took off his heavy cloak with one hand, and relieved -his friend of one almost as large, from which the water was dripping -on to the sanded floor. Giving instructions to the landlord that they -should both be hung by the fire where they might dry, he turned and -glanced about the room, nodding to two or three men who sat at a table -in the corner. - -“No one but our friends here to-day,” he remarked; “we won’t join them, -however. Let us sit apart, for there is much I would discuss with thee.” - -“And there is much I have to say also,” returned the other, “that is -not for the general ear. Is the post in?” - -“Late on account of the roads, I take it,” was the response, “but there -will be important news from Boston and New York, I warrant you. But now -to feed the wolf! A most inconvenient beast at times, but most easily -placated. Ah! there’s a cut of beef for you, and now some of your best -mulled ale, Mr. Turner, and thanks to you.” - -As if he saw that it was useless to begin any conversation until Mr. -Nesbit’s personal menagerie was quieted, the smaller man said nothing, -and for some minutes the two ate in silence. At last, with a sigh of -pleasurable relief, James Nesbit pushed himself back from the table and -set down the empty tankard with a bang. - -“Your news first,” he said. “What is it, Friend Conyngham?” - -“I have been successful,” was the rejoinder. “She’s not very large, but -is prepossessing to look at, and they say a good one in smooth water. -Tho’ only a coaster brig we think she’ll serve our purpose, and as no -time was to be lost I have concluded the bargain. She is ours in joint -ownership.” - -“You have been deft, David,” said Mr. Nesbit, “but there is a matter -of more importance, in view of the shortness of the time. Have you -found the man?” - -“The very one; at least believe me that I am influenced but by my best -judgment. You’ve heard me speak of him often. My kinsman, Gustavus. He -is just in yesterday from a voyage to the West Indies, with a load of -fruit, rum, and molasses.” - -“The same young seaman who married Mistress Anne Hockley some time ago?” - -“The same. The captain of the Molly.” - -“I would he had brought in a cargo of powder and cannon-balls. Aye, -or saltpeter and cloth and medicines. We’ll need them, for mark my -words----” - -“Hush,” interposed Mr. Conyngham suddenly. “Your old enemy, that tory, -Lester, and Flackman the lawyer, have just entered. They are a-prowl -for news, I take it.” - -Mr. Nesbit lowered his voice. - -“The time will come when we can talk loudly anywhere,” he said. “You -may call me a ‘hothead,’ but after what has been happening up Boston -way there is no drawing back. When shall we see Captain Conyngham?” he -asked, “for the longer we put the matter off the greater the risk will -be.” - -“This very afternoon. He informed me there were some pressing matters -to be attended to, and that he would repair to your office. I have -given him but few particulars, but he is eager for the undertaking. He -knows of the vessel, too, and pronounces her fit for it.” - -As he spoke the younger man turned and looked out of the window, -against which the wind was driving the large drops of rain. - -“Egad, sir!” he exclaimed. “As I am living, who comes around the corner -but the very man himself! I will stop him at the door and fetch him in.” - -As he spoke Mr. Conyngham hurriedly rose and, opening the door, gave a -seaman’s hail, followed by a wave of the hand. - -The inrush of fresh air caused all the men seated about the room to -turn suddenly, and they were just in time to see the entrance of a -short but well-knit figure dressed in a sailor’s greatcoat, from under -which appeared a pair of heavy sea boots. He threw a shower of water -from his sleeves and his hat as he grasped his cousin’s hand. - -“Homeward bound!” he cried. “But any port out of the storm.” - -“Well, then, come in and cast anchor beside the table here. Off with -your wet things and be comfortable. You know our friend, Mr. Nesbit.” - -“I knew your father and all your family,” spoke the elder man who had -been addressed, rather ponderously. - -“By the powers, you know half the County of Donegal, then, and more -than I do,” laughed the sailor, with a touch of a rich rolling brogue. -“But years ago,” he added, “I met you, sir, when I was with Captain -Henderson, who was in the Antigua trade. I was but a slip of a lad -then, and no doubt you have forgotten me.” - -“No,” responded Mr. Nesbit, “I have a good memory, and, what is more to -the point, I remember what Captain Henderson said of you.” - -“It was his only fault,” returned the sailor, shaking his head, “the -loose tongue he had! But perhaps he spoke in the heat of anger, and -might think better of it.” - -“Oh, it was nothing to be ashamed of,” replied Mr. Nesbit, laughing in -his turn. - -“Oh, an amiable enough man at times; perhaps I wronged him then. He was -always a great palaverer.” - -The young captain had seated himself by this time, and after the last -speech he turned and looked about the room. His glance fell for a -moment upon the two men, Lester and Flackman, who had been referred to -by Mr. Nesbit in his conversation a few minutes previously. He half -nodded toward them, and the action called his cousin’s attention. - -“So, Captain Gustavus, you know our friend Lester,” said David quickly. - -“Just well enough to keep an eye on him,” was the rejoinder. “I saw him -talking with the mate of that old Dutch Indiaman that lies astern of -the Charming Peggy. I judged from the way he was talking that she was -the subject of conversation, so I hove to and asked them a few silent -questions.” - -“What did you do that for?” asked David Conyngham. “Silent questions!” - -“Sure, to find out how little they know,” answered the captain -roguishly. “It is as good to know how little a man knows as how much, -sometimes.” - -“And what was that little?” asked Mr. Nesbit. - -“That he knows who bought her in Baltimore,” was the reply. - -“Did he say so?” - -“Not in words spoken to me. For he would have denied that he had any -interest in the matter. But by means of a little trick that I learned -when a schoolboy, and that I have cultivated since for my amusement. -It served me a good turn more than once. I got it from an Irish -schoolmaster in Letterkenny. It was the one thing he taught me without -knowing how he did it. Whisht,” went on the captain, “listen, and I’ll -prove it to ye. There’s a man sitting with his back to you, but facing -me. Can you hear what he says?” - -“He’s at the other end of the room,” responded Mr. Nesbit. “No man -could hear what he says at that distance.” - -“But I can _see_ what he says,” answered Conyngham, “and he has just -uttered a speech that would make King George shudder. Being a believer -in soft language I will not repeat it. It’s all in watching a man’s -lips. Sure this old schoolmaster was deaf as a post, but he could -hear what you were thinking of if you only whispered it. Many a good -lickin’ I got before I was sure of it. But now to business,” he added, -“if you’re going to talk of it this day. For I must confess to you, -gentlemen, that I have a wife waiting for me, and while it’s pleasant -here, I’d like to get under way for home.” - -“Well, Mr. Conyngham,” returned Mr. Nesbit, who was a trifle upset by -the young officer’s loquaciousness and yet his directness, “we want -you to take command of the Charming Peggy. That much your cousin has -informed you. You are to pick a crew as quick as possible and to sail -for Holland.” - -“With what cargo?” asked the captain. - -“In ballast,” was the reply. “It’s of no importance what you bring -over; it’s what you shall bring back.” - -“And that would be easy guessing, sir. I could write it out -blindfolded.” - -“Perhaps so; but of that more to-morrow, when we will meet in my -counting-house. We won’t detain you longer.” - -As Captain Conyngham was slipping on his still wet greatcoat, he -leaned forward and spoke softly to the others, who had risen, but were -standing by their chairs: - -“Our fine gentlemen yonder have put two and two together,” he said, -“as why shouldn’t they? And the man with the fat jowls, whom you call -‘Lester,’ has just made a remark that it is a good thing to remember, -for he has just said that he would keep an eye on the Charming Peggy, -and mark the time of her sailing. By the same token there are two -English men-o’-war just off the capes of the Delaware. I sailed by them -in the fog.” - -“Forewarned is forearmed, Captain Conyngham,” returned Mr. Nesbit, “and -we’ll keep an eye on Mr. Lester.” - -“If he comes down by my ship let’s pray he’s a good swimmer,” responded -the captain, jamming his heavy hat down over his black hair and drawing -his queue from under his coat collar. With that he pulled his sea boots -well up his legs and went out into the storm. - -For a minute Mr. David Conyngham and the senior partner remained -silent, and then the latter spoke. - -“An odd character,” he said suggestively, “this kinsman of yours. Might -I say without any offense, that he has a certain amount of assurance.” - -“Call it self-reliance better,” responded David, “it was always so with -him as a boy. But mark you this, sir, behind it all he has the courage -that is daunted at nothing, and ask any seaman with whom he has sailed -if he knows of a better or more resourceful man in emergencies.” - -“He comes of good stock,” rejoined Mr. Nesbit, “eh, David?” - -The younger man caught the elder’s twinkling eye and bowed. - -“We’ve all been kings in Ireland,” he returned, “and to quote Gustavus, -‘surely one king is as good as another.’ But the news that you had for -me has not been told. What is it?” - -“A secret of state, my friend, and one that must be kept as quiet as -the grave.” He leaned toward Conyngham as he spoke. “Our good Dr. -Franklin is going to France to represent the cause of the colonies at -the court of the French king, and by the time he does so,” he added, -“we shall no longer be in the category of ‘rebels,’ for there are great -doings afoot.” - -“I know, I understand,” answered the younger man, his face lighting. -“God prosper the new nation!” - -“God prosper the new nation,” repeated Mr. Nesbit, “and confusion to -the enemies of liberty!” - -The storm had abated suddenly, and in a few minutes a ray of warm -spring sunlight pierced the cloud. Mr. Nesbit and the junior partner -rose, and arm in arm went out into the street. - -The glances of the tory and Flackman the lawyer followed their exit, -and as they disappeared the two men fell to whispering earnestly. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -THE VOYAGE OF THE CHARMING PEGGY - - -It was lucky that the water was smooth and that the Charming Peggy -was on her best tack, otherwise the frigate that was now dropping -fast astern would have overhauled her ere she had been well clear of -the capes. The gun that the Englishman had fired had had a ring of -disappointment in it, an admonition more of warning than of threat. -Captain Conyngham, looking back over the low taffrail, waved his hand -as he saw her haul her wind. - -“Good-by to you, my petty tyrant,” he cried half aloud. “I hope I’ve -seen the last of the likes of you.” - -The crew, whose expressions had changed during the short chase from -anxiety to hope, and from hope to satisfaction, looked up at the -little quarter-deck where the captain was pacing to and fro with firm, -springing steps. They were a motley lot, this crew, mostly American -sailormen from Baltimore, a half-Spaniard from the West Indies, and -two strong fellows who had about them the unmistakable marks of -man-of-war’s-men. In all there were but fifteen, including the cook, -a big, curly-haired Virginia negro with a rolling eye and a soft, -high-pitched voice. - -The young captain had been more than satisfied with the way they had -jumped at his orders during the few exciting moments when it was a -moot question whether he would be able to cross the frigate’s bows at -a range beyond gunshot. He had just managed to do it and no more, but -it had proved to his satisfaction that, given a smooth sea and a light -wind, the Charming Peggy could outfoot any of her ponderous pursuers. -He well knew that the dangerous time would soon come when in English -home waters, and that there stratagem, as well as speed, would have to -be resorted to if occasion demanded. He could scarcely hope to reach a -Dutch or French port without some further adventure, and to tell the -truth he was in a measure prepared for a certain form of it. On the -forecastle rail were mounted two swivel guns, and amidships a short -six-pounder. Not a formidable armament, to be sure, but sufficient, if -at close range, with the element of surprise added, to account for any -small merchant vessel that the Peggy might fall in with. - -Still, in his sailing orders, nothing had been said about the taking -of prizes. He had merely been ordered to get safely in to some Dutch -port and bring out as soon as possible a miscellaneous cargo of such -materials and supplies as merchants could dispose of most readily to -the fighting branch of the revolted colonies. - -All was plain sailing, with pleasant breezes, until at the end of -the twenty-third day after leaving the capes. Then a storm sprang up -with high winds, and the tumbling, rolling seas that mark the edge -of the Bay of Biscay, and there the Charming Peggy proved to be a -disappointment. Safe enough she was, but she butted and jumped and -turned like a tub in a mill-race. She acted like a bewitched and -bewildered creature, and in order to prevent having to run for it, -Captain Conyngham had recourse to an expedient often used in vessels -of light tonnage. He rigged out a sea-anchor, and for three days the -observations showed that the Peggy’s position was about stationary. -On the fourth day the weather cleared a bit, the wind shifted, and -twenty-four hours’ good sailing to the northward brought her in sight -of the English coast. The wind holding fair, she entered King George’s -private channel with all light canvas flying, and everything seeming to -promise well for the future. Numerous sail had been sighted on either -hand, but Captain Conyngham kept well to the eastward, close in to the -low-lying French coast. Clumsy fishing craft and trading vessels had -been passed near at hand, but not a sign of a man-of-war, or anything -to give the slightest concern as to the safety of the Charming Peggy. -But late in the afternoon of the second day, after the clearing away of -the storm, there appeared, bowling along, and holding such a course as -would bring her soon within hailing distance, a jaunty single-masted -vessel that needed no second glance to determine her class and quality. - -Captain Conyngham knew her to be one of the fast king’s cutters long -before he had looked at her through the glass, but he held his own -course as if unconcerned, and now the expected resort to strategy -was necessary. At his orders the Dutch flag had been shown, and the -cutter, although coming nearer and nearer, showed apparently no signs -of suspicion. The watch on deck lolled over the rail, glancing from -the approaching vessel to their young skipper, who like themselves was -leaning over the side puffing a cloud of smoke from a long clay pipe. -Occasionally, however, he would give an order to the helmsman that was -obeyed, and it was seen that almost imperceptibly the brig was edging -up nearer the wind, and that the approaching cutter, that was sailing -close hauled also, would pass astern of her. - -The captain turned for an instant, from measuring the lessening -distance between the two vessels, to see how the crew were taking -it, for any untoward action now might attract the other’s attention. -Captain Conyngham could not make up his mind at first as to whether she -intended hailing him or not, and still in doubt, he spoke to the first -mate, a lean New Englander, who sat on the edge of the cabin transom, -smilingly addressing him. - -“Mr. Jarvis, I wonder which of us speaks the best Dutch?” he half -queried. “If that fellow yonder intends to hail us, we’ve got to get an -answer ready. I’m pretty good on Spanish, and I can ‘parlez-vous’ after -a fashion, but Dutch has been Dutch to me. We should have flown the -Spanish flag, but it’s too late now, bad luck to it.” - -“Wa-al,” the Yankee answered, “I’m thinkin’ if we just squeeze her the -least bit more she’ll be at jus’ such a distance that y’u couldn’t make -nothin’ out through a speakin’-trumpet, and Dutch is Dutch to most -Englishmen anyhow.” - -By this time the figures on board the approaching cutter could be -plainly seen. On the quarter-deck there were two officers standing -together, while forward the crew lay bunched together, sheltering, -behind the low bulwarks, from the spray that dashed over her bows. -Again Captain Conyngham looked at his own crew standing in the waist. -Talking together were the two sailormen who had had the mark upon them -of the royal service. One, Captain Conyngham had suspected from the -very first of being a deserter from one of the English ships that had -touched at an American port. His name--Higgins--also might have gone -to strengthen his suspicion, and he had a little Devonshire twist in -his speech. The other, a shorter man, with light blue eyes, was a -compatriot of the young captain; he had a broad stretch of upper lip, -and the strong brogue of the west coast. - -Conyngham’s eye fell upon these two as they stood there and suddenly he -started. They were whispering almost beneath their breath. Strange to -say the supposed deserter showed no signs of the fear that the occasion -might have demanded; yet he was a trifle nervous, for his fingers -hitched at the lanyard of his clasp-knife. - -“Higgins,” cried Captain Conyngham suddenly, “below with you and fetch -me one of the broadaxes from the carpenter’s chest. And stay,” he said; -“bring me up a dozen nails, two of each kind. Sort them out carefully -and make no mistake about it.” - -The man hesitated. - -“Below with you there,” the captain repeated, half fiercely, “and no -questions.” - -Reluctantly the tall sailor went down the forward hatchway. - -“McCarthy,” called Captain Conyngham again, “go to my cabin and tell -the boy to send me up my trumpet, and stay below until I send for you.” - -The other men had listened to these orders in some astonishment. Even -the first mate had cast an inquiring glance at the captain, but had -said nothing. - -In a few minutes the boy appeared with the speaking-trumpet. Captain -Conyngham took it and held it out of sight beneath his coat. - -The position of the English cutter was now a little abaft the beam of -the Charming Peggy, but she was dropping farther and farther astern -with every foot of sailing. - -Suddenly across the water there was a hail. “Heave to, I want to speak -to you,” came plainly and distinctly. - -The captain, after his sudden orders to the sailors, had resumed -smoking. Now he took the long pipe from his mouth and leaning forward -placed his hand behind his ear as if he had not understood. - -Again the hail was repeated. This time the captain waved his hand -denoting complete understanding. Then he turned as if he was giving -some orders aloud to the crew, but instead he told the steersman to -luff a little, and spoke quietly to the first mate: - -“Two minutes more and we’ll be out of it, Mr. Jarvis,” he said; “she -will never fire at us.” - -The cutter still held on, and was by this time well astern. The officer -who had hailed was standing with his companion expectantly leaning -against the shrouds. - -Conyngham whipped the trumpet from under his coat, as if it had just -been handed him, and bellowed something back over the taffrail. Then he -waved his hand cheerfully and went on smoking his pipe. - -The two men on the English vessel were evidently perplexed. But the -Charming Peggy, now having gone back to her course again, and having -the weather-gage, was rapidly leaving. At last, as if her suspicion had -been satisfied, the cutter wore, let go her sheets, and went off free -to the southeast. - -The men on the Charming Peggy were all in a broad grin, and Mr. Jarvis -was almost hugging himself in sheer delight and relief. - -“I thought you spoke no Dutch, sir,” he said, laughing. “What was it -you said to him?” - -“I haven’t the slightest idea,” was Conyngham’s rejoinder, “but I think -it had some Irish in it.” - -He did not appear amused, however, and a moment or two later he stopped -suddenly in the pacing that he had taken up again. With a stern look on -his face he ordered that the two men he had told to go below should be -sent up to him at once. - -If the crew had been surprised at what they had just witnessed, they -were soon to be more so. The two men appeared and, hat in hand, stood -at the mast. Higgins carried in one hand a bundle of iron nails and in -the other the ax, one side of which was flat like a hammer. - -Captain Conyngham ordered him to step forward, and he handed the nails -and ax to Mr. Jarvis, who stood wonderingly by his side. - -“Higgins,” asked Captain Conyngham sternly, “do you know what I want -these for?” - -“No, sir.” - -The man was pale, but over his face there flickered a smile of affected -amusement or bravado. - -“I’ll show you.--McCarthy, step up here.” - -The two men stood before him. - -“Now, Higgins,” said Conyngham sternly, “I’ll tell you what I wanted -the nails and ax for. I wanted to nail the lies that you are going to -tell me.” - -The man began to protest feebly, and the captain stopped him. - -“What were you saying just as that cutter came within hailing distance?” - -“I was saying nothing, sir.” - -“Lie number one; you were.” - -The captain changed one of the nails from one hand into the other. - -“You, McCarthy, what did you say to Higgins?” - -“I said nothing, sir.” - -“Lie number two.” - -The captain looked from one to the other with his piercing eyes, and -then, almost without a movement of preparation, his bare fists shot out -to left and right, and the men dropped where they stood like knackered -beeves. - -It had all come so suddenly that the crew, at least those who had been -watching, were held spellbound in astonishment. Even Mr. Jarvis looked -frightened, and gazed at his superior officer, wondering if he had lost -his senses. - -“Here, pick these men up, some of you, and put them on their feet,” -ordered Conyngham sternly. - -Half dazed, the two men were propped against the railing. - -“What are you doing aboard this vessel?” - -“Sailing as honest seamen,” responded the Englishman, who had recovered -his equilibrium in a measure, and in whose eyes glared a fierce light -of mad hatred, as he returned Conyngham’s steadfast look. - -“Lie number three. But we won’t go on. I’ll tell you what you said. -When you saw that we were outpointing that cutter, you said that when -she was near enough to hail, you would take your knife and cut away the -sheets, and that McCarthy here would let go the jib-halyards, and that -you would then----” he paused suddenly. “Open your shirt,” he ordered. - -The men’s faces were white and terrified. Higgins fumbled weakly at -his breast and then, all at once, collapsed forward on the deck. He had -fainted dead away. - -Acting on Conyngham’s orders, Mr. Jarvis bent over the prostrate man -and drew forth and displayed, to the astonished eyes of all, a small -British Union Jack. - -The crew fell to murmuring. Captain Conyngham was all smiles again. He -waited until Higgins had been revived by a dash of cold water. Then he -spoke to the two frightened and now trembling men. - -“Your conduct shall be reported,” he said, “to Messrs. Lester and -Flackman, secret agents of the British Crown. They should not employ -such joltheads. Now below with these rascals. Put them in irons, Mr. -Jarvis.” - -In charge of the first mate and the boatswain, the two prisoners -were marched below. The captain resumed his hurried pacing of the -quarter-deck, and the crew suddenly jumped at his order to shorten -sail, for the wind had increased and was blowing in unsteady puffs. - -During the early hours of the night it blew half a gale, but died away -in the early morning hours, and at daybreak the Peggy found herself -jumping uneasily in the rough water with her sails flapping idly -against the masts. All about her was a thick opaque white haze. One of -the Channel mists had suddenly swept down from the north. It was almost -impossible to see even the length of the deck. - -The lookout forward, who had been peering over the bows, came stumbling -aft to where the first mate, whose watch it was, stood by the wheel. - -“There’s a vessel close off our bow, sir; listen, and you can hear her! -She can’t be more than a pistol-shot away.” - -In the stillness there could be heard the slow squeaking and creaking -of blocks and yards, and even the faint tapping of the reef-points -against the sails, as she rose and fell to the seas. Clearer and -clearer it sounded every minute. - -Slowly but surely the two ships were drifting together. - -“Jump below and call the captain to the deck,” ordered Mr. Jarvis -quietly. - -It was evident the Charming Peggy was in for further adventures. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -BOARDED - - -By the time that Captain Conyngham reached the deck the outlines of the -stranger could be seen. She towered huge and indistinct in the white -gloom high above the little Peggy, almost threatening to roll her down -as she swept broadside on. - -“A frigate!” muttered Conyngham below his breath to Mr. Jarvis, as -he noticed the double line of ports out of which the black muzzles -of the guns stretched menacingly. Just as he spoke the Charming -Peggy’s bowsprit struck gently in the foreshrouds of the big one, and -with hardly a jar they came together. Strange to say there had been -no warning shout from either side. But that the larger vessel had -perceived the Peggy first was evident, for instantly half a score of -men, a few armed with cutlasses, swarmed down the frigate’s side and -jumped on deck. They were headed by a young officer, who walked quickly -aft. - -“What vessel is this?” he asked. - -There was no use in dissembling then. Plainly the jig was up with a -vengeance. - -Quietly, with his arms folded, Captain Conyngham gave the name of the -Charming Peggy, but added that she was merely a merchant vessel from -Philadelphia in ballast proceeding to Holland to be sold. - -At this moment a voice from the frigate hailed the deck, and, calling -the young officer by name, asked him the name of the clumsy craft that -had dared to run afoul so deliberately of one of his Majesty’s ships of -war. - -“A Yankee rebel brig,” returned the young officer. “I think we’ve made -a prize, sir; and she’s armed, too,” he added, noticing for the first -time the six-pounder amidships. - -The unseen owner of the voice from the frigate’s quarter-deck replied -again. - -“Examine into her papers and if she’s all right let her proceed. If -not, we’ll put a prize crew on her and send her into Portsmouth.” - -“Aye, aye, sir,” was the lieutenant’s answer, and then he turned and -requested that Captain Conyngham would produce his papers and muster -his crew in the waist. - -Conyngham politely asked the young officer to follow him down to the -cabin. As he opened the chest that contained the charts and papers -his mind was working quickly. He knew that it might be easy to claim -that the Charming Peggy was the property of loyal British subjects, -for there was nothing to prove otherwise. No one but himself and Mr. -Jarvis knew what her mission was, and he did not doubt that he could -pull the wool over the young officer’s eyes, if it were not for the -presence of the two plotters now confined in the forward hold. If their -presence should be discovered and their story listened to, he doubted -if anything he might say could save him from being taken into a British -port; and the prospect before him was exceedingly unpleasant, in view -of the fact that in his mind a long war was about to begin. Still, he -hoped that the officer’s search would not prove a diligent one, and -that the presence of Higgins and McCarthy would not be discovered. The -officer looked at the papers carefully, and his words after glancing at -them cast a gloom upon Captain Conyngham’s hopes. - -“I shall have to take a look into your hold,” he said peremptorily, -“and ask a few questions of the crew.” - -Conyngham smiled. - -“You will find something there in the hold about which I intend to tell -you,” he said, “and we can both be gainers, I am sure, by the fact. I -have with me two troublesome rapscallions, who, I think, owe a term of -service to his Majesty. Two deserters, I am sure, that I shall be glad -to turn over to you, and I can say good riddance to them with pleasure.” - -It was a bold step he was taking and he knew it, but it was the only -way he could forestall any story that the plotters might tell, and -there was the one hope that, being acknowledged deserters, the men -might be hastened on board the frigate and their yarn disbelieved. He -called up through the transom over his head to Mr. Jarvis, and the -latter answered him at once. - -“Bring the prisoners out of the hold,” he said, “and get their -belongings together to hand them over,” he ordered. - -“Aye, aye, sir,” replied Mr. Jarvis, catching the drift of the -captain’s orders. “We’ll be glad to get them out of the ship, sir.” - -Just then the Charming Peggy gave a slight lurch and heeled over to -port. The lieutenant started as if to make for the companion-ladder. -Conyngham’s heart gave a bound. He knew at once what it meant; that a -breeze had sprung up and that the two vessels had broken apart. He -could hear the tramping of feet on the deck above, and then a sudden -crash. - -Looking out of the little cabin windows he just caught a glimpse of the -bow of the frigate shooting astern, for having the larger spread of -canvas set, she had first caught the pressure of the wind. Her large -jib-boom coming in contact with the Peggy’s mizzenmast had been carried -away, and there was a great row and cursing going on in her forecastle. - -At this moment Captain Conyngham wished he had said nothing of the -prisoners, but it was too late. Both he and the English lieutenant -hastened on deck. - -Although the wind was blowing very fresh the fog and mist were as thick -as ever, and the frigate had disappeared. But from astern a voice -shouted through a trumpet: - -“Aboard the brig. Mr. Holden there!” - -The young officer replied to the hail and the voice went on. “You will -stand by, and if necessary we’ll send a boat on board of you.” - -“Aye, aye, sir,” answered the lieutenant. - -Then he turned and looked at the crew, who were standing together in -the port gangway. - -Captain Conyngham was about to speak to him when a man stepped forward. -He wore irons on his wrists, and yet attempted to make an awkward -salute. - -“A word, sir,” he said. “This is a Yankee privateersman, belonging to -Yankee traitors and bound to Holland to carry back powder and supplies. -Me and me mate here were put on board of her with orders to inform on -her to the first British officer who should come on board of us.” - -The young lieutenant looked perplexed. Captain Conyngham still smiled. - -“A good yarn, Higgins. Sure, you’ve got the imagination of a -ballad-monger, but it won’t do, my lad. There’s a good rope’s-end and -worse perhaps waiting for you and your mate, and you may make the best -of it.” - -The English lieutenant, still mystified, looked from the seaman to the -captain, and just then McCarthy, who was manacled also, stepped out. - -“It’s the truth, sir, you’ve been told,” he said. “I come from the -Leonidas. Captain Chisholm put twenty of us ashore in New York under -orders to work our way into American vessels. He has the list, sir. We -were to get forty pounds apiece, and our discharges.” - -“By the powers, that story will stand proving, my lad,” rejoined -Captain Conyngham quietly. “And now, Mr. Holden--if I understand that -to be your name, sir,” he added politely--“we’ll start for Portsmouth. -The course should be, unless I miss my reckoning, south by west half -west.” - -Before the still mystified lieutenant could say a word, Conyngham began -to give hurried orders, and the crew of Americans and Englishmen jumped -to obey them. - -The two prisoners, protesting loudly and mocked at by their companions, -were again sent below, their irons still on their wrists. - -Conyngham and the lieutenant stood side by side on the quarter-deck. -The Britisher was a very young man, and perhaps inexperienced. At -all events, he seemed uncertain now what course of action to take. -Conyngham’s next words, however, seemed to reassure him, for they -evidently spoke his wishes. - -“We’ll run close to the frigate, Mr. Holden, and you can tell your -captain what you’ve done,” said Conyngham quietly. “I’ll be glad to -look into Portsmouth myself, for I have some friends there, and a cargo -of sand won’t spoil for a few days’ longer voyage.” - -In a few minutes the fog-blurred form of the frigate could be made -out now on the port hand. She was hove to, her foresail rippling and -fluttering in the freshening breeze, her mainsail against the mast, and -her crew standing by the tacks and sheets. - -“Pray the Lord that the fog holds four hours longer,” muttered Captain -Conyngham to himself. - -Mr. Holden hailed the frigate through the trumpet. - -“On board the Minerva,” he shouted. “We’re going into Portsmouth, sir.” - -“Very good,” was the reply, “wait there for us.” - -“And now, Mr. Holden,” spoke Conyngham quietly, “will you take command -of the brig, or shall I continue?” - -The lieutenant hesitated. Before he could answer Captain Conyngham -continued: - -“It’s a straight run, sir, and with this wind she’d make it with her -helm lashed; and now if you’ll allow me, I should propose that we’d go -below and have some breakfast. There’s one thing this little craft can -boast, and that’s a famous Virginia cook. Mr. Jarvis,” he added, “see -that the men are fed and send Socrates to me in a few minutes. You’ll -hold the same course, sir, until we return on deck.” - -The mate saluted, and Captain Conyngham and his guest went down to the -cabin. - -Five minutes later the negro cook knocked at the cabin door and was -bidden to enter. There at the table sat Captain Conyngham, and in the -big chair beside him sat the lieutenant. - -The negro’s eyes opened in astonishment, for the Englishman was tied -fast to the seat, and a gag made of the captain’s handkerchief was -strapped across his mouth! - -Captain Conyngham was breathing as if from some hard exertion. The -lieutenant’s face and eyes were suffused with angry red. - -“Now, Socrates,” said Conyngham slowly, “you will cook us the very best -breakfast that you can, and serve it here in the cabin in half an hour. -But, in the meantime, take a message to Mr. Jarvis on deck, and hand -him this quietly. There are ten Britishers with us and we still number -thirteen. Tell the boatswain, without any one seeing you, what you have -seen here in the cabin. Attract no suspicion, and try whether you can -live up to your name. Now go forward quietly.” - -He handed a pistol to the negro, who slipped it under his apron and -went up on deck. - -The English sailors did not seem to be in the least suspicious, and the -Americans fell in readily with the apparent position of affairs. But as -one after another was called to the galley on some pretext, they soon -were cognizant of the captain’s plot. - -The English sailors had discarded their cutlasses, and were grouped -with the others about the mess-kits that had been brought up on deck, -when suddenly the captain appeared alone from the cabin. Mr. Jarvis -joined him, and both stepped quickly forward toward the forecastle. -The men, seeing the two officers approach, arose to their feet. The -English sailors glanced suspiciously about them, and a glance was -enough to convince them that they were trapped. At the elbow of each -man stood one of their whilom hosts. A few of the Americans were -armed with pistols, and the negro cook with a big carving-knife stood -over the pile of cutlasses that they had left on the deck by the main -fife-rail. - -“Now, men,” said Conyngham quietly, “we want no cutting, slashing, or -shooting, and you’re our prisoners. But don’t be afraid,” he added, -as he saw a look of fear come into the Englishmen’s eyes. “We are no -pirates. You’ll get to Portsmouth all right, where you can join your -ship. You’ll have a good joke to tell them of the Yankee-Irish trick -that was played on you. Take the prisoners below, Mr. Corkin,” he -continued, addressing the boatswain. “Put them in the hold and mount a -guard over them.--And now, Socrates,” he added, turning to the grinning -cook, “we’ll have our breakfast in the cabin.” - -The English lieutenant, released from his bonds, sat at first in sulky -silence and would not even touch a bit of the savory rasher that -Socrates placed before him. When he went on deck later at Captain -Conyngham’s invitation he looked off to the eastward. The Minerva, -almost hull down, was holding a course toward the French coast. At the -masthead of the Charming Peggy fluttered the English flag, and in the -distance to the westward, plain above the horizon, rose the English -shores. - -“We’ll go in a little closer, Mr. Holden,” said Captain Conyngham, “and -then we’ll part company, sir.” - -He turned to the first mate. - -“Mr. Jarvis,” he went on, “prepare to lower the cutter; put in a -breaker of water, two bags of biscuit, and a bottle of port.” - -After half an hour’s more sailing the brig was hove to and the crew, -with Higgins and McCarthy now freed from their irons, pushed out from -the brig’s side. In the stern sheets sat the lieutenant disconsolately. - -He turned to watch the brig as she came about and headed off shore. At -that moment down came the English flag and the Spanish took its place. -And it was just at this minute that Captain Conyngham, looking aloft, -spoke to his first mate. - -“We’ll have a flag of our own soon,” he said, “and avast with this -masquerading, say I.” - -The crew, as if they had heard his words, suddenly burst into a -spontaneous cheer. Their voices, carried by the wind, reached the -Englishmen slowly pulling in for the distant headlands. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -IN HOLLAND AND FRANCE - - -For two months now Captain Conyngham and Jonathan Nesbit, a nephew -of Mr. James Nesbit, of Philadelphia, had been in Holland purchasing -supplies and outfitting the Peggy, after her safe arrival, for her -return voyage to America. They found, however, that the difficulties -were greater than they had imagined. Although the cargo had been placed -on board, at least the greater part of it, so closely were the Dutch -ports watched, and those of France also, that it was almost impossible -for any American vessel to set sail for home without word being sent -to the English cruisers hovering on the coast of the time for sailing, -and many prizes had they taken within a few miles of the harbor mouth. -The towns and seaports were full of spies. Both France and Holland -were then at peace with England, and English vessels were leaving and -entering almost every day, so the naval authorities were well informed -of doings elsewhere. Another difficulty also had presented itself in -that the stores which had been placed on board the Charming Peggy -were evidently munitions of war, and the Dutch Government had been -complained to by the English consul, and therefore the little brig was -under a strict surveillance. If she had been a faster sailer Captain -Conyngham would have taken advantage, on two or three occasions, -of the thick and stormy weather that had prevailed. Once he had -slipped his cable, but an English armed sloop near him had done the -same and had followed him almost to the open water, where, seeing it -was impossible to escape, Conyngham had turned and gone back to his -anchorage. - -So strong now were the remonstrances of the English representative, -that the Dutch custom officials confiscated the Peggy, and she was -brought into court. To save themselves a total loss, her cargo was -resold at a great discount by Nesbit and Conyngham, and the Peggy -herself was disposed of to a Dutch shipping house. - -And now Captain Conyngham found himself stranded, like many another -American shipmaster, on the shores of a foreign country. His active -spirit chafed at the enforced idleness, but week after week passed, -and he saw no chance of getting away. But great things had happened in -America since his departure, and great things were soon to happen in -Europe. - -The Declaration of Independence had been signed and heralded to the -world. A small fleet had been organized, and it was rumored that -vessels of war were building in the home ports to go out and fight -the English on the high seas. Stronger and stronger grew the ambition -in Conyngham’s heart to get into active service. He grew almost -despondent, however, as the time dragged on. - -It was difficult even to obtain news, and the uncertainty of what -was happening at home made his position more galling. At last one -day the information was brought by post from Paris to The Hague that -two American vessels of war--the Reprisal, commanded by a Captain -Wickes, and a smaller vessel, the Lexington--had arrived in France; -but, better news than all that, Dr. Benjamin Franklin had reached the -capital itself armed with credentials from the American Congress to act -as Minister Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary to the French court. - -For a long time a plan had been in Captain Conyngham’s mind, the -feasibility of which, granting that certain obstacles were removed, -tempted him strongly. There were enough American sailormen, of good -fighting stock, hanging idly about French and Dutch ports of entry, to -man a small squadron. Why was it not possible to fit out one vessel at -least and sail into the highway of British commerce? The risk would -be great, the rewards would be tremendous, and the advantages to the -American cause, if the project was successful, past reckoning. All -it required was money and a starting place. It would be necessary, -no doubt, from the very first to arrange matters with the immediate -authorities in order to have them wink at the proceeding, and to do -this, back of the whole idea, there must lurk that important word, -authority. - -Any ship’s captain who sailed on his own account and made prizes in -the English Channel, would get no mercy if he once fell into the hands -of the enemy. But even without the authority Captain Conyngham was -eager to take the risk, if a vessel could be procured and he could find -others to join him. - -Shortly after the news reached him at The Hague of Franklin’s arrival, -he left Holland and sailed as passenger in a Dutch coaster to Dunkirk, -and there, the very night of his arrival, he met with a man who was to -have a great influence in his further doings. - -Messrs. Hodge, Allan, and Ross were three Americans, part factors, -part merchants, who were in France at the time of the breaking out of -war between America and the mother country. - -In the earlier months before the English had begun their very strict -watching of the foreign ports, they had managed to send out some small -and miscellaneous cargoes of supplies. Latterly, however, they had been -unsuccessful, but with the arrival of Franklin and the appointment as -commissioners of Mr. Arthur Lee and Mr. Silas Deane, the latter a New -England merchant well known to them, a better prospect seemed to dawn. - -The Reprisal had brought in with her three English vessels, all -merchantmen, the first prizes to be brought into the ports of a foreign -country. The English ambassador, Lord Stormont, had raised a dreadful -row at the French court over this proceeding, and it was rumored that -the American vessels and their prizes would be forced to quit the -French harbors. - -It was just at this time that Conyngham landed at Dunkirk, having come -down by sea from Holland in a Dutch packet. He had hardly set foot on -French shore when he met a Mr. Thomas Ross, whom he had known as a -supercargo on one of his earlier voyages into the Mediterranean. It was -years since they had seen one another, but Mr. Ross remembered him at -once. - -“Well, indeed, Conyngham, this is a surprise!” he cried, shaking hands, -after the young captain had accosted him. “And what are you doing here?” - -“Fretting my head off,” was the reply. “Sure, it is a piece of ill -fortune for a man like myself to be idle when there is so much that he -would like to do. But before we talk of our own private grievances or -affairs, tell me of the news. What has Dr. Franklin accomplished, and -what prospects are there that France will do anything for us?” - -“We’re all in the fog, as you sailors would say,” returned Mr. Ross. -“But there are some prospects. The army at home has done as well as can -be expected, although the British have possession yet of many places, -including New York. But come,” he added, “you must join me to-night -at supper. We’re expecting our friend Hodge down from Paris, and my -brother and Mr. Allan. They can tell you much of importance. Mr. Hodge -was to see Dr. Franklin, and Mr. Deane was to speak for all of us. -There will be work here and plenty for good men, if I’m not out in my -reckoning. The French as a nation have no love for England, nor has -the king, if rumor speaks rightly, and a few big successes on our part -may sway the ministry into action, for mark me, my friend, the common -people are seldom wrong, and their voice is the heart-beat of the -nation.” - -“By the Powers,” rejoined Conyngham, “but you talk like a book. Is it a -speech you have been preparing to convince the king?” - -Ross laughed. - -“I know of one king that was never convinced by speeches,” he returned, -“and that’s the one who sits there across the water.” - -“Ah, there’s one thing that will convince him,” returned Conyngham -softly and dropping, as he often did, into the very richest of brogues. -“Whisht, my lad, and that’s cannon-balls and straight shooting.” - -“You’re right, Friend Conyngham,” answered Ross. “But there is one -thing more that is necessary--supplies and ships--and a truth must be -acknowledged: Europe must recognize us as a nation. Three or four big -victories on our part would turn the scale. But more of this to-night -when we meet. You will find me at my lodgings, there in that little -gray house on the corner, the one with the sloping roof, at five -o’clock, and we will go to a little tavern that I know of that is kept -by a Frenchman we can trust. Don’t fail me.” - -“I will be on hand,” returned Conyngham, and the two men parted. - -At six o’clock that evening, in the little front room of the -Chanticlear Tavern, there were five men seated about the table. The -conversation, that had first been of home affairs and the discussion of -the latest news from the army--the battles of Trenton and Princeton and -Washington’s doings--soon turned to matters nearer at hand. Mr. Hodge, -a strong-featured, red-faced man of a traditional John Bull appearance, -sat between the two Ross brothers. After the waiter had left and they -were all alone he began to talk, and his audience resolved themselves -into the most eager listeners. - -Conyngham had told his story of the capture of the prize crew, and -the recital had at once placed him as one who was worthy of every -confidence, and before whom everything could be said openly. - -“You’d have laughed,” went on Mr. Hodge, continuing the story of his -trip to Paris, “to have heard the good doctor describe his arrival in -Paris. As yet he has not been received openly at court, but that will -all come in due time. Nevertheless, the number of fine names and titles -and high personages whom he has met would make quite a bill of lading. -You see Lord Stormont, the English ambassador, has his suspicions. -He would be a dolt if he hadn’t. And the Count de Vergennes, the -king’s Prime Minister, has his also, but the latter’s are the harder -to guess. I don’t exactly understand the Frenchman,” continued Mr. -Hodge. “He’s a bit too deep for me, and whether or not he is blowing -hot and cold to save time, or whether he is really anxious in the end -to be of service to us, is more than I can answer for. My own idea of -it is that he has but one idea in his head, and that is France, and -that he would see our country swamped and ruined if he could further -France’s interest in the slightest degree. He realizes, no doubt, that -in England’s troubles and difficulties lie France’s opportunities, and -that the more she is weakened and distressed, the easier it will be -for France when the war comes; for, mark my words, the temper of the -French people can not long be restrained, and sooner or later England -and this country will be at each other’s throats. But, nevertheless, -gentlemen, it is well worth our time to keep a wary eye on M. le Comte -de Vergennes, and mind his doings carefully. But I have digressed. I -was speaking of Franklin--he told me that Lord Stormont had objected to -his coming to Paris at all, and said that ‘if this arch-rebel reaches -the city I will away home with me, bag and baggage.’ ‘All right,’ says -de Vergennes, ‘anything to please your excellency! We will despatch -a messenger to stop him.’ And so a messenger was sent to meet the -diligence by which ‘Goodman Richard’ was coming into Paris, but the -messenger took the wrong road and never met the doctor, and the first -thing you know Lord Stormont hears that the ‘arch-traitor’ has arrived. -‘Heavens, mercy me!’ exclaims de Vergennes, when his lordship calls -upon him. ‘How could it have happened? I will speak strongly to this -fool of a messenger. I will admonish him.’ ‘But what are you going to -do about it?’ insists Lord Stormont. ‘What can we do?’ returns Monsieur -le Comte. ‘You can not expect us to be uncivil! Surely it is no one but -an old gentleman who flies kites and writes almanacs, and we Frenchmen -have a reputation for politeness to sustain. We can not ask him to -leave without ceremony. It is not our way.’ So there he is,” continued -Mr. Hodge, “hob-nobbing with lords and ladies and what not, and -thinking great things in that great head of his; making arrangements -with Beaumarchais, who is our friend with good interest now. Oh, such a -man!” Mr. Hodge interrupted his long speech by throwing back his head -and laughing heartily. - -“Beaumarchais? Beaumarchais? I’ve heard the name,” interrupted -Conyngham. “But who is he?” - -“The most interesting and fantastic of creatures,” replied Mr. Hodge. -“A man whose career sounds like the invention of the romancer. His real -name is Caron, and he is but the son of a watchmaker, whose timepieces -are celebrated. I believe that he himself was brought up to follow his -father’s trade, but playing the harp attracted him more than adjusting -springs and balance-wheels, and he became an instructor and harpist at -the court. Being a man of parts besides of harps, and a natural born -courtier, he soon made his way and became one of the petted favorites -despite his lowly birth. A consummate Jack of all trades. He is the -author of plays, two of which I have had the pleasure of seeing--‘The -Barber of Seville’ and ‘The Marriage of Figaro.’ The king and the queen -trust him implicitly, and he has the ear of most of the noblemen, -though some of them dislike him and fear his sharp wits.” - -“I met him once,” interrupted Mr. Allan, “at Nantes--a quietly dressed, -smooth-spoken, business-like fellow.” - -“Then you don’t know him at court,” laughed Mr. Hodge, “for there he is -an exquisite, and can flutter his laces and make his bow with the best -of them. He has a hundred sides, and can change color like a chameleon.” - -“He is a good friend of America and a hater of England,” remarked -the elder Ross. “If he had his way, Lord Stormont would be packed -off to London, bag and baggage, and there would be no more of this -dissembling. He knows the temper of the people, and has his finger on -the national pulse.” - -“I wish that he had his fingers in the national purse,” laughed his -brother, “for the good doctor is not overburdened with money.” - -The entrance of the landlord here interrupted the conversation, but -as soon as he disappeared Mr. Hodge, who had been doing a great deal -of thinking, and had paid little attention to the steaming ragoût, -followed him to the door and closed it firmly. Then, coming back to the -table, he leaned over his chair and in a low but eager voice addressed -the company. - -“We’re all Americans here,” he said, “and Captain Conyngham’s recital -of his own mission and adventures proves his discretion, and so, -gentlemen--a secret.” He paused and his eyes swept around the table. -“The money will be forthcoming, and if I make no mistake there will be -plenty of it.” - -“Surely the Count de Vergennes, and Necker while he has charge of the -purse-strings, will disgorge little,” said Mr. Allan dubiously. - -“The Prime Minister is a deep one,” replied Mr. Hodge. “It pays to keep -both eyes on him. He would use America as a cat’s-paw, I have no doubt; -but nevertheless he sees in the success of our cause the way to stab -England deeply. Beaumarchais, with the help of the rest, will prove a -match for him.” - -“But you are digressing,” remarked the younger Ross, who had spoken -little up to this time. “How are we to get the arms and munitions?” - -“We shall see,” answered Hodge, smiling wisely. “The French Government -doesn’t wish to commit itself at present, and as a nation will offer -us no direct or open aid, but there is nothing to prevent a private -company or corporation from advancing money on its own responsibility, -if it assumes the risk, and there lies the secret, to which you -gentlemen, I know, will consider yourselves pledged from this minute. -Have you heard of Hortalez et Cie. of Paris? It is a new name, and one -as yet unknown in commercial circles, but mark me, some day history -will record it, and we Americans shall have good cause not to forget -it.” - -“And who composes this new firm?” asked Mr. Ross. - -“That,” replied Mr. Hodge, “is more than I can answer. But they say -that Beaumarchais could tell all about it, and the shareholders have -noble names. Even royalty has invested, and there is plenty of money -behind the new name.” - -“Be more outspoken,” suggested Mr. Allan. “Who is Hortalez?” - -“Hortalez,” answered Mr. Hodge, “and this under pledge of secrecy, -gentlemen, is none other than Beaumarchais himself, and Beaumarchais is -the court.” - -For an instant there was silence, and the five men looked at one -another without saying a word. Then it was Conyngham who spoke. - -“Mr. Hodge,” he said, “what you have told me opens the way at once to -something that I intended to speak of before this company here at the -table. In every port in France, and even in Holland, there are scores -of American seamen lying idle because of the embargo that has been -placed upon our shipping. They’re eager, every one of them, to strike a -blow against the enemy. With money, and brains to direct its disposal, -the matter would be easy. There is the Channel filled with British -shipping before us. We are here on this side of the water. I have in -my mind a long-fostered idea that is easy of accomplishment, and that -would promise big returns if successfully set on foot.” - -“Your idea, Captain Conyngham,” answered Mr. Hodge, “might not be hard -to guess, and let me tell you that it has already been spoken of. By -the way,” he added, “I start to-morrow morning for Paris. Will you not -accompany me thither, for I think that Dr. Franklin may have something -to say to you.” - -Conyngham’s face flushed with excited pleasure, as he reached across -the table and struck his palm into that of Mr. Hodge. - -“I am with you,” he cried, “mind, soul, and body.” - -As the party broke up to go they halted at the door. The elder Ross -placed his hand on Conyngham’s shoulder. - -“You are the man we have been looking for,” he said in a whisper, “the -very man.” - -“Hold, gentlemen,” whispered Mr. Hodge, softly, “what we have spoken -of here this evening we will consider buried in the catacombs of -our memory, and it would be better,” he suggested, “if we should -meet Captain Conyngham elsewhere to be as strangers to him. Is it so -understood?” - -The rest nodded, and they passed out into the hallway, at the end of -which the smiling landlord greeted them and bowed them out into the -street. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -COMMISSIONED - - -Dr. Franklin entered the little house from the garden at the back, -mopping his wide forehead, for the day was hot. He advanced toward Mr. -Hodge with his hand outstretched and greeted him warmly in his deep -musical voice. - -“Ah, friend Hodge,” he said, “back so soon? And you have brought some -one with you, I see. From our side of the water?” he asked. - -“Yes,” returned Mr. Hodge; “at least from the right side of the water. -Allow me to present to you, sir, Captain Gustavus Conyngham, late -commander of the Charming Peggy.” - -“Of Philadelphia, owned by J. M. Nesbit and Company, was she not, and -confiscated in Holland?” interjected Dr. Franklin, looking at Conyngham -over the tops of his round spectacles. - -“The same, sir,” replied the young captain, wondering at the doctor’s -knowledge. - -“I would that she had managed to get away with her cargo,” continued -Dr. Franklin, “and I was distressed and sorrowed that I could not help -you. But Holland, I fear, is under the thumb of Great Britain. I could -pray again for the days of Van Tromp, but I fear me it is not to be.” - -As he spoke the doctor motioned the others to be seated and placed -himself at one side of a big table, upon which was a chess-board with -the men placed upon it, as if they had been left in the midst of -playing. As he continued speaking he moved them about from one space -to another, as if his thoughts were divided between the subject of -conversation and the game. - -At first he asked a few questions about Philadelphia, and forestalled -Mr. Hodge’s evident attempt to interrupt. - -“Ah!” exclaimed the doctor at last, “I have it--it was the knight’s -move and a very pretty problem!... Now, Captain Conyngham,” he went on, -“you were born in Ireland, but having married a wife in Philadelphia -one might say that your better half is American.” - -“And seeing that the other is American by adoption also,” returned -Conyngham, “although I acknowledge my birthplace and my speech at times -betrayeth me, I can claim to be whole American, and I have as little -love for England as the best of you.” - -“Good,” returned Dr. Franklin, shoving the chessmen off the board; -“’tis the proper disposition. And now, Mr. Hodge, I presume you have -told Captain Conyngham of the great difficulties with which we are -surrounded. And by the way,” he added hurriedly, “you can do a favor -for me if you’ll be so kind. I was to meet Mr. Deane at his lodgings -at about this hour. Could you act as my emissary? We have need to call -on our friends for small services. Will you go to him and inform him -that I shall not be able to keep my appointment, but kindly ask him to -return with you here, where you will find Captain Conyngham and myself -awaiting you?” - -Mr. Hodge, although a little perplexed at the request, acquiesced -immediately, and in a minute or two Franklin and the young captain were -alone. The latter waited for the doctor to begin, and he did so by -asking a question. - -“Are the English smaller vessels better built and faster than those -made in France?” he asked. - -“By all means,” Conyngham returned; “there is none that can equal the -work of the British shipyards, except ourselves, and there I mean -Americans,” he added. - -“And the Dutchmen?” - -“Good seagoing craft, but clumsy,” returned Conyngham. - -“Do you think it would be possible, Captain Conyngham, to procure a -fast-sailing English cutter or lugger on this side of the water?” - -“It would be hard to do so without exciting suspicion.” - -“In England you think it would be possible to procure such?” - -“Without the least difficulty, in Dover,” Conyngham replied. “That -would be my plan,” he added, “and if once we could get her, say to such -a port as Dunkirk, I would find the men easily to man her.” - -Dr. Franklin arose and began slowly pacing to and fro. - -“What do you think would be the best plan to set about the purchase -of such a craft?” he asked at last. “Do you think that you could -accomplish it yourself?” - -“It would be better for some one else to try,” Conyngham replied, “for -I am known to many in the English ports. In fact, I might say without -boasting that I am a good pilot in both channels. If she were secured -by a man who might pass himself off easily as an English merchant it -could be done without attracting suspicion, and she might be brought -over with a French crew to Dunkirk.” - -After more talk, in which Captain Conyngham detailed his plans as to -armament and outfitting, he came to the subject which hitherto neither -had touched upon. - -“Of course, Dr. Franklin,” he said, “no one realizes more than I do -the danger of such an enterprise, and mark you, sir, it does not appal -me, yet I might state that if I were captured, not only I, but the men -with me, should meet with short shrift at the hands of the British. -We should have few opportunities, after such an event, to serve our -country again.” - -Franklin paused and smiled. “We shall attend to that,” he said, turning -to a large cabinet and unlocking one of the ponderous doors. “And now I -shall have to call upon your discretion. There are a great many things -nowadays that we have to keep secret even from our friends, but I have -here the very instrument that we need in our business.” - -As he spoke he drew forth from a large portfolio a printed form and -laid it on the table. - -“This,” he said, turning it so that Conyngham could read it, “is a -commission in the navy of the United Colonies. Thinking that just -this sort of a contingency might arise, I armed myself with a few of -these papers sent me in America. You see it is signed by John Hancock, -as President of Congress, and is attested by William Thompson, at -Baltimore, where Congress was in session. It is dated the 1st of March -of this year. I have but to fill in your name and the name of your -vessel, and you are a full-fledged captain in the navy of the United -Colonies from the moment. Your name I know, but the craft as yet is -unchristened. What shall we call her?” - -Conyngham paused a moment. - -“You have surprised me, sir,” he said, “and my wits for a moment were -wool-gathering, but the name would be an easy matter.” - -“And you have suggested it, Captain Conyngham,” returned Franklin, -chuckling. “We will call her the Surprise.” - -Quickly, as he spoke, he filled in the blank spaces and handed the -paper across the table. - -“Captain Conyngham,” he said, “I greet you. You will receive such -orders as may come through our agents, but one thing I admonish you--be -cautious. You are not to venture to attack a seventy-four nor even a -sloop of war. There are plenty of small fry about worth the saving. -Now,” he went on, “another thing of great importance. Except in case of -dire necessity show this commission to no one, not even to Mr. Hodge or -our most intimate friends. It is a secret for the nonce between you and -myself. You will readily understand the reason that I ask it. It would -not only embarrass me just at present, but might embarrass the French -Government; and they’re a little bashful just now, so we must consider -their feelings. Ah, here come Mr. Hodge and Mr. Deane,” he added, -looking out of the window. “Come, we will go out into the garden and -sit under the trees, where we can discuss the weather, the fashions, -and the ladies, in the open air.” - -After the introductions had been gone through, and Captain Conyngham -had been presented to Mr. Silas Deane, a short, thick-set, -easy-going-looking man of commercial aspect, not a word was said about -plans or plot, and Franklin wandered from anecdote to anecdote, heading -off any attempt to touch upon the subject that was uppermost in all -their minds. But just as they were leaving he spoke a few words which -disclosed the situation. - -“Captain Conyngham,” he said, “has undertaken to execute a commission -of great importance and danger, and so, while it may come under -discussion at some length in the future, he will need now nothing but -our good wishes, and we will drink his health.” - -The toast was drunk and the gentlemen arose to take their departure. - -“The captain will accompany you to Dunkirk on your return, Mr. Hodge,” -said Dr. Franklin, as he bade farewell, “and Mr. Deane will instruct -you as to your further procedure.” - -Conyngham never forgot the parting pressure of the doctor’s hand. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE SURPRISE - - -There lay moored in the basin in the harbor of Dover two fast-sailing -luggers that, despite the fact that they had been in the water -but two years, had already earned great reputations for speed and -seaworthiness, and to their merchant owners they had proved sources of -pride and profit. - -Mr. Robert Boltwood and his brother had been approached upon more than -one occasion by persons desirous of purchasing either one of their two -crack coasters. They were not surprised, therefore, when they received -an offer made through a shipping firm, whose principal partners were -Dutchmen, for one of the vessels named the Roebuck, but they were -surprised when their terms were accepted, for they had placed what -they considered almost a prohibitive price upon the Roebuck, which if -anything was the faster of the two. - -It was natural, perhaps, for them to wish to know for what purpose the -Roebuck had been bought. All they could ascertain, however, was that a -gentleman named Allan, claiming to come from London, and one Mr. Van -der Beck, a Hollander, had bought her in partnership, and that she was -to sail out of Dunkirk in the Channel trade. - -Now it happened that in Dunkirk there were several indefatigable spies -of the British Government, and in some way it had leaked out that a -privateering expedition was on foot. There were so many idle American -seamen in the port that it would have been a wonder if some such rumor -had not been floated, and the story that started really need have had -no connection with Conyngham’s cherished project. Suffice it, however, -that this came to the ears of Messrs. Boltwood’s representative, who -accordingly informed his firm, and this news reached them but a short -time after they had completed the sale of the Roebuck. The terms of the -sale had not included the delivery of the vessel across the Channel, -but Mr. Allan and the fictitious Mr. Van der Beck had mistakenly -supposed that there would be no difficulty in securing a crew, or at -least enough men to sail her to her port of destination. To their -surprise, however, they found that this was not the case. Sailors were -hard to find, and it soon became evident, also, that the old owners, -repenting of their bargain, were working against them. This and the -fact that their suspicions had also been aroused, made the secret -commissioners wary of appearing to be in a great hurry. So while the -Roebuck remained at anchor they informed their friends in Dunkirk of -the situation, and Conyngham resolved upon a bold plan. It was nothing -more nor less than to sail with some eight or ten men in a large open -yawl and bring out the Roebuck at night from her anchorage. It was -agreed that Mr. Van der Beck (whom everybody will recognize as the -elder Ross), who had lived in Holland and spoke the language like a -born Dutchman, and Allen, should move themselves and their belongings -on board the Roebuck, whose crew consisted of two French sailors, -almost so decrepit from age as to be no longer on the active list. On a -given night this short-handed crew were to slip their anchor and make -out toward the harbor mouth where Conyngham and his crew of eight men -would be taken on board, when they would sail at once for Dunkirk. - -Those were the days when smuggling between the Continent and -England was considered almost a legitimate venture, and despite the -watchfulness of the English coast-guard vessels, from many small ports -and coves smuggler pilots ran their contraband cargoes in and out. It -was not difficult for Conyngham to secure the services of a French -smuggler pilot, and in fact some of the men of the crew, Americans -though they were, had been employed, at times, in the same risky -business. - -A big open yawl was procured without difficulty, and on a misty night -she slipped out of Dunkirk harbor heading with a favoring easterly wind -for the English coast. For a short time this held true and steady, but -fortune after a few hours turned against them. Before daybreak the -wind had increased to half a gale, and in the choppy sea the yawl had -a bad time of it. It was only by good seamanship and constant bailing -that she was kept afloat. The afternoon of the next day they found -themselves about three leagues from the English coast, and the wind -abating they laid their course for the white cliffs of Dover. - -All apparently was going well, and they had passed several vessels -without exciting suspicion, for the smallness of their craft was a -great point in their favor, and she might have been taken for a coaster -or fisherman hailing from any of the small villages that sent out their -little fleets during the trawling season. - -Late in the afternoon, while they were creeping southward along the -coast, a king’s cutter suddenly appeared around a little headland not -two miles away. The French pilot who was at the helm was undoubtedly -responsible for what followed, for the sudden appearance of the cutter -must have caused him to lose his head. Without a word of warning he -threw the yawl up into the wind and headed her off shore, plainly in an -endeavor to give the cutter a wider berth. The suspicious action had -been seen by the Englishman, who at once altered his own course and -turned off in pursuit. - -Captain Conyngham at the time that the coast-guard was sighted had been -resting asleep under a tarpaulin between the thwarts. The exclamations -of the men on seeing the cutter’s tactics aroused him, and as soon as -he had looked to leeward he saw that it was only a matter of time when -the cutter would overhaul his little craft. - -They were still so close into shore that they could see the white surf -leaping and boiling against the rocks and at the base of the cliff. At -one point he could make out a little break in the steep side, with some -foliage near the top, and down at the bottom a short stretch of sandy -beach. - -A rocky ledge formed a barrier to the entrance of the little cove, and -over it the water jumped and tossed angrily. Here and there, farther -inshore, leaped sudden spurts of foam as the waves thundered on the -sharp points of the hidden rocks. Yet one thing he noticed clearly even -at the distance he was from shore--the water ran smoothly and evenly up -to the narrow stretch of white beach, showing that within a few feet of -shore it deepened again. His mind was made up in an instant. - -[Illustration: The yawl was in the midst of the smother.] - -The cutter was outpointing the yawl, and though at first to leeward was -working up to the windward position. Conyngham gave a few quick orders -as he grasped the tiller. The yawl swung about, and with loosened -sheets caught the wind abaft the beam and tore away shoreward. The -cutter came about also, taking a longer time at it, and, flying down -just outside the edge of the breakers, made a bold attempt to head the -yawl and turn her back before she could cross her bows. - -It came to be a question of minutes, and there was an added danger now, -for the cutter opened up with a small bow gun, firing as quickly as she -could load and aim. But, owing to the small size of the target and the -uneven rise and fall of the chop, her marksmanship was bad, and though -the balls whistled overhead and plashed all round, not one struck the -intended mark. - -The Frenchman, who was now in a state of terror, began to call upon the -saints. To Conyngham’s inquiry whether he knew of a safe entrance to -the little cove at which they were heading he vouchsafed no reply. But -as they drew near the line of breakers his wails increased. - -“We shall all be drowned!” he cried over and over. “Better a prison -than the bottom of the sea.” - -But Conyngham, with one eye ahead and the other on the approaching -cutter, held his course. In another moment he had crossed the -Englishman’s bows, and as the latter fired a parting shot the yawl was -in the midst of the smother of tumbling waters. - -How she got through it without being wrecked was more than any one -of the crew could ever tell. Time and again they held their breath, -expecting to be crushed upon the black points that now and then showed -themselves on either hand. But with the skill of an Indian guiding his -canoe down the rapids, Conyngham steered the little boat, and in half -an hour she had safely passed the barrier reef and the worst part of -the sailing, and soon was in the comparatively smooth water near the -little beach. - -Now there could be noticed a few roughly built huts of stone before -which there were some nets drying on the ground, and some frightened -fishermen came down to the water’s edge. One of them hailed in half -French and half English, to which Conyngham replied. - -The man informed them that they had better not land, as they had been -seen by the Government lookout on the top of the cliff, and that in all -probability the guards would soon be down and they would all be made -prisoners. - -Evidently, like the cutter, the fellow had taken them for smugglers, -but he gave the information that farther down the coast there was a -small cove inaccessible and invisible from above, where they might be -able to get ashore. - -Shortening sail, Conyngham headed the yawl southward. Out to sea the -cutter was holding the same course, watching like a cat at a rat-hole. -It looked as if escape was impossible, for a long promontory ran out to -south not four leagues away, and with a shifted wind it would be only -by miracle that they could keep from going ashore. - -But the darkness, that Conyngham was waiting for, came at last, ushered -in by a blinding fall of rain, and in it he once more managed to make -an offing and by good luck and good seamanship weathered the point, -and with the cutter somewhere back in the darkness, he made out once -more into the open channel. At daybreak he was off Dover and could see -the flag flying on the walls of the castle, and a mass of shipping -about the entrance. He made boldly in and dropped his little anchor -amid a fleet of small craft. The harbor at this time was not one of the -best in the world, for the shingle bar would keep shifting, and the -breakwaters, except the old basin piers, were not then built. But lying -well out Captain Conyngham detected a vessel that, from the description -he had received from Mr. Allan, he was sure could be none other than -the Roebuck. - -His sailing in so boldly had not attracted the least notice, and as -he had bidden most of the crew to keep themselves out of sight under -the tarpaulins, the number of men he had with him had not attracted -attention either. - -Just at dusk he got up his anchor and came farther up into the harbor. -As he passed by the Roebuck his heart was beating with excitement, for -she looked to be the very vessel for his purpose. He was within hailing -distance when a figure came on deck. He could scarce refrain from -shouting from sheer joy, for he recognized the stocky figure of his -friend Allan. Another minute and he had called his name. - -Working the yawl alongside he soon stepped on deck. It was considered -too risky to transfer the men while there was yet light enough for them -to be perceived, and, uncomfortable as it may have been for them, they -remained in their cramped position in the smaller boat until almost -midnight. In the early morning hours the Roebuck slipped her cable and -slid out like a ghost through the channel fog. The yawl was being towed -behind, but as it impeded the lugger’s sailing the small boat was -stove in, laden with some of the spare ballast from the Roebuck, and -sunk. - -Without adventure or molestation they reached Dunkirk under the British -flag. As they dropped anchor well up the harbor, Mr. Allan turned to -the young captain with a smile. - -“Well, sir,” he said, “this part of the proceeding is over and we are -ready to go on with the rest of it. By the way, shall we keep the -name?” He pointed to the stern of the jolly-boat where the word Roebuck -stood out in red letters. - -“No,” returned Conyngham, “that will all be changed. She has been -renamed what we hope she’ll be.” - -“And that is?” queried Mr. Allan. - -“The Surprise,” was Conyngham’s answer. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -THE CHANNEL CRUISE - - -The people of Dunkirk must have been very stupid indeed if they could -not have perceived that there was something mysterious about the -strange little vessel that lay moored to one of the wharves. Although -there was some attempt at carrying out the disguise of her being a -peaceful trader, there were many circumstances arising that would mark -her otherwise. But, to tell the truth, the people of Dunkirk were not -only suspicious. In their minds they were quite settled as to the aims -and ambitions of the jaunty little lugger, and sailors ashore are wont -sometimes to let their tongues get away with their discretion. - -The English spies and agents of course were well informed, and letters -were written even to the papers in London describing the doings -at Dunkirk, and the preparations that were being made to outfit a -“piratical expedition,” as it was called, against the king’s commerce -in his own home water. - -Objection was continually made by the English representatives against -the outfitting of a belligerent vessel in a friendly port, but nothing -was done by the French authorities, and very soon the Surprise--or the -Roebuck, as she was then called--was ready for sea with the exception -of her armament, her given destination being Norway and Sweden. - -Conyngham and his crew had kept away during the lading of the vessel, -and most of the work had been done by Frenchmen, in order to prevent -the whole thing from being too glaringly open. But one evening, just -about dusk, Conyngham strolled down the edge of the wharf and stood -watching some long boxes that were being slung on board and lowered -over the side. A very short red-haired man came up to him and spoke to -him in French. - -“Good evening, monsieur,” he said. “A pretty little vessel this, eh?” - -Conyngham turned at once and looked the speaker over. He knew him to -be an Englishman who was supposed to be a Government spy. The man’s -audacity in daring to approach him at that moment was rather startling, -but Conyngham’s reply must have been more so. - -“She is good to look at,” he returned in French, “and they tell me she -is sailing to-morrow night. But let us go down to her,” he said, taking -the smaller man’s arm, “and ask some questions of those on board. We -may learn something.” - -Half reluctantly, the Englishman accompanied him. In a few steps they -were at the gangway. The tackle that had just deposited its load on -deck swung outboard from the yard-arm that was being used as a crane, -and passed close to where Conyngham and the spy were standing. With a -swiftness that was surprising, Conyngham caught the rope in one hand -and gave it a twist about the body of his companion beneath the arms. - -“Hoist away,” he shouted, holding the struggling Englishman. And before -he knew it the latter was swinging in the air, afraid to struggle for -fear of being dropped, but shouting and cursing in hearty John Bull -fashion. - -Conyngham rushed up the gangway and met a tall, dark-featured man, who -saluted him as he stepped on board. Just then the Englishman’s feet -touched the deck also. - -“Here, Monsieur Villois, have this man brought to the cabin,” said -Conyngham, and the half-frightened spy was ushered in by two grinning -French sailors. - -“Now, sir,” said Conyngham, “you shall learn all about it. Sit down.” -He motioned the spy to a seat and then, looking at him fixedly, -continued: - -“For the last three weeks you have dogged my footsteps; you have tried -to overhear everything that I have spoken, and you have eavesdropped at -windows and doors when I was in company with other gentlemen. You have -a companion here who claims to be a very learned person, and always -goes about with a book under his arm, wearing big spectacles. Last -evening you met on a bench at the end of the park that leads to the -street of the windmill, and you said--” Here to the Englishman’s horror -and surprise Conyngham detailed a long conversation that had taken -place--word for word he had it. At last he was interrupted. - -“But you could not have heard this; there was no one nigh us,” said the -Englishman, and then he added quickly, “I see it all. That villain has -betrayed me. What do you intend to do with me?” - -“I intend,” said Conyngham quietly, “to tell you all you want to -know, and to set you on shore at the proper moment. The first and -most interesting point, I suppose,” he continued, “would be, What is -the destination of this vessel and when does she sail? That is easy. -She sails to-night--in fact, in about two hours. Her destination is -nowhere in particular. At present she is the property of a French firm -of merchants, and is a peaceable, unarmed lugger. In about six hours, -if the wind holds fair, she will be purchased by the United Colonies -of America. She will be signed and receipted for outside of the -jurisdiction of the French Government. Her name also will be changed, -as well as her character.” - -“You will be pirates?” gasped the spy. - -“Not in the least,” was Conyngham’s return. “If that question should -ever arise, it could be settled with little trouble. Now,” he -concluded, “you know as much as you would like to, I am sure.” - -“And are you going to set me on shore?” asked the Englishman -incredulously. - -“Not yet, my friend,” was Conyngham’s reply. “I still have use for you.” - -Just at this moment the cabin door opened and the tall man who had -stood at the gangway entered. The darkness of his complexion and the -straightness of his black hair betrayed the fact that he was of Spanish -or some southern extraction. But the English that he spoke was pure and -without accent, as it had been proved, also, was his French. - -“Well, captain,” he said, “the last box has been put on board. The rest -that are standing about are all empty. We are ready to get under way.” - -“Has the other vessel sailed?” asked Conyngham, adding, with a wave of -his hand, “you can speak frankly before this gentleman.” - -“She has, sir; she slipped out four hours ago, and will join us three -leagues off the coast to-morrow at daylight.” - -“Are all the crew on board of her?” - -“Yes, sir, and the armament. I am afraid we shall have some difficulty -with the six-pounder.” - -“Never cross a bridge till you come to it, Mr. Freeman,” returned -Conyngham, “and now one more question. Is the agent of Mr. Hortalez on -board?” - -“Yes, sir; he is waiting on deck.” - -“Tell him I will join him in half a minute. If you should ask my advice -as a mere passenger who has had some experience, I should say that we -might slip our moorings quietly and get under way; the tide, I should -judge, would carry us well down the harbor. But I merely advise it, you -understand, as you are the captain of the ship. And by the way, Mr. -Bulger,” he added, turning to the spy, “you will kindly wait here for -my return; there is a gentleman at the door who will object to your -leaving, so if you will allow me to suggest, it will be better for you -to remain here quietly.” - -He arose as he spoke and left the cabin. “Mr. Bulger” remained seated, -with consternation written on every line of his face. In a few minutes, -though there had been no sound from the deck, he could tell from the -swaying of the vessel that they were under way. For fully half an hour -the Roebuck drifted quietly with the tide, and then the mainsail was -hoisted and she keeled over to the damp easterly breeze that carried -her out beyond the mouth of the harbor. For some time she sailed, -holding a course to the northwestward, then she hove to and as day -broke she was seen to be about three leagues off the French coast; and -not two miles away, hove to also, was a clumsy little brig with her -brown sails laid back against the mast. A red flag suddenly appeared, -waving over the brig’s side. This was answered by the wave of a white -one over the Roebuck’s taffrail, and then one on the port tack and -the other on the starboard; swiftly the two vessels approached until -within hailing distance. The decks of the little brig were crowded with -sailormen, and amidships were long boxes, carefully wrapped and ready -for slinging, and a few long bales wound in sail-cloth. By careful -maneuvering they were brought together broadside to broadside, well -tendered and lashed. No sooner had this been accomplished under the -direction of the dark man, at whose side stood Conyngham, than the -latter turned, and speaking to a slightly built but richly dressed -young Frenchman, who was evidently a little upset by the motion of the -sea, he requested him to step into the cabin, where he was introduced -to the imprisoned Englishman as Mr. Beauchier, the representative of -the owners of the Roebuck. - -“And now, Mr. Bulger,” remarked Conyngham, after the introduction, -“comes the favor that I am going to ask of you. I shall request you to -witness the sale and transfer of this vessel from its present ownership -to that of the United Colonies of America. The price has been arranged -between Mr. Beauchier and myself, and only our signatures are needed to -the document, with that of a witness to the same. This is the bill of -sale and transfer of the lugger Roebuck, as you can see. Mr. Beauchier -will sign here, I here, and you will witness and put your name on this -line.” - -Half trembling, the Englishman scrawled his signature beside those of -the others. - -“And now, Mr. Beauchier,” went on Conyngham, “is it true that I -understand that you own also the vessel which is alongside of us?” - -“Yes, and her contents,” was the reply. - -“Have you got any ballast for sale--old iron or such like?” - -“We have, sir, and also some passengers who are anxious to leave the -ship, because they are afraid of the leak which the captain reports she -has sprung.” - -“Poor people! Poor people!” repeated Conyngham. “I will take them on -board for nothing.” - -The transfer of the long heavy bundles proved an easy task, as the -“passengers” were all of the male sex and insisted upon turning to and -helping. In two hours it was all accomplished; the lashings were cut -off and the two vessels drifted apart. - -It had been agreed that the little Englishman should be put ashore at -some obscure French port, the brig being bound now for L’Orient. But as -Mr. Bulger stood watching the lugger square away to the north he ground -his teeth in impotent despair. - -“Pirates, just the same,” he muttered. “Pirates, every one of them.” - -At that moment there broke from the masthead of the lugger, not the -Jolly Roger, but a big flag with thirteen alternate stripes of red -and white. Across it diagonally stretched the writhing coils of a -rattlesnake, and on the fourth white bar appeared the printed words, -“Don’t tread on me.” - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -THE HARWICH PACKET - - -The next day proved clear and fine, and also the following day, but -no sail of importance, so far as small craft were concerned, was -discovered. Such vessels as were passed that flew the English ensign -were too big to be reckoned with or too near armed escort; but on the -morning of the 4th of the month, off the coast of Holland, a little -single-sticker, a cutter, was discovered bowling merrily along from the -westward, and from what the Surprise’s French pilot said it was plain -that she was the very one for which Captain Conyngham was watching--the -Harwich packet, that bore the mails for the north of Europe, usually -carrying, besides crown moneys, a small but rich cargo. - -The rules of the road at sea have been from time immemorial practically -the same for sailing ships, and a vessel close hauled has the right of -way of one going free on the wind. When the packet was first sighted -she was running with the wind almost astern and making good time, as -she tossed the white foam before her. Now, the Surprise was close -hauled on the starboard tack, and it would have required but a little -careful sailing to bring her across the packet’s bows. The latter had -flown a large English ensign, but Conyngham had shown no flag at all, -although the big red and white striped ensign with the rattlesnake -across the field lay on the deck ready to be hoisted to the peak. - -Nearer and nearer the two vessels came. The helmsman on the packet was -evidently perplexed as to the intentions of the approaching lugger, -for he had swung his vessel off in order to give the latter room to -cross his forefoot. But every time he did so the Surprise would luff -a little, for it was Conyngham’s intention to get close under the -packet’s stern and board her if possible without firing a shot. - -The trick worked like magic. In a few minutes the Englishman was so -close that the features of the helmsman could be seen distinctly. -He was not in the least suspicious, for he gazed in silence at the -approaching lugger, contemptuously smiling at her apparently clumsy -sailing. - -A man who had been walking up and down the deck came to the rail as if -he supposed that the Surprise was about to hail him, and making ready -to answer. - -Conyngham had kept his men below well out of sight, though they were -all armed with pistols and cutlasses ready to rush on deck at a given -signal. Just before he came under the Englishman’s stern, he let go -his sheets and swinging off suddenly, his bowsprit swept over the -stranger’s taffrail, beneath which appeared the words “Prince of -Orange” in big red letters. The cutter, whose sails, now deprived of -the wind, flapped uselessly, lost headway. Another second, and the -Surprise struck so gently that it hardly started the paint on her -cutwater, a grapple was thrown on board, and from the forward hatch a -score of men poured over the bows upon the other’s deck. - -Captain Baxter, the English skipper, was in the cabin at breakfast -with five passengers, four of them merchants and one a young secretary -bearing dispatches to the Dutch Government, when the mate shouted -through the transom that a strange vessel had run afoul of them, and -that they were being boarded by pirates! - -“Great heavens!” exclaimed one of the merchants in consternation. -“Pirates in the English Channel! Bless my soul, never!” - -Before Captain Baxter could gain the foot of the companion-ladder a -figure stepped into the cabin. - -“Who are you, and what are you doing aboard my vessel?” roared the -captain, reaching for a cutlass that hung from one of the berths that -lined the sides. - -“Hold! not so fast, my friend,” was the quiet answer. “Sure, it’s much -better to take no unnecessary trouble. And my advice to you is to be as -quiet as a mouse.” - -As he spoke, Conyngham shifted his hand to the butt of a pistol that -protruded from under his long blue coat. - -Though his words were lightly spoken, the Englishman saw a dangerous -gleam in the captain’s dark eyes, and stood still, muttering. - -“Are you a pirate?” he demanded, hoarsely, at last. - -“Far from that,” answered Conyngham, smiling and advancing farther -into the little space. “If the gentlemen will seat themselves, I shall -be glad to inform you of the circumstances. You are prisoners of the -American cruiser Surprise, that I have the honor to command. But you -need fear nothing, I assure you.” - -[Illustration: A score of men poured over the bows.] - -“What is your name and under whose authority are you acting?” demanded -the young under-secretary, who had now found his tongue. - -“My name is Conyngham,” was the reply, “and I am acting under authority -of the president of the American Congress.” - -“You will hang for it,” interposed one of the merchants. “I shall -complain to the Government--such an outrage, and in the English -Channel, too!” - -Conyngham smiled. - -“You can write a letter to the Times if you see fit, my good sir,” he -replied, “but at present there is no use of being bad-natured. Don’t -allow me to disturb you in your meal, as I see you’ve just begun.” - -At this moment a slight scuffle and some loud words came from the deck -above. The captain again started to his feet. - -“They’re securing the crew,” Conyngham said in explanation. “There is -no use in making a fuss over the matter; we’re in complete possession. -Be easy now.” - -Just as he spoke the lank figure of the Yankee second mate appeared at -the foot of the ladder. He saluted Conyngham, and grinned at the others -as if enjoying their discomfiture. - -“I have to report, sir, that all’s well, and await your orders. There -is one man we had to put into irons; the rest submitted quietly.” - -“You see how matters stand, gentlemen,” Conyngham went on, “and before -we cast off our lashings I shall have to ask you to accompany me to my -vessel.” - -“A most high-handed proceeding,” muttered the English merchant. - -But his protestations were interrupted by the young secretary at this -point. - -“It’s always best,” said he, “to accept a bad position gracefully, and -I am sure if this gentleman,” he waved his hand toward Conyngham, “will -allow us to remain on board here we shall much appreciate the favor. As -for myself,” he added, “I will promise not to endeavor to escape. I am -a bad swimmer at the best, and if our gallant friend, who, I perceive, -at some time or other has been a subject of his Majesty, will permit -it, we should like to remain.” - -“You certainly can do so, sir,” was the quiet reply, “and need not fear -that I will disturb you; but as you seem to have lost your appetites, -I shall first ask that you all come on deck.” With a polite bow he -ushered the party to the companionway. - -Perhaps he had divined the young Englishman’s purpose. At all events, -the suspicion had crossed his mind that the latter only wished -to obtain time to secrete or destroy some of the papers in the -dispatch-box that showed beneath a locker on one side of the cabin. -With some show of discontent, the party followed his suggestions, -however, and went up on deck. Once there they could not conceal their -surprise at the state of affairs. There was the strange vessel, that -was but slightly larger than their own, still made fast to them, and -rippling almost overhead was the big rattlesnake flag. Perhaps, despite -Conyngham’s assurance, they had expected to see the Jolly Roger with -the skull and cross-bones, and they were to all appearances relieved. - -The English crew were all under hatches forward, and no one was in -sight but five or six of the Surprise’s crew, who, to tell the truth, -were piratical enough in appearance to belie even the striped flag. - -Leaving a guard over his guests, Conyngham went below with the first -mate and began a search of the cabin. When he came on deck again he -plainly perceived the importance of his prize. But a complication had -arisen that made him form his plans quickly. It would never do to delay -the mails or interfere with the diplomatic correspondence intended -for a friendly power, and there were letters for Prussia and Holland, -besides those addressed to the British ambassador at Paris. The private -property of the merchants was unmolested, but a report showed that the -contents of the hold was of no little value, and under the usages of -war it would be fair booty. So Conyngham ordered that Captain Baxter -should accompany him on board the Surprise, and with ill grace the -latter did so. After giving orders to the first mate, whom he left in -command of the Prince of Orange, Conyngham ordered the two vessels to -be cast loose from each other, and the course was laid southeast by -east for Dunkirk once again. He realized that there would be a great -row made upon his landing, but in view of the connivance of the French -Government at the sale of the prizes brought in by Captain Wickes, -that were allowed to be disposed of just outside the harbor limits of -Nantes, he thought that with the aid of Franklin’s growing importance -at the French court the Government would be more than lenient with him. -He supposed at least they would allow him an opportunity to dispose of -the vessel and its contents for what the commissioners in Paris most -needed, namely, gold; and, thinking that he would place himself in a -good position to ask any favors by his conduct in connection with -the foreign mails, he held no anxiety concerning himself or his crew. -Besides all this, he knew that in the commission that he held from -Franklin he possessed a talisman that would save him from personal -danger. - -It had been his hope that he might fall in with one of the transports -then engaged in carrying Hessian troops to America, and in the latter -case he had decided upon two alternatives: one to make a prize of their -vessel, even at the risk of recapture, and endeavor to get her into -some American port, or to land them disarmed on the coast of France -or Holland. But even the prospect of making another rich haul did not -tempt him to remain longer on the cruising grounds. So, under all the -sail he could carry, he laid his course for Dunkirk, the Prince of -Orange staggering along in his wake. - -That night it came on to blow, and in the darkness the two vessels were -separated, so that at daylight of the next day nothing could be seen of -the prize. The Channel was a gray, seething mass of flattened foam-tops. - -At about noon a little brig was discovered laboring along making to the -westward. The Surprise altered her course, and early in the afternoon -had ranged alongside. - -The wind was too high and the cross seas too boisterous to admit -of lowering a boat, and the hails that were shouted through the -speaking-trumpet could not be heard, so a shot was fired across the -brig’s bow in order to make her show her flag. It was English! As soon -as this was ascertained to be a fact, Captain Conyngham sailed boldly -in under her lee, and once more the rattlesnake and the red and white -stripes were tossed to the wind. - -Another hail, accompanied by a second shot across the brig’s bows, and -she hove to, lurching and plunging. By working his vessel in still -closer, even at the danger of colliding, Conyngham at last made himself -understood, and on the threat of blowing the brig out of the water her -captain obeyed the order to put her about and lay the course he was -instructed to. At the same time he was told to hang a lantern over -the stern and keep it lit all night. Then, like a constable following -an unwilling prisoner, the Surprise trailed along, shortening sail -in order to keep her position, and the brig, yawing and swinging -uncomfortably as if loath to be on the move, preceded her. Before dark -the wind had gone down and the sea abated enough for Conyngham to lower -a boat and board his prize. She proved to be the Joseph, the property -of English merchants, laden with silks and wine and bound for London. -Placing a prize crew on board of her, this time the Surprise took the -lead, and sailing noticeably better, the brig followed her. When day -broke they were but a few leagues off the coast to the northward of -Dunkirk, and to Conyngham’s delight he perceived a small vessel just to -the south of him, and through the glass he could make her out to be the -captured packet! - -So good fortune had attended his first cruise, and with a hopeful and -cheerful heart he sailed into the harbor. With his prizes close on -either hand, he dropped anchor near to shore. Little did he know what -a storm was to arise or what was to happen during the next few days. -Perhaps if he had known, he would not have thought so much about the -European mails. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -THE ARREST - - -There was a large crowd lining the shores as the little boat rowed up, -and as Captain Conyngham, on whom all eyes were centered, climbed up -the ladder to the wharf a large man bent over and extended a helping -hand. There was a greeting in the grasp also, and a ring of welcome in -his voice. - -“Back so soon, eh?” exclaimed the elder Ross, for it was he. “We hardly -expected you for a week or more to come. And you have got her! The news -is about the town; don’t stop to parley here. My brother and Hodge and -Allan are waiting. There is much to do. What have you there?” - -The boatmen were handing up three large canvas bags. The chattering -crowd looked at them and pointed excitedly. - -“The mails for Europe,” returned Conyngham softly. “Let us get together -and consider what is best to do. Bad cess to them, I wish they were off -my hands!” - -As he spoke he started suddenly. - -“What is it?” demanded Ross in a low tone. - -“That blackguard English spy!” returned Conyngham. “Didn’t you see him? -There he goes on a run up the street.” - -By this time three sailors had also climbed to the wharf and picked -up the canvas bags. The crowd made way as the little party started -forward, Ross and the young captain leading. The people, on the whole, -were in smiling good nature. There was even a trace of exultation in -their expression, a few clapped their hands, there were some murmured -“Bravos.” Had they been English or American they might have fallen to -cheering. - -“Heaven grant we have not been rash,” muttered Ross, “but there will be -a tempest as soon as the news reaches Paris.” - -“What will there be when it reaches London?” returned Conyngham -laughing. “Perhaps this time our friend Lord Stormont will demand his -recall or Parliament will send for him. Egad! then the fat will be in -the fire!” - -Although they had passed close to the spot where Ross and Allan and -Hodge were standing, no sign of recognition passed between them. The -crowd had the politeness not to follow, and soon Conyngham and Ross -turned down the corner toward the little inn at which the first meeting -had been held; the sailors carrying the canvas bags were close at their -heels, and, the landlord of the tavern appearing at the doorway, the -party entered. In a few minutes the rest of the plotters appeared, -having come in by another entrance, and the sailors returned to the -ship’s boat. - -As soon as they were all seated about the table in the little front -room and had ascertained that there was no chance of their conversation -being overheard, Conyngham related his experience. - -The company laughed heartily as he told of the English captain’s -discomfiture, but Hodge a moment later looked very grave. So much so, -in fact, that Allan, noticing it, clapped him on the shoulder. - -“What is it, friend William? You look suddenly stricken with grief or -disappointment.” - -“I am just thinking,” was the return, “that a great deal will have -to be done before the sun goes down this day. One of us will have to -post at once to Paris. We must not delay turning over the mails to the -proper authorities, and--another thing--we must get this news to the -ears of the Count de Vergennes before it is brought to him by Lord -Stormont. I like not altogether de Vergennes’s attitude. He would -see us all at the bottom of the sea rather than sacrifice a chosen -project of his own, and, as I have said many a time, back of all his -half-expressed desires to lend us assistance is but the hope of aiding -France’s interest.” - -“Well, if any one is to go,” returned the elder Ross, “it should be -you, Mr. Hodge, unless you consider it necessary that the captain here -should go up in person.” - -Conyngham shook his head. “I’m afraid that would be impossible,” he -put in. “It would never do at all, at all. I will have to stand by my -ship for a few days at least, until we dispose of the prizes in such a -manner as to enable me to pay off my crew. Is there much money in the -treasury, Mr. Ross?” he asked. - -The latter laughed. “I don’t suppose that we have fifty pounds among us -at present,” he said. “The treasury has been on the ebb for the past -fortnight, but M. Grand, our banker in Paris, is hopeful.” - -“There is a good four thousand pounds of ready money in the prizes,” -said Conyngham, “and much that could be disposed of on the nail, could -we but put it immediately in the market. But it is my belief what must -be done must be done quickly. Mr. Hodge should start with the mails for -Paris--no one will recognize what those canvas bags contain, and we -should scent out some purchaser and sail out of the harbor this very -afternoon and hold a little auction off the coast.” - -“How about the prisoners?” interrupted Mr. Hodge. “What are we to do -with them?” - -“I, for one, will say ‘good riddance,’” returned Conyngham, “when once -they are on shore. We could never keep them while we are here in port, -and I propose giving them a run this very day.” - -Upon this point all of the party were agreed, and also upon the -necessity of Hodge’s immediate departure for the capital. The latter, -accompanied by Allan, left the room in order to see the proprietor of -the tavern, to which establishment was attached a stable containing a -number of excellent horses and equipages suited for the highroad. They -had been gone but a few minutes when suddenly Allan returned, evidently -in a state of some perturbation. - -“Something has happened,” he said earnestly, “that requires our -immediate attention, gentlemen. A moment since I left Mr. Hodge. I was -standing at the entrance to the stable-yard, from which a good view -could be had of the harbor down the street. Suddenly there appeared a -vessel sailing into the field of vision, and from her looks I knew her -to be an English sloop of war. She was taking in sail and preparing to -drop anchor in the outer harbor, when suddenly a small boat rowed out -to her; an instant later she broke out her sails again, and is now -coming in close to where the Surprise and the other two are anchored. I -don’t like the looks of things.” - -“We can obtain a good view of what is happening from one of the windows -of an upper room,” said Conyngham. - -“Let us adjourn there,” suggested the elder Ross. “I know the -way--come, follow me.” - -Without more ado he led the rest of the party into the hall, and they -hurriedly ascended to the second floor. Entering one of the rooms, they -rushed to the window. - -As the inn stood upon rising ground, they had a free and uninterrupted -view of the harbor over the roofs of the houses. Sure enough, there -was the British sloop of war working her way in close to shore, where -Conyngham’s little squadron lay. A single glance and the captain spoke -quickly. - -“I must get on board at once,” he said. “That fellow’s intentions are -evident. Here, I have a small pocket glass. There is something doing on -board the Surprise.” - -As he spoke he pulled a small spy-glass from his pocket and hastily -adjusting it lifted it to his eye. - -“The Surprise is getting under way,” he said. “That Yankee first mate -of mine has his wits about him, but, gentlemen, this is no place for -me; I must get on board, if possible.” - -With that he left the others, and soon they could see him on the street -running at a dog-trot down toward the wharves. Just at this moment also -there was the rattle of wheels and the clatter of hoofs, and out of -the gateway of the stable-yard rolled a post-chaise, on the high seat -of which sat Mr. Hodge. He had gone back to the dining-room, but not -finding his companions had decided to delay no longer, but to push on -at once. - -The commissioners in Paris must be informed of what had happened, and -steps must be taken to prepare the way, for the English ambassador was -sure to raise trouble. - -Conyngham had made good time of it and reached the water’s edge -before the English sloop of war was half-way across the harbor. The -watchers at the window saw him disappear around a corner; a minute -later a row-boat shot out from the wharf, and through the glass that -the captain had left behind, Mr. Ross descried the rowers bending all -their strength at the oars in an endeavor to reach the lugger before -the Englishman could get much nearer. The wind was against the latter, -and he had been forced to tack, but Mr. Ross could see that they were -preparing to lower away a boat and that the bulwarks were lined with -men. - -“There!” he cried suddenly, “Conyngham is standing up in the stern -sheets encouraging the rowers. By all the powers, he’ll make it! Row! -row!” he cried, as if his voice could be heard by the men at the oars. - -The big foresail of the Surprise had been dropped, and she was slowly -swinging around as if in an endeavor to make her way out through the -crowd of anchored vessels near her to the open waters that lay beyond. -This could be discerned without the aid of the glass, and Allan -perceiving it struck his fist into the palm of his other hand. - -“The fool!” he cried. “What is he doing that for? It is the very thing -the Englishman would like best--to get him in the open. His chances -were much better if he stayed nearer shore.” - -Ross, whose hand was trembling so that he could hardly hold the glass, -now spoke up again. - -“There!” he cried. “Look! Conyngham has joined his vessel. See, she -swings back again and turns in toward shore. She’ll run that little -vessel down. Heavens! that was close; she just touched.” He whirled and -looked at the others. “Gentlemen, there’s sailing for you,” he said. -“Did you see that? He steered in between those two small ones, and I -know what his intentions are. He’s going to try to run the lugger into -the basin next the long wharf.” - -“He never can get through,” interposed his brother; “there isn’t room -enough.” - -“He may,” was the elder Ross’s answer, “and at all events he’s going to -try it--and see, the packet follows him!” - -A silence followed as they all watched the Surprise slipping along so -close to the shore that her hull was now entirely hid from sight and -nothing but her big sail could be seen gliding past the vessels moored -to the landing-places. Then all at once the big sail was clewed up, -and under the impetus that she had gathered the Surprise forged slowly -ahead. Into the basin she slipped without a wharf line being sent to -shore, and grinding along the string-piece her speed slowly slackened -and then stopped. Ropes were immediately passed out and she was made -fast, and at this moment, as if foiled in her design to lay her -alongside, the British sloop dropped her anchor. The Prince of Orange -came into the basin in the Surprise’s wake. - -“Neatly done, by Jove!” exclaimed Allan. “He handled her as if she were -naught but a shallop. Gentlemen, let us separate, and meet at the long -wharf as soon as we can get there.” - -At once they descended the stairs and went out into the street, where, -in order to attract the least suspicion and to carry out the plan -that they always adopted of being strangers to one another, they went -different ways, but all heading at last in the direction of the shore. - -A surging mob was gathered on the long wharf and on the decks of the -vessels moored near it. At one place there was a group of a half -score or more men talking excitedly in English among themselves. The -Frenchmen surrounding them were listening with evident amusement, -although they could not understand what was being said. The men who -formed the group were the prisoners whom Conyngham had released as soon -as his vessel touched the wharf; in fact, he had driven them overboard -ashore almost at the point of the pistol. - -Hastily his crew were carrying out some bales and boxes from the -forward hold of the prize, and the captain standing upon the bulwarks -directing them. - -The crowd was watching all this as if it were part of a play arranged -for their special benefit. - -Mr. Ross elbowed his way quietly through the crowd and soon was close -to the vessel’s side. Conyngham looked down and saw him. - -“The jig is up,” he said, speaking so that Ross could hear him. -“They’re going to hand us over. I thought as much from the looks of -things. They expected me to come back here--it was all prepared, but I -was a little ahead of time.” - -“Well, what are you up to now?” asked Mr. Ross. “Why all this -unloading?” - -“Merely for the establishment of international good feeling,” Conyngham -returned. “You’ll see in a minute.” - -From his post of vantage in the bulwarks of the vessel he turned, and, -taking off his hat, addressed the crowd that up to this minute, as we -have said, had been nothing but amused spectators. - -“Citizens of Dunkirk, people of France,” he said, “help yourselves. -Here are bales of fine English cloth and English cutlery. Sure, they’re -things ornamental and things beautiful. Help yourselves; they’re yours -for the taking, and the gift of the United Colonies of America and -Gustavus Conyngham, captain in the navy.” - -It was enough. With something that sounded like a cheer mixed with -laughter, the crowd rushed upon the bales and boxes. Many climbed -unhindered over the vessel’s sides and dived down the hatchway. -Conyngham leaped to the wharf. - -“Now,” said he, “let the Englishmen try to land and take us. The -authorities were going to let them board us while we lay at anchor -unprotected. I know that, for it was a French officer who went out to -the English sloop. Who can believe a Frenchman anyhow? I have told my -crew to scatter, and each man for himself. This is a pretty ending to -our project, by the piper! isn’t it?” he added bitterly. - -Ross did not reply, for just then he caught a glimpse of something up -the wharf that had called his attention. There was a gleam of steel -and a flash of blue and red, and straight toward them came marching -a company of French soldiers. At the head walked an officer holding -a paper in his hand, and by his side was the very English spy that -Conyngham had seen run up the wharf. He perceived all in a glance. -Turning to Ross, the young captain spoke quickly. - -“Here,” he said, slipping a long sealed packet into his friend’s hand. -“This is of the utmost importance. See that it reaches Dr. Franklin’s -hands in Paris at once; it must not be lost, for it may save my life. -De Vergennes has forsaken us.” - -“Come,” replied Ross, hiding the paper in his pocket. “Endeavor to -hide--you may escape in the crowd.” - -“And be hunted like a rat with a ferret or taken like a criminal. Never -that in the world. Appear not to know me.” - -With that Conyngham stepped forward into the open space that the crowd -had formed in giving way for the soldiers’ coming. Stepping boldly out -to meet the company, the captain drew a short sword from under his long -blue coat, and advancing toward the officer he extended him the hilt -across the hollow of his left arm. - -The officer was so surprised that he halted, as if not knowing what to -do, then in some hesitation he took the proffered weapon. At the same -time Conyngham spoke in a loud voice: - -“Captain Conyngham of the American navy gives himself and his sword -into the keeping of the Government of France.” - -Then he glanced about to the English spy, but the latter had -disappeared. - -Leaving a guard of soldiers about the vessel, the officer and part of -his company walked back up the wharf. Before he had gone many steps he -returned the short sword to Conyngham, who took it with a smile and -walked off by the officer’s side, chatting pleasantly in French with a -strong touch of Irish brogue. - -At the same corner where he had passed them but a few hours previously -stood his friends. Again they gave no sign of recognition. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -IN PARIS AGAIN - - -Dr. Franklin had just returned from court. He had been saying many -pretty things to fair ladies, and had made his usual wise and witty -remarks to ministers and to courtiers, and now he seated himself in -his large arm-chair near the table, placed his big horn spectacles -upon his nose, and drew toward him a pile of correspondence and some -paper. Dipping his big quill into the inkstand, he paused a moment -before he began to write. On his face suddenly came an expression of -great pain. He pushed back his chair, and lifting his leg carefully -kicked off the heavy buckled shoe and rested his foot on a cushion -that lay on the floor. The good doctor was suffering a twinge from his -old enemy, the gout. At last, when he was more comfortable, a smile -of amusement lit up his features and he began scratching away quickly -with the squeaky quill pen. It was not a letter of state importance -or secret instructions that he was working on, for every now and then -his smile widened or changed to one of quizzical amusement. He had -abandoned himself to the whim of the moment, and when he had gone on -for an hour or so he paused and began to read what he had inscribed -aloud. It was an imaginary conversation between himself and his present -bodily visitor and tormentor, whom he referred to politely as “Madam -Gout.” He was defending himself against the accusations of the lady in -question as he read. - -“I take--eh!--oh!--as much exercise--eh!” (here a twinge of pain seizes -him) “as I can, Madam Gout. You know my sedentary state, and on that -account it would seem, Madam Gout, as if you might spare me a little, -seeing it is not altogether my own fault.” - -“Gout: Not a jot! Your rhetoric and your politeness are thrown away; -your apology avails nothing. If your situation in life is a sedentary -one, your amusements, your recreation, at least, should be active. -You ought to walk or ride; or, if the weather prevents that, play at -billiards. But----” - -He had got as far as this in his reading when a servant knocked on the -door and softly entered. - -“A gentleman named Mr. Hodge to see you, sir,” he said. “He says it is -of great importance.” - -Dr. Franklin’s smile faded and he pushed the paper from him. - -“Bid him enter at once,” he said, and an instant later Mr. Hodge -followed the servant into the room. - -“Ah, good friend!” exclaimed Franklin. “You will pardon my rising, -for my position explains itself; but I see by your face that you have -something of import. Out with it and no beating about the bush. But I -pray you to tell me no bad news unless that can’t be helped. Come now, -what is it?” - -In a few words Mr. Hodge related the story of Conyngham’s adventures -and the return with the packet. When he had finished, Franklin arose -and, despite the fact that one foot was shoeless, limped heavily two -or three times around the room. Then he at last replied: - -“Your news, Mr. Hodge, is both good and bad. I might have known -that Conyngham would have done something of this sort, but just at -present affairs at court are somewhat puzzling. I can trust Turgot and -Maurepas, but the Count de Vergennes, Minister of Foreign Affairs, is -at times too deep for me. Just now he seems to be listening too much to -Lord Stormont. I would that we could get some good news from America -about the doings of the army. But what you say about the foreign mails -demands attention. They must go to de Vergennes this very moment. Do -you think that you are the first to bring the news of all this to -Paris?” - -“That I can not say, sir,” returned Hodge. “There was a chaise and four -an hour or so ahead of me on the road. I obtained word of its having -preceded me at several stopping-places.” - -“I am afraid that it is one of Stormont’s people,” said Franklin -slowly; “they have kept him well informed; but if so, I shall soon hear -of it.” - -There came a ring at the garden bell just at this instant, for it was -near candle-time and the porter had closed the gate for the evening. - -“There!” exclaimed the doctor. “That may be news now.” And almost -immediately the servant brought in the name of Mr. Silas Deane, Dr. -Franklin’s fellow commissioner to the court. - -Following close upon the announcement Deane entered. He looked -surprised at seeing Hodge, and after greeting him spoke quickly. - -“So you are already in possession of what I was going to tell you!” -he exclaimed. “Lord Stormont has been told of our Captain Conyngham’s -arrival at Dunkirk and has called on the Count de Vergennes. Dubourge -informed me so but a half hour since. Conyngham must be communicated -with and warned. Dubourge says that his lordship was in no pleasant -humor, and let drop some direful threats.” - -Franklin seated himself in the big chair and placed his foot again on -the cushion. - -“Gentlemen,” said he, “we must do some leaping; I mean you must--for my -leaping days are over; but ‘look before you leap’ is a good old maxim, -and let us do some looking. The position is just this: Had this thing -happened three weeks later, or had it followed upon receipt of good -news from America, it would cause me but little concern; but coming now -the situation is most grave. Captain Conyngham with his prizes must -leave Dunkirk and make his way to Spain. Through our friend Hortalez & -Co. I have made arrangements for the disposal of our property there. It -is not safe for him to remain in France. Are you too tired, Mr. Hodge,” -he concluded, “to post back to Dunkirk at once? Our American friends -there must be informed.” - -Mr. Hodge sighed. He had had but little rest on the journey, and the -prospect of another long one was not alluring; but there was nothing -for it, and he acquiesced with good grace. - -The doctor was beginning to give him some verbal instructions when the -bell at the gate rang again, and following close upon the servant’s -heels the younger Ross entered the room. He was travel-stained and -his clothes looked dusty and rumpled. Apparently he was surprised to -find the other gentlemen present, and stood somewhat embarrassed at -the door, but upon being presented to Mr. Deane, whom he had not met, -his embarrassment changed to excitement quickly, and he began to speak -hurriedly. - -“Conyngham has been taken,” he said. “His vessel and the prizes have -been seized!” - -“By the English?” exclaimed Franklin, almost jumping this time to his -feet, despite the remark about his leaping days. - -“No, sir; he surrendered himself and his sword to the keeping of the -French Government. He and some of his men are in the French military -prison.” - -“Did the English obtain possession of his papers?” anxiously inquired -Franklin. - -“Not all of them, sir, for he sent you this, and bade me get it to -your hands with all possible despatch.” He handed to Dr. Franklin as -he spoke the big white packet that Conyngham had slipped into his -brother’s hand. - -Franklin opened it nervously and glanced at the contents. Immediately -he appeared greatly relieved. - -“Gentlemen,” he said, “you must both retire, and I suggest that you get -much-needed rest and repair here to-morrow morning. In the meantime Mr. -Deane and I will talk matters over. Will you breakfast with me here in -the garden?” - -Ross and Hodge left in a few minutes, and Silas Deane and the good -doctor were alone. - -“I wonder would it be possible for either of us to see de Vergennes -to-morrow?” asked Franklin, as he placed in a large portfolio the -papers that he had taken from the package. - -“He apparently wishes to avoid an interview with me,” replied Silas -Deane, “for I have been unable to get at him for some time. But this is -bad news about Conyngham. If he has been thrown into a French prison, -it must still be at the instigation of the British authorities, and -they will demand that he be handed over to them. They will call his -doings by ugly names, I warrant you. There will be a flood of abuse and -invective.” - -“And I have a good stop-gap for some of it,” was Franklin’s return. “I -do not think that they will proceed to extremes. To-morrow I will see -Maurepas, possibly Beaumarchais, and if needs be, the Queen.” - -Deane was forced to smile despite himself, for he well knew the rumors -of the good doctor’s success with the fair sex; even the Queen had -succumbed to his magnetic wit and personality, so it was but a bald -statement of facts, and no boasting. - -For some reason Franklin did not then show to Mr. Deane the paper which -proved that Conyngham held a commission in the new navy of the United -Colonies. Had he done so a great deal that subsequently happened might -have been averted. For half an hour longer the two commissioners spoke -of other matters. Affairs looked very glum indeed for the struggling -little nation across the water, and no news had been received for -some time. The failure of this last project boded ill for future -attempts, yet the mere fact that it had at first succeeded and that the -rattlesnake flag had been flown in the Channel proved to Europe that -the new nation was alive. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -THE REVENGE - - -The position that Captain Conyngham and his crew found themselves in -was peculiar. But few of his men had actually been placed under arrest. -The Frenchmen who had shipped in the Surprise, though well known to -the authorities, had been unmolested, nor could the imprisonment of -the few others be considered in the light of a great hardship. The men -occupied roomy quarters facing on the main courtyard, were allowed -to purchase extra supplies, and in squads of five or six they were -permitted to exercise in the open air of the court. Captain Conyngham -was in a different wing of the jail, but was treated more as a guest -than as a prisoner; still, until almost a week had gone by he had found -it impossible to communicate with any friends in the outside world. One -day, to his surprise, however, he heard a cheery voice calling to him -from the doorway of his large cell, for, being in a prison, every room -was supposed to hold prisoners. Looking up, Conyngham saw his friend -Allan standing laughing at him cheerfully. He had a long apron hanging -from his shoulders and a baker’s basket on his arm. - -“Any bread this morning, sir?” he asked in French. “I have some good -Yankee bread with raisins and sweetening.” - -“Ah, but it’s good to have a sight of you, friend Allan!” exclaimed -Conyngham, rushing up and grasping the imitation baker by both hands, -that, to carry out the illusion, Allan had daubed with flour. “Aren’t -you running great risks?” he asked. - -“Risks?” laughed Allan. “Why, if the Frenchmen found out that I was -bringing in food to their starving prisoners, I would be hung, drawn, -and quartered.” - -“So you donned this disguise,” laughed Conyngham in reply, “and they -never suspected you of such a thing. But news! news! my friend; that’s -what I am starving for--it’s the heart and the soul of me that’s crying -and not my stomach, for that the head jailer has looked after well. -Are they going to hand us over to the Britishers?--that’s the first -question.” - -“They are and they aren’t,” replied Allan, “but this news I got this -morning from Paris: ‘Tell Conyngham to sit tight and not worry. All is -apparently going well.’ But the French are great people--they must do -everything like a play or a spectacle. Here I was told that I should -be allowed to see you if I applied to the commandant, and he informs -me that I certainly can do so, but requests that I shall put on a -disguise. I tried on three uniforms, but there were none that would -button or allow me to sit down.” - -“Which by the same token I haven’t asked you to do myself yet,” was -Conyngham’s reply. - -Allan seated himself in the big rush-bottom chair and placed his basket -on the floor. - -“The English expect that you are to be handed over for a certainty,” -Allan continued. “They have prepared the sloop of war to receive you, -and I understand that another is on its way. Instructions, too, -have been sent to Portsmouth or Southampton, but we will disappoint -them. The French Government is playing its little game of ‘wait a bit -longer,’ and never letting their right hand see what their left hand is -doing.” - -“I knew that Dr. Franklin would take care of that,” returned Conyngham, -“but how long is it going to last?” - -“Have patience!” replied Allan, “it certainly will not be long. I am -expecting Mr. Hodge to-morrow or the day after from Paris.” - -“Have the crew been informed?” - -“All but four of them escaped last night,” answered Allan.--“How -careless these Frenchmen are!--There will be another row when the -English hear of it; but I must be going, as they have spies by day -watching the entrance to the prison and overlooking the yard, from the -tall house next to the church.” - -With that he picked up his basket, and after shaking hands went out -into the yard, where the sentry, evidently under orders, allowed him to -proceed to another part in an endeavor to dispose of his wares. - -The next day Conyngham had another unexpected visitor, but it was not -Mr. Hodge, and happened thus: He was out in the inclosure amusing -himself and at the same time taking exercise by bounding a rubber ball -back and forth against the high brick sides of the building, when one -of the under jailers called to him from the entrance. At the same time -a red-faced man who accompanied the jailer stepped forward, and telling -the jailer to go, stood as if waiting for Conyngham to approach, but -the latter paid no attention and went on with his game. At last the man -drew near and spoke. - -“I am Captain Cuthbertson of his Majesty’s sloop-of-war Alert. Your -name is Conyngham,” he said. - -“Now, somebody must have told you that,” returned Conyngham. “But it is -my name, and I am captain of the armed cruiser the Surprise.” - -“Which has been turned over to his Majesty’s Government with the other -vessels that you piratically took off the coast of Holland,” replied -the officer. - -“Indeed?” was the reply, “That must be gratifying to his Majesty. But -now, captain, won’t you take off your coat and have a game with me? It -is a pleasant little occupation that two can play at better than one. -I have little with me to wager but my shoe-buckles. I will play mine -against yours. Or we’ll put up our wigs,” he continued. - -“You’ve played for a larger stake than that and you’ve lost,” replied -Captain Cuthbertson. “How can you, knowing that your very life is in -jeopardy, indulge in such pastimes?” - -“If my life was in jeopardy, I am sure it would be in a good cause. I -ask for no favors except a little more elbow room, for you’re standing -just where I wish to begin playing.” - -“Listen to me first,” spoke the officer, not noticing that a dangerous -flash had come into Conyngham’s eyes. “His Majesty might be disposed to -be lenient--aye, more than that--if you will listen to reason. Perhaps -it might be possible to arrange a pardon for you--and more. You have -once been a British subject. Return to your allegiance and loyalty. I -doubt not that it might be so arranged that a good place could be found -for you in the naval establishment, and that with your talents a sure -advancement would follow.” - -Conyngham threw the ball into the air and caught it. “You may tell -those who sent you,” he replied, “that his Majesty might offer me the -position of an admiral of the blue, and I would tell him that I would -rather spend my days in the hold of a prison-hulk than accept it. As -you will not play with me, I shall have to ask you to stand aside -again. Some day we may meet where the game will be played for larger -stakes and there will be harder missiles flying. Good morning, sir.” - -The officer stamped his foot and started to reply, then he changed his -mind quickly and left the jail-yard without a word. - -Conyngham stopped playing and went to his cell. Before an hour had -passed another visitor was announced. It was Mr. Hodge. He was not -disguised, but dressed in his usual habit, that of a merchant in -prosperous circumstances. - -“I expected to see you as a cat’s-meat man or a turbaned Turk, my dear -sir,” was Conyngham’s greeting, “and yet here you come as if you were -dropping into the tavern of our friend on the hill.” - -Hodge smiled. “There is very little more trouble. I bore some -instructions from Paris that have made the commandant of the prison a -very subservient individual.” - -“Then you have brought me my release!” - -“No, not that, but it will follow in due time. In some way the -commissioners have got the French ministry between the grindstones, -or--a better simile perhaps--Dr. Franklin is about to checkmate de -Vergennes and the latter is apparently glad to call the game a draw. -Good news also has come from America, though no great victory has yet -been won. Grand, our banker in Paris, has now another hundred thousand -livres at the disposal of the commissioners. What we must do is to -spend it in such a manner as will best benefit the cause.” - -“Then force the hand of the French Government,” replied Conyngham. -“Everything that you do to make them sever relations formed on any -friendly basis with England, will lend more assistance than the capture -of a dozen packets.” - -“And how is it best to do that?” asked Mr. Hodge. - -“I will answer that with a question first,” replied Conyngham. “How -much longer shall I be detained in this ‘durance vile’? By the Powers, -I’m tired of it.” - -“Four or five days, perhaps a week.” - -“That is right and will do well. You’re supposed by many to be an -English merchant here, Mr. Hodge. I am, and will be for a little time, -a prisoner. You did not figure in the purchase of the Surprise, but -there is a fine two-masted craft of something over a hundred tons lying -moored at the end of the long wharf. She is for sale. Buy her at once.” - -“And then what?” - -“Fit her out with stores for a two months’ cruise. I will secure her -armament and crew upon my release.” - -“We shall surely be in trouble again.” - -“Not much this time. To my thinking, the French Government will be glad -to be rid of us. To the south of us lies Spain with its open market, to -the west of England lies Ireland with many a well-provisioned port and -friendly hand, and there is always our own country. Had my last vessel -been big enough to have crossed safely and had we not taken those -unlucky mails, it was for home that I would have headed the Surprise.” - -“She lived up to the definition of her name; what would you call this -one?” - -“I would be after calling her,” replied Conyngham slyly and in the -softest of brogues, “I’d be after calling her the Revenge.” - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -SAILING ORDERS - - -Made fast to the end of the long wharf was a rakish-looking vessel, and -all about her was a scene of continuous activity. From small boats and -slings men were painting her topsides, and at the same time, running -to and fro from the wharf, others busy as ants were carrying bales -and boxes on board; windlasses were lifting and swinging the heavier -goods over the bulwarks. On the string-piece stood an active, wiry -figure, recognizable at a glance, and near by was the portly form of -our friend Hodge. Conyngham was a free man again. Mysterious orders had -come from Paris, and to the surprise of everybody he had appeared one -day walking the streets of Dunkirk smilingly greeting the inhabitants, -who remembered well his giving the stores of the other vessels to the -populace on the day of his arrest. - -[Illustration: At the end of the wharf was a rakish-looking vessel.] - -It was the beginning of the second week of July, 1777, and for over a -fortnight the outfitting, loading, and changing had been going on and -the nameless vessel that was going on the nameless mission was almost -ready to set sail. To tell the truth, although at first there was some -mystery made about her ownership, her destination, and her probable -calling, there was very little of the mystery left at the time at which -this chapter opens. The English spies and sympathizers in Dunkirk were -almost at their wits’ end. They had informed their Government of -their opinions, and now began to write to the English press in order to -stir the Government to action. - -A copy of the London Times almost a week old had come to the hands of -Conyngham. As he glanced through the pages, all at once his own name -attracted his attention. This had happened as he was walking down to -the wharf, and he had smiled broadly as he perused the remarkable -effusion. He had slipped the paper into his pocket, where, in the -interest of watching the vessel’s loading, although he took no active -part in its direction, he had forgotten it. - -“Everything seems to be going finely, Captain Gustavus,” said Mr. -Hodge. “No one apparently suspects the ownership of the vessel, and I -do not think the French authorities will interfere with her sailing.” - -Conyngham smiled. That no one seemed to object struck him as having -a humorous meaning. Perhaps he had not observed the twinkle in Mr. -Hodge’s eye, as he advanced this statement. He was about to refer to -the article in the Times when something attracted his attention. - -Two men, one dressed as a sailor and the other as something of a -court dandy, came walking together down the wharf. The sailorman to -all appearances had been drinking and was asking the gentleman with -the long satin waistcoat for something more with which to quench his -thirst. At last the latter, as if he could no longer resist the man’s -importuning, reached into his pocket and, producing a purse, took out -a small silver piece. At the same time he addressed some words to the -sailor, as if bidding him begone. - -“I know this fop in satin and lace,” said Hodge. “I have seen him in -Paris, but I can not recollect where. He’s not a Frenchman, but a -German or a Pole.” - -“Methinks I know him too,” returned Conyngham. “He’s talking English to -that beggar. Well, well--by the great gun!--it comes to me.” - -Conyngham lowered his voice almost to a whisper and spoke without -turning his head or scarcely moving his lips. - -“I know both of them now,” he said. “The fop is our friend the English -spy, and the other is one of the stool-pigeons. What do you suppose -he said just then? Hush! here he comes in our direction. It is his -intention to get near to us and listen to our conversation.” - -“Let us move then,” suggested Mr. Hodge, “for there is a good deal -about me that I would not wish to have known; besides,” he added, “I -think you are mistaken, for I now remember where I have seen this -coxcomb, and at the house of no one less than good Dr. Bancroft, the -geographer and scientist, the friend of Franklin, and one who had kept -us well informed of the British plans.” - -“Then keep an eye on Dr. Bancroft, is my advice,” rejoined Conyngham. -“Hush! let me speak to this fellow.” - -The drunken sailor lurched up and leant with both elbows against a big -pine-wood box, but apparently he paid no attention to the proximity of -the others, for he began emptying his pockets of their contents, which -included the silver piece which had just been given him, and searching -for some bits of tobacco he jammed them into the bowl of his black -heavy pipe. - -“What you say about the moon may be true,” observed the captain as if -carrying on some deep subject, “but still the influence of the orb upon -the tides has been acknowledged for centuries.” - -The sailor by this time had found a bit of flint and steel and was -trying to ignite a bit of pocket tinder. - -All at once Conyngham turned toward him, and at the same time taking -the copy of the Times out of his pocket, he spread it out on the top of -the box and began to read aloud. - -“Listen to this nonsense,” he said in beginning. “The English must be -in a ferment of terror to believe such stuff as this,” and forthwith he -read: - - “I saw Conyngham yesterday. He had engaged a crew of desperate - characters to man a vessel of one hundred and thirty tons. She - has now Frenchmen on board to deceive our minister here. A fine - fast-sailing vessel, handsomely painted blue and yellow, is now - at Dunkirk, having powder, small arms, and ammunition for her. - Conyngham proved the cannon himself, and told the bystanders - he would play the d----l with the British trade at Havre. It - is supposed when the vessel is ready the Frenchmen will yield - command to Conyngham and his crew. The vessel is to mount - twenty carriage-guns and to have a complement of sixty men. She - is the fastest sailer now known--no vessel can catch her once - out on the ocean. - - “I send you timely notice that you may be enabled to take - active measures to stay this daring character, who fears not - man or government, but sets all at defiance. - - “He had the impudence to say if he wanted provisions or - repairs, he would put into an Irish harbor and obtain them. - - “It is vain here to say Conyngham is a pirate. They will tell - you he is one brave American; he is ‘a bold Boston.’ - - “You can not be too soon on the alert to stop the cruise of - this daring pirate. - - “JAMES CLEMENTS.” - -There was also a letter that Conyngham read in even a louder tone: - - “PARIS, _July 28, 1777_. - - “SIR: You have no doubt been informed by your ministry that - Lord Stormont had been successful, and that the Court of - Versailles had declared their ports shut against American - privateers. Let your blind politicians sleep, the guns of the - American privateers will waken them to their sorrows. The - General Mifflin privateer arrived, and Monsieur de Chauffault, - the admiral, returned the salute in form, as to a vessel from a - sovereign and independent state. - - “Your papers tell us that Conyngham is in chains in Dunkirk, - and is expected shortly in London, to be tried and hung. I - tell you that Conyngham is on the ocean, like a lion searching - for prey. Woe be to those vessels who come within his grasp. - No force intimidates him. God and America is his motto. Our - country is duped by French artifice.” - -As he finished it was noticeable to both men that the drunken sailor -was paying strict attention. - -“What’s your opinion of that?” asked Conyngham. - -The man looked up slowly and found the captain’s eyes fastened upon -his own. “I say, what is your opinion of that?” he reiterated, this -time leaning forward and grasping the man by the collar of his open -jacket. - -So surprised was the latter that the pipe fell from his lips, and -before he could control himself an oath followed the pipe--an oath in -good round English. - -Conyngham affected to laugh. - -“Why, he has understood everything we’ve been saying,” he said, turning -to Mr. Hodge again. - -The sailor, who had wrenched himself free, started to walk away. His -efforts in that direction were accelerated by a well-placed kick, -administered by the toe of Conyngham’s boot. But he apparently did not -resent it, and still affecting to be under the influence of liquor -stumbled up the wharf. - -“That will puzzle our friend with the high-heeled boots,” said the -captain, “but to tell the truth I think there is very little use in any -more secrecy. They seem to know as much of the situation as we do.” - -This was nothing more than the truth, and before two days had passed -Conyngham had openly acknowledged it by superintending the placing -of the cannon on board of the Revenge, and the French Government had -agreed to allow her to depart from the port of Dunkirk, upon Mr. Hodge, -who had all through the transaction appeared as her owner, signing a -bond that she would do no cruising off the coast of France. - -The time of sailing drew on quickly. The vessel was laden, the -ammunition was all on board--there was no secrecy about that now--the -crew had been picked and divided into watches; some attempt had even -been made to drill them at the guns. The citizens of Dunkirk knew -almost to a man that the tidy little cruiser would soon be on the sea. - -Once more the four “conspirators” were grouped about the table at the -tavern. - -“Three days from now, captain, and you will be off the headlands,” -observed Mr. Hodge, “and we shall be here waiting to see which way the -cat will jump.” - -“If you mean Lord Stormont by ‘the cat,’” answered Conyngham, “I think -he is all ready for jumping now.” - -“I wish,” rejoined the elder Ross, “that we were certain of the French -minister’s temper. Dr. Franklin must have had a strong cudgel in his -hands to bring him to terms at all. I wonder what it was? You could -tell us, Captain Conyngham, if you wished, of that I’m sure.” - -Conyngham looked at the others intently. He waited for Hodge to speak, -thinking that of course the good doctor had told him of the commission -that undoubtedly had been the cudgel that had brought the Count de -Vergennes to terms. But seeing that Hodge apparently did not wish to -refer to it, he also held his peace and changed the subject. - -“You say that Dr. Franklin’s secretary will be down from Paris -to-morrow?” he asked Mr. Hodge. “I suppose with final instructions.” - -The younger Ross laughed. “I don’t think there will be many -instructions that we could not guess,” he said. “It seems to me that -the case is clear enough--to capture as many of the enemy’s vessels as -possible and not to get caught at it, is an easy thing to remember.” - -“There will be more than that, my son,” returned Hodge, “much more than -that, I hope, for you must remember that I am responsible to the French -Government for the proper behavior of the gallant captain so long as -he remains on the coast of France.” - -“And you have no longing for the Bastile, eh?” - -“Not much, my son. But Mr. Carmichael will tell us to what length we -can go in interpreting the cautions of the ministry.” - -After some more desultory talk the meeting broke up, another parting -toast being drunk to the success of the Revenge. - -Mr. Hodge and Conyngham walked down the street toward the pier where -the captain’s gig was waiting, for he was now living openly on board -the Revenge and making no secret of his connection with her. - -“Tell me, my good friend,” asked the captain, “did Dr. Franklin say -nothing to you about the contents of that packet that you brought to -Paris with you? It would seem rather unusual if he did not.” - -“Nothing beyond the fact that he was glad to receive it,” was the -reply. “What did it contain? You were asked that question before. If -you do not care to tell--why, consider it unasked.” - -“It contained enough to save my life,” was the reply: “my -commission--that was all.” - -“You have not received it back?” - -“I have not seen or heard of it from that day to this.” - -Hodge gave vent to a prolonged whistle. - -“This is a serious matter,” he said. “But perhaps Carmichael will fetch -it down with him.” - -“I hope and trust so,” was the reply. “Sure, I don’t care any more for -the yard-arm than you do for the Bastile.” - -Conyngham was worried and slept little that night, still he reasoned -that it was more than probable that the commission would be forthcoming -in the morning, and also that he would be relieved, from all secrecy as -to its possession. He saw that it had worked wonders, and that slowly -but surely France and England were verging toward war; that before many -months should pass America would have a powerful ally. Of course, in -view of these circumstances, France could not have given the mortal -offense of surrendering a regularly commissioned officer into the hands -of what soon was to be a common enemy. - -The next day Carmichael arrived. He was a tall, spare man, with a -hawked nose; a broad, good-natured grin was usually on his lips, but he -was keen as a whip-lash. - -It was the morning of the 15th of July, and in the cabin of the Revenge -Mr. Carmichael sat opposite Captain Conyngham, who watched him with a -smile of dry amusement as he wrote. Carmichael was smiling also. He -had a trick of apparently spelling the letters he was writing with his -tongue wriggling at the corner of his mouth. As soon as he had finished -he turned, and waving the paper in the air to dry it, chuckled. - -“There, Captain Conyngham, are your sailing orders. Of course, to a -man of your intelligence, there is no use of being more than explicit. -Somehow I am reminded of a story of one of your fellow countrymen who -was accused of killing a sheep, and in explanation made the plea that -he would kill any sheep that attacked and bit him on the open highway. -So all you’ve got to do is to be sure that the sheep bites first.” - -“There is another little adage about a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” -replied Conyngham laughing, “and sure, there are plenty of them in both -channels, and in that case----” - -“Be sure to kill the wolf before he bites you at all. But -seriously--once away from the French coast, you ought to have a free -foot. Do not send any prizes into French ports. Here is a list of the -agents of Lazzonere and Company, Spanish merchants, and here is a draft -of a thousand livre upon them at Corunna. Should you desire more, -accounting will be kept with Hortalez and Company that will be audited -by the commissioners and by Grand, the banker, of Paris. You will -receive the usual percentage accruing to the captain of a vessel making -such captures, and will keep a separate account of your expenditures -and moneys received and the value of prizes.” - -He handed Captain Conyngham the remarkable instructions, which now for -the first time are shown to the public in their original form. - -[Illustration] - -Conyngham read the paper through. “But there is something else,” he -said. “Did not Dr. Franklin send some other paper to me?” - -“Yes, there is a packet here which I received from the secretary of the -Cabinet Minister, M. Maurepas, who told me that he had been instructed -to give them to me by the Count de Vergennes. They contain some matter -in relation to our project.” - -He opened his portfolio, and breaking the seal displayed some pages of -closely written matter that was undated and unsigned. It merely stated -that Mr. Hodge, merchant, had given his guarantee and bond, together -with Messrs. Ross and Allan, that the American vessel about to depart -from Dunkirk should respect all English commerce and should make the -best of her way to the United States. Conyngham’s name was not even -mentioned. As soon as he had read it, the captain exclaimed aloud: - -“We are trapped again! By the Powers, there’s a large rat somewhere. -Where is my commission? I can not sail without one, and I refuse to put -myself and my crew in such jeopardy.” - -“Dr. Franklin spoke to me of the paper that he had given you, and that -he had sent to the Count de Vergennes. He understood from the latter -that it had been returned to either Mr. Arthur Lee or Mr. Silas Deane, -who had sent it to you at this place.” - -“I have never received it.” - -“Well,” said Mr. Carmichael, “this must be attended to before sailing. -We will meet ashore this afternoon with Hodge, Allan, and the rest, and -hold a council of war. Perhaps I had better see them first, and I will -ask you to send me off in one of your boats immediately.” - -The secretary and the captain repaired on deck. Conyngham felt no -little pride in his vessel, and indeed she was one to make the heart -of any captain glad. Everything about her was as neat as a pin. Her -crew of nearly one hundred men, forty-four of whom were Americans, -had picked up wonderfully in their work. On her decks were fourteen -six-pounders and twenty small two-pounder swivels capable of making -great havoc at short range when loaded with grape or ball. He pointed -out the good points of his vessel to Mr. Carmichael, who appeared in a -great hurry to get away, and was soon sent off in the captain’s gig, -intending to look up Mr. Hodge as soon as possible. - -After drilling the crew all one afternoon, Conyngham early in the -evening went ashore, and repaired at once to the usual rendezvous. -There he found the others awaiting him. All seemed to be in good humor. - -“Ho, Captain Glumface,” cried Hodge, “sit down with us. I have some -news that will give thee comfort.” - -“Has it arrived?” asked Conyngham eagerly. - -“Hear the man!” replied Hodge. “Look!” - -He handed Conyngham a paper. - -“It is one that just by luck I found in my possession. A blank -commission, and I have dated it to cover your last cruise.” - -“But this is a privateersman’s commission,” Conyngham said, looking up -from his perusal of the paper. “I do not consider myself in that light.” - -“I went on your bond,” replied Hodge. - -“Yes, but it was not your money that paid for the outfitting; it was -money belonging to the United Colonies of America, or borrowed on their -account, and I am an officer in the regular navy, and that vessel sails -under the flag.” - -It looked dangerously like a quarrel. Hodge relapsed into silence and -the elder Ross looked furtively from Mr. Carmichael to the captain, as -if expecting the former to come to the rescue. - -“What you have there,” said the secretary at last, “is authority -enough, and is the same under which many of our cruisers are now -sailing. It is a letter of marque respected by the British Admiralty.” - -“Mayhap so,” replied Conyngham, “but the date is made out wrong. I -sailed in the Surprise on the 1st of May, and this is made out on the -2d.” - -“Tut, tut! that is too bad,” muttered Mr. Hodge, “and the last one I’ve -got, and in fact the only one I had. What now are we to do?” - -“My brother comes down from Paris to-morrow,” put in Ross, “and he may -bring news proving that we have time to wait, or perhaps he may have -seen Dr. Franklin and have the very paper the captain desires.” - -Hardly had he spoken than a sound of hurrying feet came down the -hallway outside. The door burst open, and in rushed the younger Ross. -Evidently the position of the candles on the table prevented him from -seeing that Conyngham was present, for in his first words he asked for -him, and upon the latter rising, he came quickly to his side. - -“We must think and act quickly,” he cried. “But two hours behind me in -the road is a messenger from de Vergennes instructing the authorities -to seize the vessel and not to allow her to depart. I have this on -the very best authority. I saw Dr. Franklin but an hour or so before -I received the news. He expected me to wait until to-morrow, when he -should have been granted an audience with the Foreign Minister, but -upon ascertaining the importance of immediate action (I was told by the -very messenger to whom I had once been presented by Dr. Bancroft) I -sought out the doctor. Search high or low, I could not find him, but by -good fortune I met Silas Deane in company with our misanthropic friend, -Mr. Lee. They ordered me to post it here at once and tell you to get -under way at the earliest possible moment.” - -“Where was Dr. Franklin, do you suppose?” asked Allan. - -“Dining with some fair countess or duchess at Versailles,” replied -Hodge, who leaned perhaps a little toward the Lee faction. - -The secretary shrugged his shoulders and said nothing, but Conyngham -spoke quickly. - -“Gentlemen,” he said, “there is but one thing to do. Commission or no -commission, I sail from Dunkirk on the early morning tide. We have but -a few hours before us. May the Powers grant the messenger does not -arrive before then. Stormont must have played his trump card and won.” - -Quickly the party broke up and accompanied Conyngham to the water’s -edge. Early in the morning, while still the mist hung over the harbor -and shrouded the houses and shipping, a ghostlike vessel appeared in -mid-channel, fanned by the damp shore breeze. It was the Revenge. On -the fast ebb tide she slid swiftly out to sea. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -IN THE CHANNEL - - -The firm of Hortalez and Company received word from their Spanish -agents and the representatives of Lazzonere and Company that four -English vessels--two brigs, a large lugger, and a ship (the last a most -valuable prize)--had arrived at Corunna, all sent in within a week -after the sailing of the Revenge. So well had everything been arranged -that there was a ready sale. Vessels and cargoes were disposed of -without a hitch to Spanish and French merchants, in many cases auctions -being held on the public wharves. Two weeks more and eight other prizes -were added to the list. - -England was now in a storm of indignant protest. The Admiralty was -besieged with letters, and ship-owners and insurance people, frightened -at the prospect of further losses, showed signs of panic. Vessels -already loaded and ready for sailing were held in port until they -could sail, under convoy of an armed guard-ship. Insurance rates rose -twenty-five per cent. And all this time a little, fast-sailing craft -drove up and down the Channel, occasionally flaunting the rattlesnake -flag almost in sight of the fleets that lay at anchor in the roadways. - -And so we find her on one bright day in August, still in sight of the -white cliffs, but heading southwest in chase of a deep-laden vessel -whose suspicions had been aroused, for she was staggering along under a -press of snow-white canvas. - -Conyngham had gone forward to the forecastle and was watching the -chase through his spy-glass. The crew, much reduced in numbers by -reason of manning the prizes, watched him carefully. There had been -something about the set of the stranger’s canvas that had suggested -the man-o’-war, and now--although, as we have said, she had all sail -set--she seemed to display a slowness that was puzzling, for hand over -hand the Revenge picked up on her. The six-pounders and the swivels had -been cast loose and provided, and the men were only waiting the orders -to take their stations. There was a ponderous sea running, and the -armament of the Revenge was practically useless except at short range. -Time and again had the captain longed for a bow gun, and he would -have exchanged half of his broadside for a long twelve-pounder. They -were within two miles of the vessel now, and for the last few minutes -Conyngham had not taken his eye from the glass, crouching, or at least -half kneeling, against the bow-sprit in order to steady himself. The -lower sails were wet with the spray that dashed up from the bows, -and he himself was soaked almost to the skin. Suddenly he arose and -shouted some orders hurriedly. The Revenge came up into the wind as if -abandoning the chase. The second mate, who stood beside the helmsman, -saw the captain come running aft. - -“She’s a man-o’-war brig!” cried Conyngham. “I thought as much. She has -a drag out to hold her back.” - -“There she comes about,” answered the second mate. “Now we can see her -teeth. You’re right, sir. She hoped to bring us up to her. Hadn’t we -better run for it?” - -For an instant the captain did not reply. He seemed to measure -carefully the rate of the other vessel’s speed against that of his own. -The result apparently satisfied him, for he turned again with a smile. - -“I’ve got half a mind to try a few passes with him,” he said, “and I -would do it if it were not for the old adage about discretion. For an -Irishman, sure I have a reputation for discreetness that must not be -broken. And so,” he continued, “we’ll let well enough alone.” - -It was evident to every one on board the Revenge that their vessel -sailed faster and closer on the wind than did the brig. And though -both were heading toward the white cliffs, it became apparent that if -the wind held, the Revenge would not only cross the brig’s bows at a -distance that was practically out of range of her broadside guns, but -would also weather the point that was the southernmost cape on the -English coast--Land’s End. By nightfall, if all went well, she should -be past the entrance to the Irish Channel and in her new cruising -grounds. But an unlooked-for occurrence put an end to all such hopes. -Suddenly appearing around the point of land, carrying the wind from an -entirely new direction, came a large three-masted vessel. At once the -brig, that, although to leeward, was the nearer, began to set a little -row of signal flags, and, as if noticing the shift of the wind, she -came about, apparently abandoning the attempt to head off the Revenge. -Instantly Conyngham divined her purpose, and came about also as quickly -as he could. The breeze, which had been from the eastward, was rapidly -dying down. - -The big stranger, carrying the new wind, grew larger and larger. -Through the glass Conyngham could make out three rows of ports, and the -billowing canvas rising above the dark hull looked like a cloud hanging -low in the sky. It was almost dead calm, and the Revenge swung lazily -up and down, with her steering sails dipping uselessly in the water, -while the brig, that had now caught the wind, bore down nearer and -nearer. The men looked back at the quarter-deck with frightened, white -faces. All the good fortune that had so far followed them in the cruise -had apparently deserted them. They saw visions of their prize-money -disappearing, and many of the knowing ones could imagine the crowded -harbor of Portsmouth, with the big seventy-four lying at anchor, while -black, faintly struggling objects depended from her yard-arms. The -first mate and Conyngham had not exchanged a word, when suddenly the -former, lifting his hand, broke the silence. - -“She’s coming, captain; by tar, she’s coming!” he cried. - -The big foresail of the Revenge lifted and the sheets and outhauls of -the steering-sails spattered a line of spray as they tautened up out of -the water. But it seemed almost too late that the breeze had reached -them. Broad off the starboard bow was the brig, but a mile and a half -away, while little more than twice that distance, dead astern, came the -seventy-four, a roll of seething white playing under her forefoot and -sweeping out on either side. Down on the wind came the ominous rolling -of a drum. - -“They’re beating to quarters, sir,” observed the mate; and then in -almost semitragic despair he muttered, “and they’ve got us in their -locker!” - -But the Revenge was now slipping along swiftly, although she had not -yet felt the full force of the following wind. The brig had set a -little answering pennant to a new string of signals that had risen -to the masthead of the seventy-four, and in obedience, although at -extreme range, she began firing with her bow guns, the balls plashing -harmlessly in the water a few hundred yards away, but each one -appearing to come nearer than the last, and threatened to reach the -Revenge at any moment. It looked black indeed for the little cruiser. -Her actions had placed her, beyond doubt, in the minds of her pursuers -as the vessel for whose capture a large reward had been offered. -Subterfuge was useless. She had proclaimed herself as much as if she -had flown the cross-barred flag with the wriggling rattlesnake that, -bent to the color halyards, lay on deck ready to have risen and to have -been tossed to the wind. - -The feeling of terror that was spreading through the crew seemed to -unnerve them. A French sailor, as a shot from the brig came closer than -before, fell on his knees and began to call upon the saints. Something -must be done, although it seemed that all human exertion would be -futile, for even now the line-of-battle ship had opened up with her two -forward guns, but, like her smaller consort, the shots fell harmlessly -some distance off. Now the Revenge had caught the full force of the -wind, and every sheet was taut as a bar of iron. The spray began to fly -over her bows as she dipped and rose against the crest of the seas. For -an instant it appeared as if she was holding her own, and it was so, as -far as the brig was concerned; but the seventy-four was faster than her -bulk would lead one to suspect. A shot came skipping along the water, -jumping from wave to wave until it sank almost broad off the beam of -the Revenge. - -“We must try the last resort, Mr. Minott,” said Conyngham quietly; “we -must lighten her.” - -And with that he began to shout orders to the crew, all of whom were -gathered in the waist talking in subdued voices, with much shaking -of heads and low curses. As if relieved at having something to do -and at hearing their captain’s voice ring with a note of assurance, -they sprang forward. The swivels were cast over the side, and one -after another the broadside guns followed. The effect was immediately -perceptible; the Revenge seemed to lift to the sea instead of dipping -into it. And now the water casks, some of which were on deck just abaft -the foremast, were broken in with swift blows of the axes, and the -scuppers were running full with a mixture of salt water and fresh. The -shot from the lockers followed, and both anchors, cut away, were let go -and plashed overboard. And now, inch by inch, the Revenge drew ahead. -The brig had fallen back until she was almost astern, and had ceased -firing, but the seventy-four maintained her distance and continued, by -an increased elevation of her bow-chasers, in an endeavor to reach her -quarry. - -It was approaching dusk; a fine red sunset, with bars of narrow blue -clouds against the glare, glowed in the west; a still narrower and -darker cloud was draped down from the sky above, and it looked for all -the world like a picture on a grand scale of the Revenge’s cross-barred -flag, the wriggling snake and all. Prompted by an impulse, Conyngham -stepped to the color halyards, and with his own hands hoisted the -Revenge’s colors to the masthead. - -As if angered by the seeming insult, the big vessel swung off a point -or two until, port after port, her broadside could be seen being -brought to bear. It was the very thing for which Conyngham had been -waiting. By doing so she lessened her speed and lost perceptible -headway. - -Every nerve was tense in the captain’s body as he stood there close -to the taffrail waiting for the coming discharge, and trusting that -the British commander had underestimated the distance or the rate of -the Revenge’s sailing. The brig also was repeating the maneuver and -endeavoring to bring her broadside also into play, for she and the -seventy-four were now sailing almost side by side. - -All at once it came! A cloud of white smoke broke from the tall sides -of the larger vessel, and immediately the thunderous roar of her -main-deck battery followed. How the Revenge escaped was more than any -one on board of her could tell, for some of the heavy shot passed over -her and crashed into the crests of the waves some distance in her -path. But one shot reached her, and that, striking the top of her port -bulwarks, sent a shower of white splinters whirring across the deck and -then glanced harmlessly into the sea. - -The brig, that had yawed wide, immediately followed suit, and just here -the strangest thing occurred. Whether one of the guns that she had -been firing earlier in the day had not been re-aimed or whether some -accident in the firing took place has never been ascertained; perhaps -some impressed seaman gunner who had been taken by the press-gang in -a British port now found the moment to wreak his vengeance. At all -events, a shot from one of the brig’s broadside guns went so wide -of the mark that it caught the foretopmast of the big one full and -square just above the hounds and brought it, with a tangle of sails and -rigging, lurching and swinging down to deck, where the wreckage poised -for a minute and then, swayed by the wind, tangled in the head-sails -and brought the vessel almost to a stop. - -The chase was over! The Revenge slipped on her way, and as Conyngham -looked back he could see his two pursuers shortening sail. - -“Somebody’ll swing for that, Mr. Minott,” observed the captain. - -“And somebody would have swung if it hadn’t happened, sir,” returned -the mate, giving up the wheel, which he had been handling himself, to -the now grinning helmsman. - -“What course, sir?” asked the latter. - -“Hold as you are,” Conyngham answered. “We’ll make some port in Spain.” - -Two days later the Revenge entered the harbor of Corunna. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -ON THE IRISH COAST - - -A very peaceable craft indeed the Revenge appeared to be as she lay at -anchor in the Spanish harbor, as all evidence of her real character had -disappeared. But of course Captain Conyngham did not intend long to -live up to this peaceable appearance; his chief concern was to procure -another armament, gather his crew together, and, nothing daunted, put -back to the rich cruising grounds. It was his settled purpose to enter -the Irish Channel and pick up some of the fat prizes that he knew were -there ripe for the picking. - -He had been forced to moor the Revenge to one of the naval -mooring-buoys when he first entered, but upon explaining that he had -lost both anchors during a stress of bad weather, the captain of the -port had allowed him to remain until he could procure others. - -To his delight, Conyngham had noticed five or six of his prizes lying -farther up the harbor, and the Revenge herself had been recognized by -some of the prize-crews that were still on board the latest captures. - -As soon as possible Conyngham had pulled to shore and sought out the -agents of the mysterious mercantile house of Hortalez and Company. At -the offices of Signor Lazzonere, whom should he meet but the elder -Ross! - -Eager and warm were the greetings. Ross had so much to ask and so much -to tell that he found it difficult to begin. - -“Upon my word, captain,” he said at last, “could I have had a prayer -answered, you could not have appeared at a more opportune moment. There -is the old Harry to pay in France--upon no account must you return -there, for----” - -“I have no such intention,” was Conyngham’s answer, interrupting. “Sure -our friend de Vergennes gave me hint enough for that. I shall, if I -can, pick up some scrap iron here and something to throw it with, go -back and pay the old country a fleeting visit, and then across the wide -sea to America. But how goes it with all our friends?” he added. - -“That is what I am about to tell you,” replied Ross. “Poor Hodge is in -the Bastile, and my brother and Allan are confined in the prison at -Dunkirk.” - -“All on my account?” asked Conyngham. - -“On our joint account. Charge it to the Revenge,” was the reply. -“Hodge and Allan went on your bond, and at the first news that you -were cruising de Vergennes remarked that ‘it was a bad matter to lie -to a king,’ which he claimed they both had done, and clapped them into -prison.” - -Conyngham frowned and looked puzzled. - -“But, upon my soul, the sheep attacked me first,” he said. “So my Lord -Stormont has yet some influence.” - -“But never fear,” Ross went on. “Hodge is being treated well; and -as for my brother, he dines with the commandant every evening. Good -news has come from America, and all things point to an early alliance -between our country and France. And now,” he added, “tell me of -yourself, and what do you mean by ‘scrap iron’?” - -In a few words Conyngham related the story of his narrow escape and -the loss of his guns, and the necessary jettisoning of his anchors and -armament. - -“We will arrange for all that,” was Ross’s comforting comment when he -had finished. “There is money in the treasury, and the commissioners -are well satisfied. There must be some now to your credit. If you -should care for an accounting----” - -“Let it stand,” replied Conyngham. “I desire no more than is customary -for an officer in the regular service--two twentieths--and will wait -for my accounting until the business is finished. By the Powers, I only -ask to be at sea again.” - -“The very person to help us out is Signor Lazzonere,” exclaimed Ross. -“Although a Frenchman, he has strong connections here in Spain, and -there is neither a Stormont nor a de Vergennes to be dealt with. Money -can do a great deal when backed with a little influence.” - -The conversation was here interrupted by the entrance of the merchant -himself, and all then adjourned to Signor Lazzonere’s inner office. - -In a few minutes Conyngham came out, a smile on his lips and a light of -satisfaction dancing in his eyes. - -That very night the Revenge was warped in with a small kedge and moored -alongside a large bark that lay close inshore. Under cover of darkness -there was transferred to the cruiser the very thing that her captain -most wished for--a long twelve-pounder. It was hidden beneath a canvas -covering in such a way that its shape took on the innocent appearance -of a pile of wine casks, and the following evening work was again -resumed and eight six-pounders and ten short swivels--what the French -called demi-cannon--were put on board. By the fourth day the Revenge’s -armament was practically complete. In fact, she was, if anything, in -better fighting trim than ever before, and her crew was again recruited -to its full strength. The Spanish authorities had paid not the least -attention to the goings on, and no attempt was made to prevent her -sailing, although by this time her character must have been known to -every longshoreman in the port. Many Englishmen in Corunna were in -high dudgeon, and as usual would have prevented her sailing if they -could. But on the tenth day after her arrival, at noon of a Sunday, she -made sail and put out into the rolling waters of the Bay of Biscay. -The crew, all of whom had been paid part of their prize-money, looked -to their young captain to bring them safely through any adventure -that might be in store. Before the cruiser was out of the bay she had -taken two prizes, and almost at the very spot where she had made her -sensational escape she took a third. But it was in the Irish Channel -that her run of luck began. No less than twelve richly laden craft -were despatched to Spanish ports, and of them but two were recaptured. -Nearly all of the merchantmen surrendered without making any -resistance, either completely taken by surprise or, not being prepared -for fighting, concluding that it would be wiser to give in at the very -first summons. - -But this rather inglorious method of warfare did not altogether suit -Captain Conyngham’s adventurous spirit, and time and again he wished -for a brush with one of the king’s cutters before his crew and his -stores were depleted by the manning of so many prizes. As yet he had -found no occasion to use the long twelve-pounder. But the opportunity -was soon to come, and the way it happened was this: - -The Revenge was running short of water, and owing to the necessity of -dividing her stores with some of the coasters that were provisioned for -voyages of only one or two days’ duration, the crew was at last forced -to accept half rations, and sailors will grumble quicker at this than -at any form of dangerous hardship. - -Once, forced by a hard blow, Conyngham had boldly made into the -mouth of the English harbor of Ravenglass, in Lancashire, where of -course he dared not go ashore, and owing to the presence of a British -thirty-four-gun frigate he could not cut out any of the numerous fleet -of merchant vessels by which he was surrounded. When the storm was over -he sailed out of the harbor as boldly as he had entered it, and none -of the English fleet imagined that the natty little craft that dropped -anchor among them was the dreaded Yankee “pirate.” - -But now to the adventure: The supply of water was growing less and -less. It became an absolute necessity to fill the casks in some -fashion, and also to procure some fresh provisions, for scurvy, the -dreaded enemy of sailors of that day, had begun to appear--at least -there were signs of it, and the crew were grumbling louder than ever. -So Conyngham bethought him of his promise to pay a visit to the land -of his birth; and after skirting the Isle of Man in a fruitless search -for a safe landing-place or a well-provisioned prize, he crossed the -Channel and entered the harbor of a little Irish fishing port (the -name of which he fails to record in his log) about twenty miles or -so to the north of the town and harbor of Wicklow. - -[Illustration: The dreaded Revenge was lying in the harbor.] - -Probably the fisher folk were simple and unsuspicious; mayhap they -did not care to inquire closely into the mission of a polite fellow -countryman who claimed to be a peaceable merchantman, for here -Conyngham allowed his original nationality to be unmistakably plain if -he did conceal his calling; or maybe it was the sight of the Spanish -gold with which he paid for everything that blinded them; but they were -eager and willing to help him to the things he wanted; and as many -hands make light work, twelve hours sufficed to fill his casks with -fresh water and his forehold with potatoes--the best cure for scurvy. -Stores of various kinds to replace those he had sent to Spain were also -taken on board. - -It was a misty, foggy day, with very little wind. The red evening sun -could not pierce the thick clouds, and the falling barometer proved -that heavy weather might be expected. Conyngham was anxious to be off. -He did not relish being kept longer in port than was necessary; for, -although he had seen that no vessel, even of small size, had sailed -out the harbor, he could not tell but that some suspicious person had -traveled overland to Wicklow bearing the news that the dreaded Revenge -was lying in the harbor. So, just before darkness set in, he bade -good-by to his friendly countrymen, and getting up his anchor drifted -out with the tide toward the Channel. - -There was a steep headland to the south, and just as the Revenge was -rounding it a vessel came into full view that, from her appearance, -could be none other than a British cutter. There was hardly enough wind -to fill her sails, and like the Revenge she was drifting slowly with -the tide. - -It would be hard to conjecture what it was that caused her captain -to be suspicious, but immediately upon sighting Conyngham’s vessel -two boats were lowered from the cutter’s side and filled with armed -men. They pulled out as if to intercept him. There were altogether -in the Revenge’s crew at this time but some thirty men left, but at -once the long twelve was cast loose and the short broadside guns were -double-shotted. Before the boats had traversed half the distance they -were stopped by a challenging shot from the twelve-pounder, and with -all haste they made back to their vessel. Although she was evidently of -heavier metal, had Conyngham had his full complement of men he would -not have shrunk from engaging her, but under the circumstances, as he -had once remarked before, “discretion was the better part of valor,” -and at long range a drifting fight began. - -If the people of the little fishing port had been at all in doubt as -to who their visitor was, all such uncertainty was put at rest by -the appearance the next morning of the cutter with her jib-boom and -topsail-yard shot away and three shot holes in her hull, one at the -water-line that necessitated immediate attending to. - -The Revenge had escaped all injury except to her larder, a chance shot -having entered at her cabin window and completely spoiled the captain’s -dinner; thence glancing into the galley, it broached a barrel of fine -salt pork, and ended by lodging in one of the deck beams. - -The cruise had ended in an adventure at last, although a rather tame -one, and, satisfied with results, Captain Conyngham determined to set -sail for America. - -Another prize was added to his list before he was quite free of the -Channel, and this was ordered to meet him at a port in the Spanish West -Indies, toward which he now laid his course, as he deemed it much wiser -to ascertain how matters stood in America before making for any home -port, which, for all he knew, might be in possession of the enemy. - -He was satisfied with the work that he had accomplished, and well he -might be. Perhaps the result of his cruises had been exaggerated, but -he had prevented the sailing of two loaded transports, and from the -very fear of his name over forty sail of vessels of all kinds, to quote -from a contemporaneous account, “lay at anchor cooped up in the Thames.” - -As Silas Deane wrote to Robert Morris and to the home Government, -“His name has become more dreaded than that of the great Thurot, and -merchants are constrained to ship their cargoes in French or Dutch -vessels.” - -Not a guard-ship on the coast but had received specific orders to be on -the lookout for him, and yet he had cruised in the English and Irish -Channels for month after month. Another fact that he regarded with -satisfaction was that he had accomplished all this not merely as a -privateersman, but as a regularly commissioned officer in the navy of -his country. The prize-money due him as such, now amounting to a large -sum, he regarded as safe in the hands of the commissioners. - -After reaching the West Indies, where he spent some time, he learned -from the American consul of the condition of affairs at home, and -after waiting for the arrival of the latest prize he set sail for -Philadelphia. The one thing that he regretted was the fact that he -did not have in his possession the commission signed by John Hancock, -then president of Congress, and given to him by Franklin in Paris, but -he did not doubt that the good doctor had it in his possession and -would produce it at the proper time. Without mishap, the Revenge sailed -up the coast, slipped by the British guard-ships off the capes of -Delaware, and early in February, 1779, Conyngham was home at last! - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -THE CAPTURE - - -Of all the surprised people in Philadelphia, James Nesbit was the most -astonished when into his office walked the young seaman who almost -four years before had left in command of the Charming Peggy. The fame -of his doings of course had reached America, and Mr. Nesbit’s brother -had written at some length of Conyngham’s career in the Surprise, his -subsequent arrest, and mysterious release; but it was not until he had -spent a long afternoon in the coffee-room of the little inn around the -corner, and had listened to the captain’s modest and half-humorous -account of his doings, that he understood what had happened in France; -and he followed with breathless interest the career of the two little -vessels that had flown the flag in the Channel. - -When Conyngham had finished at last, Mr. Nesbit, who had not allowed -himself to interrupt the recital by even so much as a question, -propounded his first interrogation. - -“And what do you intend to do now, Brother Conyngham?” he said. “Of -course you do not mean to rest idle upon either your oars or your -laurels.” - -“I suppose I shall have to wait orders from the Naval Committee,” was -the reply. “As an officer in the regular service, I have already -reported my arrival and asked for an audience on the morrow. I hope,” -he added, “they will see fit to make use of my services.” - -“There is little hope of finding them in a mood to adopt any -proposition of an aggressive nature,” returned Mr. Nesbit ponderously, -“and there are few commands lying idle. It is as much as Congress can -do to keep our army supplied with clothing, food, and ammunition. The -fleet under Admiral Hopkins did not meet with any signal success. -England is too strong for us on the sea.” - -Conyngham shrugged his shoulders. There probably came to his mind the -months during which in one little vessel he had dared the strength -of the English fleets in their home waters. But he said nothing, and -waited for Mr. Nesbit to continue. - -“You are perfectly satisfied with the vessel which you have commanded, -Captain Conyngham?” the latter asked. - -“Perfectly, so far as she goes,” was the reply. “But I have it in my -mind that I should like to command a larger. Sure, if you know of any -loose seventy-fours wanting a skipper, you might put in a word for me. -In case there is nothing better, I mean to apply for the command of the -Revenge again.” - -“What do you suppose that they will do with her?” asked Mr. Nesbit; -and then, as if answering his own question, he went on, “Sell her, I -suppose. They are in more need of money than of ships.” - -As he finished speaking he leaned forward and placed his hand on -Conyngham’s arm. - -“If they do,” he said, “I may have a proposition to make to you. Why -not let us buy her in? You could sail her under a letter of marque in -joint ownership, and you must have a good sum of money to your credit. -See what the privateersmen of this port and that of Baltimore have -accomplished. They have practically already swept British commerce from -the seas.” - -“I would much sooner,” replied Conyngham, “accept a regular command; -but rather than remain idle,” he concluded, “I would accept your -proposition. It depends entirely upon Congress.” - -“Your commission would, of course, stand you in good stead,” remarked -Mr. Nesbit, “and a letter of marque could easily be obtained in -addition.” - -As Conyngham had not as yet joined his family, that had moved out to -Germantown, he was evidently anxious to be away, and in a few minutes -he parted company with Mr. Nesbit, promising to meet him again on the -morrow. - -It was much to his surprise that he found himself quite a hero among -his friends and acquaintances, but, strange to say, Mr. Hewes, of the -Naval Committee, to whom he reported, had heard nothing official in -regard to him from either Dr. Franklin or Silas Deane, and his name had -not as yet been placed on the naval list. - -All this, of course, caused him more chagrin than uneasiness. He -claimed that the Revenge was subject to the orders of the Naval -Committee, and gained a point at last in that they accepted her as -public property, and as such she was almost immediately offered for -sale at auction. “Conyngham, Nesbit and Company” bought her in, one -third being credited to Gustavus, to whom Mr. Nesbit and his cousin -advanced the money. - -So the further fortunes of the young captain were still bound up in -the Revenge. Unfortunately, however, there were some enemies of his at -work. Whether it was the tory lawyer whose designs he had thwarted in -regard to his first command (by the way, he was now a most pronounced -believer in the cause of liberty), or whether it was a discharged -surgeon’s mate who had lodged complaints against him, Conyngham never -found out. But suffice it, some one was working against him, and the -letter of marque--the authority to “cruise, capture, and destroy”--was -withheld by the Naval Committee and Congress. Perhaps they were waiting -until they could secure some substantiation of his claim in regard to -his commission--it may have been that; but, at all events, the delay -grew more and more irksome to him and to his partner in the enterprise. - -Good seamen were difficult to find idle in American ports; the few -ships of the navy had hard work in recruiting their complement; -almost every one who followed the sea for a living was already off -privateering, and the Revenge was forced to complete her crew out of -the riffraff of the docks, supplemented by numerous landsmen who, -attracted by the rich rewards offered, dodged service in the army -and flocked to the seaports. Out of the crew of one hundred men that -Conyngham had hastily gathered together, only twenty-two had seen -service on deep water, and more than half of these were men who had -served with him in the Channel cruise. Owing to the delay in sailing, -the Revenge’s people were almost in a state of mutiny, and for three -weeks nothing but the young captain’s presence on board his vessel -prevented wholesale desertions. One day there came a notice from Mr. -Nesbit--the Revenge was anchored out in the river--informing him that -the letter of marque was likely to be refused, and intimating that -probably the Naval Committee would require his presence on shore, to -be placed on waiting orders. - -This was too much for Conyngham’s gallant spirit. The prospect of -months of inaction galled him, and he replied that if he left his -vessel the greater part of the crew would desert and the whole -adventure be a failure. - -It was while he was writing this in a note to be taken ashore to his -partners that he remembered that the second commission, given him by -Mr. Hodge in Dunkirk, was still in his possession. It had never been -rescinded, and the vessel he commanded was the same! It was surely -authority enough. Without hesitation he added a postscript--“Am sailing -with the flood-tide in half an hour”--and sent the note off to Mr. -Nesbit. So the deciding die was cast, and at the top of the flood the -Revenge made out into the midstream and floated into the lower bay. The -green crew, glad to be off, burst into a ragged cheer. Had they known -what was before them they would not have felt so much like rejoicing. - -It did not take the captain long to find out that his crew of farmhands -and dock-rats was vastly different from the able lot of seamen that had -contributed so much to the previous success of the Revenge. Before they -were half-way to the capes a few had broken into the storeroom and a -dozen were too drunk to pull a rope. The captain and the mate had their -hands full, and the obstreperous ones were double-ironed and placed in -the hold, to get sober at their leisure. - -There was time found for one or two drills at the guns before the -cruiser was out in the Atlantic, and here, as might have been expected, -half of the crew were seasick and almost incapacitated from duty. Off -the New Jersey coast, as the Revenge proceeded northward, she ran into -thick and stormy weather. On the third day, the 26th of April, while -the wind went down the fog increased, and when it cleared away at last -the captain found himself some ten miles south of Sandy Hook. Dead -ahead were two small square-rigged vessels that had the look of English -transports or supply ships, and Conyngham made all sail in chase. - -This was the year 1779--a dreary one for the struggling colonies. New -York city was in possession of the English troops under Lord Howe, and -the Revenge was in dangerous waters; but the captain was in a reckless -mood, and boldness having served his purpose so well at various times, -he disdained his old adage about “discretion,” and pressed ahead. Once -more the fog closed down, the wind died completely away, and as night -came on the Revenge drifted slowly along on the round, oily seas, her -prow turning first this way and then that. All night she swung about, -when, early in the morning, a slight wind sprang up that Conyngham took -advantage of to work off shore. But it held only for an hour or so, -and fell calm again. The fog was thicker than ever at daybreak--one of -those opaque white mists that the sun finds it impossible to penetrate, -and seems to give up trying in despair. - -The captain had been on deck all night, and, tired out, was lying on -the cabin transom half asleep when suddenly he was awakened by the -shrilling of a boatswain’s pipe, so close that it seemed to come from -his own forecastle. Then, as if it were the signal for the lifting of -the misty shroud, the fog broke and there lay the Revenge under the -stern of a huge seventy-four. Under her gallery there could be read -plainly the word “Galatea.” - -It was all up! Even with the stiffest and most favorable wind, the -little cruiser could not have escaped; she would have been blown out of -the water before she had gone a cable’s length. - -There was nothing to do. In two minutes two boatloads of armed sailors -and marines had put off from the big vessel, and soon they clambered -unmolested over the Revenge’s bulwarks. - -“Who commands this vessel?” asked a red-faced lieutenant. - -“I have the honor,” replied Conyngham, giving his name. - -The lieutenant whistled. - -“Conyngham!” he exclaimed. “Are you the pirate who sailed out of -Dunkirk?” - -“I am an officer in the navy of the United Colonies,” was Conyngham’s -reply, “and will answer further questions to your superior officer.” - -“That you will do at once,” sneered the lieutenant, and he gave orders -for Conyngham to enter one of the boats. Much elated, he rowed off with -his prisoner to the seventy-four. - -On his way Conyngham learned that his captor was Captain Jordan, -whose commodore was Sir George Collier, and his heart sank, for he -knew that the latter had a reputation for being a man of a cruel and -vindictive temper. The Galatea was the very vessel from which the -Revenge had escaped off Land’s End on that memorable afternoon when -the cross-barred flag had appeared in the sky. He felt that he could -expect small favors under the circumstances, but his chief concern was -for his crew. Poor fellows! Some had not even recovered from their -sea-sickness. Now more than ever he longed for his missing regular -commission. But one thing rejoiced him--war was now on between France -and England. Stormont had packed up his belongings for the last time. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -IMPRISONMENT - - -It would take another book to describe the immediate and subsequent -adventures and misadventures of Captain Conyngham in prison, for the -next few months of his life were passed in such close confinement that -it seems almost incredible that any human being could have survived -it. He kept a diary during this period that is merely a recital of his -sufferings, and yet we can not pass them over in silence, but must -outline what happened from the day of his capture to the day of his -first attempted escape, an escape that led only to recapture and worse -treatment, if possible, than before. - -But we are anticipating. As soon as Captain Jordan learned who his -prisoner was he was much elated, but Conyngham’s own journal gives an -account of these trying days in the following picturesque language: - -“On first going aboard the ship I was abused by a Mr. Cooper, who acted -as first lieutenant and took my commission. He sent every one, without -exception, to the hold. After some time a message came for ‘Captain -Conyngham,’ and I was introduced in the gun-room to the purser of the -ship, Mr. Thomas, surgeon of the ship, and Mr. Murray, master. After -some little time Mr. Cooper, the lieutenant, makes his appearance. I -find his behavior different from what I had reason to expect, and I am -made to understand it is the captain’s orders to be treated well and -granted the liberty of his quarter-deck. The officers and men still in -the hold. Very disagreeable, so warm. The following day, Mr. Waln, my -first lieutenant; Mr. Heyman, second lieutenant; Mr. Lewis, captain of -marines; Mr. Downey, master, relieved from the hold and given liberty -of the lower decks. Mr. Campbell, a prize-master, ordered into irons. - -“Upon our arrival in New York, Mr. Waln was sent on board the flagship -to see the Commodore, Sir George Collier. Mr. Waln told me on his -return that he was solicited to enter on board the ship. What an honor, -to walk his Majesty’s quarter-deck! Mr. Waln declared he would not, -that he was a prisoner. The answer was made, ‘You shall go, then, to -England with Mr. Conyngham,’ and he was dismissed. I soon learned by -Mr. Cooper that my people were to be distributed among the men-of-war. -Boats came alongside with officers for the prisoners. One officer in -particular, by his appearance a lieutenant, an Irishman, addressed me -in these words: ‘So, Mr. Conyngham, you have prospered long and in -different stages?’ I answered him, ‘Not so many or so long.’ After some -hesitation he walked off. - -“The crew and officers were sent on board different men-of-war, as I -understood, after many threatenings to get them to enter the English -service. Most of them were sent on board the prison ship with the -officers. After being in the East River, I was detained on board the -Galatea myself, with one leg in irons. I petitioned Captain Read to -alter my situation, asking if possible to be put along with other -American prisoners. In a short time I was sent to the provost prison -with officers and guard of marines. Upon application he conducted me to -the condemned room, where was one person that was in on suspicion of -being concerned in theft, another supposed to be a spy. It was a dismal -prospect. At six in the evening the provost master, a Mr. Cunningham, -came to see me. I begged to know the reason of such usage. He said his -order was to put me in the strongest room, without the least morsel -of bread from the jailer; water I had given to me. The Continental -prisoners found a method through the keyhole of the door to convey me -some necessaries of life, although a second door obstructed the getting -in of very much. - -“At the end of the week I was let out of this room and introduced into -the Congress room by Mr. Cunningham. I was then given the liberty of -the prison. - -“On the 17th of June a deputy sergeant, a Mr. Gluby, desired I should -get ready to go on board the prison ship. After some little time Mr. -Lang came to the door, called to me, and I took my leave of my fellow -prisoners. Went down stairs, and was conveyed to another private -apartment. There a large heavy iron was brought with two large links, -and ring welded on. I was linked to the jail door, and when released -found it almost impossible to walk. Got into a cart that was provided -for that purpose, and led to waterside by the hangman. Then I was taken -in a boat alongside of the Commodore Sir George Collier, his ship being -the Raisonable. There I was shown an order to take me on board the -packet in irons, signed ‘Jones.’ Up to this time I was made to believe -I was going on board the prison ship.” - -So it was evident to Conyngham that the English were about to redeem, -if possible, their threat of seeing him dance at the yard-arm, and that -he was going to be taken to England for trial. On the 20th of June he -sailed in the packet under the convoy of the Camilla, and, still in -irons and in close confinement, he applied to the captain to have the -links taken off his legs and arms. After some time this was done, and -he was allowed a half an hour a day on deck to get the air. - -On the 7th of July the packet arrived in Falmouth harbor and the -prisoners were taken off in the press boats. A Captain Bult came on -board and read an order from Sir George Collier, the purport of which -was that Conyngham should be put in close confinement in Pendennis -Castle until the wishes of the Lords of the Admiralty were known. - -On his way to the castle he was gazed upon by the large crowds that had -collected, as it had become noised about that “Conyngham the pirate” -had been taken. - -It was evident that the authorities wished to prove that Conyngham was -still a subject of King George, for many times men were brought to see -him in an attempt to identify him. On one occasion a woman was admitted -to see him, so he records in his diary, who promised that he would -be released if he acknowledged that he was her husband. Of course he -indignantly repudiated such a trick, and discovered subsequently that -her husband was a man who some years before had been accused of murder -and had escaped out of the country. - -Every night poor Conyngham was put in irons, and his diary is but a -record of hardships and suffering. Curious people came in day after day -to gaze at the prisoner, and yet there was no prospect of his being -brought to trial. - -On the 23d of July we find an entry as follows: - -“A sailor declared in Falmouth before different people that he could -take his oath that I was with Captain Jones when he threatened to set -White Haven on fire. This was told me by Sergeant Williams of the -guard, and this day the irons on my hands were beat close to my wrists.” - -On the 24th of the month Conyngham was moved from the castle to the -celebrated Mill prison. For the first time the irons were taken -off when he was placed aboard the vessel that was to convey him to -Plymouth, where immediately he was transferred to Mill prison. For a -few days he was confined in what was known as the “Black Hole,” an -underground dungeon without either light or air. It was not until the -7th of August that he was brought out for a preliminary trial, and then -he was committed again to the prison by the justices of the peace, on -the charge of high treason. - -All this time Conyngham was planning to escape. Not an opportunity went -by that he did not seize upon to extend his plans. After his being -remanded on the high-treason charge, strange to say, his treatment -improved and he was allowed the liberty of the jail-yard, and found -opportunity on one or two occasions to converse with some of his -fellow prisoners. Many of them were Frenchmen, who had been taken -in the actions with the French fleet. On one occasion a battle was -fought within hearing of Plymouth, and the soldiers and inhabitants, -fearing that the French were going to attempt to land, began to throw -up earthworks and entrenchments along the water front. Among the -prisoners that were brought in was a Frenchman who had served in the -capacity of surgeon on one of the captured vessels. He was a man of -education, and his clothes were of a better character and texture than -those of the other prisoners, who were mostly common seamen. He spoke -no English, however, and Conyngham had to talk with him in French. Now -it happened that the prison doctor, who made his round of visits every -day, was a short, slight man, something of the young captain’s general -build and appearance. The clothes he wore were black, and he usually -carried a book under his arm in which he kept a record of his patients -and their condition. It suggested itself to Conyngham that it might be -easy for the Frenchman so to disguise himself that he might be taken -for the doctor, and by walking out boldly past the sentries in the -evening gain the outside of the prison walls and conceal himself in the -town. - -“All you need,” Conyngham observed, speaking in French, “is a pair of -huge horn spectacles, pull your hat well down over your eyes, and walk -out of the door. I’ve studied the doctor’s gait--he walks like this----” - -Suiting the action to the word, Conyngham gave a very good imitation of -the English doctor’s mincing step. The Frenchman laughed. - -“My faith!” he exclaimed, “it is it to the life! I have observed him. -But remember this, my friend; I speak no English and would be helpless; -they would discover me at once.” - -A day or so later the Frenchman and Conyngham met again in the -jail-yard. The latter motioned his friend aside to where one of the -stone buttresses hid them from the sight of the sentry who was -watching the yard. - -“Here,” said the captain; “with this wire I have made a pair of -spectacles, and in the evening no one would notice that there is not -glass inside the rims.” - -As he spoke he placed the wire upon his nose, drew down his upper lip, -and the Frenchman looked at him and laughed. - -“My faith!” he said again, “it is the doctor to the life.” And then, -as if an idea had suddenly dawned upon him, he touched Conyngham on -the shoulder. “It is you who should try it,” he said. “You shall have -my clothes. I can give them to you piece by piece, and as they have -allowed me to keep some others I shall not miss them.” - -At first Conyngham demurred, but the Frenchman was insistent, and so -the next night and the next transfers were made unobserved in the -jail-yard, and the captain secreted the clothing inside the mattress -upon which he slept on the floor of his cell. From another prisoner -a hat was obtained almost like the heavy three-cornered affair that -the visiting doctor wore. A book was procured somewhat resembling the -doctor’s. - -Saturday evening was set for a trial of the plan. Conyngham was most -anxious to get away. He had, by his trick of reading people’s lips, -discovered that there was a plot on foot to convict him if possible of -the charge that hung over his head. A man had been found who swore that -he had known him in Ireland, and another who had positively identified -him as his brother. If they could prove the contention that he was a -British subject he would have short shrift of it, so it behooved him -not to put off long the attempted escape. - -Saturday afternoon at about five o’clock the prisoners were released -in batches of ten or a dozen for exercise in the courtyard. When the -door of Conyngham’s cell was opened he feigned indisposition, and asked -only to be allowed to sit in the doorway where he could breathe the -fresher air; but no sooner had the turnkey left than he quickly donned -the Frenchman’s black small-clothes and the long coat, and putting on -the spectacles and the big hat he stepped out into the corridor that -opened into the yard. Imitating carefully the doctor’s step and holding -the book under his arm, instead of turning to the left he went down the -corridor to the right, at the end of which stood the first sentry at -the entrance to the guard-room. It was dark in the corridor, and what -light there was came from behind him. The sentry hardly looked at him; -turning the key and pulling the bolt, he let him pass. - -He was now in the room that was occupied by the soldiers whose special -duty was to watch the prisoners and to patrol the outer walls, but the -room, by luck, was empty except for a sergeant, who, with his coat off -and his feet propped against the wall, sat snoring in a chair. At first -Conyngham was uncertain which of the two doors, that led out of the -apartment, to take. He chose the one to the right again, and opening -it came into another room where at the farther end three soldiers were -throwing dice. They paused in their game as he entered and looked up at -him. At first it appeared as if the one who was holding the dice-box -was about to address him, but one of his companions, with an oath, -exclaimed, “It’s only the doctor; go on with the game, you blockhead!” -and the men proceeded, rattling the dice and then tossing them on to -the bench. Conyngham walked past them and opened the door that led out -of the prison entrance, and here he had to go through a worse ordeal -than ever, for he came into the daylight, and there within twenty feet -of him stood the man on guard. He was in full regimentals, with his -long red coat and white cross-belts, and propped against him at an -attitude of attention was his loaded musket with the bayonet fixed. -Conyngham pulled the hat a little farther over his eyes, and opening -the imitation note-book he began muttering to himself the way he had -seen the doctor do. Closer and closer he came to the sentry. In his -imagination he could feel the man’s eyes looking through and through -him, and he thought he could detect a shuffling of his feet as if he -was stepping to intercept him. - -He was past the sentry now, and thought he was over the worst of it -when the latter spoke. - -“Halt there! The countersign!” the man demanded; but as if deaf -Conyngham walked on. “Halt there!” came the second hail. - -It would never do to stop. Hastening his mincing steps and as if -oblivious of everything but his note-book, the supposed doctor walked -on. He even heard the sentry mutter, “Confound the old fool! I’d like -to send a ball after him.” He never turned his head. - -Now he was free of the shadows of the prison walls. Before him -stretched a wide street running down to the town, and to the right -was a meadow, upon which were some trees, with benches under them. As -he concluded that it would be better not to trust his disguise any -further until after dark, he walked over to one of the benches, and, -still in the sight of the sentry, sat down and pretended to scribble -something in the note-book. In a few minutes the sun had sunk below a -bank of clouds in the west, and getting to his feet he walked toward a -little lane, intending to follow it until he could turn into the main -street some distance below. But here his good fortune deserted him. -On the very first corner stood a man with a basket on his arm. It was -a huckster who had been allowed the privilege of selling oranges and -small cakes in the prison-yard. Maybe the sense of security had caused -the captain to forget to imitate the doctor’s step. At all events, as -he approached the man with the basket the latter turned and looked at -him intently; then, after he had passed, the huckster walked quickly up -the lane, and when he had reached the common started at a run for the -prison gate. - -“That Yankee pirate Conyngham is loose!” he cried. “I just met him -yonder at the corner.” - -“You’re mad, man!” returned the sentry. “That was the doctor; he just -passed out.” - -“It was not,” replied the orangeman hastily. “I know him well; it was -Conyngham in disguise.” - -The sentry was about to call back into the guard-room when an officer -appeared. To him the excited orangeman repeated the news. - -“We’ll see about this!” was the officer’s reply, and he despatched a -messenger at once to Conyngham’s cell. The fellow returned on the run. - -“It is true, captain!” he cried. “Conyngham is not in his cell or the -yard, and the doctor is calling the sick list in the French division.” - -An instant later a drum rolled and a scurrying squad of red-coated -soldiers hastened at double-quick down the main street toward the town. - -They found the supposed doctor conversing with a merchant, at the door -of his shop, from whom he was asking directions and the time of the -next coach going to London, for there Conyngham knew of friends who -would help him, and the big city was the safest hiding-place, as shall -be hereinafter proved. It was useless to offer resistance, and without -a word he surrendered and was marched back to the prison gate. - -That night, shorn of his good clothes and in double irons, he was -placed once more in the “Black Hole.” He dreamed that some one had -restored to him the lost commission, and that instead of being confined -as a pirate and a man supposed to be guilty of high treason, he had -been treated as an officer should be and accorded the privileges of -his position; but he awoke cold and stiff, with the knowledge that his -captors would now be harder upon him than ever, and, as he wrote in his -own diary, it was “a dismal prospect” again. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -FREEDOM - - -That Dr. Franklin had been much concerned in regard to the treatment -accorded to Captain Conyngham by the British authorities is proved by -the letters and correspondence that passed between him and Conyngham’s -friends. Let us look at these letters for a moment and we shall see -that these friends were not idle. Here are the authentic copies of a -portion of the correspondence. - -Jonathan Nesbit, the nephew of Mr. James Nesbit, of Philadelphia, was -yet in Europe, living for the time at L’Orient, and in September he -wrote to Dr. Franklin as follows: - - “L’ORIENT, _Sept. 22, 1779_. - - “SIR: By the brig Retaliation, Captain Kolloch, which left - Philadelphia the 10th August, I have received letters informing - me that Captain G. Conyngham, late commander of the cutter - Revenge, had the misfortune to be taken last spring by the - Galatea and sent into New York, from whence he had been sent - to England with a design to have him tried for piracy. They - pretend to say that he took the Harwich packet without having - any commission, which your Excellency must know to be false--as - I believe you were in Paris at the time that his commission - and orders were delivered him. The commission under which he - acted as captain of the Revenge is dated, I apprehend, after - the taking of the Harwich packet. It is on this circumstance, - no doubt, that the charge of piracy is founded. His first - commission was taken from him in Dunkirk after he was put - in jail and sent up to Paris, and I think was lodged in the - hands of M. Comte de Vergennes. I have to request that your - Excellency will do everything in your power to prevent the poor - fellow from suffering. Considering the smallness of his vessel - and the difficulty he labored under when he first left France, - he has done a great deal for the service of his country. He has - done so much harm to the enemy that he can expect no mercy at - their hands, and if they can find any pretense whatever, they - will certainly destroy him. Captain Kolloch informs me that - he was sent home in irons. I should certainly have heard from - him was he not already confined. I once more take the liberty - to recommend the unhappy man’s case to your Excellency’s - particular attention. - - “I have the honor to be, with great respect, - - “JONATHAN NESBIT.” - -Before this, however, Dr. Franklin had been informed of the condition -of affairs, and he had written to secret friends of America in London -and tried to get them to interfere in some way for the gallant -captain, or at least to endeavor to mitigate the circumstances of his -imprisonment. He replies to Mr. Nesbit in the following letter: - - “_To Mr. Nesbit._ - “PASSY, _Sept. 20 1779_. - - “SIR: Captain Conyngham has not been neglected. As soon as - I heard of his arrival in England, I wrote to a friend to - furnish him with what money he might want, and to assure him - that he had never acted without a commission. I have been made - to understand in answer that there is no intention to prosecute - him, and that he was accordingly removed from Pendennis Castle - and put among the common prisoners at Plymouth, to take his - turn for exchange. The Congress, hearing of the threats to - sacrifice him, put three officers in close confinement to - abide his fate, and acquainted Sir George Collier with their - determination, who probably wrote to the British ministers. I - thank you for informing me what became of his first commission. - - “I suppose I can easily recover it, to produce on occasion. - Probably the date of that taken with him, being posterior - to his capture of the packet, made the enemy think they had - an advantage against him. But when the English Government - have encouraged our sailors, entrusted with our vessels, to - betray that trust, run away with the vessels, and bring them - into English ports, giving such lawful prizes, it was foolish - imprudence in the English commodore to talk of hanging one of - our captains for taking a prize without commission. - - “I have the honor to be, with great esteem, sir, - - “B. FRANKLIN.” - -Rumors, and then certain assurance, soon came to Paris that a wholesale -escape of American prisoners had taken place from Mill prison, and on -November 23d Franklin was rejoiced to receive the following letter, -dated November 18th, at Amsterdam: - - “SIR: I have the pleasure to inform you that on the 3d inst., - I, with about fifty of our unfortunate countrymen, broke out - of Mill prison. I brought three officers with me. I came by - the way of London, it being the safest. At London we met with - our good friend Mr. Digges, who did everything in his power - to serve one and all his countrymen that chance to fall in - his way. Happy we to have such a man among the set of tyrants - they have in that country! The treatment I have received is - unparalleled. Iron, dungeons, hunger, the hangman’s cart, - I have experienced. I shall set off from here the 19th for - Dunkirk. There I shall be glad to hear from you. I shall always - be ready to serve my country, and happy should I be to be able - to come alongside some of those petty tyrants. I find something - of the effects of my confinement. In a short time will be able - to retaliate. I should at this time go out with Captain Jones - or in the squadron, could I have heard from you. I should be - glad to go for the Continent if a good opportunity served. In - this I shall take your advice, and act accordingly. - - “The cash Mr. Digges supplied me with, and some necessaries - I got at Plymouth. The friend we have at Plymouth is obliged - to act with the greatest caution. Mr. Redmond Conyngham, in - Ireland, has ordered me some little supply through the hands - of David Hartley, of London--a mortal enemy of America, by all - accounts. - - “From your most obedient and very humble servant, - - “G. CONYNGHAM.” - -One more letter--Franklin’s answer to this one just quoted--and we have -done with the correspondence. - - “PASSY, _Nov. 22, 1779_. - - “SIR: It gave me great pleasure to hear of your escape out of - prison, which I first learned from six of the men who broke - out with you and came to France in a boat. I was then anxious - lest you should be retaken, and I am very glad indeed to hear - of your safe arrival at Amsterdam. I think it will be best for - you to stay awhile at Dunkirk till we see what becomes of the - little squadron from Holland, for which it is said the English - are lying in wait with superior force. The Congress resented - exceedingly the inhuman treatment you met with, and it ordered - three English officers to be confined in the same manner, to - abide your fate. - - “There are some Frenchmen returned to Dunkirk who were put by - you into one of your first prizes, which was afterward carried - into England. I wish you would adjust their claims of wages, - prize-money, etc., and put them in a way of getting what may be - due to them. - - “I write to Mr. Coffyn by this post, to supply you with - necessaries. You will be as frugal as possible, money being - scarce with me, and the calls upon me abundant. - - “With great esteem, I have the honor, etc., - - “B. FRANKLIN.” - -Now let us return to Conyngham and follow him through the excitement of -the escape that he refers to so casually. - -The English officers in charge of the prison not only visited revenge -upon Conyngham’s head for the clever ruse that had almost been -successful, but they made most of the other American prisoners suffer -also. Below ground, under the center of the western wing of Mill -prison, were the “Black Holes,” or dungeons, and in the largest one -of these Conyngham, with three officers of American privateers and -fifty men--captured seamen--were confined. Four times a day and twice -during the night was the damp and dismal apartment inspected, and yet -no sooner had they all been placed inside and the heavy door locked -behind them than Conyngham proposed that a meeting should be held and -that they should appoint a leader who was to rule and govern them. At -once the proposition was made to him, that as senior officer he should -at once take the responsibility himself. At first modestly he refused, -but the rest of the prisoners would hear of nothing but his acceptance, -and so, wisely, the first thing he did was to appoint a committee -that examined into each man’s pedigree and position in order to be -assured that there were no spies among them. No suspicious persons were -developed by the inquiry, and that very evening Conyngham detailed the -plans for the attempted escape. Upon searching the apartment the first -thing he discovered was a loose flat stone in the flooring. Upon being -removed the ground was found to be soft and sandy underneath--so much -so that it could be almost scooped out with the hand. Digging began -that very night under Conyngham’s direction, a watchful person being -placed at the door to listen to the approaching footsteps of the patrol. - -Conyngham had well gauged the distance and direction that the tunnel -should take to bring him out at the edge of the common outside of -the prison walls. The earth as it was dug up was concealed under -the mattresses, and from thence transferred to the pockets of the -prisoners, who carried it out handful by handful when they were in -the corridor, the privileges of the jail-yard being now denied them. -During the day and when the men were not working, for they had arranged -the labor and divided the time into watches of half an hour each, the -stone that concealed the opening was itself hidden by one of the straw -pallets. - -The guards continued to be unsuspicious, and one night, late in -October, the two men who were at work in the farthest end of the -tunnel came quickly back announcing that they were so close to the -surface that the earth was beginning to break and crumble. It was -very fortunate that they had found beneath the first layer of soft -sand a stratum of hard clay mixed with gravel, which required no prop -or support to prevent its caving. Work now for a time was suspended, -Conyngham concluding to wait for the moonlight nights, and yet to -choose one when the light would not be too brilliant. The hour settled -upon was when the shadow of the prison would lie heavy upon the spot -where the breaking out would take place. - -No better night could one imagine than that of the first Monday of -November, when every one was warned to make ready for escape. Conyngham -himself led the way and dug, lying on his back with the earth falling -all about him, until at last he could feel the free air as his hand -broke through the upper crust. In three minutes more a hole was made -sufficiently large to admit of his thrusting forth his head and -shoulders. - -It was dangerous indeed, for should a sentry happen by any chance to -be in the vicinity, not only might the discovery lead at once to the -detection of the plot, but also to death by a musket-ball. No one was -in sight! The deep black shadows lay heavy under the high wall, and -above it towered the great roof of the prison. Beyond them rose the -square watch-tower against the gray misty moonlit sky. All at once -he heard a voice behind him. It was evident that if he did not take -care, the very eagerness of the men to make their way out would prove -their own undoing, for they had already begun jostling and shoving -one another, despite the stringent orders he had given. With great -difficulty he forced his way back through the hole, and there in a -few earnest words impressed upon them the necessity for caution and -patience. Order restored and the muttering stopped, he drew himself -by sheer strength out of the hole and rose to his knees on the ground -outside. One after another the men were pulled forth. All went well -until the last man’s turn came. I say “man,” but in reality he was a -huge overgrown boy, whose weeks of imprisonment had not appeared to -have reduced his bulk, for he stuck fast in the hole and apparently -could not be moved either one way or the other. If the position had -not been so full of danger it might have been found amusing, but every -minute’s delay increased the prospect of discovery, so they struggled -to relieve the fat boy from his predicament. Three men had hold of one -of his arms, when suddenly he gave a sharp cry. He once had been hurt -or wounded, and in their endeavors to release him they had broken the -large bone of his forearm. However, after his first outcry the poor -fellow said nothing, and by dint of digging and more careful hauling -they succeeded in releasing him. - -[Illustration: One after another the men were pulled forth.] - -By common consent they were to divide into small parties and make their -way to London or the vicinity, where from their various hiding-places -they were to inform a certain Mr. Digges of their arrival. It would be -six hours and more before their escape would be discovered. - -One by one, keeping close to the cover of the walls, they each made -the shelter of a small clump of bushes, from which they reached a wood -about a half mile distant, where a meeting was held to determine on -their future course of action. It was a very short one, for Conyngham -dominated it and impressed upon them the necessity for haste. Soon all -were on the highroad, which they followed for about five miles and -then broke up in small parties as had been arranged for. Strange to -say, only fourteen of them, so far as could be ascertained, were ever -recaptured. The fat boy escaped! - -Conyngham and one of the officers were the first to reach London, where -they immediately repaired to the house of Mr. Digges, who provided them -with food, money, and clothing, and despite the great risk began to -make preparations to assist the other men as they should arrive. - -Conyngham, while walking the streets of London, had the pleasure of -seeing displayed, in the window of a print-shop, a most extravagant -print alleged to be his portrait, “representing him a man of gigantic -stature, very broad in the shoulders, the whole person indicating great -strength, with a ferocious countenance. Under the arm was a sword at -least six feet long, and beneath the whole was the legend, ‘The Yankee -Pirate, Conyngham, the arch-rebel. An Admirable likeness.’” - -Soon a vessel was found that was sailing for Amsterdam, and on board of -her Conyngham embarked in the guise of an English merchant, but before -this, six of his companions had made their way to the seacoast, where -they had helped themselves to a small fishing boat and arrived safely -on the French coast. As soon as he reached Amsterdam he wrote the -letter to Benjamin Franklin which we quoted at the beginning of this -chapter. - -John Paul Jones was then in the Texel, where he was having any amount -of trouble with the Dutch authorities owing to the objections of -the English representatives to his remaining there with his prizes. -Conyngham joined him, when at last he was forced to leave, and sailed -with him in the Alliance; but the captain’s misfortunes were not yet -over. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -CONCLUSION - - -The Alliance put into Corunna, where Conyngham saw again -representatives of the house of Roderigo, Hortalez and Company, and -learned that the money received for the prizes had been forwarded to -the commissioner’s agent at Paris. - -Although he had been treated as an officer of the regular service -by John Paul Jones, and had been summoned to attend a court-martial -as such, Conyngham decided to return as soon as possible to his own -country and sailed in the Experiment for Philadelphia. But most -unfortunately his hard luck followed him. When but a few days on the -voyage the vessel was captured by the British Admiral Edwards, and -within three weeks Conyngham was back once more at Mill prison. But -his treatment this time was very different from that which had been -accorded him before; and though his spirit chafed at the delay and the -confinement, still he was not forced to endure such bodily suffering. -In prison, however, he stayed for the rest of the war, and upon his -release returned to the United States. - -[Illustration: Facsimile of Conyngham’s petition to Congress, December -26, 1797.] - -Almost immediately he sought to have an inquiry made and an accounting -rendered for his prize-money and reimbursement for his services, but -owing to the condition of affairs that existed at that time it was -difficult to get Congress to take any action. There was indeed but -little money in the Treasury, and so he was forced to go upon a voyage -in a merchant vessel, from which he returned to begin institution -of his long suit against Congress for remuneration and redress. And -now the tragedy of his life began. For year after year he prayed and -petitioned Congress to listen to his plea. Before the matter came -actually to trial, good Dr. Franklin was dead. Many witnesses could not -be procured, and some of his earlier acquaintances and friends who had -not behaved in good faith toward him now deserted him completely. - -The missing commission would have proved his position, and the search -for it became almost the business of his life. A voyage to Europe and -a personal investigation of all clues failed to show any trace. It had -disappeared as completely as if it had never existed--a fact which some -of his enemies asserted to be the case. - -In this chapter we print a facsimile of his petition to Congress, -signed by himself and dated ten years after his first services were -rendered. It shows how much hope he had, and yet there is a note almost -of despair that rings throughout it. The claim was first submitted -to Benjamin Walker by Alexander Hamilton, then at the head of the -Treasury, and Mr. Walker failed to perceive any proof of Captain -Conyngham’s having been a regularly appointed officer in the service, -and for this reason recommended that the claim be not acknowledged. -But yet we find him again in 1793 petitioning Alexander Hamilton for -redress. In fact, to the day of his death he attempted in every way -to have his claim, that he had left to the justice of his country, -adjusted and closed up. - -During the _quasi_ war with France, Conyngham commanded an armed brig -named the Maria, and in the War of 1812 he again sought to go to sea, -but his health prevented him taking an active part. - -[Illustration] - -Conyngham died in Philadelphia, November 27, 1819, in the -seventy-second year of his age, and was buried in St. Peter’s -churchyard, and on his grave is an odd epitaph in the form of an -acrostic built on the name “Gustavus.” - -[Illustration: The “lost commission.”] - -But now appears the strangest part of the whole story--one of those -remarkable instances that so well prove the old adage of “facts being -stranger than fiction.” It is the tragic epilogue to the play--the -bitter end of the thread that runs through the whole of the relation. -It does not take long to tell, and surely it speaks for itself. - -Only a short time ago there appeared in the catalogue of M. Charavay, -an autograph and print-seller in Paris, among hundreds of other -notices, the following: - - 143 Hancock (John), celebre homme d’Etat américain, - gouverneur du Massachusetts, signataire de la Déclaration - de l’Indépendence,--Pièce signe comme président du congrès; - Baltimore, 1 mars 1777, 1 p. in-fol. obl. Rare. - -The connection of names and dates of course would attract the attention -of any collector. It would be seen that most possibly it had something -to do with Franklin’s sojourn in France. It was only the price asked -for John Hancock’s signature--in fact, much less than his signature -usually brought in the autograph market--ten francs. But what was -the joy and surprise of its present possessor, upon opening his new -purchase, to find that it was nothing more nor less than the missing -commission of the Surprise! Where it had been, what has been its -history since it was delivered at Versailles, how it came at last into -the possession of a little print-shop, no one can tell; but that it had -much to do with the foregoing story any one can see. It lies before the -author as he writes, and is reproduced in these pages for the first -time, that the court of public print may decide the question. That bold -Gustavus Conyngham was badly treated by his country and hardly handled -by Fate the reader can perceive. He had helped the cause in the way -it most needed help, but, notwithstanding, unrewarded, the man who -flew the flag in the Channel went broken-hearted to his grave, and now -out of the past, too late, comes the authentic proof of his cause and -asseverations. The world is a small one and strange things happen in -it, can be the only comment. - - -THE END - - - - -YOUNG HEROES OF OUR NAVY. - -Uniform Edition. Each, 12mo, cloth, $1.00. - - -=Reuben James.= - -A Hero of the Forecastle. By CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY, author of “Paul -Jones.” Illustrated by George Gibbs and others. - - “Nothing could be more absorbing than Mr. Brady’s graphic - tale, which forms an eloquent tribute to the heroes of the - forecastle, the predecessors of the men who did such gallant - work at Manila and Santiago.”--_Cleveland World._ - - -=The Hero of Manila.= - -Dewey on the Mississippi and the Pacific. By ROSSITER JOHNSON. -Illustrated by B. West Clinedinst and others. - - “There is nothing sensational or bombastic in the story from - beginning to end. It is, however, picturesque and vivid, as - well as dignified, modest, and decidedly interesting.”--_Boston - Budget._ - - -=The Hero Of Erie= (_Commodore Perry_). - -By JAMES BARNES, author of “Midshipman Farragut,” “Commodore -Bainbridge,” etc. With 10 full-page Illustrations. - - -=Commodore Bainbridge.= - -From the Gunroom to the Quarter-deck. By JAMES BARNES. 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He makes study a pleasure. He teaches geography in the right -way. He makes rural life and occupations attractive. He has a deep and -loving sympathy with child-life. He believes in the education that -strengthens the body as well as the mind. He tells children instructive -stories to arouse their imaginations and stimulate their observing -powers. He believes that every normal child may be made useful in -the world. He has a boundless faith in human progress, and finds his -greatest hopes in childhood and its possibilities. - -=These extraordinarily suggestive little books by the late Colonel -Parker--one of the most far-sighted students of child-life of our -day--have approved themselves to thousands of primary teachers. They -form one of the few successful attempts to incorporate that which is -close by nature to child perception into the very warp and woof of the -child mind. They give an intelligible meaning and vitality to the round -of experiences that come to all normal children in our land.= - - - - -FOR NATURE-LOVERS AND ANGLERS. - - -Familiar Fish: Their Habits and Capture. - -A Practical Book on Fresh-Water Game Fish. By EUGENE MCCARTHY. With an -Introduction by Dr. David Starr Jordan, President of Leland Stanford -Junior University, and numerous Illustrations. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50. - -This informing and practical book describes in a most interesting -fashion the habits and environment of our familiar freshwater game -fish, including anadromous fish like the salmon and sea trout. The life -of a fish is traced in a manner very interesting to nature-lovers, -while the simple and useful explanations of the methods of angling -for different fish will be appreciated by fishermen old and young. -As one of the most experienced of American fishermen, Mr. McCarthy -is able to speak with authority regarding salmon, trout, ouananiche, -bass, pike, and pickerel, and other fish which are the object of the -angler’s pursuit. The book is profusely illustrated with pictures and -serviceable diagrams. - - “The book compresses into a moderate space a larger amount of - interesting knowledge about fish and fishing than any other - volume that has appeared this season.”--_Chicago Tribune._ - - “It gives, in simple language and illustrations, much that it - will be profitable for our boys to know before they begin to - lay out their money, and much information that will be useful - to them when they begin to go farther afield than their own - immediate local waters.”--_Outing._ - - “One of the handsomest, most practical, most informing books - that we know. The author treats his subject with scientific - thoroughness, but with a light touch that makes the book easy - reading.... The book should be the companion of all who go - a-fishing.”--_New York Mail and Express._ - - - - -BY HEZEKIAH BUTTERWORTH. - -Uniform Edition. Each, 12mo, cloth. - - - =In the Days Of Audubon.= A Tale of the “Protector of Birds.” - Illustrated by B. West Clinedinst and Others. $1.20 net; - postage, 14 cents additional. - - =In the Days Of Jefferson=; _or, The Six Golden Horseshoes_. A - Tale of Republican Simplicity. Illustrated by F. T. Merrill. - $1.50. - - =The Story Of Magellan.= A Tale of the Discovery of the - Philippines. Illustrated by F. T. Merrill and Others. $1.50. - - =The Treasure Ship.= A Story of Sir William Phipps and the - Inter-Charter Period in Massachusetts. Illustrated by B. West - Clinedinst and Others. $1.50. - - =The Pilot of the Mayflower.= Illustrated by H. Winthrop Peirce - and Others. $1.50. - - =True to his Home.= A Tale of the Boyhood of Franklin. - Illustrated by H. Winthrop Peirce. $1.50. - - =The Wampum Belt=; _or, The Fairest Page of History_. A Tale of - William Penn’s Treaty with the Indians. With 6 full-page - Illustrations. $1.50. - - =The Knight Of Liberty.= A Tale of the Fortunes of Lafayette. - With 6 full-page Illustrations. $1.50. - - =The Patriot Schoolmaster.= A Tale of the Minutemen and the Sons - of Liberty. With 6 full-page Illustrations by H. Winthrop - Peirce. $1.50. - - =In the Boyhood of Lincoln.= A Story of the Black Hawk War and - the Tunker Schoolmaster. With 12 Illustrations and colored - Frontispiece. $1.50. - - =The Boys of Greenway Court.= A story of the Early Years of - Washington. With 10 full-page Illustrations. $1.50. - - =The Log School-House on the Columbia.= With 13 full-page - Illustrations by J. Carter Beard, E. J. Austen, and Others. - $1.50. - - - - -FOR YOUNG READERS. - - -=Paleface and Redskin=, - -And Other Stories for Boys and Girls. By F. ANSTEY, author of “Vice -Versa,” etc. - - -=Christine’s Career.= - -By PAULINE KING. - - -=John Boyd’s Adventures.= - -By THOMAS W. KNOX. - - -=We All.= - -By OCTAVE THANET. - - -=King Tom and the Runaways.= - -By LOUIS PENDLETON. - - -=Englishman’s Haven.= - -By W. J. GORDON. - - -=Along the Florida Reef.= - -By CHARLES F. HOLDER. - - -Each, illustrated, 12mo, cloth, $1.50. - - - - -OUTDOOR BOOKS. - -By RALPH HENRY BARBOUR. - -Each, 12mo, cloth. - - -=Captain of the Crew.= - -Illustrated by C. M. Relyea. $1.20 net; postage, 14 cents additional. - - Mr. Barbour has made himself a master of sport in fiction for - young readers. His new book is one of those fresh, graphic, - delightful stories of school life that appeal to all healthy - boys and girls. He sketches skating and ice-boating and track - athletics, as well as rowing. His glimpses of training and his - brilliant picture of the great race will give this capital tale - an enduring popularity. - - -=For the Honor of the School.= - -A Story of School Life and Interscholastic Sport. Illustrated by C. M. -Relyea. $1.50. - - “High spirits, good fellowship, and manliness breathe from its - pages.”--_The Outlook._ - - “A superior book for boys.... Enjoyable from cover to - cover.”--_Boston Congregationalist._ - - “A lively, spirited story, sure to interest boys, and - at the same time it is thoroughly wholesome and full of - information.”--_Boston Herald._ - - “It is a wholesome book, one tingling with health and activity, - endeavor and laudable ambition to excel in more fields than - one.”--_New York Mail and Express._ - - -=The Half-Back.= - -Illustrated by B. West Clinedinst. $1.50. - - “It is a stirring, healthy boys’ book.”--_Philadelphia Call._ - - “A good, manly book for boys, on a good, manly Anglo-Saxon - game.”--_New York Mail and Express._ - - “It is in every sense an out-and-out boys’ book, simple - and manly in tone, hearty and healthy in its sports, and - full of that enthusiasm, life, and fondness for games which - characterize the wide-awake, active schoolboy.”--_Boston - Herald._ - - - - -A UNIQUE BOOK. - - -“_For children, parents, teachers, and all who are interested in the -psychology of childhood._” - -=The Book of Knight and Barbara=. - -By DAVID STARR JORDAN. Illustrated. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50. - -The curious and fascinating tales and pictures of this unique book are -introduced by Dr. Jordan with the foil owing preface: “The only apology -the author can make in this case is that he never meant to do it. He -had told his own children many stories of many kinds, some original, -some imitative, some travesties of the work of real story-tellers. -Two students of the department of education in the Stanford -University--Mrs. Louise Maitland, of San Jose, and Miss Harriet Hawley, -of Boston--asked him to repeat these stories before other children. -Miss Hawley, as a stenographer, took them down for future reference, -and while the author was absent on the Bering Sea Commission of 1896 -she wrote them out in full, thus forming the material of this book. -Copies of the stories were placed by Mrs. Maitland in the hands of -hundreds of children. These drew illustrative pictures, after their -fashion; and from the multitude offered, Mrs. Maitland chose those -which are here reproduced. The scenes in the stories were also -subjected to the criticisms of the children, and in many cases amended -to meet their suggestions. These pictures made by the children have -been found to interest deeply other children, a fact which gives them -a definite value as original documents in the study of the workings of -the child-mind. At the end of the volume are added a few true stories -of birds and of beasts, told to a different audience. With these are a -few drawings by university students, which are intended to assist the -imagination of child-readers.” - - - - -BY CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY. - - -=The Quiberon Touch.= - -A Romance of the Sea. With frontispiece. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50. - - “A story to make your pulse leap and your eyes - glisten. It fairly glows with color and throbs with - movement.”--_Philadelphia Item._ - - “This story has a real beauty; it breathes of the sea. Fenimore - Cooper would not be ashamed to own a disciple in the school of - which he was master in these descriptions of the tug of war as - it was in the eighteenth century between battle-ships under - sail.”--_New York Mail and Express._ - - -=Commodore Paul Jones.= - -A new volume in the GREAT COMMANDER SERIES, edited by General James -Grant Wilson. With Photogravure Portrait and Maps. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50 -net; postage, 11 cents additional. - - “A thousand times more interesting than any of the so-called - historical romances that are now in vogue.”--_Spirit of the - Times._ - - “Mr. Brady’s vigorous style, vivid imagination, and dramatic - force are most happily exhibited in this book.”--_Philadelphia - Press._ - - “Incomparably fine. Being the work of a scholarly writer, it - must stand as the best popular life yet available. The book is - one to buy and own. It is more interesting than any novel, and - better written than most histories.”--_Nautical Gazette._ - - -=Reuben James.= - -A Hero of the Forecastle. A new volume in the YOUNG HEROES OF OUR NAVY -SERIES. Illustrated by George Gibbs and Others. 12mo. Cloth, $1.00. - - “A lively and spirited narrative.”--_Boston Herald._ - - “Mr. Brady has made a stirring tale out of the material before - him, one of those brilliant and forceful descriptions of the - glories of the old wooden-walled navy, which stir the blood - like a trumpet call.”--_Brooklyn Eagle._ - - - - -RECENT FICTION. - - -=Kate Bonnet.= - -The Romance of a Pirate’s Daughter. By FRANK R. STOCKTON, author of -“Rudder Grange,” “The Lady or Tiger,” etc. Illustrated, 12mo. Cloth, -$1.50. - - “A cleverly conceived and neatly developed story into which - Stockton has injected a goodly portion of his peculiarly - fantastic genius.... It has not a dull page.”--_Boston - Advertiser._ - - -=Love in Its Tenderness.= - -By J. R. AITKEN. 12mo. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 cents. - - “It reminds us of Ian Maclaren, yet Mr. Aitken has traits - peculiarly his own.”--_London Echo._ - - “An unstudied pathos and charm and radiant simplicity pervade - the book.”--_London Daily News._ - - -=Scarlet and Hyssop.= - -By E. F. BENSON, author of “Dodo,” “Mammon & Co.,” “The Luck of the -Vails,” etc. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50. - - Mr. Benson has returned to the field which he developed with - such signal success in “Dodo,” and his new novel reveals a - brilliancy, social knowledge and worldly wisdom that show how - much the author has grown in force and pungency since the - appearance of his first book. - - -=The Strength of the Weak.= - -By CHAUNCEY C. HOTCHKISS, author of “Betsy Ross,” “In Defiance of the -King,” etc. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50. - - “Mr. Hotchkiss firmly sustains the excitement of his story - at a pitch that holds the attention of the reader strongly - in eager anticipation without wearying him from excessive - vigor.”--_Baltimore Herald._ - - -=A Fool’s Year.= - -By E. H. COOPER. 12mo. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 cents. - - “A well-written book with obvious marks of unusual - culture.”--_New York Commercial Advertiser._ - - - - -A PICTURESQUE BOOK OF THE SEA. - - -=A Sailor’s Log.= - -_Recollections of Forty Tears of Naval Life._ By Rear-Admiral ROBLEY D. -EVANS, U. S. N. Illustrated. Large 12mo. Cloth, $2.00. - - “It is essentially a book for men, young and old; and - the man who does not enjoy it is lacking in healthy red - blood.”--_Chicago Bookseller._ - - “A profoundly interesting book. There is not a line of bravado - in its chapters, nor a carping criticism. It is a book which - will increase the esteem and high honor which the American - feels and willingly awards our naval heroes.”--_Chicago - Inter-Ocean._ - - “It would be difficult to find an autobiography possessing more - interest than this narrative of forty years of active naval - service. It equals the most fascinating novel for interest; - it contains a great deal of material that has a distinct - historical value.... Altogether it is a most delightful - book.”--_Brooklyn Eagle._ - - “His is a picturesque personality, and he stands the supreme - test by being as popular with his officers and men as he is - with the public generally. His life has been one of action and - adventure since he was a boy, and the record of it which he has - prepared in his book ‘A Sailor’s Log’ has not a dull line in it - from cover to cover. It is all action, action, and again action - from the first page to the last, and makes one want to go and - ‘do things’ himself. Any boy between fifteen and nineteen - who reads this book and does not want to go to sea must be a - sluggish youth.... The book is really an interesting record of - an interesting man.”--_New York Press._ - - -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, NEW YORK. - - - - -Transcriber’s Notes - - -Punctuation, hyphenation, and spelling were made consistent when a -predominant preference was found in this book; otherwise they were not -changed. - -Simple typographical errors were corrected; occasional unbalanced -quotation marks retained. - -Ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's With The Flag In The Channel, by James Barnes - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH THE FLAG IN THE CHANNEL *** - -***** This file should be named 52816-0.txt or 52816-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/8/1/52816/ - -Produced by MWS, Charlie Howard, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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