s suitable for them that has sailed so long together."

"This will be great news, Dick, if de Vervillin has really come out!"
cried Sir Gervaise, rubbing his hands with delight. "Hang me, if I wait
for orders from London; but we'll sail with the first wind and tide. Let
them settle the quarrel at home, as they best can; it is _our_ business
to catch the Frenchman. How many ships do you really suppose the count
to have?"

"Twelve of two decks, besides one three-decker, and beating us in
frigates. Two or three, however, are short vessels, and cannot be quite
as heavy as our own. I see no reason why we should not engage him."

"I rejoice to hear you say so! How much more honourable is it to seek
the enemy, than to be intriguing about a court! I hope you intend to let
me announce that red riband in general orders to-morrow, Dick?"

"Never, with my consent, Sir Gervaise, so long as the house of Hanover
confers the boon. But what an extraordinary scene we have just had
below! This young lieutenant is a noble fellow, and I hope, with all my
heart, he will be enabled to make good his claim."

"Of that Sir Reginald assures me there can be no manner of doubt. His
papers are in perfect order, and his story simple and probable. Do you
not remember hearing, when we were midshipmen in the West Indies, of a
lieutenant of the Sappho's striking a senior officer, ashore; and of his
having been probably saved from the sentence of death, by the loss of
the ship?"

"As well as if it were yesterday, now you name the vessel. And this you
suppose to have been the late Sir Wycherly's brother. Did he belong to
the Sappho?"

"So they tell me, below; and it leaves no doubt on my mind, of the truth
of the whole story."

"It is a proof, too, how easy it is for one to return to England, and
maintain his rights, after an absence of more than half a century. He in
Scotland has a claim quite as strong as that of this youth!"

"Dick Bluewater, you seem determined to pull a house down about your own
ears! What have you or I to do with these Scotch adventurers, when a
gallant enemy invites us to come out and meet him! But, mum--here is
Bunting."

At this instant the signal-lieutenant of the Plantagenet was shown into
the room, by Galleygo, in person.

"Well, Bunting; what tidings from the fleet?" demanded Sir Gervaise. "Do
the ships still ride to the flood?"

"It is slack-water, Sir Gervaise, and the vessels are looking all ways
at once. Mos