t of us are clearing hawse, for there are more round turns
in our cables, than I remember ever to have seen in so short a time."

"That comes of there being no wind, and the uselessness of the stay-sails
and spankers. What has brought you ashore? Galleygo tells us something
of a cutter's coming in, with information that the French are out; but
_his_ news is usually _galley_-news."

"Not always, Sir Gervaise," returned the lieutenant, casting a side-look
at the steward, who often comforted him with ship's delicacies in the
admiral's cabin; "this time, he is right, at least. The Active is coming
in slowly, and has been signalling us all the morning. We make her out
to say that Monsieur Vervillin is at sea with his whole force."

"Yes," muttered Galleygo to the rear-admiral, in a sort of aside; "the
County of Fairvillain has come out of his hole, just as I told Sir
Jarvy. Fair-weather-villains they all is, and no bones broken."

"Silence--and you think, Bunting, you read the signals clearly?"

"No doubt of it, Sir Gervaise. Captain Greenly is of the same opinion,
and has sent me ashore with the news. He desired me to tell you that the
ebb would make in half an hour, and that we can then fetch past the
rocks to the westward, light as the wind is."

"Ay, that is Greenly, I can swear!--He'll not sit down until we are all
aweigh, and standing out. Does the cutter tell us which way the count
was looking?"

"To the westward, sir; on an easy bowline, and under short canvass."

"The gentleman is in no hurry, it would seem. Has he a convoy?"

"Not a sail, sir. Nineteen sail, all cruisers, and only twelve of the
line. He has one two-decker, and two frigates more than we can muster;
just a Frenchman's odds, sir."

"The count has certainly with him, the seven new ships that were built
last season," quietly observed Bluewater, leaning back in his
easy-chair, until his body inclined at an angle of forty-five degrees,
and stretching a leg on an empty stand, in his usual self-indulgent
manner. "They are a little heavier than their old vessels, and will give
us harder work."

"The tougher the job, the more creditable the workmanship. The tide is
turning, you say, Bunting?"

"It is, Sir Gervaise; and we shall all tend ebb, in twenty minutes. The
frigates outside are riding down channel already. The Chloe seems to
think that we shall be moving soon, as she has crossed top-gallant and
royal-yards. Even Captain Greenly was thinkin